5/23/2014

Remembering
Putting 'memorial' in Memorial Day
On Memorial Day, always celebrated on the last Monday in May, we remember the men and women who died while in military service. In observance of the holiday, many people visit cemeteries and memorials, and volunteers often place American flags on each grave site at national cemeteries.
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Memorial Day
ITD suspends most construction for Memorial holiday
Work that could impact travel will be suspended on all ITD highway construction projects statewide for the Memorial Day holiday, except in special circumstances. ITD requires contractors on highway construction projects to postpone work on any highway, except for normal maintenance operations, during the extended holiday weekend if it could delay the traveling public.
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Highways
Flaggers to assist holiday traffic at Idaho 55-Banks-Lowman highway
If holiday plans include a trip on Idaho 55, ITD asks drivers to avoid the period of heaviest traffic by traveling outside peak travel times or using alternate routes. Flaggers will help with traffic flow through the Idaho 55 junction at the Banks-to-Lowman Wildlife Canyon Scenic Byway.
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Highway Safety
ITD, ISP partner on Memorial Holiday seatbelt campaign
ITD and the Idaho State Police remind motorists to "Click It” rather than risking a ticket, or worse, a tragic and preventable incident on Idaho highways. To enforce this reminder, ISP is stepping up enforcement of Idaho's seatbelt law through Sunday, June 1.
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A healthy holiday
Prepare for a safe and fun holiday weekend
Niki Forbing-Orr: Today (Friday, May 23), kicks off Memorial Day weekend and the launch of summer outdoor activities. As everyone prepares for the coming months of travel, outdoor recreation and summer adventures, a few health tips can help make your activities fun and rewarding.
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Highways
Gregory overcomes challengers to win D-3 Equipment Roadeo
Despite the best efforts to keep him off the podium, Marsing maintenance foreman Jeramie Gregory was not to be denied, winning the District 3 Truck & Equipment Roadeo May 14 in Garden Valley. Gregory survived a miscue in the scoring formula, discovered after the fact, that vaulted him to the top of the list.
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Outstanding Customer Service
DMV untangles title transfer mystery
DMV untangles title transfer mystery Transferring a vehicle title usually is a simple process. Usually. But Richland, Wash., resident Marilee Matheson recently discovered it doesn’t always happen like clockwork. That’s when she contacted the ITD Division of Motor Vehicles for assistance.
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Fuel taxes
Gas tax rate at historic lows in Idaho, 9 other states
Idaho is among the 10 states hit hardest by the relative decline in purchasing power of its gas tax, according to a report released this week by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy. The report analyzes the impact the economy has had on the ability to fund transportation based on its fuel tax.
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Danger on the rails
In any collision, the train always wins
Billie Jean Gerke (Sandpoint Magazine): One constant is sure in any type of train collision: The train wins. Motorists and pedestrians often lose, at the cost of their very lives. Another outcome seems sure: Accidents are often precursors to railroad crossing upgrades.
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No fair weather bikers
A rainy Bike to Work welcome
One of the first things in my email this morning was a flash-flood alert for the Washington, DC, metropolitan area. The alert was for very good reason--the rain had been coming down in torrents here in DC since before dawn. But I was not about to let a little weather keep me from greeting the bicyclists who braved the rain on my first Bike To Work Day since becoming Transportation Secretary!
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Highway Safety
Encore: 5-16-14:Officers investigate crashes at ITD-sponsored training
Law enforcement officers from across Idaho attended an intensive pedestrian-crash analysis and reconstruction training May 12-16 at the Police Officers and Training (POST) Academy in Meridian. The training was sponsored by ITD.
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Aeronautics
Encore (5-16-14): Idaho leaders addressed media after meetings with top Air Force officer
U.S. Senators Jim Risch and Mike Crapo along with Idaho Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter, U.S. Congressman Raul Labrador, and Boise Mayor David Bieter held a press availability at the Division of Aeronautics' hangar following their visit with General Mark A. Welsh III, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force.
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AASHTO
Encore (5-16-14): AASHTO commends Senate EPW on surface transportation bill
The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials today congratulated the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee on the release of its latest surface transportation authorization bill.
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