Untitled Document

Washington Group, CH2M HILL named
to manage Connecting Idaho program

The Idaho Transportation Board Thursday selected the joint proposal of Washington Group International/CH2M HILL to manage the most comprehensive transportation construction program in Idaho history.

Board members weighed the merits of two strong proposals – the second from Parsons-Brinkerhoff – before choosing the partnership to manage Connecting Idaho. The governor’s initiative will use GARVEE (Grant Anticipated Revenue Vehicle) bonds to achieve about 30 years of infrastructure construction in less than one decade.

Before making the decision, board members agreed that both competing proposals had unique strengths and that both were eminently qualified to manage the project. WGI /CH2M HILL was selected after an extensive technical review, team presentation and a review by the board.

Selection of the Connecting Idaho program manager is an important step in launching the governor's initiative, said ITD Director Dave Ekern.

The program management concept, as applied to Connecting Idaho, constitutes a bold new approach, he added.

“This is a unique procurement for ITD. From my research, this is probably one of the more unique approaches that we have tried… so we have an element of new ground that is being covered.”

Gov. Kempthorne identified 13 priority projects, benefiting virtually every region of the state, when he proposed Connecting Idaho in his budget proposal to the 2005 Legislature.

The Idaho Housing Authority will administer the GARVEE bonds that will leverage future federal funds to expedite highway construction.