Automotive & Transportation
Idaho Transportation Dept. Seeks Public Input on U.S. 20-County Road 12 Intersection Upgrade
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Published in Automotive and Transportation on Monday, November 24th 2025 at 21:44 GMT by KMVT News- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
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Idaho Transportation Department Seeks Public Input on Major Highway Intersection Upgrade
The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) has issued a call for public comment on a proposed design to upgrade a critical intersection on the state’s highway network. The project, aimed at improving safety and traffic flow at the junction of U.S. Highway 20 and County Road 12 near the town of Twin Falls, will involve a mix of engineering upgrades, new traffic controls, and pedestrian‑friendly design elements. The announcement, posted on the ITD’s news portal on November 25, 2025, highlights a comprehensive effort to address a longstanding bottleneck that has been linked to a high rate of accidents and congestion during peak travel periods.
Why the Upgrade Matters
The intersection in question sits at the confluence of a major east‑west arterial (U.S. 20) and a key north‑south route that serves regional agricultural and commercial traffic. According to the ITD’s 2023 traffic safety analysis, this intersection recorded 87 crashes in the preceding five years, including 12 fatal or severe incidents. A significant portion of these incidents involved pedestrians and cyclists—a concern that the department has identified as a top priority for the redesign.
Local residents and business owners have long complained that the existing stop‑light configuration, coupled with insufficient turning lanes, leads to dangerous left‑turn situations and prolonged delays during rush hour. “Every morning, the traffic stalls for miles, and there’s a real risk for children on the sidewalks crossing at the corner,” said Maria Gonzales, owner of a family‑run bakery that serves the downtown area. The ITD’s preliminary analysis suggests that a redesigned intersection could cut crash rates by up to 25% and reduce delay times by roughly 30 seconds for each vehicle.
The Proposed Design
The ITD’s draft design, which is now open for review, proposes several key changes:
Signal Timing Adjustments – The existing traffic signal cycle will be extended to accommodate longer turn phases, particularly for left‑turn movements. A new sensor‑based system will dynamically adjust signal timing based on real‑time traffic volumes.
Turn Lane Expansion – Each side of the intersection will receive an additional dedicated left‑turn lane. This addition will help segregate turning traffic from through‑traffic, thereby reducing rear‑end collision potential.
Pedestrian & Bicycle Crossings – Two new crosswalks equipped with high‑visibility signage will be added. Additionally, a protected bike lane will be extended through the intersection, with median islands to shield cyclists from opposing traffic.
Roadway Geometry Improvements – The intersection’s approach lanes will be widened by 4 feet to accommodate larger commercial vehicles. Road markings will be updated to reflect the new lane configurations, and rumble strips will be installed to alert drivers of lane departures.
Lighting & Signage Upgrades – LED lighting will be installed along all new pedestrian crossings and along the newly added lanes. Variable message signs (VMS) will provide real‑time traffic updates and safety reminders to drivers.
The design has been engineered with an emphasis on “right‑turn‑only” options, where feasible, to eliminate left‑turn conflicts. In addition, the ITD has consulted with the City of Twin Falls’ Transportation Planning Division, which has endorsed the plan as a “step in the right direction” for the area’s growth projections.
Funding & Timeline
The ITD estimates the total cost of the project at $12.3 million. The state will contribute $7.8 million, with the remaining $4.5 million earmarked from federal highway grants. The ITD’s finance officer, Thomas Reid, stated that the project will be phased over two construction periods: the first in the summer of 2026 and the second in the fall of 2027. “Phasing allows us to keep traffic moving while upgrades are being installed,” Reid explained.
Construction will be managed by a consortium of local contractors led by Twin Falls Construction Co., which has a long history of collaborating with the ITD on similar projects across the state. A preliminary construction schedule, which can be downloaded from the ITD’s project page (link included in the article), indicates that the most disruptive works—such as lane widening and new pedestrian pathways—will occur during off‑peak hours to minimize impact on local traffic.
Community Engagement
The ITD has scheduled a series of public hearings to gather community input. The first hearing will take place on December 12, 2025, at the Twin Falls City Hall (room 203). Residents, business owners, and local transportation advocates are invited to attend and review the full design documents, which are available on the ITD’s website.
According to the ITD, “public participation is a cornerstone of our planning process.” A dedicated online portal has been launched to enable residents to upload comments, submit suggestions, and view real‑time updates on the project’s progress. The portal is linked in the article’s “Community Feedback” section, and it offers a searchable database of all past and forthcoming meetings.
Wider Context and Supporting Resources
The article links to several resources for readers who wish to delve deeper into the project’s background:
- ITD Safety Report (2023) – Provides a detailed breakdown of crash statistics at key intersections across Idaho.
- Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Grants Page – Outlines the criteria and application process for federal funding.
- City of Twin Falls Transportation Plan (2024) – Offers a comprehensive view of the city’s long‑term mobility strategy, including projected traffic growth and planned multimodal enhancements.
By referencing these documents, the ITD hopes to paint a holistic picture of the intersection’s role in regional connectivity and to underscore the project’s alignment with broader transportation objectives such as reducing travel time, enhancing pedestrian safety, and supporting local economic vitality.
Conclusion
The Idaho Transportation Department’s proposed upgrade to the U.S. 20 and County Road 12 intersection represents a multi‑faceted effort to tackle safety, efficiency, and accessibility challenges that have plagued the area for years. With a well‑defined design that incorporates modern traffic control technologies, dedicated turn lanes, and pedestrian‑friendly infrastructure, the project aims to set a new standard for intersection safety in Idaho.
As the ITD moves forward with public outreach, the community’s input will be crucial in fine‑tuning the design and ensuring that the final implementation meets the needs of all road users. Residents are encouraged to attend the upcoming hearings, review the design documents available online, and submit their feedback by the deadline set by the department. The success of this project will likely serve as a model for similar upgrades throughout the state, reinforcing Idaho’s commitment to safer, more efficient transportation networks.
Read the Full KMVT News Article at:
[ https://www.kmvt.com/2025/11/25/idaho-transportation-department-seeking-improve-state-highway-intersection/ ]
