Popular highway to get new interchanges

THORNTON, Idaho – A highway popular with tourists visiting Yellowstone National Park will get two new interchanges as part of the state’s 20-year plan to make roads safer.

Officials with the Idaho Transportation Department have announced the location of two interchanges to be built on U.S. 20 in eastern Idaho.

They replace intersections that have led to five serious accidents between 1996 and 2000.

The Thornton interchange will complement the commercial corridor in the area, said Madison County Commissioner Brooke Passey.

With the decisions, the Transportation Department can move forward with design plans for the interchanges.

Cathy Koon, a Transportation Department spokeswoman, said a record number of people, more than 200, offered comments on the proposed interchanges.

For some, the location could make or break their businesses.