April 2017 Interchange

Interchange April 2017

Wire-cable barriers

Minor detail promotes major life-saving benefit

Letters

WYDOT garners thanks from students, staff This past January when we had freezing temperatures and heavy snows, the students became aware of how important each service and member of a community is to keeping the community working, especially in tough times.

As a result, we wanted to take time to thank some of the departments and members of our community for keeping the city working during the extreme weather in January.

Sincerely, Westridge students and staff

WYDOT, WHP thanked for excellent service

Interchange

I want to thank everyone and let the State of Wyoming know how helpful the Wyoming Highway Patrol and the administrators of the Wyoming roadway map have been throughout a time of extreme changes in the weather and road conditions. The advances in technology and helpful assistance when requested has been prompt, courteous and professional.

Thank you all for the excellent service.

Interchange is published for employees of the Wyoming Department of Transportation by its Public Affairs Office and a number of field correspondents.

Interchange invites submissions from all employees. Please send them to either your district correspondents or to: Carlie Van Winkle, Interchange editor, 5300 Bishop Blvd., Cheyenne, Wyoming, 82009-3340.

The Public Affairs Office may also be contacted by phoning (307) 777-4165 or sending email to carlie.vanwinkle@wyo.gov

Biz Tanner

Satisfied Cheyenne caller Thank you! I called about a road sign flapping in the wind on Yellowstone Road in Cheyenne on March 7 on a high-wind warning day.

A two-man crew showed up shortly thereafter and worked in horribly windy conditions to secure it.

I called three places inquiring about it – one being WYDOT, and your guys showed up!

Thank you!

Katie

Vol. 45, Issue 4

Staff WYDOT Director: William T. Panos

Public Affairs Manager: Doug McGee

Editor: Carlie Van Winkle

Contributors: Aimee Inama J.L. O’Brien Carlie Van Winkle Matt Murphy Jeff Goetz Stephanie Harsha Ronda Holwell Cody Beers Sgt. David Wagener

Public Affairs Public Affairs Public Affairs District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 District 5 Patrol

Photography: Rick Carpenter

Take it slow

Get travel information by dialing 5-1-1, following us on Twitter, visiting www.wyoroad.info, or through the new Wyoming 511 smartphone app.

Know before you go.

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April 2017

Public Affairs

Be sure to check out the online version of Interchange at http://issuu.com/wydot.pao or click on the link found on the employee’s internal website home page.

A WYDOT PUBLICATION

Contents Features 8 Wire-cable barriers Minor detail promotes major life saving benefits

8 10

10 The center-line stripe One of the first true highway safety features

12 Improving license plates Improvements to ensure fewer misidentifications

10 WYDOT organizes executive staff Meeting needs of the agency

Also in this issue

12

Letters.........................................................................................2 District briefs.............................................................................4 By the Numbers.......................................................................9 Training.....................................................................................14 Noteworthy............................................................................. 20 District news.......................................................................... 23 Awards..................................................................................... 26 Extra Mile Awards................................................................. 26 TechNotes............................................................................... 26 Passings................................................................................... 27 WTDEA..................................................................................... 28 Outdoors................................................................................. 29 Break Time...............................................................................31

On the cover:

A WYDOT maintenance crew adjusts the tension on the wire-cable barriers separating the lanes of eastbound and westbound I-80.

Photo: Rick Carpenter

Kindly recycle this publication after reading.

April 2017

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District Briefs Commission awards $13.6 million in highway contracts in March

CHEYENNE – Construction crews will replace an older wooden bridge near Alcova in Natrona County.

The Wyoming Transportation Commission awarded Hedquist Construction Inc., of Casper, the $2.7 million contract for the bridge work during its meeting on Thursday, March 23. The commission awarded that contract and seven others totaling $13.6 million.

The work near Alcova will be on County Road 407. Crews will install a temporary bridge and then remove the existing bridge. The work is needed because the bridge has had issues with weight restrictions.

The new bridge will be steel and concrete. The bridge is being federally funded, which is why the Wyoming Department of Transportation is involved.

WYDOT will oversee the work and is responsible for the design.

The contract completion date is Oct. 31, 2018.

Besides the bridge work, the rest of the contracts included road surfacing, upgrades to the variable speed limit signs and concrete barrier replacement.

