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Speed, high performance: bridge project, Valley Corvettes featured
at Idaho 16 ribbon cutting

The Aug. 15 ribbon cutting for the Idaho 16 extension showcased speed, precision and high performance and so far we haven¹t even talked about the cool cars.

- Accelerated schedule: Three adjoining projects were constructed in two years, on the heels of a fast-tracked design and environmental process that was nearly a decade faster than typical for a project of this complexity.

- Precision, time savings: The new route will be posted at 65 mph, and as the first new north-south option to cross the river in this area and connect to two major routes State and Chinden will shave valuable minutes off the response time for emergency service providers. Those precious minutes can make the difference in critical times.

- High-speed performance: The new route is access-controlled to provide fewer conflict points and to allow users to travel at a higher speed. This segment will provide uninterrupted access north and south between two major highways. There¹s no better way to christen the new roadway than with an iconic American sports car the epitome of style, speed and performance. And not just one, but a fleet of them.

-One of the most civic-minded organizations in this region of the state is Valley Corvettes. At the conclusion of the 10:16 a.m. event, the club will provide rides for the event speakers, elected representatives and community leaders to be first group to cross the new bridge and drive on the new Idaho 16 alignment. The new route will officially open to traffic prior to the evening¹s commute.

In the last decade, Valley Corvettes, along with sister clubs in Twin Falls and Idaho Falls, donated $230,000 generated from the sale of the Idaho "Corvette" Specialty license plate to Idaho Children's Charities.

The group also has donated to charities such as The Idaho Foodbank, Hope House, Grandparents raising Grandchildren, Women & Children Alliance, Treasure Valley Police Agencies, Family Advocates School Night, Muscular Dystrophy Association, Assistance League of Idaho Operation School Bell, Special Olympics of Idaho, Personal Ponies, Camp Hodia, Toys for Tots, and recently, Amtrykes. These are tricycles purchased for children with severe disabilities. These are used to help exercise and strengthen the child and are not covered by their insurance companies.

Valley Corvettes is a 170-member organization that often participates in community parades, car shows, fun runs, and walk-a-thons. They also support local high schools by participating in classes for safe driving. They annually carry military veterans in the Veterans Day Parade, and participate in many of the many of the Independence Day parades in smaller communities around the Treasure Valley.

Valley Corvettes was organized by a group of Corvette enthusiast 25 years ago. Floyd Sager, president of the organization, said that in his 17 years with the group, "Our emphasis has always been to support charities which have minimum overhead and little to no other support."

"We believe that what drives Valley Corvette to be community-minded is being able to help families and our community in their time of need and sharing the fun of the American Sports Car," he added.

Their community involvement began in 1993 with a Corvette Giveaway, organized by Bobby Petersen and Fairly Reliable Bob¹s. The club sold raffle tickets between the Boise Roadster Show in March and Vette Fest in July, with all proceeds donated to the International Cystic Fibrosis Center. During a period of 10 years, they donated nearly half a million dollars to that organization.

Any Idaho citizen may request funds for an organization by contacting the Chairman of Charity Support Activities at www.valleycorvettes.org.