HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgreement Reconnecting Rexburg NAE FY231 of 21
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
GRANT AGREEMENT UNDER THE
FISCAL YEAR 2023 NEIGHBORHOOD ACCESS AND EQUITY GRANT PROGRAM
This agreement is between the United States Department of Transportation (the “USDOT”)
and the Idaho Transportation Department (the “Recipient”).
This agreement reflects the selection of the Recipient to receive a Neighborhood Access and
Equity (NAE) Grant for the Reconnecting Rexburg: Planning & Designing Connections Across
US Hwy 20.
If schedule A to this agreement identifies a Designated Subrecipient, that Designated
Subrecipient is also a party to this agreement, and the parties want the Designated Subrecipient
to carry out the project with the Recipient’s assistance and oversight.
The parties therefore agree to the following:
ARTICLE 1
GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS.
1.1 General Terms and Conditions.
(a) In this agreement, “General Terms and Conditions” means the content of the document
titled “General Terms and Conditions Under the Fiscal Year 2023 Neighborhood Access
and Equity Program: FHWA Projects,” dated October 1, 2024, which is available on the
RCN website. The General Terms and Conditions reference the information contained in
the schedules to this agreement. The General Terms and Conditions are part of this
agreement.
(b) The Recipient states that it has knowledge of the General Terms and Conditions.
(c) The Recipient acknowledges that the General Terms and Conditions impose obligations
on the Recipient and that the Recipient’s non-compliance with the General Terms and
Conditions may result in remedial action, terminating of the NAE Grant, disallowing
costs incurred for the Project, requiring the Recipient to refund to the USDOT the NAE
Grant, and reporting the non-compliance in the Federal-government-wide integrity and
performance system.
ARTICLE 2
SPECIAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS.
There are no special terms for this award.
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SCHEDULE A
ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
1. Application.
Application Title: Reconnecting Rexburg: Planning & Designing Connections Across
US Hwy 20
Application Date: 9/18/2023
2. Recipient’s Unique Entity Identifier.
See section 24.3 of the General Terms and Conditions; also see FMIS.
3. Recipient Contact(s).
Jason Minzghor
District Engineer
Idaho Transportation Department – D6
JASON.MINZGHOR@ITD.IDAHO.GOV
206 N. Yellowstone Hwy
Rigby, Idaho 83442
208-745-5600
4. Recipient Key Personnel.
Not Applicable
5. USDOT Project Contact(s).
Russ Rivera
Civil Rights Specialist
FHWA Idaho Division
3050 N. Lakeharbor Lane, Suite 126, Boise, ID 83703
208-617-2138
Richard.r.rivera@dot.gov
And
Kenneth Petty, Director, Office of Planning
Federal Highway Administration
Office of Planning, Environment, and Realty
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE
Room E72-330
Washington, DC 20590
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6. Payment System.
USDOT Payment System: FMIS
7. Office for Subaward and Contract Authorization.
USDOT Office for Subaward and Contract Authorization: FHWA Division
8. Federal Award Identification Number.
See section 24.2 of the General Terms and Conditions.
9. Designated Subrecipient.
Designated Subrecipient: City of Rexburg
Keith Davidson
Public Works Director
City of Rexburg
35 N 1st E, Rexburg, ID 83440
208-359-3020
Keith.davidson@rexburg.org
Justin Beard
Assistant Public Works Director
City of Rexburg
35 N 1st E, Rexburg, ID 83440
208-359-3020
Justin.beard@rexburg.org
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SCHEDULE B
PROJECT ACTIVITIES
1. General Project Description.
The City of Rexburg is seeking $2 million to have a professional company research,
assess, design and plan the best options for reconnecting the disadvantaged communities
that lie on the west side of Highway 20 with the town amenities that are necessary and
important for daily living. Options include under or over passes at three different
locations that would provide the most direct paths for both automobiles and
bike/pedestrian paths.
