Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little commented on the action by the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee today to advance his recommended budget for transportation infrastructure

“For three straight years, we have put record investments in transportation without raising taxes or fees. Building on that success, JFAC this morning approved our IDAHO FIRST plan for even more transportation funding to keep up with unprecedented growth, promote commerce, and keep Idahoans safe.

“These investments not only address critical infrastructure needs across our state, but they have the added benefit of keeping your property taxes low. Last year, we put nearly half a billion dollars into local roads, bridges, and airports. We took a major bite out of the backlog of deficient bridges that local governments have struggled for years to repair. That buys us not just property tax relief but safer roads, less drive time, and less congestion.

“I appreciate JFAC and my partners in the Legislature for their support of even more funding for local bridges and new, ongoing funding for transportation safety and capacity,” Governor Little said.

In recent years, Governor Little and the Legislature have championed investments in critical infrastructure without raising taxes or fees. Efforts have focused on bonding for new road capacity and addressing the deferred maintenance backlog on state and local roads. The Governor’s IDAHO FIRST budget built off these previous investments and:

    Invests $96.8 million to fully fund the known ongoing transportation safety gap. This will make Idaho roads safer for drivers with capacity enhancements and safety features like turn lanes, traffic signals, widened roadways, and guardrails.

    Adds $200 million as the second tranche of an effort to improve local bridges, $35 million to improve airports throughout the state, and $10 million for pedestrian and safety projects. Idaho has more than 900 bridges that are more than 50 years old. This investment will improve approximately one-third of deficient bridges to improve safety for all Idahoans.

    Reserves $100 million for economically significant local transportation projects that are otherwise beyond the reach of local government finances.