Position reassignment HQ to transfer positions to districts to meet service needs Seven vacant positions at Headquarters will be reassigned to the districts as part of ITD’s commitment to address customer service needs and fill positions that best meet those needs, Deputy Director Scott Stokes announced today (Nov. 21). This action is an important step in working with Idaho Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter to reduce administrative costs, explains ITD Director Pam Lowe. She said the transfer stems from an ongoing analysis of the department’s activities to ensure that resources – including personnel – are applied where they will best serve Idahoans. Continue

Peer review
Preliminary report provided to board members
As part of its commitment to fully assess operational efficiencies and effectiveness, this fall ITD turned to a group of its peers for a thorough review. The American Society of Civil Engineers recently completed its review of ITD’s processes and presented a summary of the review to transportation board members Thursday in Boise. A full written review might be available before Thanksgiving, said Gary Erickson who led the ASCE team.
Continue

---

Highways
Davis knows Idaho 52 like his back yard
The next time you travel one of Idaho’s many scenic back roads, take a moment to reflect on the sound of gravel beneath your tires. Oh sure, the mountains loom on all sides, and the lakes and rivers beckon, but the dark patchwork and freshly painted lines on the road are signs that ITD’s engineers and construction workers care about your safety. They’re hard at work year-round to ensure your trips are as trouble-free as possible. Danny Davis is among the cadre of ITD workers who has dedicated much of his life to the effort. 
Continue


New flashing left arrow to replace green 'balls'
Motorists in southwest Idaho are noticing a new light guiding their way through intersections.  ITD has introduced a new Flashing Yellow Arrow (FLA) at a few intersections, like those cropping up in eastern Oregon and elsewhere across the country. The newest flashing arrow is planned for a traffic signal at the intersection of 3rd and American Legion Boulevard in Mountain Home.
Continue

---

DMV
HQ to discontinue services at counter
Plans are under way to close the Driver Services walk-in customer service counter at the Headquarters office, effective at the close of business on Dec. 31.  After that date, all driver services will be conducted by phone, the Internet, fax and mail.

Continue

---

Employees
Headquarters to presents service awards
The Idaho Transportation Board and employees at Headquarters honored colleagues this week who have reached career milestones, including nine veteran employees who retired during the first half of 2008. The service awards were presented as part of the transportation board’s meeting in the Headquarters auditorium.
Continue

---

Highway safety
Patrols to watch for impaired drivers
Make the right choice and don't drive impaired this Thanksgiving holiday because law enforcement agencies statewide are dedicating additional time and deploying extra patrols to catch and arrest impaired drivers. The goal of the holiday safety effort that continues through Nov. 30 is to reduce deaths and serious injuries on Idaho highways caused by impaired drivers.
Continue

---

Transportation funding
Revenue for trust fund continues to lag
The Highway Trust Fund, the federal government's primary source for financing highway, bridge and transit projects, took in $3 billion fewer in Fiscal Year 2008 as Americans drove 90 billion miles less over 11 months of the same fiscal year, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters announced this week. The trend underscores the need to find a new way to finance transportation projects in America, she added.
Continue

---

Environment

Governor joins EcoDriving campaign
Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter Tuesday joined the EcoDriving movement – a comprehensive, nationwide effort to save consumers money at the gas pump, reduce fuel use and cut carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. "It's amazing what we can achieve when we're all headed in the same direction," Gov. Otter said. "These are mostly common-sense things that don’t require real sacrifice – just time, attention and a willingness to do our part."
Continue

---

ITD Mailbox
Finest attributes of civil service
Continue

Published previously

Employee survey (Deadline is Dec. 3)
Benchmarking survey available online
Employees are most productive in a work environment that recognizes and values their contributions and promotes opportunities for professional growth. ITD administrators, with support from the transportation board, have commissioned a study to assess the strengths of the work environment and identify areas where improvement is needed. The survey is available now for employees to complete online.
Continue
[Go to the survey.]
Frequently Asked Questions

---

Maintenance
Two ITD employees compete at national event
Two ITD maintenance employees experienced the rigors of national competition for equipment operating and knowledge for the first time this year. Mike Allen, of the District 2 Bovill maintenance facility, and Pete McGuire, District 4, Fairfield maintenance, joined Rex Hufford at the 2008 Western Snow & Ice Conference in Estes Park, Colo., this fall.
Continue

---

Bridges

Farrar chosen to head national technical committee
Matt Farrar, ITD’s Bridge Engineer, recently was appointed chairman of an AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials) subcommittee on bridges. He will head the T-18 Technical Committee for Bridge Management, Evaluation and Rehabilitation. It is one of 20 technical committees organized under AASHTO’s subcommittee on Bridges and Structures.
Continue

---

Employees
Questions from administrative tour answered
When ITD administrators met with employees throughout the state earlier this summer, they fielded a number of questions related to the department’s organization and operations. The commitment was to answer as many of those questions as possible. Following are responses to some of the key questions employees raised during the tour:
Continue

---

Networking
ITD network helps General Election process
Idahoans from Priest River to Preston, from Island Park to Murphy followed results of the 2008 general election through local media. They received regular updates on the Presidential and Congressional races, state legislative races and local issues. What they didn’t see, however, was the information network that connected offices in all 44 counties with the Secretary of State’s office in Boise.
Continue

HRD training schedule
	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.