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Overview and Updates
US-95 Palouse Region Study
The US-95 Study is following the Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) process. The intent of the study is to help ITD determine investments in the transportation network that will improve safety, mobility, and economic opportunity in the region.
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Level 1 Screening was completed in summer 2025
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Level 2 Screening is in progress in spring 2026
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Level 3 Screening is anticipated in fall 2026
SH-8 Moscow to Troy – Traffic Study
After reviewing crash data, potential new alignments, initial traffic analysis, and public input, ITD has redefined the scope of the study needed from Moscow to Troy as a Traffic Study. More details about this separate study may be found on ITD’s project website: SH-8 Traffic Study. Traffic analysis for SH-8 from Airport Road to Pine Crest Road is included in the US-95 Palouse Region Study.
US-95 Vision and Draft Purpose & Need
The Vision and Purpose & Need Statements were reviewed by stakeholders, agencies, and the public in spring 2024, and their feedback was incorporated.
Vision
To determine purposeful investments in the transportation network to improve safety and mobility and serve the communities and regional economic needs.
Purpose
The purpose of the transportation improvements on US-95 between Snow Road and the Latah/Benewah county line is to enhance quality of life through transportation by:
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Reducing congestion through improved travel time reliability
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Continuing to enhance a regional north-south connection between Lewiston and Coeur d’Alene as an important element of local and regional commerce
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Accommodating walking and biking where appropriate on the U.S. highway system
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Promoting safety by addressing geometric and operational deficiencies
Need
The need for transportation improvements on US-95 between Snow Road and the Latah/Benewah county line is:
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Current and future (2050) congestion
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Inefficient movement of freight and through traffic on the one-way couplet due to the 25-mph design speed, on-street parking, and sharp turning radii at the intersections of SH-8 and US-95
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Inadequate or lack of accommodation for travelers walking and biking to school, work, and shops
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Geometric and operational deficiencies on the US-95 corridor, including deficiencies associated with horizontal and vertical curves, substandard grades, narrow shoulders, and passing opportunities
On-Alignment Concepts
Improvements would be considered for the current highway system. While the details of specific improvement elements would be refined throughout the process, we want to forecast what is possible for updates on the current roadway system.
Rural Improvements
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Widening
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Targeted roadway improvements outside Moscow city limits
Urban Improvements
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Targeted roadway improvements in Moscow
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Stand-alone improvements for walking and biking
New Alignment Concepts
New connections and roadways would be considered off the current highway system. Because we build new roads to the latest design standards, many roadway elements would be determined by engineering best practices and technical data at the time of final design and construction.
New Corridors
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New roadway corridors would be created to address the needs of this study area
New Routes for Urban Mobility
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These concepts would help roadway users move around and through the Moscow area
No Build Concept
Carried Forward in All Screening Levels
A No Build Alternative is required in NEPA environmental reviews and maintains the existing roadway network, without the proposed project. It serves as the baseline to which other alternatives are compared.