10/5/2012

Efficiency
FHWA administrator praises ITD response to federal audit
ITD staff members worked with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) this summer to reduce the number and outstanding balances of inactive construction projects. The quick response is evidence of ITD's commitment to operating efficiently and providing taxpayers with the best service for their investments.
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Employees
Board to acknowledge professional milestones Oct. 18
The board will recognize 44 Headquarters employees and formally bid farewell to colleagues who reached the final milestone in their professional career – retirement. The fall 2012 Service Awards ceremony will begin at about 10 a.m. in the Darrel V Manning Boardroom and Auditorium.
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Aeronautics
Aviation Hall of Fame inducts Boyington, Rutan
Two individuals who helped shape air travel nationally were inducted into the Idaho Aviation Hall of Fame Saturday night (Sept. 29) during a ceremony in Sagle. ITD’s new Aeronautics Division Administrator Mike Pape participated in the ceremony at the Bird Museum south of Sandpoint that honored aviation legends Burt Rutan and Gregory “Pappy” Boyington.
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Employees
Astorga, climbing partner reach new heights in record time
District 3 avalanche forecaster Chantel Astorga spends most of her winter watching for avalanches that could cascade onto Idhao highways. Her summer pursuit is just the opposite -- how fast can she climb steep mountainsides. In September she and climbing partner Mayan Gobat-Smith rewrote the record on an ascent of The Nose of Yosemite's El Capitan.
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Highways
Long-distance runners to compete on eastern Idaho highways
Runners will push the limits of physical endurance this weekend on a pair of long-distance races that will traverse state highways in eastern Idaho. A 100-mile race begins in West Yellowstone, Mont., at 6 a.m. Saturday, and a shorter race of 50 miles will begin at upper Mesa Falls at 9 a.m. Saturday.
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Employees
Brown-bag session will focus on maintaining life balance
It’s often referred to as keeping a number of balls in the air at the same time … juggling work and your personal life. But how do you keep them in the air, juggling personal and professional pursuits, without dropping one of the balls?
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Highways
ITD 'roadeo' team competes at national event in Colorado
Mike Rearden might have felt at home if he were jockeying a four-wheeler through a mud bog. But in Colorado, the four-wheeler was a front-end loader and the mud bog was part of the national finals “roadeo” for heavy equipment operators.
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Human Resources
ITD acknowledges disability employment month
Each October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) strives to educate about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities.
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Public transportation
ITD seeks public comments on public transportation measures
ITD’s Division of Transportation Performance is developing Statewide Performance Measures for sub-recipient public transportation providers in Idaho. The purpose of the measures is to provide a statewide snapshot of all providers who currently receive federal funding through the division.
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Share the ride
Public encouraged to celebrate RideShare option
With the rising cost of gas and the desire to ‘go green,’ ridesharing has become much more prevalent and practical in Idaho. The Community Transportation Association of Idaho (CTAI) oversees Idaho Rideshare program as a free, online resource that helps commuters find the right person to share a ride by creating a carpool or vanpool through http://idahorideshare.org.
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Aeronautics
Encore (9-28-12): 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.
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Reaching new heights
Encore (9-28-12): 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.
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Being the best
Encore (9-28-12): 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.”
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Employees
Encore (9-28-12): 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.
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Preparedness
Encore (9-28-12): Statewide earthquake drill planned Oct. 20
The ground in Idaho will shake violently Oct. 20 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.
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Quick notes
Encore (9-28-12): 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.
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Preparedness
Earthquake readiness includes steps after shaking stops
Ada CityCounty Emergency Management: October is earthquake awareness month in Idaho. Thousands of Idahoans will practice what to do during an earthquake at 10:18 am on Oct. 18 as part of the Great Idaho Shakeout. Equally important to taking the correct personal safety measures during an earthquake are the actions taken after the quake.
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