On April 7, 2015 Representative Joe Palmer introduced House Bill 329. This bill removes all Federal-aid services and T2 Center from the Local Highway Technical Assistance Council (LHTAC). These programs include Rural, Small Urban, Bridge, Local Safety, Construction and LRHIP Grant.
You should review the points below for the impact to your jurisdiction. If you disagree with the removal of these programs, we encourage you to contact your local legislator.
Idaho Legislature Districts and Local Highway Jurisdictions Map (PDF)
1. The exchange of federal dollars for state dollars would all but eliminate the ability for local jurisdictions to complete a large-scale roadway reconstruction or bridge replacement project. On Federal-aid projects, the local pays 7.34% of the total cost. With the exchange, the local would be responsible for 100% of the cost, after saving for 20+ years to complete the project.
2. The T2 Center returning to the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) would greatly impact all jurisdictions. LHTAC understands the challenges and restrictions of local highway jurisdictions and we tailor our program to address the needs of locals.
3. The Local Rural Highway Investment Program (LRHIP) would no longer exist. This would eliminate funds for transportation plans, sign projects, small construction, maintenance and emergency projects that locals administer.
4. The elimination of Federal-aid projects would result in very few bridges being replaced. Approximately 52% of bridges in Idaho are over 40 years old and will need replacement or major repair within the next decade.
5. The elimination of Federal-aid projects would significantly reduce the amount of consultant led design and engineering construction contracts to the private sector.
6. LHTAC does not have a duplication of efforts and services with ITD. Our stewardship agreement with ITD clearly dictates which agency does what steps of work to ensure there is no duplication of services.
7. LHTAC does not select consulting engineering or contractors. We assist the local in the selection process to ensure that state and federal rules are followed.
8. LHTAC would fall under the umbrella of ITD. This would create a loss of local control. By law, ITD cannot perform work or provide assistance off the state highway system.
9. The bill distributes the exchanged dollars to all entities in small amounts. Nearly 70% of local entities would have to save for 50 years to complete a Federal-aid scale project.
10. Approximately 91% of local jurisdictions have received program funds administered by LHTAC.
If you would like to know the impact to your jurisdiction, or if you have any questions or concerns, please contact LHTAC.
House Bill 329 – To see more information on this bill visit the Idaho State Legislature website HERE.
The Local Highway Technical Assistance Council (LHTAC) was established under Chapter 24, Title 40, Idaho Code in 1994 to elevate the importance of local highway issues and to provide assistance to the locals. Before LHTAC only 61% of local projects were constructed. There were years where no city projects made it to construction. Since 2001 when LHTAC accepted Federal-aid responsibilities from the Idaho Transportation Department, all eligible projects have made it to construction.
LHTAC is the most EFFICIENT and BALANCED way to get Federal-aid dollars to the local jurisdictions.
“Going forward we plan to be confident enough to assert that we do some things well, humble enough to know we need to do some things better and honest enough to look within our organization to see the truth about ourselves and the changes we need to make.”
Don Ebert, Chairman
Local Highway Technical Assistance Council