Extreme Cold May Result in Additional Road Closures

RIGBY – As extreme cold continues in East Idaho, the Idaho Transportation Department is asking motorists to plan ahead and check the 511.idaho.gov website before hitting the roads. “It’s vitally important that drivers are paying close attention to current conditions,” said ITD Public Information Officer Justin Smith. “We always try to keep roads open, but when conditions become unsafe for our plow drivers we have to close the roads to protect everyone.”

Smith also noted that drivers checking the 511 website or using the newly updated version of the 511 app might see a webcam of one portion of the road that looks fine, but other sections may not be safe. “With the changes in altitude at places like the Ashton Hill conditions can be vastly different from Idaho Falls or Henry’s Lake.”

Those changing conditions can also be dangerous. The National Weather Service announced over the weekend that wind chills are dropping to -15°F to -40°F. At -30°F exposed skin can freeze in as little as 10 minutes. That means motorists must be sure to have their vehicle serviced. A poorly maintained vehicle can leave someone stranded.

AAA notes (https://exchange.aaa.com/safety/driving-advice/winter-driving-tips/) several other precautions motorists should take:

Keep a bundle of cold-weather gear in your car, such as extra food and water, warm clothing (including additional clothing for every passenger), a flashlight, a glass scraper, blankets, medications, and more.
Make certain your tires are properly inflated and have plenty of tread.
Keep at least half a tank of fuel in your vehicle at all times.
Never warm up a vehicle in an enclosed area, such as a garage.
Do not use cruise control when driving on any slippery surface, such as on ice and snow.
Stay home and only go out if necessary. Even if you can drive well in bad weather, it’s better to avoid taking unnecessary risks by venturing out.

It is especially important to consider children, the disabled, and elderly who may be passengers. “Sometimes we forget that children and vulnerable adults do not have the ability to maintain body temperature. Kids like to go out without enough cold weather protection, but parents should ensure there are coats, hats, gloves, and other necessities are available if needed,” Smith said.

This winter has become more challenging as District 6 has lost a number of plow drivers leaving 17 vacant positions open. “We do have a few relief plow drivers to help with the vacancies, but it’s not enough to take the pressure off,” said Bryan Young. “This number includes employees who are retiring or are out for extended health reasons. We do have a few new hires, but they will not be 100% this winter.”

The vacant positions may make it necessary to close roads sooner than motorists may be used to. When fully staffed multiple plow drivers can work the same highway from both directions. However, with fewer plows on the road it may not be possible to keep a road open. This is especially the case where snowfall is heavy and strong winds are blowing.

ITD has also been dealing with numerous plow strikes and drivers making dangerous maneuvers around plows. So far 13 plows have been hit this season. Most of those incidents were related to drivers going too fast for conditions and passing plows on the right.

Crews beginning I-15 Blackfoot bridge repair after overnight road breakup

POCATELLO – Idaho Transportaion Department crews are currently working on the northbound bridge of I-15 just north of Blackfoot to repair the road surface following damage that occurred last night. The cause of the problem is still under investigation, but road breakup is common following cycles of warm and cold weather.

Traffic is down to one lane as crews begin repairs on the right lane. Tomorrow traffic will also be down to one lane to allow crews to perform preventative maintenance on the passing lane to ensure the problem does not spread.

Motorists should slow down as they approach the work zone and plan for some delays.

New Idaho 511 app and updated website are now live

BOISE – Upgrade how you navigate the state! The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) has launched a new Idaho 511 App and updated the website. Starting today, January 23, 2023, drivers will need to download a new version to their mobile devices. The web address, 511.idaho.gov, and phone number, dial 511, will stay the same.

Visit the Apple App Store or Google Play App Store to download the new Idaho 511 app now.

The old Idaho 511 app and the Idaho 511 Trucking app will not be supported after today, and users could miss crucial travel information if they don’t switch over. There is no dedicated trucking app with the new system. However, the new app has trucking information settings that users can turn on

The new Idaho 511 app has all the same tools to help you plan your trips, plus additional features. The new app displays special events that might impact travel, seven-day weather forecasts, highway oasis locations, and more. You can create an account, save custom routes and sign up for notifications when your routes are impacted. If you had an account with the previous 511 system, you will need to make a new account to save routes and set up notifications.

