April 23, 2010
The 2010 Excellence in Transportation Awards will be presented during a 2 p.m. ceremony Wednesday in the Headquarters auditorium. Four awards will be given to companies that have demonstrated outstanding achievements in transportation-related Idaho projects. |
Leadership
Director Ness adapts Tom Izzo's coaching philosophy at ITD
The strategies required for building one of the nation’s premier college basketball programs can be applied to achieving success in the corporate world and in the public sector. Director Brian W. Ness wants to incorporate the principles he’s learned from a quarter-century relationship with Michigan State University basketball to build ITD into a national leader. His vision for ITD is that it becomes the best transportation department in the country.
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Highway safety
ITD recognized for safety planning, Peer-to-Peer Exchange
ITD’s effort to save lives on state highways through a Peer-to-Peer Exchange program has been identified as a model initiative by the Federal Highway Administration. FHWA provides an extensive analysis of ITD’s November 4, 2009, peer exchange on its Web site: “Updating a Strategic Highway Safety Plan: Learning from the Idaho Transportation Department.” More than 100 professionals, committed to reducing traffic fatalities, assembled for the exchange
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Media carry message on need for workzone safety
With 279 work zone crashes last year in Idaho, it could be argued that work zones are among the most hazardous areas on the state highway system. However, Monday morning (April 19), on the new Vista Avenue Interchange bridge over Interstate 84 in Boise, the most frightening aspect of being behind the orange barrels for District 3 project inspector Steve Erichson was being interviewed about work zone safety by three television reporters simultaneously.
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Aeronautics
ITD moves closer to securing use of Reed Ranch Airstrip
ITD’s request to add the Reed Ranch Airstrip to Idaho’s network of state-operated aviation facilities cleared an important hurdle following a U.S. Forest Service environmental assessment (EA) and April 16 ruling. The Payette National Forest (PNF) issued a Decision Notice/Finding of No Significant Impact (DN/FONSI) for the Reed Ranch Airstrip Project. ITD initiated a request to assume operation of the airstrip more than two years ago.
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Employees
Activities planned to express appreciation
ITD will join other state agencies in a collective acknowledgment of state employees and their contributions and service during a weeklong celebration that begins Monday, May 3. A variety of events are planned as part of State Employee Appreciation Week. Headquarters will observe the week by providing opportunities for massages, contests and the annual exercise challenge walk.
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REMINDER: No insurance premiums on April 30
ITD employee medical and dental insurance premiums are split between the 1st and 2nd checks of the month. Since April 30th will be our 3rd pay date for April, we will not need to pay any insurance premiums
Highways
Rockslide forces closure of Idaho 55
Rocks the size of small cars and trucks rained down on Idaho 55, covering the northbound lane and part of the southbound lane April 11 and forcing closure of the highway for major cleanup. The rock slide near McCall closed Idaho 55 for about four hours. ITD maintenance crews from New Meadows, Council and Boise removed large boulders and debris and patched the highway surface that had been damaged by the falling rock.
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A different kind of highway rescue...
Two ITD workers from a highway construction site helped save six baby ducks after their mother and four siblings were killed on Interstate 84 near the Broadway exit. "They were awesome to help me," said Lori Hills, who noticed the stranded animals and they started looking for someone to help gather the survivors. "They just went above and beyond."
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Ceremony launches U.S. 95 'Gap' project
A recent cold, damp day didn’t deter a hearty band of individuals from celebrating the official start of the U.S. 95, Wyoming to Idaho 53 project. About 30 people joined Idaho Transportation Board member and emcee Jim Coleman, Rep. Frank Henderson, Sen. Jim Hammond, and Katie Brodie, Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter’s northern Idaho representative, in celebrating the groundbreaking of the important project.
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Accolades
ITD claims 12 Idaho Press Club awards
ITD’s Communications staff collected a dozen public relations awards Saturday (April 17) at the annual Idaho Press Clubs ceremony in Boise. That represents the most awards ITD has received from the Press Club in nearly a decade and was twice the number earned by any other organization in the public relations division. Last year ITD received six awards.
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Public transportation
Two advisory groups plan meetings in Boise
Two groups that provide recommendations and guidance on public transportation issues in Idaho will meet in Boise this week. The Interagency Working Group (IWG), a coalition of state agencies and organizations, will review coordination of Idaho's mobility options Tuesday and Wednesday. The Public Transportation Advisory Council (PTAC) will review award criteria for two federal programs and set funding recommendations for 2011 public transportation grants on Monday.
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Speed on dirt
 It's that time of year again for Enduro MotoCross Racing in northern Idaho. Chris (Junior) Williams will be among the competitors in five races scheduled this summer. The accompanying photo shows Junior, son of District 1's Kimberley Williams, flying through the air and around the track. Race fans are invited to turn out for a few hours of fun and excitement and cheer him on at one of the following races: May 8, Sandpoint; May 21, 22, Orofino; June 11, 12, Bonners Ferry; July 9, 10, Coeur d'Alene and Sept. 5, 6, Saint Maries. Stop by and which him luck.
Please share information about your accomplishments or those of your colleagues with the ITD community. Send contributions to the e-mail link above.
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Views to Share
Do you have a question related to ITD processes, policies or projects? Has something been puzzling you about why we do what we do? Share your questions using the e-mail link above and let us find the answers.
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April 16, 2010
Planning
Meetings launch Statewide Transportation Plan development
ITD launches a series of regional Economic Outlook Summits April 19-28 that will culminate in a Statewide Transportation Plan that guides project selection for the next two decades. The long-range planning process also includes participation by the Idaho departments of Commerce and Labor and the Governor’s Task Force on Modernizing Transportation Funding.
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Community assistance
Five I-way leadership awards presented
I-way Leadership awards are offered on an annual basis to recognize leadership and innovation in the effective coordination of mobility options. The Community Transportation Association of Idaho (CTAI) and ITD's Division of Public Transportation announce the five recipients of the 2010 I-way Leadership Awards.
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Public transportation
I-way announces leadership award winners
I-way Leadership awards are offered on an annual basis to recognize leadership and innovation in the effective coordination of mobility options. The Community Transportation Association of Idaho (CTAI) and ITD's Division of Public Transportation announce the five recipients of the 2010 I-way Leadership Awards.
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Moscow maintenance worker's son takes 3rd
at national wrestling tournament
Eric Frisbey is among the best in his class. The son of Tim Frisbey, a transportation technician based at the Moscow Maintenance facility, recently finished third in his weight class at a national wrestling tournament. Eric placed third in the 145-pound weight class in competition held in Reno, Nev.
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