Board member Jan Vassar with Moscow City Supervisor Gary Riedner and Mayor Bill Lambert. Seat Belt success, GARVEE update, Vassar appreciation highlight Idaho Transportation Board’s April meeting A local story of a high school seat belt challenge, an update on the GARVEE program, and appreciation for Board member Jan Vassar from the city of Moscow were highlights from the April 18-19 Idaho Transportation Board Meeting in Lewiston. View the Director's videotaped report Seat Belt Challenge In 2016, an unbelted motorist was killed every 3.2 days in Idaho. The observed seat belt usage rate was 83%, but only 35% of motor vehicle occupants killed in crashes were wearing seat belts. Each year the National Organizations for Youth Safety organizes a seat belt challenge to all high schools in the country. Lewiston High School senior Kaylee Ammons made promoting seat belts her senior project. Some of the activities for her project included conducting a seat belt survey, posting signs reminding motorists to buckle up, and distributing merchandise like air fresheners with messages to buckle up. She was presented with a certificate of appreciation for her efforts to promote seat belt usage. GARVEE Program update GARVEE bonds are secured with a pledge of future federal transportation funding. The bonds will be issued on an as-needed basis, with the first issuance anticipated in spring 2019. The additional $300 million GARVEE bond authorization is estimated to add $24 million in debt service annually, which will bring the coverage ratio to about 27%. District 2 report Project delivery will continue to be a priority. The district will also focus heavily on upcoming extensive construction projects on US-12. They are also preparing trucks for next winter by addressing common failures with more durable parts; refining the winter maintenance efforts and reducing overall costs; and preparing for summer maintenance projects like cleaning drainage features, repairing bridge decks and guardrail, and restriping pavement markings. Board tour The board also stopped in Moscow, where the mayor presented Board Member Jan Vassar with an award in appreciation of her service, especially her contributions to local government agencies. (pictured at top) Published 04-27-18 |