Reiman Corp., of Cheyenne, was the low bidder on a $3.3 million pavement surfacing, concrete slab replacement and bridge rehabilitation projects in several locations in Converse and Natrona counties. The contract completion date is Oct. 31, 2018.

Intermountain Slurry Seal Inc., of Watsonville, California, won a $2.3 million contract for a chip seal project on roads in Lincoln, Sublette, Sweetwater and Uinta counties. Crews will chip seal parts of US 191 south of Farson and south of Pinedale, US 89 near Afton, US 189 near La Barge and Evanston and WYO 28 between Lander and Farson.

The chip seal work is part of WYDOT’s regular maintenance program to help prevent moisture from entering

HQ

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the pavement and to extend the use of the roads. The contract completion date is Aug. 31.

The commission awarded Wilson Bros. Construction Inc., of Cowley, a $2.1 million contract for rockfall mitigation work on US 14-16 between Yellowstone and Cody and on WYO 296, the Chief Joseph Highway.

On US 14-16, crews will be scaling back loose rock from the slopes in several locations to prevent rocks from falling.

They also will be installing rock bolts to stabilize the walls and will install rockfall mesh and an attenuator to help contain rocks that fall from the slope and prevent them from going on the road. On WYO 296, crews will be removing the old rockfall mesh and replacing it with new mesh.

Intermountain Slurry Seal also won a $1.8 million contract for microsurfacing work, which will add an overlay to the road to improve skid resistance and remove ruts from the pavement, on a total of 25 miles on WYO 24 and WYO 585 in Crook County.

The work is being paid for with 10cent fuel-tax revenue and is expected to be completed by Oct. 31.

The commission also awarded contracts for: n $671,769 to Knife River, of Cheyenne,

for a chip sealing project on WYO 130 starting in Saratoga and on WYO 789 north of Baggs by Aug. 31;

n $542,262 to Cache Valley Electric

Co., of Salt Lake City, to upgrade the variable speed limit signs at 12 locations between Rawlins and Laramie in Albany and Carbon counties by Oct. 31; and

n $64,934 to Linch Environmental Con-

tractors, of Linch, to repair a 130-foot section of concrete barrier that a semi truck damaged last fall by May 24.

PSCC moves under the Wyoming Department of Transportation CHEYENNE – Local communities will now have even more input on public safety communications throughout the state.

State officials reorganized and stream-

lined the Public Safety Communications Commission by putting it under the Wyoming Department of Transportation, and giving more representation to public safety, county and local entities.

The state Legislature passed a bill this past session making the move official, which Gov. Matt Mead signed into law recently. The Communications Commission, which state officials created in 2004, was previously housed under the Wyoming Office of Homeland Security.

The commission also marks the third oversight committee to work with WYDOT. The other two are the Transportation and Aeronautics commissions.

The new commission will be comprised of 11 members, which is down from 17. Eight of those representatives will be from the local and county level, with the remaining three from state agencies. The reorganization gives local entities a majority of the representation.

Previously, the commission had more state representation.

Besides diversifying and streamlining the commission, the reorganization provides the commission with more oversight on WYDOT activities.

“The move by the governor and the legislature will result in better representation for local entities regarding public safety communications,” said WYDOT Director Bill Panos. “Whenever we can streamline our processes to ensure a better product for Wyoming’s citizens, it’s a win-win situation.”

Part of that work includes serving as the governing body for WyoLink, the statewide public safety communications system that a variety of emergency personnel use. In that role, the commission provides policy-level direction related to planning, design, implementation, best practices and standard approaches to address public safety communications and interoperability issues.

“WYDOT is committed to working effectively with all state and local partners and the legislature, to ensure that communities and local agencies realize the full value of interoperability,” said Pat Lewis, WYDOT’s chief technology officer. “This move gives WYDOT officials the opportunity to work closer with the Public Safety Communications Commission.”

Bob Symons, statewide interoperable coordinator for the commission, said the move will provide a better public safety communications product.

CASPER – WYDOT hosted an open house to publicize upcoming improvements on WYO 220 (CY Avenue) in Casper.

While there was no formal presentation at the open house on March 9, representatives from WYDOT and Knife River discussed and answered questions about the project, scheduled to begin in April.

The project improves a section of CY Avenue between Wyoming Boulevard and Robertson Road, including median crossovers and the roadway surface. Traffic will be reduced to one lane in both directions.

