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Vol. 4, No. 4
Spring 2019
Cover: Antwon Streat (Jennings Ordinary Bridge Crew) competes in the backhoe event at the Richmond District Complex Roadeo
In this issue A Message from Bart VDOT/VSP Joint Facility Update Go Orange Day in the Richmond District Richmond District Roadeo Employee Spotlight: Linda Tomlin A Close Call Metro Richmond Move Over Campaign Safety Solutions Compliments on a Job Well Done New Residency Leadership Employee Update
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A Message from Bart Thrasher, P.E. - Richmond District Engineer Warm weather has already made an appearance, and I am seeing potholes being patched, drains being cleared and sight distance issues being addressed as we move into hurricane season. As we continue with our spring and summer maintenance activities, please be sure to keep an eye on our winter weather facilities, as well. Please make sure that any salt storage facilities in your area are appropriately stocked, as overfilling could cause damage that could potentially eliminate a salt storage location next season. We want to be completely ready for old man winter, so please pay close attention to facility capacity limits. One of my favorite times of the year at VDOT is roadeo time. As always, I was impressed with the skill and know-how the competitors brought to the residency- and district-level games this year. Friendly competition now and then helps us all grow as a team and an agency, and I cannot wait to go up against the other districts at the statewide event this year. Competing for Richmond District this year are Timothy Osborne (Sturgeonville AHQ) on the single axle dump truck, Lloyd Smith (Clarksville AHQ) on the tandem axle dump truck, Brandon West (Jennings Ordinary Bridge Crew) on the backhoe, Kevin Smith (South Hill Residency) on the grader, and Morris Hudson (Kenbridge AHQ) on the tractor. If you notice, most of these folks are from South Hill Residency – quite an accomplishment! Please join me in congratulating these district winners, and let’s bring home the gold in August. We are growing as a district, and celebrating some new opportunities for the first time. Our new joint facility is coming along well, and we are expecting to begin the move-in process sometime this fall. We held our first roadside litter pickup with Secretary Shannon Valentine. We also held the district’s first locality day, and participated in one of several highway automation workshops throughout the state. For the first time in years, Richmond District is a top contender for the Chief Engineer’s Safety Excellence (CESE) award. No one knows more about how to make YOUR workplace safer than YOU, and I have enjoyed seeing your creative and innovative safety ideas and videos. Keep the ideas coming for next year’s competition, and please remember to stay caught up on your safety training. Enjoy your summer, and take the time to enjoy your families and friends while the weather is favorable. Remember your sun protection and please stay hydrated. Most importantly, keep your head on a swivel, look out for one another, and make sure you get home safely every night to your families. Take care and be safe, Bart
VDOT/VSP Joint Facility Update Crews are still hard at work constructing the new VDOT/VSP joint facility behind the existing Richmond District office. On May 22, executive staff took a brief tour to view building progress, and were able to picture what new workspaces will look like. In the coming weeks and months, crews will begin working inside the building and district teams will need to begin thinking about their upcoming move.
Pictured above: Richmond District team members view the room that will house the Traffic Operations Center (TOC) when the building is finished Pictured right: Lezlie Ellis and Kevin Gregg survey the existing Richmond District office from the top floor of the new facility
"When the building has reached occupancy and VDOT team members are permitted to relocate, our priority will be moving the environmental and structure/bridge teams into the building so that their existing facilities can be demolished," said Lezlie Ellis, Assistant District Administrator for Business. "The bridge and environmental teams are working hard to dispose of any files or materials that are unnecessary, and we look forward to their move in the coming months." Construction of the district building is anticipated to be complete in fall 2019. Questions about the building? Lezlie Ellis has seating charts in her office and welcomes inquiring minds. Around the Cone 2
Go Orange Day 2019
Richmond District Contract Administration Traffic Operations Center (TOC)
Nottoway Area Headquarters
Sturgeonville Area Headquarters
Beach Area Headquarters
Tommy Schinkel's sons
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Go Orange Day 2019
Petersburg Residency
Lawrenceville Area Headquarters
Carlita Whitehead
Tom Baicy
Richmond District Office
Kenbridge Area Headquarters
Clarksville Area Headquarters Powhatan Area Headquarters Chesterfield Residency
Chester Area Headquarters
South Hill/Dinwiddie Bridge
Amelia Area Headquarters
