May 7, 2010
Scenic byways
Ceremony officially opens Thousand Springs kiosk
U.S. Highway 30 was once the only way to travel from one end of the Magic Valley to the other as it winded through farms and little communities following the old Oregon Trail south of the Snake River canyon. Then came the interstate and the draw of higher-speed travel. Decades later, many travelers are once again finding out what it was like on the highways, discovering the local culture and seeing the natural wonders hidden from drivers on Interstate 84.
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Highways
Idaho 21 avalanche closures hit record low
For the second straight winter, a new standard has been set for keeping the state’s notorious "Avalanche Alley" section of Idaho 21 between the Grandjean Junction turnoff and Banner Summit open during the avalanche season. This winter, there were four closures, totaling nine days. That broke the record of 21 days, set last year.
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I-84/Vista interchange receives engineering award
The accolades keep mounting for the reconstruction project at the I-84, Vista Interchange in Boise. The American Society of Civil Engineers (Southern Idaho Chapter) awarded Stanley Consultants, the group that designed Vista, with the Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement award April 27. It was the fourth award for the project.
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New message signs to be activated
Crews will activate two large highway reader boards in eastern Idaho - near Pocatello and the Bingham-Bonneville County Line - late this month, the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) announced. The two large electronic message boards are near Applebee's restaurant on northbound Interstate 15 in Pocatello and half-a-mile north of the Bingham-Bonneville county line on northbound I-15 in Bonneville County.
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Planning
Public input helps guide ITD decisions
Input is being gathered at statewide meetings on how the transportation department can best help the state’s economy reach $60 billion in goods and services, while improving safety and mobility on Idaho highways. Meetings were held in April in Pocatello, Coeur d’Alene, Lewiston, Twin Falls and Idaho Falls with legislators, chambers of commerce, economic development associations, city planners and engineers, among others.
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ITD, Commerce officials tour Idaho's port
When most people think of the Port of Lewiston, images of grain-laden barges and tug-boats come to mind. But with a downturn in shipping, the port is working with businesses that aren’t normally associated with a waterfront. During a recent tour of the port by staff with the Department of Commerce and Idaho Transportation Department, the port’s general manager discussed strategies to increase revenue.
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Restoration
Retired ITD supervisor helps to preserve depot
For a dozen years now, Jim West, Supply Operations Supervisor in District 1, has spent much of his free time moonlighting in District 2. Not working for ITD, but for his 501c3 nonprofit organization based in Potlatch. West began the Washington, Idaho & Montana Railway History Preservation Group (HPG, for short) in 1998.
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Bike safety
OHOS, D-5 help to provide bike helmets
ITD’s Office of Highway Operations and Safety (OHOS) will joined forces with the Portnuef Greenway Foundation and the Portnuef Bike to Work Committee to distribute free bicycle helmets to children that might not otherwise have the protection they need.
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April 30, 2010
Direct from the Director
 — Thanks for the excellent work you do —
ITD employees,
There is a special week in Idaho - a time when we say thank you for everything you do as an ITD employee. The Idaho Legislature set aside the week of May 3rd through the 7th as Public Employee Recognition Week. I fully support the concept, but would like to think this appreciation extends throughout the entire year.
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Employees
Ten ideas for employee appreciation activities
Do what you can to celebrate your employees during this special week, but don’t just make recognition a once-a-year affair. Examine your daily recognition practices and make Employee Appreciation the beginning of a new company attitude! Here are 10 idea provokers to show your appreciation to all employees.
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Excellence in Transportation
ITD honors three projects, long-time employee
Four projects that represent outstanding achievement in transportation were honored this week with annual Excellence in Transportation Awards. Director Brian Ness announced the recipients Wednesday during a ceremony at Headquarters. Categories included construction, public participation, environmental stewardship/maintenance and operations, and career achievement.
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Airport kiosk
CIP nominates information center for national award
Already a two-time award winner this year, the ITD information kiosk at the Boise Airport has been nominated for a third award in a nationwide competition sponsored by the American Road and Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA). Connecting Idaho Partners, a joint venture of URS and CH2M HILL, nominated the kiosk and informational campaign that supports the GARVEE Transportation Program.
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Highways
UI sorority knows how to clean house
Many members of Delta Gamma Nu sorority at the University of Idaho weren’t born when their predecessors first adopted a highway for semiannual cleanups. But two decades later, they remain committed to continuing the volunteer legacy as part of ITD’s Adopt-A-Highway cleanup efforts. Delta Gamma Nu has been cleaning a two-mile section of U.S. 95 south of Moscow (mileposts 340 to 342) as a way of giving back to the community.
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Highway safety
Officers honored for going extra mile
Three Idaho law enforcement officers were honored with “Beyond the Traffic Stop” awards Wednesday (April 28) during the 2010 Highway Safety Summit organized by ITD in Boise. Sgt. Brenda Smith, Post Falls Police Department, Officer Jeremy Barnes, Lewiston Police Department, and Officer Ryan Hayes, Montpelier Police Department, received awards for traffic enforcement efforts that also succeeded in capturing criminals or stopping criminal activity.
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Motorcycle awareness
Motorists urged to give second look for motorcycles
May is Motorcycle Awareness month and rallies are planned across the state so the Idaho Transportation Department is partnering with Idaho STAR and Idaho Coalition for Motorcycle Safety to encourage drivers to "Look Twice for Motorcyclists, They are Everywhere." Throughout May, motorists will be reminded to be extra alert and cautious when driving to help keep motorcycle riders safe on Idaho highways.
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ITD plays role in encouraging motorcycle safety
Things are indeed going well. I picked up the first of the motorcycle awareness postcards and have distributed 3,000 in just two days. We have barely begun. The response has been excellent. No one has said they would not mail out at least a few, and many folks wanted 10 to 20. We will be making them available at our 25th anniversary Motorcycle Awareness Rally on May 1st and hope to pass out 3,000 or so. Others are getting them spread out around the state.
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News to Share
Woods's children place at state youth bowling tournament
The State Youth Bowling Tournament was held in Coeur d’Alene this year. My son, Jonathan Wood, and his partner, Ciarra, took 1st place in the doubles competition, and my daughter, Kimberly Wood, took 2nd place in singles. On a 146 average, she bowled a 131, 246 (100 pins over average) and a 196 with handicap for a total of 718. I am very proud of them.
– Lois Wood, GARVEE Program office
Please share information about your accomplishments or those of your colleagues with the ITD community. Send contributions to the e-mail link above. |
Views to Share
Question: Why is that as inspectors for ITD we are required to check contractors' certified payroll to make sure that they meet Davis Bacon ( Fed requirement) pay, and ITD workers working on the same job site are not checked for the same federal requirement?
Answer: Davis-Bacon wages are the minimum wages that can be paid to people working on federal public works projects.
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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.
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