Fall 2016
Volume 2, No. 2
round the Cone A newsletter written for, by and about VDOT’s Richmond District -
Amelia, Brunswick, Charles City, Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, New Kent, Nottoway, Powhatan and Prince George
In this issue (click a topic to navigate) • A Message from Rob Cary • Project Visit • “Gourd” News • Snow Season 2016 • Unity Day Recap • Thanks, VDOT! • Giving Back to Nature • Clearing the Way • Pardon our Dust! • Safety Solutions • Paint the Plow • Hellos and Goodbyes • Retiree Spotlight: Susan Edwards
Richmond District Office of Communications 2430 Pine Forest Drive South Chesterfield, VA 23834 Bethanie.Glover@VDOT.Virginia.gov
Smiling Faces, Fellowship and Fun! Richmond District Celebrates its first annual Unity Day Read more on p. 4
A Message from Rob Cary It’s the season of giving and of thanks, and I’ve noticed a lot of both throughout the Richmond District for the past few months. We gathered for a terrific Unity Day celebration back in October, and many teams and divisions are distributing their annual awards for service recognition and other accolades this month. Having just completed my 25th year with VDOT, I want to take this time to thank all of the folks who have received service awards this year. You keep equipment, operations and all other aspects of a transportation organization going with little to no down time, industriously serving the over 1.3 million citizens who reside and commute in the Richmond District. With snow season quickly approaching, I feel confident when I say that the Richmond District is prepared with the necessary materials and crew to keep the roads clear and safe. Thank you all for your tireless work to complete your dry runs and to prepare your team members for any possible winter storms. Finally, I want to remind all of you to make the most of this holiday season. Take your well-deserved time to enjoy the season with your friends and loved ones. Your continued support and work during winter weather operations is most appreciated. Have a safe and happy holiday season, and I’m looking forward to what 2017 has in store for the district!
Project Visit Four Richmond District employees (Scott Chapman, Joe Fecek, Tony Haverly and Jason Williams) attended the statewide Location & Design meeting at the Route 460 Connector project in Bristol in November. Great photo, everyone!
“Gourd” News On Tuesday, October 11, Richmond District employees John Eckert and Jerry Slagle helped deliver a giant pumpkin to the Governor’s Mansion in Richmond for the second year in a row. Surrounded by a variety of smaller pumpkins and squash, the 315lb. gourd was placed near the front steps of the mansion as a welcome to fall. With the help of a few pickup trucks and a forklift, the autumnal arrangement was presented to Governor Terry McAuliffe and First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe by the Virginia Pumpkin Growers Association. Keeping up last year’s tradition, Gov. McAuliffe issued a proclamation to designate October as Pumpkin Month. The pumpkin was joined in celebration by Gov. McAuliffe, First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe and Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Basil Gooden. 2
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SNOW SEASON 2016 Snow Conference The Richmond District’s annual snow conference was held on September 28 at John Tyler Community College in Chester. Following a welcome from district engineer Rob Cary, the day opened with a media viewpoint of the snow season from WTVR-CBS6 meteorologist Zach Daniel. Zach shared what a typical day is like in the news world during a winter storm, and answered questions that conference attendees had about his line of work and past experience with snow in the Central Virginia region. Other presentations for the day included John Scrivani (Safety, Security & Emergency Management Division), Steve Fritton (District Command Center operations), Ollie Rose (TOC operations), Shavon Matias and Nequea Jordan (business support), Jerry Slagle (shop & equipment), Lindsay LeGrand (communications), Marchel Johnson (safety expectations), Jimmy White and Mike Fitch (anti icing operations), Eddie Smiley and Frank Wiles (interstate maintenance snow removal) and Carnell Harper (snow removal). Several representatives from snow removal contractors joined the meeting and were welcome to ask questions or share thoughts, and district employees had the chance to address their questions and concerns to prepare for a successful snow season.
