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.
“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.”
