There’s nothing like that feeling of firing up a diesel engine for the first time after tearing it down and rebuilding it, says CSI diesel tech student Jadon Borges.
“It’s hard to explain, but it feels really good,” Borges said. “It gives you a bunch of confidence in yourself.”
In September, diesel students such as Borges will have a brand new building to work in, called the Transportation Technology Center. The truck bay doors in the current space at the Desert Building at the College of Southern Idaho are too small for modern diesel trucks — and the multi-use building also houses the culinary arts program.
Students Jadon Borges, left, and Jett Alanis find serial numbers on their diesel engine during class Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, at the Desert Building on the College of Southern Idaho campus in Twin Falls.
“We have the diesel fumes and the exhaust that are right next to food prep, so multiple reasons that this is not an ideal location,” said Spencer Cutler, executive director for facilities and maintenance.
The new $15 million, 28,000-square-foot building off North College Road will have 14 engine bays, storage space and a classroom, Cutler said.
“We just need more space,” he said. “We don’t have enough space to accommodate all of the students we have.”
Dustin Holt, diesel technology program manager and instructor, said trucks keep the world running. The goal of the program is to get students ready for life-long careers.
“Trucks ain’t going away,” Holt said. “Our industry is strong.”
Instructor Dustin Holt talks about the new workspace he’ll be working in on Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, at the Desert Building on the CSI campus in Twin Falls. Holt will be moving over to a new building once it’s been built.
Over the years trucks have gotten bigger and taller but the bay doors at the Desert Building have not. Holt said it’s especially hard to bring in trucks with raised roofs.
The new building will have four doors for pull-ins, he said, and one large end door where students can back in refrigerated trailers to work on electrical systems.
“Students need to learn how to drive trucks in and out of the shop safely for work,” Holt said. “They can’t. We can’t have them driving in here because it’s just too small.”
Construction continues on the new building that will house the diesel tech program Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, in Twin Falls.
Both the CSI diesel tech program and the heavy ag technology program will move into the Transportation Technology Center when it is complete in September. The automotive service program will then expand into the Desert Building, Cutler said.
With a new building, Holt said he expects a boost in recruiting with more appeal and attention to the long-running program.
“We’ll go out recruiting,” he said. “They don’t even know we have a diesel program and it’s been here forever.”
Sean Dolan writes about education and politics for the Times-News. Reach him at 208-735-3213 or email him at sean.dolan@magicvalley.com.
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