ITD seeking public input on proposed changes to US-20 exits 332, 333
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REXBURG — The Idaho Transportation Department is in the planning stage of redesigning two U.S. Highway 20 interchanges in Rexburg.
Construction is expected to begin in 2023.
The research stage of this process started in 2014. Studies predicted that wait times at the interchanges at University Boulevard (Exit 332) and Idaho Highway 33 (Exit 333) would eclipse five minutes per vehicle by 2043.
“We looked at geographic constraints, delay times, cost, safety and local agency input for a range of scenarios,” ITD Project Manager Zak Johnson said in a news release.
ITD is working with the city of Rexburg, Madison County and BYU-Idaho to improve these interchanges.
The design and planning stage began earlier this year, yielding five potential fixes. Horrocks Engineers designed the fixes, and along with ITD have selected one best option based on cost-efficiency and effectiveness.
The diverging diamond interchange is the top option, according to Horrocks Engineers spokesperson Mike McKee.
At a combined cost of $7 million, wait times will be kept under 50 seconds per car at each interchange by 2043. The DDI model (pictured above) is currently in use at the intersection of Interstate 86 and Yellowstone Avenue in Chubbuck.
ITD has now opened the decision-making process to the public. Residents can go to itdprojects.org to view other plans considered, pose questions and offer insight into the project. The online public forum, which opened on Dec. 4, will close on Dec. 18.