Public comment on future projects
and federal redistribution to highlight
upcoming Idaho Transportation Board meeting

The upcoming meeting of the Idaho Transportation Board, slated for Wednesday, September 16, will feature a summary of public comments received on ITD's future project plans, a discussion of federal redistribution funds, and a report on returned checks per policy. The meeting will start at 10:30 a.m. to allow for travel time to ITD’s District 6 office in Rigby.

To listen to the meeting:
Dial 844-740-1264
Meeting number (access code): 133 904 8530
Meeting password: 1234

Idaho Transportation Investment Program (ITIP) Outreach
The draft FY2021 – 2027 ITIP proposing highway, public transportation, and aeronautics projects was available for public review and comment during July. Staff will inform the board of the outreach efforts conducted during this 30-day public comment period and summarize the comments received.

The department used traditional methods, such as news releases and ads in local papers, as well as social media to inform the public of the draft and to seek comments. Of the 110 total comments received, 75 were submitted via email and the website, 30 came in via social media, and 5 more were mailed to us. There were 26 comments received in FY20.

The majority of comments, 39%, related to traffic congestion and relief. Other topics included the environment/wildlife - 29%; safety - 11%; and preservation and maintenance, transportation options, and other - 7%.

Redistribution of Federal Formula Funds
The board will be informed of the Federal Highway Administration’s redistribution of formula obligation authority. Of the $4.8 billion redistributed nationally, Idaho received $38.5 million.

Because the funds must be obligated prior to September 15, staff will ask the board to ratify the distribution formula used for these additional funds. The majority, $30.8 million, will be directed to the state highway system. Other programs that will receive at least $500,000 are the Transportation Management Area, Local Rural, Local Urban, Local Highway Safety Improvement Program, and Local Bridge.

Returned-Check Report
The annual returned-check report will be provided for information. In FY20, the value of checks received was $35.4 million. Of those, 60 checks — totaling $111,791 — were returned. This compares to $38 million in checks received in FY19, with 63 checks returned, totaling $220,752.

Overall, the department receives a minimal amount of returned checks. The collection efforts follow industry standards.

 

Published 09-11-20