2/14/2014

Transportation Board
Board will consider adding projects to STIP at monthly meeting
The transportation board will discuss adding projects to the Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan, hear an IPLAN update, and consider a curve-flattening project on U.S. 95 and strategies for expediting project delivery during its monthly meeting Wednesday at Headquarters.
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Social Media
ITD sets Facebook record with avalanche pictures
A pair of avalanche pictures from a recent closure on Idaho 21 was viewed nearly 13,000 times, setting a new record for the four-year-old ITD Facebook page used as one of many tools to reach the public. The pictures show one of 21 slides to reach the roadway during the recent closure.
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Training and Development
Training and Development rolls out new course format
Training and Development has restructured many of the computer classes offered to be shorter and focused on more specific subjects. This will allow people to choose class subjects that apply directly to the work they do. All the classes are now one-half day in length. The Excel, Word and Outlook classes, which had been multi-day classes, are now divided into smaller modules.
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Employees
Employees support National Wear Red Day
Red ruled fashion choices for Headquarters' employees supporting National Wear Red Day (Feb. 7) as part of American Heart Month in February. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. National Wear Red Day helped remind people that they need to protect themselves and loved ones from heart disease and stroke by understanding the risks and following preventive suggestions.
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Public Involvement
Broadway Bridge project features new mobile-friendly website
ITD has launched a new mobile-friendly website about the upcoming Broadway Bridge replacement project in downtown Boise. The website allows visitors to watch videos, view design plans and give input about the new bridge from their smartphones, tablets or computers. ITD Public Involvement Coordinator Adam Rush said the department plans to roll out additional mobile-friendly websites in the next few months.
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Enterprise Technology Services
ETS trades HelpStar for new contact means
Enterprise Technology Services will no longer use HelpStar as a ticket-tracking program for technology-related requests. Employees are reminded to discontinue sending HelpDesk requests to HelpStar (ITDHelpstar), despite its appearance in ITD's global address list, or any other email addresses to which ticket requests may have been sent.
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Child Safety
NHTSA proposes first-ever side impact test for child restraint systems
The U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently proposed upgrades to the federal motor vehicle safety standard for child-restraint systems to ensure child passengers are protected in side crashes. The proposed upgrades would include a first-ever side impact test for car seats sold in the U.S. that are designed for children weighing up to 40 pounds.
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Governor's Office
Encore (2-7-14) Governor launches interagency rapid response team to support job growth
In an effort to "Accelerate Idaho" and expand career opportunities for Idaho citizens, Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter recently named an interagency rapid response team responsible for collaborating quickly and efficiently when businesses are interested in launching, growing or relocating in Idaho.
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Enterprise Technology Services
Encore (2-7-14) Phone system upgrade planned for President's Day weekend
While many ITD employees will enjoy a long President's Day weekend (Feb. 14-17), a major upgrade to the phone system will be underway at the same time. Enterprise Technology Services, district IT staff and a local vendor will begin upgrading the department's phone system at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb.14, and continue through Monday, Feb. 17. The phone system, including voice mail, will be down for extended periods during that time.
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Employees
Encore (2-7-14) ITD Twilight Golf League forming; sign up now
Golfers ready for some fun are organizing now for the 2014 ITD Twilight Golf League. All ITD and FHWA employees and their families and friends are welcome to play in the league. Monday night league play begins April 21 and continues through Aug. 25 at Shadow Valley Golf Course along Idaho 55 north of Boise.
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Young Driver Safety
Encore (2-7-14) Safety courses offered in Pocatello, Blackfoot for young drivers
Making young drivers safer drivers is the goal of Alive at 25, an innovative defensive driving course offered this month by the Pocatello and Blackfoot police departments. The Pocatello Police Department will offer a class Feb. 21, from 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., at the Pocatello Police substation near Fred Meyer at 800 Yellowstone. The Blackfoot Police Department will offer its class Feb. 24, from 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at Blackfoot City Hall, 157 N. Broadway St.
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