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Program Funding

Transportation Program Funding

Overview

Here you’ll find information about funding, contacts for getting involved in transportation decision-making processes and transportation projects in planning, design, and construction phases throughout Idaho.

Quick Reference for Tabs (above)

  • TECM – Overview of the Transportation Expansion & Congestion Mitigation Program
  • ITIP – Approved Idaho Transportation Investment Program, seven-year plan
  • STIP – State Transportation Improvement Program, seven-year plan in federal format
  • HDA – Highway Distribution Account, revenue data
  • Advisory Boards – Transportation-related advisory groups
  • MPOs – Metropolitan Planning Organizations, five MPOs in Idaho
  • Local Roads – County and city highway districts information, forms and resources
    • LHTAC – Local Highway Technical Assistance Council

    • Public meeting

  • Idaho Transportation Board – Seven members of the Transportation Board

Public involvement is the keystone to building and maintaining a successful transportation system. To achieve that success means spending as much time listening and learning as teaching and telling. The Idaho Transportation Department is committed to creating for all Idahoans, a transportation system that meets the needs of the 21st century.

The Idaho Transportation Board is comprised of seven citizens appointed by the Idaho Governor and confirmed by the Idaho Senate. The transportation board is authorized to control, supervise, and administer the Idaho Transportation Department.

One of the board’s critical roles is to select and fund statewide transportation projects. Improving and properly funding Idaho’s infrastructure is a key component of Governor Brad Little’s vision to strengthen and diversify the state’s economy. Without a strong, efficient transportation system, this will not be possible.

The Idaho Transportation Board recognizes the link between the state’s economy and transportation investments. From moving freight and agricultural goods, to meeting the needs of commuters, and improving our transit system for all modes of transportation in our growing state, the board’s goal is to provide a safe, mobility-focused transportation system that moves at the speed of business and drives economic opportunity.

The Idaho Transportation Department staff makes recommendations and the board selects projects based on engineering, safety and economic analyses. The board’s goals are to increase the safety and efficiency of how people travel and goods are transported, generate jobs and business revenue and grow Idaho’s gross domestic product. Although the economy is a vital component of the department’s efforts, safety will not be compromised for economic opportunity.

My personal goal as board chairman is to give good strategic guidance to the department and make sure it provides outstanding customer service as it maintains and improves our roadways, administers motor vehicles services and maintains our remote airstrips. We will do all of this while keeping our mission of “your safety, your mobility and your economic opportunity” as the foundation for decision making.

As we help shape the future of transportation in Idaho, we rely on input from citizens, nearly a dozen transportation advisory boards, state legislators, regulators, other government agencies, and the Governor. Ultimately, the transportation system belongs to the citizens of Idaho and travelers who depend on it to carry them safely across our great state.

Bill Moad
Bill Moad
Chairman
Idaho Transportation Board

• Idaho Transportation Board Meeting Schedule

Highways, aviation, rail and public transportation needs are all taken into consideration when planning Idaho’s transportation future. Traffic patterns and congestion, land-use issues, safety and preservation of freight rail lines are all important. The transportation department’s planning specialists work closely with local governments, regional planning organizations, the state’s leadership and the public to respond to these needs.

Vital role of public comment
Public comment is an especially critical step in reaching decisions. The transportation department actively seeks the public’s advice throughout the planning, designing, construction and operation of a project.

Not content with just having people come to public hearings, the transportation department goes where the people are. Some of the methods used to obtain public involvement include:

  • Reaching rural and metropolitan communities through numerous corridor studies, which include: Interstate 84 Corridor Study; Interstate 84 – Orchard to Gowen Planning Improvements Study (completed); U.S. 20 Corridor Study (completed); U.S. 26; U.S. 91; U.S. 30; U.S. 75; Snake River Crossing Study (completed) and U.S. 95.
  • Distributing information about the WYE Interchange Reconstruction Project at local malls and other areas with heavy traffic, such as Edward’s Cinemas.
  • Weekly public meetings for major construction projects such as the WYE and Franklin Interchange projects.
  • Setting up informational booths at public events, such as the Eastern Idaho Fair in Blackfoot, the Twin Falls County Fair in Filer and a transportation fair in Pocatello.
  • Providing an easy-to-use Statewide Transportation Improvement Program booklet for review and public comment.
  • Meeting with Native American tribal governments, civic groups and clubs.
  • Attending annual meetings for the associations of cities, counties and highway districts.
  • Participating with local planning agencies in their public involvement efforts.
  • Include public comment from mail, e-mail, and internet interaction for people who can’t attend Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) public meetings.
  • Bringing public information and comment opportunities to the Internet. These sites provide 24-hour access to project information for citizens who can’t make it to public meetings, as well as allowing them a forum for questions and comments.

Implementing policy
The Transportation Board appoints the transportation department’s director and delegates certain powers. The director in turn delegates authority and responsibility for performing work to transportation department managers.

Policies are recommended to the Idaho Transportation Board by transportation department staff and eight advisory boards and committees.

In 2006, the Idaho State Legislature approved the use of Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle (GARVEE) bonds to fund high-priority transportation projects throughout the state. This historic legislation resulted in an unprecedented number of highway improvement projects in Idaho.