Media Availability Richmond District Communications hosted a snow media availability at Pocahontas AHQ on November 16 to give media outlets a chance to ask questions in advance of the upcoming snow season. The communications team shared information about the snow budget, pre-treating, materials and the snow removal process with reporters and videographers from CBS6, ABC8, NBC12, WRVA 1140AM and the Progress-Index. Pocahontas AHQ Superintendent Richard Easter gave demonstrations of loading sand into a dump truck and operating snow removal machinery.
Dry Runs Crew members from area headquarters throughout the Richmond District have been gearing up for the 2016 snow season by performing “dry runs” to test equipment and familiarize themselves with snow removal routes before winter weather strikes the region. Dry runs allow crews and supervisors to test each part of a snow plow (including lights, the horn and the plow blade) and to submit work orders for necessary repairs to be completed prior to the first snowfall. The Richmond District is ready for snow season! Thanks in advance to all district employees who will work to keep Virginia moving this winter. 3
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Family Feud
Mike Godwin and the Off-Duty Band
Grindly Johnson
“There’s VDOT unity in every community” The Richmond District celebrated its first annual Unity Day on October 5 at the Virginia State University (VSU) Multi-Purpose Center. Employees gathered to learn and build relationships with their colleagues throughout the district and to partake in the day’s presentations. Jonathan Zur, President of the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities (VCIC), was the featured keynote speaker for the day, followed by VDOT Commissioner Charlie Kilpatrick, Deputy Secretary of Transportation Grindly Johnson and Division Administrator for VDOT Civil Rights Sandra Norman. Live music for the day was provided by Debo Dabney and Friends, a jazz band featuring soloist Carlita Whitehead, Richmond District Financial Office, and Mike Godwin and the Off-Duty Band, a country/old-time rock n’ roll band featuring soloist/guitarist Mike Godwin, Nottoway Area Headquarters. Sandra Norman
Individuals, divisions and residencies from around the district presented their hobbies and disciplines, including model airplanes, artwork, Civil War memorabilia and much more. The day wrapped up with a head-to-head battle between teams from throughout the district in a rousing rendition of the classic game show, Family Feud.
Jimmy Morris - Dirt Bikes
Charlie Kilpatrick
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Many thanks to everyone who attended Unity Day, to those who shared their special talents and artistic abilities at the booths this year, and to the planning team for making Richmond’s first Unity Day event a success! We’ll see you at next year’s gathering!
Jonathan Zur
Lindsay LeGrand & Steve McNeely
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Thanks, VDOT! for a job well done “Hurray! Thanks to the team for being open-minded and safety-minded. Way to go VDOT!” Beth from New Kent
“Just want to say THANK YOU for having those tree limbs cut back!! Major difference. I am so appreciative.” Deborah from Chesterfield
“Thank you for the prompt removal of a leaning dead tree that threatened our neighborhood safety on Dover Rd. in Goochland County last night.” Sydna from Goochland
“I just wanted to say a big thank you to Kenny Dill and his coworkers. They did an amazing job of clearing the trees on Barnetts Road. Truck drivers had been complaining and now several have said it is like driving on a new road. They got in, did the job and did it beautifully! Thank you for a job well done!” Teresa from Charles City “I would just like to let you know about one of your [Safety Service Patrol] employees. His name was James Smith. We got a flat around Exit 80 at 4:45 a.m. He stopped to assist us in a very dangerous section of I-95 and helped us get on our way. He was extremely professional and courteous.” David from Richmond “Many thanks for taking the steps to bring the necessary corrections to the previous paving issues on Pear Orchard Road. The additional paving greatly improves the driving safety and eliminates the dips that were present in the first section of pavement. Your responsiveness is appreciated.” Bud from Moseley
“Thank you so much for removing the tree from the road so quickly yesterday. Thanks again.” Leroy from Hanover
“I just wanted to say the group you had working did a great job!!! Very good and I know you don’t get to hear that much so I just wanted to tell them that. Thanks again.” Citizen from Hanover “Today Mr. Matt Harris [Safety Service Patrol] provided roadside assistance to me and my fiance when our 5th wheel travel trailer suffered a tire blowout on northbound Interstate 95 at about mile marker 90. He mounted the spare tire and stayed with us until we got back on the road. About 35 minutes later at mile marker 113, I had a second tire blow on the 5th wheel. Again, Mr. Harris came to our aid but in this case no spare. He stayed with us as long as he could while I waited for my fiance to return with another spare tire. Please give Mr. Harris our best wishes and highly commend him for his assistance. Lieutenant Colonel Eric J. Sprengle - U.S. Army-Retired
