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3. TRANSPORTATION

3.1. MAIN HIGHWAY ROUTES THROUGH BOUNDARY COUNTY:

3.1.1. U.S. Highway 95 is Idaho’s major north-south transportation corridor connecting the region to Canada and southern Idaho, and it traverses Boundary County from north to south, beginning at mile marker 491.77 at the Bonner/Boundary county line and traversing north to mile marker 505.46 at the Bonners Ferry City limit, and ending at the Eastport Customs Office on the Canadian Border at mile marker 538.54, for a total of 46.77 miles in Boundary County.

3.1.2. U.S. Highway 2 shares the same route from Bonner County north until U.S. 2 turns east three miles north of Bonners Ferry at the Three Mile Junction at mile marker 64.35. Highway 2 reaches Moyie Springs City limits at mile marker 68.546, and ends at the Montana State line at mile marker 80.18, traversing 15.83 miles and creating the main east-west thoroughfare.

3.1.3. U.S. Highway 1 joins U.S Highway 95 at the Mt. Hall Junction at mile marker 521.76, which is mile marker 0 for Highway 1. Highway 1 progresses north to the U.S./Canadian border at Porthill Customs at mile marker 11.185.

3.2. COMMERCIAL USES OF MAIN HIGHWAY ROUTES:

3.2.1. 24-Hour Port Facility: The International Port of Eastport on the U.S./Canadian border is a 24-hour port and is designated a commercial port by the U.S. Customs Services. It is often one of the busiest Ports of Entry between the United States and Canada.

3.2.2. Foreign Trade Zone: Highway 95 is the most direct route for traffic between the Pacific Northwest and Calgary/Edmonton, Alberta. Because Highway 95 offers the lowest grade, it is the preferred route for Alberta exports into Washington.

3.2.3. U.S. Highway 2: The route from Three Mile Junction to Montana carries more local commercial traffic, with some intrastate traffic, as well as supporting the Boundary County Airport. The junction of U.S. 2 and Highway 95 is also the site of a truck weigh station, creating a point of congestion.

3.2.4. State Highway 1: Surrounded by predominantly rural farm land, this roadway is much used by tractors and farming equipment moving from field to field. Due to the Porthill Port of Entry at the U.S./Canada border being open only 16-hours per day, most commercial interstate traffic defers to Eastport.

3.3. TOURISM USES OF HIGHWAY 95 CORRIDOR:

3.3.1. An important part of the economy of the Pacific Northwest is tourism. Within the next three years, tourism is expected to become the third largest growth industry in the United States. Highway 95 provides an important access to the Canadian Rockies and to the Alaska/Canada (Alcan) Highway.

3.3.2. Highway 95 from Sandpoint to Copeland, then Highway 1 to Porthill were recently designated an All-American Road through the federal highways “American Byways” program, and comprise a portion of the International Selkirk Loop, which extends through Boundary County, Bonner County, Pend Oreille County, Washington, and into British Columbia, Canada. Within the National Scenic Byway system of 125 roadways, the Selkirk Loop is the only “International” byway in North America. This designation could increase traffic from a minimum of three percent to as much as 20-percent.

3.3.3. State Highway 2: This highway serves as a feeder from Western Montana and Glacier National Park.

3.4. INTERNATIONAL BORDER CROSSINGS:

3.4.1. There are two International border crossings in Boundary County, Eastport and Porthill. Since September 11, 2001, border security, and tracking of data about people crossing the borders, has increased significantly.

3.4.2. Inbound border crossings from Canada to the U.S. declined steadily from 1994, when the exchange rate peaked in Canada’s favor, to 2003. An analysis of Idaho border crossing data (both north and south) indicates that all traffic (personal vehicle, truck and bus) increased significantly from 2001 to 2002, then dipped slightly in 2003. However, 2004 data indicates that southbound traffic is increasing due to favorable exchange rates for Canadians, and to increased tourism travel in general.

3.5. PROGRAMMED HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS: Based on the 2007 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP).

