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Jeff Wourms, International Road Dynamics, inspects dowel baskets and sensor loops prior to the 190-cubic-yard northbound concrete pour July 13.

Accelerated Weigh-in-Motion installation in District 5 nears completion

Expected to be operational by September, the installation of weigh-in-motion technology in southeastern Idaho at the Inkom Port of Entry (POE) is fast-tracking benefits that extend not only to the commercial vehicles using the scales, but also to the general motoring public and the economies involved.

This cradle-to-grave project south of Pocatello was originally managed by Jesse Barrus, now the new D6 operations manager. With Jesse's career path changes, the position has been assigned to his interim replacement in D5, Greydon Wright. The scale installation is being managed by D5 Information Systems Lead Matthew Bezayiff.

The project was initiated through a grant with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. ITD's part of the match was $596,000 for building slabs and conduit runs to support scale installation and hardware for the Weigh-In-Motion system. The project was fast-tracked from project design phase to the 45 days required to build due to extremely tight grant deadlines.

David Hankla, who has management responsibilities over Districts 5 and 6 for ports of entry, sees many benefits to the work.

The motoring public will see less congestion in the area of the scale houses because fewer trucks will be required to be pulled in for processing. This allows more time spent checking commercial vehicles for violations and safety and equipment issues. The commercial vehicles running safe and legal loads benefit by not being slowed down with redundant stops as they make their way across country. Economically, more freight moved more efficiently means better profit margins for the industries affected.

Similar systems have been installed at the East Boise POE and at the Heutter POE in Coeur d'Alene.

"The possibilities are exciting," Hankla said. "The system has been fine-tuned compared to earlier installations, so the potential upside is tremendous."

Concrete Placing Company, of Boise, is the prime contractor on this work.