June 19, 2009
Stimulus projects
Apparent low bid for I-84/Vista 54 percent below projection
Central Paving Co. Inc. of Boise is the apparent low bidder for reconstruction of the Vista Avenue Interchange, one of the eight highway construction projects in Idaho that will use federal stimulus funds to create jobs, help boost Idaho's economy and upgrade our infrastructure for future economic growth.
The low bid was for $17.8 million, about 54 percent below the project's estimated cost of $39 million..
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$8.7 million in stimulus funds awarded for public transportation
Idahoans will have improved access to public transportation and increased mobility because of 21 projects receiving federal stimulus funding. Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter approved more than $8.7 million in federal stimulus funding to put more Idahoans to work and improve transportation options. The public transportation projects are calculated to generate or preserve approximately 155 jobs.
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Highways
Groundbreaking to launch Ten Mile Interchange project
A Tuesday (June 23) groundbreaking ceremony will formally launch construction
of the new Ten Mile Interchange over Interstate 84 in Meridian. Construction of the new interchange is scheduled to begin in mid-July and be completed by May 2011. It will help relieve congestion at the Meridian Road Interchange and improve access to the growing area west of Meridian Road.
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Keeping the 'driveway' presentable
Debra Buckner considers U.S. 95 a driveway that leads to Mesa and her Elkhorn Bed and Breakfast. Keep the driveway clean and presentable and visitors will look favorably on the community and her tourist-oriented bed and breakfast. That’s why she claims two segments of the highway as part of the Idaho Transportation Department’s Adopt-A-Highway program..
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Seal Coat season begins
The arrival of spring also marks the beginning of annual paving operations throughout Idaho to improve and preserve the state's roadway surfaces. One of those operations is seal coating. In Idaho, most highway seal coating takes place between June 15 and the end of August. .
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Crews removing slabs of deteriorated I-84
A massive 24-mile resurfacing and surface-treatment project began on I-84 east of Mountain Home early this month. The portion of work now under way involves crack sealing and slab replacement; but in the next few weeks, work will transition into a unique process.
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Carpenter, Sargent emerge as roadeo kings
If Rick Carpenter and Sean Sargent ever wanted to experience the great Rockies in the fall, this is their chance. The two punched tickets to Estes Park, Colo., and the 2009 Western Snow and Ice Conference by claiming first and second place in overall scoring at the state Roadeo recently.
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Aeronautics
ITD pilots connect dots, passengers
ITD’s Division of Aeronautics spent Tuesday connecting the dots – and passengers with their destinations – in perhaps one of the busiest days ever for the state’s twin-engine turboprop King Air. Between its initial 7:42 a.m. departure and its final arrival in Boise at 10:36 p.m. the plane and pilots touched down in Coeur d’Alene, McCall, Lewiston, Spokane and Pullman, Wash. Passengers almost could see themselves coming while going.
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Alternative transportation
ITD earns silver in annual May In Motion
ITD employees are making a positive difference in efforts to improve the Treasure Valley’s air quality and reduce congestion by choosing alternative transportation to reach their work site. Employees stepped up ITD’s participation in this year’s May In Motion program that promotes the use of public transportation, van and carpools, and bicycles.
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Bridge
Groups discuss how to replace remote bridge
Tucked between towering peaks south of Yellow Pine, the single-lane bridge that provides access to the Johnson Creek backcountry airstrip was put into place 50 years ago, the product of a diverse group of volunteers. Groups with equally diverse interests now are assessing the best way to replace the bridge while maintaining river flow, fish movement and vehicle traffic to the popular airstrip.
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ITD Mailbox
Keep up vigilance for aggressive drivers
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District 1's Justin Wuest and wife, prepare for grueling Ironman
 "It's kind of his idea to do this," Holly Wuest said with a smile and glance at her husband, Justin, sitting next to her in the kitchen of their Dalton Gardens home. Justin, 26, an engineer in ITD's District 1, and Holly will compete in the Ford Ironman competition this weekend in Coeur d'Alene. While it will be his second, it will be her first, so he had to do just a little convincing to talk her into signing up.
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Highways
Bids opened on three new stimulus-funded projects
Bids were opened Tuesday on three highway construction projects in Idaho that will use federal stimulus funding, the Idaho Transportation Department announced. Bids were opened last week on Idaho's first highway stimulus project, U.S. 95 Moscow Mountain passing lanes. Bids on a new Vista Interchange on Interstate 84; widening of Interstate 86 in Chubbuck/Pocatello; widening of Idaho 48 near Rigby and phase two of the Twin Falls Alternate Route will be open in June and July.
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Moving van fire shows importance of agreements
Fire engulfed the trailer of a moving van on U.S. 95 south of Grangeville two weeks ago, consuming the trailer contents and igniting a 10-acre fire along the highway shoulder.
Idaho’s primary north-south highway was blocked for approximately three hours while responders extinguished the fire and cleared the debris during the busy weekend travel.
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Weigh In Motion scale repairs should extend life span
ITD’s Port of Entry system recently had work done on the three Weigh-In-Motion (WIM) scales in Idaho – in Boise and Lewiston – to prolong the useful life of the scales. The work, performed by the same contractor that installed the WIM scales, International Road Dynamics (IRD), involved removal of dirt and grease build-up and anything else that could hinder the WIM technology or the scales themselves.
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Technology
Installation of new phone system bringing changes
Telephone connections between the districts and Headquarters will change with introduction of a new phone system, explains Dave Merriweather of the Enterprise Technology Services Project Management Office. The new VoIP (voice over Internet protocol) recently was installed in districts 4 and 6; other districts will follow,
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Employees
New partners join PerksCard program
The Perks pot has gotten a little sweeter. A number of businesses recently joined the family of ITD friends that offer great discounts and savings for employees who present their PerksCard.
The program, which is free to ITD employees, provides cardholders and their families discounts from “featured merchants.” In addition to local discounts, the PerksCard gives employees the ability to save through online shopping, printable coupons and gift card purchases.
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Highway safety
Aggressive drivers put on notice: chill or pay bill
Tailgating, changing lanes without notice, speeding, running yellow lights, or ignoring traffic signs makes you an aggressive driver and ITD wants you to know that law enforcement patrols will be watching for you. The transportation department joins with law enforcement agencies across Idaho to make the state's highways safer by funding increased aggressive driving enforcement patrols June 12-21.
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News to Share
 
An ITD 10-wheel truck proved to be more exciting than a piece of new playground equipment for kindergarten students in Cascade recently. Megan Conner, whose father Dan works for the Cascade Maintenance section arranged for truck to visit Cascade Elementary School May 29. Students were especially enthralled with the horn and tarp that covers the truck bed. Dan also took the opportunity to give the kids a safety lesson.
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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