March 25, 2011

Transportation Board
Public transportation projects added to STIP program
The Idaho Transportation Board added three public transportation projects to the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) during its March 16-17 meeting in Boise. Both ITD and Valley Regional Transit (VRT) submitted applications to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for a “State of Good Repair” Bus and Bus Facilities Initiative grant last year.
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Head
Slick idea helps D-3 stay cleaner
District 3 is a powerful force, overseeing more than 2,550 state highway miles and a yearly maintenance budget of nearly $6.4 million. So when environmental concerns threatened to slow section activities to a crawl 14 years ago, some eggs over easy oiled the wheels of progress.
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DMV
Vendor sought to deliver program for modernization plan
A three-year process to modernize the Division of Motor Vehicles automated systems has entered the “pre-award” phase as ITD continues working with 3M to develop a fully functional system. 3M submitted a proposal for developing the system product. As part of the pre-award phase, ITD is working with the vendor to ensure the proposed product will meet the demands. Once satisfied, ITD will be positioned to move forward with a contract award.
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Accountability
ITD offers new, improved version of new 'Dashboard'
After just three months of service – and national attention – ITD’s model Dashboard has evolved into a new generation. Deputy Director Scott Stokes unveiled the enhanced website for Idaho Transportation Board members when they met last week in Boise. The Transportation System Dashboard provides a simple, yet comprehensive, snapshot of ITD’s progress in nine key performance measurement areas.
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Donate life
'Yes Idaho' campaign to kick off Thursday
ITD, which has been honored as a regional leader in facilitating the donation of organs, tissue and eyes, will join Inland Donor Services to draw attention to National Donate Life Month in April. The month-long educational campaign draws attention to the importance of signing up on the Yes Idaho Donor Registry as a way of sharing life.

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Child safety
NHTSA changes guidelines for child restraints
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has revised its child restraint guidelines to be categorized by age rather than by type of child seat in order to keep pace with the latest scientific and medical research and the development of new child restraint technologies.
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Employees
Planning needed to ensure enjoyable retirement
Most of us would like to retire, but we aren’t sure if it’s possible. We don’t know much we will need in retirement, and we’re concerned about the rising cost of healthcare. Figuring out the magic number you’ll need to retire comfortably can feel like throwing darts at a dart board. We may hear we need less money in retirement, but we would like to include an Alaskan cruise or we are caring for other family members.
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Encore
 Published March 18, 2011

Transportation board
Friends, colleagues offer tribute to retiring Neil Miller
In an emotional farewell to colleagues on the transportation board and in the department, Neil Miller called his 15-year ride a grand learning experience. Although his term formally expired on January 31, Miller agreed to continue serving on the transportation board until Gov. Otter names, and the Legislature confirms, a replacement. He is planning to participate in the April board meeting and District 2 tour in Lewiston.
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Employees
Board honors 51 for employment milestones
The Idaho Transportation Board joined ITD colleagues, friends and family this week in acknowledging employees who achieved longevity milestones in their professional careers. Fifty-one employees reached new plateaus, including 13 who marked five years of employment, 11 who reached 20 years and nine who have worked 15 years.
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Dansereau, Davis honored for safety, maintenance
Dave Dansereau and Dan Davis, both from District 3’s maintenance force, were honored as ITD Maintenance and Safety Persons of the Year Thursday in a service awards ceremony at Headquarters. Dansereau, who wore the hats of foreman for both the Special Crew and Boise Maintenance crews for half of 2010, started with ITD in November of 2000 after spending four years as an hourly employee. Davis, the Banks Maintenance foreman, has been with the department since 1981.
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Golf league to begin signups this month
The ITD Twilight Golf League Committee is starting to organize for the 2011 season. The league will play at Shadow Valley again (along Idaho 55) on Mondays. We are anticipating a shotgun start around 5:30 p.m. There is a nominal entry fee, approximately $40, to cover various league expenses and the last night of golf, plus the weekly green fees of $19 for 9 holes. Carts are optional at an additional cost.
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Accolades
ITD considered for 'Better Government' award
ITD’s effort to become the best transportation department in the country is continuing to gain national attention. Less than one month after Governing Magazine featured ITD’s performance dashboard in its “Idea Center” feature, another better government organization is asking the department to share its innovative ideas. The Pioneer Institute, a non-partisan public policy research institute, sponsors an annual “Better Government Competition.” The institute searches for the most innovative ideas from government, private sector, and non-profit organizations.
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Fernandez named engineering 'Fellow'
Nestor Fernandez joined an elite group of professional engineers this week when he was selected to be a National Society of Professional Engineers Fellow. Michael Hardy, president of the national organization, notified Fernandez of the selection Saturday (March 12). Fernandez is only one of three engineers in Idaho to hold the "Fellow" distinction, he said. Fernandez has been the ITD roadway design engineer since 2007, succeeding Damon Allen. Before accepting that position, he helped guide Idaho’s largest highway expansion program – GARVEE (Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle).

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Highways
Idaho 3 honors Medal of Honor recipients
COEUR d'ALENE - Private donations and veteran groups plan to pay for signs designating State Highway 3 as the "North Idaho Medal of Honor Highway." Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter recently signed a law regarding the highway that spans about 120 miles and connects U.S. 12 near Spalding with Interstate 90 near Rose Lake.
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Head
Credit union building new branch; annual meeting scheduled
Icon Credit Union recently broke ground for construction of a new branch facility located on Overland Road in Meridian. The branch will be approximately 5,000 sq. ft. and will include a large "community" conference room that will be available for non-profit groups to use for meetings. The new location is on the SW corner of the intersection across the street from Wahooz and Roaring Springs Water park in Meridian. 
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