12/9/2011

Transportation board
Transportation board to consider adding highway route
For a number of years, the Board Subcommittee on State Highway System Adjustments has been discussing the transfer of the Elba-to-Almo Highway to the state system. Cassia County requested the transaction. The highway, also known as the City of Rocks Backcountry Byway, recently was reconstructed with federal discretionary funds.
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Highways
Commuters, airmen benefit from repairs to I-84
A project to correct severe pavement deficiencies on Interstate 84's eastbound lanes between Boise and Mountain Home, under way since mid-July, likely will finish before Christmas. The final traffic switch occurred Wednesday night (Dec. 7), as eastbound traffic was switched back over to the eastbound side of the freeway. It had shared the other side of the interstate with westbound traffic.
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Highways
Wing plows clear wider swath
New wing plows will be added to ITD's fleet of snow removal equipment in southwest Idaho this winter to improve the department's ability to clear highways. ITD reminds motorists to be extra cautious and patient when driving near them, as the wing plow extends an additional 8-10 feet on the right side of a regular snowplow.
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Cultural diversity
Dr. Vincent Kituku: 'We're more alike than we realize'
Dr. Vincent Muli Kituku comes with a lot of titles: University professor. Author. Motivational speaker. Trainer. Life philosopher. Husband and father. The native of Kenya shares his varied background and a life of observations with audiences throughout the country.
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Highways
Sand Creek Byway construction to continue through winter
Work will continue on the Sand Creek Byway project in Sandpoint through the winter. The new route should open to traffic in the spring or early summer, months earlier than initially expected. Crews will complete work on a number of safety features that must be in place before allowing traffic onto the roadway. This includes signs and the end treatments, or impact attenuators, connected to the structure.
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Winter preparation
Will your car go in freezing rain and snow?
Ada City-County Emergency Management (ACCEM) ‘Tis the season to be out shopping, going skiing or traveling to visit family and friends. It also is a time of year when many will find themselves going somewhere in their motor vehicle when weather and road conditions may not be the best.
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State government
Encore (12-2-11): Leaner, more focused government must be our new normal
Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter How can a largely rural western state of roughly 1.5 million people – a state whose Republican credentials are matched only by its almost contrarian sense of independence – possibly set an example of responsible governance for the rest of America?
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Planning
Encore (12-2-11): ITD introduces new five-year transportation plan
Idaho’s five-year transportation plan, which includes highway construction schedules and transportation projects, is available in an improved format that makes it easier to understand and track projects.
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Freight summit
Summit to explore movement of freight throughout Idaho
A few corridors are used regularly to ship everything from crop harvests to computer chips through terrain that climbs from 738 feet to more than two miles above sea level. Moving freight through Idaho will be the focus of a Freight Summit jointly sponsored by ITD, the Idaho Department of Agriculture and Boise State University Tuesday (Dec. 13) from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at BSU.
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Highway safety
Encore (12-2-11): Clearing crashed vehicles even more important in winter
Idaho's Quick Clearance law, adopted in 2005, requires drivers to move obstructions off the road quickly and safely in the event of a crash. Unless the crash results in death or injury, a damaged vehicle must be moved if it is not disabled, does not require towing, can operate under its own power and can be safely driven.
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Ports of Entry
Encore (12-2-11): Transported boat stopped for harboring unwanted mussels
A commercial hauler was transporting the boat from Michigan to Umatilla, Ore., when trained ITD inspectors discovered prohibited mussels, according to a memo from Amy Ferriter of the Idaho Department of Agriculture.
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Technology / employees
Encore (12-2-11): Holiday shoppers advised to use caution with online buys
ITD reminds employees that Internet use should be limited to work-related activities. Online shopping is one of several categories that is being tracked and reported to management. Personal use of ITD resources, including Internet usage and e-mail messages, should be carefully considered and limited.
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