The entire project is scheduled to be completed by June 30, 2018.

D2

I-80 will see work on centerline cracks ROCK SPRINGS – WYDOT, along with contract crews from Highway Improvements Inc., began work on a crack sealing job on I-80 between Green River and Rock Springs the week of March 13.

Crews sealed the centerline joints on both the eastbound and westbound lanes.

After finishing work on I-80, crews will move operations to US 191 north of Rock Springs.

Crack sealing operations, unlike other construction activities, is not adversely affected by dipping temperatures. Because of this factor, crack sealing activities can be scheduled in the spring.

Crack sealing is used as a defense against pavement deterioration. If done effectively, crack sealing keeps water from entering and weakening the base or subbase. Crack sealing is used as a preventative measure to lengthen the life span of a roadway.

D3

WYDOT closely monitoring movement in Snake River Canyon JACKSON – WYDOT cautiously monitored movement on US 26-89 through the Snake River Canyon about 2 miles south of Hoback Junction. Maintenance crews have noticed large fissures as wide as 4 inches and as deep as 2 feet in the pavement in the Deer Creek Landside Mitigation area near milepost 139.

According to WYDOT Maintenance Foreman Bruce Daigle, the movement is being caused by saturated material under the pavement, due to the unusually high amounts of precipitation the area received through the winter.

“The water underneath the road is causing saturated material to move,” Daigle said.

WYDOT geologists have been on site and continue to measure and monitor the movement of the road.

“It’s definitely moving, the guardrail is sinking too. We are watching very closely,” Daigle said.

The section of movement is in the northbound lanes, roughly 100 feet long and 30 feet wide. The Snake River Canyon currently remains open, but is currently under a falling rock advisory.

“If the roadway fails, we will have to immediately initiate a full closure until it dries out a little,” Daigle said. “Then we will immediately go to work determining how to best go about opening the canyon.

It could be an extended period of time.”

WYDOT crews are already mobilizing equipment and crews in anticipation of the failure and have already put together a plan for a temporary detour around the shoulder to maintain two-way traffic, if possible.

Photo: WYDOT

CY improvement project open house

Highway Improvement Inc. was awarded the $1 million contract for the work The contract completion date is April 30.

Saturated material beneath the pavement is causing asphalt to shift, and in some areas, guardrail to move.

Work on Hoback Junction South Road bridge underway JACKSON – WYDOT, with contract crews from Cannon Builders Inc. started work at Hoback Junction with the replacement of the bridge over the Hoback River on Teton County Road 33, also known as Hoback Junction South Road.

Beginning March 13, residents saw crews and equipment mobilizing and preparing to place a temporary, singlelane bridge downstream and adjacent to the current bridge. After traffic is moved to the temporary bridge, work will then begin on the new bridge.

Work will include structure replacement, grading, placing crushed base and bituminous pavement surfacing, and miscellaneous work on 0.078 mile on County Road 33 at the Hoback River Bridge.

The completion date for the project is set for Oct. 31.

Photo: WYDOT

“The reorganized committee will represent the usage by the county and local agencies,” Symons said. “We’re reviewing the WyoLink system usage and creating representation to match that.”

The Hoback Junction area prepares for the replacement of the bridge over the Hoback River on Teton County Road 33.

Briefs continued on page 6 April 2017

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Briefs continued from page 5

D3

n The National Weather Service had

issued a flood warnings for the Blacks Fork River near Little America. The water had risen to 12 feet at 7:17 p.m.

March 12, which is a preliminary record stage for this site. Flood stage is 10.5 feet.

n A flood warning was also in effect

along the Blacks Fork River from Granger to Flaming Gorge Reservoir until 10:15 a.m. March 14 where moderate flooding was expected. Snowmelt runoff will also keep streams, creeks and drainage ditches running high through mid-week across southwest Wyoming.

n A flood advisory was in effect for

southern Lincoln and southwest Sublette counties. Some flooding was observed in La Barge March 11-12, and WYO 372 south of Fontenelle Reservoir saw flooding between mileposts 40 and 48. WYO 372 remained open.

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Purple Sage Road west of Rock Springs saw some flooding with the rapid melt of lower elevation snowpack.

Increased patrols on Teton Pass; tractor-trailers violating seasonal closure Wyoming Highway Patrol troopers have increased patrols ​on Teton Pass (WYO 22)​in response to the disregard of the trailer and overweight restrictions between Jackson and the Idaho state line for the remainder of the seasonal closure (April 1).

