MERIDIAN, Idaho — No more merging for drivers going eastbound on I-84 between Meridian Rd and Eagle Rd.
- The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is inviting the public to learn more about the design of an auxiliary eastbound lane on I-84.
- The extra lane is intended to reduce congestion between the Meridian Road and Eagle Road interchanges.
- Add your public comment here,or email: info@i84meridiantoeagle.com
ITD adds the project will also include modifications for a two-lane eastbound on-ramp at the Meridian Interchange and a two-lane eastbound off-ramp at the Eagle Interchange.
Plans also include an additional right turn lane to the eastbound off-ramp intersection at Eagle Road.
An online meeting will be available through Feb. 28 where you can learn more about the design details.
(Below is the transcript from the broadcast story)
If you’ve driven on I-84, eastbound, you’ve probably seen or even experienced the traffic between Meridian Rd onramp and the Eagle Rd exit.
I’m your South Meridian neighborhood reporter Allie Triepke with more on ITD’s plans for a new auxiliary lane between the two roads.
“Another lane would be tremendous help,” said Pat Tilman, I-84 Commuter.
No more merging for drivers going eastbound on I-84 between Meridian Rd and Eagle Rd., and locals like Pat Tilman look forward to plans for a new interstate lane between the busy roads.
“Sometimes that’s why I don’t come in very early, to avoid the traffic. I think putting an extra merging lane on there or extra lane on there would be absolutely fabulous,” said Tilman.
ITD research shows one in five morning commuters getting on the interstate eastbound at Meridian Rd gets off just one exit over on Eagle Rd.
That's why the state agency wants to add a lane on the interstate.
"We've had a lot of congestion on the onramp from Meridian Rd. Backups going sometimes all the way to Victory road a mile to the south,” said Senior Planner Mark Wasdahl.
ITD's preliminary plans will transform the current right shoulder to the new auxiliary lane with construction expanding on the south side to add a new shoulder.
"We’ve already had an auxiliary lane in the past in Canyon County on I-84 westbound off of Franklin, so it wouldn’t be something brand new for drivers here,” said Wasdahl.
Besides new signage for commuters, another right turn lane will be added for those exiting onto Eagle Rd.
“It;s gonna be so much help, it gets backed up so far early in the morning, it’s absolutely necessary,” said Tilman.
The project will go through a bidding process then start sometime in 2025, and once construction starts, “It should be a one season project,” said Wasdahl.
While ITD says the auxiliary lane project is necessary and will be built… they’re still opening up their online meeting space for public comments. You can find that linked to my online article for this story. Along I-84, I’m your South Meridian Neighborhood Reporter, Allie Triepke, for Idaho News 6.
