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Transportation Board recommends eight projects,
enhancements, public transit for stimulus funding

The Idaho Transportation Board this week forwarded recommendations to the governor’s office for the use of more than $200 million in federal stimulus funds.

One resolution identifies eight highway construction projects on the state system along with a list of local (city, county and highway districts) improvements. Combined, they represent about $182 million of the funds Idaho anticipates receiving as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. Congress approved the act and President Obama signed it into law on Feb. 17.

If approved by the governor and Idaho Legislature, ITD’s projects would total $150 million for the following construction projects:

U.S. 2, Dover Bridge replacement and approaches, $36.8 million
U.S. 95, Moscow Mountain passing lane and highway widening, $3.9 million
U.S. 95, Top of White Bird Grade, widening and construction of a chain-up area, $5.2 million
Interstate 84, Vista Avenue Interchange, reconstruction/realignment, $43.4 million
U.S. 93, Twin Falls Alternate Route, relocation, $40.3 million
I-86, Chubbuck Interchange to Pocatello Creek Interchange, major widening, $11.2 million
U.S. 20, Henrys Lake Flat passing lanes, widening, $3.5 million
Idaho 48, Rigby High School to Yellowstone Highway, major widening, $5.4 million

“I want to thank all of our staff at the district level for the great job they did in preparing these projects for stimulus funding,” said ITD Director Pam Lowe. “All of these projects are ‘shovel-ready,’ and we should be able to advertise most of them immediately, if they are approved.

" A lot of work went into moving them along so quickly.”

The recommendation also includes an additional $5.9 million for a number of enhancement projects throughout the state.

Local projects account for the balance of the $182 million.

The board also recommended $18.4 million for public transportation projects throughout the state.