511 is a public service of the Idaho Transportation Department to help travelers access information about road conditions, traffic incidents, weather, and tourism information via the phone, on the web, or by smartphone app, 24 hours a day and seven days a week. 511 provides continual updates about weather-related road conditions, road work, commercial vehicle restrictions, road closures, and other travel information.

2022 sees reduction in Idaho traffic fatalities, grants available to continue the trend

BOISE – Idaho saw a reduction in traffic fatalities in 2022. Last year, 219 people were killed in crashes on Idaho roads, according to preliminary data from the Idaho Office of Highway Safety (OHS). This is a 19 percent decrease from 271 deaths in 2021.

“It is nice to see progress, but 219 distinct tragedies show we still have a lot of work to do,” said OHS Manager Josephine Middleton. “These deaths have a profound impact on families, friends, and communities. We want to work with partners across the state to prevent future tragedies.”

OHS is accepting grant applications for Federal Fiscal Year 2024 (October 2023-September 2024). The goal is to eliminate deaths and serious injuries resulting from motor vehicle crashes by helping fund traffic safety projects. Local governments, law enforcement, school districts, colleges, universities, and non-profits are all encouraged to apply. Examples of past grant projects include enhanced police patrols for impaired driving, Seat Check Saturday for child passenger safety, pedestrian and bike safety education, and more.

Grant proposals must focus on influencing positive driver behavior.

“We know most Idahoans want to do the right thing behind the wheel. It’s who we are,” said Middleton. “These grants are about empowering people by providing the knowledge and resources to make their communities safer places to walk, bike, and drive.”

Applications are open now and close on February 28, 2023. Virtual pre-application training is available on Wednesday, January 25, at 9 a.m. MST and Thursday, February 2, at 2 p.m. MST. Email OHSTraining@itd.idaho.gov to register.

Go to https://itd.idaho.gov/safety/?target=grant-programs-funding to learn more and apply for a grant.

Idaho Serves Military Veterans Through CDL Waiver

The Idaho Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is working to bring more veterans and military members into the commercial trucking industry. Idaho offers two forms of commercial driver’s license (CDL) testing waivers for people with experience driving commercial vehicles in the military.

In the past, applicants needed to print and fill out the forms by hand. In late 2021, DMV team members Heather Perkins, John Barsness, and Caleb Forrey decided to transition to fillable forms to improve customer service. The fillable forms are easier on the applicant and faster to review because the fields are typed rather than handwritten.

Now in 2023, with streamlined forms, the DMV has launched new ways to spread the word about the program. The DMV is promoting military CDL waivers with social-media posts and a new poster that will be distributed to county DMV offices, ports of entry, and military and national guard bases.

Overnight lane reductions next week on the Perrine Bridge

On Tuesday (Jan. 17) crews will close lanes on the Perrine Bridge to replace luminaire wiring. To help lessen impacts to commuters, work will take place after 9:00 p.m.

“This work is dependent on the weather and may need to be rescheduled if inclement conditions occur,” ITD Project Manager John Keifer stated. “Crews should be able to move quickly, and we anticipate all work being completed in one night.”

While workers are on the bridge, traffic will be reduced to a single lane in each direction.

Motorists are advised to drive engaged and watch for crews and equipment in the area.

Gov. Little’s transportation priorities in State of the State address

Governor Brad Little gave his State of the State address Monday (Jan. 9, 2023), presenting his proposed budget, which includes a transportation focus on Making Generational Investments in Critical Infrastructure.

Link to entire State of the State address

In recent years, Governor Little and the Idaho Legislature have championed investments in critical infrastructure without raising taxes or fees. Efforts have focused on bonding for new road capacity and addressing the deferred maintenance backlog facing state and local roads. The Governor’s budget builds off these previous investments, and:

Invests $96.8 million to fully fund the known ongoing transportation safety and capacity gap. This will make Idaho roads safer for drivers with capacity enhancements and safety features like widened and realigned roadways and turn lanes.
Adds $200 million as the second tranche of an effort to improve local system bridges, $35 million to improve airports throughout the state, and $10 million for pedestrian and safety projects. This investment will improve approximately one-third of deficient local bridges to improve safety for all Idahoans.
Reserves $100 million for economically significant local transportation projects that are beyond the reach of local government finances.
Pays off all callable debt in the GARVEE transportation bond program for the 2014 bond series ($37.5 million), averting interest and freeing up additional ongoing transportation funding.