3.5.1. Riverside Street railroad crossing, signals, set for fiscal year 2007.

3.5.2. Junction State Highway 1 to Idaho/Canadian border, milepost 522.93 to 538.56, plan/study.

3.5.3. U.S. 95, Brush Creek to Round Prairie Creek, milepost 521.06 to 527, seal coat. Scheduled for FY 2007.

3.5.4. State Highway 1 to Idaho/Canada border, milepost 0 to 11.18, seal coat. Scheduled for FY 2007.

3.6. SAFETY ON THE HIGHWAYS:

3.6.1. The Idaho Transportation Department statistically ranks “high accident locations” by frequency, location and type of accident. On U.S. 95 from mile marker 475 to 523 there were 14.9 accidents per mile, or 716 accidents over 48 miles from 1999 to 2003. Note that the Boundary/Bonner county line is at mile marker 493.

3.6.2. The Three Mile intersection of US 95 and Highway 2 is identified as having a high incidence of injury accidents, even though there is a signal at the intersection.

3.6.3. State Highway 1 has a relatively low accident rate of 2.9 accidents per mile, or 32 accidents of 11 miles from 1999 to 2003.

3.6.4. No accident data was received for U.S. 2.

3.6.5. There are currently no existing bike paths on major highways in Boundary County, nor are there adequate shoulders for the safe passage of bicyclists in most places.

3.7. BOUNDARY COUNTY ROADS:

3.7.1. Currently, there are 300 miles of county maintained roads in Boundary County. These are classified as major collectors, minor collectors, and local access, representing the level of service they are intended to provide. Major collectors are eligible for state funding for upgrades and improvements, minor collectors and local roads are not.

3.7.2. At present time, no property taxes are used for county road construction. All construction and improvements are funded by forest revenues, gas taxes and grants.

3.7.3. Many county roads, especially older ones, do not have clear right of title for roadway or easement.

3.7.4. In 2007, Boundary County adopted a Road Standards Manual, which establishes construction and other standards for any road proposed for adoption into the Boundary County Road System.

3.7.5. As this is written, Boundary County is in the midst of adopting a road addressing system to serve for postal and delivery service and, most importantly, to expedite emergency response. All County Roads, once known by name and then known by road numbers, have now again been given road names, and work is underway to name private roads serving multiple families and to establish road numbers along each named road. Because of the multiple ways of identifying roads over the years, an extreme difficulty has arisen in directing emergency response to areas of need, especially those in more remote areas. A list of each road currently in the county road inventory is available at Appendix V.

3.8. ADT ANALYSIS OF VARIOUS COLLECTOR ROUTES: The analysis on the following page is based on current zoning and estimated traffic load based on development of maximum density and anticipated development based on current growth trends. It is recognized that all property within these zones will not be developed to maximum density, but serves to show worst case scenario and allows comparison of zone district densities.

Road	Area	Min. Parcel	2004 ADT	ADT Fully developed	ADT 5-acre anticipated	ADT 10-acre anticipated	ROW	Comments
Brown Creek Rd.	Paradise Valley via Alderson Lane	5	1,393	10,572	4,179	2,090	50	Width and geography become issues east of junction CR 21-22
Blue Sky Rd.	Top of PV hill due east	5	423		1,200	600	50	Adequate
Parker Canyon Rd	East of 4-corners	5	507		1,500	750	50	Narrow spots, limited sight distance
Crossport Rd.	Paradise Valley via Ash St.	5	1,005	10,500	4,020	2,010	50	Adequate as far as Cow Creek Y, fair toward Katka
Cow Creek Rd.	Cow Creek from Jct. 24 south	5	477		1,000	500	40-50	Limited width, would be challenged at 1,000 ADT
Pleasant Valley Lp., Lookout View Rd.	Pleasant Valley	5	225	2,880	1,125	567	50 in some areas	Wide straight road, resurfacing would be needed.
Mountain Meadows Rd., Trail Creek Rd.	East of Naples	5	521	2,100	1,040 (600 on CR8)	520		Width and sight distances limited on CR8 by canyon.
Moon Shadow, Homestead Lp., Hillcrest Rd.	Three Mile west	5	1,056 not incl. Landfill	2,040			40-50	Limited by width of ROW, offset by multiple access and good sight lines
Oxford, Daybreak,Sweetwater, Bench, Moyie River, Amoth and Grouse Hill Rds.	Three Mile east	5	1,657 total	6,750, avg. 1,000 per road	3,728 or avg 532 per rd.	NA	40-50	Short, straight roads with fair width, adequate until max. loads near.
Maas Loop	Maas Loop	5	1,950	2,450				Adequate
McArthur Lake, Highland Flats Rds.	McArthur Lake, Highland Flats, White Mtn., Fall Crk	10	570 via McArthur, 320 via Naples	11,500	4,000 McArthur, 3,200 Naples	2,000 via McArthur, 1,600 Naples	50	South end via CR4 adequate, CR6 from Naples challenged by topography.

