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proposa</title></head><body>
<blockquote type="cite" cite>Visionaires:</blockquote>
<div><br>
<br>
</div>
<div>Here is some information regarding federal stimulus funding
proposals</div>
<div>for three major transportation projects.</div>
<div><br></div>
<div>Rep. Tom Trail</div>
<div><br></div>
<blockquote type="cite" cite><br>
<u><b>Idaho Transportation Department submits three proposals for
discretionary federal stimulus funding<br>
</b></u><br>
<b>BOISE -</b> 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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
The three applications submitted were:<br>
<b>I-84 / U.S. 93 Interchange, Stage 2 Project<br>
</b>Major improvements to I-84 also are included in an $18.9 million
project proposed for the Twin Falls area.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
Among the major improvements included in the project are<br>
</blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite>
<ul>
<li>Replacement of the existing overpass bridge with a longer and
wider structure
<li>Increasing vertical clearance to improve safety and provide
clearance for standard over-height vehicles
<li>Reconstruction of one mile of I-84
<li>Widening a mile-long segment of U.S. 93 to two lanes in each
direction
<li>Addition of two right-turn only lanes on U.S. 93 for the I-84
westbound on-ramps
<li>Expanding a utility corridor, provide for a bike/pedestrian path,
and allow longer turning movements for trucks
<li>Reconstruction of three miles of eastbound on-ramps
<li>Installation of a video-activated traffic signal
<li>Installation of fiber-optic cables to provide continuity for the
Magic Valley Connectivity Solutions project</ul>
</blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite>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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
<b>Port of Lewiston Project<br>
</b>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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
Partners in funding portions of this project include: Senator Mike
Crapo, Idaho Department of Commerce, Nez Perce County, and the
Clearwater Economic Development Association.<br>
<br>
<b>I-84 Central Treasure Valley Gap Closure Project<br>
</b>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.</blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite> <br>
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.<br>
<br>
The project also will facilitate access to the labor market and
increase truck freight efficiency for a nationally important freight
corridor on Interstate 84.<br>
<br>
Specifically, the project would:<br>
</blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite>
<ul>
<li>Construct a new Meridian Road Interchange
<li>Expand the interstate to three lanes in each direction between the
Franklin Boulevard Interchange and the Karcher Interchange in Canyon
County in Nampa
<li>Improve east- and westbound interchange ramps at Karcher Road in
Nampa
<li>Remove and replace the East Karcher Overpass
<li>Replace the Northside Boulevard Bridge with a functional,
three-lane, conventional diamond interchange
<li>Remove and replace the Union Pacific Railroad underpass
<li>Widen and enlarge the Mason Creek Bridge in Nampa
<li>Replace eight lane miles of 40-year-old I-84 travel lanes</ul>
</blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite><br>
The grant applications can be viewed at:
www.itd.idaho.gov/accountability <<a
href="http://www.itd.idaho.gov/accountability"
>http://www.itd.idaho.gov/accountability</a>><br>
<br>
</blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite align="center">-30-</blockquote>
<blockquote type="cite" cite> </blockquote>
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<div>Dr. Tom Trail<br>
International Trails<br>
1375 Mt. View Rd.<br>
Moscow, Id. 83843<br>
Tel: (208) 882-6077<br>
Fax: (208) 882-0896<br>
e mail ttrail@moscow.com</div>
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