2. Statement of Work.
Project Summary:
This project aims to plan and design road reconnections across US Highway 20 to reconnect
historic east-west corridors through the City of Rexburg and Madison County at Moody Rd, 7th
South, and Poleline Road; reduce traffic at the US 20 interchanges on University Blvd (Exit
332), State Highway 33 (Exit 333), and 2nd East (Exit 337); improve pedestrian/bike paths;
support commercial and residential growth; and ensure equitable access for all community
members. The project also addresses environmental impacts.
Tasks:
• Identify alternatives for reconnecting Moody Road, 7th South, and Poleline Road across
Highway 20.
• Recommend the best alternatives for reconnecting the three roads.
• Identify and consider environmental impacts at each location.
• Develop plans and designs for the three crossings, including pedestrian and bicycle
pathways that can be used to request construction funding from federal, state, and local
sources.
• Public outreach and workshops.
Deliverables:
• Stakeholder engagement plan
• Environmental report
• Conceptual designs of alternatives for road and path crossings
• Report with recommendations
• Design of selected alternatives
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SCHEDULE C
AWARD DATES AND PROJECT SCHEDULE
1. Award Dates.
Budget Period End Date: June 30, 2027
Period of Performance End Date: December 31, 2026
2. Estimated Project Schedule.
Milestone Schedule Date
Planned Project Completion Date: December 31, 2026
3. Special Milestone Deadlines.
None.
4. Mandatory Prerequisite Dates.
Milestone Date
Added to Statewide Transportation Improvement
Program (STIP)
July 1, 2025
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SCHEDULE D
AWARD AND PROJECT FINANCIAL INFORMATION
1. Award Amount.
NAE Grant Amount: $2,000,000
2. Federal Obligation Information.
Federal Obligation Type: Single
3. Approved Project Budget.
Eligible Project Costs
Total
RCP Funds: $2,000,000
Other Federal Funds: 0
Non-Federal Funds: $500,000
Total: $2,500,000
4. Cost Classification Table
Reserved.
5. Approved Pre-award Costs
None. The USDOT has not approved under this award any costs incurred under an
advanced construction authorization (23 U.S.C. 115), any costs incurred prior to
authorization (23 C.F.R. 1.9(b)), or any pre-award costs under 2 C.F.R. 200.458.
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SCHEDULE E
CHANGES FROM APPLICATION
INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING SCHEDULE E: Describe all material differences
between the scope, schedule, and budget described in the application and the scope, schedule,
budget described in schedules B–D. The purpose of this schedule E is to clearly and accurately
document the differences in scope, schedule, and budget to establish the parties’ knowledge and
acceptance of those differences. If there are notable changes in aspects of the Project other than
scope, schedule, and budget (e.g., recipient changes), those changes should also be described.
See section 3.1 of the General Terms and Conditions.
Scope:
No Changes
Schedule:
The originally anticipated schedule was to begin in July 2024, complete the majority of the work
by December 2025, and close out the project by April 2026.
The Idaho Transportation Department’s budget schedule requires that the project be pushed back
to begin the project in July 2025. Anticipated completion of the project is in December 2026
with project closeout in June 2027.
Budget:
No Changes
Other:
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SCHEDULE F
NAE PROGRAM DESIGNATIONS
1. Capital Construction or Planning Designation.
Capital-Planning- Designation: Planning
Economically Disadvantaged Community Designation.
Economically Disadvantaged Community Designation: Yes
2. Funding Source.
Funding Source: General Fund
3. Security Risk Designation.
Security Risk Designation: Low
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SCHEDULE G
RESERVED.
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SCHEDULE H
CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE IMPACTS
1. Consideration of Climate Change and Environmental Justice Impacts.
The Recipient states that rows marked with “X” in the following table are accurate
X
The Project is a planning project and incorporates consideration of climate
change and environmental justice impacts. (Identify how the planning project
incorporates consideration of climate change and environmental justice
impacts in the narrative below.)
