March 18, 2011
Steady rain in the Treasure Valley this week resulted in rising water levels on the Weiser River and a temporary closure of U.S. 95. Winter snowpacks and lingering cool weather could increase the risk of flooding and highway closures this spring.
Transportation board
Friends, colleagues offer tribute to retiring Neil Miller
In an emotional farewell to colleagues on the transportation board and in the department, Neil Miller called his 15-year ride a grand learning experience. Although his term formally expired on January 31, Miller agreed to continue serving on the transportation board until Gov. Otter names, and the Legislature confirms, a replacement. He is planning to participate in the April board meeting and District 2 tour in Lewiston.
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Employees
Board honors 51 for employment milestones
The Idaho Transportation Board joined ITD colleagues, friends and family this week in acknowledging employees who achieved longevity milestones in their professional careers. Fifty-one employees reached new plateaus, including 13 who marked five years of employment, 11 who reached 20 years and nine who have worked 15 years.
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Dansereau, Davis honored for safety, maintenance
Dave Dansereau and Dan Davis, both from District 3’s maintenance force, were honored as ITD Maintenance and Safety Persons of the Year Thursday in a service awards ceremony at Headquarters. Dansereau, who wore the hats of foreman for both the Special Crew and Boise Maintenance crews for half of 2010, started with ITD in November of 2000 after spending four years as an hourly employee. Davis, the Banks Maintenance foreman, has been with the department since 1981.
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Golf league to begin signups this month
The ITD Twilight Golf League Committee is starting to organize for the 2011 season. The league will play at Shadow Valley again (along Idaho 55) on Mondays. We are anticipating a shotgun start around 5:30 p.m. There is a nominal entry fee, approximately $40, to cover various league expenses and the last night of golf, plus the weekly green fees of $19 for 9 holes. Carts are optional at an additional cost.
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Credit union building new branch; annual meeting scheduled
Icon Credit Union recently broke ground for construction of a new branch facility located on Overland Road in Meridian. The branch will be approximately 5,000 sq. ft. and will include a large "community" conference room that will be available for non-profit groups to use for meetings. The new location is on the SW corner of the intersection across the street from Wahooz and Roaring Springs water park in Meridian.
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Accolades
ITD considered for 'Better Government' award
ITD’s effort to become the best transportation department in the country is continuing to gain national attention. Less than one month after Governing Magazine featured ITD’s performance dashboard in its “Idea Center” feature, another better government organization is asking the department to share its innovative ideas. The Pioneer Institute, a non-partisan public policy research institute, sponsors an annual “Better Government Competition.” The institute searches for the most innovative ideas from government, private sector, and non-profit organizations.
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Fernandez named engineering 'Fellow'
Nestor Fernandez joined an elite group of professional engineers this week when he was selected to be a National Society of Professional Engineers Fellow. Michael Hardy, president of the national organization, notified Fernandez of the selection Saturday (March 12). Fernandez is only one of three engineers in Idaho to hold the "Fellow" distinction, he said. Fernandez has been the ITD roadway design engineer since 2007, succeeding Damon Allen. Before accepting that position, he helped guide Idaho’s largest highway expansion program – GARVEE (Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle).
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Highways
Idaho 3 honors Medal of Honor recipients
COEUR d'ALENE - Private donations and veteran groups plan to pay for signs designating State Highway 3 as the "North Idaho Medal of Honor Highway." Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter recently signed a law regarding the highway that spans about 120 miles and connects U.S. 12 near Spalding with Interstate 90 near Rose Lake.
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Head
Credit union building new branch; annual meeting scheduled
Icon Credit Union recently broke ground for construction of a new branch facility located on Overland Road in Meridian. The branch will be approximately 5,000 sq. ft. and will include a large "community" conference room that will be available for non-profit groups to use for meetings. The new location is on the SW corner of the intersection across the street from Wahooz and Roaring Springs Water park in Meridian.
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Preparedness
Spring thaws bring cautions about flooding
The sound of a river or stream gently rippling over the rocks is extremely tranquil. It is one of the factors that creates a strong desire for us to recreate or live near rivers. The wildlife and vegetation of riparian habitats also draw us to the water. Our region is fortunate to have the beauty of rivers flowing through it. But every rose has its thorn. Rivers do not always ripple; at times, they roar. March 14-18, 2011 is Flood Awareness Week, nationally. It is the time we all need to think about the roar of the river.
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Disaster
Red Cross provides links to earthquake survivors, families
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), working closely with the Japanese Red Cross, has launched a special “Family Links” website to help people seeking to re-establish contact with family members and friends after the recent earthquake and tsunami.in Meridian.
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Encore
Published March 11, 2011
Realignment
Project Management Office moves to Administration
The Project Management Office, or PMO, has been an integral part of the Enterprise Technology Services (ETS) group since it was created several years ago. It is composed of a team of highly professional project managers, enterprise architects and support staff that collectively manage a project portfolio of more than $50 million.
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Technology
Boise area's first computer housed at highways
Philo T. Farnsworth. Even if the name is not familiar, the average American family owes a large part of their daily entertainment to him. His invention, the television, is center stage every evening in most homes. Computers are central to life and work now, too. Life without them is difficult to imagine. Though not quite on a par with Farnsworth, ITD also was a pioneer of sorts.
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Highway safety
Traffic deaths continue decline in January, February
Efforts to improve safety for motorists on Idaho highways appears to be paying off with a continuing decline in motor vehicle fatalities – a three-year trend that extends into the first quarter of 2011. Preliminary data from the Office of Highway Safety and Operations show 209 motor vehicle fatalities occurred in Idaho during 2010. That is down from 226 fatalities in 2009 and from 232 fatalities in 2008.
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Don't depend on luck if you drink on St. Patrick's Day
If St. Patrick’s Day celebrations include green beer or other spirits, don’t depend on good luck to get home. ITD reminds motorists to make the right choice to drink responsibly and not drive impaired. Statewide, an impaired driving high-visibility education and enforcement campaign is under way through March 22.
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Accolades
FHWA presents 'Partnering Award' to D-1's Sorensen
Gus Shanine, deputy division administrator for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in Boise, presented an FHWA partnership award to Sandpoint Resident Engineer Ken Sorensen, for his outstanding leadership efforts. The presentation was made at the recent ITD/AGC annual meeting for districts 1 and 2 in Coeur d’Alene.
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Employees
Credit union offers free financial management tool
Icon Credit Union, created as a financial institution for transportation employees, recently announced the newest member benefit – Accel Members Financial Management that provides free access to money management and financial education services. Icon Credit Union has teamed up with Accel, a financial management program. Through comprehensive education and exceptional service, this organization has been assisting individuals for more than 40 years.
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