5/3/2013

Employees
Celebrating those who keep the wheels turning
While Sunday is a day set aside to honor Hispanic culture (Cinco de Mayo), the entire week of May 6-10 is dedicated to celebrating ITD employees. Designated Public Employee Recognition Week, the occasion gives reason to reflect on the contributions and dedicated service that all state employees give to the citizens of Idaho. ITD will celebrate those contributions through a variety activities at Headquarters and in the districts.
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HIghways
Blowing dust, low visibility plague eastern Idaho
In a more tropical climate, Monday’s relentless wind might have prompted a hurricane warning. But eastern Idaho is much drier; and instead of torrential rains, the sky was filled with dust … so much dust driving became hazardous and highways were closed.
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Exercise Challenge
Your 20/20 future begins Saturday
This year marks ITD’s 20th exercise challenge. While looking back at past challenges, find inspiration to improve your exercise routine going forward for the next 20 years. Whether this is your first ITD exercise challenge, or number 20, be part of the 20th Challenge history. Through this annual challenge find motivation to maintain or improve your regular exercise routine. In addition to the rewards of good health, you could earn cool incentives.
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Motorcycles
Motorcycles become focus of safety in May
As temperatures continue to warm, many Idaho travelers are trading their cars and trucks for motorcycles and scooters. ITD and its safety partners encourage motorists to “Look Twice for Motorcycles” - a reminder that will be shared with hundreds of riders at free events Saturday (May 4) at safety rallies across the state for Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.
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Accolades
ITD claims Capital City Communicators awards
ITD’s Public Outreach Planner (POP) tool was chosen as one of the area’s outstanding communication efforts of 2012, winning an IMPACT award at Friday night’s Capital City Communicators ceremony. ITD’s Office of Communications also received an award for a highway safety story.
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Alternative commuting
Park the car and join others in May in Motion campaign
Feeling lonely? Want to meet someone heading the same direction in life? Want to share lively conversations? Ready to take on a new partner. The annual Commuteride promotion May in Motion (MiM) encourages motorists to leave their solo drives to work behind by sharing morning and evening commutes with others.
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Employees
Open enrollment period open through May 17
The open enrollment period for state employees began Friday (April 26) and will continue through May 17.
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Women Transportation Seminar
WTS scholarship luncheon planned Wednesday
Looking for a chance to eat good food, be inspired by a dynamic community leader, see leaders of the future in the making and give to a worthy cause? You're invited to join us at the 2013 WTS (Women Transportation Seminar) Scholarship Luncheon scheduled Wednesday (May 8), from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at the Boise Riverside Hotel
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Highways
Idaho 75 construction project awarded, work to begin this week
The first project to widen Idaho 75 through the Wood River Valley was scheduled to begin this week with reconstruction of 3.25 miles between Hailey and Ketchum. Extensive ground and rockwork was targeted to begin Wednesday and extend through this fall.
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Highways
D-6 plans 42 highway construction projects
ITD’s District 6 plans 42 highway construction projects in eastern Idaho this year. Installing a permanent weigh-in-motion sensor system on U.S. 20/26 near Butte City, adding light poles at interchanges on Interstate 15 and U.S. 20, preserving eight bridges, upgrading signage on U.S. 20 in and north of Rexburg, sealing stretches of highway, striping roads and fencing I-15 south of Idaho Falls are part of the project list.
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Transportation secretary
AASHTO supports Foxx nomination
The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials congratulates President Obama on his nomination of Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx to be the next U.S. Transportation Secretary. AASHTO president testifies.
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Outstanding Customer Service
Encore (4-26-13): ITD maintains vigil for highway soft spots
Less affectionately known as sinkholes, or large potholes, soft spots like the one that surfaced recently in Chicago's South Side, usually result from water damage from rain or floods, but damage may be accelerated by man-made means or by rodents. ITD maintenance crews in southwest Idaho try to stay ahead of these problems by being vigilant and recognizing the warning signs.
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Being the best
Encore (4-26-13): Official to study ITD emergency program
ITD will have an opportunity to showcase its innovations in emergency management next month during a visit by Frannie Edwards of the National Transportation Security Center. Edwards is deputy director of the center, which is part of the Mineta Transportation Institute. Her visit is scheduled for May 17.
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Highway safety
Encore (4-26-13): ITD offers tips for drivers who encounter dust storms
Rural Idaho highways that cut through arid land or next to open fields are vulnerable to blowing dust in the spring and blinding snowstorms in the winter. Reduced visibility, whether the result of dust, snow or fog, requires extreme caution to ensure the safety of vehicle occupants and other motorists. ITD joins the Idaho State Police in encouraging drivers to use extreme caution when encountering high winds and low visibility.
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Outstanding Customer Service
Encore (4-26-13): Transition to new Advantage version nearly flawless
ITD replaced its legacy financial system Oracle with Advantage 3.4 in 2006. In the midst of that process, the Canadian firm CGI purchased Advantage from AMS. Four years later, ITD upgraded to 3.7 in a relatively simple transition. Introduction of the latest version (3.9) was much more complicated and involved several months of preparation.
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Employees
Encore (4-26-13): Celebration of culture leaves little room for boredom
Lose the four walls and shake off that winter stupor by getting out and experiencing some of the cultural activities that make Idaho a special place during May. Here is a sample of what you might find to enjoy.
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Highway safety
Encore (4-26-13): A day in the life of highway safety
Brent Jennings, PE: I often get asked about crashes and the various aspects or categories of these crashes. I want to share with you the concept of the Idaho crash clock for 2012. Doing so may give us a chance to pause, reflect and put vehicle crashes in perspective.
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