The Project directly supports a Local/Regional/State Climate Action Plan that
results in lower greenhouse gas emissions. (Identify the plan in the supporting
narrative below.)
The Project directly supports a Local/Regional/State Equitable Development
Plan that results in lower greenhouse gas emissions. (Identify the plan in the
supporting narrative below.)
The Project directly supports a Local/Regional/State Energy Baseline Study
that results in lower greenhouse gas emissions. (Identify the plan in the
supporting narrative below.)
The Recipient or a project partner used environmental justice tools, such as the
Climate & Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST), USDOT’s Equitable
Transportation Community (ETC) Explorer, or the EPA’s EJSCREEN, to
minimize adverse impacts of the Project on environmental justice communities.
(Identify the tool(s) in the supporting narrative below.)
The Project supports a modal shift in freight or passenger movement to reduce
emissions or reduce induced travel demand. (Describe that shift in the
supporting narrative below.)
The Project utilizes demand management strategies to reduce congestion,
induced travel demand, and greenhouse gas emissions. (Describe those
strategies in the supporting narrative below.)
The Project incorporates electrification infrastructure, zero-emission vehicle
infrastructure, or both. (Describe the incorporated infrastructure in the
supporting narrative below.)
The Project supports the installation of electric vehicle charging stations.
(Describe that support in the supporting narrative below.)
The Project promotes energy efficiency. (Describe how in the supporting
narrative below.)
The Project serves the renewable energy supply chain. (Describe how in the
supporting narrative below.)
The Project improves disaster preparedness and resiliency (Describe how in the
supporting narrative below.)
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The Project avoids adverse environmental impacts to air or water quality,
wetlands, and endangered species, such as through reduction in Clean Air Act
criteria pollutants and greenhouse gases, improved stormwater management, or
improved habitat connectivity. (Describe how in the supporting narrative
below.)
The Project repairs existing dilapidated or idle infrastructure that is currently
causing environmental harm. (Describe that infrastructure in the supporting
narrative below.)
The Project supports or incorporates the construction of energy- and location-
efficient buildings. (Describe how in the supporting narrative below.)
The Project includes recycling of materials, use of materials known to reduce
or reverse carbon emissions, or both. (Describe the materials in the supporting
narrative below.)
The Recipient has taken other actions to consider climate change and
environmental justice impacts of the Project. (Describe those actions in the
supporting narrative below.)
The Recipient has not yet taken actions to consider climate change and
environmental justice impacts of the Project but, before beginning construction
of the Project, will take relevant actions described in schedule B. (Identify the
relevant actions from schedule B in the supporting narrative below.)
The Recipient has not taken actions to consider climate change and
environmental justice impacts of the Project and will not take those actions
under this award.
2. Supporting Narrative.
The planning project for reconnecting roads across Highway 20 integrates climate change and
environmental justice considerations in several key ways:
1. Reducing Transportation-Related Emissions: By improving road connectivity and
reducing traffic congestion, the project aims to shorten commute times and encourage
alternative transportation options such as walking and cycling. This leads to a reduction
in vehicle emissions, helping mitigate the effects of climate change.
2. Promoting Active Transportation: The inclusion of pedestrian and bicycle pathways
not only supports health and mobility but also decreases reliance on cars, further reducing
greenhouse gas emissions. This shift toward sustainable transportation options
contributes to Rexburg's long-term climate resilience.
3. Environmental Impact Assessments: The project conducts thorough environmental
reviews to avoid or mitigate harm to air and water quality, wetlands, and endangered
species. This ensures that infrastructure improvements are aligned with ecological
preservation efforts, which is crucial in addressing climate risks.
4. Addressing Environmental Justice: The project focuses on ensuring that disadvantaged
communities, who are often disproportionately affected by climate change and pollution,
benefit from the improvements. Mitigation measures are designed to prevent negative
impacts, such as increased pollution or flooding risks, in low-income and minority
neighborhoods.
