Highway 26 safety under the microscope after series of severe crashes
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The following is a news release from the Idaho Transportation Dept.
RIRIE – A Roadway Safety Audit of U.S. Highway 26 (Yellowstone Highway) from 49th South in Idaho Falls to Swan Valley begins on Wednesday, September 16. The audit is a coordinated, impartial examination conducted through Idaho’s Office of Highway Safety. The Idaho Transportation Department requested an audit following multiple severe crashes on US-26 earlier this summer.
A team that includes transportation professionals from outside of eastern Idaho, as well as interested local leaders and partners, will make independent observations on a myriad of safety factors. They will study obstructions, approaches, shoulders, site distance, roadway geometry, striping, signs and more.
The public is invited to attend a kickoff meeting with the auditing teamon Wednesday, September 16, at 9 a.m. It will be held at the ITD District Six office, 206 North Yellowstone Highway, in Rigby
Insights received from the meeting will help guide the team as they spend time studying US-26 through next week.
Following their investigation, the auditing team will provide ITD with suggestions for both immediate and long-term improvements. The team’s findings will give ITD the ability to seek needed funding and implement changes with local crews and resources.