11/2/2012

'Fall back'
Put your timepieces on hold for an hour Sunday
Sir Isaac Newton didn’t know anything about shifting time, but his third law of motion might aptly describe a semi-annual man-made phenomenon: “For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.” In brief, it’s now time to undo what was done last spring, implementing “an equal and opposite reaction.”
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Transparency
New tracking feature added to innovative dashboard
ITD recently introduced a new dashboard tool that tracks the efficiency of construction projects, contrasting the final cost of a project with the initial contract award. Confining final costs within a 5 percent range (higher or lower) reflects improved efficiency and helps ensure the best use of taxpayer funds.
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Highways
When a plan comes together ... all is smooth
The plan to keep traffic safe and moving worked like a charm. District 6 slowed rather than reroute or stop night traffic on Interstate 15 to place girders for the new Pancheri Drive overpass south of Idaho Falls and to remove the old bridge adjacent to it.
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Bridge dedication
It was a big day for Dover on Friday
Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter and a clutch of other dignitaries gathered beneath the new Dover Bridge to dedicate the long-awaited and badly needed span on U.S. Highway 2. City officials and local lawmakers have been pushing for replacement of the dilapidated 75-year-old bridge for nearly two decades.
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Dover Facts
A look at Dover Bridge past and future
It was labeled one of the country's most pressing structural needs by a national magazine and received one of the lowest deficiency marks possible for a bridge. That was the old Dover Bridge. Today, northern Idaho residents enjoy a new, modern structure. Follow the project trail.
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Idaho 16
New highway extension emerging from landscape
Construction continues to transform land south of Emmett into the first part of a corridor that eventually will link the community with Interstate 84 by way of Idaho 16. The initial two-year project includes construction of a new 1,700-foot bridge crossing the Boise River.
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Being the best
Turning a flat into a round ... of applause
Like many stranded motorists, Brad Viets and his wife were glad to have ITD’s Incident Response vehicle patrolling Interstate 84. Viets called ITD recently to express his thanks and appreciation to Jim Cherry for coming to the rescue.
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Highways
U.S. 95 project turns another corner
Traffic on U.S. 95, between Chilco and the Silverwood theme park, shifted to a new alignment this week marking a major milestone in the expansion/realignment process. Crews are finishing roadway connections at both ends of the project area. Vehicles used the Pope Road frontage road during construction of the new segment.
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Poetic praise
A love of Idaho cast in prose
Joe Meiners loves this land he calls home. And sometimes he puts that passion to prose for others to appreciate. The Nezperce resident recently attended a public meeting about an ITD project and passed along his poem. He is a World War II veteran and an uncle of retired ITD employee Terry Meiners who worked for District 3 in Boise.
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Outstanding Customer Service
Encore (10-26-12): FHWA honors Fuller for work on national guide
ITD’s Glenda Fuller, an integral member of a group revising a national guide for monitoring traffic, received the Federal Highway Administrator’s Public Service Award for her contributions. Pete Hartman, FHWA’s Idaho division manager, presented the national award during a ceremony last week at Headquarters.
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HIghways
Encore (10-26-12): Winter conditions visit Idaho
Winter weather began knocking at Idaho’s door this week, delivering snow at higher elevations, brief whiteout conditions and black ice on Interstate 90 near Post Falls. ITD began preparing for the arrival several weeks ago, and by mid-week about half of the department’s fleet of six- and 10-wheel dump trucks had been converted from summer maintenance use to winter snow plowing and de-icing.
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Highways
Encore (10-26-12): How ITD is preparing for winter
Maintenance crews in ITD's six districts are making the transition from summer construction and maintenance to winter storm responses. All of the districts have a touch of winter in the past 10 days.
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Highway safety
Encore (10-26-12): Leaders forging strategy for safer Idaho highways
Idaho’s goal of being the safest transportation system in the country requires strategy, leadership and collaboration. ITD’s Office of Highway Safety (OHS) moved closer to that goal Tuesday, as the Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP) emphasis group leaders and OHS grant managers met to prepare for the a Nov. 29 workshop.
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Highway safety
Encore (10-26-12): ITD awarded more than $1 million
ITD secured more than $1 million in grants from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to improve safe travel for Idahoans. The Office of Highway Safety received more than $950,000 to apply toward its strategic plan goal of reducing traffic fatalities resulting from individuals driving while impaired.
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Diversity
Encore (10-26-12): November commemorates Native American culture
November is Native American Heritage Month, which provides an opportunity to learn more about the first inhabitants of the United States. Without Native American help, the European settlers could not have survived in the harsh conditions of the American wilderness.
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Customer service
Encore (10-26-12): Support staff workshop planned Nov. 7
Delivering outstanding customer service isn’t limited to ITD employees who come in direct contact with the public. It extends to those who support those who provide first-hand services. That message will be central to the expanded Support Staff Workshop Nov. 7 in Boise.
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