September 4, 2009

Have a safe holiday weekend

The Idaho Transportation Board and ITD Executive Management team wish all employees an enjoyable and safe holiday weekend. Labor Day always marks the unofficial end of summer. We hope you take the time to relax and enjoy friends and family. If your weekend includes travel, please buckle your seatbelts and remain safe.

Highways
Motorists to get relief from holiday construction, congestion
If Labor Day weekend plans include travel on Idaho 55, ITD strongly advises avoiding the heaviest traffic by traveling outside the peak travel times and/or using alternate routes on the return trip. Flaggers at the highway’s intersection with the Banks-to-Lowman highway also will assist in making a smoother trip. Motorists can expect delays of 15 minutes or longer at the flagging operation.
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Excavation begins on Dover Bridge
Construction of a new Dover Bridge began Aug. 24 as contractor’s crews started excavation on the project. Work will include hauling material from a nearby gravel source to the project site.
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Annual interstate bike classic hits road Sept. 12
An endurance bicycle race that begins in Utah and terminates in Wyoming will bring more than 1,000 riders and their families to a route that cuts through southeast Idaho Saturday (Sept. 12). The 27th annual LOTOJA Classic Logan (Utah) to Jackson (Wyo.) began with a small group of college friends at Utah State University and has become one of the nation's premier cycling races. Riders and their support crews will start leaving Logan at 5:45 a.m. on Saturday and travel north to Preston.
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Highway safety
Driving in school zone? Ditch the phone
“Hang up the phone, especially in a school zone!” That reminder comes as schools across Idaho resume for another year. Jo O’Connor, Safe Routes to School coordinator for the Idaho Transportation Department, urges motorists to focus on driving and children around school zones, not on cell phones and text messaging.

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Public Transportation
CTAI names executive director
The Community Transportation Association of Idaho (CTAI) announced this week the appointment of Heather Wheeler as executive director. Under its new executive director, CTAI is embracing a new mission – one that supports the coordinated transportation planning process of Idaho, called Idaho’s Mobility and Access Pathway (IMAP).
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Technology
Survey determines satisfaction with 'help desk' service
Employees who take advantage of the services provide by Enterprise Technology Services (ETS) might be asked to provide feedback on the services rendered. To support its commitment to customer service, ETS has launched a new online customer satisfaction survey that includes questions related to the value of the services they received,
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Health
Precautions can help in battle against H1N1 - swine flu
By now, you have most likely heard about the Novel H1N1 flu virus, formerly known as the swine flu virus. Cases of this new flu virus were first detected in people in the U.S. last spring and have continued to spread worldwide. Throughout the summer, cases have also continued to appear in Ada County and Idaho. As of the end of August, there have been 281 cases of the flu around the state
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Schools reopen; Make safety highest priority

Awareness, caution key to safe returns to school
The rush to fill supply lists and update fall wardrobes is complete for many children across Idaho who are bidding farewell to summer vacation and hello to school classmates. As the annual pilgrimage back to school hits full stride, motorists and children are encouraged to make safety their highest priority. Traffic surges around schools in late August and early September, bringing increased risk of crashes involving cars, bicycles and pedestrians.
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Walk, bike if you can, but use caution
ITD recommends that children walk to school if they live within a reasonable distance and if they can do so safely. The added daily physical activity promotes good health, reduces congestion, improves air quality and saves natural resources while teaching children important traffic safety skills. The National Safety Council also suggests that parents review with their children the correct way to cross a street.
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Tips for a safe walk, bike to school
ITD recommends that parents and teachers share the following information with children to improve the safety of school commutes...

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Motorists should use extra care around school buses
Motorists should be keenly aware of the risks that accompany the reopening of schools as more children use sidewalks and bicycle paths. But drivers also need to watch for buses transporting children to and from schools in the morning and afternoon. Buses sometimes stop in travel lanes, requiring approaching vehicles to slow or stop.
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Employees
Option for supplemental life insurance runs through November
Every September through November, benefited employees have the opportunity to purchase supplemental insurance from American Administrative Group, Inc. The plan is called NCPERS Voluntary Group Life Plan and is underwritten by Prudential Insurance Company.
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Highways
Stimulus savings allow funding of eight new projects
The Idaho Transportation Board approved funding additional highway construction projects with savings realized from the eight original projects. The new projects were announced during the board's Aug. 20 business meeting in Rigby. More than $50 million in bid savings emerged from the stimulus projects advertised this spring.
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Board
Proposed Fy11 budget reviewed, sent to DFM, LSO
Since the June workshop, ITD staff members have been refining the FY11 draft budget request in accordance with instructions from the Division of Financial Management. Very few changes were made to the final budget draft that was presented to the board, and approved, at its Aug. 20 meeting in Rigby. The budget now goes to the Division of Financial Management and Legislative Services Office.
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In Memoriam
Friends provide cherished memories of Bruce Sweeney
A favorite uncle. A fierce competitor. A friend closer than any brother. An inspiration who never missed an opportunity to sing, to laugh or to help someone in need. Such was the tribute Monday to longtime Lewiston businessman and legislator Bruce Sweeney, who died last week at the age of 77.
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Sweeney was a genuine leader
On Monday, family and friends gathered to mourn the passing of Bruce Sweeney, one of Idaho's great statesmen. The services were held in Lewiston, but Idahoans in every corner of our state joined in mourning the loss of this exemplary man ... Sweeney's passing should remind us all not only of the foundational principles of our government, but also of the need to do our part. His life is a remarkable example of full and active participation.
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DMV
Weekend work helps buyers in 'clunker' program
As Idaho car buyers scrambled to take advantage of a federal incentive program and automobile dealers braced for the wave of last-minute transactions ITD worked behind the scenes to help expedite providing registration verification for submittal of requirements by dealers. Division of Motor Vehicles staff in Boise worked through the weekend to help buyers beat the Monday (Aug. 24) “Cash for Clunkers” deadline.
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Technology
ITD to implement new password standards in January
ITD will implement new standards for passwords on Jan. 4, 2010, to bring the department into compliance with the Information Technology Resource Management Council’s (ITRMC) policies and guidelines related to user and system passwords. The change also supports the governor’s consolidated services initiative for information technology, explains Forrest Anderson, ITD’s cyber security officer.
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Public transportation
New mobility Web site introduced
A new vision of mobility in Idaho has a new Web site where people can identify convenient, cost-effective and green mobility and public transportation options. Mobilityidaho.org offers visitors information about and participate in the design and management of Idaho’s evolving efforts to move people from place to place by using a mix of transportation modes.
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Employees
Annual Administrative Workshop planned Sept. 10
Administrative staff will gain new knowledge and understanding about their profession, explore ITD processes and interact with counterparts from throughout the state when they assemble for the 2009 Administrative Workshop in Meridian. This year’s workshop, “Making Cents of It All,” will take place at a new venue, according to organizer Connie Lane-Porter. The all-day event will be Thursday, Sept. 10, at The Courtyard by Marriott, 1789 South Eagle Road, Meridian. Take the Interstate 84 exit and drive south past Overland Road.

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