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Thanks, VDOT! for a job well done “I had the pleasure of meeting Jessica Miller on the roundabout in Dinwiddie. She is a wonderful person to talk with. I got answers to my concerns that I have tried for three years to get. This roundabout concerns some of my property also. She has good knowledge of what she does. I would be proud to have someone like her on my team any day. I’m glad I got to meet Jessica and look forward to talking with her again. “ Mildred from Dinwiddie “I have lived here most of my life, almost 65 years. The condition of the roads around the tri-city area has had its ups and downs over the years, as I am sure you are aware. What VDOT has done in the last year is truly exceptional, especially on Route 288. I travel daily all over the Richmond metro area and can’t believe the difference everywhere. Complaints come to your office like all agencies and businesses, but I wanted to express my compliments to you and your entire department for the efforts they go through daily to provide the service that you have delivered to our cities. The roads are truly amazing and a joy to travel on. Keep up the good work.” Wilbert “I offer words of praise to the Virginia Department of Transportation. The driving public should appreciate all the bridge replacements, resurfaced roads, fixed potholes and the numerous other ways VDOT continually works to improve and maintain our streets and highways.. Soon we will be thankful for their snow removal services. Countless times I have gone to the VDOT website to report a dead deer on or along a road (or some other problem) and the department is quick to respond and take care of the matter. We complain about government when it doesn’t work, so we should thank and applaud a state agency when it performs so well.” Letter to the Editor of the Richmond Times-Dispatch from Lee “Hey! Great job on [Route] 288! I hope the crew is not blinded by those lights. Stay safe & warm out there! #GiveThemABrake” Tweet from @jaricadavis “Would like to commend the Richmond District for the work that is being accomplished with the lanes and sidewalks on Route 1 in Chester since I live in Chester. It has been a long time coming and looks great. I look forward to the new turn lane as well coming southbound toward Colonial Heights at Old Bermuda Road. It has been needed for a long time. I would also like to say that whoever the contractor was for [Route] 288 has done an awesome job as well witht he new asphalt. It is a pleasure to use.” Pamela from Chester
Shout it Out! Did someone on your team get special recognition for a job well done? Would you like to thank a teammate for his/her exemplary work? Email Bethanie.Glover@VDOT.Virginia.gov and we’ll feature it in the next edition of Around the Cone! Keep up the great work, Richmond District!
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Giving Back to Nature On October 20 and 21, 23 volunteers gathered during lunchtime at a patch of newly disked land near the Richmond District Office to plant the district’s first pollinator habitat. Dedicated to combating the threat of extinction faced daily by pollinator species, the .3 acre garden is now filled with various wildflower species necessary for their survival, including Butterfly Weed, New England Aster, Green Stemmed Joe Pye, Spotted Joe Pye and Purple Cornflower. A lot of internal planning was done before the pollinator project struck ground. The district Environmental team had to select the right plants, coordinate the spacing and layout of the garden patch, and prepare tasks and instructions for district volunteers. The Chesterfield Residency and the Chester AHQ helped with disking and preparing the site for planting. Nick Gerardi, Richmond District Environmental Specialist, hopes that “by promoting stewardship here at work, folks would be inspired to create habitats around their homes by planting native wildflowers, especially Milkweed, which plays a critical role in Monarch Butterfly development. Milkweeds are the only food for Monarch larvae. By planting Milkweed in a sunny location with good drainage and moist soil, anyone can provide much-needed habitat and food for the Monarch.” In addition to providing food for bees and butterflies, the low-cost project promotes good stewardship of our natural resources, is aesthetically pleasing, and is a best management practice in VDOT’s stormwater and runoff efforts. Many thanks to the Richmond District volunteers who helped out! Be on the lookout for more opportunities to help with watering, weeding and mulching the garden in the spring.
