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Board learns of plans for interchange
Nez Perce Tribe to fund near Lewiston

The Idaho Transportation Board began its summer season of monthly meetings across the state with a tour and business meeting in District 2, April 18, 19.

The Wednesday district tour began with an introduction of the Nez Perce Tribe’s Clearwater River Casino along U.S. 95. Board members met with tribal officials to discuss matters of mutual concern.

District 2 and the Nez Perce Tribe are developing a cooperative agreement to construct an interchange at the eastern approach to the casino. The casino’s success and growth has generated additional traffic in the area, resulting in more traffic crashes. Additionally, the tribe plans to expand the casino operation and intends to make the facility a destination resort.

The interchange was proposed to address the additional traffic and safety concerns in the U.S. 12/U.S. 95 corridor east of Lewiston. The tribe will fund the interchange and District 2 will be responsible for designing the project and overseeing construction. Although the environmental issues have not been explored yet, tentative plans are to have the design completed and the project ready for construction by December 2008.

Also as part of the proposal, access at the western end of the casino will be changed to right-in only.

DMV Modernization Project
Corporate Information Technology Project Administrator Shannon Barnes provided an update on the DMV modernization project. Most of the funds for Phase I, estimated at $8.3 million, have been secured, including $3.3 million in the form of federal grants. ITD has a third federal grant in the amount of $1 million awaiting approval.

The objectives of the modernization project are to provide DMV services anytime and anywhere, have one record per person, safeguard ITD’s customers and secure its technology, Barnes explained.

The first phase will enhance access and delivery of DMV services, stabilize the information systems and use public and private partnerships to maximize the use of public funds. Barnes provided details on the improvements that will be made and outlined the next steps including delivering the plan to stakeholders, identifying funding strategies for the remaining phases, and involving stakeholders whenever possible.

GARVEE Program
The GARVEE Program Office provided a report on the status of each GARVEE-bond-funded project and outlined the proposed GARVEE plan based on the 2007 legislation, authorizing an additional $250 million in GARVEE bonds.

Following the report, board members agreed to look at options for the program in greater detail at the May meeting in Shoshone.