The first in a series of meetings to discuss ideas about solving Idaho’s backlog of highway improvement projects is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 4, in Boise.

The Forum on Transportation Investment will examine, document and assess Idaho’s transportation goals through 2030, including those already documented by state and local government; as well as “investigate current and potential future transportation finance tools and assess their viability.”

The 40-member panel, appointed by the Idaho Transportation Board, will meet across the state several times over the next year to gather information and develop opinions that will culminate in recommendations to state officials and others.

The Jan. 4 meeting agenda will include an examination of Idaho’s financing sources and distribution at federal, state and local levels; and assess the state’s current tax structure and flow of funding.

Additional meetings are scheduled for April 28, June 28, Sep. 8, and Nov. 1 and 29.

Anyone interested in attending a Forum meeting can contact Julie Pipal, ITD’s manager of budget, policy and intergovernmental relations, at (208) 334-8804 or by e-mail at julile.papal@itd.idaho.gov. For further details, visit www.itd.idaho.gov/info/ti.forum/index.htm.

Next week’s meeting is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Holiday Inn, 3300 S Vista Avenue, Boise, ID 83705.