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Idaho Transportation
Department
Public Affairs Office
P.O. Box 7129
Boise, ID 83707
208.334.8005
Fax: 208.334.8563
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Board approves Connecting Idaho plan,
forwards $998 million proposal to governor

The Idaho Transportation Board last week approved a plan to invest $998 million to improve seven Connecting Idaho highway corridors.

The Idaho Legislature authorized the transportation board to finance the Connecting Idaho highway improvements by borrowing against future federal funds allocated to the state. In May, Idaho sold $200 million in bonds to finance the first phase. The Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee of the Legislature must annually approve the plan.

"This investment will dramatically improve safety, reduce congestion and create jobs," Frank Bruneel, chairman of the Idaho Transportation Board, said. "The plan addresses the most immediate needs on each of the corridors while keeping within the budget we have."

The proposal now advances to the governor for consideration by the 2007 Legislature.

The plan calls for the issuance of an additional $783 million in bonds in allotments of approximately $200 million over the next four years. An additional $15 million in interest earned on the current bond also will be invested. To receive the highest bond rating and the lowest possible interest rate, the transportation board decided recommend a bond $998 million.

"We had to make some difficult tradeoffs and reduce the scope of the projects," Bruneel said. "Soaring construction and land costs have limited what we can do. But we are still addressing the most important and needed elements of the corridors. We look forward to sharing the plan with the governor and Legislature, answering questions and building consensus."

Nationally, the cost of asphalt jumped 71 percent from August 2005 to August 2006. Costs for concrete, steel, fuel and other construction materials increased dramatically as well.

"With runaway inflation eroding our buying power, it makes more sense than ever to use bonding as a tool," Bruneel said. "We can beat inflation, get more for our money and drive on the improvements now while paying a low interest rate."

Below is a list of the approved projects within the corridors and the projected construction year:

U.S. 95 Wyoming Avenue (Hayden) to Sagle

  • Complete the environmental documentation and final decision for an alternative on U.S. 95 from Garwood to Sagle
  • Purchase right-of-way for the segment from Wyoming Avenue to Athol, and for the Sagle area
  • Construct an interchange at Lancaster and two miles of four lane divided highway from Wyoming Avenue to Garwood (scheduled 2008)
  • Construct 6.7 miles of four lanes in the Chilco area (scheduled 2010)
  • Construct six miles of four lane divided highway in the Athol area (scheduled 2011)

U.S. 95 Worley North, Kootenai County

  • Reconstruct 4.2 miles north of Worley to a four lane divided highway and an interchange at Idaho 58 (scheduled 2007)

Idaho 16

  • Complete the preliminary engineering and environmental study to extend Idaho 16 from Idaho 44 to I-84

I-84 Meridian to Caldwell

  • Complete the design, right-of-way purchase and construction of the Ten Mile Interchange (scheduled 2008)
  • Widen the Eagle Road westbound off-ramp (scheduled 2007)
  • Complete the preliminary design and environmental study for the long-term vision of I-84 from Five Mile Road to the junction of Idaho 44
  • Complete the design, environmental study and construct a third lane on east and westbound I-84 from the Garrity Interchange to the Meridian Interchange (scheduled 2007)
  • Replace the existing overpasses at Black Cat Road and Robinson Road (scheduled 2008)
  • Complete the design, environmental study and construct a third lane on east and westbound I-84 from the Franklin Interchange to the Garrity Interchange (scheduled 2010)
  • Widen the Garrity Interchange mainline bridges to allow for the third lane addition both east and westbound (scheduled 2010)

I-84 Orchard to Isaacs Canyon

  • Construct sound walls along I-84 from Cole Road to Broadway Avenue (scheduled 2008)
  • Resurface the existing two lanes along I-84 from east of Cole Road to Isaacs Canyon (scheduled 2007)
  • Construct a third east- and westbound lane on I-84 from east of Cole Road to Broadway Avenue (scheduled 2009)
  • Reconstruct Orchard Street Interchange (scheduled 2009)
  • Reconstruct Vista Avenue Interchange (scheduled 2011)

U.S. 30 McCammon to Lava Hot Springs

  • Construct 3.5 miles of four lanes from Topaz to Lava Hot Springs (began 2006)
  • Construct 0.9 miles of four-lane highway including the Topaz bridge (scheduled 2010)
  • Construct 1.9 miles of four-lane highway and two bridges over the Portneuf River (scheduled 2011)

U.S. 93 Twin Falls Alternate Route

  • Complete Twin Falls Alternate Route constructing 5.25 miles of highway from Grandview to the intersection of U.S. 30 and U.S. 93 (scheduled 2008)

Published 10-20-06