Untitled Document

Board to consider annual reports

A number of annual reports will be presented to members of the Transportation Board when they meet Thursday in the auditorium at Headquarters.

Karen Sparkman will report on the activities in the Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action program, Americans with Disabilities Act, Title VI monitoring, contract compliance, Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program, support services and on-the-job training support services program.

As part of an overview on the Employee Safety Program, Cheryl Rost will provide statistics on industrial injury accidents and vehicular collisions. The total number of industrial accidents in FY04 increased 2 percent from the previous year, rising from 103 to 105. The total number collisions involving ITD vehicles increased during the same period by 20 percent, from 114 to 143.

The collisions included 36 incidents where the public hit ITD equipment or caused an unavoidable situation.

Pauline Davis, representing the Wellness Council, will summarize the 2004 accomplishments of the Wellness Program. A new record was set in the “Journey to Athens” exercise challenge when 506 employees reached the challenge goal of averaging 3 hours of exercise per week for 10 weeks.

The Bridge, Right-of-Way, Highway Safety, and Public Transportation Team won the Headquarters’ Best Team Participation competition with 56 percent of its combined staff finishing the challenge. District 4 was a first-time winner of the District’s Best Participation competition with 24 percent of its staff completing the Olympic-themed challenge.

The Public Transportation Advisory Council (PTAC) will advise the department on public transportation issues and policies in Idaho. The council is composed of six board-appointed members. PTAC Chairman Robert Scott, who represents District 6, will provide an annual report on the council’s activities.

Public Transportation grant funding
The Division of Public Transportation held public meetings throughout the state as part of its process to prioritize public transportation projects. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) provides funds for the Rural Program, Elderly and Persons with Disabilities Program, and United We Ride. The board authorizes more than $300,000 annually in state funds to be used in conjunction with federal and local funds for vehicle purchases.

ITD staff will ask the board to approve a number of public transportation projects totaling $2,404,686 for the coming fiscal year. The PTAC has reviewed and supports the staff recommendations.

The state’s urbanized areas receive grants directly from FTA. Additionally, the Discretionary Capital Program funds are distributed directly by FTA to the recipients; so additional funds are available for public transportation throughout the state. The Board does not decide on those projects

Idaho 55 future context
District 3 has completed a thorough review of the long-range function of Idaho 55. Rapid, imminent development is occurring along some sections of this route, and ITD staff recognizes the need to accommodate the traveling public and the developing areas.
Assistant District 3 Engineer Damon Allen will present a future context sensitive filter that should allow the department to maximize its options for long-term improvements to the corridor.