The University of Idaho Argonaut

A small crowd of people could be seen off of U.S. Highway 95 Wednesday afternoon, gathered to watch Gov. Dirk Kempthorne sign a $1.6 billion highway funding bill.

Jared Desjarlais - ARGONAUT - UI President Tim White (left) and Gov. Dirk Kempthorne (right) break ground on the new construction site on Highway 95 south of Genesee Wednesday afternoon.

The money will be dispersed to build three decades’ worth of highway construction projects across the state within 10 years, Kempthorne said.

"For decades people have talked about it," he said. "This will increase access as well as safety."

Kempthorne, accompanied by workers wearing neon orange jackets and hard hats, climbed into a big yellow scraper to sign the bill.

"First and foremost, (the highway construction) will help save lives and move goods and services much more efficiently. It will also create jobs," said Mike Journee, Kempthorne’s press secretary.

UI President Tim White, who also spoke during the signing ceremony, said the changes that will be taking place are important to the school as well.

"The highways can be treacherous and very dangerous. So many of our students live south or north," White said.

Kempthorne said he had a personal experience with this when he was a student at UI driving on Highway 55. He said he was in an accident where the car rolled six times before being stopped by a snowbank.

"We have lost too many students on Highway 95," Kempthorne said.

White said the improved roads will also help in the university’s recruiting efforts. He said there are many students who want to attend UI, but because of the time it takes to drive to Moscow, they choose to attend schools closer to home.

White also expects UI will have an increasing economic role because of the development.

"People can get around easier and (students) have the opportunity to create more relationships with businesses in the surrounding areas," White said.

The signing ceremony was the governor’s first stop of seven in a "Connecting Idaho" tour.

"We wouldn’t be standing here doing the things we’re doing today without Governor Kempthorne’s help," said Chuck Winder, chairman of the Idaho Transportation Board. "It’s great for Idaho and it’s great for each one standing here."