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5. Providing Evacuation Routes for Natural Disasters: The new road connections will
offer critical evacuation routes in the event of natural disasters, such as flooding or
earthquakes, which are significant risks in this area. By improving access across Highway
20, the project ensures that residents have safer and more efficient paths to escape danger,
enhancing overall community resilience and emergency preparedness.
In summary, the planning project aims to reduce emissions, promote sustainable transport, and
address the disproportionate environmental and climate burdens faced by disadvantaged
communities, aligning with climate change and environmental justice goals.
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SCHEDULE I
EQUITY AND BARRIERS TO OPPORTUNITY
1. Efforts to Improve Equity and Reduce Barriers to Opportunity.
The Recipient states that rows marked with “X” in the following table are accurate:
X
The Project is a planning project and incorporates consideration of racial equity
and barriers to opportunity. (Identify how the planning project incorporates
consideration of racial equity and barriers to opportunity in the narrative
below.)
A racial equity impact analysis has been completed for the Project. (Identify a
report on that analysis or, if no report was produced, describe the analysis and
its results in the supporting narrative below.)
The Recipient or a project partner has adopted an equity and inclusion
program/plan, or has otherwise instituted equity-focused policies related to
project procurement, material sourcing, construction, inspection, hiring, or
other activities designed to ensure racial equity in the overall delivery and
implementation of the Project. (Identify the relevant programs, plans, or
policies in the supporting narrative below.)
The Project includes physical-barrier-mitigating land bridges, caps, lids, linear
parks, and multimodal mobility investments that either redress past barriers to
opportunity or that proactively create new connections and opportunities for
underserved communities that are underserved by transportation. (Identify the
relevant investments in the supporting narrative below.)
The Project includes new or improved walking, biking, and rolling access for
individuals with disabilities, especially access that reverses the disproportional
impacts of crashes on people of color and mitigates neighborhood bifurcation.
(Identify the new or improved access in the supporting narrative below.)
The Project includes new or improved freight access to underserved
communities to increase access to goods and job opportunities for those
underserved communities. (Identify the new or improved access in the
supporting narrative below.)
The Recipient has taken other actions related to the Project to improve racial
equity and reduce barriers to opportunity. (Describe those actions in the
supporting narrative below.)
The Recipient has not yet taken actions related to the Project to improve racial
equity and reduce barriers to opportunity but, before beginning construction of
the Project, will take relevant actions described in schedule B. (Identify the
relevant actions from schedule B in the supporting narrative below.)
The Recipient has not taken actions related to the Project to improve racial
equity and reduce barriers to opportunity and will not take those actions under
this award.
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2. Supporting Narrative.
The planning project for reconnecting roads across Highway 20 incorporates racial equity and
addresses barriers to opportunity by ensuring that the benefits of improved infrastructure,
transportation access, and economic development are distributed equitably across all
demographics, including historically marginalized and disadvantaged groups. Here’s how:
1. Inclusive Stakeholder Engagement: The project ensures that diverse voices are
represented in planning decisions by actively involving minority communities and low-
income residents in stakeholder meetings and public forums. This engagement helps
identify specific transportation and access challenges faced by these groups.
2. Equitable Access to Amenities: By reconnecting roads and improving pedestrian and
bicycle pathways, the project addresses mobility challenges that disproportionately affect
communities of color and low-income residents, who are more likely to rely on
alternative transportation modes due to economic constraints.
3. Mitigating Disproportionate Environmental Impacts: The planning process includes
an assessment of environmental impacts, particularly in areas where disadvantaged
communities may be disproportionately affected by pollution and climate change.
Mitigation measures are designed to reduce these impacts and promote environmental
justice.
By incorporating these considerations, the project aims to reduce systemic inequities, enhance
access to opportunities, and ensure that all residents, regardless of race or income, benefit from
the improvements.
3. Community Engagement Activities.
Community engagement is a core component of the Highway 20 reconnection planning project.
