It appears that Idaho will be able to replace the Dover Bridge in North Idaho, purchase a much-needed maintenance management software system for the Idaho Transportation Department, and pour millions into fixing roads statewide with federal stimulus funds, state lawmakers heard this morning. But there are two things Idaho can’t do with the money: Fund all eight of its high-priority “shovel-ready” projects, and pay off GARVEE bonds/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. More here.

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Item: Dover Bridge back on stimulus list/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise

More Info: The Idaho Transportation Board, meeting this morning in Boise, has voted 4-1 to put the Dover Bridge and the I-84 Vista Interchange back on its list of “shovel-ready” projects ready to receive federal economic stimulus funds. Two weeks ago, the board had crossed those two projects off the priority list, saying they wanted to spread the money around the state. “Things are changing on a daily basis regarding potential stimulus package,” ITD Director Pam Lowe told the board.

Question: Did the Transportation Board find more money? Or did it give in to common sense and pressure? After all, the Dover Bridge was listed as one of the 10 in most need of attention in the country.

So much for safety first. The Idaho Transportation Board earmarked $94 million Wednesday - but nothing for a bridge dangerous enough to get written up in Popular Mechanics magazine. The Dover Bridge in Bonner County got short shrift in part because board members believed enough highway money was already going to the Panhandle. That’s no way to dedicate tax dollars, not even a one-time windfall from a federal economic stimulus bill. And it doesn’t reflect well on an appointed board that is, ostensibly, supposed to take politics out of road-building decisions/Idaho Statesman Editorial Board. More here.

Question: Do you agree with the Idaho Statesman that the Idaho Transportation Board opted for regionalism over safety when it ignored staff recommendations to fix the Dover Bridge w/stimulus money?

Idaho’s Transportation Board - faced with a staff recommendation to make replacement of the deterioriated Dover Bridge its top priority for federal stimulus funds - instead dropped the project to No. 7 on its list in a special meeting yesterday, with only six projects likely to get funded. Board members said North Idaho already is receiving lots of transportation money with the Sandpoint Bypass project going forward and the money should be spread around the state - a decision that infuriated North Idaho Sen. Shawn Keough, R-Sandpoint, and also aroused the ire this morning of Gov. Butch Otter/Betsy Russell, Eye On Boise. More here.

Question: Do you agree with the ITD board that stimulus money should be spread around to other state projects because North Idaho already is getting enough money for the Sandpoint Bypass?