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Idaho Transportation Board to consider route widening, agreements and system adjustments at monthly meeting in Orofino

Widening a local recreational and commercial route, reviewing non-construction agreements, and considering adjustments to the State Highway System are all on the agenda next week at the monthly meeting of the Idaho Transportation Board. The meeting will be held in Orofino April 29 and 30. The monthly meeting is on the first day, and the second day is the tour of area highways.

Some tour activities include visiting the Youth Challenge Academy in Pierce and stopping at the Dent Bridge – a 1,500-foot long suspension bridge spanning Dworshak Reservoir – and the Orofino Airport.

Idaho 14, Mount Idaho Bridge to Hungry Ridge Road Project
At its business meeting Wednesday, the board will be asked to add a project to the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program.

District 2 has partnered with the U.S. Forest Service on the development of the Idaho 14 project. The intent is to widen the roadway, from the existing 22 feet to 26 feet, between the Mount Idaho Bridge and Hungry Ridge Road. The route is a primary recreational and commercial access to the Nez Perce National Forest and Elk City. The majority of funding is being provided through the Federal Lands Access Program, with a 7.34-percent state match. Construction is expected to commence in FY19, at an estimated cost of $7.9 million.

State Highway System Adjustments
Staff has been working with the Board Subcommittee on State Highway System Adjustments to revise the policies on state highway system adjustments. The main change is removing the process and criteria for system adjustments from the administrative policy. A new manual, State Highway System Adjustments Procedures, was created to outline the process. The document includes a new form to be completed when local highway jurisdictions or staff request a system action.

The manual includes considerations identified in Idaho Code. The statutes direct the board to consider the importance of each highway to cities, existing business, industry and enterprises and to the development of cities, natural resources, industry and agriculture. Consideration is also to be given to the safety and convenience of the traveling public and the state’s financial capacity to operate the highway, including long-term maintenance.

The board will be asked to approve the new procedures manual and related policies, Board Policy 4061 and Administrative Policy 5061 State Highway System Adjustments.

Non-Construction Professional Service Contracts
As required by board policy, every month staff reports on the non-construction professional service agreements entered into during the previous month.

During March, the Business and Support Management Section executed three professional services agreements:

- $25,000 for workforce planning and next generation information technology;
- $215,000 for rapid configuration and deployment support; and
- $3,400 for a racial profiling final evaluation report.