Clearing the Way On September 7, the Charles City AHQ and Atlee Bridge Crew worked together to remove a portion of a bridge along the Virginia Capital Trail bike path after a pipe running beneath it became plugged by a beaver dam. With the help of Dominion Virginia Power and with great communication and teamwork, the crews were able to clear out the debris and reinstall the bridge slab in a timely manner. “These bridges are designed to be removed like this all along the [Virginia Capital Trail], and it seems to be a good system,” said Jamie Craig, Charles City AHQ Superintendent. 7
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Pardon Our Dust! New Richmond District Office Facility The project team recently completed the procurement process and hired an architecture and engineering firm, HGA, to design the new joint VDOT/VSP facility. HGA is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota with a more local office location in Alexandria, Virginia. Survey and design work is already underway, so be on the lookout for crews along Pine Forest Drive. Continue to check back for more updates as the work progresses. South Hill Equipment Shop The new South Hill Equipment Shop building, located near the interchange of I-85 and U.S. 58, has been largely vacant since its acquisition many years ago. Originally a tractor trailer dealership (previously called the Watkins building), the property was inherited as part of a roadway project. Some saw the unused struture as an opportunity to refresh into a usable facility - a new South Hill Equipment Shop. On Wednesday, October 12, the district officially opened the building for business. It will now house the South Hill Residency equipment shop and Mancon shops. The 18,760 square foot building has two large garages and ample yard space for storage. “This is a new source of pride for the South Hill Residency,” said residency administrator Billy Smith. “The new shops will allow us to work on and wash many pieces of equipment even in the worst types of weather.” “Everybody did their part,” said district engineer Rob Cary, P.E., L.S. “With the help of the residency, facilities and equipment shop teams, bridge crews and inmate labor, we were able to find efficient ways to meet our needs and renovate this valuable asset.” “This project is an example of great teamwork and communication,” said Lezlie Ellis, assistant district administrator for business. “We held regular meetings over the course of the project, which helped us to coordinate all of the work that was going on simultaneously. We were able to identify potential concerns early, which helped us meet our goal of opening by November 1.” “This building, if we built it from the ground up, would have cost the commonwealth about $6.5 million,” said Steve McNeely, district maintenance engineer. “With teamwork and creativity, we were able to rehabilitate the existing facility for about $600,000.” “This is truly a milestone for South Hill and the equipment division,” added Bryan Maul, district equipment manager. “We’re thankful for everyone on the team who got us here.” The South Hill Equipment Shop is managed by Marvin LeBlanc and is located at 950 E. Atlantic Street in South Hill. The shop can be reached at (434) 584-9780 or (434) 584-9781.
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Safety Solutions: Space Heaters As cold weather approaches, space heaters become a commonly used feature in offices. If used correctly, space heaters provide relief from the cold; if not, they can become a major hazard and contribute to fires, electrical shock and burns. Here are a few safety tips to keep in mind when using space heaters: • Keep the heater at least three feet from all combustible materials (e.g., file cabinets, desks, trash cans, paper boxes). • Ensure the heater has a thermostat to automatically shut down the unit when the desired temperature is achieved. • Never leave the heater unattended. Turn off the heater when you leave the room or area and unplug at the end of the day. • Ensure the heater has an automatic shut-down feature in case it tips over. • Never place anything on top of or touching the heater. • Inspect the heater for missing guards, control knobs, frayed feet and frayed/damaged electrical cords/plugs. If deficiencies are found, take the unit out of service immediately. • Ensure the heater is in plain sight and is not in a high-traffic area or in an area where it will be a tripping hazard. • Plug your heater directly into a wall outlet. Extension cords and power strips should not be used due to the risk of overheating, which could lead to a fire. If you have any safety-related questions or if you would like more information regarding space heater safety, contact Marchel Johnson, District Safety Manager at Marchel.Johnson@VDOT.Virginia.gov or at (804) 837-9118. Make safety a priority every day!
