Highway bond program contract OK'd

LEWISTON - The Idaho Transportation Board on Thursday approved the third contract for management of the state's $880 million highway bonding program.

A contract for $14 million was approved for Connecting Idaho Partners, a joint venture of URS Corp. and CH2M Hill Inc., to provide management and oversight of $228 million in GARVEE (Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle) bonds.

"The GARVEE program is on schedule and under budget," said Idaho Transportation Department Deputy Director Scott Stokes. "The partnership between the department and Connecting Idaho Partners has been successful."

An initial contract was issued to Connecting Idaho Partners in August 2006 for up to $47 million to ramp up the GARVEE program, manage the design of projects, receive the necessary environmental approvals and purchase right-of-way. A second contract was issued in June 2008 for up to $26 million.

The reduced contract amounts reflect the ramping down of the program as the majority of projects move into the construction phase and work transitions to the transportation department.