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ITD’s District 1 hosts transportation board’s August meeting

A tour of transportation projects in north Idaho, presentations by area delegations, an update on the U.S. 20 Broadway Bridge project in Boise and review of the department’s FY17 budget request led ITD board activities when the group held its monthly meeting Aug. 19-20, in Coeur d’Alene.

While board members traveled on I-90 to the Montana state line and back to Coeur d’Alene, staff reported on various projects along the corridor. Several bridge projects are underway, plus the reconstruction of the interstate from Mullan to the state line. Because of safety concerns with bicyclists traveling on narrow lanes through the work zone, a shuttle service is being provided. Bicyclists are encouraged to call the shuttle van, which will transport the riders and bicycles through the reconstruction project.

During the tour, a representative from Hecla Mining reported on the economic impact of mining. In 2013, mining had an impact of more than $1 billion and there were almost 3,000 mining jobs in Idaho. Hecla Mining is the oldest mining company in the United States. It was established nearly 125 years ago and is the largest silver-producing mine in the country.

The board also met with representatives from Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur d’Alene. The facility is undergoing a $57 million expansion project. This is resulting in traffic concerns, especially at the U.S. 95 and Ironwood Drive intersection. There were more than one million visits to the campus last year and growth is expected at three to five percent annually. There are also numerous other medical-related businesses near the hospital. District 1 has included an intersection improvement project in the draft Statewide Transportation Improvement Program to help address the traffic concerns.

Delegations
As has become the norm, the board heard from numerous area delegations during its business meeting in Coeur d’Alene Aug. 20. The majority had lots of thanks to the board for its service, for visiting northern Idaho, and for the major improvements that have been made to the transportation system in the area. There was also a lot of praise for the district staff’s responsiveness and assistance.

Some delegations also had specific requests. The mayor of Sandpoint asked the board to keep bicyclists and pedestrians in mind, as there is a need for alternative transportation. The mayor of Kootenai expressed concern with the safety of elementary students that travel along and/or cross highway 200. The city would like help connecting its pathways. The Priest Community Forest Connection also asked for funding assistance to construct a 25-mile, shared-use path from Oldtown to Dover. The design isn’t complete yet, so the cost is not known at this time. Ideally, the group would like a separated, asphalt path along U.S. 2.

U.S. 20 Broadway Bridge, Boise
Staff gave an update on the high-profile Broadway Bridge project in Boise.

The bridge, near Boise State University, is to be replaced between the 2015 football season and the 2016 season. The girders and piles are being pre-purchased to help ensure the project is completed on time. Staff is reviewing options to accelerate the construction schedule, such as using incentives to complete the project ahead of schedule.

FY17 Budget Request
The board approved the FY17 budget request.

The revenue forecast was updated since the June budget workshop. It was increased to include the additional revenue the legislature approved during the 2015 session. Some of the changes to the proposed budget since the workshop include a $400,000 reduction in Federal Transit Administration funds; a decrease of $1.7 million in operating expenditures due to a projected decrease in fuel costs; a $700,000 reduction in debt service resulting from bond refunding completed in July; and a $22.3 million increase for contract construction mainly due to the actual FY15 year-end close out. Staff will submit the budget request of $635,726,600 and 1,698.7 full-time equivalent positions to the Division of Financial Management and Legislative Services Office by the Sept. 1 deadline.