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Richmond District Roadeo The Richmond District held its annual district roadeo on May 16 at the Chesterfield County Fairgrounds. Competitors from the district put their best foot (and wheels) forward for the games. The following winners will be representing the Richmond District at the statewide roadeo in August: Single Axle: Timothy Osborne, Sturgeonville AHQ, South Hill Residency Tandem Axle: Lloyd Smith, Clarksville AHQ, South Hill Residency Backhoe: Brandon West, Jennings Ordinary Bridge Crew Motorgrader: Kevin Smith, South Hill Residency Tractor: Morris Hudson, Kenbridge AHQ, South Hill Residency
Pictured top, left to right: Kevin Gregg (Assistant Richmond District Administrator), Lloyd Smith (Clarksville, Tandem 1st), John Taylor (Elko, Grader 2nd), Timothy Osborne (Sturgeonville, Single Axle 1st), Kevin Smith (South Hill Residency, Grader 1st), Morris Hudson (Kenbridge, Tractor 1st), J.R. McDaniel (Nottoway, Backhoe 2nd), Matt Perkins (Sturgeonville, Tractor 2nd), Billy Hayes (Interstate South, Tandem Axle 2nd), Robert Cox (Dinwiddie Bridge, Single Axle 2nd), Brandon West (Jennings Ordinary Bridge, Backhoe 1st), Bart Thrasher (Richmond District Engineer) Pictured bottom, left: Curtis Shepherd (Nottoway AHQ) competes in the grader event Pictured bottom, middle: Brandon West (Jennings Ordinary Bridge) competes in the backhoe event Pictured bottom, right: Jeff Allgood (Ashland Residency) competes in the tractor event
Employee Spotlight: Linda Tomlin This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Patrick Henry High School softball team. VDOT Ashland Residency employee, Linda Tomlin, along with three other original 1969 team members were honored in a ceremony before one of their 2019 season games. The ladies were introduced and took the field for the National Anthem, showing their school pride. Linda’s daughter and granddaughter carried on the softball legacy at Patrick Henry High. Theirs is the only third generation softball family in the school’s history.
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A Close Call While performing inspections in a work zone on the Bryan Park Interchange (I-64 west over I-95) in 2017, VDOT Richmond District Senior Construction Inspector Adam Mobley got a bad feeling about a vehicle passing through the work zone. “I could tell that the driver was impaired, and was entering the work zone at a high rate of speed,” said Adam. Adam was able to jump out of the vehicle’s path in time, with only minor contact to his boots from the vehicle’s side mirror. Fortunately, he was unhurt and back on the job in no time. When asked what message he would like to share from this incident, Adam said that he hopes everyone pays careful attention when driving or working in an active work zone. Distracted or impaired driving puts countless lives in danger, and everyone wants to get home safely. “I’ve been working on the roads for so long. I know friends that have been hit, whose names have ended up on the [VDOT Workers’] Memorial. I wouldn’t want anyone to go through the same,” said Adam. “My only advice for drivers and workers is to keep your eyes open and be aware of your surroundings, especially in tight spots.” Just in time for National Work Zone Awareness Week 2019, Adam was presented with the same side mirror that struck him back in 2017, displayed in a shadow box as a memento of the close call.
Pictured above: Adam Mobley displays the framed side-view mirror that struck him in a work zone in 2017.
Metro Richmond Emergency Teams Collaborate for Move Over Campaign On Thursday, May 9, representatives from local emergency service providers in the metro Richmond area joined forces to film a collaborative Move Over campaign video. Participants included Virginia State Police, Hanover Fire, Hanover Sheriff, Henrico Police, Henrico Fire, Richmond Police, Richmond Fire & EMS, Chesterfield Police, Chesterfield Fire & EMS, Ashland Police, VCU Police, Richmond Ambulance Authority, Eagle Towing, Seibert’s Towing and VDOT Safety Service Patroller Rusty Bevan. Team members were excited to spread the word to Richmond area drivers that all flashing lights on the roadside are prompts to move over. The video debuted on May 24, ahead of Memorial Day traffic and Move Over Awareness Month in June. Participating agencies will continue the collaborative campaign in the coming months to keep the message alive and remind new and seasoned drivers to move over for work zones and highway incidents.
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Safety Solutions CESE Standings The Richmond District brought its best game to the Chief Engineer's Safety Excellence (CESE) competition this year. Employees kept a close eye on their training to ensure that it stayed up-to-date, and they submitted a great variety of awesome safety ideas and videos. We won't know the winner of the CESE cup until the statewide roadeo games, but the Richmond District should be proud of the amount of safety contributions that were submitted this year. Safety is always VDOT's first priority, and the district's continued commitment to safety (along with a little friendly competition) is part of what keeps Virginia moving. Check out the 2019 CESE standings below:
New Safety Manager For all your safety needs going forward, please contact our new Safety Manager, Reggie Patterson. Reggie has a wealth of VDOT experience ranging from the area headquarters to the district level. He can help with any safety-related questions, CESE questions or submissions, VDOT-related road incidents and safety policies and procedures. The safety team is available any time at 804-837-9118.