A series of activities will be implemented to ensure inclusive and transparent participation from
residents, businesses, and stakeholders. These activities include:
1. Public Meetings and Open Houses: Regular public meetings will be held to share
project updates, gather feedback, and discuss proposed road reconnections. Open houses
will provide residents with opportunities to review project designs, ask questions, and
voice concerns or suggestions.
2. Stakeholder Workshops: Targeted workshops will engage key stakeholders such as
local businesses, schools, community organizations, and transportation agencies. These
workshops will focus on identifying transportation needs, opportunities for economic
development, and environmental considerations.
3. Online Engagement and Surveys: To ensure broad participation, online tools will be
utilized, including project-specific websites, social media platforms, and surveys. These
digital platforms will enable residents to provide input remotely and stay informed about
the project's progress.
4. Partnerships with Local Institutions: Collaborations with local schools, including
Brigham Young University-Idaho, and civic organizations will help engage younger
residents and encourage community-wide participation.
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These community engagement activities are designed to ensure that the project reflects the needs
and aspirations of the entire community, promoting transparency, inclusivity, and equity
throughout the planning process.
4. Activities to Safeguard Affordability.
To safeguard affordability for the project, we follow a structured process that ensures cost-
effectiveness while maintaining quality. Our approach includes the following key activities:
1. Competitive Bidding Process: We are required to put the project out for bids, allowing
multiple contractors to submit proposals. This competitive process encourages fair
pricing and ensures that we receive a range of cost options.
2. Lowest Bid Selection: By policy, we must select the lowest bid that meets all project
specifications. This helps us minimize project costs while ensuring that the contractor has
the capacity to complete the work efficiently and to a high standard.
3. Pre-Bid Cost Estimates: Before requesting bids, our engineers calculate a rough
estimate of the total project cost based on the scope of work. This internal estimate allows
us to assess whether the bids we receive are in line with industry standards and expected
costs.
4. City Council Approval: Once the lowest bid is selected, the project moves forward only
after receiving approval from the city council. This additional step ensures oversight and
accountability, providing further confidence that the project remains affordable and
within budget.
These safeguards ensure that we are responsibly managing public funds and keeping the project
affordable for the community while still delivering a high-quality outcome.
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SCHEDULE J
LABOR AND WORKFORCE
1. Efforts to Support Good-Paying Jobs and Strong Labor Standards
The Recipient states that rows marked with “X” in the following table are accurate:
X The Project is a planning project. (Identify in the narrative below the extent to
which, if any, the planning project incorporates consideration of good-paying
jobs and strong labor standards.)
The Recipient or a project partner has adopted the use of project labor
agreements in the overall delivery and implementation of the Project. (Identify
the relevant agreements and describe the scope of activities they cover in the
supporting narrative below.)
The Recipient or a project partner has adopted the use of local and economic
hiring preferences in the overall delivery and implementation of the Project,
subject to all applicable State and local laws, policies, and procedures.
(Describe the relevant provisions in the supporting narrative below.)
The Recipient or a project partner has adopted the use of registered
apprenticeships in the overall delivery and implementation of the Project.
(Describe the use of registered apprenticeship in the supporting narrative
below.)
The Recipient or a project partner will provide training and placement
programs for underrepresented workers in the overall delivery and
implementation of the Project. (Describe the training programs in the
supporting narrative below.)
The Recipient or a project partner will support free and fair choice to join a
union in the overall delivery and implementation of the Project by investing in
workforce development services offered by labor-management training
partnerships or setting expectations for contractors to develop labor-management
training programs. (Describe the workforce development services offered by
labor-management training partnerships in the supporting narrative below.)
The Recipient or a project partner will provide supportive services and cash
assistance to address systemic barriers to employment to be able to participate
and thrive in training and employment, including childcare, emergency cash
assistance for items such as tools, work clothing, application fees and other
costs of apprenticeship or required pre-employment training, transportation and
travel to training and work sites, and services aimed at helping to retain
underrepresented groups like mentoring, support groups, and peer networking.
