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Idaho Transportation
Department

Office of Communications
P.O. Box 7129
Boise, ID 83707
208.334.8005
Fax: 208.334.8563
E-mail

October 17, 2008

 

– – – Centerline – – –

ITD positioned well to weather economic storm
Those of you who have been part of the department very long have experienced the best of times; today, unfortunately, we’re in the midst of some of our most challenging times. I share your concern as you watch the stock market, the status of the nation’s financial institutions and, closer to home, the economic health of state government in Idaho.
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Cyber security
ITD urges computer users to be cautious
ITD joins other state agencies in observing national Cyber Security Awareness month in October, promoting safety and security when using the Internet and e-mail. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Cyber Security Division and the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center sponsor the observance nationally as a way to promote consistent cyber security awareness across all states.
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Highways
I-84 bridges ideal candidates for off-site build, transport
When Jim McMinimee addressed representatives of ITD and the GARVEE Transportation Program in September, he brought the state one step closer to a new method of accelerated bridge construction. Called Self-Propelled Modular Transport, the method uses heavy-duty rollers to transport prefabricated bridge segments into place within hours. ITD will use the technology in December to transport the new I-84, Robinson Boulevard and Black Cat Road bridges in Nampa and Meridian.
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Aeronautics
ITD will continue to take lead in air searches
Who really carries the responsibility for the search? The county sheriff? The Civil Air Patrol (CAP)? The Bureau of Homeland Security? Who? The Division Aeronautics has formally held the responsibility for the aerial search for lost and missing airmen and aircraft since Title 21-114 was first passed in 1947. Currently, as stated in Idaho statutes, “…Search and rescue coordination shall be under the direction and supervision of the chief of the Bureau of Homeland Security within the Military Division, with aerial search operations coordinated by the department, Division of Aeronautics.
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Aero to offer flight instrujctor, pilot clinic in Idaho Falls

A Flight Instructor Refresher Clinic/Pilot Safety Clinic, approved by the Federal Aviation Administration, will be presented by ITD's Division of Aeronautics Oct. 24 and 25 in Idaho Falls. All pilots, regardless of certificate or rating, are welcome to attend. The clinic will be at the La Ritz Hotel and Suites. Sessions will run from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Friday (Oct. 24) and from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday (Oct. 25).
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District 4

Maintenance crews add salt to winter diet
District 4 is adding a new weapon to its arsenal of winter-fighting tactics by introducing saline brine to plows this winter – following other districts and states in the battle against snow and ice.
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Use your head to avoid outdoor disasters
This time of the year many of us have been planning for months to go on an outdoor adventure — hunting, fishing, climbing, or just camping out and shooting photos. One needs to prepare for a possible survival situation, even on a guided trip prepare yourself for your own survival. Survival begins long before the trip. The acronym PACK reminds us of essential elements needed to survive the unexpected.
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Also see Interchange, the District 4 newsletter

Highway safety
Officers to crack down on school zone speeders
Enhanced work-zone patrols on I-84 between the Garrity and Meridian interchanges have been extremely effective in reducing accidents and increasing awareness, the Idaho Transportation Department announced. In fact, incidents involving personal injury have been cut in half. The Idaho State Police (ISP), through an agreement with ITD, has been performing enhanced patrols for several months in the 12-mile work zone.
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ITD Mailbox
Valuable public transportation asset
Thanks for sponsoring architecture conference
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Published previously

Environment
Betty Butterfly to lead Idaho campaign
A monarch butterfly has begun a long adventure across Idaho, visiting classrooms, county and state fairs, clubs and organizations – anyplace she will find children with receptive ears. Betty will be accompanied by a cadre of officially christened friends as part of an ITD campaign to protect the environment and keep it clean.
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Weiser bridge
Work continues on new Idaho, Oregon link
For more than 100 years, a bridge has spanned the Snake River in Weiser. The original bridge was built in 1903. An additional span was added in 1911, and traffic signals came in 1949. In the 1950s, the bridge was replaced. Now it is happening again - by next fall, a new structure will connect Annex, Oregon to Weiser.
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Headquarters
Department schedules review by American Society of Engineers
Surveys are under way and a professional review of engineering services is coming soon as part of ITD’s on-going commitment to efficiency under the leadership of Director Pamela K. Lowe. The Department has scheduled a Peer Review with the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). The objective of the review is to improve the management and quality of engineering services in order to better serve the public.
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Employees
New high-visibility clothes to be required on work near highways
Civilian clothes for anyone working in the rights-of-way on federal aid highways – whether they are ITD employees, contract workers, emergency personnel or the news media – will no longer be adequate in the rights-of-way on many of Idaho’s highways beginning next month. A new rule, requiring the use of high-visibility safety clothing, will go into effect Nov. 24
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USDOT implements new rule for drug re-testing
The U.S. Department of Transportation issued new rules in June that improve protections against cheating on drug and alcohol tests. New rules include the mandatory use of specimen validity testing. Recently, the USDOT received petitions from some transportation labor and management organizations asking that the Aug. 25 effective date be postponed for two provisions of the rule concerning the direct observation of urine collections. 
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HRD training schedule

  Oct. 28-30 Basic Communication
  Nov. 18-20 Intermediate Communication
  Dec. 9-11 Introduction to Supervision
This schedule represents training classes available at Headquarters. For schedules at specific districts, please contact your EST or refer to the training calendar.