ITD ‘pre-approved’ megaloads configuration back in 2007
Attorney Laird Lucas’ cross-examination of ITD motor vehicles administrator started off with Lucas assuring Frew that he appreciates ITD and the job it does, and Lucas asked Frew if he’d ever seen a proposal like this one or the level of public concern that has arisen over the proposal for megaloads on U.S. Highway 12 in north-central Idaho. Frew said he hadn’t, and that he understands why the public is concerned. “I think the public just wants to know that the department is doing its job,” Frew said.
Lucas referred to the “special values” that the route has, as a unique and scenic route, and the fact that the megaloads are larger than anything ever proposed before for the route. Frew said, “As a package, this is the biggest stuff that we’ve moved up on Highway 12, I’d agree with that.”
Lucas asked Frew about the megaloads having been “pre-approved” in 2007, several years before the public even learned of the proposal, citing ITD documents. Frew said that’s not uncommon, and means ITD has analyzed the proposed configuration of the loads as sketched out. As for the pre-approval, Frew said, “I wasn’t aware of it but I’m not surprised by it.”
* This story was originally published as a post from the blog "Eye On Boise." Read all stories from this blog