7/25/2014

Highways
Rural interstate speed-limit increase began Thursday
The speed limits on rural stretches of interstate in southern and eastern Idaho were raised to 80 mph Thursday (July 24). The speed limit increased to 80 mph for vehicle traffic and 70 mph for trucks on rural sections of interstates 15, 84 and 86. The speed limit in the urban areas of the Treasure Valley, between Caldwell and east Boise, as well as through Pocatello and Idaho Falls, remain at 65 mph.
Continue

Cyber Security
Stay safe when using the Internet with new training opportunity
“Securing the Human” is a new training opportunity launching this month designed to help people stay safe when they use Internet services at work and at home. The training is sponsored by ITD’s Cyber Security Team and will help provide ways to better protect work-related and personal information when online.
Continue

Customer Service
Thorne family thanks Council crew, Grossen, Fry for motorist assistance on U.S. 95
On the evening of July 21, after visiting friends in Montana, Sharon Thorne and her daughter were returning to Boise, with a stop in Grangeville. What was usually a four-hour trip to Meridian from Grangeville turned into an 8.5-hour trip. As bad as that was, it would have been even worse without the help of Roy Grossen, Don Fry, and the Council Maintenance crew.
Continue

DMV Services
CDL holders medical card reporting is getting easier
A new electronic reporting system will streamline state and federal reporting requirements for Idaho Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) holders and medical providers who are certified by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
Continue

USDOT
USDOT Secretary Foxx joins 11 former transportation secretaries in calling for long-term, sustainable transportation investment
In an open letter published this week by U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx and 11 others who previously held his position, Foxx and his predecessors pushed Congress to quickly find a way to provide long-term investment in the nation's transportation infrastructure to keep the U.S. moving and growing economically.
Continue

Academic Honor
'General Doctor' Manning honored by U of I for service
When friends of retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Darrell Manning hatched the idea of securing him an honorary doctorate at the University of Idaho, they kept it a secret. "Darrell just doesn't talk about himself," said former Sen. Laird Noh, who joined U of I Distinguished Professor Jean'ne Shreeve in initiating Manning's nomination.
Continue

WASHTO
Encore (7-18-14) Director Brian Ness named WASHTO vice president
Idaho Transportation Department Director Brian W. Ness has been named the vice president of the Western Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (WASHTO). The announcement was made this week at WASHTO's 2014 meeting in Albuquerque, N.M.
Continue

Headquarters
Encore (7-18-14) Transportation Performance services to merge with similar sections in ITD
On Monday, ITD will take another step in its realignment to be more efficient and bring greater consistency to department services and products. The department will merge services within the Division of Transportation Performance with similar sections in other ITD divisions.
Continue

AASHTO
Encore (7-18-14) State DOTs recognized for community-focused, cost saving, innovative projects
State transportation department projects that are improving safety on all travel modes, expanding mobility for communities, reducing congestion on roadways, and providing additional transportation options, all while saving taxpayer dollars, were named recipients of top honors in the western regional America's Transportation Awards competition at the Western Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials 2014 conference.
Continue

Encore (7-18-14) Chubbuck Interchange project in southeast Idaho awarded for "Under Budget" design, construction
The Chubbuck Road Interchange reconstruction, the state's first Diverging Diamond Interchange design, was named western regional winner of the America's Transportation Award in the "Under Budget, Small Project" category at the Western Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials 2014 conference in Albuquerque, N.M. WASHTO represents the 15 western states.
Continue

Transportation Board
Encore (7-18-14) Board tours northern Idaho districts, hears from delegations
Following a tour of Districts 2 and 1 on July 10, the board conducted its business meeting in Coeur d'Alene on July 11. Several area delegations addressed the board, mainly with thanks and gratitude for the major improvements that have been made in the region. The greater Sandpoint community is especially appreciates the Sandcreek Byway project.
Continue

Enterprise Technology Services
Encore (7-18-14) Your email is changing for the better
Those "Your mailbox is full" messages may become old history when all ITD email boxes move to "Exchange on-line" over the next few weeks. ITD, along with Department of Administration, will move to Exchange on-line email as part of the Idaho Consolidated Systems (ICS) effort. This will connect multiple state agencies on a consolidated email platform.
Continue