Distribution began this week of a roadmap that provides direction for Idaho’s highway construction program through 2010.

The Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) document produced by ITD’s Division of Planning and Programming outlines state construction programs programmed for the next three fiscal years and projects that are in preliminary development for 1011.

The spiral-bound document contains 214 pages with projects divided by district, including project lists for six Metropolitan Planning Organizations and urban transportation planning organizations.

"The Stip is a compilation of a lot of hard work from everyone in the department," explains Sonna Lynn Fernandez, a senior transportation planner who was responsible for assembling the document.

"Everyone in the department has had to touch the STIP in one way or another... Without each person's contribution of data, mapping and input into the process, this document would not be able to fund the future of transportation projects in Idaho, nor would we be able to set a corridor of protecting our investments."

The STIP contains information related to modes of travel, from aeronautics, bicycles and pedestrians, to highways, public transportation and rail. Among the special programs it covers are:

For the first time, it the STIP presents a list of Connecting Idaho projects to be considered by the 2006 Legislature for funding through GARVEE (Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle) bonds.

Anyone interested in receiving a copy of the STIP should contact Fernandez at ITD Headquarters, 334-7823.