Corona Concerns impact March Board meeting,
but important work still accomplished
D4 building status, statewide workshops, Highway Infrastructure Program Funds discussed

Despite social-distancing protocols preventing many members fromattending in person, the important work of the Idaho Transportation Board carried on at the March 18 monthly meeting in Boise. The District 4 office building in Shoshone was discussed, along with the status and intent of statewide outreach workshops, and dispersal of $14 million in Highway Infrastructure Program fundsDue to concerns with the novel coronavirus, five board members participated in the March 18 board meeting remotely. The other two came to Headquarters.

District 4 Office Building
The District 4 office building in Shoshone is being assessed to determine the best approach to keep the building in sufficient working condition without making significant long-term expenditures. Staff summarized the current plans to address Americans with Disabilities Act requirements; the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system; and deficiencies in the Materials Lab. Some windows will also be replaced. These improvements, estimated at $186,750, will be made with funds from the existing Facility Management Program.

Board Outreach Workshops
Before the coronavirus pandemic, the board was planning to conduct workshops with local public agencies, legislators, and other stakeholders in each district instead of taking its usual tour of the area. Now, due to concerns with coronavirus, the department will be flexible in planning and scheduling these workshops. The April 15 workshop scheduled in District 2 is being postponed.

The intent of the workshops is to improve efficiency, understand major
factors impacting transportation, and document unmet transportation
needs. The agenda consists of an overview on current coordination efforts
and identifying other potential coordination opportunities; a discussion on
statewide trends, focusing on the aging bridges, growth, and the changing
needs of transportation users; and identifying the unmet regional
transportation needs.

Distribution of FY20 Highway Infrastructure Program Funds. Last month the Federal Highway Administration notified Idaho that it would receive $14.1 million in Highway Infrastructure Program funds, with $8.5 million for Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation and $5.7 million for the State Transportation Block Grant.

Via a resolution, the board approved splitting the $8.5 million bridge funds evenly with local highway jurisdictions last month. As of December 2019, the state system reported 487,002 square feet of bridge area in poor condition and the local system had 438,008 square feet in poor condition.

At the March meeting, staff requested approval on the distribution of the State Transportation Block Grant. These funds are not subject to obligation limitation, require a non-federal match, must be obligated by September 30, 2023, have some limitations as to project eligibilities, and are to be suballocated by population. Because these funds are unique, staff recommended deviating from Board Policy 4028 Allocation of Federal Formula Highway Apportionments to Local Public Agencies. The board concurred wit distributing the funds as follows: $696,074 (12.3%) to Urban –Transportation Management Area; $357,427 (6.3%) to Urban – Urban Balancing Committee; $357,427 (6.3%) to Rural – Local Highway Technical Assistance Council; and $4,262,521 (75.4%) – any area – ITD

   

Published 04-03-20