POST FALLS — A steady stream of residents trickled into Post Falls City Hall on Thursday to learn about potential changes the city may undergo in its transportation plan over the next 20 years.

Julie Hensley said Hayden Avenue and Cecil Road are roadways she’s been worried about. 

“My main concern has been how small our local roads are,” Hensley said.  

Some of the details on display showed what roads would look like with or without improvements in 2030, 2025 and 2045. Other included information about traffic-calming tools to reduce speed and safely move traffic through an area while enhancing it for non-motorists.

In 2014, there were four roundabouts and now the city has 14.

“I do appreciate roundabouts to keep traffic flowing,” Hensley said.

Prioritizing current and future transportation needs is integral to gathering input on what the vision of Post Falls is 20 years from now.

David Lee focused on the traffic patterns he's experienced and how traffic data represents how transportation flows within the city.

“I think they’re doing a good job, but with a lot of growth in the area there’s a lot to do,” Lee said. 

City Engineer Rob Palus talked residents through projects and explained how roads will either be able to comfortably meet their traffic capacity or be close to being overwhelmed if no improvements are made.  

“The big thing is people are bringing up ideas and challenging us with other roads as potential need, so as we work on the transportation master plan, we can figure out which approach is better,” Palus said. “We have a model and the public can bring up other ideas. Then we can remove a project or add a project as it makes sense." 

As issues are brought up to staff, they will be taking those concerns to an advisory group of other highway agencies.

“As the city of Post Falls grows, we have impacts that go outwards. It’s important all the jurisdictions work together and talk,” Palus said. 

Resident John Keating said that for the last 10 years, he’s become more interested in master planning and has attended several meetings. 

He wished the area could have realized its appeal to newcomers and built-up infrastructure sooner when growth started picking up in recent years.

Keating said he’s seen traffic build up at Highway 41 near his neighborhood, but he’s looking forward to completed projects so he doesn't have to worry about congestion when he leaves his neighborhood.

“These folks are knowledgeable. Most of it makes sense to me and lots of it seems common sense,” Keating said. "They’re taking our input, which is great, but a lot of it seems 10 to 15 years late."

Info: post-falls-transportation-master-plan-gatewaymapping.hub.arcgis.com/

    Sean Hoisington, of JUB Enterprises, talks about variables in the transportation master plan for Post Falls during an open house at Post Falls City Hall.