The three projects are aimed at enhancing economic opportunity by creating jobs for Idahoans and improving the efficiency of freight movement across the state. The projects also meet the federal requirement to be "shovel ready" to bid and for work to begin shortly after the grants are announced.
The discretionary Transportation Investments Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) funds are available on a competitive basis as part of the stimulus package Congress approved early this year. TIGER grant awards will be announced in January.
The three applications submitted were:
I-84 / U.S. 93
Interchange, Stage 2 Project
Major improvements to I-84 also are included in an $18.9 million project proposed for the Twin Falls area.
Funding of the I-84 / U.S. 93 Interchange, Stage 2 grant would enable reconstruction of the I-84 interchange at milepost 173 and reconstruction and realignment of the eastbound on- and off-ramps connecting to U.S. 93. Roadway reconstruction of I-84 and U.S. 93 would also be funded by this project.
Among the major improvements included in the project are
The project is designed and was planned to be constructed in fiscal year 2004, but due to the lack of funding the project was removed from the current five-year construction program.
The I-84 interchange serves as the primary gateway to the Magic Valley, including Twin Falls, Shoshone, the Sun Valley area (Bellevue, Ketchum and Hailey), the Thousand Springs Scenic Byway, the Sawtooth Scenic Byway and a major freight route into Nevada.
Port of Lewiston
Project
Work would involve constructing and making significant improvements to the Port of Lewiston in north-central Idaho combined with road improvements to Idaho 128 and U.S. 12. The facility is Idahos only seaport and is the most inland seaport on the West Coast.
The $11.4 million project includes engineering, design and construction of a 150-foot extension of the existing container dock and significant improvements to Idaho 128 and U.S. 12 intersections in Lewiston. This modest investment would double the capacity of the existing port and provide access and safety improvements while significantly expanding truck and rail freight movement in the intermodal corridor.
Port improvements would increase capacity for containerized wheat, peas, lentils and other products originating in Idaho, Montana, Washington, Oregon, North and South Dakota and Wyoming.
Partners in funding portions of this project include: Senator Mike Crapo, Idaho Department of Commerce, Nez Perce County, and the Clearwater Economic Development Association.
I-84 Central Treasure
Valley Gap Closure Project
The project would connect recent improvements in the interstate corridor funded through the states bonding program from Caldwell to Meridian. It also would provide greater access for residents in economically distressed Canyon County to job opportunities in Ada County.
Major interstate improvements included in the $139.1 million
project would increase the efficiency of this segment of Interstate 84 by
removing impediments that are creating delay, congestion and unsafe
conditions, according to the grant submitted September 15.
The project also will facilitate access to the labor market
and increase truck freight efficiency for a nationally important freight
corridor on Interstate 84.
The grant applications can be viewed at: www.itd.idaho.gov/accountability