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Idaho Transportation
Department

Public Affairs Office
P.O. Box 7129
Boise, ID 83707
208.334.8005
Fax: 208.334.8563
Email


Board approves collaborative effort to create
regional operations center

Ada County Highway District (ACHD) has managed the state highway signal system within Ada County for ITD for many years under a service agreement. The partnership has been expanded to include roadside Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) equipment.

As the population grows and traffic volumes increase, it has become necessary for ITD and ACHD to examine methods and options for improving the effectiveness of highway operations. An earlier plan recommended development of a multi-agency Traffic Management Center, which generated strong support. As a result, the transportation board approved the addition of an Interagency Regional Operations Center (IROC) project, Phase 2, to the FY05 Highway Development Program.

The project consultant told the board during its Aug. 17 meeting at the District 3 office in Boise that a co-located operations center would provide:

  • Enhanced multi-agency collaboration and coordination,
  • Improved coordination for incident response
  • A cost-effective expansion to continuous operations
  • One source for traveler information dissemination
  • An ability to upgrade capabilities and facilities
  • Support for the safe and efficient movement of people and goods, and
  • Meet the growing demands of the region’s transportation system

Key tasks critical for proceeding with an IROC are to develop a concept of operations, determine facility and space requirements, study location options and recommend a site location, and establish a funding, timeline, and implementation plan.

The board authorized ITD staff members to continue efforts to build a multi-agency partnership and to further define the proposed interagency regional operations center. ITD staff members will report back to the board as significant milestones are achieved and it becomes appropriate for the board to consider further action.

Other board discussions

District 4 Administration Building
The master plan study of the ITD district administration buildings rated the District 4 facility “poor” for working efficiency and “fair” for overcrowding, condition, and code compliance. As a result of the study and at the direction of the board, ITD staff included funding for a replacement building in the six-year Capital Facilities Program.

District 4 Engineer Devin Rigby summarized the efforts taken to determine the best location for a new District 4 administration building. Of the three possible sites – the existing Shoshone location, the I-84 and U.S. 93 interchange, and the U.S. 93 and Idaho 25 intersection – the recommendation was to build at the current location in Shoshone.

The recommendation was based on an evaluation of the alternative sites the potential impact on employee commute time, district operations, and facility cost. The social/economic impact on the City of Shoshone, employees, and the district itself were also evaluated. An analysis then followed on the proximity of ITD customers, partners, and suppliers to the District headquarters complex. Staff evaluated employee residencies, the population of the district, local agency partners, five-year STIP projects, and District 4 vendors.

Although some board members believe the new facility should be constructed closer to Twin Falls because of proximity of the College of Southern Idaho and better access to a pool of employee recruits, and housing opportunities in the larger city, the final decision was to keep the District 4 headquarters in Shoshone.

Utilization of an Owner’s Representative for District 4 Building
Following approval of the District 4 office in Shoshone, board members approved using an owner’s representative to guide, direct, and manage the building project. After evaluating both the design/bid/build and design/build project delivery methods for the facility, ITD staff determined that the design/build method will be the best solution in terms of cost and completion time.

Proper management is critical to success. ITD does not possess the expertise to manage the project, and the Division of Public Works staff is unavailable to assist because of other major projects under way.

Board tour
The board toured highway construction projects in southwestern Idaho on Aug. 16, including the new I-84, Karcher Interchange. The fifth Forum on Transportation Investment meeting was held in the afternoon, with extensive public testimony on the Forum’s findings and recommendations.

Some of the comments included support for local option taxes, impact fees, public transportation, and partnerships.

Published 8-25-06