April 8, 2011

Highways
State highways victimized by rockslides
A rock slide about three miles north of Banks on Idaho 55 closed the highway from around noon on Sunday until about 5:45 p.m. on Monday. ITD crews worked on Monday to remove loose rocks from a hillside three miles north of Banks. Debris had been falling from the mountainside for three or four days, but around 10 a.m. Sunday the hillside shifted and debris slid over the guard rail and onto the highway, said Dan Davis, the ITD supervisor for Banks and Cascade.

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ITD preparing for arrival of rushing water
Rapid warming usually comes as good news in almost every regard for the travelers who’ve been cooped up inside all winter … but not always. As temperatures warm, the winter snowpack thaws and spring rains arrive, escalating the potential for flooding across the state. ITD’s District 3, along with most other districts, already is preparing for the rushing runoff.

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Technology
Smartphones become newest security concern
Smartphones shipped worldwide have surpassed personal computer shipments for the first time, according to International Data Corporation (IDC) statistics for the last business quarter. Many of those phones will be used for much more than just making calls. That’s more people using smartphones to visit websites, manage social media postings, send and receive e-mail and even access important business documents.
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Highway safety
ITD supports campaign to reduce speeding
Excessive speed causes too many motor vehicle crashes that result in serious injuries or deaths, so ITD is partnering with Idaho law enforcement agencies in a campaign to "Stop Speeding Before it Stops You." The aggressive driving education and enforcement campaign began Thursday (April 7) and continues through April 18. Law enforcement agencies statewide will step up patrols to catch speeders on all roads in Idaho.
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Accolades
D-3 praised for helping USFS dispose of weed
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) U.S. Forest Service early this month formally commended District 3 for its assistance in cleaning up and disposing of illegal marijuana-growing operations. The letter of commendation specifically referred to the dramatic increase in the number of pot-growing sites in southwest Idaho the last few years,

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Records
ITD acknowledges Records/Information Management month
In April, Records Professionals in all occupations refocus energies on the importance of managing information in all formats to benefit their co-workers and organizations. April is recognized as Records and Information Management Month. Please visit our web
site for links to ITD Records Retention Schedules, Forms Management, and the Imaging Center, as well as helpful links to other RIM information available.
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Employees
Newsletter focuses on confining health insurance costs
Are you looking for new ways to control your household costs? How about reducing your healthcare expenses? Blue Cross of Idaho, the state’s health insurance provider, recently sent an e-mail newsletter to employees with suggestions on how to save money on medical costs without compromising on quality of care.

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Preparedness
What happens when you dial 9-1-1?
Dialing 9-1-1 is the first step in receiving aid in an emergency. Dispatchers stand
by, 24 hours a day, seven days a week ready to receive your call and direct the appropriate aid to your situation. But they cannot do it alone, the caller plays a key role in getting the right help to the right location. April is national 9-1-1 Education Month, a time for everyone to learn how to help themselves by providing the best possible information to emergency dispatchers.
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Encore
Published April 1, 2011

Legislative audit
Report compliments ITD's aggressive response, progress

ITD responded swiftly and aggressively to address recommendations of a 2009 performance audit requested by the Idaho Legislature, according to an Office of Performance Evaluation progress report issued Monday (March 28). A two-year summary of progress shows the department has met most of the actions identified and is making steady progress on the remaining items.

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Project Development
Two-day conference to feature Mary Peters, awards banquet
Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters will be among the speakers featured at the 2011 Project Development Conference, April 26, 27, at the Boise Centre on the Grove in Boise. This year’s focus is on “Smooth & Safe: Balancing the green, black & white.” Sponsored by ITD every two years, the conference includes a full day of general sessions on Tuesday, April 26, the Excellence in Transportation Awards Banquet. and approximately 24 breakout sessions the following day
.
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District 5
Sit-down interview with D-5 Engineer Ed Bala
Idaho State Journal
Ed Bala is the district engineer with the Idaho Transportation Department for District 5, which covers an area from Utah to Idaho Falls, east to Wyoming and west to Raft River.
Q. How long have you lived in Pocatello and what brought you here?
A. Thirteen years now. I got a promotion for my job. I had been working for ITD in the Rigby office before that.

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