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Idaho Transportation
Department

Office of Communications
P.O. Box 7129
Boise, ID 83707
208.334.8005
Fax: 208.334.8563
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April 11, 2008

2008 Legislature
ITD appropriation approved, long-term revenue issue unresolved
Transportation funding, one of Governor Otter’s cornerstone issues entering the 2008 Legislature, will return when lawmakers assemble next year. They debated until the closing hours how to address funding for the state’s growing transportation needs. They generally acknowledged the transportation system is falling farther behind each year because of rapid growth, flattening revenue and double-digit inflation in the highway construction industry.
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Lawmakers consider host of transportation-related bills
The Idaho House and Senate ratified concurrent resolution SCR125 and sent to Gov. Otter for his signature fuel tax agreements that had been negotiated with three Idaho tribes. It also approved a bill that enables ITD to require semi-trucks to use tire chains when conditions warrant on three mountain passes in Idaho.
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Transportation Board
Board begins annual tour of districts in Lewiston
The Transportation Board will hit the road again this month as it begins its annual tours of the districts. The board has a full day of activities planned in District 2 on Wednesday. The tour will begin at the Lewiston Airport with an overview on the activities under way and projects planned at the facility. After touring the Port of Lewiston, the group will travel U.S. 95 north to Potlatch where it will have lunch with maintenance crews from Potlatch and Moscow
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Highways

Hutchinson announces retirement, will focus on (golf) handicap
It is time to quell the rumors and verify the worst kept secret of the last few months at the Idaho Transportation Department.  I intend to retire from state service, with my last day being June 27, 2008. It has been an interesting and unique 36 years since May 15, 1972. Who would have thought at that time, while I was tying my tie to go to a meeting with District Engineer Howard Johnson that I would have made it to Chief Engineer...
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Sand Creek Byway bids to be advertised April 22
Requests for bids on the long-anticipated Sand Creek Byway project in Sandpoint will be advertised April 22.  The Byway is one of four segments that make up the U.S. 95 North-South project and is the first that will be constructed.
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Employees
ITD to form Race for the Cure team
ITD is forming a team for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure and ITD employees, family and friends are welcome to join our "Road Angels" team. Team registration deadline is April 21 (mail-in) and April 30 for online. The race will be held on May 10. Sandy Harris at Headquarters is the team captain. Please contact her if you have any questions
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Good diet often suffers in busy work schedule
In the daily rush and pressure of our working days harried workers tend to forgo a well balanced diet. Many workers eat at their desk usually grabbing whatever is available in the company vending machine. Filling up on sweets or high-fat foods throughout the day causes individuals to eat less at regular meals.
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Highway Safety

Benzon selected for national committee
Joan Benzon was recently appointed to the national Fatal Analysis Reporting System (FARS) Coding Committee. She has worked as Idaho’s FARS analyst for nearly seven years in the Office of Highway Operations and Safety.
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Technology
Experienced Office 2007 users sought to help ITD transition
Headquarters employees who are already using Microsoft Office 2007 on their home computers are invited to help test that new software at ITD.  If you have 2007 loaded at home and feel comfortable using it, you can be part of the test group at ITD Headquarters. 
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Enhancements
Conservation League seeks support for enhancement program
Bikeways and pedestrian trails should be considered an integral part of transportation planning, more than 20 cities, counties, businesses and organizations around the state have told the Idaho Transportation Department.
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ITD Mailbox
• Thanks for wonderful tributes
• Continue funding enhancement projects
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Published previously

Workzone Safety


ITD urges motorists to be careful in construction zones
During the past 10 years, the annual number of persons killed in motor vehicle crashes in work zones nationwide has increased 45 percent  – reaching 1,010 in 2006 – according to Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) statistics.  About 80 percent of those fatalities were drivers or occupants in passenger vehicles.
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Employee compensation
April 25 meetings should provide direction for implementing plan
Although the Legislature has adjourned and final bills have been forwarded to the governor for his signature, state agencies still don’t have clear direction on a compensation package for employees. Meetings planned for April 25 will help clarify the plan and provide state agencies a better idea of how to implement the CEC Committee's intended salary increases.
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Intent is to distribute increases of 1 and 3 percent
Legislation that provides for changes in employee compensation is contained in House Concurrent Resolution 49, agreed to by both the Idaho House of Representatives and the Senate. The first section of the resolution directs the Department of Administration to distribute a 1 percent increase to “all performing state employees.” The intent also is to distribute the remaining 2 percent funding to employees who perform above minimum standards in an effort to retain “higher performers.”
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Dennis Clark
Career, oak tree branched out from 1968 planting

They grew together in each other’s shadow for 40 years – Dennis Clark and a sprawling oak tree. Their history at the Idaho Transportation Department had a common beginning in 1968 after Clark accepted a position on the three-person landscape architect staff that also included Caron Beard and Leroy Brady.
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Transportation awards
Entries accepted for ITD award program

ITD’s Excellence in Transportation award program will formally recognize transportation-related projects from throughout the state during a June 26 ceremony in Boise. Successful projects will demonstrate innovation, context sensitive solutions, community and public involvement, partnerships and collaboration, quality of user experience and safety, maintenance and operations.
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