In response to ongoing transportation funding needs, the Idaho Legislature in 2017 approved an additional $300 million in GARVEE bonds. The Idaho Transportation Board authorized the following projects:

I-84, Caldwell to Meridian Corridor

US-95, Garwood to Sagle Corridor

GARVEE Program History

The original GARVEE bill identified 13 high-priority corridors throughout the state, but through an evaluation and prioritization processes only six of the corridors were advanced. Through the GARVEE program, 35 new bridges, 14 new or improved interchanges, and 119 miles of highway expansion were completed on these six corridors. GARVEE bonds in the amount of $857 million were used to fund these projects.

NEPA is the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969. It is primarily a procedural statute (40 CFR sec 1500) for decision-making during federal actions. The statute assures that proper technical, economic, and environmental analysis are performed. For additional information go to the Environmental section of this website.

What Does NEPA Require of Agencies?

  • Directs federal agencies to use a systematic, interdisciplinary approach while evaluating environmental factors during the planning process of a federal action
  • Involves widespread coordination, review, and disclosure with other agencies and the public
  • Documents the environmental analysis process in plain language for the decision-maker and the public.

What are the three types of NEPA documents?

Categorical Exclusion (Cat Ex)

  • Minimal anticipated impacts
  • A simple/programmatic processes anticipated

Environmental Assessment (EA)

  • Unsure if significant impacts
  • Evaluation of key resources

Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)

  • Significant Impacts
  • More detailed evaluation


TECM

Leading Idaho with Transportation
To address Idaho’s rapid growth and aging infrastructure, Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is supporting Governor Brad Little’s, “Leading Idaho with Transportation” initiative to make investments in critical state priorities. ITD will receive additional funds through the Transportation Expansion and Congestion Mitigation (TECM) program to accelerate corridors that are critical to enhance safety, mobility, and to sustain Idaho’s strong economy into the future.

Governor Little’s “Leading Idaho” vision allows ITD to take a deliberate approach to advance and develop projects within the corridors that will positively impact communities across the state for years to come. Focusing on project readiness will give the Transportation Board the flexibility to approve projects that address Idaho’s rapid growth issues with either the (TECM) funds or other state or federal funding that becomes available in the future.

Transportation Expansion & Congestion Mitigation (TECM) Program

The TECM program was created by the Idaho Legislature in 2017. Lawmakers added the ability to also use TECM funding to bond for projects in 2019. The combination of pay-as-you-go and bond sale proceeds could reach approximately $1.2-1.5 billion for critical transportation improvements to address the highest priority mobility and safety improvements.

The first series of bonds ($216 million) were sold in March 2022 to pay for key bid-ready construction projects and select project development costs. Construction projects include the I-86/I-15 system interchange in Pocatello, SH-16 mainline from I-84 to US-20/26, I-90/SH-41 interchange replacement in Post Falls and US-20/26 from I-84 to Middleton Road.

Using the TECM fund for bonding will accelerate the construction of critical transportation infrastructure that would otherwise take many years to build – and is a hedge against inflation. ITD secures TECM bonds with a pledge of future state sales tax transfer and the Idaho Housing and Finance Association will sell bonds on ITDs behalf on an as needed basis. This will ensure that funds are available for the duration of the contract while limiting interest costs.

TECM and other Corridors

Contact

Leading Idaho with Transportation

ITIP

FY23-FY29 Idaho Transportation Investment Program (ITIP)

 

 

STIP

Approved FY22-FY28 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP)

STIP Cover

HDA Revenue

Highway Distribution Account (HDA)

Advisory Boards

In order to make wise decisions that truly represent the needs of Idahoans, the transportation department relies heavily on the expertise of advisory boards and professional organizations. The groups meet regularly and make recommendations to ITD staff and the Idaho Transportation Board.

• See the Board page under the Advisory Boards tab for more details, meeting information and agendas.

MPOs

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. MPOs are designed to ensure coordination and cooperation among the various jurisdictions that oversee transportation within the urban area.

MPO decision-making is guided by:

  • A policy board, generally comprised of local elected officials and public agency officials who administer or operate major modes of transportation, and
  • A technical advisory group of professional planners and engineers who are often employees of the same agencies.

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 (MTIP) in order to receive federal funding.

MPOs in Idaho – Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Documents and Contact Information

Bannock Transportation Planning Organization (BTPO)
Southeast Idaho MPO
Mori Byington, Director
P.O. Box 6129 | 214 E. Center | Pocatello, ID 83205
(208) 233-9322 | mori@bannockplanning.org

Bonneville Metropolitan Planning Organization (BMPO)
East Idaho MPO
Darrell West, Director
1810 W. Broadway, Suite 15 | Idaho Falls, Idaho 83402
(208) 612-8530 | dwest@bmpo.org

Community Planning Association of Southwest Idaho (COMPASS)
Southwest Idaho MPO
Matt Stoll, Executive Director
800 S. Industry Way, Suite 100 | Meridian, Idaho 83642
(208) 855-2558 | mstoll@compassidaho.org

Kootenai Metropolitan Planning Organization (KMPO)
North Idaho MPO
Glenn Miles, Executive Director
250 Northwest Blvd. Suite 209 | Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814
(208) 930-4164 | gmiles@kmpo.net

Lewis-Clark Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization (LCVMPO)
North-Central Idaho MPO
Shannon Grow, Director
P. O. Box 759 | Asotin, WA 99402
(208) 553-7506 | director@lewisclarkmpo.org

 

Local Roads

LHTAC – Local Highway Technical Assistance Council

Contacts

Questions?

Go to: Contact Us | ITD Communication Portal

ITD Headquarters Location: 11331 W. Chinden Blvd, Boise, ID 83714

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 7129, Boise, ID 83707-1129