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ITD submits three proposals
for discretionary federal stimulus funding

ITD recently submitted three grant applications totaling $169.4 million, seeking a portion of the $1.5 billion in federal stimulus funds available from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

The three projects are aimed at enhancing economic opportunity by creating jobs for Idahoans and improving the efficiency of freight movement across the state. The projects also meet the federal requirement to be "shovel ready" to bid and for work to begin shortly after the grants are announced.

The discretionary Transportation Investments Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) funds are available on a competitive basis as part of the stimulus package Congress approved early this year. TIGER grant awards will be announced in January.

The three applications submitted were: I-84 / U.S. 93 Interchange, Stage 2 Project Major improvements to I-84 also are included in an $18.9 million project proposed for the Twin Falls area.

Funding of the I-84 / U.S. 93 Interchange, Stage 2 grant would enable reconstruction of the I-84 interchange at milepost 173 and reconstruction and realignment of the eastbound on- and off-ramps connecting to U.S. 93. Roadway reconstruction of I-84 and U.S. 93 also would be funded by this project.

Among the major improvements included in the project are:

Replacement of the existing overpass bridge with a longer and wider structure
Increasing vertical clearance to improve safety and provide clearance for standard over-height vehicles
Reconstruction of one mile of I-84
Widening a mile-long segment of U.S. 93 to two lanes in each direction • Addition of two right-turn only lanes on U.S. 93 for the I-84 westbound on-ramps
Expand a utility corridor, provide for a bike/pedestrian path, and allow longer turning movements for trucks
Reconstruction of three miles of eastbound on-ramps
Installation of a video-activated traffic signal
Installation of fiber-optic cables to provide continuity for the Magic Valley Connectivity Solutions project.

The project is designed and was planned to be constructed in fiscal year 2004, but because of the lack of funding the project was removed from the current five-year construction program.

The I-84 interchange serves as the primary gateway to the Magic Valley, including Twin Falls, Shoshone, the Sun Valley area (Bellevue, Ketchum and Hailey), the Thousand Springs Scenic Byway, the Sawtooth Scenic Byway and a major freight route into Nevada.

Port of Lewiston Project Work would involve constructing and making significant improvements to the Port of Lewiston in north-central Idaho combined with road improvements to Idaho 128 and U.S. 12. The facility is Idaho’s only seaport and is the most inland seaport on the West Coast.

The $11.4 million project includes engineering, design and construction of a 150-foot extension of the existing container dock and significant improvements to Idaho 128 and U.S. 12 intersections in Lewiston.

This modest investment would double the capacity of the existing port and provide access and safety improvements while significantly expanding truck and rail freight movement in the intermodal corridor.

Port improvements would increase capacity for containerized wheat, peas, lentils and other products originating in Idaho, Montana, Washington, Oregon, North and South Dakota and Wyoming.

Partners in funding portions of this project include: U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo, the Idaho Department of Commerce, Nez Perce County and the Clearwater Economic Development Association.

I-84 Central Treasure Valley Gap Closure Project
The project would connect recent improvements in the interstate corridor funded through the state’s bonding program from Caldwell to Meridian. It also would provide greater access for residents in economically distressed Canyon County to job opportunities in Ada County.

Major interstate improvements included in the $139.1 million project would increase the efficiency of this segment of I-84 by removing impediments that are creating delay, congestion and unsafe conditions, according to the grant submitted Sept. 15.

The project also will facilitate access to the labor market and increase truck freight efficiency for a nationally important freight corridor on Interstate 84.

Specifically, the project would:

Construct a new Meridian Road Interchange
Expand the interstate to three lanes in each direction between the Franklin Boulevard Interchange and the Karcher Interchange in Nampa
Improve east- and westbound interchange ramps at Karcher Road in Nampa • Remove and replace the East Karcher Overpass
Replace the Northside Boulevard Bridge with a functional, three-lane, conventional diamond interchange
Remove and replace the Union Pacific Railroad underpass
Widen and enlarge the Mason Creek Bridge in Nampa
Replace eight lane miles of 40-year-old I-84 travel lanes

The grant applications can be viewed at: www.itd.idaho.gov/accountability