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ITD ready to begin bidding processs on $148 million
in federally funded stimulus projects

Idaho Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter today announced that eight shovel-ready highway projects - creating 2,800 jobs and injecting $148 million into Idaho's economy - will be advertised for bid in May and June.

The projects are being funded through the federal economic stimulus program. They are:

U.S. 2, replacement of the Dover Bridge, $38 million;
U.S. 95, construction of passing lanes on Moscow Mountain, $4 million;
U.S. 95, widening of highway in the White Bird Grade area, $6 million;
I-84, replacement of the Vista Interchange, Boise, $39 million;
U.S. 93, construction of Twin Falls Alternate Route Phase 2, $41 million;
I-86, widening of the interstate from the Chubbuck Interchange to the Pocatello Creek Interchange, $11 million;
U.S. 20, construction of passing lanes near Henrys Lake Flat area, $4 million; and
Idaho 48, widening of highway from Rigby High School to the Yellowstone Highway, $5 million.

"These projects will create good jobs for Idaho's families this summer and improve the safety and quality of transportation infrastructure," Governor Otter said. "The Transportation Department is ready to go with advertising these projects, and the people of Idaho are ready for better, safer roads and bridges."

Construction on all projects will begin this summer.

"The department is delivering on Gov. Otter's promise to pump federal stimulus dollars into Idaho's economy as soon as possible," Idaho Transportation Department Director Pamela Lowe said. "As these projects go to construction, we also are committed to providing accurate and transparent information about them at accountability.idaho.gov - the state's federal stimulus web site."

The advertising of the projects will be staggered during May and early June to allow contractors to prepare to bid as well as compete for multiple projects.

"This approach not only assists contractors, but will help us get more competitive bids," Lowe said.

More than one in four of the Idahoans who now are receiving unemployment benefits list construction as their occupation, according to the Idaho Department of Labor.

"While this is being funded with one-time stimulus money, these projects will have a lasting impact on the safety and economy of Idaho," Otter said.