2006 Boundary County Five-Year Improvement Plan for Roads and Bridges

Road Name	Project Type	Funct. Class	Date	ADT
Sandy Ridge Rd., Madson Plat	BST Surface US 95 to end .75 mile	High volume local access	2006	266
Westside Rd. Trout Cr. to Farnham Cr.	Re-align/reconstruct 2.0 miles	Major collector, forest highway	2006	185
Cow Creek – Kootenai Trail ~~CR 23~~	1.5 mile ballast, base, geo-textile	Potential collector/through route	2006	237
Meadow Creek Road	Pave 6.0-8.5 miles	Major collector, forest highway	2006	576
Deep Creek Loop	Replace Deep Creek Bridge #2	Major collector	2006	100+
Lost Mile Road	½ to 1.5 miles base, geo-textile	Local access, through route	2006	155
Deep Creek Loop	Replace Deep Creek Bridge #4	Major collector	2007	689
Lost Mile Road CR	BTS surface 1.5 mile	Local access, through route	2007	155
Cow Creek Road	Widen and realign	Extension major collector	2007	234
Farm to Market Road	3-mile rebase geo-textile	Local through, seasonal commercial	2007	140
Meadow Creek Rd.	Replace Rutledge Cr. Bridge	Major collector/forest access	2007	576
Camp Nine Road	Rebase 2-mile w/geo-textile and new fabric	Local access	2007	215
Meadow Cr. Road	Rebase and geo-textile 8 to 10.5 miles	Major collector/forest access	2008	576
Perkins Lake Rd	Jct. 72 to 73A one mile gravel, reconstruct	Local access	2008	290
Sweetwater Rd.	Minor base, complete BST surface	Local access	2008	143
Lost Mile Rd	BST surface 1.5 mile	Local access, through route	2008	155
Farm to Market	BST surface 3 miles	Local core industry through rte	2008	140
McArthur Lake Rd	Remove/recycle BST, base and HMA overlay	Major collector	2008	570
Meadow Creek Rd.	HMA pave 8 to 10.5 miles	Major collector/forest access	2009	576
Brown Creek Rd.	Recycle base, fabric and stabilize US 95 to 1.5 mile marker	Major collector	2009	109
Mountain Meadows Rd	Base, geo-textile	Local access through route	2009	120
Cow Creek Rd.	HMA pave 2 to 5.12 mile marker	Extension of collector through rte	2009	257
Roosevelt Road	Recycle asphalt base and overlay	Major collector	2009	600
Meadow Creek Rd	Reconst., pave 10.5 to 14.0 mile marker	Major collector/forest highway	2010	576
Brown Creek Rd.	Surface BST or ASP	Minor collector	2010

3.9. BIKE/PEDESTRIAN PATHS: Bike/pedestrian paths placed in and around community centers allow an alternative to the increasing congestion of motorized traffic and enhance the opportunity to enjoy the scenic beauty and rural lifestyle of the community.

3.10.1.1. The BNSF Railway mainline transiting Boundary County is an integral part of its busy transcontinental mainline linking the Pacific Northwest ports of Portland, Oregon, Tacoma and Seattle, Washington, and Vancouver, British Columbia, with the Chicago, Illinois gateway. The route crosses Washington State to Spokane, northward into the Idaho Panhandle at Rathdrum, north through Sandpoint to Bonners Ferry, then veers east along the Kootenai River into Montana.

3.10.1.2. The mainline is high-density, with an overall average of 35-45 trains passing through every 24-hours. Types of traffic includes;

3.10.1.3. Unit grain trains of wheat, corn, oats and soybeans destined for export to Pacific Rim countries via the ports of Portland, Kalama, Tacoma and Seattle. The grain originates from North and South Dakota, western Nebraska and Montana with the railway forming a vital route for this grain to access the world market. Empty grain trains travel east for reload.

