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Monday, June 25, 2012

Beck Road Interchange - Post Falls, Idaho - Construction In Progress



While waiting in stopped traffic on I-90 last Thursday (due to someone's boat coming off a trailer), I was able to snap a couple of pictures of the Beck Road Interchange construction that is in progress.
Although it is only the rough grading so far, you can see where the interchange is going to be.
 
The design build project is still scheduled to be completed by Thanksgiving of this year.  I'll keep you updated on the project's progress. The new access to I-90 will connect to Pointe Parkway and Beck Road, as well as providing easier access to:  Cabela's, Walmart, Greyhound Event Center and other businesses in the area.
  
You can visit Idaho Transportation Departments link below for more information on the project:

You can also visit the City of Post Falls website at:  http://www.postfallsidaho.org/

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Bamboo Bicycles - You Can Make One!

"I noticed the story in the Spokesman Review below, so I GOOGLED" bamboo bicycle projects.  It's quite interesting...You can actually make your own bamboo bicycle!  I found an older video on YouTube of a bamboo bicycle project from start to finish (below):




Here is the story of in the Spokesman Review that was recently published...

Spokesman Review-
Spokane business owner Paul Fish (founder of Mountain Gear) wanted to see if he could build a bike out of bamboo.  After 50 hours and trial and error, he did it.  He is hoping to get the time down to 25 hours per bike, especially since six family members have requested he build one for them.  The bamboo bike weighs about 18 pounds and rides like a bike.  He got his inspiration and design assistance on the Bikecad website, www.bikecad.ca  Total cost of the bike was around $200.00.  To see the full story by the Spokesman Review visit the following link:
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2012/jun/10/bamboo-bike/

So there you have it, another project for all the bicyclist/inventors out there :)

East Hayden Lake Road, Lakes Highway District - Roadway Failure - Driver's Use Caution


Due to heavy rain, a 40 foot section of roadway, along the "East Hayden Lake Road" failed.  A portion of the roadway slid away from the rest of the road, as reported by Eric Shanley, road supervisor, of Lakes Highway District.  If you are traveling that direction, drivers should expect delays and exercise caution.

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Transportation by Lawn Chair & Helium Filled Balloons.. HUH???


                               

I noticed this on the transportation news and had to share it.  It brought a "comical smile" to my face.  It's definitely a different way to travel, although I am not sure how the Department of Aviation would appreciate it, if we followed suit, ballooning up, up, and away, and in our lawn chairs no less.

I followed this story about a man named "Kent Couch".  He has a website devoted to his past, present and future flights, plus information about exactly how he does it.  He carries his Red Ryder BB rifle to shoot the helium filled balloons in order to safely land the lawn chair.  The website says he is planning another flight sometime this year to Iraq, in a fundraiser for Iraqi orphans.

On a previous flight, in October of 2009, he took his buddy John Freis with him to compete in the first ever two man lawn chair cluster balloon race.  You can go to the website below, if you would like to see the balloon race. http://www.couchballoons.com/2009-Flight

Do not try this at home, and in no way am I encouraging you to take up lawn chair ballooning! Have a wonderful day!

Disclaimer: Cluster Ballooning (or any type of  ballooning to remove yourself from the ground to fly in the air) is inherently dangerous. KMPO assumes No Responsibility for the use or mis-use of information provided on this story or blog.

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Leata Cabalero Automobile, Built in Post Falls, Idaho

Leata Cabalero Automobile, Post Falls, Idaho
I was at lunch today and actually learned something I never knew before, so I thought it would be fun to share this on our blog...

Evidently, in the 1970's era, cars were manufactured in the City of Post Falls!  Who knew!  It was called the "Leata Cabalero"  and was made by Stinebaugh Manufacturing.

I was curious, so I had to look it up on the web, and I actually found another blog that has blogged about it!  A post by the handle "Junkman", actually owns one and has it in his collection. 

I don't ever recall seeing one  or hearing the name of this automobile before now. See, it's never too late to learn something new :) Here's a link to the Blog I found, enjoy! 

http://ca.jalopnik.com/351450/leata-cabalero-most-beautiful-car-ever-built-in-post-falls-idaho



Wednesday, June 13, 2012

In "Memory" of Marv Lekstrum 9-24-32 to 6-10-12


Marvin Lekstrum
9-24-32 to 6-10-12

In "Memory" of Marv Lekstrum. He was an elected commissioner of Lakes Highway District and an active member on our Board.   Marv was a wonderful asset to our community and contributor to Kootenai Metropolitan Planning Organization (KMPO).  We will all miss his smiling face and quick wit. We are deeply saddened by his passing. He will be greatly missed....

A Memorial Service will be held for Marv, tomorrow (Thursday) at 9:00 a.m., June 14, 2012, at the Church of the Nazarene, 4000 N. 4th St., in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.  The church is located just south of the Kathleen Ave. round-a-bout.

To see the whole story in the Coeur d'Alene Press, please visit the link below:
http://www.cdapress.com/obituaries/article_645753c5-6acd-5813-8087-236228d9265a.html

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Transportation Bill - Deadline Approaching - FLY ASH Regulations in Highway Construction

Fly Ash Description (Wilkpedia):
Fly Ash is one of the residues generated in combustion, and comprises the fine particles that rise with the flue gases. Ash which does not rise is termed bottom ash. In an industrial context, fly ash usually refers to ash produced during combustion of coal. Fly ash is generally captured by electrostatic precipitators or other particle filtration equipment before the flue gases reach the chimneys of coal-fired plants, and together with bottom ash removed from the bottom of the furnace is in this case jointly known as coal ash. Depending upon the source and makeup of the coal being burned, the components of fly ash vary considerably, but all fly ash includes substantial amounts of silicon dioxide (SiO2) (both amorphous and crystalline) and calcium oxide (CaO), both being endemic ingredients in many coal-bearing rock strata

Sunshine State News (Tallahasse, FL) 6-6-12
The self imposed deadline that Congress set is drawing near.  The construction industry is watching closely as the final agreement of the federal transportation bill is being reached.

A bipartisan amendment stands to increase sensible regulatory measures on fly ash, an end product of coal combustion, and should be included in the final federal transportation bill. It would also encourage fly ash recycling which has proven beneficial to the environment and the economy as a cost-effective product to build roads, tunnels and bridges. However, if the talks about the federal transportation bill fail, the cost and environmental benefits of this amendment go down with it.

The cost savings of recycled fly ash products is a major advantage for taxpayers and construction firms. Fly ash materials keep repair and maintenance costs low as the product is stronger and last longer than traditional road-building materials. According to a report from the American Roads and Transportation Builders’ Association (ARTBA), more than 55 million tons of fly ash were recycled for construction purposes across the nation.

In addition to its economic vitality, the continued use and production of fly ash secures more than a quarter million jobs.

Federal lawmakers have proposed this amendment to allow for greater use of fly ash in transportation projects and to provide greater EPA oversight on each state’s fly ash regulations.

It will be interesting to see what Congress decides on the federal transportation bill and if they will meet their deadline.

To see the full story, visit the following link:
http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/federal-transportation-bill-whats-holdup-washington