Partnering

Transportation systems depend on public governmental and involvement at many levels for their development and maintenance. Thus, the Idaho Transportation Department has created a number working relationships with other state and federal agencies as well as with our local agency of partners.

Each time a project is developed, the department looks for various ways to improve transportation systems within a community and to help make the system more responsive to community needs. Unimproved transportation systems can affect the quality of our air, increase energy consumption, and add tremendous burdens to our lives, such as increased commute times, higher product costs and loss of community character.

Below are just a few of the agencies that the department partners with:

Federal Planning Partners:

SAFETEA-LU encourages planning. Specifically, SAFETEA-LU states that "it is in the national interest to encourage and promote the safe and efficient management, operation, and development of surface transportation systems that will serve the mobility needs of people and freight and foster economic growth and development... "

Furthermore, "the process for developing the plans and programs shall provide for consideration of all modes of transportation and shall be continuing, cooperative, and comprehensive to the degree appropriate, based on the complexity of the transportation problems to be addressed" (Title 23 United States Code (23 U.S.C.), 134 and 135; 49 U.S.C. 5303 through 5305).

Local Agency Partners: Counties/Cities/Local Highway Jurisdictions

Throughout the year, ITD consults with and considers the concerns of non-metropolitan local officials in the cities and counties, when making transportation decisions in the STIP duties. During 2006, the department conducted a survey of non-metropolitan local officials to review and solicit comments regarding the STIP process; determine how the state could better program and deliver projects; and ensure that there is ongoing open communication between the state and local agencies.
The Local Agency Consultation Report is now available.

Non-Metropolitan Local Officials Partners:

Throughout the year, ITD consults with and considers the concerns of non-metropolitan local officials in the cities and counties, when making transportation decisions in the STIP duties. During 2006, the department conducted a survey of non-metropolitan local officials to review and solicit comments regarding the STIP process; determine how the state could better program and deliver projects; and ensure that there is ongoing open communication between the state and local agencies.
The Local Agency Consultation Report is now available.

Local Highway Technical Assistance Council (LHTAC) Partner:

In 1994, the Idaho Legislature created the Local Highway Technical Assistance Council (LHTAC). The Surface Transportation Programs (STP) – Local Rural and Local Urban as well as Local Road Inventory are managed by LHTAC in Idaho. These programs are funded by the Federal Highway Administration through the Idaho  Transportation Board. LHTAC, under the direction of the state legislature, assists local highway jurisdictions to prepare for the future transportation needs through a systematic planning approach. LHTAC recognizes that each community has a variety of needs and that transportation plans will differ in scope to accommodate the specific local highway jurisdiction.

Metropolitan Planning Partners:

A Metropolitan Planning Organization, commonly referred to as an MPO, is an association of local agencies that coordinate transportation planning and development activities within a metropolitan area. Establishment of an MPO is required by law in urban areas with populations of more than 50,000 in order for the area to use federal transportation funding. Also in urban areas with a population of more than 200,000 people, a Transportation Management Area (TMA) must be established. MPOs are established to ensure coordination and cooperation among the various jurisdictions that oversee transportation within the urban area. An MPO is not a level of government; however, the MPO has effective control over transportation improvements within the area since a project must be a part of the MPO's adopted long-range plan and be placed in their metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) in order to receive federal funding.

For more detailed information (location, addresses, service areas, etc.) on Idaho’s metropolitan planning organizations, click here. Otherwise, you may click any of the following links below to go directly to the metropolitan webpage in your area.

Other State Agency Partners:

Click here to access Idaho’s Official Website that contains a topical index of all state agencies.

Tribal Planning Partners:

The Idaho Transportation Department, through its Districts and the coordinating MPO, work to maintain a government-to-government relationship with Indian Tribal Governments. This special relationship is affirmed in treaties, Supreme Court decisions, and executive orders. Furthermore, FHWA and other Federal agencies consult with Tribes regarding policy and regulatory matters. Additionally, 23 CFR 134 and 23 CFR 135 establishes consultation requirements with Tribes through the Statewide and Metropolitan planning and programming processes. During the statewide transportation planning process, ITD considers the needs of Indian Tribal governments when carrying out planning; consults with Ttribal governments in long range planning issues; and consults with Indian Tribal governments in development of the STIP.