I-84 TO BE WIDENED IN CANYON COUNTY
Idaho Congressional Delegation announces federal grant
Washington, DC – Interstate 84 will be widened to three lanes in both directions through the Nampa area, thanks in part to $90 million in federal funding announced today by Idaho Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch and Congressmen Mike Simpson and Raúl Labrador. Idaho’s Congressional Delegation pressed for federal funding to widen I-84 through Canyon County under the federal Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant program. Risch and Crapo spoke with U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao to confirm the grant award Tuesday. State and local funding will bring the commitment for the expansion to $150 million.
“Having driven this stretch of highway many times, I agree that growth and safety concerns make widening Interstate 84 through southwest Idaho a critical concern—something many Idahoans experience every single day,” said Senator Crapo. “This project goes a long way toward increasing our regional and global competitive advantages. We hope it will be completed in two to three years.”
“My colleagues and I asked Secretary Chao to support this project knowing how needed it is in Idaho,” said Senator Risch. “I-84 is long overdue for improvements, and the national freight network’s growing dependence on that route for transportation has only added to the urgency of this work. Expansion of the corridor will reduce congestion in and around the Ada-Canyon County area, alleviating the long rush hour commute for Idahoans. And the increased interstate commerce through Idaho will be great for Idaho farmers, producers, manufacturers and all commercial traffic, allowing more of our state products to be distributed domestically and internationally.”
“This is great news for not only the Treasure Valley, but for all of Idaho,” said Congressman Simpson. “I’ve often said we are the beneficiaries of our forefathers who invested in our nation’s infrastructure and we need to continue to do so in order for our country to prosper. I’m pleased these federal funds will be spent here in Idaho helping our economy.”
“Improving I-84 is critical to Idaho’s economic future, especially when it comes to enhancing our competitiveness. I want to thank Secretary Chao for approving the grant application made by ITD and COMPASS. I also want to thank her for being responsive to the letter I and the rest of the delegation sent her in March advocating for the grant. This is a big win for Idaho we can all support,” saidCongressman Labrador.
“We are thrilled to be selected to receive a $90 million INFRA grant to address the bottleneck on Interstate 84 in Canyon County. Getting to this point has been a true team effort, including not only the efforts of COMPASS and the Idaho Transportation Department, but also support from cities, counties, and other agencies and organizations throughout the region. COMPASS is particularly grateful for the support and assistance of Idaho’s congressional delegation throughout the grant application process,” said Matt Stoll, Executive Director, Community Planning Association of Southwest Idaho (COMPASS).
The funding will now be utilized by the Idaho Department of Transportation and COMPASS to widen I-84 to three lanes in both directions between Franklin Road and the Karcher Road underpass. The interchanges will also be improved.
Statistics show that on an average weekday, more than 80,000 cars and trucks travel in both directions along that area of freeway. I-84 is a major freight carrier, moving $80 billion worth of goods through Canyon and Ada Counties annually. The funding will improve safety and reduce congestion. Without the changes, planners say the 25-minute trip between Caldwell and Boise could almost triple in the next 20 years.
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