Commission Pursues Safer Hayes Street Intersections

MOSCOW – Safety near Lena Whitmore Elementary School was revisited by the Moscow Transportation Commission at its regular meeting Thursday. The board unanimously voted to work with staff this month to prepare a proposal to consider in September for incorporating public input and crafting solutions.

The commission also was told that a traffic light is scheduled to go in at the intersection of Mountain View and Highway 8 (the Troy Highway). 

The City Council has yet to hear the report from a safety study done in the spring by city staff in response to a March letter of concern from parents and others at Lena Whitmore. The report showed the area doesn’t meet criteria for safety enhancements at this time. 

The commission heard the report in July and would like to include a letter of recommendations/ requests for action when it forwards the report to the council. See earlier story at https://moscowidaho.news/2026/07/12/4-way-stop-at-3rd-and-hayes-draws-audience-feedback-for-commission/

Commissioners on Thursday commended city staff for the good work and data in the report, but all voiced an understanding that the area remains a concern – especially the intersections of Hayes and Third and Hayes and Sixth. 

“Last month, we heard good data,” said Chair Sarah Tucker, “and audience comment seemed to understand that. Yet it sounded like we might want to explore some kinds of creative options.”

“I would like us to form a working group or subcommittee that includes others (like city staff and school parents and teachers) to think outside the box,” said Commissioner Mary DuPree. “There is enough concern in the community that we can’t just drop this.”

In other business, the transportation commission:

* Continued a discussion begun last month about commission goals. 

“Last month’s overarching theme seemed to be “accessibility,” said Chair Tucker. “Not just ADA (U.S. Americans with Disabilities Act) but for strollers, cyclists and others.”

The previous year’s goals had included collaboration with other commissions and bringing in guest speakers, she added. An update on street paving schedules from city staff would be a welcome presentation, said Commissioner Joel Hamilton. 

A presentation about safety at the intersection of Mountain View and the Troy Highway also would be good, said Commissioner Bob Sanders. A traffic signal is pending at that intersection, replied Mike Ray, city planning manager and the city’s liaison to the commission. 

Sanders said he also would like transportation to the airport and to/from Pullman to be among the board’s goals.

DuPree asked to broaden that to include transportation between Moscow and other nearby communities, like Potlatch and Troy. 

* Voted unanimously to approve two questions to include in the citywide survey to be sent randomly this fall. Each commission may choose two questions to forward to the City Council for the survey. 

The questions include one about frequency of use of various methods of transportation (car, bus, walking, etc.) and one about priorities for transportation investment (sidewalks, bike lanes, bus routes, etc.)

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Moscow Transportation Commission will be Sept. 10.