4/12/2013

ITD Leadership
Carpenter named ITD Chief Operations Officer
Jim Carpenter, who has been District 2 Engineer the past 19 years, will join ITD’s Executive team as Chief Operations Officer May 12. Director Brian Ness made the announcement Thursday after concurrence of his appointment by the Idaho Transportation Board.
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Highway safety
ITD's long history of fire-proofing highway rights of way
ITD’s efforts in fire control along busy interstate 84 are part of an ongoing commitment and cooperation between agencies that has been in effect for eight years, according to Roadside Program Administrator, Cathy Ford. The recent article “did not include the overall comprehensive picture of this joint project,” Ford said.
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Highway safety
Work zone safety week reminds drivers of hazards
ITD joins transportation departments across the country in urging drivers to slow down in highway construction zones and to obey traffic control measures for the safety of workers and other motorists. This year’s Work Zone Safety campaign, “Roadway Work Zone Safety: We’re All in This Together,” will be observed formally next week, April 15-21.
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Outstanding Customer Service
Shaw extols virtues of UPlan on AASHTO web video
A new concept in highway planning and design, based on geographic information systems (GIS), is revolutionizing the way states approach new projects. Pioneered by the Utah Department of Transportation and adapted for use in Idaho, the process is generating national interest.
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Highway safety
Scholarships advocating safe driving available to students
Safe driving saves lives, helps keeps families whole and may provide some extra money for college for young people ages 17-25. Buckle Up for Bobby Inc. recently was established to honor the memory of Bobby Rogers and Tiffany Walters by offering college scholarships to encourage safe driving habits among young drivers and passengers.
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Legislature
Legislative review planned for WTS-Treasure Valley
The pounding gavel and a chorus of sine die signaled the end of the 2013 Legislative session recently – an 88-day season that included important transportation-related bills. Mollie McCarty will provide an overview of key legislation that impacts transportation when she speaks at the luncheon meeting of WTS-Treasure Valley chapter April 23.
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City planning
Applications available for Main Street program
Cities considering participation in the Main Street program can apply in the next few weeks.  Application workshops will be offered in Boise, Burley and Lewiston on April 23, 24 and 25, respectively. Instructors are Gloria Mabbutt, Idaho Main Street Coordinator, and Mary Randolph, Wyoming Main Street Program Coordinator. 
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Aeronautics
Payette airport stands to gain from aircraft fee increase
Idaho News Service: Payette Municipal Airport’s plan to expand its runway and further improve taxiways was grounded by a recession that left the Idaho Division of Aeronautics short of money to spend in small communities.
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Preparedness
FEMA — Organizing disaster
Ada City-County Emercency Management: Before the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) existed, obtaining federal aid for disaster relief was very complicated. More than 100 federal agencies had separate disaster-related responsibilities. In an effort to streamline the process, The National Governor’s Association approached President Jimmy Carter and requested a more centralized approach to emergency management.
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2013 Legislature
Encore (4-5-13): Governor cites successful paths forward
Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter thanked members of the Idaho Legislature Thursday for addressing most of his legislative agenda and – more importantly – working through sometimes difficult debate to achieve real results for Idaho citizens.
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Legislature
Encore (4-5-13): Resolution praises ITD progress
Director Brian Ness identified several measurements that will mark ITD’s drive to become the best transportation department in the country. One of milestones he identified was acknowledgment by the governor’s office and other state agencies that ITD is the “go-to” organization.
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Outstanding Customer Service
Encore (4-5-13): Winter performance measures among award finalists
ITD’s unique Winter Performance Measures, a process for evaluating winter storm maintenance, is a national finalist in the Intelligent Transportation Society of America’s 2013 Best of ITS Awards.
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Project Development Conference
Encore (4-5-13): ITD ready to put 'smarter, better, faster' to best use
The theme for the 2013 Project Development Conference in Boise this week aptly describes the status of transportation – an industry in transition, just as ITD is in transition. “Implementing Innovations: Smarter, Better, Faster” mirrors ITD’s new operational model, Director Brian Ness told nearly 200 people assembled for the biennial conference Tuesday.
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Project Development Conference
Encore (4-5-13): 2013 Excellence in Transportation Awards — Projects
The Excellence in Transportation Awards recognize exceptional achievements in the development, planning and implementation of transportation projects throughout Idaho. Award recipients were selected in a statewide competition, based on their outstanding accomplishments.
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Excellence in Transportation
Encore (4-5-13): ITD honors three outstanding individuals
ITD presented professional awards to three employees who exemplify the best of service to the department, their profession and Idaho citizens this week. Awards were presented for professional of the year, career achievement and engineer of the year.
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