12/21/2012

Highways
Rotary snowplowing captured on video
Stuart Wilson enjoyed a routine winter drive on Idaho 21 recently under mostly blue skies with only occasional traffic. He owned the highway, except for boss Dan Bryant who followed from a distance capturing drive on video.
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Transportation board
Inaugural report from trucking council presented
Members of the newly formed Trucking Advisory Council discussed several transportation-related concerns when they presented their inaugural report to the Idaho Transportation Board last week.
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Outstanding customer service
Cherry receives commendation for helping motorist
After more than 11 years on the D-3 Incident Response service, Jim Cherry has witnessed 100,000-plus incidents on Treasure Valley highways. Yet he treats each one as if it was his first. For him, the service is more than just a job. That’s one of the reasons he is regularly singled out for praise by the stranded motorists he helps.
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Farewell
Friday will be turning point for Bud Henson
The date 12-21-12 has only two digits, but a lot of meaning. It is supposed to be the harbinger of doom – the day the world’s clock will finally wind down and tick no more. Earth's grand finale, if you believe prognosticators who study the Mayan calendar.
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Maintenance
Maintenance-shed shuffle to improves service
ITD has maintenance sheds throughout Idaho that serve as hubs for highway safety and enables the department to better serve motorists -- major components of the department's Strategic Plan. They represent ITD’s commitment to highway safety, mobility and enhancing economic opportunities.
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Employees
D-3 employees lend a hand and some toys
ITD has always been community minded and driven, and never more so than during the holidays. Again this year, District 3 donated several boxes of toys to the U.S. Marine Corp Toys For Tots Foundation.
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Employees
D-3 celebrates the season
Each December, the District 3 staff and retirees take part in a holiday luncheon to celebrate the season. This year the party took place on Thursday, Dec. 14, with a great turnout — at least 20 retirees. District Engineer Dave Jones opened the celebration by welcoming the retirees and thanking the district for all the hard work on projects and maintenance.
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Highway safety
Encore (12-1-12): Idaho’s model safety plan gains fans and an update
Idaho’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP) has acquired some new fans since its last update a few years ago. Foremost among those converts is the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), which promotes the Gem State’s SHSP process as a model for other states to follow.
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Preparedness
Encore (12-1-12): FHWA 'relocates' to ITD for disaster exercise
This week ITD shared a conference room with the Federal Highway Administration’s Idaho Division for a live test of its continuity of operations plan. Although the plan was developed more than a decade ago, the exercise at ITD this week was its first comprehensive disaster test.
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Outstanding Customer Service
Encore (12-1-12): Avalanche forecasting reduces highway down time
Bill Nicholson and Chantel Astorga spend a lot of their work days looking to the skies and the hills so Idaho drivers can concentrate on the road in front of them. ITD's District 3 full-time avalanche forecasters, along with seasonal workers Brian Gorsage and Drew Lovell, monitor mountain corridors and steep hillsides for hidden winter hazards.
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Highway safety
Encore (12-1-12): ITD asks motorists to keep holiday 'spirits' off highways
ITD reminds motorists to make this holiday season safer for everyone by choosing to not drive impaired .Idaho law enforcement agencies will be participating in education campaigns and high-visibility enforcement patrols statewide in a search for drunk or impaired drivers.
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Highway safety
Encore (12-1-12): Teens encouraged to take lead in highway safety
Brent Jennings: I would like to take a moment and talk about teen power in the world of highway safety. The Teen Road Safety Advocates™ (TeenRSA) Program is a national initiative that is aimed at empowering youth to take a leadership role in improving roadway safety.
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