Art in Motion: Paint the Plow Several schools throughout the Richmond District are participating in the annual “Paint the Plow” initiative, where students statewide are invited to design an eye-catching winter display and paint it onto a VDOT snow plow. This year, students from schools in Amelia, Charles City, Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, Nottoway and Prince George counties showcased their art skills in hopes of their school spirit being represented during the 2016 snow season. The Paint the Plow program gives VDOT and local schools a chance to develop a great sense of partnership and community, and may even inspire students to seek out a career in one of VDOT’s artistic divisions, such as graphic design or photography. Thanks to all the crews who helped deliver and retrieve the plows from the schools this year! We can’t wait to see them in action.
Crew members from Beach AHQ pick up a newly painted plow from L.C. Bird High School, featuring a scenic view of the Varina-Enon Bridge
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Hellos and Goodbyes New Hires Danny Baiden-Nimene - Assistant Residency Administrator, Ashland Residency
Christian Leitherer - Operator Maintenance, Beach Area Headquarters
Gary Brockwell - Operator Maintenance, Sturgeonville Area Headquarters
Glen Manuel - Operator Maintenance, Church Road Area Headquarters
Cory Cheatham - Operator Maintenance, Prince George Area Headquarters
Carl Mixell - Operator Maintenance, Sturgeonville Area Headquarters
Dakota Childress - Mechanic, Richmond District Shop
Stuart Pitre - Bridge Inspector, Richmond District Office
Andrew Clay - Planning Specialist, Richmond District Planning & Investment Management Brendan Coles - Construction Inspector, Richmond District Office Darrin Dorman - Construction Inspector, Richmond District Office James Gardner - Operator Maintenance, Elko Area Headquarters Jonathan Hypes - Operator Maintenance, Elko Area Headquarters Travis LeBlanc - Construction Inspector, Richmond District Office
Retirees
Louie Sabourin - Operator Maintenance, Ashland Area Headquarters George Shelton - Operator Maintenance, Prince George Area Headquarters Tracey Stowe - Operator Maintenance, Victoria Area Headquarters Daniel Taylor - Operator Maintenance, Ashland Area Headquarters Daren Williams - Mechanic, Richmond District Shop Moray Williams - Operator Maintenance, Charles City Area Headquarters
42 years - Donald Crane - Operator Maintenance, Sturgeonville Area Headquarters
31 years - Susan Edwards - Executive Assistant, Richmond District Office
36 years - Raymond Mayo - Superintendent, Powhatan Area Headquarters
46 years - Johnny Peebles - Superintendent, Lawrenceville Area Headquarters
22 years - James Proctor - Contract Manager, Chesterfield Residency
30 years - Claude Reed - Operator Maintenance, Victoria Area Headquarters
17 years - John Selph - Operator Maintenance, Charles City Area Headquarters
27 years - Virginia Stepp - Traffic Design Engineer, CRO Traffic Engineering
18 years - Robert Super - Operator Maintenance, Powhatan Area Headquarters
26 years - Steve Tribble - Operations Supervisor, CRO Traffic Engineering
Retiree Spotlight: Susan Edwards Susan started her career at VDOT in Central Office and worked in Human Resources, Management Services and Policy before coming to the Richmond District, where she has worked for the last 24 years. Susan served on the district’s clerical Data Force Employee Involvement Team (EIT). Through their efforts in reducing costs and consolidating multiple functions into one position, the EIT was recognized and received a Commissioner’s Award for Outstanding Achievement. Susan’s friends and colleagues gathered to celebrate her last day in the office on November 18, where great stories were shared about Susan’s career with VDOT and her amazing accomplishments. Congratulations, Susan, and good luck!
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