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ITD requests transit reimbursements, new equipment and construction software funding; committee asks for delivery details
Summary
ITD told JFAC it is requesting transit supplemental reimbursements, metropolitan planning money, automated materials software and nearly $56 million in replacement equipment; the committee asked for details on software progress and equipment lists.
The Idaho Transportation Department told the Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee it seeks supplemental and ongoing funds in Highway Operations for public transit reimbursements, metropolitan planning, new and replacement equipment, and materials/inspection software.
Analyst Brooke Dupree outlined Highway Operations' fiscal‑year 2026 requests, including a $5 million supplemental and a $10 million one‑time request tied to public transit reimbursements from the State Highway Federal Fund, and a $500,000 supplemental plus ongoing $580,000 for metropolitan planning reimbursements. Dupree also listed a $1.36 million request for automated materials software to track testing and sampling and a large replacement‑equipment request totaling $55.8 million, of which $44.8 million is for heavy equipment and $20.84 million of that is eligible for a buyback program.
Representative Petzke asked about the 53 FTP workforce augmentation approved last year and recruitment progress; ITD said it had recruited most of the new frontline positions but still carries 60–70 vacancies department‑wide. Representative Tanner pressed ITD on the history of the construction management software: ITD has requested multi‑year funding for construction/construction‑management software. Director Stokes said the software project has moved more slowly than anticipated and that the department shifted some funds into highway operations while continuing work on materials testing and inspection improvements. "Once completed though, this new piece of software will help all our inspectors... to better organize, retain, have more confidence when we make contractor payments and close out the project," Stokes said.
The committee also reviewed a $700,000 federal fund request for highway safety programs, $347,000 for updating historical highway markers with the Idaho State Historical Society and Commerce, and $565,000 in CARES Federal Transit Administration funds for public transit providers. Dupree said the governor recommended most enhancements with differences in some replacement and new equipment amounts.
Ending: Committee members asked ITD to provide itemized lists and progress reports for the software projects and for the large new/replacement equipment requests so the committee can evaluate timing and procurement plans.
