Thompson, Hoff, ITD careers highlight next week’s
Idaho Transportation Board meeting

Two new board members will be introduced at the March 21 Idaho Transportation Board meeting at ITD's Boise Headquarters. The meeting also will feature discussions of a pilot program that could steer highway-construction workers toward ITD, the possible addition of two projects aimed at improving bike/ped safety, and reappointment of a Trucking Advisory Council member.

The two new members are Jim Thompson from Sandpoint and Bob Hoff from Idaho Falls. A separate story in this issue is devoted to the new appointees.

Highway Construction Workforce Pilot Project
The board will be asked to add a Highway Construction Workforce Pilot project to the Idaho Transportation Investment Program (ITIP).

The Office of Civil Rights was awarded a $75,000 grant to partner with the Idaho Associated General Contractors and the Idaho Workforce Development Council to provide pre-apprenticeship training to workers entering the highway construction trades.  The program trains workers and then places them with construction contractors. The program will also fast-track those trainees that show aptitude for more specialized trades or employment with ITD.

Technology Transfer Grant projects
The board will also be asked to add two Technology Transfer projects to the ITIP.

In January, Idaho received funds for a Bike/Pedestrian Counters for Loan Program and Bicycle and Pedestrian Data Bike project. The Local Highway Technical Assistance Council will manage the $12,500 Bike/Pedestrian Counters for Loan Program. The bike/pedestrian counters will be loaned out to cities and counties in the state.

The Community Planning Association of Southwest Idaho will oversee the second project. The $7,000 project is to purchase an electric cargo bicycle, video camera, and phone-based measurement tools to collect pavement roughness data and imagery along pathways and bicycle lanes.

Trucking Advisory Council
The Trucking Advisory Council (TAC) advises the board on issues relating to the efficient and safe movement of commerce on Idaho’s highways. It is comprised of a chairman and six members, with each member representing one of the districts.

Staff is recommending the board reappoint Tony Black to the TAC to represent District 3. The appointment would expire on Dec. 31, 2021.

Published 03-15-19