Multiple violations of these restrictions have led to unnecessary crashes, closures of the pass and stranded motorists who were on the highway legally this winter.

Teton Pass has always been a priority and steps have been taken to increase WHP patrols on the pass.

Long term, WHP is working with WYDOT, the Teton County Sheriff ’s Office, the Idaho State Police and the Teton County Attorney’s Office to stop potential violators before they reach the pass and to follow up with violators who have already risked the safety of others by disregarding the signage. Violators could face increased charges of careless or reckless driving.

While high impact enforcement continues to be the immediate focus, WHP is actively working with WYDOT in the exploration of prevention strategies to mitigate the hazards of trucks and trailers on Teton Pass during the seasonal closure.

These strategies include evaluating and upgrading the signage near Wilson that advises of the closure, utilizing weight sensors and license plate readers to notify authorities when a violation is occurring, and keeping GPS providers such as Google and Garmin up-to-date with the closure information to include the restric-

Photo: WYDOT

ROCK SPRINGS – Warming temperatures have caused rapid melting of lower elevation snowpacks, creating rising levels of water in Sweetwater County. Several areas in Sweetwater County are seeing flooding impacts as runoff continues to rise. WYDOT warns of travel impacts on Purple Sage Road, west of Rock Springs. WYDOT crews are reporting about 10 inches of standing water in certain areas.

“It’s passable in one lane or so, but we recommend you avoid the area if you don’t have to be out there,” WYDOT Maintenance Specialist Paul McGuire said.

McGuire said crews are working to improve drainage in the area and have marked off washed out areas or unsafe sections for local traffic. Once culverts are cleaned and flushed, conditions should improve in the area, McGuire explained.

Other areas under supervision are:

Photo: WYDOT

Purple Sage Road

tions on their mobile applications.

Teton Pass is closed annually to all tractor trailer traffic from Nov. 15 to April 1. Any tractor trailers illegally accessing Teton Pass will be found in violation of running a road closure and subject to fines. For alternate routes, motorists can contact any WYDOT Port of Entry or permit station.

A semi-truck being assisted by a tow company on WYO 22.

WYDOT implements speed changes north of Evanston ROCK SPRINGS – WYDOT began the first of a few experimental studies on the effectiveness of nighttime speed limit reductions on wildlife vehicle collisions in parts of western Wyoming.

One of the first areas to be signed for the reduced nighttime speed limits is WYO 89 north of Evanston mileposts 1 to 11. As of March 1, and through April 30 – and then again Oct. 1 through Nov. 30 – speeds in this area will be reduced to 55 mph at night. Signs will have “when flashing” yellow beacons indicating the enforceable reduced nighttime speed period. When the flashing beacons are not activated, the nighttime speed limit is not in effect.

“These are only interim speed limits during the study time frames, allowing us to examine the effectiveness of nighttime speed limits on wildlife collisions,” District Traffic Engineer Darin Kaufman said.

Wyoming continues to struggle with wildlife collisions every year on local highways and byways. Wildlife-vehicle collisions pose a serious problem to society with regard to human safety, wildlife mortality, habitat connectivity and financial costs. In Wyoming, an average of 2,228 wildlife vehicle collisions were reported over the last three years,

n US 30 near Cokeville, 3 miles (will be

signed April 1 through May 31, and then again Oct. 1 through Nov. 30);

n US 191-189 near Warren Bridge,

north of Daniel Junction, 7 miles (will be signed April 1 through May 31, and then again Oct. 1 through Nov. 30);

n US 189 from La Barge to Big Piney,

23 miles (will be signed as of Nov. 1 through April 30, 2018);

n US 189 south near Lazeart Junction,

16 miles (will be signed as of Nov. 1 through April 30, 2018); and

n US 30 from Kemmerer heading west,

curb and gutter, double gutter and electrical work, according to WYDOT Resident Engineer Dan McAfee of Worland.

During the intersection improvements, a signed detour will be in place to route traffic around the intersection on 14th and 17th streets.

“The length of the closure is dependent upon favorable weather,” McAfee said.

Prime contractor EHC LLC of Deaver is restarting the Americans with Disabilities Act project this week on Big Horn Avenue (US 16) in Worland, McAfee said.