Around the Cone is a quarterly newsletter written for, by and about the employees of the VDOT Richmond District. Amelia Brunswick Charles City Chesterfield Dinwiddie Goochland Hanover
Henrico Lunenburg Mecklenburg New Kent Nottoway Powhatan Prince George
We want to hear good news from you! Send your story ideas for the next issue of Around the Cone, the electronic bulletin boards (EBBs), or InsideVDOT News to VDOTRVA@VDOT.Virginia.gov.
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Compliments on a Job Well Done Ashland Residency
South Hill Residency
"I wanted to thank the VDOT crew for a job well done for adding gravel around my mailbox at 2576 Old Church Rd. The job was done quick and efficiently." Cheryl
"I want to say thank you for the quick response to cleaning up the Jonesboro Church Rd. bridge area. The AHQ did a great job, it looks very nice there." Nancy
"Regarding Service Request #1075118 Kudos to the two men who completed this work. Thank you from the residents of Olivet Church Road." Mark
"I wanted to say thank you to the crew that came out and that I was very satisfied with the work that was done at 2420 Hayes Mill Road, Route 675, yesterday." Elvis
"I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you to the VDOT crew that fixed all the pot holes in front of Charles City Regional Health Services, 9950 Courthouse Rd, Charles City VA 23030 on March 26. We didn't even request the work to be done; they just appeared and it was wonderful! Thank you so much for repairing the road in front of our office. The patients really appreciated the repairs also!" Kim
Richmond District
" Thank you for fixing the pot hole so quickly." Collin
Chesterfield Residency "Thanks you repaired the deep but narrow hole on Hull street." Brenda "You always respond very quickly whenever I request work to be done and always do an excellent job!" Bob "THANK YOU, Thank you!!!!! I could not believe when I left my home this morning at 9:45, the pot holes were already filled!!!!! I just submitted my request last night!!! All of the Coralview Rd., Ct. and Terrace thank you!!!!" Gina "Called to say Thank You for putting the No Parking signs on one side of the street. Very happy with VDOT response. SR# 1043656." Elizabeth "SR 1038467 I would like to say THANK YOU for repairing the potholes. Appreciative of the work that was done." Mary Anne "I want to thank everyone for fixing the pothole so quickly at Claridge Dri. & Asia Way, Chesterfield." Oscar
Petersburg Residency "I wanted to thank VDOT for quickly removing the deer that I reported on my road for SR# 1075222." Caroline "Called to say Thank You for cleaning the ditch at 11009 White Oak Church Rd., Wilsons. Thanks" Stephen
"Everyday there are heroes who show up in our lives at just the right time. I was coming to the west end of Richmond to meet up with a longtime friend in my car of almost eleven years that had given me faithful service. But on I-64 in the back end of rush hour a valve broke and a piston dislodged and all of a sudden my engine died while driving. I managed to get barely over onto the median, got out of the car and almost immediately Don Long and George Booth of VDOT showed up and immediately recognized my peril being just inches off the left lane. Fortunately 50 years or so up was a widened median area safely off from traffic. So while George blocked off left lane traffic Don used his VDOT vehicle with the soft bumper to push me up ahead to the safer location. In short they diffused a dangerous situation - that one distracted driver could've turned into a tragedy. Truly Don and George are heroes (as is the officer from Henrico who kept watch over all of us)." Mark “On Tuesday, March 19, 2019, I sustained a flat tire on Interstate 85 just south of Exit 39. There was a piece of lumber in the middle of the passing lane, which wasn’t visible until the truck I was driving behind cleared it. Fortunately, I maintained control of the car and was able to pull over to the side of the road. After calling 911, a VDOT truck stopped to assist. I am writing to tell you that Mr. Ricky Puryear, VDOT R08600, was the driver who got me up and running so that I could exit at the next off ramp 1/2 mile away, where I was able to replace the tire and still make it to Richmond for my meeting. He was a lifesaver! And I wanted to make sure that I shared my gratitude with him, with those who supervise him, and with those who administer the Roadside Assistance program. Thanks.” Kathy "Yesterday afternoon, my horse trailer blew a tire on I-295. I was able to safely pull off onto the emergency lane at the exit 41B. VDOT [Safety Service Patrol] showed up shortly, and stayed with me until the US Rider service showed up to change my tire. He was courteous and made sure that the service that showed up was able to help me and made sure that no one accosted me. Thank you for such a valuable service. I am grateful for all of the people in your organization." Celia Around the Cone 8
Compliments on a Job Well Done “Dear Commissioner Stephen Brich On March 25, 2019, I called in a concern about a tree that fell on my fence Friday night [3/29/19] after the wind storm. The young lady, Ms. Angela Harris that I spoke with, and very polite, said to send in pictures and she would see what could be done. Sure enough a worker Gary Jennings came out on Wednesday and took a look and said they would take care of it after they talked to their boss. In about two days, they came back and did a great job of cutting down the tree removing it off of my fence, and cleaning up the debris. I just want to thank, you, Gary Jennings, and the young lady, Angela Harris that responded to help me. If it wasn’t for her the tree would still be there. Sincerely, Adelaide V. Dent”
“Thank you so much for having VDOT [Operator Maintenance Christopher Jones, Basie AHQ] be part of our Touch-a-Truck Event! The students loved seeing the dump truck and the plow. Thanks again!” Bethany Bushey, School Counselor Maude Trevvett Elementary School
New Residency Leadership I
In late April, Tommy Johnson was selected to serve as the new South Hill Residency Administrator. Tommy has over 40 years of VDOT experience in the South Hill Residency. He started as an Operator and rose through the ranks to Maintenance Operations Manager. For the past seven years, he has filled the role of Assistant Residency Administrator. Tommy’s calm demeanor, professionalism and pride in service have been tremendous assets in his work with localities.
