12/29/2008
Reed Hollinshead
ITD Communication
208-334-8881
reed.hollinshead@itd.idaho.gov
Transfer of positions improving winter maintenance on highways in southern Idaho
SHOSHONE ‑ The transfer of two administrative positions from the Idaho Transportation Departments Boise headquarters office to Hailey and Sublett is improving winter maintenance in southern Idaho, says Devin Rigby, district engineer for the region.
The department recently transferred 18 vacant administrative positions across the state to such critical services as bridge inspection, snowplowing and road and bridge maintenance. District Four identified the locations for the new positions by measuring the number of miles each driver and local maintenance shed care for and found these to be where the positions were needed.
"Both areas are consistently among our busiest areas for snow removal activities," Rigby said. "These positions allow us to improve our effort to improve safety, reduce accidents and address the concerns of our traveling public going to these destinations."
In Hailey, the additional driver will be added to the Galena Summit patrol and plow in areas north of Ketchum to increase access to the popular recreation area.
The additional position in Sublett will give additional coverage to Idaho 77 and 81. The highways serve as primary bus routes for the Cassia County School District. The additional driver will allow for increased operations to Interstate 84 between its junction with Interstate 86 and Utah state line.
The two new full-time employees also will be cross‑trained to perform construction inspection and road maintenance operations during the summer months.
"This transfer reflects the department's commitment to improve service, decentralize operations and meet Governor Otter's challenge to reduce administrative costs," Pamela Lowe, director of the transportation department, said.
Through the transfers and other savings, the transportation department reduced its fiscal year 2009 administrative costs by 6 percent.
ITD implemented more than 120 additional efficiency measures in 2008, saving the state millions of dollars. The efficiency report can be viewed at itd.idaho.gov.