August 13, 2010

Transportation board
Tour of northern Idaho projects planned as part of District 1 visit
The Idaho Transportation Board will visit several major construction sites north of Coeur d’Alene next week as part of its scheduled tour and business meeting Wednesday and Thursday. The annual trip to northern Idaho will begin with a tour on Wednesday. The first stop will be at the U.S. 2, Dover Bridge project where a 1937-vintage structure over the Union Pacific Railroad tracks is being replaced.

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Innovation
ITD, Utah State find economical solution to canal current
In the spring of 2009, crews first noticed a problem in the New York Canal near ITD's Interstate 84/Orchard Road project. As the water in the canal rushed past the bridge piers, it created an alternating vortex behind the piers. The frequency of the alternating thrusts of the water, combined with the natural frequency of the channel, created an “alternating wave oscillation harmonics” in the channel that began to erode the banks south of the canal. If left unchecked, the erosion could have compromised the integrity of the bridge.

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Highway safety
Law enforcement to step up Labor Day patrols
For many, Labor Day signals the end of summer and offers a time for families and friends to gather for one last celebration of the season. ITD encourages those who plan to party to make the right choice and not drive impaired. Law enforcement officers throughout Idaho will participate in a high-visibility impaired driving enforcement campaign Aug. 27 through Sept. 7. The campaign is part of a nationwide Labor Day education and enforcement campaign targeting drunk driving.
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Education
Magic Camp introduces girls to construction activities
There’s no slight-of-hand or levitation, but Magic Camp still will offer some intrigue and challenges for girls interested in construction. Magic Camp is designed to teach young women about carpentry, masonry, and electrical skills. The camp is sponsored by the Boise Chapter (No. 245) of the National Association of Women in Construction, in partnership with Renaissance Magnet High School Professional Technical Education Center and other community sponsors.
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DMV
New kiosk helps speed payment transactions
The kiosk in the lobby of the Headquarters building was installed to make it more convenient for customers paying license reinstatements, registration renewals, obtaining driving records and accessing permits and commercial vehicle transactions. For that reason, the terminals also are located in select Ports of Entry - East Boise, Sage Junction, Heutter and Inkom. This one in the HQ Lobby has been in use for about three weeks.

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Wedding bells

ETS, Financial Services employees exchange vows
Chuck Clevenstine, who works in Enterprise Technology Services at Headquarters, met Sharron Svir of Financial Serves while on break a year ago. The ensuring friendship led to an exchange of wedding vows July 17 in Lake Tahoe. Congratulations to the newlyweds..
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Encore
July 30, 2010

Aeronautics
Reed Ranch Airstrip joins backcountry system
Pilots now have a new opportunity to appreciate the beauty of Idaho’s pristine mountains and remote valleys – from the air and from the ground. At the same time, they can touch a colorful piece of Idaho history. With a few touchdowns and a gala “tailgate” party, the Reed Ranch Airstrip formally became part of Idaho’s backcountry airstrip system Friday (July 30).

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Highways
ITD receives excellence award for 'Northwest Passage' project
ITD's Office of Highway Operations and Safety (OHOS) received a national excellence award for its work to develop a "Northwest Passage Pooled Fund" project, The award was for "The Best New Innovative Practice," and was presented recently at the National Rural Intelligent Transportation Systems conference in Huntington, W.Va., according to OHOS Engineer Brent Jennings.
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