Board to discuss additional truck route, bridge funding and mobility management option Feb. 23

Designating an additional route for higher-weight trucks, funding additional work on a bridge in Plummer and approving a new mobility management program option will be among items discussed when the Idaho Transportation Board holds its monthly meeting Feb. 23 at Headquarters in Boise.

129,000 Pound Truck Route
The board will be asked to approve an additional route for vehicle combinations weighing up to 129,000 pounds.

Because of legislation enacted in 2013, the board may designate state highways for permitted vehicle combinations up to 129,000 pounds upon request. The department received a request to designate U.S. 95 from Fruitland to Grangeville for these higher weight limits.

Analyses were completed by Districts 2 and 3, the Division of Motor Vehicles and the Bridge Section. There was also an opportunity for public comment, including two public hearings. Of the 16 comments received, five were in support of designating the route for vehicles up to 129,000 pounds, five were opposed, and six were neutral.

Staff presented its findings to the Board Subcommittee on 129,000 Pound Truck Routes last month with a recommendation to approve the route. The subcommittee concurred and will recommend board approval.

Idaho 5 Railroad Bridge, Plummer
Staff will seek approval to exceed the consultant’s term agreement limit of $500,000 for the Idaho 5, railroad bridge in Plummer.

In 2013, Parametrix Inc. was selected to perform engineering design services for the replacement of this District 1 bridge. The agreement limited the work to bridge design. For project continuity and because of its knowledge of the project, staff would like to use Parametrix Inc. for additional services, including during construction. The costs for this additional work will put the consultant over the term limit of $500,000, requiring board approval per Board Policy 4001.

Mobility Management
A study was conducted on the mobility management program.  The long-term desired outcomes of the program are to improve transportation options, improve access to jobs, improve access to education and healthcare, increase overall capacity for seniors to age in place, improve air quality, and mitigate traffic congestion.

The Public Transportation Advisory Council created a Task Force to review the findings and provide a recommendation. The council concurred with the recommendation to allocate state administration funds that have been identified through staff reductions and cost savings into district competitive pools. The recommendation also includes developing a communication plan of strategies and relevant materials to inform and engage stakeholders about public transportation, developing an implementation plan to track the progress and types of outreach conducted, and distributing some funds based on ridership.

The board will be asked to approve one of the options to proceed with the mobility management program.

Published 02-20-15