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Elm Street reconstruction project: city plans outreach and recommends 30 mph posting; school-zone timing proposed
Summary
Public works outlined the Elm Street federal-aid reconstruction timeline (design into 2026; construction expected 2027), outreach via a "story map" and mailer, and a December speed study that staff said supports posting 30 mph on Elm with a flashing 20-mph school-zone reduction during pick-up/drop-off.
Public works staff told the council on Jan. 20 that the federally funded Elm Street reconstruction is in the design and public‑outreach phase, with project design expected to finish in summer 2026 and construction anticipated in 2027. Presenter Chris Canfield described a project "story map" and a mailer with a QR code to gather public input in lieu of a public meeting.
Canfield said the team has met with stakeholders including Altura School (whose main concern was construction coordination) and the Museum of Idaho (sight‑distance issues). He said a December speed study — used to evaluate whether a school zone is warranted — found the study's target speed grouping clustered around 30 mph. Staff recommended raising the posted limit on Elm to 30 mph and using a flashing school‑zone reduction during arrival and dismissal times.
Councilors pressed staff on placement and extent of the flashing school‑zone sign and on how far a reduced-speed zone would need to extend near Altura School. Canfield said the school crossing and existing flasher near Ridge would likely anchor the school zone and estimated the school‑zone segment would run roughly half a block in each direction, with an approximately 15–20 minute flashing period to match drop‑off and pick‑up.
Staff said the mailer and story map would be available by the end of the week, with an initial comment-closure date of Feb. 15; staff offered to extend the comment period if council desired. The outreach will also help satisfy federal environmental (NEPA) public‑involvement requirements for the project.
Next steps: mailer and story map outreach, collect comments via the website/survey, and incorporate feedback into final design ahead of construction planning.
