BOISE, ID Kevin Sablan, Idaho Transportation Department State Design/Traffic Services Engineer, has been awarded a 2016 American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Fellowship and will spend the next year in Washington, D.C., working on engineering and transportation policy issues. He will live and work in the nation"˜s capital.

Sablan is Idaho's first AASHTO Fellow in the 15-year history of the program. He has been with ITD since 1999.

Sablan's was submitted as a candidate for the appointment in mid-December, was interviewed in early February and selected as one of three AASHTO Fellows nationwide.

"I've a lot of work to do here (at ITD) which is my only reservation about this, but it appears to be a great opportunity and a great benefit to the department, not to mention professionally for myself," said Sablan.

The fellowship will give Sablan the opportunity to interact with engineers, transportation professionals and policy-makers from across the country, and make contact with colleagues from other state DOTs, who will likely become invaluable resources for the rest of his career.

In addition, ITD will benefit from the knowledge obtained and the connections made by Sablan during his year, including a better understanding of the association's inner workings. AASHTO will benefit from Sablan's "front-line" expertise and practical experience in formulating technical documents and policy positions related to association business.