21 MarCVEC Holds Quarterly Meeting

The Central Valley Expressway Coalition held its quarterly meeting on March 19th, 2012 at the Eagle restaurant Bella Aquila.  Approximately 60 people were in attendance to hear a legislative update from Idaho Assistant Senate Majority Leader Chuck Winder, SH-16 project update from Idaho Transportation Department Chief Operations Officer Paul Steinman, and a presentation by newly appointed Idaho Department of Commerce Director, Jeff Sayer.

Topics included how the Central Valley Expressway can help the state realize the goals of Project 60– growing Idaho’s gross domestic product to $60 billion– and the newly launched IGEM initiative.  Also discussed was proposed legislation before the Idaho Legislature that would enable the creation of Transportation and Economic Development Zones (TEDZ), similar in concept to the existing STARS districts, that would redirect sales tax within a zone to help fund transportation improvements within its boundaries.

Also announced was the estimated groundbreaking of the first phase of the Central Valley Expressway extension, the Boise River bridge crossing, in late May 2012.  More details to come at a later date.

Photos Credit: Matthew May