Areas of Idaho Falls (Ammon, Iona: 2009, for rent, townhomes)

[breer23]

Was wondering about commute times in IF for the following case: we found a set of townhomes for rent in Ammon, pretty much at the edge of town (Stevens Dr.). I will be traveling to the ISU CHE, located on the NW side near I-15.

It looks like I can take N. Ammon Rd. to Lincoln Rd and bypass a lot of the traffic; of course, this is the world according to GoogleMaps. I wanted to get an idea of a realistic travel time - some travel will be around conventional rush hour, and some will not.

Thanks!

[irishdeux]

I would plan on about 20 minutes just to be safe. There are a few areas that can move slow, especially the roundabout on Lincoln Road. There are a lot of folks on that road who do not understand the way roundabouts are supposed to function and several vehicles will try to shoot through without taking turns. This behavior can cause some traffice back up. Welcome to town BTW!

[cleosmom]

You don't want to take Ammon to Lincoln, the traffic is too heavy (by our standards) coming from the east. Better to take Ammon to First and Hitt over to Lincoln.... I do this daily.

Give yourself 10 to 20 extra minutes once the roads get icy.

Oh yeah, the roundabout was some council member's dream job and it's horrid when there are folks on there who don't know how to use it properly.

Just curious as to what your thoughts are on "conventional rush hour"?

[breer23]

Originally Posted by cleosmom

Just curious as to what your thoughts are on "conventional rush hour"?

I meant the time frame that "rush hours" usually occur: 7-9 a.m. and 4-6 p.m. I have a couple of classes that either start late (after 9 a.m.) or finish late (after 6 p.m.).

[cleosmom]

Originally Posted by breer23

I meant the time frame that "rush hours" usually occur: 7-9 a.m. and 4-6 p.m. I have a couple of classes that either start late (after 9 a.m.) or finish late (after 6 p.m.).

Okay, the morning rush would be around the same, slightly crazy when school is in as you have Tiebreaker Elem. on First, that being said it is still faster to go First to Hitt and over to Lincoln even during winter and school session than going out Lincoln.

Evening, usually runs close to 7:00pm out this way. I've been known to avoid the intersection, four way stop, at Ammon and First of evening, even if it means to take a longer route. For whatever odd reason, Lincoln is faster of an evening than morning.

[TamiSanders]

Thanks all for the info. I'm moving to Idaho Falls soon and this was very helpful.

[Mtn. States Resident]

I must agree with Cleosmom 100% on this one. Google doesn't show road construction, detours etc. Nor does it show confused drivers!

Actually, Cleosmom and I had a discussion about the Roundabouts several months ago and why more people weren't in more accidents, in Bonneville County.

It is odd how well the roundabout works in Taylor's Crossing on the River, but is so dangerous in Bonneville County. I suspect it has to do with the density of the traffic, the most heavily traveled times, and how close the stop lights are to the roundabouts. Also, in the strickest sense of roundabouts, TCOR is more of a circle instead of truly knowing how to merge with traffic coming from 4 directions and not get in an accident.

Left hand turns - let's just say one should probably practice the "flow" between 1:00 - 3:00 a.m. to know how it should work. Then, good luck with real traffic and others who don't know how to turn left!

Hitt and First Street, I believe are still on the agenda for expansion and road construction. However, that may be delayed until 2009. That intersection, also rapidly becoming a major one, is getting very busy. More lanes are needed. It is one of Mayor Fuhrman's priority projects.

Also, there are so many small and larger developments in the works in the NW corner of Idaho Falls, Iona and Ammon, it just isn't a good time to drive that way, if an alternate route exists.

Breer 23, I'm not sure where Stevens Dr. is. Is that in the northern part of Ammon?

Had to laugh at your, "we found a set of townhomes for rent in Ammon, pretty much at the edge of town." I guess I should ask, which "town," are you referring to? My laugh is not that you found a first home, while you look for a better fit, it's about Ammon. Only recently has Ammon gotten its act more together and even held regular Planning and Zoning Meetings. For too long, the mentality was, Move to Ammon, built whatever you want wherever. FINALLY, that is starting to change.

If you are in the southern part of Ammon, I wouldn't rule out Sunnyside to Yellowstone, then a lot of different ways to Riverside which changes into Science Center Dr. north of the John's Hole Bridge (Highway 20).

Anyway, glad to hear you will be settling in soon. And good for you, Tami, and others you are making this info useful for yourselves.

MSR