December 24, 2009
Best holiday wishes to the ITD family
 From Acting Director Scott Stokes
It has been a privilege to represent each of you the past few months as Acting Director. I appreciate all that you have done to make the department’s efforts a success during this period. I know you will do the same for Brian Ness when he comes on board in a few weeks.
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Highway safety
Take precautions if holiday includes highway travel
Snow, wind, poor visibility and ice can make winter driving difficult in Idaho so the Idaho Transportation Department reminds drivers to use extra caution when traveling the state's highways this holiday season. Allow extra time to reach destinations. If you must drive in the snow, make sure you and your car are prepared for cold weather and that you know how to handle road conditions.
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Efficiency
Reason report ranks Idaho system 14th best for performance
A national report released last week announced an ITD success that often gets lost in the daily business of operating a transportation system. ITD continues to rank among the nation’s leaders for in terms of management and performance. The Reason Foundation, a nonpartisan public policy research organization based in Washington, D.C., released its 18th annual Report on the Performance of State Highway Systems.
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Reason report news release
Legislature
ITD delegates meet legislators in each district
ITD representatives last week concluded a series of meetings with Idaho Legislators in all six of the administrative districts. Delegations included transportation board chairman Darrell Manning, acting director Scott Stokes, incoming director Brian Ness, governmental affairs manager Mollie McCarty, district engineers and administrative staff. They traveled to Coeur d’Alene and Lewiston on Tuesday (Dec. 15) after meeting with District 3 legislators on Monday.
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Board
LHTAC rural program helps local agencies
The needs are great and the resources limited. That was the message members of the Local Highway Technical Assistance Council delivered to the Idaho Transportation Board when it met in Boise Dec. 17. The report on the Local Rural Highway Investment Program indicates the program remains extremely valuable for local jurisdictions although it addresses only a portion of the needs.
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Construction zone
Patrols reduce crashes, expanded to I-84 east of Boise
Idaho State Police patrols in the Interstate 84 work zone between the Garrity Boulevard and Meridian Road Interchanges significantly reduced the number of injury crashes since the program began in August 2008. Injury crashes dropped from 45 to 25 in the first year of the enhanced patrols.
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Motor vehicles
New year will bring fee increase in many motor vehicle services
Fees for many motor vehicle services in Idaho will increase Jan. 1. The increased fees were approved by the 2009 Idaho Legislature to generate additional funds to maintain and restore state highways and to modernize the Division of Motor Vehicles' computer systems.
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Prepare
FEMA advises travelers to prepare for winter conditions
Federal Emergency Management Agency
With the winter season approaching, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reminds individuals to be prepared for winter storms and extreme cold. While the danger of severe winter weather varies across the country, everyone can benefit by taking a few easy steps now to prepare for emergencies.
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Make a resolution in 2010 to be prepared
With the New Year approaching, the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Ready Campaign reminds Americans to "Resolve to be Ready in 2010." Resolve to be Ready is an annual initiative that encourages individuals, families, businesses and communities to make preparedness a part of their New Year resolutions.
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Board
New member from D-2 takes seat on transportation board
When longtime associate and friend Bruce Sweeney lost his courageous battle with cancer in August, Jan Vassar recognized a new opportunity to serve. She contacted Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter and volunteered her expertise as a possible successor for Sweeney on the Idaho Transportation Board.
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Education
ITD, Nampa school expand TRAC curricula
ITD volunteers returned to the classroom this fall with changes planned for the Transportation and Civil Engineering (TRAC) program the department and the Nampa School District have offered students for the past two years.
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Highways
Training provides refresher on avalanches
Whether it snows a little or a lot across Idaho each winter, one thing you can count on is a succession of snow slides along notorious “avalanche alley” in District 3. The 11-mile section of Idaho 21 between Banner Summit and Grandjean Junction, called Canyon Creek, has 54 avalanche chutes along its steep slopes, contributing about 90 percent of the state’s avalanches.
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First stimulus-funded highway projects completed in D-6
Crews completed construction on a 1.7-mile stretch of Idaho 48 through the Rigby area Friday. Earlier this fall, work was completed on U.S. 20 northbound passing lanes between Island Park Lodge and Red Rock Road and southbound passing lanes between Henry’s Fork Outlet Bridge and Idaho 87.
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Highway safety
Imbibing? Appoint a designated driver
Parties and celebrations are under way so ITD reminds motorists to make this holiday season safer for everyone by choosing not to drive while impaired. ITD's Office of Highway Operations and Safety provides funds through a federal grant for Idaho law enforcement agencies to conduct overtime patrols statewide searching for and arresting drunk or impaired drivers Dec. 18 through New Year's Day.
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News to Share
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Do you have a question related to ITD processes, policies or projects? Has something been puzzling you about why we do what we do? Share your questions using the e-mail link above and let us find the answers. |
