Puerto Rico visits ITD to see how it's done

Nine years ago, when Director Brian Ness first arrived at the Idaho Transportation Department, he stated that his goal was to make ITD the best transportation department in the country.

He explained that one of the ways to know if that is happening is when your organization is held up as a model for others to follow.

Great accomplishments have happened repeatedly in the years since, including the governor singling out ITD as a top state agency in his State of the State address, winning 13 AASHTO President's Awards in Ness's tenure, and finding more than $8.5 million in savings and efficiencies through our innovation efforts and putting that money back into fixing Idaho's critical roads and bridges.

In late September, there was further proof that we are moving in the direction of becoming the best. A delegation from the Puerto Rico Highway and Transportation Authority (PRHTA) visited Boise at the suggestion of the United States Department of Transportation, to learn how ITD had reorganized, identified efficiencies, and regained the trust of taxpayers and lawmakers in the state.

On Sept. 26-27, strategic direction was discussed, as well as project delivery, organizational structure, culture, hiring practices, accountability and budgeting...and of course, a visit to see the blue turf.

PRHTA's representatives expressed their enthusiasm and mentioned that it was a great benefit to participate in the peer exchange. They shared their intention of keeping the communication lines open with Director Ness and his team.

PRHTA has some unique challenges — many brought on by the geographic and economic devestation of Hurricane Maria in 2017 — but the group said there are several similarities with ITD, and the PRHTA can take advantage of that and use ITD's experience as a "lessons learned" opportunity as they rebuild.

Published 10-19-18