Other improvements associated with Worland’s 15th Street/Big Horn Avenue intersection are also planned in 2017. The City of Worland is planning street improvements; these improvements will include asphalt paving on 15th Street – one block on each side of Big Horn Avenue.

8 miles (will be signed as of Nov. 1 through April 30, 2018)

Photo: WYDOT

Researchers will be taking into account seasonal migration patterns, driver behaviors and driver compliance with speeds. The study will take place over a period of three years, and began last fall with a segment south of Pinedale.

“WYDOT is committed to doing this study correctly so that the results show the level to which the treatment was successful. The benefit here is that, if shown to be effective, this will be another tool in our toolbox to use to decrease wildlife-vehicle collisions and improve overall safety for the driver and animal,” Compton said.

WYDOT urges motorists to be conscientious of wildlife, obey all traffic signs and speed regulations and take extra precautions at night, being careful not to out-drive your head lights, and scan the roadway from shoulder to shoulder to look for wildlife.

Sidewalk improvements began in Worland March 27.

Photo: WYDOT

accounting for 15 percent of all reported collisions. These collisions often result in significant damage to vehicles and injury to vehicle occupants, and are almost always lethal to the animal.

Mule deer account for more than 85 percent of all wildlife-vehicle collisions in Wyoming. WYDOT’s estimated costs per reported collision are $11,600 in injury and property damage costs and $4,000 in the unclaimed restitution value for each deer that is killed. Taken together, deer-vehicle collisions alone total approximately $24-29 million per year in Wyoming in injury and damage costs and an additional $20-23 million per year in wildlife costs (not including the potentially much higher number of actual lost deer, since only a small percentage of collisions are reported and not all carcasses are retrieved).

In an effort to seek a cost-effective solution to combat these wildlife collisions, WYDOT is investigating the use of nighttime speed limit reductions. WYDOT will be conducting studies on specific stretches of state highways that have been statistically noted for their higher rate of wildlife vehicle collisions with deer.

The WYDOT Programming Research Advisory Committee has approved funding to study the effectiveness of nighttime speed limits on several stretches of highway in western Wyoming.

“WYDOT plans to use the results of this study to help guide decisions on implementation of nighttime speeds in the future. We are looking at areas in which wildlife migration is evident as well as core winter range areas. The study should help us to know if the speed reduction is a viable alternative and in which situations it is most effective,” District Engineer Keith Compton said.

Other areas will follow, including:

A newly installed wildlife warning sign on WYO 89 north of Evanston.

Sidewalk improvement project restarts in Worland WORLAND – A three-week closure of Worland’s busiest intersection began March 27, to allow the remaining portion of a $1.13 million WYDOT sidewalk improvement project to be completed.

Closure of the intersection at 15th Street and Big Horn Avenue will allow replacement of sidewalk corners, sidewalk,

D5

No fatalities St. Patrick’s weekend; seven drunken drivers arrested RIVERTON – As part of a countywide, multi-agency seat belt and DWUI enforcement operation “Zero Deaths, Zero DUIs,” Fremont County law enforcement officers arrested seven drunk drivers during the recent St. Patrick’s Day and weekend.

During the three-day operation, area law enforcement made 199 traffic stops, issued 51 speeding citations, two seat belt citations, one child restraint citation, 46 other citations and issued 155 warnings.

There were no traffic fatalities reported over the weekend in Fremont County.

Fremont County law enforcement agencies are working together again in 2017 as part of a county-wide, multiagency seat belt and DWUI enforcement operation, “Zero Deaths, Zero DUIs.” The St. Patrick’s weekend operation was Briefs continued on page 8 April 2017

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Preliminary surveying for 2020 project scheduled CODY – A future roadway rehabilitation project in the city of Cody is the reason for preliminary surveying work by WYDOT. The future project is tentatively scheduled for the year 2020.

As part of this future project, WYDOT is upgrading the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements at the street corners on each city block. WYDOT Photos and Surveys workers from Cheyenne will be on-site beginning in March, and possibly through early April, to survey existing street corners and gather preliminary data so plans can be developed for the project.

“We are tentatively scheduled to do some roadway rehabilitation consisting of concrete slab replacement, grinding concrete, resealing concrete joints, and ADA upgrades on the concrete portion of US 14-16-20 from 10th Street to Stampede Avenue in the City of Cody in 2020,” according to WYDOT Resident Engineer Todd Frost of Cody.

