12/31/2014

Idaho Transportation Board
Board examines transportation infrastructure challenges, renews concerns
The Idaho Transportation Board reviewed information about Idaho's aging infrastructure at its monthly meeting in Boise last week, and renewed its concerns about maintaining an adequate transportation system for the state's future.
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A Year to Remember
Department marks 2014 as year of change
ITD’s structural and cultural changes gathered momentum during 2014, and led to a year of both challenge and success for the department. Employees from throughout the organization worked smarter and more efficiently to do jobs better, provide excellent customer service and press forward ITD’s quest to be the best transportation department in the country.
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Communications
2014: By the Numbers
As the calendar flips from 2014 to 2015, it is worthwhile to look back at some of the numbers that made the past 12 months so enlightening.
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Employees
Thanks to Salazar for Dec. 30 parking-lot help
The kindness of strangers can be overwhelming – the best kind of surprise. As I walked to my car in the parking lot last night after work, my cane slipped out from under me on an icy spot just as I was shifting weight, and down I went.
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Customer Service
Thanks go to Highway Safety’s Rizvic
Highway Safety staffer Naida Rizvic recently earned a big “thank you” by way of ITD comments, from Kate Erickson for providing needed safety materials.
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U.S. DOT
US DOT issues final rule regarding air travel with musical instruments
The U.S. Department of Transportation today issued a final rule to implement section 403 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, which requires that U.S. airlines accept musical instruments as carry-on or checked baggage on commercial passenger flights, provided that certain conditions are met.
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Aviation History
Encore (12-24-14): Pioneers of Idaho’s Aerial Mail Routes
In Idaho, like Alaska, backcountry aerial mail contracts replaced slower dog-sled, horse-, and foot-powered transportation in the early 1900s, based primarily on the demands of an increased population base in remote locations due to the establishment of mining towns. The first major contracted aerial mail carriers in the 1930s were Bennett Air Transport Company and Johnson Flying Service. The skill level of the backcountry pilots who pioneered these routes, and those who continue to fly them, requires extensive knowledge and experience maneuvering in high-altitude strips, tougher canyons, sinking snow, and a fair amount of cross-country traffic
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Idaho Transportation Board
Encore (12-24-14) Rural construction, revenue and freight topped transportation board’s December agenda
Providing funding for rural construction and planning efforts, revenue issues and a report from the Freight Advisory committee led discussion when the Idaho Transportation Board held its monthly meeting Dec. 18 in Boise.
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Aviation Art
Encore (12-24-14) Annual Aeronautics Art Contest showcases students’ love for aviation
Students in grades K-12 can express their love for aviation through artwork during the annual aviation art contest sponsored by Idaho’s Division of Aeronautics through Feb. 27. A love affair with flight usually begins at an early age, and art may be the perfect medium to express that affection.
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Districts
Encore (12-24-14) Reconstruction of Cotterell Rest Area wins 2014 Engineering Excellence Award
The reconstruction of the Cotterell Rest Area at milepost 229, about seven miles toward Utah from the Interstate 84/Interstate 86 split, has earned a first-place award from the ACEC (American Council of Engineering Companies) of Idaho. In addition to rebuilding the westbound (pictured above) and eastbound restroom facilities and revamping the water and wastewater systems, crews also lengthened the entry and exit lanes to the rest area from the freeway to improve drivers’ safety.
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