Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation Planning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council hears update on ITD corridor study; NEPA/EIS process and business concerns discussed
Summary
City staff told the Middleton City Council that the PELs-level corridor work will move into a two-part NEPA scoping and that an Environmental Impact Statement is likely, with the EIS timeline estimated through 2026–28; councilors directed staff to press ITD for written responses to local concerns and to continue outreach.
City staff updated the Middleton City Council on Oct. 1 about the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) PELs/pedal study and the transition to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process. Staff reported that consultant David Evans & Associates is scoping the work in two parts (2a and 2b). The 2a scope will refine the common pieces of the four alternatives (for example, Highway 84 to Canyon Lane and Marjorie to Star) and advance designs for EIS review over roughly a six-month period; a subsequent NEPA Environmental Impact Statement could take up to two years, potentially spanning 2026–28.
Staff said they had asked the consultant to share reports but were advised it made sense to wait for the consolidated materials. The consultant plans public workshops and technical meetings with city staff; staff also reported ITD has agreed to additional surveying and aerial work to support detailed engineering.
Council members expressed frustration at multi-year delays in engaging ITD and said businesses along Highway 44 are reluctant to pursue development amid uncertainty about which route will be selected. A councilor told staff, "what they're gonna do with Highway 44 because I'm hearing from businesses that they're afraid to do anything on there," and asked staff to prioritize asking ITD whether and how the city’s specific concerns will be addressed. Staff recommended drafting a clear list of the council’s top concerns and either seeking a direct response from ITD now or pushing those issues through the NEPA comment period.
Staff described the subsequent right-of-way and acquisition steps under federal requirements (the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act) and noted the process involves thorough documentation and legal steps if property must be acquired. Council directed staff to work with council representatives to craft and send follow-up communications to ITD and to continue the planned public outreach as the consultant refines alternatives.
Separately, councilors raised pedestrian-safety requests for crosswalks near the high school and other locations; staff said the traffic engineer will evaluate mid-block and intersection options and return with options.
