Bannock County Breaks Ground on $3.75M Fort Hall Mine Landfill Entrance to Cut Wait Times

BANNOCK COUNTY, Idaho – Bannock County is set to begin construction on a new, modern entrance to the Fort Hall Mine Landfill, a project aimed at significantly reducing wait times for local residents and improving overall site efficiency. Groundbreaking for the new scale house and entrance, located at 1500 N Fort Hall Mine Road in Pocatello, began on April 1, 2026, with completion anticipated by October.

The $3.75 million project, fully funded by landfill user fees, addresses aging infrastructure that has served the county for decades but was not designed to handle current demand. The new facility will feature separate lanes for residential and commercial customers, a design intended to enhance traffic flow and site access, making the landfill safer and more efficient for the entire community.

Dillon Evans, Landfill Manager, highlighted the necessity of the upgrade. “It’s been clear for some time that we’ve outgrown the old scale house. This new setup will enhance traffic flow and site access, making the landfill safer and more efficient for the entire community,” Evans stated.

Operations at the Fort Hall Mine Landfill will continue as normal throughout the construction period, with minimal disruptions expected. Any necessary detours will be clearly marked and communicated via social media and the landfill’s website. Essential waste collection programs, including Free Days and Household Hazardous Waste Days, are scheduled to proceed without interruption.

Commissioner Jeff Hough emphasized the long-term benefits of the project. “The scale house project is one of those generational projects that will have a tremendous impact on the landfill for years to come,” Hough said. “We are excited about what this will do to improve the efficiencies for our staff and our customers.”

Great West Engineering designed the new facility, and Idaho Materials and Construction is handling the construction. The Fort Hall Mine Landfill is open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Residents can find more information about the landfill’s waste collection programs by visiting bannockcounty.gov/landfill.