RATHDRUM - Duane Morgan sees Highway 53 as yet another accident waiting to happen.

The Rathdrum resident, who travels the stretch to Spokane to work, believes traffic safety improvements are needed in the corridor.

"It can be dangerous - and it's only going to get worse," he said. "A two-lane road just can't handle the increase in traffic. I don't think they need major interchanges, but there's things they can do such as add turn lanes that would help the situation."

Help is on the way.

The Idaho Transportation Department will hold two public meetings on Wednesday to discuss an access study in the 14-mile Highway 53 corridor from the state line through Rathdrum to U.S. 95.

One is at Hauser City Hall, 11837 N. Hauser Lake Road, from 3:30-5:30 p.m.; the other at Rathdrum City Hall, 8047 W. Main, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Public input will be sought.

There were 246 vehicle crashes over five years in the corridor from 2006 to 2010, according to ITD. The crashes resulted in 142 total injuries and three fatalities.

Don Davis, an ITD senior transportation planner, said those numbers seem high and the agency has taken note, but the state is in the process of comparing how they stack up to other two-lane roads that have similar traffic counts and length.

The average number of vehicles per day in the corridor ranges from 7,100 at the state line to 12,500 where Highways 53 and 41 connect in Rathdrum to 8,600 as the highway approaches U.S. 95.

"We've started a study to try to figure out what's going on," Davis said. "Whenever you start to see a two-lane highway with that many vehicles per day, you start to pay attention, especially if growth will only continue.

"We haven't categorized it as safe or unsafe, congested or not, so we're doing a study to see if the relationship between the traffic volume and the access points paints a picture."

The study will cost $39,000 and be paid with federal planning funds. Phase 1 dealing with the existing condition is expected to be finished by the end of the year. At the conclusion, ITD will determine whether or when to look at the future condition for access improvements.

No improvement projects have been identified.

During the meetings, presentations on the study will be given at 3:45 and 4:45 in Hauser and at 6:45 and 7:45 in Rathdrum.

The public will then have the opportunity to ask questions and share comments or concerns regarding access issues and needs along the corridor.

The study and planning will be conducted in cooperation with the cities of Hauser and Rathdrum and Kootenai County.

Morgan said he's pleased the corridor is being considered for improvements.

"They're needed," he said. "Sometimes just getting onto Highway 53 is a chore, not to mention the traffic bearing down on you when you do. The highway needs help."

Open houses

The following open houses on the Highway 53 access project will be held on Wednesday:

• Hauser City Hall, 11837 N. Hauser Lake Road, from 3:30-5:30 p.m. (presentations at 3:45 and 4:45)

• Rathdrum City Hall, 8047 W. Main, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. (presentations at 6:45 and 7:45)