Idaho Office of Highway Safety now accepting grant applications

Have an idea for a project that will help improve driver behavior in Idaho? Spread the word! The Idaho Office of Highway Safety is now accepting year-long grant applications for Federal Fiscal Year 2024.

Click here for the application and complete instructions, or visit itd.idaho.gov/safety.

Funding will be awarded to activities that address behaviors related to traffic safety including:

Impaired driving
Aggressive driving
Distracted driving
Occupant protection and seat belt use
Child passenger safety
Bicycle and pedestrian safety
Motorcycle safety
Youthful drivers
Traffic records

Projects selected will begin October 1, 2023 and end September 30, 2024. Applications must be submitted to OHS by Tuesday, February 28, 2023.

For more information about the Idaho Office of Highway Safety, visit shift-idaho.org.

Carter Hickey provides improvements to Smiley Creek Airstrip near Galena Pass

In mid-October 2022, 16-year-old Carter Hickey of Hailey (he’s part of Scout Troop 100 in Boise) completed an Eagle Scout project at the Smiley Creek Airstrip just over the Galena Pass in south-central Idaho, building a picnic pad area and campfire pit for the facility’s caretakers and the pilots camping there to use.

He had originally planned to build a picnic bench at the Indian Creek Airstrip with backcountry pilot, Galen Hanselman, but before he could do the project, Galen died from liver cancer. The cancer was caused by complications from Hepatitis A, which he had contracted many years before without knowing.

“I tried to continue the project in his name but couldn’t build where the Indian Creek Airstrip is located because it’s in a Wilderness area,” Hickey explained. “I wanted to stick with a project that would benefit backcountry pilots to honor Galen, so after being unable to build at Indian Creek, I decided on an airstrip closer to home that Galen used frequently – the Smiley Creek Airstrip.”

Hickey then reached out to Aero’s Airport Manager, Dan Conner toward the end of June 2022, and Carter and his father met on-site with Dan to share ideas on how to improve the airstrip.

Hickey prepared a detailed proposal for Conner on the project details and intent, an estimate on what supplies would be needed, the phases of the project, and the basic logistics needed to execute the project. It was approved by Conner, the scoutmaster of his troop, a project advisor, the troop’s committee members, and a representative from the counsel overseeing all the troops in the area.

Hickey then began the project. Most of the supplies needed were excess materials already at the airstrip, leaving Hickey to acquire the metal ring for the fire pit and other random supplies. The metal ring was graciously made and donated by a close family friend, Shay Doll, who welded the ring herself.

Hickey then ran up against another problem in early September – Mother Nature.

“Before I could begin the project, the Ross Creek wildfire started near the airstrip and it became inaccessible,” he explained. “The fire burned for a month and winter slowly grew closer, shortening the deadline for my project. Once travel to the airstrip was allowed again, it was closing in on mid-October and snow was forecast for the beginning of November. This forced me to reschedule rapidly and make some last-minute adjustments.”

Aero’s Sr. Utility Craftsman, Joe Fleck and his colleague, Mark Pfeifer, came to Smiley Creek on October 14 to start the project and help with the heavy loading for the pad. The next day, the Spring Family from his troop came up to Smiley Creek and helped finish the picnic pad and dig the campfire pit.

Thanks to Conner’s cooperation and flexibility, along with the help of the Spring Family, Hickey was able to complete the project on October 15!

“The project was a great success and ran without any hiccups, despite the rushed timeline,” Hickey said. It also was finished just in time, as the week after the completion of the project, Smiley Creek got 6 inches of snow.

“I’m glad we were able to expedite the completion of the project before the ground froze which would have prolonged it until late spring,” Hickey said. I am thankful I was able to work with so many talented individuals who made this possible and to work on a project that follows the path Galen and I set out on,” he said.

Conner told Hickey, “I have no doubt that you will be back one day as a pilot yourself and will be using these very spots that you built and telling your kids the stories of how you did it.”

Frommer doesn’t let hearing impairment stop her in DMV Call Center

The photo above shows Frommer lying with her dog, Zoe, after the first day at ITD. Without special devices, Morgan said it was “exhausting” to try to listen and understand each caller.

