By Senator John McGee (10) & Senator Chuck Winder (14)

Idaho's Legislators and Governor Otter are nearing an important mile marker on a journey critical to all Idahoans. Do we step up to the job of upkeep and maintenance of our roads or do we let a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity slip away?

The state of Idaho is poised to issue $125 million of additional GARVEE road building bonds, which each Legislature since 2005 has agreed were essential to come to grips with our insufficient and failing system of roads. The bond-funded projects now underway have been a great success story. The bonding program is generating the most amount of money for Idaho while protecting us from the dangers of inflation. Raising these funds now has allowed the state to undertake complex large projects that would not have been built under the limitations of the normal state highway program.

In the midst of a grim nationwide economic climate, the GARVEE road projects have created nearly 13,000 jobs. The next bond issue will create an additional 2,860 much-need jobs for Idahoans. The economic downturn has also created an extremely low interest rate climate to issue the next bonds. And let's be clear: the money used to repay GARVEE bonds is federal highway money, not more money coming out of Idahoans pockets.

Why then is there is now talk of not issuing the new bonds, but simply diverting federal Stimulus money. Governor Otter, rightfully, is not in favor of this 'half a loaf' scheme. Under the best of circumstances we do not have enough money to do what is required for our roads.

If the Legislature does not authorize the new bonds, the Governor has suggested the resulting gap would necessitate the use of federal Stimulus dollars, diverting them from these much needed projects:

• A replacement to Dover Bridge in northern Idaho

• An alternate route to US 93 in southern Idaho

• A interchange improvement in Chubbuck on US 86

• Work on US 20 near Henry's Lake and Idaho route 48

• A passing lane for Moscow Mountain on US 95

The moment is now—the opportunity is now. Fitting together the pieces of the financial puzzle presents Idaho with the opportunity to build some severely critical projects now rather than let them continue to languish and expose our citizens and businesses to safety and economic hazards. GARVEE bonding was approved nearly 5 years ago. Now is not the time to abandon such a successful program. We ask you, the citizens, to urge your legislators to work with Governor Otter and support the next phase of GARVEE bonding so Stimulus dollars can be directed to these other critical statewide transportation projects.