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Board learns about area transportation issues at Lewiston meeting

Regional public-transportation activities, work to improve truck safety on Lewiston Hill, commerce concerns about restrictions on Idaho 55, partnerships with the city of Moscow and an airport runway project led discussion at the transportation board’s April 16 meeting in Lewiston.

Public transportation report delivered

The board heard about public transportation activities in the five counties that comprise District 2. Approximately 107,000 people live in the 29 incorporated communities and rural areas within the district’s 13,500 square miles.

Three of the region’s providers offer a variety of services, such as both urban- and rural-fixed routes and Dial-A-Ride. One mainly caters to elderly citizens in eastern Washington and parts of Idaho. Although the cost-per-passenger trip is high, the on-demand service is valuable to rural communities, because it enables citizens to age in place.

Partnerships continue to be a valuable component to public transportation. The city of Moscow and University of Idaho help provide free rides in Moscow. The Nez Perce Tribe is instrumental in serving the greater Lewiston area. It links rural residents to the area’s commerce center, colleges, shopping, federal and state offices, and medical services.

Arrester bed replaced on Ramp 3 at Lewiston Hill on U.S. 95

Last fall, a project was undertaken to replace the arrester bed on the third runaway truck ramp at Lewiston Hill, on U.S. 95. The ramp was originally constructed in 1978. Over time, the material became contaminated from raking, which is part of routine maintenance operations, as well as from dust simply blowing in during the 35 years that the ramp has been in existence. Approximately 7,150 tons of material was needed to replace the old aggregate at a cost of $188,000.

Prior to the project, and as a demonstration of the ramp’s effectiveness, a truck was intentionally driven onto the ramp while being filmed. It traveled a considerable distance before stopping approximately two-thirds of the way into the ramp. The board viewed the video of this controlled activity. Coincidentally, about two weeks after the arrester-bed material was replaced, a truck driver used the same runaway ramp due to brake failure. The truck came to rest approximately one-third of the way through the ramp, indicating the project was successful.

Local public agencies and delegations make presentations

Valley County expressed concern with recent restrictions placed on the Idaho 55 at North Cascade Bridge. The weight restrictions will hinder commerce. Although there is a local road that could possibly be used as a detour, it is not in sufficient shape to handle the increased traffic. Neither the county nor ITD has the estimated $4 million required to bring it up to standard. The county proposed other options, including flagging or a traffic signal to allow one-way traffic on the bridge.

There is concern that a signal would back up traffic too much. Flagging may be an option, but staff hopes to accelerate interim repairs to the structure. The department is planning to replace the bridge and has accelerated the project from FY16 to FY15.

The city of Moscow reported on recent projects, including partnerships with ITD on American with Disabilities Act ramp improvements and Safe Routes to School projects. The Moscow/Pullman Airport has a project to relocate the runway. Because the facility is in Washington, that state’s match of 10 percent is required. There is an effort underway to get congressional approval to use Idaho’s match of 6.25 percent, which would reduce the required match by more than $2 million.

Later, the board asked staff to prepare a resolution encouraging Idaho’s congressional delegation to support or actively seek approval to use Idaho’s match rate on the $66 million Moscow/Pullman Airport project.