News

2023 Build a Better Mousetrap Competition Winners

Posted & filed under Innovation Idea Award, LHTAC News, T2 News.

LHTAC has announced winners in the Pioneer and Innovative Idea Categories.

  • Pioneer – John McCracken, West Point Highway District, Aerosol Tack Applicator
  • Innovative Idea – City of Nampa, Name That Snowplow

Aerosol Tack Applicator

John McCracken of the West Point Highway District saw how inefficient it was to patch asphalt roads. He developed a all-in-one system that uses an air compressor to blow out debris, spray tack, and clean the lines. This idea has the potential to save significant time, improve the performance of patches with a better application of tack, and increase safety by reducing the time crews are on the road. Check out John’s video to see how his invention works.

Name That Snowplow

The City of Nampa had an idea to engage with local elementary students with their winter operations and bring a little fun to the doldrums of the season. They held a competition to name their snowplows. With a little seeding for name ideas, the following winners were chosen:

  • Kindergarten: Plowy McPlowface
  • 1st: Lightning McClean
  • 2nd: Frosty the Snowplow
  • 3rd: Baby Snowda
  • 4th: Darth Blader
  • 5th: Fast and Flurryous

The city teamed up with its GIS department to provide a live tracking map of the plows, allowing residents to see the newly-named plows in action.

The winners will be presented a trophy at their relevant association’s annual conference. Winners will also receive a free class through the T2 Center.

LHTAC will also submit winning entries to the national Build a Better Mousetrap competition.

Q1 2023 Quarterly Reports

Posted & filed under LHTAC News, Reports.

The Local Highway Technical Assistance Council (LHTAC) provides an important linkage between Local Highway Jurisdictions (LHJs) and the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) in the utilization of Federal-aid highway funds available to the LHJs in Idaho. These quarterly progress reports include the status listing of current and upcoming LHTAC projects for each district.

Spring 2023 Newsletter

Posted & filed under LHTAC News.

The LHTAC Spring 2023 Newsletter is available for viewing online – click here

 

Print copies are also sent to various local, state, and non-government agencies. If you would like to receive a physical copy, please email Jake Melder at jmelder@LHTAC.org.

Sign up for LHTAC emails by clicking here.

LHTAC Council Approves FY23 Application Rankings

Posted & filed under LHTAC News.

During its Friday, March 10 meeting the LHTAC Council approved the rankings of funding applications submitted in the most recent cycle.

These rankings are treated differently for each program.

The Federal-aid, Rural, Urban, and Bridge rankings will serve as a priority of projects for LHTAC staff to consider adding to the Idaho Transportation Investment Program (ITIP). The rankings are not a guarantee a project will receive funding through LHTAC. We will work with the local sponsors directly to navigate through the funding process.

For the Local Highway Safety Improvement Program (LHSIP) projects above the cut line will be recommended to the Idaho Transportation Board to be included in the ITIP. Specific years for design and construction will be determined by LHTAC staff in coordination with the Local Sponsor.

The Local Rural Highway Investment Program (LRHIP) awards grants to qualifying Local Highway Jurisdictions. The council-approved rankings will result in issuance of those grants for all projects above the funding cut line.

For more information about each program, visit LHTAC.org/Programs

Q4 2022 Quarterly Reports

Posted & filed under LHTAC News, Reports.

The Local Highway Technical Assistance Council (LHTAC) provides an important linkage between Local Highway Jurisdictions (LHJs) and the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) in the utilization of Federal-aid highway funds available to the LHJs in Idaho. These quarterly progress reports include the status listing of current and upcoming LHTAC projects for each district.