Public invited to weigh in on U.S. 95 project in Athol

ATHOL — The Idaho Transportation Department is inviting the community to learn about and provide feedback on a future project to improve safety and increase mobility on U.S. 95 near Parks Road.

A meeting is scheduled from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Aug. 19 at the ITD Athol Shed, 6303 E. Parks Road.

The project is in the design phase, according to a release from ITD. Proposed improvements include:

• Eliminating left turns and median crossing to allow right-in/right-out only access to U.S. 95 from Parks Road.

• Building a new frontage road on the east side of U.S. 95 from Parks Road to Lawrence Road, connecting to the existing dead-end and completing the route to SH-53 and even further south.

• Coordinating with the Lakes Highway District on a separate project as they plan to realign Old Highway 95 to Parks Road. 

• Addressing congestion issues around the Bunco Road interchange and also near the Bunco Road/Pope Road intersection caused by surges in traffic to and from the neighboring theme park.    

This project is funded for design and construction beginning in 2031 for $10 million, ITD said. 

The information shared at the meeting will also be available online beginning Aug. 19 through midnight Sept. 5 on ITD's projects website, under "US-95-Parks Road / ITD Projects."