2/22/2013

Transportation board
Coleman reappointed to board from D-1
The Idaho Senate confirmed the reappointment of Jim Coleman to the six-member Idaho Transportation Board Feb. 12. Coleman his first six-year appointment to the board on Feb. 1, 2007 and was nominated for a second term by Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter. The new term will expire on Jan. 31, 2018.
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Technology
Transition to AMS Advantage 3.9 planned March 12
AMS Advantage, a financial tool that employees use to file timesheets, order supplies and pay bills, will receive its first major upgrade in five years next month. A broad-based ITD team began working in 2011 with vendor CGI to prepare for the departments conversion to Advantage 3.9. ITD joins Wyoming as the first wave of users converting to the new system.
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Highway safety
High school class studies wildlife, vehicle collisions
The applied physics class at Wood River High School has concluded that motorists traveling 55 mph on state Highway 75 probably won’t have time to stop if a deer or elk suddenly bolts in front of them when it’s dark.
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Outstanding Customer Service
ITD crews assist stranded crash victim
Barbara Popovich was visibly shaken and in need of help. Conditions couldn’t have been much worse. The mountainous highway had turned from rain-soaked to slush covered on Jan. 9. The pick-up truck she was driving and the horse trailer she was pulling went separate directions, but remained connected. A single horse was jostled inside the trailer, but also remained safe.
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Public transportation
PTAC to review District 2 recommendation
The Public Transportation Advisory Committee (PTAC) will meet via statewide teleconference next week to consider a vacancy on the committee from north-central Idaho. The teleconference will be Tuesday, (March 5) at 1 p.m. MST to consider candidates to represent District 2. The public is invited to participate in the teleconference by calling (888) 706-6468 toll-free and entering participant code 64827943.
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Inside exposure
Encore (2-15-13): Internship provides hands-on video production experience
There is nothing like practical, hands-on experience to complement textbooks and classroom instruction. Nathan Dawson, a senior at Centennial High School, understands that concept – even better now after a four-month, unpaid internship in video production at ITD. He wanted an opportunity to put into practice what he had been studying in a video production class.
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Outstanding Customer Service
Encore (2-15-13): Fuel cells support critical functions of RWIS sites
ITD’s budget request, presented to the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee this week, includes the purchase of a new hydrogen fuel cell. That prompted a question from Rep. George Eskridge (R-Dover) about how the department uses fuel cells.
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Outstanding Customer Service
Encore (2-15-13): ITD to play key role in reducing vehicle-animal collisions
Idaho Mtn. Express: ITD will collaborate with the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Blaine County and other government or community groups to identify ways to mitigate the high number of wildlife-vehicle accidents in the Wood River Valley.
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Projects
Encore (2-15-13): Development conference planned April 2, 3
A two-day professional conference that highlights innovative approaches to transportation and modern project designs is scheduled April 2, 3 in Boise. The 2013 Project Development Conference focuses on implementing innovations that are “Smarter, Better and Faster.”
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Highways
Encore (2-15-13): Salt brine and salt-sand mixtures important to winter safety
Second of two parts: Like a well-prepared handyman, ITD has several products in its arsenal to treat highways to remove snow and ice for the safety of drivers. This week the Transporter looks at salt and sand mixtures and the use of salt brine (sodium chloride in solution).
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Accolades
Encore (2-15-13): Pavement on I-84 project earns Knife River coveted award
The National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) announced this week the Idaho Division of Knife River Corp. is one of two runners-up for the 2012 Sheldon G. Hayes Award for excellence in construction of an asphalt pavement. Knife River Corp. was recognized for the rubblization, overlay, and reconstruction of 13 miles of the eastbound lanes of Interstate 84 in southern Idaho between mileposts 222 and 235.
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