Plans to widen heavily used road between Meridian, Caldwell

MERIDIAN, Idaho – Plans are in the works to widen one of the Treasure Valley’s most heavily traveled roads between Meridian and Caldwell.

The Statesman reported the Idaho Transportation Department proposes to make U.S. 20/26 a six-lane divided highway from Eagle Road west to Interstate 84 over the next quarter century.

To relieve worsening congestion and maintain safe driving conditions, ITD envisions widening the highway to a four-lane divided highway between 2021 and 2032 and to six lanes by 2040. Most of the 15-mile stretch is two- and three-lane rural highway.

In all, the work would cost an estimated $350 million.

The timing is an estimate. After the entire stretch is widened to four lanes, the department plans to make it six “when traffic volumes warrant it and when funding is available,” said spokesman Adam Rush.