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ITD renews $9.6 million request to move District 4 headquarters from Shoshone to Twin Falls; lawmakers question need
Summary
Idaho Transportation Department director Scott Stokes and lawmakers debated a $9.6 million relocation request to move ITD District 4 headquarters from Shoshone to Twin Falls. Lawmakers cited prior rejections and staff testimony that the Shoshone building needed maintenance rather than replacement.
The Idaho Transportation Department presented to the Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee a $9.6 million proposal to relocate District 4 headquarters from Shoshone to Twin Falls, renewing a request lawmakers rejected during the prior legislative cycle.
"We would like to be closer to the growing community of Twin Falls," Director Scott Stokes told JFAC when asked why the department was again requesting the move. He said the Transportation Board and ITD staff recommended the relocation to improve public access and long‑term service delivery.
Senator Cook, who led much of the questioning, said the committee had previously reviewed facility assessments and voted with the House, Senate and governor last year to reject relocation. Cook recounted visiting the Shoshone facility and said employees told him the building did not require replacement, only maintenance. He also cited ITD analysis of employee commute times: an average of 29 minutes to Shoshone versus 27 minutes to the proposed Twin Falls site, and median commutes of 37 minutes vs. 25 minutes — a 12‑minute median difference.
"Do you feel 12 minutes of commute time is worth asking Idaho taxpayers for $9,600,000 to relocate that building?" Cook asked Director Stokes.
Stokes replied that the decision is up to the legislature, reiterating ITD’s view that a location closer to the growing Twin Falls community would better serve the public and some staff. Representative Price asked whether the minimum $1 million maintenance allocation for the Shoshone building was directed to repairs; Stokes said roof and window replacement work is in final design and expected to be installed this summer.
During the hearing lawmakers emphasized prior votes and budget‑working‑group deliberations that recommended keeping District 4 in Shoshone and funding maintenance. Several legislators urged the department to use existing local meeting spaces — such as courthouses or libraries — if the goal is increased public access, rather than constructing a new facility.
ITD characterized the proposal as a long‑term service‑delivery decision tied to projected regional growth; lawmakers framed it as a recurring request after a recent rejection and pressed the agency for clearer justification.
