7/13/2012

Transportation board
Board emphasizes economic opportunity on D-1 tour
Members of the Idaho Transportation Board next week will explore ways that transportation in northern Idaho contributes to healthy economic development. The board will visit area businesses, chambers of commerce and Jobs Plus as part of a tour and business meeting in the Coeur d’Alene area.
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Highway safety
Crash fatalities drop 20 percent from 2010 to 2011
The Crash Report for 2011 will be published this week so I thought it would be a good idea to share some of the highlights about crashes in Idaho. This 2011 crash report will be on our website in the near future. Along with the rest of the nation, Idaho saw a significant decrease in fatalities in 2011.
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Highway safety
Wildfire forces closure of Interstate 84
Wildfire forces 4 1/2-hour closure of Interstate 84 A 22-mile segment of Interstate 84 was closed and several businesses near Mountain Home were evacuated Monday evening as a wildfire swept through the region. Reduced visibility and wind-carried embers prompted ITD to close the interstate between mileposts 90 and 112 (west of Mountain Home to Hammett) at 8:23 p.m. It reopened at 1:10 a.m. Tuesday, according to the State Communications Center, located in Meridian.
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Cars, environment
Sun, high temperatures turn vehicles into child death traps
Idaho and much of the northern U.S. are sweltering in severe summer heat, increasing the risk of hyperthermia for children left unattended in vehicles. Over the past 15 years, an average of 38 children died from stroke or other heat-related complications after being left inside cars. Each passing minute adds to the tragic potential.
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Environment
Summer heat brings health cautions
Children and pets left unattended in vehicles as outside temperatures rise aren’t the only potential victims of heat-related death – so are the elderly, those with extenuating health conditions and people who work or recreate outside for long periods of time.The National Weather Service reports that heat is the number one weather-related killer in the U.S.
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Preparedness
Prepare now to have a safe summer
Recent events in and around our state bring to mind the importance of emergency awareness and preparedness. Past Preparedness Pointers have covered information on heat, power outages, lightning storms and wildfires. These things are occurring locally and in nearby locations daily.
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Highways
Bridge deck repairs under way on Idaho 16
Crews from A-Core Inc. of Boise grind the old asphalt surface off the bridge deck on the Black Canyon Irrigation Canal structure in the Idaho 16 resurfacing job in Emmett. The $2.5 million project is expected to finish late this month. The 12.5-mile road, bridge and guardrail-repair project began May 21 on Idaho 16 from just north of its junction with Idaho 44 to Emmett’s Substation Road.
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ITD Mailbox
Thanks for coming to our aid after the fire
I want to thank all of you, many of you I have never met, for your generosity following the fire that took our home. We are so grateful for your donations and offers of home goods and clothing.
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Highways
Encore (7-6-12): Dedication signals near completion of Sand Creek Byway
State and local officials and ITD staff joined more than 300 Bonner County residents Friday (June 29) in Sandpoint to dedicate the Sand Creek Byway, which is nearing completion.
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Retirement
Encore (7-6-12): Doug & Joan Benzon - It's all about relationships
When Doug Benzon and wife Joan jointly bid farewell to their colleagues this afternoon (July 6), the memories they will carry are all about people. And while both will miss their co-workers, it will be easy to stay connected, Doug said. “It’s easy to text, e-mail and call, so it should be easy to keep in touch."
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Brown-bag lunch
Encore (7-6-12): Service dogs demonstrate abilities
Service dogs from Companion Training recently showed how they change people’s lives during a recent demonstration at Headquarters Auditorium as part ITD’s brown-bag lunch series. The five local dogs also enjoyed a homecoming of sorts, having trained together at the Boise-based facility.
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Surplus
Encore (7-6-12): Computer equipment reborn at CWI
ITD extends the life of computers by removing data from hard drives and passing them along to worthy recipients. For the last few years, the College of Western Idaho in Nampa has become a prime beneficiary of the department’s surplus computers and technology equipment.
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Mobility
Encore (7-6-12): CTAI receives grant to assist veterans with transportation needs
The Community Transportation Association of Idaho (CTAI) has selected Idaho-based M2 Traffic Management, LLC to develop a one-click transportation resource that will assist veterans, human service agencies, and others in finding the best transportation options within their community and when traveling throughout Idaho.
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