1/11/2013

TRB
Director Ness to be featured speaker at TRB meeting
Improvements in the efficiency and effectiveness of the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) are being featured as a national model at the Transportation Research Board meeting in Washington, D.C. Monday (Jan. 14).
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Legislature
Governor delivers annual State of the State, Budget Address
Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter delivered his fifth State of the State and Budget Address to legislators Monday on the opening of the 2013 session. His 55-minute address focused on sustaining Idaho’s recent economic growth, providing more local authority and for revisiting education reform.
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Outstanding Customer Service
Print shop rises to challenge of quick turnaround
A storm of a major proportions pressed down on the department’s print shop in Boise last month, demanding long hours and a quick project turnaround. Planners in District 2 contacted Gail Grenz, manager of ITD’s print shop, in early December to announce the impending project.
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Transportation board
Report planned on 511 system improvements, use
With snow blowing horizontally and drivers maneuvering carefully on slick highways, it seems only fitting the Idaho Transportation Board will revisit Idaho’s 511 Traveler Information next week. Although coincidental in timing, the report will come as part of the board’s first meeting of 2013.
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Security
Cyber Security develops new high-visibility alert
E-mail “phishers” looking to capture e-mail credentials or other personal and professional information have become masters of disguise. Often their attempts appear as legitimate security notifications, and occasionally they sneak through department’s e-mail filters.
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Redevelopment
Tree removal part of new 30th Street corridor project
The Ada County Highway District recently began work on a joint development project with the city of Boise that will reshape a portion of ITD’s Headquarters campus. Removal of trees next to Rose Street, near ITD’s East Annex, is part of a widening project for the new corridor.
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Public Transportation
PTAC council plans quarterly meeting Wednesday
The Public Transportation Advisory Council (PTAC) will review public funding policies and procedures, look at future federal options and receive statewide mobility program updates Wednesday in Boise. The public meeting will be from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Best Western Plus Vista Inn at the Airport in Boise.
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Public transportation
Mobility council to meet Tuesday in Boise
A proposed statewide Mobility Management System Analysis and preparations for an April workshop will lead discussion when the Idaho Mobility Council (IMC), meets Tuesday at the Best Western Vista Inn in Boise. The public is invited to attend the meeting scheduled from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The IMC includes members of the Public Transportation Advisory Council (PTAC) and Interagency Working Group.
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Preparedness
12 steps to become better prepared for disasters
Ada City-County Emergency Management: Being prepared for disaster can seem like an overwhelming task that will never be needed. Then tragedy will strike a part of the nation; a hurricane, tornado, earthquake, wildfire, landslide or a severe storm will destroy property, take lives and leave survivors without services for a long time.
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Aeronautics
Encore (1-4-11): Aero's Mike Pape helps Boy Scouts earn merit badge
The faces of aviation looked younger last week when eight Boy Scouts set about earning an aviation merit badge at ITD’s Division of Aeronautics. Mike Pape, division administrator and a Scout leader, gave the young flying enthusiasts a look at typical cockpit controls and explained how the controls worked.
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Employees
Encore (1-4-12): PERSI performance for 2012 is positive
The year 2012 was a mixed bag for many, with the negatives and positives competing on a daily basis. There was a bit of good news as the year ended, thanks to our PERSI fund. As we’re all contributors to the Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho, here’s the latest performance report, through Nov. 30, 2012 ...
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Maintenance
Encore (1-4-13): ITD holiday highway clearing praised
ITD highway crews statewide were able to keep the roads open and passable during the holiday season despite several snowy and icy days, occasional bitterly cold temps and the dreaded melting-refreezing cycle. A few routes were closed for a matter of only hours during that time period, earning the department several kudos from citizens via email, Facebook and Twitter.
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Construction
Encore (1-4-13): Replacement of old bridge in Cascade progresses
The replacement of the North Fork Payette River Bridge in downtown Cascade is well under way. It’s a bit too snowy in this photo, taken Dec. 17, to really see the extent of the work – but believe us – it is slated to finish in late fall 2013.
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