|
CONNECTIONS
|
IDAHO
ITD
HOME
IDAHO DMV
ITD NEWS
HIGHWAY
SAFETY
IDAHO STATE
POLICE
TRAVEL SERVICES
STATE OF IDAHO
NATIONAL
AASHTO
AAMVA
AAA of IDAHO
FEDERAL HIGHWAYS
FEDERAL AVIATION
IDAHO STATE POLICE
NHTSA
NTSB
TRB
U.S. DOT
Idaho
Transportation
Department
Public Affairs Office
P.O. Box 7129
Boise, ID 83707
208.334.8005
Fax: 208.334.8563
Email
Recent
events in the Connecting Idaho process
Questions recently surfaced about the process the board used to select a partner in managing Connecting Idaho. Below are the facts:
What happened at last week’s transportation
board meeting?
The Idaho Transportation Board kept the program on track and moving
forward when it agreed to reconsider two competing bids for managing
the visionary highway construction plan. The board will review proposals
from WGI/CH2M Hill and Parsons Brinckerhoff/HDR Engineering on January
6. It will base its decision on technical merits and qualifications.
Why did the transportation board decide to reconsider?
The board was responding to a request by the Federal Highway Administration
to address procedural flaws in the selection process. It was not an
investigation.
Was there a lawsuit involved?
A claim by PB/HDR was dropped after the board’s action. Both WGI/CH2M
Hill and PBR/HDR agreed to be bound by the board’s decision on
January 6.
Did the board award a contract to WGI/CH2M Hill?
The board selected the WGI/CH2M Hill proposal to manage the
Connecting Idaho program, but no formal contract had been negotiated.
Why is the transportation board selecting a consultant?
The Idaho Legislature clearly established the role of the board to manage
and make decisions about the program. The board has been exercising
its authority by debating, reviewing and approving decisions about the
bonding program since its passage.
What is the purpose of the GARVEE program manager consultant?
The purpose of the GARVEE program manager/consultant is to:
-
deliver a program of increasing size without significantly increasing ITD internal resources.
-
use private-sector expertise to assist in streamlining and modernizing ITD project delivery practices; and
-
provide the department with new tools and techniques by which to sustain project delivery of increased numbers of projects on an on-going basis.
Is the GARVEE program still on track?
The board and department are on schedule to propose a first round of
investments for legislative consideration during 2006 – with implementation
set to begin late in FY06 and early FY07.
How much will be initially invested through bonding?
There is an initial schedule of $208+ million in projects ready for
bonding and delivery through our traditional process.
What is the Connecting Idaho program?
The Connecting Idaho initiative is a unique program designed to advance
more than 250 miles of improvements to the state highway system. The
initiative will be financed by GARVEE bonds.
What are GARVEE bonds?
GARVEE, or Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle bonds, leverage future
federal funds to build important state highway projects now. Under the
GARVEE program projects can be delivered in less than 10 years rather
than 30 years using traditional financing.
Published 12-16-05