3.10.1.4. Unit grain trains of low-sulfur coal originating from Montana’s Powder River Basin destined to the Pacific Rim via the port of Vancouver, B.C. The coal is used to fuel steam powered electric generating facilities.

3.10.1.5. International intermodal container trains of imported consumer goods originating from Pacific Rim countries and China destined for the Midwest and east coast, with Chicago being the major transportation gateway. Mostly empty containers flow west.

3.10.1.6. Domestic intermodal container and highway trailer trains of consumer goods shipped between the Seattle-Tacoma metropolitan area, Minneapolis-St. Paul, and Midwest markets, with Chicago being the major transportation hub.

3.10.1.7. Manifest trains consisting of consumer goods and petroleum products destined between Canada and Pacific Northwest customers.

3.10.1.8. Manifest carload train traffic of consumer goods shipped between the Midwest and Pacific Northwest markets.

3.10.1.9. One daily Monday-Friday “local” train operates between Spokane and Bonners Ferry. It serves local industries along the route. Commodity is mostly lumber and wood chips.

3.10.1.10. Schedule: None of the freight trains operated through Boundary County operate on a specific schedule. Their movements are controlled by the central dispatch center at Fort Worth, Texas. Train movements are based on the priority of the train involved, track conditions and scheduled delivery dates. Higher traffic densities occur during nighttime hours.

3.10.1.11. Route: The BNSF Railway enters Boundary County at Elmira and exits at Leonia, 37.1 miles distant. Industrial sidings are located at Elmira, Naples, Bonners Ferry and Crossport, and are served by the Bonners Ferry Local train. Kootenai River Subdivision:

3.10.1.12. Future Development: Traffic over the BNSF Railway has gradually increased since the mid-1990s when intermodal train traffic markets became firmly established and overseas trade expanded. This trend is expected to be sustained at an increasing rate into future years. As to local operations, BNSF Railway plays a critical role in serving the local economy. This is accomplished by serving local wood products industries by giving them an economical access to markets and periodic small-scale grain shipments from local farmers.

3.10.2. Amtrak: Amtrak’s “Empire Builder” between Chicago and Seattle/Portland transits Boundary County once daily in each direction over the BNSF Railway. Both trains pass through Bonners Ferry between 11:30 p.m. and 4 a.m. The nearest stops are Sandpoint and Libby, Montana.

3.10.3.1. The mainline segment of the Union Pacific Railroad operating through Boundary County is its northern extension from Hinkle, Oregon, through Spokane and northward through the Idaho Panhandle, and connects with the Canadian Pacific Railroad at Eastport. The line enters Boundary County at Elmira and continues north through Naples, Deep Creek and into Bonners Ferry. It crosses the Kootenai River there, then proceeds along a steep northeastern grade into Moyie Springs, north through the Meadow Creek area along the Moyie River to its terminus at Eastport and connection with the Canadian Pacific Railroad.

3.10.3.2. Services include a daily “Bonners Ferry Local” that originates in Sandpoint Monday through Friday and serves local industries along its mainline within Boundary County. The major industries include the Riley Creek sawmill at Moyie Springs and the lumber transload facility at Eastport. Empty cars are transported north during the morning hours with lumber and woodchips transported south at the end of the day.

3.10.3.3. Mainline train service consists mostly of through traffic entering from Alberta and Saskatchewan destined for export through the Port of Portland to southwest U.S. destinations and consumption within Pacific Northwest markets. The small yard at Eastport acts as a transfer yard, where trains crossing the international border in both directions are assigned new train crews to continue their journeys. Types of trains include:

3.10.3.3.1. Unit potash trains: These transport potash originating in Saskatchewan destined for Portland for export. An average of five trains per week pass through the county, with empties traveling north.

3.10.3.3.2. Unit grain trains: This seasonal traffic consists of grain traffic originating in Central Canada and North Dakota destined for export through Portland. Empties return north.

3.10.3.3.3. Manifest trains consisting of carload traffic originating in Canada for U.S. markets. The bulk includes Canadian import lumber destined for the Pacific Southwest and petroleum products (mostly propane). Empties return north.

