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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Ideas Sought To Ease Congested Intersection U.S. 95 Crossroads Are A Mess And Problem Getting Worse

During the height of summer, 42,000 vehicles a day motor through the intersection of U.S. Highway 95 and Haycraft Avenue.

Even during the quieter months of the year, there are about 32,000 cars a day. And it’s growing by more than 8 percent a year.

The resulting congestion is so bad that traffic from Appleway and Highway 95, one block south, stacks up and blocks Haycraft. Accident rates are climbing - there have been 19 in the past three years.

The Idaho Department of Transportation thinks it’s time to ease the jam. It will hold an open house and hearing Thursday, in conjunction with the city, to discuss proposed solutions.

Solving the problem is going to be difficult. Most of the accidents are the result of people trying to cross Highway 95, making left turns from Haycraft onto the highway, or making left turns from the highway onto Haycraft.

The idea of closing the median and stopping turns and crossings first surfaced last fall. Businessmen protested, saying it would keep customers away.

Still, the Transportation Department is proposing that closure as one alternative. Other alternatives range from installing a traffic light to partially or totally restrict left turns. A traffic light is out because it is costly and would worsen congestion at Appleway and Highway 95, already the busiest intersection in North Idaho.

The Transportation Department has heard from about 20 people, who suggest everything from a stop light to doing nothing. Nothing isn’t an option.

“We really do need to do something to decrease the number of accidents, make the intersection safer and improve traffic flow,” said Jim Armitage, a traffic supervisor. In the absence of action, the problems will get worse, he said.

The city and the Transportation Department will use comments from Thursday’s meeting to develop a recommendation. The final decision probably is up to the Idaho Department of Transportation Board.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: HEARING 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Transportation Department office, 600 W. Prairie Avenue.

This sidebar appeared with the story: HEARING 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Transportation Department office, 600 W. Prairie Avenue.