3/30/2012

Headquarters
Inland Crane picks up, delivers historic steam shovel
Skilled and energetic Inland Crane workers assembled near the URS courtyard at about 7 a.m. Saturday, to prepare the classic Bucyrus-Erie B-3 steam shovel for its transport through downtown Boise.
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Lifetime service
Gowen Field street sign honors Gen. Manning
Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter presided over a surprise renaming of a street and the unveiling of a street sign Tuesday at Gowen Field to honor Darrell Manning for his lifetime of service to the state. Gen. Manning retired as chairman of the Idaho Transportation Board in January after five years of guiding the board.
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Ports of Entry
Photograph selected to compete nationally
Thanks to all who submitted pictures to the “DMV in Action” photography contest. The contest goal was to find a single photograph, taken by an internal staff member, that illustrates one of the ways the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) serves its customers.
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Security
Document shredding events planned in Boise, Idaho Falls
ITD will partner with several other Treasure Valley organizations next month to offer secure document shredding, cell phone recycling and computer donations free at the Headquarters parking lot. A similar event is planned in Idaho Falls.
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Employees
Help available for 'underwater' home loans
The wait is over for homeowners who want to refinance but owe more on their mortgages than their homes are worth. Starting March 26 Icon Credit Union was able to begin helping borrowers with the new HARP (Home Affordable Refinance Program) 2.0 that allows refinancing for primary residences, second homes, and investment properties (1 to 4 unit ) regardless of how deeply underwater they are.
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Economy
Governor Otter signs IGEM into law
On Wednesday March 14, I was joined by leaders from the private sector, our colleges and universities, as well as the Idaho Legislature as I signed into law one of the signature pieces of my legislative agenda this session. The Idaho Global Entrepreneurial Mission or "IGEM" seeks to attract top researchers, create intellectual property, enhance our competitiveness and strengthen Idaho's economy
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Highways
Encore (3-23-12): 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
Encore (3-23-12): 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
Encore (3-23-12): 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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Highways
Encore (3-23-12): 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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Bridges
Encore (3-23-12): 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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