Happy New Year - KMPO Will be Closed for the Holiday on January 2, 2012

We wish you a Happy New Year Everyone!

KMPO WIll be Closed Monday December 26th in observance of the Christmas Holiday

Wishing you a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

From the KMPO Director & Staff

MEGA LOADS WILL RESUME TONIGHT on US 95 from Lewiston to CDA

If you're traveling along US 95 tonight watch out for the Megaloaded trucks that are coming through.  The megaloads are scheduled to resume tonight after a non-injury accident last week.  For the short story on the accident see the link below:

http://apps.itd.idaho.gov/Apps/MediaManagerMVC/NewsClipping.aspx/Preview/60779
Two oversized shipments are leaving the Port of Lewiston tonight after 8 p.m. and will be traveling on US 95 to Coeur d'Alene.

The loads can take up to 2 lanes of traffic and they are supposed to pull over every 15 minutes.

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) released a news briefing today, see the link below:

http://apps.itd.idaho.gov/Apps/MediaManagerMVC/NewsClipping.aspx/Preview/60788

MEGALOAD, COMING THRU!!

 

Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) reported today tha a hydroelectric project at Snoqualmie Falls, 30 miles east of Seattle, is the destination of a megaload that might be moving through north central Idaho as early as Monday.

The shipment will be carrying a huge, Y-shaped pipe for an upgrade of the power-generating operation, one of the oldest of its kind in the nation, said Don Whitehair, manager of the Selway Corp. in Stevensville, Mont., about 30 miles south of Missoula.

The extra-big rig will weigh 185,000 pounds and be 95 feet long, 22 feet wide and a little more than 17 feet tall.

Whitehair's company would leave the Montana border around 10 p.m. Monday and move the pipe across Idaho on U.S. Highway 12 in a single trip that would end no later than 5:30 a.m. Tuesday, Whitehair said.
It will have to pull over every 15 minutes to allow cars to pass, but it should be able to go at the posted speed limits, Whitehair said.

This component is one of more than 150 that Selway Corp. has moved through Idaho and Montana on their way to Snoqualmie Falls and the only one that's this big, Whitehair said.

Getting permits for the Idaho portion of the trip has been one of the toughest parts of arranging the logistics, Whitehair said.
His company had to address 19 bullet items from the Idaho Transportation Department that seek details such as the type of clothing flaggers will be wearing.

Unrelated megaloads that Imperial Oil has been shipping from the Port of Lewiston to the Montana border on U.S. Highway 95 and Interstate 90 continue to be on hold following a non-injury accident earlier this week.

Those are carrying components of a processing plant that's being constructed in the Kearl Oil Sands in Alberta, Canada.

Driving Safely Around SNOWPLOWS - ITD Reminders

It's that time of year when our State Snowplows are out making our roadways safe for us...Here are some tips from ITD, reminding us to drive safely around snowplows:

* Remain two car lengths behind snowplow trucks for every 10 mph you drive. Sand being spread by trucks can damage your vehicle.

* Do not pass a snowplow unless it is absolutely necessary. If you must pass, do so only when you can clearly see the road ahead. Do not pass on the side where the plow is spraying snow. If you do, the snow's force can knock your car out of control.

* Do not cut back immediately in front of a snowplow truck. The plow blades are often covered with snow and can be difficult to see.

* Do not brake suddenly if you are traveling in front of a snowplow. The heavy vehicle cannot stop as quickly as an automobile.

* Do not abandon your car unless it is absolutely necessary. However, if you must, leave it as far off the road as possible. Abandoned cars can interfere with the road clearing process and can be extremely hazardous to snow removal equipment and the operators if they are hidden or buried by snow.

* Be aware of potential icy areas such as shady spots, bridges and overpasses. Since they are exposed on their undersides, bridges and overpasses are deprived of ground warmth and freeze more rapidly than the roadways leading to them.

For the latest highway and weather conditions you can call Idaho’s 511 Traveler Information Service at 5-1-1. For online updates, visit 511.idaho.gov. Telephone and Web reports are available 24 hours a day and are updated as conditions change.

Please drive safe this winter!

Tolling our Roadways to Generate Funding

Although toll booths won't look like this anymore, it looks like they are coming to our neighboring State.  Washington State is planing on tolling the roadways to generate addtional road funding.  Washington State will begin tolling certain lanes on State Routes in 2013. You will be rewarded when paying a toll, enabling you to go in the faster lanes with less congestion. It may only be a matter of time before Idaho follows.... 

See the full story at the link below:
http://www.myfoxspokane.com/news/kcpq-the-future-of-tolling-in-this-area-expect-more--20111207,0,7191581.story

Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) Road Tax Being Considered - What, do you think about this?

There has been a lot of talk recently of the possibility of a government imposed "vehicle miles traveled " (VMT) tax  fee based system being part of our future, to help pay for our roadways.

A recent study by the U.S. Transportation Research Board showed that a VMT fee system would generate approximately 20% more transportation revenue by the year 2030.

Due to advances in technology, a pay-per-mile tax would now be possible for our government to impose a VMT-based fee system, that would most likely rely on some form of vehicle use monitoring.

Although, this would take time for any VMT tax to be adopted and set in motion.  The VMT fee based system adoption would definitely change our lives in many, many ways.

