To address Idaho’s rapid growth and aging infrastructure, Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is supporting Governor Brad Little’s Leading Idaho initiative to make investments in critical state infrastructure. ITD receives additional funds through the Transportation Expansion and Congestion Mitigation (TECM) program to accelerate improvements in 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 that will positively impact communities across the state for years to come. Focusing on project readiness gives the Idaho Transportation Board the flexibility to approve projects that address Idaho’s rapid growth and aging infrastructure with either the TECM funds or other state or federal funding as it becomes available.
New TECM projects ahead
TECM History
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 bond sale proceeds with the addition of other funding sources has surpassed $2 billion to address the highest priority mobility and safety improvements to allow continued modernization of Idaho’s transportation infrastructure and to support the sustained economic growth and quality of life in Idaho
Using the TECM fund for bonding has accelerated the development and construction of critical transportation infrastructure that would otherwise take decades to build. ITD secures TECM bonds with a pledge of future state sales tax transfer and the Idaho Housing and Finance Association issues bonds on ITDs behalf on an as needed basis. This ensures that funds are available for the duration of the projects while limiting interest costs.
