ITD assists other essential workers
at the border

Just as our port of entry employees are essential personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic, so are the U.S. Customs and Border Protection employees who staff ports between the U.S. and Canada.

The international border was closed March 18 to nonessential traffic, and shortly after some ports of entry elected to start closing early.

Foreman George Shutes took a weekend phone call from the Porthill location, which had decided to close six hours earlier than normal. Port staff had concerns over successfully communicating this to the truck drivers before they reached the remote location.

Shutes dispatched his crew to place a message sign at the US-95 and Idaho Highway 1 junction south of the port and modified existing permanent signs to reflect the new closing time of 5 p.m.

He personally visited the port the day after to make sure their needs had been met and was able to talk to the leadership.

Pictured at left: District 1 Maintenance Foreman George Shutes

“The director told me that out of the other 12 northern border stations that decided to reduce hours, the Porthill location was the only one to receive support from the transportation department,” Shutes said. “He was impressed by our customer service and quick response.”

Published 05-08-20