2013 filled with successes, national recognition

ITD’s drive to become the best transportation department in the country may not be complete yet, but judging by the miles traveled in 2013, the destination is within sight.

The travelogue is summarized in Transporter stories that date back to January. A review of the route clearly shows the department’s transportation influence doesn’t end at Idaho’s borders. National recognition was frequent and the praise lofty.

Consider September. The headlines read:

“Winter storm index claims national ITS innovation award”
“Sand Creek Byway among 10 finalists for AASHTO award”
“ITD’s emergency program to be featured in TRB publication”
“Sand Creek Byway receives regional acclaim”

When Director Brian Ness presented his annual year-end address to the Idaho Transportation Board, ITD’s awards were a prominent part. The department earned 18 national awards (including an unprecedented three AASHTO President’s Awards) and 19 state honors.

Director Ness was invited to the annual Transportation Research Board meetings in Washington, D.C. in January where he spoke about organizational realignment and efficiency. In August, he was a featured speaker at the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region conference in Alaska where he explained ITD’s innovative approach to supporting economic opportunity.

The other common thread in ITD’s 2013 tapestry centered on customer service, from introducing new programs that streamlined processes, to highway disaster response and animal rescues.

ITD’s leadership summit in September laid the foundation for developing new skills through training and becoming better mentors for new employees as major turnover chips away at institutional history and knowledge.

ITD lost three of four chief officers in 2013, but new leaders stepped to the forefront to ensure the department maintains its course of excellence. ITD filled the vacancies with long-time District 2 Engineer Jim Carpenter as the new Chief Operations Officer; Brenda Williams, Chief Human Resources Officer; and Char McArthur Chief Administrative Officer.

In August, ITD welcomed state and local policymakers to the Headquarters campus in Boise to formally christen the main building as the Philip E. Batt Building in honor of former governor Batt.

ITD could not have taken such major strides in its journey to become the best transportation department in the country without a well-conceived strategic plan and the talented individuals who make it work. It is through the energy, expertise and dedication of all 1,800 employees that ITD is making significant progress in becoming the best in the country.

Following are links to some of the major Transporter stories that shaped our year:

JANUARY

URS, Sand Creek Byway receive WTS innovation award
Ness to be featured speaker at TRB meeting
Cyber Security develops new high-visibility alert
Surveying, testing begin for three I-84 interchange projects
Ness earns WTS Transportation Leader of Year honor
Quick response keeps computer infection in check
Storm indexing process to be presented nationally
ITD honored with StormReady recognition

FEBRUARY

Director's TRB presentation featured on 'Transportation TV
ITD's project planning tool featured by online news service
Sand Creek Byway picks up another award
ACHD, Boise officials break ground on new road
BSU avalanche research to help ITD forecasting
ETS employees negotiate $16,200 savings
Pavement on I-84 project earns Knife River coveted award
High school class studies wildlife, vehicle collisions

MARCH

Two ITD projects receive ACEC national awards
Idaho shows improvement in some highway categories
Interchanges will continue Treasure Valley transformation
Research project could improve winter maintenance
Construction begins on new Chubbuck Interchange
ITD to weigh and photograph trucks on the fly
Director challenges long-term employees to become mentors
Engineering magazine names Brinkman 'Rising Star'
ITD's rock patrols essential highway safety practice
D-3 crews help reduce risks of I-84 roadside fires

APRIL

Resolution praises ITD progress
Winter performance measures among award finalists
2013 Excellence in Transportation Awards — Projects
Carpenter named ITD Chief Operations Officer
ITD's long history of fire-proofing highway rights of way
Shaw extols virtues of UPlan on AASHTO web video
Support your local osprey
ITD offers tips for drivers who encounter dust storms

MAY

Blowing dust, low visibility plague eastern Idaho
I
TD claims Capital City Communicators awards
GIS symposium looks at emerging technologies
Construction bid information goes digital
ITD hosts quartet of conferences with precision
CE News honors Brinkman as a 'Rising Star'
ITD earns 10 Idaho Press Club awards
ITD employees receive life-saving commendations
Goat 'mowers' remove unwanted vegetation
ITD process garners prestigious AASHTO award

JUNE

Recent avalanche season was one for the records
Fly-in draws fans of Super Cubs and camping
Building dedication a tribute to Gov. Phil Batt
A chronology of leadership
Governor Philip E. Batt – In Other Words
Backcountry pilots descend on Johnson Creek airstrip
District adopts new efficiency processes
Learning reaches new heights at three-day event

JULY

ITD to reduce delays for motorists in construction zones
Idaho ranks 17 for transportation system efficiency
Director to speak at international summit
Idaho setting example for motorcycle skills training
Jennings reawakens bicycle after 25-year slumber
Program gives teens, parents tools for safer driving habits
A wing, a prayer and Nick Jones
ETS turns challenge into opportunity — $20,000 savings

AUGUST

Highway lessons from the seat of a bicycle
State Farm, ITD provide cash for high school traffic-safety
Employees encouraged to check new Learning Hub
Idaho drivers second-best for risk of crash
Sand Creek Byway honored for early completion
ITD projects earn two national FHWA awards
Idaho competing to take lead in unmanned aircraf
Rapidly spreading fire prompts disaster declaration
Return to school requires renewed safety emphasis
Wildfires force highway closure, evacuation warnings
ITD offers phone callers better experience

SEPTEMBER

Winter storm index claims national ITS innovation award
Sand Creek Byway among 10 finalists for AASHTO award
ITD's emergency program to be featured in TRB publication
Rain-drenched hillside bathes Idaho 55 with mud, debris
ITD sponsors field test of 'CrashHelp' application
Web-based meetings extend comment options
Sand Creek Byway receives regional acclaim

OCTOBER

Summit inspires employees to lead by example
Family, friends move ITD buildings slated for razing
Leaders aren't born -- they're developed
DeCoster presents elements of organizational leaders
D-2 welcomes Dave Kuisti home
Focus on greener side of black earns Ford national honor
ITD research focuses on reducing wildlife collisions
September floods take toll on Idaho highways
ITD might need larger trophy case for AASHTO awards
New route opens to Headquarters

NOVEMBER

Division of Highways realignment announced
ITD receives two national Roadway Safety Awards
Enhancement enables motorists to report on highways
It’s a good sign
Aeronutics industry taking flight in northern Idaho
District 3's Carl Vaughn named Maintenance Person of Year
Terry Smith named 2013 Safety Person of Year

DECEMBER

Grant from AASHTO to benefit engineering programs
Formal search suspended for missing aircraft
Teaching highway safety lesson on the roadside

Published 12-27-13