[Vision2020] Fwd: Idaho Transportation Department submits three proposals for discretionary federal stimulus funding

[Tom Trail]

>Visionaires:


Here is some information regarding federal stimulus funding proposals
for three major transportation projects.

Rep. Tom Trail

>
>Idaho Transportation Department submits three proposals for 
> discretionary federal stimulus funding
>
>BOISE - The Idaho Transportation Department 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 
>would also 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
>Expanding 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 due to 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 Idahos 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: Senator Mike 
>Crapo, 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 states 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 Interstate 84 by 
>removing impediments that are creating delay, congestion and unsafe 
>conditions, according to the grant submitted September 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 Canyon 
>County 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 
><<http://www.itd.idaho.gov/accountability>http://www.itd.idaho.gov/accountability>
>
>
>-30-
>


-- 
Dr. Tom Trail
International Trails
1375 Mt. View Rd.
Moscow, Id. 83843
Tel:  (208) 882-6077
Fax:  (208) 882-0896
e mail ttrail at moscow.com
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