2/17/2012

Highway safety
Idaho continues to lead nation in fatalities decline
The National Safety Council (NSC) released a report this week that showed the downward trend in traffic fatalities continued in 2011. Idaho was among the national leaders in decline of traffic deaths from 2010 to 2011, and retains the distinction of achieving the greatest two-year drop (2009 to 2011) in the country.
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Cultural diversity
Cultural heritage months promote understanding
Cultural heritage months provide valuable opportunities to learn about and celebrate the contributions of specific groups of people to the workplace and understand their unique cultural experiences. African-American History Month, also called Black History Month, is the first and one of the nation’s oldest cultural heritage celebrations.
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Engineering Girls
Nampa eighth graders to probe engineering field at ITD
ITD’s engineering staff will be joined by an energetic group of 30 eighth grade girls from Nampa next week for the 2012 Engineering Girls Day. Middle school students who want to learn more about the engineering field and perhaps turn that exposure into career tracks will tour ITD from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., explains Michelle George, senior human resource specialist.
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Highways
Separators used on Broadway ramp to improve safety
Driver confusion and hesitancy can significantly hinder smooth traffic flow. If motorists are not comfortable with driving conditions, they will instinctively stop or slow down. If it doesn’t feel safe, it does not matter if it has been designed to be safe
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Highways
D-3 experiments with new pothole solution
ITD’s Caldwell maintenance crew launched a road test this month to determine whether a new pothole patching material has adequate staying power in Idaho’s varying climates. One pothole was filled with conventional hotmix asphalt; a Polyurethane patch was used on another nearby hole.
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Employees
Sandpoint crew earns top honors for costumes
It’s not every day you can dress up in a silly costume, play outdoors in the snow and help a worthy cause. But that’s just what a group of employees from the Sandpoint Residency did recently. The gang trouped to Missoula, Mont., for the annual Blizzard Ball Tournament.
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DMV
Visit to California DMV offers challenges for Idahoan
A visit to any of the 44 Division of Motor Vehicles offices around Idaho is nothing to be anxious about. The folks you’ll find inside are pretty much like the crowd standing in queues for All You Can Eat Shrimp at the Golden Corral. Not so in California, where I moved las month. The Sacramento DMV is Oz, plain and simple.
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Transportation board
Encore (2-10-12): Gary Blick bids farewell to board, employees
Gary Blick put his final stamp on 13 years of service to Idaho Thursday when he retired as the Idaho Transportation Board from District 4 in south-central Idaho Thursday. His departure also punctuates a lifetime of community and public service and a successful business career.
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Transportation board
Encore (2-10-12): Retiring board member leaves with a lot of hardware, memories
Mike Pape, an ITD pilot representing the Division of Aeronautics, presented outgoing board member Gary Blick with one of the division’s highest honors – the Infrequent Flier Award Thursday. In his 13 years traveling across the state for board meetings, Blick never gave up his aversion to airplanes.
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Highways
Encore (2-10-12): Crews wrapping up final stage of I-84 corridor construction
Months earlier than originally expected, all lanes are open on Interstate 84 between the Franklin and Garrity interchanges in Nampa as work wraps up on the construction project that widened two miles of interstate. Work began in July 2010, and is reaching completion nearly three months ahead of schedule.
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Highways
Encore (2-10-12): Agencies from three states discuss incident management
What happens in Idaho doesn’t always stay in Idaho. The same holds true for Utah and Oregon. Highway incidents in one state can have a direct impact on transportation systems and emergency responses in neighboring states.
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Historical treasure
Encore (2-10-12): Steam shovel ready for new retirement home — ITD Headquarters
Like many who feel the effects of age, the Bucyrus-Erie B-3 soon will move from its home of more than 40 years to a new retirement home in the northern shadows of ITD’s Headquarters. It will be welcomed with open arms and a warm reception when it arrives [when?] from its present home near the URS building at Broadway and Park Center Boulevard.
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Golf league
Encore (2-10-12): ITD getting ready to swing into spring
The ITD Twilight Golf League Committee is signing up teams for the 2012 season. The league will play at Shadow Valley again (along Idaho 55) on Mondays. There is an entry fee of $40 to cover various league expenses and the last night of golf, plus the weekly green fees of $19 for nine holes. Carts are optional at an additional cost.
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