The US 14-16-20 roadway was originally reconstructed in 1985. This future project is being proposed as a rehabilitation project to provide required maintenance to protect taxpayers’ long-term investment in US 14-16-20.

“Since 1985, there has been minimal maintenance,” Frost said. “We are experiencing deterioration of some of the concrete slabs and loss of existing crack sealant. The joints in the concrete are there to control cracking in the concrete.

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Sealing the joints prevents water from entering the subgrade and causing roadway failures.”

Avoid burning in state rights-of-way RIVERTON – As temperatures begin to warm and the winter snows melt, many ranchers, farmers and other people head outside to begin their annual agricultural burns.

Each year, as the spring burning season gets into full swing, at least a few of these burns get out of control. This year, the National Weather Service is encouraging people to stay safe and “Learn Before You Burn!”

“Frequently, our calm mornings turn windy during the afternoon,” said Tim Troutman of the National Weather Service Riverton office. “Having an upto-date wind speed and direction forecast can help you decide whether or not dropping the match is worth the risk.”

Troutman said federal and state land management agencies routinely obtain weather forecasts from the NWS, and citizens should do the same. Area-specific forecasts are available online at weather. gov or on smart phones at mobile. weather.gov.

Highway conditions and remote weather information are available at wyoroad.info.

Citizens conducting a field burn are not only responsible for what happens on their own property, they may also be held criminally and civilly liable from damages to federal and state property. This includes, but is not limited to, right-of-way fencing, according to WYDOT District 5 Engineer Pete Hallsten of Basin.

“From WYDOT’s perspective, the safety of the traveling public, workers and volunteers in the rights-of-way is first and foremost in decisions made regarding activity on or along the state highway system,” said Hallsten. “The situation of burning highway rights-of-way generates safety concerns for the traveling public by the potential of limited visibility caused by low-hanging smoke and damage to fences, signs, sign posts, guardrail and permitted utilities. Damage to any of these items may increase the potential for a crash or otherwise jeopardize the safety of the highway user.”

Landowners, conservation districts,

and others who plan to conduct prescribed burning activities are strongly encouraged to check the latest weather forecast by calling the National Weather Service toll-free at 1-800-211-1448. They should inform local government officials, including county sheriffs’ offices of burn plans as well.

Photo: WYDOT

the second of a planned six operations in Fremont County for 2017. Operations continue next with Memorial Day weekend.

Agencies staffing the Fremont County operation include the Wyoming Highway Patrol, Lander Police Department, Fremont County Sheriff ’s Office, Riverton Police Department, Shoshoni Police Department, and the Wind River Police Department.

Partners in the “Zero Deaths, Zero DUIs” campaign include Injury Prevention Resources and WYDOT. According to the Wyoming Highway Patrol, there have been 19 traffic deaths in Wyoming during 2017, compared to 10 at this time in 2016.

Burned right-of-way and damaged culverts can be the result of out of control agricultural burns.

s S tate E mployee

SERG

up Retirement Gro Gather with other state retirees monthly.

SERG meets at noon the second Monday of each month at the Cheyenne Radisson.

The gatherings include a brief business meeting, social luncheon and an educational program.

Contacts for further information:

Roger Nelson – 634-1881 Ron Labreque – 632-8240 Donella Marrs – 635-5858

Pedestrian bridge closed south of Riverton

THERMOPOLIS – Traffic delays of up to 15 minutes have resumed on US 20WYO 789 through Wind River Canyon as scaling of rocks, cleaning culverts, reshaping ditches and other work continues.

The work is in response to the Memorial Day weekend flooding and mud slides of 2015.

Wilson Brothers Construction Inc., of Cowley is the prime contractor on the $840,000 project.

The work within Wind River Canyon is between mileposts 116.80 (near the tunnels) and 126.82 (about six miles south of Thermopolis). All work is dependent upon favorable weather and favorable road conditions.

“By contract, traffic stop delays will total 15 minutes throughout the project,” according to WYDOT project engineer Andy Freeman of Thermopolis. “Please plan accordingly if traveling through Wind River Canyon is part of your trip.”

The Wyoming Transportation Commission awarded the project to Wilson Brothers Construction Inc., at its September 2016 meeting. Contract completion date is May 31.

