BOISE - How does Idaho's transportation agency compare with its out-of-state counterparts? How well does it budget for its projects? Does it choose the most cost-effective ways to fund projects? And how efficient are its services?

Those are just some of the questions that lawmakers will look to find answers to early next week when they go over a Pennsylvania-based company's audit of the Idaho Transportation Department.

The state faces a $240 million transportation shortfall partly as a result of rapid inflation in commodities such as oil and concrete.

Last year, state lawmakers found no solution for the shortfall, but did contract Avant IMC to evaluate the ITD.

The company's report will be discussed at length during committee hearings on both Monday and Tuesday, and lawmakers hope the audit's findings will help their judgment as they look to solve the Gem State's transportation woes.

"It depends on what the audit tells us," said Rep. James Ruchti, a Pocatello Democrat and member on the state House's transportation committee.

Ruchti will be going over the audit with his panel Tuesday, but already has a copy of the lengthy report. While he will be studying the audit over the weekend, he said a contract clause with Avant has mandated lawmakers to keep the information confidential until next week.

"I'm hoping that the audit is going to identify some places where ITD can save money by improving the efficiency of its operations," Ruchti said. "That of course, will help us get a more accurate number of what the ITD needs for maintenance projects."