Road work to be funded with surplus dollars
The Idaho Transportation Board has selected three North Idaho road and bridge projects totaling nearly $13 million that will by funded by General Fund surplus dollars as authorized by the 2015 Legislature.
The projects include:
• $6.25 million to restore 10.2 miles from Highway 41 in Rathdrum to the Highway 54 junction with a pavement treatment and sealcoat;
• $5.4 million to replace the Interstate 90 overpass on Highway 97 at Wolf Lodge with a taller and wider interchange; and
• $1.28 million to improve traffic safety at three intersections on Highway 41 between Highway 53 and U.S. 2.
"Projects selected … are another important step in improving our system by replacing and preserving our bridges, as well as our pavements, and keeping Idaho's economy and citizens moving," said Idaho Transportation Board Chairman Jerry Whitehead.
A total of 17 projects totaling $54 million were selected statewide.
The Legislature allocated the money to the transportation department’s Strategic Initiative Program (SIP) Fund. Legislators authorized the SIP fund to receive 50 percent of General Fund cash surplus at the end of fiscal years 2015 and 2016.
"These funds will lead to immediate improvements in safety and increase mobility for drivers across Idaho," said ITD Director Brian Ness. "The projects also will enhance economic opportunity by getting more goods and services to market, along with increasing tourism and recreational opportunities."
The board selected each project based on its return on investment in the areas of safety, mobility and economic opportunity. To receive SIP funding, road and bridge projects also must be part of the current five-year Idaho Transportation Investment Program (ITIP), and recommended for SIP funding by an ITD district engineer.
Money placed in the SIP Fund by the Legislature may only be used for road and bridge maintenance, and is separate from ITD’s additional funding made available by increases to the state’s gasoline tax and motor-vehicle registrations approved during the last legislative session.
An annual report to the Legislature of expenditures from the SIP fund is required. ITD will track where the money from the fund is used separately from other road and bridge projects in Idaho.
The Highway 41 restoration project is a priority since the corridor is a parallel route for U.S. 95. Tucks from Canada use the highway to bypass Coeur d’Alene on the way to I-90.
Improving the pavement condition on this route will have a positive impact on the economy for trucks, tourists and commuters traveling to Spokane and Coeur d’Alene, according to project advocates.
The new interchange on I-90 at Wolf Lodge, which will be 210 feet long and 14 feet wide, will improve safety and increase the vertical clearance over the outside shoulder of eastbound I-90, allowing larger trucks to travel on I-90 east of Coeur d’Alene.
The current interchange has many deficiencies, including excessive spalls and cracks, exposed reinforcement throughout structural components and a substandard vertical clearance. This is a design/bid/build project, which will reduce construction time and limit the impact on the roughly 1,740 vehicles per day that travel over the interchange.
The Highway 41 corridor safety project will address three intersections that have the highest crash ratings and turning traffic volumes — Seasons Road, Spirit Lake Cutoff Road and Old Priest River Road.
The intersections will have new traffic turn lanes and will undergo safety measures to reduce collision risks.