Transportation board will finish district tours with Sept. 18 meeting at Harriman State Park The transportation board's last tour of the year will be held in District 6. Plans include traveling U.S. 20 from Idaho Falls to West Yellowstone, Mont., where it will meet with the Montana Transportation Commission to discuss issues of mutual concern. The business meeting will be held Sept. 18 at Harriman State Park. Rail Highway Crossing Program The department receives $250,000 from fuel tax revenues and approximately $1.5 million in federal funds annually for railway-highway crossing projects and to educate motorists and pedestrians on the safe use of crossings. Idaho's public crossings consist of 350 at-grade active warning devices, 872 at-grade passive warning devices, 153 grade-separations with the rail line over the road, and 85 grade-separations under the road. The number of fatalities and serious injuries has not changed in the past four years. Since 2010, there have been one fatality and one serious injury every year. On-the-Job Training/Supportive Services Project 129,000 Pound Truck Routes The first request includes two routes in District 2: U.S. 95, milepost 240.27 to 312.0 and U.S. 12, milepost 3 to 1.49. Baker Truck Service requested allowing 129,000-pound vehicles from Grangeville to the mill in Lewiston to help it remain competitive with adjoining states and provinces. Amalgamated Sugar Company submitted a request to designate Idaho 55 from milepost 10.61 to 16.76 in District 3 because the pilot project allowing 129,000 pound weights on select highways indicated that the higher weight limits result in less trucks on the roads, less wear on the highways and improved safety. Additionally, the company believes operating trucks at the higher limit would save it approximately $9,000 annually. The Division of Motor Vehicles, respective districts, and the Bridge Section reviewed the three routes. All concurred that the roads can accommodate permitted vehicles up to 129,000 pounds. Published 9-12-14 |