News

FY23 HDA Disbursements to Include Additional State Funding

Posted & filed under Funding News.

Local Highway Jurisdictions will see increased disbursements in July, following new legislation from this year’s session.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE JULY DISBURSEMENTS

During the past two legislative sessions, the Governor and Idaho Legislature dedicated non-user revenue towards road and bridge projects. In 2021, House Bill 362 dedicated 4.5% of sales tax collections towards transportation; the first $80M to ITD and anything above that to local jurisdictions through the Highway Distribution Account formula. For FY22 the local share is estimated to be around $25M.

In 2022, the Governor requested and the Legislature approved $200M to road and bridge maintenance, to be split 60% to ITD, 40% through the Highway Distribution Account formula. This additional funding came from surplus FY22 funds.

Both of these payments will be made in July 2022. Please see the attached spreadsheet to see the total amount your jurisdiction is scheduled to receive in July. Please note that, unlike previous funding increases, there is no special reporting for these funds. However, each LHJ should be able to report/account for how these additional funds were spent.

 

 

March 2022 Quarterly Progress Reports

Posted & filed under 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.

LHTAC Offering Free Bridge Preservation Workshop

Posted & filed under LHTAC News.

LHTAC is hosting a two-day workshop for all Idaho local highway jurisdictions (LHJs) that will share different low-cost maintenance strategies that will preserve bridge structures and extend their lifespans.

Day one will be in-class instruction. On day two, participants will be shuttled to several bridges where they will get hands-on experience practicing various maintenance techniques.

This training is offered free of charge. Lunch will be served both days. Travel and room accommodation expenses can be reimbursed through LHTAC. We want to eliminate any barrier to participation.

Register Here

Registration closes April 26.

Bridge Preservation Workshop Agenda (PDF)

Historic funding for local transportation signed by Governor Little

Posted & filed under Funding News, LHTAC News.

Governor Brad Little signed Senate Bill 1359 today, a landmark funding bill for local transportation in Idaho. The bill is part of the governor’s “Leading Idaho” plan. Primarily, it creates an additional $210 million for local transportation projects.

Read Gov. Little’s signing announcement here.

The largest portion of the funding is for the Leading Idaho Local Bridge (LILB) Program. This program funds the repair or replacement of bridges greater that 20 feet long in poor condition or posted for load weight restriction. The Local Highway Technical Assistance Council will administer this program. The goal of this year’s one-time funding from SB1359 is to address one-third of the 428 bridges currently qualifying for this program.

LHTAC has created a map of LILB-eligible bridges. You can view those bridges online by clicking the link below.

LILB-eligible bridges

“LHTAC staff have been gearing up for several months to get this funding out on the streets if and when it became a reality,” said LHTAC Administrator Laila Kral. “We are finalizing the application for local highway jurisdictions to participate in the LILB program. It will be very simple in an effort to reduce any barriers for our partner agencies, which should have no issues completing it with their existing staff.”

The bill also provides a fresh $10 million for the Children Pedestrian Safety Program. This program was highlighted in our Spring newsletter, which you can read here.

The LHTAC Council will consider approval of the LILB application within the next month. Upon approval, LHTAC will send applications to each jurisdiction with a qualifying bridge.

“I want to thank Governor Little, the Legislature, and our local highway jurisdictions for their support for this bill,” said Kral. “This historic investment in our local road network will go a long way in keeping Idaho’s economy rolling. I look forward to working with our local partners and the contracting community to put this money to work for the people of Idaho.”