11/23/2011

Employees
D-6's Rick Davis dies as result of farm accident
ITD lost a friend and valued employee when District 6 maintenance worker Rick Davis passed away Monday. Davis, 47, died as a result of a farming accident near Lewisville. His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday (Dec. 1) at the Lewisville 2nd Ward, 474 N. 3450 E., Lewisville. The family will receive friends at the church from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday and from 9:30 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Thursday. Burial will be in the Annis Little Butte Cemetery. The Transporter will carry a full story Friday.
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Highway safety
Choose wisely this week -- choose not to drive impaired
Thanksgiving feasts offer many choices, like white or dark meat and pumpkin or mincemeat pie. ITD reminds everyone to make one other important choice - to not drive impaired. Idaho law-enforcement agencies are conducting education campaigns and high-visibility enforcement patrols statewide searching for drunk or impaired drivers through Nov. 27.
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Transportation board
Board commissions freight study
The Idaho Transportation Board considered a draft and recommended revisions to the Strategic Plan when it met for a workshop last week (Nov. 15, 16) in Boise. Board members also heard an update on the design-build construction method, reviewed a revised highway program obligation graph and considered the professional services procurement process.
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Technology
Computer systems to go offline Dec. 3, 4
Enterprise Technology Services will take ITD’s computer network offline for an extended period next weekend (Dec. 3, 4) to replace an “Uninterruptable Power Supply.” To take advantage of the down time, Building Services also will make improvements to the cooling system to prevent shutdowns because of overheating from power failures.
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Public transportation
Federal grant will help veterans seek employment
ITD and public transportation partners will share a federal grant of $543,658 to increase mobility options for veterans. The grant award, announced recently by U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, is part of $34.6 million dedicated nationwide to improve employment opportunities and support for veterans.
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Environment
New bridge, channel to improve fish passage
In mid-June a $1.2 million Forest Service-funded project began with ITD oversight and construction because of the highway. The offending culvert at that location has been removed and replaced with a short-span bridge that also has the side benefit of providing wildlife in the area safe passage across the highway ...
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ITD mailbox
Thankful for help with license extension
Division of Motor Vehicles ...
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Winter travel
ITD encourages drivers to prepare for winter driving
Idaho is rugged country with a diverse geography and natural beauty. The qualities that invite exploration, recreation and commerce also can make winter driving a challenge. Safely navigating Idaho’s winter weather and highways requires preparation.
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Winter travel
ITD offers checklist for staying safe on winter highways
Safe travel on Idaho highways in the winter is no accident. It requires preparation and prudence. Motorists can alleviate a lot of problems associated with winter travel by checking conditions before leaving home. That can be done easily and quickly by visiting 511.idaho.gov on the Internet or calling 5-1-1.
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Winter travel
Safe winter travel begins with preparation
As Idaho motorists take to the roads this winter, ITD reminds that a few extra precautions can make winter journeys safer. Plan ahead. Before heading out on the state's roadways, dial 5-1-1 or visit 511.idaho.gov on the Web for updates on winter road and weather conditions, emergency closures and access to highway condition reports.
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Winter travel
Stay safe when driving around snowplows
As winter weather rapidly approaches, the ITD reminds motorists to use caution when traveling the state's highways during inclement weather and to cooperate with highway workers clearing the highways.
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Traveler information
5-1-1 ... Your combination for safe travel
Safe winter travel in Idaho begins with a trip to Idaho’s 511 Traveler Services website or a phone call to the interactive 5-1-1 telephone system provided as a free service by ITD. Information available through the Internet (511.idaho.gov) and the phone system provides drivers with information they need to make safe winter travel decisions, explains ITD’s Tony Ernest, travel services coordinator.
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Traveler information
New features added to 511 website
ITD is committed to ensuring the safest travel possible on state highways. To provide motorists with the latest information on highway and weather conditions, and to help travelers make safe, well-informed travel decisions, the department offers a comprehensive 511 Traveler Services system.
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Traveler information
Traveler services provides information about highways
Idaho travelers have a wealth of information at their disposal to plan winter travel. Those with access to the Internet are encouraged to visit 511.idaho.gov before leaving home if weather and highway conditions are concerns.
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Traveler information
Website reaches growing audience
Idaho’s 511 Traveler Services system continues to grow as motorists become more familiar with its capabilities to enhance safe driving, explains coordinator Tony Ernest. With the widespread use of smart phones and faster Internet connections, more users prefer the web-based site (511.idaho.gov) over the 5-1-1 telephone option.
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Traveler information
A link to highway conditions
ITD joined a consortium of partners from other states in 2005 to introduce a new interactive system to help Idaho residents make informed winter travel decisions. Those partners, along with the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Federal Highway Administration and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), began to develop a new integrated system about a decade ago.
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Employees
671 employees complete wellness challenge
The 2011 wellness challenge inspired employees to exercise regularly and to experience some of Idaho’s Great Exercise Motivating Sites or GEMS. For the 10-week event, 762 employees participated, with 671 (88 percent) reaching the goal of at least 30 hours of exercise.
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Employees
D-1's Autio retires after 39 years with ITD crew
Kelsey Saintz Shoshone News Press KELLOGG - Dave Autio has a final statement for winter drivers. For starters, slow down and give yourself extra time to get where you’re going. “Relax and enjoy the ride,” the Idaho Transportation Department maintenance foreman said. After all, he and his crew are just trying to make the roads safer.
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