RIVERTON – Instability of a pier on a pedestrian bridge across the Little Wind River south of Riverton has forced the closure of the bridge to pedestrians.

The pedestrian bridge was closed until further notice beginning Feb. 22. The bridge is south of Riverton along a pedestrian pathway where it crosses the Little Wind River between the City of Riverton and Beaver Creek Housing. It is near the 789 Casino.

WYDOT Resident Engineer Robert Scheidemantel said the mid-February thaw in Fremont County resulted in ice building under the pedestrian bridge on the two piers. “We’re not exactly sure when the damage to the pier occurred, but the river ice broke loose and ice flows from throughout the river system hit the piers as they moved down the Little Wind River.”

“When the water recedes in the Little Wind River, a diving crew from WYDOT will be inspecting the pier to look for damages caused by recent ice flows,” said Scheidemantel.

WYDOT is urging pedestrians to use care in crossing the Little Wind River on the existing WYO 789 highway bridge.

Rock scaling work has resumed in Wind River Canyon. Work is in response to the flooding and mud slides of May 2015.

THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE

WHO THINK

THEY HAVE THEIR CHILD IN THE RIGHT SEAT.

Total number of employees: as of March 3, 2017

1,937

One month ago

1,926

One year ago

1,977

WHP Photo: WYDOT

Photo: WYDOT

Wind River Canyon rockfall project resumes

Ice flow buildup caused substantial damage to the pedestrian bridge across the Little Wind River south of Riverton.

THE ONES

WHO ACTUALLY DO.

Total number of highway fatalities: as of March 20, 2017

19

one year ago

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WireJ O’Brien

The

guardrail the Wyoming Department of Transportation uses in the medians of highways around the state is a seemingly minor detail in highway safety design but has saved a number of lives since the department started using it in late 2006.

The department has deployed between 200-300 miles of the wire-cable barriers in that time, Bill Wilson, WYDOT Architectural and Highway Standards engineer, said.

The wire cable barriers are a series of three, three-quarterinch pre-stretched cables held up by posts placed every 16 feet.

Mark Garcia, WYDOT’s District 1 guardrail foreman out of Laramie, said the cables are placed at specific heights to help capture and redirect the impact of the most common passenger vehicles traveling Wyoming’s roadways.

The most common type of barrier has cables at heights of 30 inches, 25 inches and 21 inches, which Garcia said is designed to capture and redirect the impact of vehicles weighing up to 6,000 pounds at 62.5 miles an hour.

“I really like the cable systems,” Garcia said. “I think it saves a lot of lives. If it saves one life, it’s well worth the money spent.”

Wilson agreed.

“There is no other barrier that is more forgiving than this type of barrier,” he said.

The posts are a critical part of the design, Highway Safety Program Manager Matt Carlson said.

“The cables are actually held in place with what they call a weak support,” Carlson said. The supports are placed in slots or in a weaving pattern within the cables.

He said the spacing and weakness of the supports are key to safety.

Wilson said the posts hold the cable at the right height until they are impacted and then release from the cable. Then the cables slow the vehicle and absorb energy until the vehicle is redirected or comes to a stop.

Wilson said a good deal of research has gone into how effective different variables impact the effectiveness of the barriers.

For instance, the 16-foot spacing is used because the department knows this design provides optimal deflection distances while being flexible enough to reduce lateral forces. He said with the 16-foot spacing the barrier deflects a vehicle around 11 feet.

That means the vehicle would remain within a 40-foot median preventing it from either returning to the same lane or crossing into incoming traffic. “Occupant risk factors go down because the deflection is properly controlled,” he said.

Wilson said most of the wire-cable barriers in Wyoming are being used on medians of 30-60 feet in width.

In addition to the increased safety, wire-cable barriers are cheaper than other types of guardrail, Garcia said, both in terms

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cable barrier of installation and maintenance.

The primary cost is to replace the posts, which are designed to be easy to replace.

Posts are set into a sleeve, so unless the damage has been done to the sleeve, replacement is quick and easy. Additionally, Garcia said that it is rare that the cable breaks. To ensure safety, cable is checked each year to ensure it is the right tension.

Garcia said it costs $750 on average to make repairs each time the wire-cable guardrail is damaged, though there are number of variables. For instance, in winter, repairs are more difficult because the posts can freeze into the ground.