3.10.3.4. In all, traffic on the Union Pacific line totals eight to 12 trains daily, counting the daily local. This is a substantial increase over traffic levels of ten years ago. Due to the type of signaling system used and few sidings which can accommodate the long and heavy trains, the mainline is currently operating at nearly 100-percent capacity. However, the steady pace in which rail traffic is growing between the U.S. and Canada and the strategic position of the UP and CP rail system, it is not unreasonable to predict that rail line improvements will continue to be made to handle increased traffic levels at the same pace as previous growth.

3.10.3.5. Future Development As to local operations, the Union Pacific Railroad plays an equally critical role as the BNSF Railway in serving the local economy. Its primary role is currently being accomplished by serving local wood products industries by providing them market access nationwide. Its facilities within Bonners Ferry are strategically positioned to support an industrial complex at the former mill site, as are BNSF facilities.

3.10.4. Railroad Crossings: There are numerous railroad crossings within Boundary County, most without crossing arms or alarms, and these crossings are the location of a significant portion of the accidents occurring on Boundary County’s roads. The Idaho Department of Transportation does have two projects planned to address rail crossings in Boundary County; the Riverside Street crossing in Bonners Ferry, where a gate and signal are planned for the 2007 construction season, and the Pine Island Road (CR19) crossing, where a gate and signal are planned for the 2008 season.

3.11. BUILDING SETBACKS: Boundary County currently enforces setbacks from property lines of 25-feet, front, 10-feet, side, and 20-feet, rear, and does not establish a setback from easements or utility ways.

3.12. STREET NAMING AND HOUSE NUMBERING: Boundary County is currently in the process of establishing a countywide addressing system, primarily for the purpose of public safety. All roads in the Boundary County road system have been assigned road names, and work is underway to assign names to private roads serving multiple residences, at which time work will begin to assign individual house numbers to facilitate 911 and establish postal and delivery addresses. No estimate has been established for completion.

3.13.1.1. Boundary County Airport is owned and operated by Boundary County and governed by a volunteer board appointed by Boundary County Commissioners. It lies two miles northeast of Bonners Ferry in the Three Mile area, providing a scenic destination spot or resting point for small aircraft pilots and passengers. Services available at the airport include aviation fuel, overnight hangers, courtesy and rental cars, pilot’s lounge and supplies, flight instruction and airframe and power plant repair and maintenance. A restaurant is within walking distance of the airport.

3.13.1.2. Latitude 48°43.5’ Longitude 116°17.6’ Elevation 2,331-feet, Traffic Pattern Altitude, 3,100-feet. Runway length, 4,000-feet. Runway width, 85-feet. Lighting, VASI on northeast end of Runway 20, pilot controlled (MIRL) five clicks on 123.00. Runway capacity, 25,000 pounds per single wheel. CTAF: 123.00.

3.13.1.3. The Boundary County Airport not only serves important private and commercial uses, it is extensively used by local government agencies, including but not limited to the Department of Homeland Security, Idaho Fish and Game, and the Bonneville Power Administration. It also serves as a base of operations during aerial fire fighting operations within the county, and provides a second local landing zone for emergency medical helicopters as well as serving when jet aircraft are needed for medical transport.

3.13.2.1. Eckhart International Airport, situated on the U.S. side of the Idaho/Canada border near Porthill, is a fair-weather grass strip maintained under contract with the Idaho Department of Transportation Aeronautics Division. The strip is open to the public, though there are no services available. The strip is a customs landing rights airport, with radio traffic monitored by U.S. Customs agents at Porthill.

3.13.2.2. Latitude: 48°59.5’ Longitude, 116°30’, Elevation, 1,756-feet. CTAF: 122.8. Runway length; 3,650 feet. Runway width, 175-feet. Operational restrictions: Not maintained for winter use; runway 33 marked with white rocks on edges. Aircraft parking limited to two hours in the U.S. Customs terminal. Numerous obstructions on approach to runway 15. Surface is turf.

3.13.3. Helipads: The only helipad in Boundary County is at Boundary Community Hospital within Bonners Ferry city limits. It is used exclusively for medical helicopters.