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KMPO TIP and Rathdrum Prairie study: Post Falls staff outline regional projects and warn of land-application impacts
Summary
The city engineer reviewed the KMPO 2026–2032 Transportation Improvement Program and the Rathdrum Prairie Area Transportation Study alternatives, highlighting major projects (Pleasant View interchange, Lancaster/Hutter roundabout, I‑90 widening) and potential negative impacts on Post Falls' land‑application property under some study alternatives.
City engineering staff briefed the Post Falls City Council on Oct. 21 about the Kootenai Metropolitan Planning Organization’s (KMPO) 2026–2032 Transportation Improvement Program and progress on the Rathdrum Prairie Area Transportation Study.
Robert Paulus reviewed regional projects within the TIP that affect Post Falls and nearby jurisdictions: completed and recently opened safety projects (Lancaster/Hutter roundabout), the State Highway 53 Pleasant View interchange (a grade‑separated crossing under construction with an estimated $45 million cost), and other multi‑year projects such as Prairie Avenue widening and Chase Road safety/multi‑use path work. Paulus said KMPO estimated roughly $302 million in federal‑aid projects over the seven‑year TIP period, with about 91% of costs toward construction.
On the Rathdrum Prairie study, staff summarized the screening process that reduced an initial 54 alternatives to 14 and then to four proposed design approaches (two north‑south and two east‑west alternatives plus a design element to widen US‑95). Paulus said alternatives that route a new high‑speed corridor near or through the city land‑application (treated effluent application) sites could cause “very serious negative impacts” to Post Falls’ land‑application acreage and long‑term wastewater disposal options. Staff recommended that any right‑of‑way acquisition include mitigation measures and that the city press for replacement acreage or other remedies if the state’s selected route removes land used for land application.
The presentation covered timing and funding splits (roughly 54% federal, 46% local/state match on the adopted TIP) and noted that some projects are scheduled for construction in the mid‑ to late‑2020s. Paulus said KMPO and ITD will continue public outreach and that the Rathdrum study will present screening results in 2026.
Quotes and details are drawn from Robert Paulus’ presentation to the Post Falls City Council on Oct. 21, 2025.