(Describe the supportive services and/or cash assistance provided to trainees
and employees in the supporting narrative below.)
The Recipient or a project partner has documented agreements or ordinances in
place to hire from certain workforce programs that serve underrepresented
groups. (Identify the relevant agreements and describe the scope of activities
they cover in the supporting narrative below.)
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The Recipient or a project partner participates in a State/Regional/Local
comprehensive plan to promote equal opportunity, including removing barriers
to hire and preventing harassment on work sites, and that plan demonstrates
action to create an inclusive environment with a commitment to equal
opportunity, including:
a. affirmative efforts to remove barriers to equal employment
opportunity above and beyond complying with Federal law;
b. proactive partnerships with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office
of Federal Contract Compliance Programs to promote compliance
with EO 11246 Equal Employment Opportunity requirements;
c. no discriminatory use of criminal background screens and
affirmative steps to recruit and include those with former justice
involvement, in accordance with the Fair Chance Act and equal
opportunity requirements;
d. efforts to prevent harassment based on race, color, religion, sex,
sexual orientation, gender identity, and national origin;
e. training on anti-harassment and third-party reporting procedures
covering employees and contractors; and
f. maintaining robust anti-retaliation measures covering employees
and contractors.
(Describe the equal opportunity plan in the supporting narrative below.)
The Recipient has taken other actions related to the Project to create good-
paying jobs with the free and fair choice to join a union and incorporate strong
labor standards. (Describe those actions in the supporting narrative below.)
The Recipient has not yet taken actions related to the Project to create good-
paying jobs with the free and fair choice to join a union and incorporate strong
labor standards but, before beginning construction of the Project, will take
relevant actions described in schedule B. (Identify the relevant actions from
schedule B in the supporting narrative below.)
The Recipient has not taken actions related to the Project to improving good-
paying jobs and strong labor standards and will not take those actions under
this award.
2. Supporting Narrative.
The planning project for reconnecting roads across Highway 20 incorporates consideration of
good-paying jobs and strong labor standards in the following ways:
1. Job Creation Through Infrastructure Development: The project is expected to
generate employment opportunities in planning, construction, and related services. These
jobs will adhere to strong labor standards, including fair wages, safety protocols, and
benefits, in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
2. Support for Local Workforce: By improving access across Highway 20, the project
helps rural and urban workers reach major job centers more easily. This promotes
equitable access to good-paying jobs, especially for communities that face transportation
barriers to employment.
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3. Potential for Economic Growth: The reconnections will open up commercial and
industrial land, facilitating business expansion and new investments. This is likely to lead
to the creation of permanent jobs in sectors such as retail, services, and local industries,
which will ideally follow strong labor standards, promoting long-term economic stability.
4. Affordable Housing Near Job Opportunities: By facilitating affordable housing
development in newly accessible areas, the project helps ensure that workers have access
to nearby jobs, reducing commute times and transportation costs, further contributing to
economic stability.
Through these efforts, the project not only improves infrastructure but also promotes job
opportunities with fair wages, contributing to the region’s economic well-being and supporting
strong labor standards.
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RECIPIENT SIGNATURE PAGE
The Recipient, intending to be legally bound, is signing this agreement on the date stated
opposite that party’s signature.
State of Idaho
Date:
By: Signature of Recipient’s Authorized Representative
Jason Minzghor
Name
District Engineer
Title
DESIGNATED SUBRECIPIENT SIGNATURE PAGE
The Designated Subrecipient, intending to be legally bound, is signing this agreement on the date
stated opposite that party's signature.
City of Rexburg
,,By:
Date Si a of Dqahated ubrecipient's Authorized
Representative
V- VAC' li r '., ( l
Name
Pubror irec
Title
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USDOT SIGNATURE PAGE
The USDOT, intending to be legally bound, is signing this agreement on the date stated opposite
that party’s signature.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION
Date
By: Signature of USDOT’s Authorized Representative
Peter J. Hartman
Name
FHWA Idaho Division Administrator
Title