Hello Tuesday. Gretchen Parsons here to fill you in.

Good morning. The project to widen Highway 55 near Smiths Ferry has potentially tripled in price, and the timeline has been delayed, details below. Plus, as summer winds down, prices continue to drop at the pump.

• Today: 84° ☀️ Sunny and pleasant.

First Up Today

Smiths Ferry Idaho 55 project won’t be done on time and price tag continues to increase

Margaret Carmel writes: The price tag for a years-long project to widen a curvy section of Idaho Highway 55 near Smiths Ferry has increased again, this time to a potential maximum of more than $60 million. 

A report produced by the Idaho Transportation Department for Governor Brad Little in early August shows how unexpected conditions at the worksite and a series of landslides led to significant cost hikes on the project during construction. 

The project, which was first estimated to cost $18.9 million in September 2019, has now potentially tripled in price to a range between $52 and $62 million. 

ITD also told Little in the report the project will not be completed until Spring of 2023, instead of this fall as the agency originally told multiple media outlets earlier this year. Agency spokesperson John Tomlinson told BoiseDev in an email that the final work expected to be completed next spring includes erosion control, slope drainage, and stabilization on the slopes of the canyon walls. He didn’t specify if travel will still be restricted to one lane into next spring, but he said the first layer of asphalt on the highway is expected to be laid by the end of the month. 

“Crews will work as long as weather permits this season, which typically is suspended for winter from December-February,” Tomlinson wrote. “The contractor is motivated to finish as much work as possible this fall, and at this time, will have a better idea of what else needs to be completed in Spring 2023.”

Margaret Carmel a detailed breakdown of the price increases and their source on BoiseDev.

Gas prices continue to drop, still significantly higher than last year

Idaho’s gas prices continue to drop steadily as summer and fuel demand wind down.

“With the return of school and other responsibilities, Idaho families have completed many of their big trips and are now staying closer to home,” says Matthew Conde with AAA Idaho. “Lower fuel demand translates to lower pump prices, and we’ve also captured some savings in the recent switch to winter-blend fuel, which is cheaper to produce than summer-blend.”

The average price for a regular gallon of gas in the Gem State is $4.41, six cents less than a week ago and 26 cents less than a month ago. While that’s good news, it’s still significantly more expensive than this time last year when gas was averaging at $3.77 per gallon, a 64-cent decrease, according to AAA.

The national average is $3.68, four cents less than a week ago, 24 cents less than a month ago, but 49 cents more than a year ago. Idaho currently ranks as the 7th most expensive state in the country for fuel.

Lucky Peak operations update

Summer is (almost) officially over at Lucky Peak, and the state park has updated its operations.

Spring Shores Marina West and Turner Gulch are the only boat ramps open. Park officials say they will remain open throughout winter depending on water and weather conditions. And while access to the reservoir is available, the fuel dock and services are closed for the season.

Pets and Disc Golf will be allowed back in Sandy Point starting October 1. Sandy Point is now open from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. seven days a week until spring.

Officials add that while the kiosks at park entrances may not be staffed, fees are enforced year-round. For those that don’t have a valid Idaho State Parks Passport windshield sticker, visitors are asked to bring exact cash and deposit it into the yellow, self-pay honor tubes.

Happening Today

• City Council: Tonight, Boise City Council will discuss two new accessible foothills trails, a proposal for 48 single-family homes on an empty parcel in Southwest Boise and an application for a mini golf course and beer and wine sales at a flying trapeze school on Collister Drive. Council will also hear an appeal on an application for a 35-unit apartment building on Broadway Avenue. We’ll have coverage later this week for you.
• Car Seat Checks: Certified technicians will be on-site at Thrive Pediatrics in Meridian on Saturday and will make sure your car seat is installed properly for free. The event is from 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
• COMPASS Feedback: COMPASS is seeking residents’ feedback on the draft update to the regional long-range transportation plan for Ada and Canyon Counties – Communities in Motion 2050.
• Nampa Christmas Tree: The City of Nampa is looking for a tree donation for its official Christmas Tree. Details here.

BoiseDev Reports

Idaho has some of the nation’s slowest Internet. What does the future look like for broadband?

Only five states have slower median download speeds than Idaho. In early October, BoiseDev is bringing together stakeholders and policymakers to look at what’s being done for this key piece of infrastructure – and how it impacts everyone from developers to medical professionals to educators and the state’s rural areas. Preview the event and find a link for tickets here.

ICYMI: Ada County to use ARPA to fund mental health counseling, support for first-time parents, but not some other programs

A pitch to use American Rescue Plan Act funds for kits containing silicone pipes for safer drug use was shot down by Ada County. It was one of a handful of proposals the county considered when determining how to spend ARPA money. Margaret Carmel has more on what programs were approved.

Link-worthy

• Misconduct in Schools: The Idaho Professional Standards Commission took administrative action Friday against four teachers who violated the state’s Code of Ethics for educators. Violations include sexual abuse of a student, and hitting a student with a PVC pipe. Read the full article from Idaho Education News.
• Supreme Court Ruling: According to the AP, the Idaho Supreme Court has overturned a law allowing grandparents to seek visitation rights after finding that it unconstitutionally violates the “fundamental right to parent.”
• Embezzlement: An Idaho woman was sentenced to 51 months in prison and to pay $3.6M in restitution after pleading guilty to embezzlement and wire fraud. More from CBS2 here.
• Trade Agreement: Idaho Gov. Brad Little on Monday signed a two-year agreement supporting Idaho wheat sales to Taiwan in a deal that officials say gives wheat producers a reliable buyer and Taiwan a dependable supplier. More on that here.

Things To Do

• Warehouse Trivia: The Warehouse Food Hall in downtown Boise will now be hosting trivia nights on Tuesdays from 7-9 p.m.
• The Shining: The Egyptian is screening Stephen King’s The Shining on Friday night at 8 p.m. Get tickets here.
• Oktoberfest: The Old Boise Oktoberfest at 6th and Main is happening this Saturday from noon to 10 p.m.
• Flywheel Fest: The Flywheel Fest is happening at JUMP this Saturday from 4-8 p.m. It’s an agricultural fest filled with good old-fashioned games, food trucks, rides, animals, great music, and prizes. Free to enter & play.

Pet of the Day

Meet Trigger! Owner Stephanie says Trigger is an 11-year-old lab who loves treats and neighborhood strolls! He loves every season Idaho has to offer and is looking forward to snow.

Submit your pet’s photo here, and we may feature it Monday-Thursday! Plus, our friends at Zamzows will send along a prize to the winning pet (owners)!