Dignitaries assembled on a cold, overcast day this week to celebrate completion of a new bridge over Rock Creek west of Twin Falls. Construction of the bridge is a major part of the Twin Falls Alternate Route Stage II project. Although the bridge is substantially complete, a few minor parts of the project still need to be finished.
Asset management
New system will guide future investments
ITD will introduce a new management tool next week that will redefine the way it plans and tracks pavement and maintenance management activities. The new Transportation Asset Management System (TAMS) will provide a wealth of information on the state highway system and help determine how to apply resources most effectively. Use of the new management system will begin Friday (Dec. 17).
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GARVEE
Board seeks additional $162 million in bonding authority
The Idaho Transportation Board this week requested $162 million in bonding authority for next year to complete construction of highway improvement projects on U.S. 95 and Idaho 16. The bond request is part of the GARVEE Transportation Program approved by the Idaho Legislature. The recommendation will be forwarded to Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter and would have to be approved by the Legislature
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Administration
New 'dashboard' provided glimpse of department performance
ITD’s commitment to transparency took a new visual form this week with the introduction of a database-driven Transportation System Dashboard featured prominently on the department’s website. A new graphic link directs visitors to pages that provide a current snapshot of the department’s primary performance measures. Resembling an automobile speedometer, the graphic depicts the status and desired trend for each of ITD’s performance measures.
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Winter
Yes, there is winter in November
So, what was it like in southeast Idaho during the premature, pre-Thanksgiving storm? Here’s what our colleagues in District 5 (Pocatello area) had to battle ...
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Employees
Personal information needs to be updated
It is that time of year for all employees to do a little “housekeeping”. Please check your address in the AMS system to make sure we have the correct address for you. This address will be the address that the State Controller uses to mail out your W-2’s. It is also the address used by Blue Cross, PERSI, etc.
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Chief Human Resource Officer gains international certification
Mary Harker, ITD’s Chief Human Resource Officer, recently achieved international recognition for achieving the International Public Management Association’s Certified Professional credentials. “Mary is now authorized by the IPMA-HR (Human Resources) to use the IPMA-CP or IMPA-HR Certified Professional designation,” explains Neil E. Reichenberg, executive director of the organization.
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ITD Mailbox
* Supreme Court: ITD staff members were excellent teachers
* Sharing a vision of the future
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Preparedness
Holidays are good time to prepare for unexpected disasters
From Region IX, Federal Emergency Management Agency
From winter storms, floods and even pandemic contagion— all disasters have one thing in common: they remind us of the importance of pre-disaster preparedness. But good intentions need to turn into tangible deeds, and according to FEMA Regional Administrator Ken Murphy, there’s no time like the holidays to start, by resolving to be ready before disaster strikes.
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Winter responses
States take variety of approaches to tame winter
Major snowfall and freezing temperatures continue to impact a large portion of North America this week, although winter doesn’t officially begin until December 21. The National Weather Service says a La Nina is at least partially responsible and the agency predicts this weather pattern could cause a second consecutive year of record snowfalls in many parts of the United States.
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Encore
Published December 3, 2010
Highways
Avalanche team keeping eye on slopes, weather
The winter avalanche season officially began in the slide-prone Idaho 21 area between Banner Summit and Grandjean on Nov. 1. The District 3 avalanche crew (Bill Nicholson, Mick Riffie and Chantel Astorga) began twice-daily weather forecasting and snowpack monitoring on that date. Recent heavy snowstorms make regular avalanche monitoring critical to driver safety.
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History
Historical Marker Guide makes great, unique gift
Explorers Lewis and Clark depended on Sacajawea to guide their Corps of Discovery through Idaho. Modern-day Gem State explorers have the Idaho Highway Historical Marker Guide – an inexpensive holiday gift for $5 that fits in a stocking as easily as a motor vehicle glove compartment.
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