One of the main corridors of the Treasure Valley, Chinden Boulevard, could be expanded to a six lane highway over the next 25 years according to long range plans from the Idaho Transportation Department.
The section of roadway between Meridian and Caldwell would first be upgraded from two to four lanes in the next 15 years. Once that’s done, work would begin to widen it to six lanes by 2040.
The Idaho Statesman reports the total cost of the project would be around $350 million. ITD says while the plans have dates attached to them, the full widening depends on how much funding can be secured and future growth in the area between Eagle Road in the east and I-84 to the west.
The agency says there's already money in place to begin the first phase of the project of upping Chinden to four lanes along a one-mile stretch between Eagle Road and Locust Grove. Should more federal dollars become available with the Trump Administration's call for upgraded infrastructure, the project could be fast-tracked.
ITD is holding two public meetings seeking comments and feedback on the proposal. The first is at the Ambrose School in Meridian on March 7, and the other will be March 9 at Thomas Jefferson Charter School in Caldwell.
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