7/12/2013

Transportation and the economy
Director to speak at international summit
ITD Director Brian Ness will be a featured speaker at the Pacific Northwest Economic Region summit in Anchorage, Alaska, next week. He will describe ITD’s new emphasis that includes economic and business impacts when planning transportation system investments.
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Outstanding Customer Service
Idaho setting example for motorcycle skills training
The Gem State may be leading the nation with its motorcycle skills training offered by the Idaho Skills Training Advantage for Riders (STAR) program. Idaho STAR Director Stacey “Ax” Axmaker has been invited to talk about Idaho's training program at the 2013 National Summit on Comprehensive Motorcycle Safety Programs.
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Highways
ITD ready to assist with wildfire traffic control
Despite an extended dry period and above-normal temperatures, the wildfire season remains relatively quiet in Idaho. Thursday, the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) in Boise reported just two major fires, burning only 632 acres.
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Outstanding Customer Service
An accident victim that got away
Responding to calls for assistance are not unusual for ITD maintenance workers who are increasingly considered first-responders. But Ty Winther, a transportation technician-senior in District 2, was unprepared for what he encountered on Idaho 6 the day before the Fourth of July holiday began.
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Highways
Holiday flagging on Idaho 55 takes different twist
ITD's District 3 crews have assisted motorists through the busy junction of Idaho 55 and the Banks-to-Lowman highway on three major holiday weekends the past 18 years. Last week was no exception ...
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Preparedness
The heat trap
Ada City-County Emergency Management: Summer has arrived in a big way as temperatures soar to over 100° Fahrenheit (F). Many people will jump in their cars to escape the heat and head to one of the many cooler climes located around Idaho. The car can be a form of escape or a deadly trap in the heat.
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Outstanding Customer Service
Encore (7-5-13): ITD to reduce delays for motorists in construction zones
Traffic flow through this summer’s construction zones statewide will improve as ITD introduces guidelines to alleviate long-held driver frustrations. Wait times for projects will be shorter, and speed limits and lane closures will be more reasonable as the department acts on input from drivers.
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Vehicle safety
Encore (7-5-13): Sun-baked cars can become death traps
Extreme heat throughout most of Idaho and the inland west threatened or surpassed record high temperatures this week. The heat wave broke longstanding records four consecutive days in Boise. Rising temperatures lead to a number of heat-related illnesses, especially among the elderly and young children.
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Transportation system
Encore (7-5-13): Idaho ranks 17 for transportation system efficiency
Idaho’s state transportation system remained constant, ranked 17th nationally in an efficiency report issued this week by the Reason Foundation. The 20th annual report, under the direction of David T. Hartgen, indicted Idaho’s performance was unchanged between 2008 and 2009, and was slightly lower than in 2007.
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Transportation system
Encore (7-5-13): Reason report says national system improving
The Reason Foundation’s 20th annual report on the Performance of State Highway Systems tracks the performance of state-owned highway systems of the U.S. from 1984 to 2009. The system’s overall condition improved dramatically from 2008 to 2009.
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Planning
Encore (7-5-13): Public comments sought in selecting ITD projects
ITD is soliciting public comments through July 30, on the FY2014-18 draft of the Idaho Transportation Investment Program (ITIP). The ITIP is a five-year “roadmap” for planning and developing transportation projects.
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Bridge
Encore (7-5-13): Girders get a lift to new home
The last of more than 100 girders has been set for the new bridge over the Boise River. The bridge will be 1,726 feet long and 88 feet wide, with more than 1.5 million pounds of rebar and 36.6 million pounds of concrete.
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