6/1/2012

Unsung Champions
ITD permits office helps keep Idaho commerce moving
The next time you see an electrical generator, windmill blade or oversized piece of construction equipment being transported down the highway, think of a small group of ITD employees who make it happen. ITD’s overlegal permits office, normally a quiet player in the state’s economy, rose to prominence in 2010-2011 when contract haulers transported large loads for ConocoPhillips and ExxonMobile in north-central Idaho.
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Accolades
Central-issue driver's license campaign wins national AAMVA award
ITD’s concerted effort to inform the public and county partners about changes in issuing driver’s licenses received an international award recently. The media campaign and ensuing public exposure earned first place in the 2012 PACE award from the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators.
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Mobility
ITD awards grants for 107 pedestrian ramp repairs
Pedestrians in seven Idaho communities will find surface transitions smoother and easier to navigate after completion of the 2012 ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) Pedestrian Curb Ramp Program next year. Maureen Gresham, of the Division of Transportation Performance, announced that 107 new curb ramps will be constructed at a total cost of $348,244.
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Transportation history
Group visits new home for an old friend
More than 30 former Morrison-Knudsen Co. employees and friends visited an old friend Thursday, May 24. The group gathered at ITD Headquarters to view the new home for the company’s classic Bucyrus-Erie B-3 steam shovel that moved recently from the intersection of Broadway Avenue and Park Boulevard in Boise.
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Employee safety
Remodeling dust clears Headquarters building
ITD employees evacuated the main building at Headquarters Wednesday morning after dust from remodeling project triggered the smoke detector/fire alarm. Two engines from the Boise Fire Department, including a ladder truck, arrived on campus around 9:45 a.m. in response to the automatic alarm.
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Accolades
ARTBA presents Sand Creek honor
The American Roadbuilders and Transportation Association formally presented a national award for Idaho's Sand Creek Byway community relations efforts this week. Dave Butzier of Connecting Idaho Partners accepted the award on behalf of URS Energy & Construction and ITD Wednesday at a ceremony in Washington, D.C.
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Highways
D-4's Dana helps remove impact of highway crashes
It’s not that Dave Dana minds getting his hands dirty, but one part of his job is a bit distasteful. It’s roadkill, and the Idaho Transportation Department’s Twin Falls maintenance foreman occasionally has to wade right in. Animals accidentally killed by motorists on state highways range from raccoons, porcupines and coyotes to deer and elk.
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Outreach
ITD participates at Meridian Public Works Expo
ITD representatives attended Meridian’s Public Works Expo May 24 to share information about the scheduled Eagle Improvement Project and to develop a mail list for interested individuals.
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Highway safety
Encore (5-25-12): Law enforcement engaged in high visibility patrols
ITD joins the Idaho State Police and other law enforcement agencies across Idaho to make highways safer by funding high visibility seat belt patrols that began Tuesday (May 22) and continue through June 5.
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Highways / GARVEE
Encore (5-25-12): New bridge will open door to highway corridor expansion
A Thursday (May 24) groundbreaking ceremony celebrated the beginning of the Idaho 16 Boise River Crossing (work starts May 29) and the connection of State Street to Chinden Boulevard. The event also advocated for the remainder of the Central Valley Expressway, as supporters have come to call it, extending Highway 16 south all the way to Interstate 84.
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Economy, environment
Encore (5-25-12): Caltrans looks to Idaho 21 fish passage project as an example
The Five Mile Creek Fish-Passage project, wrapping up near Lowman on Idaho 21 in this summer, has received a lot of well-deserved attention – and not just locally. In early May, ITD received a phone call from Steve Thorne of the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) about the $1.2 million Forest Service-funded project.
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Highway safety
Encore (5-25-12): Drivers learn difficulties of texting while driving
Drivers learn difficulties of texting while driving Members of the news media, high school students and general public learned firsthand the dangers of texting while driving and the perils of driving impaired during “Safe Driving Days,” May 18, 19, hosted by the Idaho State Police.
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Employees
Encore (5-25-12): Results of cultural survey available online
The conclusions of a survey about ITD’s current organizational culture and the kind of culture we would like to grow are available online for employees to peruse.
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Highway safety
Encore (5-25-12): Pilot study in Boise demonstrates use of CrashHelp system
In an ongoing effort to facilitate communication and improve patient care following traffic crashes, researchers with CERS and the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Institute have completed a pilot study of the prototype CrashHelp system. Overall results were positive, indicating that CrashHelp allowed for the efficient collection of usable information.
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