If you would like to see the full story as reported by CNN, please follow the link below:
http://www.cnn.com/2011/12/08/opinion/meyer-pay-per-mile-road-tax/index.html
OR
http://apps.itd.idaho.gov/Apps/MediaManagerMVC/NewsClipping.aspx/Preview/60650

What are your thoughts on the VMT fee system?

Funding Opportunity for Mobility Management by NCST Apps Due by December 23rd, 2011

The National Center on Senior Transportation (NCST, a United We Ride technical assistance center) has announced a request for proposals for mobility management projects that demonstrate innovative and effective solutions to enhance transportation options for older adults through person-centered mobility management. Non-profit or local/regional/Tribal governmental agencies that plan, administer, or provide aging and/or transportation services may apply.

Projects funded under the solicitation will demonstrate innovative and effective solutions to enhance the mobility of older adults through person-centered mobility management. Four categories of projects will be funded:

• Peer-mobility management and employment
• Mobility management in rural/frontier areas that have limited transportation options
• Holistic models that integrate mobility management within current practices, including options counseling, information and assistance and/or case management
• Mobility management applied to the family of senior transportation options

The NCST expects to award 8 grants (2 in each of the categories listed above) for a maximum of $50,000. Matching funds are not required. Grantees will be expected to complete their work in 9-12 months. The focus of all the grants is on older adults, although projects may also target adults with disabilities. A focus on culturally and ethnically diverse older adults is strongly encouraged. Applications are due Friday, December 23.

Agencies interested in applying can participate in a conference call on Thursday, December 8 for more information on the application process and selection criteria. Please visit the NCST website to find the request for proposal and application. Questions should be directed to Lynn Winchell-Mendy at 202.872.0888 or lwinchellmendy@n4a.org.

For original story please visit the following link:

http://www.ruraltransportation.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=60460&articleId=27422

Traveling to/from Spokane? Crews to Reconfigure Lanes on I-90 Starting Today

Starting today, crews will be reconfiguring lanes on the highway from Sullivan Rd to Barker Rd along I-90. 

The Bad News
Eastbound Traffic:
Will be reduced to a single lane on:
Thursday - Between 9 a.m - 3 p.m., 7 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Friday - 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., 7 p.m. to Mid-day Saturday
Monday - 7 a.m. until work is complete
Westbound Traffic:
On Monday, December 5, westbound lanes of I-90 will be reduced to a single lane form 7:00 p.m. until 6:00 a.m. Tuesday morning to remove a concrete barrier.

The Good News!
After December 6th, the drive from/to the Post Falls/Coeur d'Alene area will be much more enjoyable with additional lanes to drive on!!!

See the full story from Krem News below:
http://www.krem.com/traffic/Crews-reconfigure-lanes-on-I-90-in-Spokane-Valley-134823088.html

56% of Portland OR, Bicyclists Run Red Lights in Crosswalk. Do you think we have the same problem here???

Portland State University students performed a recent 'behavior study' and found that 56% of bicyclists run red lights, compared to 7% of motorists.  The study was completed early in November 2011 for a duration of eight hours, recording a total of 502 vehicle operators (497 motorists and 99 bicyclists).

 Do you think we have the same problem here in Idaho?

To see the full story please follow the link below:

 

  http://blog.oregonlive.com/commuting/2011/11/portland_state_students_find_5.html

FREE WEBINAR - Accessibility in Work Zones - December 14, 2011

Attend this webinar to learn best practices for handling bicycle and pedestrian travel during construction operations. Attendees will hear how the Minnesota DOT has developed its standards for Temporary Pedestrian Access Routes (TPARs), including a workshop, demonstration project and focus group evaluation.

Presenters from Boulder, Colorado, will discuss how that city worked with developers, contractors and decision-makers to develop a new work zone traffic control policy that establishes policies and procedures for pedestrian and bicycle travel during construction operations and identifies criteria for closing the PROW and designating alternate routes.

To register for the webinar go to the following link:
http://www.apbp.org/event/Dec-11_webinar 

SH 53 Transportation Access Study Update - State Line to Junction US 95

The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) in conjunction with David Evans and Associates, held a steering committee meeting yesterday at the Rathdrum City Hall. 
The study is being conducted in two phases.  Phase I is an assessment of current conditions, and includes identification and evaluation of existing access points, current safety issues, recommended access changes for the current condition, and a preliminary GIS system for managing access and approach permit data.  Phase II is anticipated to focus on the development of a long range Transportation Access Plan, including the examination of planned growth areas, future land uses within the Hauser and Rathdrum areas and the unincorporated Kootenai County.

Yesterday's steering committee meeting overview, included a review of the analysis performed for all reported accidents within the 14 mile stretch of the Highway 53 corridor (from the State Line to US-95). The reported accidents were reviewed for the years 2006-2010.  A total of 267 accidents were reported with the highest number of these, being wildlife animal related accidents.  All public comments received so far, were also reviewed and discussed. 

The SH 53 access study is considered to be Phase 1, which evaluates access management opportunities as a means to improve safety, minimize traffic congestion, and preserve capacity along the corridor. 

Inter-jurisdictional collaboration, community involvement, and stakeholder engagement are critical to the success of this Transportation Access Study.  The public is encouraged to participate, providing feedback and comments throughout the process.