1/31/2014
Legislature
Ness outlines progress to Senate, House transportation committees
Director Brian Ness talked about budget, structural and cultural changes occurring at ITD and the department's focus for 2014 to the House and Senate transportation committees at the Capitol Tuesday. He provided a brief overview of the governor's FY 2015 budget recommendation, a review of the department's current sources of revenue and the status of current federal funding. He discussed also ITD's changing culture, benefits of realignment and the department's strategic plan.
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Outstanding Customer Service
Bridge Asset Management group completes manual on evaluation of structures
The department's Bridge Asset Management (BAM) group recently completed a comprehensive manual to document what they do and how they do it. It was the perfect convergence of need and opportunity – the need came from entities, particularly FHWA, requesting the document. The opportunity came thanks to some new staff members with time to compile the manual.
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Information Techology
ETS team provides failover capability for critical department systems
ITD's critical information technology systems have new backup capability because of a group effort by Enterprise Technology Services staff members during January's three-day weekend. In case of emergency, ITD now has the capability to "failover," or switch, systems located at the department to back-up systems located at the State Controller's Office.
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Public Involvement
ITD updates Project Outreach Planner
ITD and the Office of Communications have rolled out an updated version of the Public Outreach Planner (POP). The POP is an online, interactive tool that helps guide the department's public involvement decision-making process. The newest feature of the online tool is a unique POP Tracking Workbook. The workbook is designed to help project teams track and document public involvement throughout the life of a project.
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Highways
Tuesday morning crash on I-84 injures three people, damages light pole; valuable painting survives unscathed
A crash of a semi-truck and trailer early Tuesday morning (Jan. 28) on eastbound Interstate 84, at milepost 51, just west of the Orchard exit in Boise, injured three people, but caused no fatalities or serious injuries. The truck was transporting a single painting estimated to be worth approximately $2 million to a museum. The painting was not damaged in the crash.
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Employees
PERSI retirement fund has a good 2013
The financial climate in Idaho remains somewhat volatile. However, one area that continues to perform strongly is the state worker's pension program, PERSI (Public Employees Retirement System of Idaho). The value of the fund, through Dec. 31, 2013, was $13.87 billion, just short of the all-time high reached a few days before the end of the year.
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Legislature
Encore (1-24-14) ITD presents highway investment-and-safety scenario to House and Senate
Improving highway corridors reduces crashes, saves lives and brings a tremendous return on investment. That was the message from Chief Deputy Scott Stokes to the House and Senate transportation committees this week.
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Encore (1-24-14) Legislative committees pass rules governing 129,000-pound truck routes
Idaho state Senate and House transportation committees passed proposed administrative rules this week governing 129,000-pound truck routes. The rules are necessary to implement three related bills from the 2013 Legislature. "This is great news, and a conclusion to a lot of hard work by many," explained Mollie McCarty, ITD governmental affairs manager.
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Highway Safety
Encore (1-24-14) Have a safe game plan Super Bowl Sunday, don't drive impaired
Don't be a loser on Super Bowl Sunday by driving impaired. The Idaho Transportation Department and its law enforcement partners remind fans to stick to a safe game plan. "We know people will be going to local bars or restaurants, or to a neighbor or friend's house to watch the game," explained Mary Burke, with ITD's Office of Highway Safety. "Make a life-saving choice and designate a sober driver before the party begins. And, if you plan to drink, leave your keys at home."
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AAA Survey
Encore (1-24-14) Idahoans weigh in on 2014's biggest non-legislative issue
Road funding proposals may not get a hearing during the 2014 Legislature, but a new AAA Idaho survey suggests a conversation with taxpayers may be just what the doctor ordered. Conducted the third week in December, AAA's statewide poll of 404 voters includes some expected and not-so-predictable perspectives about how best state and local communities can pay for an aging road and bridges infrastructure.
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