SANDPOINT — The Idaho Transportation Department is seeking feedback on its statewide long-range transportation plan.

The plan is a strategic document updated every five years and is used as a guidepost for future ITD projects and studies. Last updated in 2019, ITD officials said the plan will now set statewide goals for the department from now until 2050, accounting for the massive growth Idaho has seen in recent years.  

"It gets a statewide perspective, looking at what we can do for the whole transportation system,” John Tomlinson, communication manager at ITD, said. “To make sure it’s the safest transportation system, people can get from one place to another and promote any economic opportunity in the state.” 

Tomlinson said the plan does not delve into specific projects, instead considering factors like growth to address large-scale issues in transportation like congestion and reducing fatalities. He said the statewide feedback helps the department feed its seven-year plan, which does include specific projects. 

ITD will be hosting a feedback-focused open house for District 1 on Tuesday, Dec. 2 in Coeur d’Alene. Tomlinson said the department is looking for all kinds of feedback on transportation from things people like to pain points. 

"We want to see what are the needs, opinions on what needs to happen when it comes to transportation,” Tomlinson said. “What do you think would help with extraordinary growth? What’s on their minds and what they think we can do to improve transportation.” 

Tomlinson said ITD isn’t just looking for feedback on highways and freeways, but local roads as well. He said it’s the department’s job to create synergy between the roads, and they want to take those things into account as they plan for the next phase of the state. 

ITD will continue collecting feedback until Jan. 10, then Tomlinson said; the department will read the feedback and begin creating a draft of the plan. That draft is expected to be completed in summer 2026, at which time Tomlinson said ITD will seek more feedback from the public. 

"We read every single one of the comments and take them into account as we are planning specific projects and this plan,” Tomlinson said. “We’ll have more opportunity for community members to provide feedback on that draft plan.” 

The open house will be hosted at the Hampton Inn and Suites in Coeur d’Alene on Dec. 2. Residents can still provide the same feedback online until Jan. 10 at idaholrtp.com.