3/2/2012
Legislature
JFAC sets transportation department budget
In a series of unanimous votes, the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee has set a budget for the Idaho Transportation Department for next year that's down 5.5 percent in total funds from this year, mainly due to a 13.9-percent drop in federal funds.
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Transportation board
Governor chooses Kempton for District 4 position
Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter last week announced the appointment of Jim Kempton of Albion, a former legislator and Idaho Public Utilities Commission member, to succeed Gary Blick as the ITD District 4 member. Kempton’s term began Thursday (March 1) and continues to January 31, 2018.
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Idaho Legislature
Concurrent resolution honors former board chairman
The august body that once included Darrell V Manning, paused recently to acknowledge – in the form of a concurrent resolution – his contributions to ITD, state government and the military. Manning retired in January after serving nearly six years as chairman of the Idaho Transportation Board (since 2007).
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D-4 Ports of Entry workers injured in crash
Two roving Ports of Entry employees from ITD’s District 4 escaped serious injury Wednesday when they were involved in a three-vehicle crash on U.S. 93 north of Jerome. Preston Buckley was southbound in an ITD truck equipped with a utility box when he slowed for traffic on the snow-covered highway. A 1998 Peterbilt semi truck, operated by Rodney Gilly, 53, of Twin Falls, was unable to stop in time and hit the back of the ITD vehicle.
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Transportation research
U of I receives $3.5 million grant to lead transportation center
A national grant recently awarded to the University of Idaho will support the efforts of university researchers to make the nation’s transportation system more sustainable. The University of Idaho’s National Institute for Advanced Transportation Technology (NIATT) will receive $3.5 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation to lead a national Tier 1 University Transportation Center.
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Transportation research
NIATT to partner with other regional universities
Officials at the National Institute for Advanced Transportation Technology (NIATT) recently learned the award of a $600,000 grant to partner in a Regional University Transportation Center led by the University of Washington. NIATT, which is supported by the Idaho Transportation Department, will focus on the diverse transportation needs of the Pacific Northwest,
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Highways
ITD schedules bridges for new deck surfaces
Nearly a dozen bridges in the Interstate 84 corridor between Payette County and Elmore County will have the riding deck resurfaced in projects starting this spring. Many of the bridges will also receive an overlay, concrete waterproofing, or have deck joints repaired. Guardrail and parapet may also be repaired.
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Planning
Planning for new Snake River bridge in Magic Valley put on hold
After several meetings with local government agencies regarding continued planning for a roadway corridor, the proposal to pursue another crossing of the Snake River west of Twin Falls has been discontinued, the Idaho Transportation Department announced.
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Employees
Brianna Fernandez gets jump start on business
She has spent the last six years refining business ethics and decision-making skills, money management, personal skills and goal setting. This spring she added public relations and promotion to her marketing experience. That resume would put Brianna in strong competition for corporate leadership or sales positions. But businesses and organizations will have to wait another decade or so
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Employees
Zubery's son part of state math, science winning team
Ryan Zubery, son of ITD engineer manager Muhammad Zubery, was part of a middle school team that won a statewide math and science contest last month. Treasure Valley Math & Science Center students advance to the National Science Bowl next month in Washington, D.C.
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Public television
Encore: (2-24-12): Director Ness discusses salary needs on Idaho Reports
ITD Director Brian Ness described the challenges of managing a state agency with no employee raises and high turnover when he participated in an Idaho Public Television(IPTV) edition of Idaho Reports over the weekend. The one-hour Idaho Reports was carried statewide on IPTV’s digital channels.
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Highway safety
Encore: (2-24-12): New option makes 511 system more personalized
ITD added new options to its model 511 Traveler Services system that increase personalized access to highway- and weather-related information and improve mobility for Idaho drivers. Improvements build on the department’s addition of individualized route selection and reporting introduced last year.
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Highway safety
Encore: (2-24-12): Option reports interstate travel time in Treasure Valley
ITD is piloting a new option for commuters along I-84 between Caldwell and the Gowen Road interchange and between I-84 and downtown Boise using the Connector (I-184). Blue Tooth signal receivers have been installed along the interstate that track vehicles and report travel times on the 511 Website. The 28-mile stretch is divided into eight segments, and another that leads to downtown Boise.
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Engineering Girls
Encore: (2-24-12): Eighth grade girls learn engineering from groun up
Junior high students don’t often have a chance to design a city, learn about chemistry and crushed rock, and build leaning towers of spaghetti all between a continental breakfast and pizza lunch. But 30 eighth-grade Nampa girls made the most of their opportunity Thursday when they toured ITD Headquarters for Engineering Girls Day.
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AASHTO
Encore: (2-24-12): Report focuses on needs of aging drivers
A national report released Wednesday highlights the many ways state departments of transportation are addressing the needs of older drivers. The report, "Keeping Baby Boomers Mobile: Preserving Mobility and Safety for Older Americans," also makes the case for increased funding, research, planning and implementation of innovative solutions to support older drivers.
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