US 95 & Ironwood Intersection Paving

You may want to take note of the following dates:

Aug. 31- Sept. 3, 7 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Sept. 4, 7 p.m. to 12 a.m.

Those are the dates and times the Idaho Transportation Department will be performing maintenance at the intersection of US 95 and Ironwood, meaning they'll be doing paving.

Barricades will be placed at the intersection preventing through traffic on Ironwood. Detours will be marked. The far right lane heading south from I-90 will be open for access to the Kootenai Medical Center.

It's Kind Of Like The Minivan Of Bikes

So you've got a lot of stuff to carry, but only a tiny rack on your bike. What to do? Maybe drive to work that day or to do your errands? WRONG! You need the new Danish 'Cargo Bike.' Here's the info from the 'Bike Hugger' blog.

PSA Aims To Reduce Texting While Driving

Have you seen this video yet? It's a public service announcement out of the UK about texting while driving that's making the rounds of the internet right now. Just a warning, there's blood involved, but not slaher-movie amounts or anything.

Eastbound I90 Backed Up Between Stateline & Liberty Lake

Avoid eastbound I90 starting at Liberty Lake. A crash about a mile east of Stateline has the freeway backed up for several miles, all the way to Liberty Lake. No word yet what caused the crash or if anyone was injured.

Draft Transit Center Study Report Available

After several months, the KMPO Transit Center Location Study is near completion. A final draft report is now available to review. Here's a link to the report, which contains some background on the need for a transit center, etc.

Going Underground With Bike Parking

Any time I ask, 'What would get you to ride your bike to work more often?' one of the first answers I get is, 'More bike parking.' We're getting better about providing bike parking in our area, but there's still a lot needed. In fact, we're no where near as progressive as the Japanese city in this video, where they park bikes underground! Check it out. And thanks to Charlie from the North Idaho Centennial Trail Foundation for sending this to me.

Lowe Says She Was Fired Over Consultant Contract

Fired Idaho Transportation Director Pam Lowe says she was fired because she planned to cut back a big contract, despite pressure from the governor's office not to. Lowe says the legislature directed her to reduce the cost but the governor's office told her the opposite. Here's the latest.

This Just In- Friendly, Overweight Chipmunks Acost Bicyclists

This is important stuff folks! My sister-in-law just got back from a mini-vacation to north Idaho with her family. When asked how it was she responded with this:

The Trail of the Hiawatha was super – if you haven’t done it before, you need to. Its really a good time and incredible scenery - plus the world’s tamest and chubbiest chipmunks. They were eating out of our hands. We saw one kid who had four of them in his lap!

Holy cow- does the management know about this chipmunk situation? I found it funny that most people talk about the ride, or the views, but my sister-in-law's biggest impression was the chipmunks. Oh well, here's the website for the Trail of the Hiawatha in case you want to check it out for yourself. And no, it doesn't mention anything about chipmunks.- Staci

Clunkers Programs Generated Nearly 700,000 New Car Sales

Cash for Clunkers generated nearly 700,000 new car sales and ended under its $3 billion budget, the Transportation Department announced today.

Japanese automakers Toyota, Honda and Nissan accounted for 41% of the new vehicle sales, with the Toyota Corolla being the most popular new vehicle purchased under the program, followed by the Honda Civic, Toyota Camry and Ford Focus.

Here's more statistics from the program from the Spokesman-Review.

While this program definetely boosted the auto industry and the economy (by putting people to work) this year, what this article doesn't say is that many economists are now worried that the auto industry is going to tank again next year and possibly the year after, because few people will be buying cars. What's your take? Any other major pros or cons you see coming out of this we haven't talked about?

Former ITD Director Seeking Damages

Looks like the Idaho Transportation Department may have a fight on their hands. Former ITD director Pamela Lowe is seeking damages from the state for improper termination and gender discrimination.

Among her claims: One member of the ITD board said "no little girl would be able to run this department." Here's the story from the Idaho Statesman.

Why Do Anything Half Way?

Thanks to blogger Holly who suggested this method of keeping your bike safe in response to the post below about a stolen bike flyer.

These Are The Guys Who Make Our Transportation Decisions

Recognize these guys? No, it's not the members of a 1960's-era folk singing group reunited for one last tour. This is the seven-member Idaho Transportation Board (which badly needs a female member, by the way). Just thought you might want to know who oversees the Idaho Transportation Department.

The Board meets once a month to oversee the operations of the ITD, establish state transportation policy, and guide the planning, development, and management of the transportation network.

Any questions? Here's more about them and their responsibilities.

This Bike Had 'Take Me' Written All Over It

This missing bike flyer was allegedly posted in Williamsburg, VA. I stole the picture from bikehugger.com 'cause it made me laugh.

Government Rebates Offered On Electric Cars

Cash for Clunkers may be out of money, but another federal program that most people don't know about provides incentives even more substantial to buyers. The catch? The vehicle you buy under this program must be plug-in electric vehicles. Here's the story.

Designers Suggest Getting Rid Of Independence Point Parking

It's the best views Coeur d'Alene has to offer, so why is the area being used to park cars? That's what the Mayors' Institute on City Design resource team is wondering about Independence Point.

The resource team, made up of world-recognized designers, is in town to help with the education corridor expansion project. But what caught there eye was the acre of parking next to the city's showpiece lake. Now they're strongly recommending that parking be filled in- with grass. Here's the story from the Coeur d'Alene Press.

CDA City Hall Construction

Beginning Tuesday, August 25th, the lower entrance of Coeur d'Alene City Hall will be closed so that city crews can install an ADA accessible ramp in the lower lot. This ramp will replace the asphalt ramp that is now in place.

This access will be closed for two (2) days during construction. Once the concrete is finished, crews will replace asphalt and posts for signage, as well as re-stripe the lower lot.

Both upper entrances to City Hall – from the Library parking lot and from 8th Street – will be open for business.

Blogging Ideas Needed

I need some ideas. Being summer and all, besides construction, things have been a bit slow on the north Idaho transportation front. That I've been hearing about anyway. If you have something you'd like to see on here please let me know. How about favorite blogs that talk about walking, biking, bussing, anything transportation related? Let me know if you have ones you check regularly. And how about articles? I blog about happenings on the Washington side of the state line too and have a pretty good list of bloggers who send me articles to post. If you see something you think others would enjoy reading or could learn from, please send me a link. Keep in mind that I maintain the authority to reject anything I see as inappropriate, but even if I don't post it, I'll probably enjoy it myself :) Thanks!- Staci

Vandalism Bad, But Funny

Let me make it clear that KMPO in no way endorses vandalism, but it's Wednesday and you've made it this far so you deserve a treat.Here's a gallery of 'Amusingly Defaced Street Signs. Please don't try to make your own at home.

What Would Get You To Ride To Work More Often?

Thanks to Holly for sending me this article. 'Slate' recently asked, "What would it take to get more people to bike to work?" and came up with the answer "more bike parking." It makes sense when you think about it, and it applies to cars so why not bikes? Studies show that a large percentage of commuters who drive to work alone in their car each day have a free, assured parking spot. So if you knew you had a safe, guaranteed place to park your bike each day, would you ride more?

Editorial Suggests Raising Price Of Parking Permits

Last week I blogged about a letter to the editor of the Coeur d'Alene Press that said that parking is at a premium at North Idaho College. In response to that letter, an editorial in today's issue of the Press calls for raising the price of a parking permit. Apparently, a permit is only $20- for an entire year!Here's the editorial.