February 27, 2009
Board
New scenic byway approved in central Idaho
The Idaho transportation Board recently approved the addition of a highway along some of the state’s most unique landscape as the newest addition to the Idaho Scenic Byway network. Meeting in Boise Feb. 18, the board approved the 140-mile Peaks to Craters byway.
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Board members select Sweeney as vice chairman
The Idaho Transportation Board unanimously elected Bruce Sweeney to serve as vice chairman for the coming year when it met Feb. 18 in Boise. Sweeney replaces District 3 representative Monte McClure who filled the position the past year.
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Employees
Stimulus act to reduce employee withholding
Middle income workers across America and in Idaho may be among the first to benefit from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (the stimulus act) Congress passed last week. ITD Controller Gordon Wilmoth issued a memo Thursday to employees indicating that new tax rates will be evident in March 6 paychecks covering time worked from Feb. 8 to Feb. 21.
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Life beyond work
Bryan Smith, manager of ITD's Emergency Program, was impressed by the spectacular skies over the Treasure Valley this week. He paused during his evening commute to record the moment on his cell phone camera.
District engineers rekindle love for music
Somewhere in their pursuit of engineering careers, raising families and the busyness of life, Ed Bala and Dave Jones parted ways with the music they once loved. High school band faded into distant memory. Instruments collected dust... Until their 2003 trip into the heart of the Grand Canyon.
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ITD's Conner participates in Lincoln 're-unveiling'
ITD’s Judi Conner, who works in the Division of Highways training unit at Headquarters, was among the speakers during the one-hour ceremony that included a host of dignitaries, historic vignettes and several student groups.
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Technology
New Idaho Web site unveiled
Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter announced Monday (Feb. 23) the state of Idaho’s official Web site has a completely new appearance and greatly improved functionality. The revamped site offers an enhanced, more accessible design to make it easier to find state government information and services that visitors to the site need.
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Women in Construction
ITD director to speak at chapter dinner
ITD Director Pamela K. Lowe will speak at an awards and appreciation dinner hosted by the Boise chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Owyhee Plaza Hotel. The event is part of “Women in Construction Week,” March 1-7, a nationwide celebration for more than 5,500 NAWIC members.
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Headquarters
Classes, activities planned at HQ
Opportunities for professional training and personal enrichment are plentiful this spring at Headquarters in Boise. Following is a partial list of activities and classes available to ITD employees. Additions to the schedule are welcome. Please send announcements to the ITD Transporter.
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Parking lot reserved for March 7 TV, monitor collection
ITD’s parking lot behind the main building at Headquarters will become a repository for unwanted televisions and computer monitors on Saturday, March 7. The department has volunteered the use of its parking lot from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the collection site.
ITD employees are asked not to park in the lot behind the Headquarters building after Friday evening.
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ITD Mailbox
• Expressions of concern appreciated
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News to Share
 Golf league to begin play in April
Plans are almost finalized for the Monday night ITD Twilight Golf League. League play will start April 13 at Shadow Valley (along Idaho 55 north of Boise) and ends on Aug. 31. It will be a shotgun start – tentatively at 5:30 p.m. early in the season and then moved to 5:45 p.m. when there is more daylight.
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Views to Share
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Stimulus briefing
Stokes part of delegation meeting with U.S. Transportation Secretary
ITD Deputy Director Scott Stokes and his counterparts in Montana and Wyoming were part of a delegation of transportation officials from throughout the nation who met with U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood recently to discuss the federal economic recovery spending package. Stokes, Jim Lynch (Montana), and John Cox (Wyoming) contributed key points to discussion during the final hour of the informal meeting.
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Aeronautics
ITD, volunteers make airstrip improvements
Campers at one of Idaho’s premier state-owned airstrips might not have to shower in a World War II-era Quonset hut much longer. The Division of Aeronautics plans to replace shower facilities at Cavanaugh Bay with a modern, modular building that includes upgraded showers and flush toilets this year if funding permits. Located at the south end of Priest Lake, about 20 miles northwest of Sandpoint, the airstrip is a popular overnight spot for pilots.
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Technology
Federal grant to put Idaho highways on map
Creating and maintaining comprehensive one-stop information about all of Idaho’s roadways – state, city and county – has been an elusive goal. A partnership involving ITD and Inside Idaho (University of Idaho) recently was a $68,000 grant from the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) to support and further data collection and exchange under the National Spatial Infrastructure Cooperative Agreement Program.
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Reflective clothes must be worn correctly to be effective
The intent of wearing high-visibility reflective clothing while working on highways is to be seen at night. A photograph provided by District 5 demonstrates the importance, not only of wearing the specialized clothing, but wearing it correctly, said District 3 Engineer Dave Jones.
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News to Share
 Going green by going black
ITD employees are invited to go green by going black in March. The World Wildlife Fund is sponsoring a one-hour blackout between 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on March 28 as a global warming initiative. Called “Earth Hour,” the event calls for turning off house lights between 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. local time – a rolling event that will continue from one time zone to the next.
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