Untitled Document

Board members consider GARVEE report,
allocate savings to other projects

The Idaho Transportation Board considered a report that outlined highlights of the GARVEE (Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle) Program when it met in Coeur d’Alene July 23.

In response to the focus on improving customer service, extensive efforts are under way to inform the public of the Interstate 84, Vista Interchange replacement project, GARVEE Program Manager Jason Brinkman told the board.

A couple of activities are focused at the Boise Airport: an informational kiosk and backlit wall panels with information on the I-84 construction activities in the vicinity of the airport, which is expected to last through 2011.

Through June, $490 million has been contracted in the GARVEE Program, with $310 million expended. Twenty-three construction contracts are in place along with six supply contracts and 60 consultant agreements.

Because of lower-than-anticipated bids, almost $44 million in savings has been realized. The board approved the designation of those savings to the I-84, Cole to Broadway project.

The revised FY10 working plan was also presented to the board and, subsequently, approved. Two projects have been removed from the initial proposal: the I-84, Vista Interchange project, which is being funded from the federal stimulus act, and I-84, Cole to Broadway, funded with project savings. A breakdown of the approved FY10 plan includes:

Idaho 16, final design: $4 million
Idaho 16, right-of-way - early acquisition and hardship acquisition: $11 million
I-84, Garrity Interchange Bridge Construction: $20 million
I-84, 11th Avenue Bridge Reconstruction: $7.5 million
U.S. 30, McCammon to 12th Street Construction: $3.9 million
Program management: $4 million

The proposal leaves $31 million unallocated, as the Legislature authorized $82 million in additional bonding authority during the 2009 session. Staff will revisit the GARVEE Program plans with board members this fall.

Other board discussion

ARRA stimulus savings
At the time the board met on July 23, seven of the eight projects on the state highway system that the Board selected to fund through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (federal stimulus funds) had been awarded. The savings realized on those projects was about $33 million. The board approved funding the U.S.95 Wyoming Avenue to Idaho 53 project in the amount of $15.8 million with those savings

Since then, the bids for the US-93, Twin Falls Alternate Route project have been opened. Staff will develop a recommendation to allocate the additional ARRA savings and present it to the board for consideration soon.

Highway Safety Performance Plan
The goal of the Highway Safety Grant Program is to reduce deaths, injuries and economic losses resulting from traffic crashes by implementing programs to address driver behaviors. The program provides grant funding at the state and community level for highway safety programs that address Idaho’s unique circumstances and particular highway safety needs.

The Idaho Traffic Safety Commission approved the statewide FY10 Highway Safety Performance Plan in May. After considering the plan and the commission’s recommendation, the transportation board added its approval and implementation during the Coeur d’Alene meeting.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Section 402 grants total $2,734,900. Based on Idaho’s highway safety needs, some of the focus areas have been identified as: impaired driving, occupant protection, police traffic services, community traffic safety projects and paid advertising. The other grant categories included in the FY 10 plan, that totals $3.3 million, are data records, alcohol impaired, racial profiling and motorcycle safety.