Brigham Young University-Idaho’s growth plays a significant role in shaping the city’s housing market. The university plans to increase its enrollment by 6,000 students, further driving demand for student housing and impacting the local real estate landscape. Mayor Merrill elaborates on the university’s unique approach: “The university operates on a trimester system, which means they serve about 40,000 students annually. This system allows them to offer affordable education while managing a high student turnover, which adds to the dynamic nature of our community.” INFRASTRUCTURE IMPACT Infrastructure improvements are a central focus for Rexburg, especially with ongoing road construction projects to enhance traffic flow and safety. Mayor Merrill describes the current state of roadwork as follows: “This summer has been challenging with major road construction. We’re updating two main interchanges on Highway 20, which have caused significant traffic disruptions. The work is essential to improve traffic flow and safety, and while it’s inconvenient now, it will greatly benefit the city once completed.” “The current road improvements include implementing a divergent diamond interchange design. This innovative design will help manage traffic more efficiently by reducing conflict points and streamlining the movement of vehicles”, Davidson notes. The project is expected to be completed by the fall semester, which should ease the traffic congestion caused by the university’s student influx. FIBER INTERNET AND TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS Fiber internet is set to transform Rexburg into a modern, connected community. By mid-2025, the city plans to have high-speed fiber internet available to every home, with multiple providers offering competitive services. Johnson highlights the impact of this project, “We anticipated about a 40% take rate initially, but we’re seeing about a 70% take rate. The high demand reflects the city’s need for robust internet services, especially as more people move here to work remotely.” 4 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 08
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