9/21/2012

GARVEE
New strategy to produce $40 million for GARVEE projects
ITD anticipates savings of approximately $40 million in interest on four highway projects funded by bonds. The state will issue $38 million in Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle (GARVEE) bonds in October and another $82 million in late 2013 to pay for the Idaho 16 expansion and reconstruction of the Interstate 84 Meridian, Broadway and Gowen interchanges.
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Highways
Groundbreaking launches new ITD/Nez Perce partnership
ITD’s Doral Hoff joined local dignitaries and representatives from the Nez Perce Tribe Thursday to formally launch a new partnership that will provide rest and respite for motorists on heavily traveled U.S. 95. Tribal officials announced early this year plans to rebuilt an existing fuel station and convenience store, the Camas Express, at near Winchester, south of Lapwai.
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Emergency assistance
ITD contributes to firefighting efforts
ITD reorganization the past year elevated its emergency program and positioned the department well as a major resource in battling raging wildfires throughout the state. A combination of state and federal agencies worked this week to contain more than 30 wildland fires throughout Idaho. The seven largest fires consumed nearly 700,000 acres.
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Aeronautics
DeThomas retires as Aeronautics administrator
After leading ITD’s Division of Aeronautics the past 5½ years, JV (John) DeThomas this week announced plans to retire – again. The Idaho native came to ITD in 2007 after a 24-year career and formal retirement from the U.S. Navy and a operating a family farm in the Magic Valley.
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Highway safety
Ford education program for teens scheduled in Coeur d'Alene
It is no secret that Idaho is mostly rural and the risks for fatal and serious injury crashes on these roads are much greater. In 2011 there were 201 youth drivers (ages 15 to 19) that were involved in fatal and serious injury crashes throughout Idaho.
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Diversity
ITD celebrates Hispanic cultural contributions
National Hispanic Heritage Month provides an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the contributions of Latino cultures, and ITD is privileged to share in that celebration through Oct. 15. “Diversity United, Building America’s Future Today” is this year’s theme and all are invited to honor common cultural, spiritual and historical bonds.
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Accolades
Reese receives national hydrology engineer award
Lotwick Reese, whose tenure with ITD dates back more than half a century, recently was recognized for his outstanding contributions to transportation and the environment by the National Hydraulic Engineering Conference.
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Efficiency
New network contract delivers more bandwidth at lower cost
One definition for efficiency is providing more for less. As many costs of operating an organization, including ITD, rise, the Enterprise Technology Group recently negotiated new contract with Syringa to increase bandwidth at a lower cost than under the old agreement.
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Culture
Brown-bag series to focus on heritage through quilts, cloths
Representatives from Artisans4Hope will share their personal stories through quilts and cloths Thursday (Sept. 27) at noon in Darrel V Manning Boardroom and Auditorium at Headquarters. The program is part of ITD’s brown-bag lunch series.
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Health & wellness
Wellness Program organizes flu shot clinics statewide
ITD plans to launch a preemptive strike against seasonal flu by offering employees and their family members a series of clinics statewide. The first clinic was offered this week at District 3 in Boise. An Oct. 11 flu shot clinic is planned for Headquarters. Employees can sign up online for that clinic. The flu shots will be given in the Darrell V Manning Boardroom and Auditorium.
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Public transportation
PTAC teleconference scheduled Wednesday
The Public Transportation Advisory Committee (PTAC) will hold a special meeting via statewide teleconference to review an Intercity Transit Program application and funding for the Mobility Management Program.
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Transportation costs
Idaho in bottom third for cost of vehicle operations
You’re a conscientious 40-year old male with a clean driving record. Your daily commute is 12 miles each way, and you make the trip comfortably in a 2012 Honda Accord. To protect yourself and your car you carry a $500 deductible on collision car insurance, with liability limits of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident, with $50,000 in property damage liability coverage. Where will you get the best bargain for your transportation dollar?
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Wildfire
FEMA funds authorized to fight Karney Fire
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Karney Fire in Boise County.  Boise County and the Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security requested the assistance due to the fire conditions and the potential for its impact to the residences in the fire’s path. 
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AASHTO
Encore (9-14-12): Cole to help oversee development of computer programs
ITD’s presence in national transportation took another step when Chief Engineer Tom Cole was named to a special committee of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). He accepted a seat on the nine-member Special Committee for Joint Development that provides oversight for AASHTOware.
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Highways
Encore (9-14-12): Expanding coverage
An addition to the Mountain Home maintenance shed, scheduled for completion in mid-October, will allow the crew to put trucks in the expanded, covered building with the plow and sander attached. That’s something they’ve been unable to do since 2007 when the newest fleet of trucks arrived.
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Highways
Encore (9-14-12): ITD provides peace and quiet along with pedestrian safety
Finding the right balance – or volume – sometimes is difficult to satisfy the needs of a diverse community. Ask a new tenant in Sandpoint … and District 1 traffic engineer Michael Porcelli.
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