New ITD employee Morgan Frommer, who has significant hearing impairment in both ears, is thriving in DMV’s Call Center due to a special device that cancels out the background noise, around both her and the caller, allowing Morgan to focus clearly on the customer’s request.

Frommer lost her hearing due to an auto-immune disease in 2015 at the age of 24. Rendered fully deaf by the disease, she had cochlear implants put in both ears in 2016 and 2017.

Cochlear implants work by implanting electrodes in the ear that capture sounds, bypass skin cells in the ear, and feed tones through tiny implanted microphones to replicate the sounds. It requires weeks of re-learning the brain’s responses. The implants work differently than hearing aids, which simply amplify sound.

“The regular earphones that employees use did not work for me, but the Audiolink uses Bluetooth and streams directly into my implants,” Frommer explained. “I rely heavily on this device.”

Frommer met with IT Manager Pete Palacios, IT Infrastructure Engineer Michelle Cobler and some DMV Managers to discuss the problem and come up with a solution. The answer was a pair of noise-cancelling headphones with a microphone Morgan could speak into.

“The Audiolink does not shut off background noise on the other end since it is just a microphone-type device,” Morgan explained. “However, we were able to come up with an answer.”

In short, Frommer sets the speakers on her computer to the headphone setting so it streams through her Audiolink to hear calls, and then sets the microphone on her jabber and teams to the headset, so that customers/counties can hear her talk back and not hear any background noise. The caller’s response is fed into her cochlear implants, but her response is fed through the microphone of the specific headset.

This story hits close to home for Palacios, who’s own father needed cochlear implants as an adult due to hearing loss.

“It totally opened up another world for him when he got the implants,” Palacios said. “My dad had become a recluse and had basically holed up inside his house because the outside world was so difficult for someone with no hearing, but he started to go out and live again after he had the surgery.”

Frommer said her own experience was very similar.

“I had childhood cancer at age 5 and a very complicated brain tumor wrapped around my brain stem,” Morgan explained. “They were able to remove it, but I had extensive amounts of radiation in the treatment. The radiation brought several side effects, like balance problems, short stature, etc. I had a little bit of hearing loss in one ear, but it wasn’t until just after college that it really hit.”

The radiation caused significant hearing loss in the right ear, but Morgan had grown up with only about 50% hearing in that ear. She adjusted, though, and grew up that way. When the autoimmune disease came, it wiped out all of the hearing on the left side as well, so she had to rely on very diminished hearing in the right ear only. But due to the type of disease, it fluctuated, so some days her left-side hearing came back fully.

“Some days, I was fully deaf, and on other days my hearing would come back almost completely. But it was all brand new to me and I didn’t know what was going on. I wouldn’t go to work, and I wouldn’t get out of bed some days. It was extremely frustrating. I had my family, husband, and friends, but I knew no one with a cochlear implant. I didn’t even know what one was!”

Frommer says she cried A LOT because she couldn’t even have a simple conversation with her husband, Troy.

The implants changed everything.

“It brought my hearing back and I was instantly happy again,” Frommer said. “I think it took three months for my brain to know what volume to hear things at again – when you first get activated, everything sounds loud and flushing a toilet sounds like Niagara Falls. Over time, with listening exercises, your brain learns the correct pitches of things and re-learns volume.”

One year later, the exact same thing happened to her right ear so she got implanted on that side as well.

“I still have some medical issues that arise, but at least I have my hearing, so that’s honestly all I care about. I love listening to music again. I love listening to the rain again and just having conversations with friends. I could talk about it for hours. I love life!”

Frommer, who came to ITD as a Technical Records Specialist 1 in September, was working as an engineer and then in supply chain movement before coming to the department. She volunteered with the help organization Hearpeers as a mentor back in Ohio before moving to Idaho. HearPeers pairs cochlear implant candidates with volunteers like Morgan, who have undergone the procedure and can answer questions about the surgery, recovery, the journey back, and any subsequent lifestyle changes that may be required.

“I love it at ITD because everyone is extremely helpful and I am not treated like a deaf person here. A lot of companies unfortunately don’t know what to do with a hearing-impaired employee. Even though I am fully deaf, I want to still feel valued and feel like I can make contributions or advancements in my job and feel confident in myself. ITD does a wonderful job of that for me.”