September 18, 2009
Highways
Gov. Otter helps kick off Twin Falls project
Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter joined citizens, business leaders and government officials this morning to launch a highway construction project that will create or sustain approximately 500 jobs, improve safety and reduce congestion in Twin Falls. More than 100 people participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for the Twin Falls Alternate Route, Stage 2 project.
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D-4 group honored for highway cleanup efforts
A program to rehabilitate offenders in Jerome County also rehabilitates the aesthetic qualities of U.S. 93 west of Twin Falls. Participants in the Jerome County Sheriff’s work program regularly clean a two-mile segment of the highway and were honored last week for their efforts. Inmates have cleaned the highway between mileposts 51 and 53 the past decade. They also migrate to other highways and roads that need to be cleaned.
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ITD, law enforcement agencies crack down on overweight trucks
It is no surprise that heavy loads have the potential to damage Idaho’s highways and bridges, so enforcement of load limits is an important component to extending the longevity of these routes. Evidently, some area haulers were running heavy loads overnight and on weekends to avoid Idaho’s roving Ports of Entry (POE) operations in rural communities.
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STIP
One-month comment period opens for planning document
ITD will open a month-long public comment period Sunday (Sept. 20) to collect input on its FY2010-2013 draft of the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). The comment period will extend through Oct. 21. All comments on the STIP draft will be reviewed in late October. The Idaho Transportation Board is expected to vote on the planning document in November.
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Teamwork
D-3 foreman gives 'rapids' lesson in teamwork
Dan Conner, a District 3 maintenance foreman (Banks, Cascade and Emmett), recently shared his expertise in whitewater rafting with other members of the Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC) based in Boise.
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Highway safety
Aggressive driving, DUIs account for most Idaho fatalities
Although Idaho had an eight percent decrease in its 2008 traffic fatality rate over 2007, the two most common causes of motor vehicle fatalities remained the same. Aggressive drivers accounted for 54 percent of Idaho's 2008 fatal crashes, and impaired drivers accounted for 41 percent of Idaho's 2008 fatalities crashes.
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Aeronautics
New airport shelter provides relief from elements
Like a port in the storm for wayward sailors, a new shelter will provide a place for aviators to escape the elements at the Stanley Airport.
The Stanley Airport receives a lot of charter traffic in the summer, but there was no place for passengers to wait out of the sun,
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Abandoned / adopted puppy adjusts to new home
If you don’t recall, Uber was the five-week old puppy that was found last October in the District 5 Downey maintenance yard. He had been trapped in guardrail for three days. He had been rained on, snowed on and had survived freezing nighttime temperatures. Plus, his paw was squished flat in the guardrail. The Downey/McCammon crew patched him up and took him to work to keep an eye on him.
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COMMENT: I think it is commendable that management has formed a team to find ways to recognize employees for “jobs well done”... Maybe having a few committee members from the district maintenance groups would be a real asset when looking for way to recognize “all” ITD employees not just those who work at HQ.
For the complete comment and response please...
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Victory laps
ITD's Kacie McDonald and horse add spark to BSU home games
Kacie McDonald hoped to give her horse Kade a pretty good workout in the arena last weekend. But it’s not your typical equestrian event in front of judges and an equine-savvy audience or rodeo fans. The crowd included some 30,000 fans whose focus on football was interrupted every time the Boise State Broncos scored a touchdown or field goal in their non-conference match up with Miami University of Ohio.
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Highways
Sand Creek Byway making steady progress
The Sand Creek Byway project remains on schedule as the contractor begins to wrap up the first season of construction. Work will shift to other activities after Oct. 15 when ground-disturbing activities will be put aside for the winter.
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Volunteers sought for winter snow plowing
So… you’ve mastered the art of clearing your front sidewalk of winter snow. Perhaps you’ve also become an expert at shoveling your driveway. Are you ready for a real primetime challenge? Do you want to become a snow king or queen?
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Employees
Workshop helps employees cope with change
When trying to make cents (sense) of it all, it’s logical to begin with change – literally and figuratively. That’s exactly where administrative personnel from throughout the state began their 21st annual Administrative Support Workshop in Meridian Thursday. This year’s theme was Making Cents of It All. Change has been a standard at ITD the past five years – predating the current recession.
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Team working on employee recognition concepts
A team of ITD employees has been charged with proposing new and innovative ways to recognize individual achievement. This team was formed as a result of the department’s strategic plan. The nine-member Employee Reward and Recognition sub-team is organized under the “Investing in Our People” focus area team. Its purpose, according to the team charter, is to “identify monetary and non-monetary employee reward program best-practices appropriate to ITD’s culture and budgetary constraints.
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Employee health
Preparation key to preventing 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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