CONNECTIONS

IDAHO
ITD HOME
511 TRAVEL SERVICES
IDAHO DMV
ITD NEWS
HIGHWAY SAFETY
IDAHO STATE POLICE


STATE OF IDAHO
NIATT

NATIONAL
AASHTO
AAMVA
AAA of IDAHO
FEDERAL HIGHWAYS
FEDERAL AVIATION
IDAHO STATE POLICE
NHTSA
NTSB
TRB
U.S. DOT

 

Idaho Transportation
Department

Office of Communications
P.O. Box 7129
Boise, ID 83707
208.334.8005
Fax: 208.334.8563
E-mail

 

November 27, 2009


Thanksgiving

From your ITD family... Happy Thanksgiving
In 1621, the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest feast which is acknowledged today as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in the colonies. This harvest meal has become a symbol of cooperation and interaction between English colonists and Native Americans.
Continue


Highways
D-1 employees prevent disaster on interstate
The best form of emergency response is prevention, as two ITD employees in District 1 will attest. Heroic efforts of Tyler Carrico and Calvin Vork, who were operating snowplows recently on Interstate 90 east of Coeur d’Alene averted a major disaster.

Continue

ITD takes messages to the highway
Whether it’s a trip to the airport or to the mall, a lot of folks in the Treasure Valley will include Interstate 84 as part of their holiday travel plans this week. In an effort to ensure a safe driving experience, the ITD Communications Office invited the media to step onto the new Vista bridge on last week (Friday, Nov. 20), prior to its opening, to talk about traffic impacts along the busy corridor in the coming weeks.
Continue

Reconstructed Midvale rest area open for Thanksgiving
The newly refurbished rest area on U.S. 95 at Midvale Hill in rural Washington County is expected to open Wednesday (Nov. 25), just in time to provide relief for Thanksgiving holiday travelers. Consider it an oasis in a big desert ... the rest area is 88 miles south of the nearest rest area – Sheep Creek on US 95 – and 100 miles north of the nearest one at Snake River View on I-84 near Ontario.

Continue


Construction
Camera to document progress on bridge project
A live look at the Twin Falls Alternate Route Rock Creek crossing is now available for people interested in the current status of construction, the Idaho Transportation Department has announced. The construction cameras are designed to capture the daily progress during the removal of the dirt fill and construction of the new Rock Creek bridge.

Continue


Public transportation
Funding extends access in Victor, Driggs, Riggins
The city of Victor will benefit from the federal stimulus effort by receiving $283,927 that will go to improvements of the Victor Transit Center in southern Teton County. The stimulus funds are being used to engineer, design and construct a looped access road and consolidated parking with a bus pick-up and drop off point for commuters making their way to and from Jackson, Wyo. The park-and-ride facility will accommodate 115 vehicles. Future plans for the project include an all-weather comfort station.

Continue


Security
New credit card scam has appearance of legitimacy
This scam is pretty slick – very persuasive – since the callers provide you with all the information ... except the one piece they want and need. Note, the callers do not ask for your card number; they already have it ... This information is worth reading. By understanding how the VISA & Master Card Telephone Credit Card Scam works, you'll be better prepared to protect yourself.
Continue


Economic development
Proposed regional hub would include northern Idaho
What would it take to establish the Inland Pacific Northwest as a major hub for global commerce? hat’s the question posed by a local transportation study. The groups and agencies behind the Inland Pacific Hub (IPH) Transportation Study want to share the experience of developing our area into a global gateway through a new Web site that has just been launched.

Continue

Published previously

Board names new ITD director
Brian Ness, regional engineer for Michigan DOT, will begin Jan. 11, 2010
After an extensive nationwide search, the Idaho Transportation Board selected Brian W. Ness to serve as its next director beginning Jan. 11, 2010. Ness comes to the state after a 30-year career with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). As administrator, Ness was responsible for helping MDOT meet its strategic planning objectives and quality improvement efforts. He holds a bachelor's of science degree and a master's degree in public administration.
Continue

Winter driving

ITD encourages checking 511 system before embarking on trips
Idaho drivers who embark on road trips this holiday season will benefit from a statewide 511 travel information system that provides up-to-date reports and images of highway conditions. Introduced in 2005, the Idaho 511 system enables drivers to check highway conditions on the Web at 511.idaho.gov and by telephone, both line-based and cellular. The system continues to evolve as Idaho drivers look for tools to help them make wise travel decisions, explains Alison Lantz, manager of the Idaho Transportation Department’s 511 program.
Continue

Prepare in advance to enjoy safe winter travel
As Idaho motorists take to the roads this winter, ITD reminds them that a few extra precautions can make winter journeys safer.
Continue

Carry winter emergency supplies, check condition of car
Motorists can prepare for safer winter travel by keeping a simple emergency kit on hand. The Idaho Transportation Department advises drivers to carry some helpful items in the car in case of an emergency.
Continue

ITD offers tips for driving safely around snowplows
As winter weather rapidly approaches, ITD reminds motorists to use caution when traveling the state's highways during inclement weather and to cooperate with highway workers clearing the highways. When driving near snowplows keep a few safety tips in mind.
Continue


Highway Safety
ITD office celebrates decade in 'temporary' office;
celebration planned Tuesday (Nov. 24)
The year was 1999, and ITD’s Office of Highway Safety moved from third-floor of the Headquarters building to a triple-wide trailer for a two-year temporary stay while a new building was to be constructed between the Annex and the Print Shop. Today, the triple wide remains home for 18 ITD highway safety personnel, but nobody is complaining.
Continue



Employees
HQ presents employment, special awards
ITD's District 3 honored 35 employees for their years of service Tuesday during an awards ceremony in Boise.The awards are based on hours of service to the state. Craig McAllister of ITS was recognized as the longest-serving employee in the district -- 35 years. Dan Morris of the sign crew was honored for achieving 30 years of employment.
Continue

District 3 presents awards to 35 employees
ITD's District 3 honored 35 employees for their years of service Tuesday during an awards ceremony in Boise.The awards are based on hours of service to the state. Craig McAllister of ITS was recognized as the longest-serving employee in the district -- 35 years. Dan Morris of the sign crew was honored for achieving 30 years of employment.
Continue


Highways
Wildlife detection system included in D-2 project
Motorists traversing this stretch of U.S. Highway 95 four miles north of Moscow will soon be warned by flashing yellow lights when deer, elk or moose cross onto the roadway. The lights, secured atop deer-crossing warning signs, will be triggered when an animal passes through laser beams focused along shoulders of the highway.
Continue


Technology
Tips offered for safer online holiday shopping
These findings are reflected in a parallel version of a survey that was administered to information technology professionals who are members of ISACA (Information Systems Audit and Control Association). According to responses, nearly half (46 percent) of U.S.-based ISACA members believe their company is losing an average of $3,000 or more in productivity per employee from online holiday shopping at work.
Continue


ITD Mailbox
• Thanks for patience with Orofino highway project
• Help appreciated with elderly mother’s license

Continue



Submit your News/Views to Share

News to Share

Please share information about your accomplishments or those of your colleagues with the ITD community. Send contributions to the e-mail link above.

Views to Share

Do you have a question related to ITD processes, policies or projects? Has something been puzzling you about why we do what we do? Share your questions using the e-mail link above and let us find the answers.