December 11, 2009
Transportation board
Gov. Otter appoints former Lewiston city manager
Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter Thursday announced the appointment today of Jan Vassar, former longtime city manager of Lewiston, to fill the Idaho Transportation Board vacancy left by the death of Bruce Sweeney in August. Sweeney’s term was due to expire at the end of January 2010.
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Dealer Advisory to give annual report Thursday
Bobby Petersen, chairman of the Dealer Advisory Board, will summarize activities and accomplishments of the past year with the Idaho Transportation Board when it meets in Boise Thursday. The Dealer Advisory Board (DAB) was established to assist and advise ITD in the administration of and activities related to motor vehicle dealers and salesmen licensing.
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Cover story
ITD equipment buy-back featured in Caterpillar magazine
Steve Spoor has become a celebrity of sorts. He has a magazine cover as proof. Spoor’s image and account of ITD’s successful heavy equipment buy-back program are featured as a cover story in the fall issue of Caterpillar’s magazine “Governmental Solutions,” which is devoted to corporate and government relationships.
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Technology
Maintenance sheds connected to the world
Until recently, the best way to reach some of ITD’s remote maintenance sheds was to drive there. Connectivity using telephones, cell phones and computer networks - was unreliable in many locations. Major improvements to the information highway are changing that. ITD has invested heavily in bringing all but a few of the rural maintenance facilities onto the department’s network
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The reviews are in...
New password standards to into effect Jan. 4
If your e-mail password doesn’t look like something a toddler produced on your keyboard, it might be too simple to meet the state’s new security standards. Enterprise Technology Services announced earlier this year a move to make ITD’s passwords standards comply with new policies and guidelines of the state’s Information Technology Resource Management Council (ITRMC).
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Highways
Apparent low bidder announced for U.S. 95 stimulus project
Interstate Concrete and Asphalt of Coeur d'Alene is the apparent low bidder on a project that will eliminate a two-lane, two-mile bottleneck on U.S. 95 north of Hayden. Bids were opened Thursday in Boise. The project will widen a two-lane section of U.S. 95, between Wyoming Avenue and the Idaho 53 junction, to connect with four-lane segments on both ends.
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511 system
Campaign seeks to continue increased use of 511 system
Three years ago, during the heart of the winter driving season (Nov. through Feb.), 350,000 people checked the relatively new 511 Traveler Services to learn about travel conditions on Idaho highways. Use of the free Web-based and telephone system has increased dramatically since then.
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Public Transportation
Grant applications available to providers Dec. 14
The Division of Public Transportation, in cooperation with a number of local and regional planning organizations, announced this week the availability of federal and state mobility grants for fiscal year 2011. Applications for public transportation project grants will be available Monday (Dec. 14).
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Preparedness
Why develop a Continuity of Operations Plan?
Brilliant chemist and researcher, Louis Pasteur once said, “Luck favors the prepared.” This advice is very true – not only in our personal preparedness but also in business preparedness. Every business or other public organization (non-profits etc.) should have a disaster plan, also known as a Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP).
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Governor encourages employees to get H1N1 vaccination
As you know, the H1N1 pandemic flu virus continues to spread and cause serious illnesses to Idaho residents. Almost 400 people have been hospitalized since September 1. Sadly, H1N1 has contributed to the deaths of 17 people in our state. We expect the virus to continue circulating, with the possibility of another wave of infections occurring during the coming months. But there is something you can do to protect yourselves and your families if you act now.
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Softball
Team(s) forming for annual tournament
ITD will field at least one team – or more, depending on response – for the annual State Softball tournament tentatively scheduled for May 22, according to coordinator Ruth Numoz. The player fees are determined by the number of participants on each team. Fees likely will range between $15 and $20 per person. Anyone interested in playing for ITD in the tournament is encouraged to contact Munoz at 334-8044.
Women in Transportation
ITD named Employer of Year
The Idaho Transportation Department is a pretty good place to work. That was the assessment of the Treasure Valley chapter of Women in Transportation, which presented ITD with the Employer of the Year award during at Thursday ceremony in Boise. Acting Director Scott Stokes accepted the award on behalf of ITD’s workforce of 1,833 employees.
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Highways
2009 was a banner year for D-3 construction
Construction trucks and road equipment were everywhere in District 3 during 2009; from plowing forward in the monumental task of building the second generation of I-84 to resurfacing Idaho Highway 44 (State Street), giving motorists a silky smooth new driving surface.
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Ten Mile Bridge coming down
The Ten Mile bridge over I-84 is coming down Dec. 11, the last of three long-standing interstate bridges (all over 40 years of age) in the Treasure Valley that will have disappeared since late October. First it was the old Orchard bridge that came down Oct. 23 & 24. The demolition on Vista bridge started Nov. 30.
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Employees
District 6 honors employees for service, safety
D-6 Engineer Blake Rindlisbacher
and Assistant D-6 Engineer Karen
Hiatt presented service and safety
awards to employees at the district
benefit luncheons this spring and fall. District 6 administrators offer their congratulations to their colleagues.
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News to Share
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Views to Share
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