New Bonds Help Pay for Highway 30 Construction

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Story Published: Sep 18, 2008 at 6:48 PM MST

Story Updated: Nov 21, 2008 at 2:28 AM MST

By Wes Horrocks

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BANNOCK COUNTY - Three miles of Highway 30 near Lava Hot Springs have been under construction for months, and thanks to a new type of funding the road was finished today. But work along Highway 30 isn't done yet.

The new stretch of road near Lava Hot Springs marks the beginning of years of work on Highway 30. Eventually the Idaho Transportation Department will widen all of the highway making it safer and more efficient.

At today's ceremony the last section of guardrail was installed, officially completing the first stretch of highway to be funded by GARVEE bonds.

Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle Bonds are loans that ITD can use for big projects and pay off later as federal money comes in. Robert Geddes, ID Senate Pro Tempore said, "Every highway mile we can build will ultimately save the citizens of Idaho and even our federal taxpayers money in the future."

This three mile section cost $20-million alone, giving the 6,000 vehicles using Highway 30 every day extra passing lanes, and a shoulder area in case of an emergency. Ed Bala, ITD District 5 Engineer said, "When we get a crash it's severe and takes a life every time."

Robert Swasey, a Utah truck driver said, "[Highway 30] is not bad since they've done the construction. Before it was kind of a pain, but its pretty decent now."

As crews put the final touches on this section of highway they'll next move west toward McCammon where they'll continue to replace bridges and widen the highway. Blake Rindlisbacher, ITD District 5 Asst. Engineer said, "You may see some work beginning this Winter, but the bulk of the effort will begin in earnest in the Spring."

Those projects are expected to be completed over the next few Summers. With the end result being a four lane highway between McCammon and Lava Hot Springs. Geddes said, "I think they've done a great job in constructing this project, and hopefully they'll continue and have the same safety record that they've had thus far."

Down the road ITD also plans on spending $108-million re-routing the highway through Lava Hot Springs toward Soda Springs.

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