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Board considers CMAQ requests

The Idaho Transportation Board, meeting May 21 in Idaho Falls, reviewed the Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) and Enhancement projects recommended for inclusion in the draft Statewide Transportation Improvement Program.

Under the proposal, the CMAQ projects would be funded in FY06 and FY07 and the Enhancement projects in FY07.

The CMAQ Technical Review Committee and Enhancement Advisory Committee, which made presentations to the board, are responsible for reviewing the applications and recommending priorities for funding.

Both programs remain popular, as evident by the number of applications each received – applications that exceed available funding. All of the projects will be included in the draft STIP, however, some as “recommended for funding” and the others as “requested, but not funded.” The public will have an opportunity to review and comment on the draft STIP later this summer.

Other topics addressed at the board meeting included:

Legislative Ideas for 2005
The board discussed a number of possible legislative proposals to advance in the 2005 session; 18 concepts are being considered. The board discussed a number of the proposals, but specifically emphasized its support for a primary seat belt law.

Delegation – Clean Cities Coalition
Representatives from the Clean Cities Coalition – a program of the Department of Energy – presented the organization’s concern over growth in the Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park areas and the increasing number of visitors to both parks.

The coalition is focusing on mobility issues and preserving the environment. It also emphasizes the need for an integrated network of transportation providers across the three-state region, shared resources, coordinated services and consistent messages to travelers.

ITD has worked closely with the coalition and expects to become a partner.

Before convening its regular meeting, the board engaged in a number of activities in eastern Idaho the preceding day (May 20).

Members met with the director of the Craters of the Moon National Monument. Jim Morris presented District 6 Engineer Tom Cole and the district staff with a plaque in appreciation of the excellent relationship that the two agencies maintain. ITD maintenance crews remove snow from the park roads and provide other assistance.

During the stop, board members learned about the history of the national monument and toured part of the park.

District 6 maintenance crewmembers prepared lunch for the board at the Arco Maintenance Shed. Board members visited with the workers and thanked them for their culinary efforts.

Later in Idaho Falls, the board toured the Targhee Regional Public Transit Authority (TRPTA) for a firsthand look at the area’s public transportation program. TRPTA provides services to all of the District 6 counties (Bonneville, Butte, Clark, Custer, Fremont, Jefferson, Lemhi, Madison and Teton). In the near future, it envisions a seamless public transportation system from Idaho Falls to Pocatello.

Three Aeronautics Advisory Board members joined the board for a visit to the Idaho Falls Regional Airport. The airport manager reported the number of passengers using the facility has increased steadily. He also is working to attract additional commercial carriers to serve the area.

The board ended its day-long excursion at the Museum of Idaho. The facility is currently featuring a special Lewis & Clark exhibit.

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