POST FALLS — When the proposed transportation plan for Post Falls was posted online — including a prediction the city's population could grow from 34,000 to more than 90,000 in 20 years based on the current growth rate — comments flew.

One commenter told city leaders to "go back to California" even though many of them are third- or fourth-generation Idahoans.

Mayor Ron Jacobson took time during last week's city council meeting to expand on the population statistic.

"That is what is projected based on historical growth," he said. "But it's only a projection. It's not our goal for Post Falls to hit 91,000."

Regardless, Jacobson said, the city needs to plan for the future with sewer and water needs because, if it doesn't, growth will not happen.

The city will host a transportation master plan open house at City Hall today from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. to receive public comments on the proposal.

Representatives from David Evans and Associates and the city will be at the open house to answer questions and receive comments. Exhibits and other information will also be on display at the event.

"The draft final document will be made available after we incorporate public comments from open house," said Rob Palus, the city's assistant engineer. "At that point we will be scheduling public hearings on the master plan."

Short-term projects tentatively planned for 2020 include, but are not limited to, building major collector streets from Hope to Prairie, 12th to Horsehaven, 16th to Horsehaven and on Hope from Charleville to Highway 41. A roundabout intersection is planned for Henry and Mullan.

Twenty-nine total short-term projects are identified in the plan.

Twenty-five projects are classified as mid-term (around 2025). Among them is rebuilding Prairie Avenue from Meyer to Greensferry to a five-lane arterial.

The plan also includes incorporating bicycle and pedestrian facilities on Seltice Way and Compton. Portions of McGuire Road, including south of Interstate 90 and from Poleline to Fisher and Fisher to Hayden, are slated to be widened to include bicycle lanes.

Palus said this will be the third and final open house for the plan, and it is critical that the city receives input from residents to help shape the future transportation system.

The last update of the transportation plan was in 2004. Since then, growth rates and traffic patterns have changed as well as the community's desire to incorporate alternative modes of transportations into the city's standards.

The city is seeking public comments on the proposal before any public hearings are held.

The public will also have the opportunity to provide comments at www.cityofpostfalls.org through Sept. 1.

Jacobson said one of the roadways residents are most interested in regarding the future is Highway 41, which is actually the Idaho Transportation Department's jurisdiction and not the city's. He said ITD is in the planning and design phase to add lanes with construction planned for 2019.