9/28/2012

Aeronautics
Pape selected to lead division
A veteran of nearly 30 years in the cockpit and five years as an instrumental part of ITD’s Division of Aeronautics, Mike Pape accepted the position of administrator Monday. He succeeds JV DeThomas who announced his retirement last week.
Continue

Reaching new heights
Appointment helps Pape acheive a dream
Mike Pape found his life's passion as a preschooler, riding alongside his father Don in the cockpit of a small airplane. The elder Pape was a Korean War veteran, an Idaho Air National Guard pilot and a backcountry pilot. Mike often accompanied him on trips over Idaho’s shark-toothed mountain peaks, awed by the scenery and equally impressed by the airplane.
Continue

Being the best
ITD gains national exposure for innovative brine production
ITD’s reputation for efficient winter maintenance and the in-house production of deicer/brine has generated national attention and serves as a model for other transportation organizations. Roads and Bridges, a national magazine that focuses on innovative transportation processes included a three-page story, “Better surroundings: Idaho DOT makes enhancements to brine maker.”
Continue

Transportation board
D-4 tour includes recreational area near Ketchum
Idaho Transportation Board members saw firsthand how the investment of transportation funds improves non-motorized travel as part of their final district tour of the year last week. The board stopped near a pond north of Ketchum that ITD created as part of an earlier highway project. The pond is a popular recreation site.
Continue

Culture
Quilts demonstrate influence of cultures
Bhima Bhandari and her family lived 18 years in a Nepal refugee camp. When allowed to come to the United States, Bhandari faced challenges many refugees must confront – language barriers and a dramatic change in life situation.
Continue

Fitness
St. Germain, Booty Busters finish strong at fitness challenge
Judy St. Germain, a power walker and independent assurance inspector in Materials at District 3, walked 38:14.2 in the St. Luke’s Women’s Fitness Celebration 5K on Saturday (Sept. 22). That gave her the best time and first place in her age division in the “Fitness Walk” category. The 20th anniversary of the race drew some 552 competitive walkers. St. Germain’s time was 16th best overall among all walkers.
Continue

Employees
Employees invited to participate in charitable giving activities
ITD employees will have an opportunity to join colleagues in other state agencies next month in building stronger communities. Coordinator Tammie Jauregui said several events are planned at ITD to generate awareness, support and personal contributions to the annual fundraising campaign.
Continue

Preparedness
Statewide earthquake drill planned Oct. 18
The ground in Idaho will shake violently Oct. 18 but no one will feel it because it will be a simulated earthquake, not an actual disaster. Emergency responders throughout the state will participate in the annual Great Idaho ShakeOut to test earthquake preparedness.
Continue

Quick notes
Liaison offers help carry Zero Deaths message
The ITD Office of Highway Safety is very grateful for the many diverse highway safety partners in engineering, enforcement, education and emergency medical services. One small, but powerful partnership is the Law Enforcement Liaisons.
Continue

Impaired driving
ISP, emergency responders produce anti-texting PSA
The next number you text could be your own statistic. That’s the message delivered clearly and with authority in a recent YouTube video prepared by the Idaho State Police and Jerome County paramedics and firefighters.
Continue

ITD Mailbox
Letter
* Thanks for cleaning debris beyond highway
Continue

GARVEE
Encore (9-21-12): 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.
Continue

Highways
Encore (9-21-12): 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.
Continue

Emergency assistance
Encore (9-21-12): 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.
Continue

Diversity
Encore (9-21-12): 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.
Continue

Health & wellness
Encore (9-21-12): 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.
Continue

Transportation costs
Encore (9-21-12): 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?
Continue