Transportation funding
A case for increasing revenue, by Gov. Phil Batt
It’s frustrating when it takes 40 minutes to drive to work from 8 miles away.  We need more arterials and more freeway lanes. And it’s hard on the car when the roads are filled with pits and potholes.  We’re overdue for a new roadbed in a lot of places throughout the state. And it sure would be nice if we had a super highway to North Idaho and a road up to Midvale that bypassed that winding canyon along the Payette River.
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System performance
Idaho drops to 14th in annual Hartgen report
As if to add emphasis to ITD’s efforts to increase transportation funding, a report released recently showed that Idaho has slipped four places from 10th to 14th in overall performance of the system. The 17th annual Report on the Performance of State Highway Systems (1984-2006) analyzes the condition and performance of the U.S. state-owned road system.
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Highway safety
Fewer Idahoans choosing to buckle up
Idaho's seat belt use fell more than three percent during the past three years - dropping from a high of nearly 80 percent in 2006, to 78.5 percent in 2007, and to 76.9 percent this year, according to a recent survey by the Idaho Transportation Department. For the second consecutive year, seat belt use by occupants declined in all types of vehicles, including passenger cars, SUVs/vans and pickup trucks.
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Public transportation
Division adds audio, video conferencing capabilities
ITD’s Division of Public Transportation announced this week new teleconferencing and web meeting capabilities. The new services, AT&T Conference Call and AT&T Web Meeting will allow any person who has a telephone and a computer with Internet access to participate in meetings hosted by the division without being physically present in the meeting room, explains Brian M. Shea, the divisions new senior research analyst.
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Three unique organizations form local mobility network
Development of the Idaho Mobility Action Plan and collaboration with local communities led to creation of Local Mobility Management networks. Southwest Idaho’s mobility network brings together several existing groups that will be instrumental in perpetuating the IMAP vision, explains John J. Krause.“Each of these groups is a little different from the others in terms of population makeup, areas of interest, 'rural-ness,' etc.,” he says.
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Highway maintenance
'Zipper' attachment streamlines patching
Sections if Idaho 81 east of Declo are in poor condition. Years of heavy truck traffic and blistering winters have taken their toll resulting in deep and dangerous wheel ruts. But it’s only the ruts, not the entire road that needs replaced. That is where the Asphalt Zipper has come in handy. A four-foot wide roto-mill, the Zipper is mounted on the bucket of a front-end loader and carves a groove about two-and-a-half inches deep dig out the worst sections.
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Employees
Bonuses still available for deferred comp participation
More than 750 individuals have taken advantage of an incentive program that encourages participation in Idaho’s deferred compensation plan. The incentive program provides a $50 bonus for the first 1,000 state employees who enroll in or increase their level of participation in the optional retirement plan by 1 percent of their pay. As of Aug. 1, there were 248 spots remaining for the $50 bonus.
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Trips, cash cards offered for joining RideShare
Folks who are weary of traffic congestion and travel delays may have two options for escaping the stressful commutes, explains Nicole Stern of Ada County Highway District’s Commuteride program. ACHD and the Washington State RideShare organization are promoting a six-week program to get match solo drivers who have similar points of origin, similar destinations and similar work schedules.
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Parents urged to help children transition back to school
For most parents, the thought of their children returning to school causes both dread and relief. By August, most children are eager to see their friends and participate in the coming year’s activities, and despite some inevitable grumbling, they really are looking forward to returning.
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Two-wheeled commute

D-1 motorcycle commute draws 21 riders
Some District 1 employees used half the number of wheels, fewer parking spaces and a lot less gas than their commuting counterparts to reach the Coeur d'Alene office recently.
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ITD Mailbox
• Camp attracts e-Girls to engineering field
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Aeronautics
ITD to assist during corrections emergencies
When an event at one of Idaho’s correctional facilities exceeds the ability of responding locally, specially trained and equipped experts may be needed from outside the area. ITD has agreed to commit state aircraft to transport the equivalent of a SWAT team to a correctional facility during extreme circumstances, said Mike Pape, director of Flight Operations at the Division of Aeronautics.
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Highways
Conveyor delivers material across I84 to median
If you’ve driven east from Canyon County toward Boise recently, you’ve probably seen the big white “Knife River” tube running across Interstate 84 between the median and the right shoulder. It is a behemoth, just 17 feet off the ground, spanning 124 feet with a mouth six feet in diameter.
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Legislative liaison
Mary Detmar to return on interim basis in August
We are pleased to announce that Mary Detmar will re-join the ITD staff beginning Tuesday, Aug. 12.  Mary will assume the duties of the Legislative Liaison in an interim capacity until the position is filled, within the next month or so.  She will continue to assist the new-hire through the transition to the upcoming legislative session.
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Bicycle safety
ITD publications focus on bicycle safety, laws
Whether you are new to bicycling or a seasoned veteran, ITD offers two free publications that will help you become a better and safer bicyclist. As gasoline prices steadily increase, more people are using bicycles for errands and their daily work commute. However, the changeover requires adjustments in daily routines. The Idaho Bicycle Commuter Guide is packed with information that will ease the transition and make bicycle commuting safer and more enjoyable.
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Highway safety

Patrols to watch for aggressive riders
As the number of scooters and motorcycles increases on Idaho highways so do the number of crashes. In order to save lives and avoid needless injuries, Treasure Valley law enforcement agencies are cracking down on motorcycle and scooter riders who speed, ride aggressively or ride impaired Aug. 1–17.

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HRD training schedule
	Sept. 10, 11	Managing Performance
	Oct. 28-30	Basic Communication
	Nov. 18-20	Intermediate Communication
	Dec. 9-11	Introduction to Supervision
This schedule represents training classes available at Headquarters. For schedules at specific districts, please contact your EST or refer to the training calendar.