The Idaho Transportation Department’s commitment to improved efficiency and service are evident in the realignment of several sections and offices. The transition to smoother operations began this month.

'It is important that we continue to look for ways to improve the way we do business – to make sure that human and financial resources are applied where they can be used most effectively. The changes we implemented are a significant step in that direction.' – ITD Director Dave Ekern

“It is important that we continue to look for ways to improve the way we do business – to make sure that human and financial resources are applied where they can be used most effectively,” explained ITD Director Dave Ekern.

“The changes we implemented are a significant step in that direction. I want to commend Susan Simmons, Jimmy Ross and Charlie Rountree for their initiative, and thank the employees for sharing our vision.”

Based on a series of studies, recommendations and discussions, the Executive Team is taking the next step in transforming ITD into a 21st century organization.

Office of Traffic and Highway Safety
The Office of Highway Safety will be combined with the Traffic Section to become the new Office of Traffic and Highway Safety. Manager Lance Johnson, who has been serving a dual role since last spring, will be in charge of the combined section and will report to Greg Laragan, Assistant Chief Engineer/Operations.

The Office of Highway Safety was a stand-alone entity funded through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Funding and functions (promotion of highway safety through education/awareness campaigns) will not change. However, the new alignment integrates those safety efforts with emergency functions of traffic and brings together offices that have parallel goals and responsibilities, Ross explains.

Office of Transportation Investment
Highway Programming has been transferred to the Division of Planning and will be called the Office of Transportation Investment. The purpose, Ross explains, is to expand the department’s view to capture funding opportunities for all modes of travel, not just highways.

The “investment” function is an attempt to put responsibilities for revenue generationinto one office. Dave Amick will oversee the office that will program and fund multiple modes, developing an investment plan for ITD, including Highways, Aeronautics, Public Transportation and Information Technology. That plan should provide a clearer picture of how the department spends money and provide a better system for accountability and credibility.

“The Executive Management Team has created this department-wide investment office to recognize the department’s intent to depict our goals and accomplishments within a program budgeting framework,” Ekern said. “This framework crosses divisions and funding sources while integrating long-range planning efforts with program investment options.”

All of the basic functions currently performed by the Programming Section will remain the same, including project budgeting and obligation, maintaining project funding policies, plans and programs, integrating projects and program performance measures.

Administrative Services Section
“A new section will be created by combining three existing sections – Supply Services, General Services and Facilities/Building Services,” says Simmons, administrator of the Division of Administrative Services.

“Bringing the three sections together creates a “more streamlined unit and will create opportunities for resource sharing among employees and cross-section utilization of expertise.”

She anticipates very little change in the work, titles or location of employees affected by the restructuring. Current staffing level also will be unchanged, Simmons said.

Kathy Chase, who was in charge of Supply Services, will assume responsibility for the consolidated section. Units combined into the new section include:

“By assessing our current workloads and needs, we have been able to plan carefully to transform ourselves into a progressive, streamlined organization,” Simmons said.