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ITD highway projects earn Idaho Business Review
distinction; have major impact on state's economy

Even before the national economic downturn that began in late 2008 and the arrival this spring of federal stimulus funds, highway projects were having a substantial impact on Idaho’s economy.

Nearly one-third of the major construction projects in the public sector, either started or completed in 2008, were ITD projects, according to the Idaho Business Review. The publication presented awards to the top three projects, based on cost, for projects in three categories: government, office/retail and private.

The Sand Creek Byway, among the largest highway projects in Idaho history, was honored as the top public construction project of the year. At an estimated cost of $98 million, the Sandpoint project on U.S. 95 was more than double the closest competition – Rocky Mountain High School in Meridian ($46.7 million).

Those projects combine to create or sustain more than 3,800 jobs in Idaho, according to a formula for the economic impact of direct and in-direct transportation construction jobs. From another perspective, that’s more than the entire population of Lewis County.

The Idaho Business Review identified 34 public projects with a cost of $1 million or more. ITD accounted for nine of those projects, including five on Interstate 84 in the Treasure Valley. Those projects in descending order are:

3. Interstate 84: Ten Mile Interchange to Meridian Interchange, Ada County, Knife River, $32.5 million

4. Interstate 84: Garrity Interchange to Ten Mile Road Reconstruction, Ada County, Idaho Sand and Gravel, $29.5 million

8. U.S. 12: Syringa Creek to Tumble Creek, Kooskia, Knife River, $17.5 million

16. U.S. 95: Jct. Idaho 53 to Ohio Match Road, Kootenai County, Central Washington Asphalt, $12.2 million

19. Interstate 84: Cole Interchange to Broadway Interchange Soundwalls, Ada County, Record Steel & Construction, $9.5 million

23. Interstate 84: Garrity Interchange to Ten Mile Interchange Median Work, Ada County, Thueson Construction, $7.8 million

27. Interstate 84: Franklin Boulevard Interchange Bridge – Nampa, Canyon County, Concrete Placing Co., $3.6 million

31. U.S. 95: MP 210.5 Landslide, Idaho County, north of Riggins, Sommer Construction, $2.2 million

The publication’s overall list included 84 projects, the largest of which was the Hoku Materials Polysilicon Manufacturing Facility in Pocatello, valued at $340 million. The Hawaii-based solar energy firm delayed the project because of financial challenges. Completion may depend on the securing of additional financing.