In late May, the Richmond District welcomed Kyle Bates, P.E. as the new Resident Engineer for the Chesterfield Residency. For the past four years, Kyle was the Assistant Residency Administrator for VDOT's Fredericksburg Residency. Kyle is a graduate of VDOT’s Core Development Program and holds a B.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina. He is a registered Professional Engineer in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
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Richmond District Employee Update
Welcome to our new Richmond District employees
March, April and May 2019
Eric Aguilar, Operator Maintenance - Prince George Area Headquarters Joshua Andelin, Facilities Manager - Richmond District Facilities Durell Avens, Operator Maintenance - Chester Area Headquarters Courtney Bailey, Operator Maintenance - Amelia Area Headquarters Christopher Barnes, Operator Maintenance - Pocahontas Area Headquarters Timothy Barnes, Operator Maintenance - Nottoway Area Headquarters Kyle Bates, Resident Engineer - Chesterfield Residency (transfer from Fredericksburg Residency) Andrew Bateson, Operator Maintenance - Powhatan Area Headquarters Robert Campbell, Assistant Manager - Interstate Maintenance North Jasper Carter, Operator Maintenance - Pocahontas Area Headquarters Brett Dillard, Equipment Repair Technician - Sandston Equipment Shop Matthew Godsey, Operator Maintenance - Chester Area Headquarters Jason Gray, Operator Maintenance - Basie Road Area Headquarters Audrey Joyner, Fiscal Technician - South Hill Residency Shaghayegh Keyhanpoor, Cultural Resources Specialist - Richmond District Environmental Richard Miller, Operator Maintenance - Elko Area Headquarters Michael Mills, Operator Maintenance - Nottoway Area Headquarters Laurie Orr, Inspector - Richmond District Structure & Bridge David Owens, Operator Maintenance - Amelia Area Headquarters David Purcell, Operator Maintenance - Mechanicsville Area Headquarters Tanner Ramsey, Operator Maintenance - Chester Area Headquarters Nicole Rappaport, Communications Coordinator - Richmond District Communications Dante Rivers, Operator Maintenance - Prince George Area Headquarters John Russell, Contract Manager - Richmond District Facilities Michael Salem, Supervisor Maintenance - Church Road Area Headquarters Matthew Shaver, Engineer - Richmond District Structure & Bridge Christopher Shephard, Cultural Resources Specialist - Richmond District Environmental Raymond Shepperson, Operator Maintenance - Pocahontas Area Headquarters Desmond Smallwood, Planning Specialist - Richmond District Planning Robert Yeatts, Operator Maintenance - Nottoway Area Headquarters
March, April and May 2019
A fond farewell to our retirees Barry Atwater, Petersburg Residency Permits Cynthia Chorinos, Richmond District Equipment Shop Larry Christian, New Kent Area Headquarters Arthur Conley, Richmond District Location & Design Jessie Craig, South Hill Residency Elliott Dejarnette, Richmond District Structure & Bridge Shelia Hicks, Central Region Traffic Operations Samuel Jones, Sandy Hook Area Headquarters Vertig McDougald, Chesterfield Residency Winston Phillips, Richmond District Location & Design Richard Pizzullo, Amelia Equipment Shop Linda Poore, Ashland Residency Permits Billy Smith, South Hill Residency Michael Watkins, Richmond District Materials
32 years of service 30 years of service 18 years of service 20 years of service 40 years of service 30 years of service 30 years of service 32 years of service 29 years of service 30 years of service 30 years of service 17 years of service 40 years of service 20 years of service Around the Cone 10