Idaho Transportation Department (ITD)

Agency overview
Formed	1974; 50 years ago (1974)
Preceding agencies	Idaho Highway Commission Idaho Department of Highways
Jurisdiction	Idaho
Headquarters	3311 W. State Street Boise, Idaho[1]
Agency executives	Scott Stokes, Director Dan McElhinney, Chief Deputy Director / Chief Operations Officer Mollie McCarty, Chief External Affairs Officer Brenda Williams, Chief Human Resources Officer Dave Tolman, Chief Administrative Officer
Parent agency	State of Idaho
Website	http://itd.idaho.gov/

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) is the state of Idaho governmental organization responsible for state transportation infrastructure. This includes ongoing operations and maintenance as well as planning for future needs of the state and its citizens. The agency is responsible for overseeing the disbursement of federal, state, and grant funding for transportation programs in the state.^[2]

Overview

Idaho's state transportation system consists of more than 12,200 miles (19,600 km) (lane miles) of roads, more than 1,800 bridges, approximately 1,630 miles (2,620 km) of rail lines, 126 public-use airports, and the Port of Lewiston.

The agency is also responsible for 29 rest areas and 12 ports of entry.^[2]

History

The Idaho Legislature created the State Highway Commission 111 years ago in 1913. The group consisted of the Secretary of State, the State Engineer and three other members to be appointed by the governor. The Commission was empowered to:

• plan, build and maintain new state highways
• alter, improve or discontinue any state highway
• purchase, condemn, or otherwise obtain necessary easements
• have general supervision of all highways within the state
• expend the fund created for the construction, maintenance and improvement of state highways
• maintain and improve state highways
• make and enforce rules
• employ a Chief Engineer and assistants
• supervise registration of vehicles
• keep a complete record of all activities and expenses^[3]

In 1919, the Commission was abolished and its functions were transferred to a Bureau of Highways in the Department of Public Works.^[3] A property tax was enacted by the Legislature to fund roads for the state and bonds were issued to build a highway system.

In 1950, the Idaho Department of Highways was reorganized and placed under the direction of a governing Board. In 1974, the Idaho Department of Highways became the Idaho Transportation Department. The Department of Motor Vehicles originally reported to the Idaho Department of Law Enforcement, but was transferred to ITD in 1982.

Organization

ITD is organized into six divisions and six district offices. The agency serves under an appointed seven member Idaho Transportation Board. The board establishes state transportation policy and guides the planning, development and management of the Idaho transportation network. The board is appointed by the governor. One board member represents each of the six regional districts. A seventh member is appointed as chairman of the board.

The department has the following six divisions:

• Administration
• Aeronautics
• Highways
• Human Resources
• Motor Vehicles ^[4][5]
• Transportation Performance

District offices

• District 1" Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai, and Shoshone counties. Headquartered in Coeur d'Alene.
• District 2: Clearwater, Idaho, Latah, Lewis, and Nez Perce counties. Headquartered in Lewiston.
• District 3: Ada, Adams, Boise, Canyon, Elmore, Gem, Owyhee, Payette, Valley, and Washington counties. Headquartered in Boise.
• District 4: Blaine, Camas, Cassia, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln, Minidoka, and Twin Falls counties. Headquartered in Shoshone.
• District 5: Bannock, Bear Lake, Bingham, Caribou, Franklin, Oneida, and Power counties. Headquartered in Pocatello.
• District 6: Bonneville, Butte, Clark, Custer, Fremont, Jefferson, Lemhi, Madison, and Teton counties. Headquartered in Rigby.