3/23/2012

Transportation board
Highway projects: From conception to delivery
Idaho Transportation Board members last week learned how a highway project is born and completed during a presentation from Chief Engineer Tom Cole. His computer presentation showed how projects move through the many steps, including state and federal requirements.
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Highways
Runoff proves to be more than Idaho 55 can handle
The section of Idaho 55 in the canyon between the Rainbow Bridge and Round Valley closed to one lane early Friday morning (March 16) and reopened to two-lane traffic the following day at about 3 a.m. as water receded.
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Educational outreach
ITD opens doors for middle-school students
Idaho Transportation Board members got a preview of the next generation of city builders when Emmett Middle School students showed their vision of “NeWellington,” winner of the 2012 ITD/LHTAC Future City Project Charter award.
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Bicycle safety laws
ITD to sponsor bicycle, pedestrian safety training for law enforcement
Spring weather will bring more bicyclists and pedestrians on or near Idaho’s highways. In anticipation, ITD will sponsor a statewide training for law enforcement officers to brush up on Idaho’s bicycle and pedestrian safety laws.
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Bridges
New bridge planned near Johnson Creek Airstrip
The narrow, wooden-plank bridge built on a railroad car decades ago at Johnson Creek Airstrip in Valley County just south of Yellow Pine will be replaced this fall. The bridge is important for community, recreational and emergency services. Yellow Pine is a few hours northeast of Cascade.
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Highways
Twin Bridge study prescribes design, construction ideas
In an effort to incorporate new construction techniques in an ITD project, a Cost Risk Assessment/Value Engineering (CRAVE) study was completed for the reconstruction of the I-84/Snake River Twin Bridges project near Declo.
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Highways
Highway improvement projects planned in D-4
It’s an old joke: In Idaho we have four seasons – winter, winter, winter and construction. It’s about time for that fourth season. District 4 is prepared to complete bridge maintenance, repairs and deck rehabilitation to 34 bridges in the Magic Valley.
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Highways
D-6 to embark on 31 construction projects in 2012
ITD's District 6 plans 31 highway construction projects in eastern Idaho this year. Projects will include replacing the overpass on Pancheri Drive south of Idaho Falls and the interchange on Interstate 15 west of Dubois. Crews also will resurface segments of U.S. 20, U.S. 93 and Idaho 33.
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Highways
Encore (3-16-2012): Exit in sight for I-84 GARVEE projects
As the GARVEE program on Interstate 84 in the Treasure Valley corridor wraps up this week, the impact on the transportation system will be evident to motorists for decades to come. Approximately $365 million of improvements on I-84 were funded by GARVEE.
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ASCE report card
Encore (3-16-2012): Civil engineering group issues gloomy report
Growing demand. Lean budgets. Aging infrastructure. Three converging storm fronts. One ominous cloud. The Southern Idaho Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers presented it annual report card on Idaho’s infrastructure during a public news conference Thursday at the state capitol.
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ASCE report
Encore (3-16-2012): AVIATION: C
Idaho’s aviation sector plays an important role in Idaho’s economy, from passenger travel and freight shipments, to recreation.
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ASCE report
Encore (3-16-2012): BRIDGES: D-minus
Most bridges are designed and constructed on the assumption of a lifespan of 40 to 60 years. Nearly one-third of the bridges on Idaho’s state system (574) have reached the half-century mark and another 522 will turn 50 years of age within the next decade.
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ASCE report
Encore (3-16-2012): LOCAL HIGHWAYS: D-minus
Local highways provide a critical transportation link between the places we live, work, and play and also provide connections to state highways. Cities, counties and highway districts provide the necessary structure to enable the appropriate measures to keep this critical link functioning efficiently and effectively.
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ASCE report
Encore (3-16-2012): RAIL: D-minus
Idaho’s economy, particularly in rural areas, relies heavily on the rail freight system to facilitate movement of the state’s agricultural, mineral, lumber and wood, chemical and other natural resources and manufactured products to local, national and international markets.
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ASCE report
Encore (3-16-2012): STATE HIGHWAYS: D-minus
The Idaho Transportation Department strives to reduce deficient pavement, increase preventative maintenance and give motorists a safer and smoother ride. He term “deficient” is used to indicate that pavement has fallen below a certain threshold and requires structural remedy.
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ASCE report
Encore (3-16-2012): TRANSIT: D
It is the purpose of the ASCE report card to examine and grade key components of Idaho’s public transit. The report uses the most recent data available from 2010 and evaluates fixed routes and demand response services of Idaho’s public transit systems.
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ITD culture & diversity
Encore (3-16-2012): Brown-bag lunch to focus on returning Idaho military
Learn first-hand what it’s like for military veterans to come home from active duty during ITD’s next brown-bag lunch program rescheduled for March 29 at noon in the Darrel V Manning Auditorium/boardroom. Representatives from the Idaho Department of Labor’s (DOL) Veteran’s Services group will discuss what it’s like to be in the military and the challenges that returning veterans and their families face when deployments end.
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