The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) recently won the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials’ (AASHTO) President’s Transportation Awards at the AASHTO’s annual conference, held this year in Atlanta.
ITD was awarded for the consolidation of 17 bridge projects in a single contract, saving approximately 17 years and $1.7 million in taxpayer funds and for a bridge-replacement project near Sun Valley.
The combining contracts had several benefits. It enabled the collection of engineering data on subsurface stability, bridge alignment, hydraulic property, and right-of-way footprint. This saved approximately $100,000 per bridge.
“The key to ITD achieving our vision to become the best transportation in the country is building strong partnerships within our organization and in the communities across Idaho,” ITD Director Brian Ness said. “Both of these awards are the result of developing vital collaborations and using innovative ways to better serve our citizens and the traveling public.”
ITD also won the AASHTO Environment Award for its Big Wood River Bridge project south of Hailey.
During the design phase, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game was consulted regarding wildlife mortality.
The project includes 33-feet wide by 13-feet tall wildlife passage tunnels on both ends of the bridge designed to reduce vehicle crashes.