Rural highway funding, U.S, 95 sign repair and an Aeronautics report discussed at Jan. 20 board meeting

Funding for rural local highway jurisdictions, repair of a U.S. 95 sign structure and an annual report by the Division of Aeronautics were discussed during the Idaho Transportation Board’s monthly business meeting held Jan. 20 at Idaho Transportation Department Headquarters in Boise.

Local Rural Highway Investment Program
Per policy, the Local Highway Technical Assistance Council presented its annual report on the Local Rural Highway Investment Program.

The goal of the program is to provide funding to rural local highway jurisdictions for construction and planning efforts. It is a grant program with no federal-aid requirements. Funding in an amount not to exceed $2.8 million annually is available to cities with less than 5,000 population, county road and bridge departments, and highway districts.

In FY15, there were 76 applications for funding totaling more than $6 million, but only 36 projects were funded. Four types of projects are eligible for funding: construction, signs, transportation plans and emergencies.  Excluding emergency projects, $2.3 million were awarded.  Some of those projects were the reconstruction of a street in Driggs, rehabilitation of one of Council’s streets, replacing signs in Pinehurst and developing a new transportation plan for Menan.

US-95 sign structure impact.
The raised bed of a 10-wheel dump truck struck an overhead sign structure on US-95 near Lewiston last month. Because the sign bridge was compromised and unsafe to remain in place, it was removed immediately. Repairing the sign bridge was determined to be not economical. At its meeting, the board approved using $150,000 in FY16 Board Unallocated Funds to replace the sign bridge. This fund will be reimbursed when monies are received from the truck’s insurance company

Division of Aeronautics’ Annual Report
One of the main topics during the annual report on Aeronautics’ activities was the use of unmanned aircraft systems, also known as drones.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, drones are considered aircraft, subject to aviation laws and guidelines. Drones weighing between .55 and 55 pounds are to be registered. The registration process includes an agreement to fly below 400 feet and remain clear of surrounding obstacles; keep the aircraft within visual line of sight at all times; remain well clear of and do not interfere with manned aircraft operations; not fly within five miles of an airport unless the airport and control tower are contacted before flying; not fly near people or stadiums; not fly an aircraft that weights more than 55 pounds; and not be careless or reckless with unmanned aircraft.

Some other highlights from the report include site studies that are underway for Rexburg’s and Burley’s airports; the popularity of Idaho’s backcountry airstrips continues to increase; staff completed 39 inspections and 12 obstruction evaluations; and the Division hosted the National Association of State Aeronautics Officials’ annual conference in Boise this past year. 

In 2015, there were 30 aviation accidents with 11 fatalities in Idaho compared to 30 accidents with six fatalities in 2014. It was noted that there were three fatal accidents both years; however, there were more passengers on the aircraft that crashed in 2015 resulting in the higher number of fatalities. The majority of accidents were due to loss of control.


Published 01-29-16