The Spring edition of the LHTAC Times is now published. You can view the magazine online by clicking the photo below.
Highlights:
The Legislature has approved S1359, which allocates $210 million for local transportation.
Leading Idaho Local Bridge Program
The biggest portion of that funding is dedicated to repair or replace local bridges. The program will be called the Leading Idaho Local Bridge Program (LILBP). The goal is to address one-third of the 428 local bridges in poor condition or posted for load weight limits.
Click here for a map of poor and/or posted bridges
LHTAC is developing the application for the Program. The selection process will be primarily driven by data collected through bridge inspection reports. These reports are generated by ITD or its approved inspectors following certified national standards. In the application, cities will be asked what the impact of repairing or replacing a bridge will have for their community.
The goal of the application is to be transparent and simple enough that Local Highway Jurisdictions can complete the application with their own resources and staff.
Child Pedestrian Safety Program
The bill also allocates $10 million for the Children Pedestrian Safety Program. This program funds improvements for children pedestrian projects, which typically include sidewalk, pathways, or improved crosswalks near schools. LHTAC announced the recipients of the FY21 CPS funding last month.
LHTAC will announce the process for applying and receiving this additional funding later this year.
The Local Highway Technical Assistance Council and Idaho Transportation Board have selected eight projects to receive a collective $2 million to complete projects improving the transportation facilities for children pedestrians. The winning projects are:
Challis, 9th Street Sidewalk
The $2 million funding for these projects come from a state budget surplus in fiscal year 2021. The Legislature approved the funding with House Bill 308, which Governor Little signed on March 23, 2021.
Click here for a full list of projects approved for funding and unfunded applications
Future CPS funding proposed
Governor Brad Little’s 2022 budget proposal includes one-time funds of $10 million for children pedestrian safety (CPS) projects. This is one part of the governor’s Leading Idaho with Transportation plan.
JFAC unanimously supported the funds on Friday, February 18th. In the coming weeks a bill will be drafted for legislative consideration that will include the $10 million CPS funding.
Gov. Little’s Leading Idaho proposal also includes $200 million one-time funds for local bridge repair and replacement.
The Idaho Office of Emergency Management (IOEM) announces the availability of Federal Emergency Management funds for natural hazard mitigation projects.
Pre-Applications due November 1, 2021
Applications due April 1, 2022
See the announcement letter for details.
The goal of this funding is to help communities become more resilient with emphasis on projects that address climate change and promote equitable outcomes in underserved communities. Project may include:
This HMGP grant funding is a 75% federal share & a local required match of 25%.
Pre-application can be found on the IOEM Mitigation Dashboard at:
https://ioem.idaho.gov/preparedness-and-protection/mitigation/mitigation-grant-pre-application/
FEMA Grant Opportunity
The Idaho Office of Emergency Management announces:
FY 2021 Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) and Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)
Announcement letter and details
Idaho Office of Emergency Management
https://ioem.idaho.gov/grants
Mitigation Section:
2018MitigationGrants@imd.idaho.gov
For additional questions:
Karissa Nelson, P.E.
Environmental, Staff Engineer
Local Highway Technical Assistance Council
knelson@lhtac.org
Office: (208) 344-0565