Two new scenic byways could be created next week when the Idaho Transportation Board meets in Boise.

The Scenic Byways Advisory Committee Wednesday will recommend approval of the Wild Horse Trail Scenic Byway north of Sandpoint. The designated route would begin at Sandpoint in District 1 and include U.S. 95 north to the Copeland Junction at Idaho 1 and the state highway north to the U.S.-Canada border.

The other proposed scenic byway would commemorate the historic Lewis & Clark expedition in District 6. The Sacajawea Historic Bywayis on Idaho 28 from Salmon to the highway’s junction at Idaho 33. It would continue on Idaho 33 to Interstate 15.

Both proposals have strong historical components.

The International Selkirk Loop Board of Directors, the organizational force behind the Wild Horse Trail proposal, indicates the Canadian government is interested in continuing the northern scenic route into Canada. Its intent is to create the first international scenic byway.

The transportation board established a special committee in 1996 to oversee the Scenic Byway Program and make recommendations on designating routes as Scenic Byways.

Other transportation board business:

Aeronautics
The Division of Aeronautics will present its annual report to the board, including accomplishments and goals of the airport maintenance program, safety/education program and airport planning/development.

Special recognition will be given to Aeronautics Advisory Board member Bill Parish, who has served since 1986. The meeting also will include an informal luncheon with the Aeronautics Advisory Board.

Traffic Control Signals
Transportation board members recently expressed their concern about the availability of devices used to change a traffic signal from red to green. Such devices apparently can be purchased on the Internet and are being used by drivers to interrupt the regular signal sequence.

Emergency responders, such as police, fire and ambulance, use similar devices to provide unimpeded travel through intersections while responding to calls.

ITD’s assistant Chief Engineer of Operations, Greg Laragan, will talk about the devices and inform the board of initiatives to restrict the use of such devices to authorized emergency responders.

Several states have outlawed the sale of these devices to the public. In November, a bill was introduced in Congress that would make unauthorized sale and possession of the devices a criminal offense.