Still, he said this is a cost savings to the department of $50 a linear foot to repair over other types of guardrail that the department uses.

The only exception to the cost savings is concrete barriers, Wilson said. But while concrete barriers are cheaper to maintain, they increase winter snow removal issues.

“Drifting snow is too much of an issue for us in Wyoming,” Wilson said.

The wire-cable barrier has become the preferred treatment on many miles of Wyoming’s highways where the median is narrow, Carlson said.

“It actually captures the errant vehicle and doesn’t allow it to go into opposing traffic,” he said. “With the rigid barriers, the vehicle is redirected back onto the roadway.”

Carlson said WYDOT began looking at wire-cable barriers because of data coming out of Missouri which had begun to use the barrier for narrow medians to try to keep vehicles from crossing into incoming traffic. “(The potential for a dangerous crash) decreases to almost zero,” Carlson said. “It eliminates the across-median fatalities.”

Garcia said there have been cross-median fatalities, but those fatalities he was aware of involved tractor-trailers, which the barriers are simply not designed to stop.

“Containment of tractor-trailers is very difficult,” Wilson said.

While the barriers reduce the severity of crashes, the addition of the barriers increases the likelihood of crashes, Wilson said.

“If (the wire-cable barrier) wasn’t there, then some of those vehicles would have gone all the way across and caused a fatal crash,” Carlson said. “And we’ve prevented those by installing the cable median barriers.”

Wilson said this is because there are not only fewer crossovers but fewer rollovers.

“What we’re targeting is to decrease crash severity,” he said.

Other states have seen similar results.

A report by the Federal Highway Administration showed that in Washington state, annual cross-median fatal crashes declined from 3.00 to 0.33 fatalities per 100-million miles of vehicle travel, while annual disabling accidents went from 3.60 to 1.76.

Fatalities where barriers were not installed illustrate the importance of addressing median crossovers. The same report also said between 1990 and 1999, only 2.4 percent of all interstate crashes in Iowa were cross-median crashes, yet these crashes resulted in 32.7 percent of all interstate fatalities.

North Carolina’s department of transportation has found cross-median crashes to be three times more deadly than other freeway crashes. Cross-median barriers are expected to lead to an estimated 90 percent reduction in these types of collisions. The full article can be found at https://www. fhwa.dot.gov/research/deployment/cable. cfm.

Another report from FHWA estimated hundreds of millions of dollars were saved by the NCDOT between January 1999 and December 2003 as a result of the installation of wire-cable barriers (https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/ publicroads/05jul/03.cfm). The report also indicated installation of median barriers in North Carolina resulted in an estimated 90-percent reduction in freeway cross-median crashes, approximately 25 to 30 lives saved each year, and hundreds of injuries prevented or reduced in severity. n

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The Center Line Stripe – One of the first true highway safety features Photo courtesy of Michigan Department of Transportation

Jeff Goetz, District 2 Public Involvement Specialist

Since

Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress

the time automobiles hit the roadways in the late-1800s, a seemingly countless number of improvements to vehicles and roads have made driving safer for those behind the wheel. But if asked to name the most important safety device ever conceived, a person might be forgiven if they answered the seat belt. While seat belts seem like an obvious answer, there’s an improvement that is credited with saving even more lives while bringing order to the modern road: the center line stripe. That innocuous line of paint that divides a highway in half has been hailed as saving thousands of lives in the early days of automobiles – a time when few rules governed automobiles and roads,

Head-on collisions were quite common on roads that did not have center-line stripes.

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and safety devices were all but non-existent.

The center line stripe came into existence in the early 1900s, at a time when the number of vehicles appearing on roads skyrocketed as did, as a consequence, the number of traffic crashes. Statistics kept by the nascent Automobile Club of America recorded that in 1909 there were 200,000 motorized vehicles in the United States. Just seven years later, in 1916, there were 2.25 million.

(Detroit Free News, April 26, 2015). But few understood the dangers of driving, namely the speed at which they could travel; and there were few rules governing it. There were no driver’s licenses, no stop or yield signs; no turn lanes, no brake lights; and, just as importantly, nothing to tell a driver what side of the road on which to drive. In fact, the first “Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices” (MUTCD) wasn’t published until 1935.

With novice drivers and few rules, it’s not surprising that as the number of vehicles increased so did the number of crashes and fatalities. In 1899, there were 26 fatalities related to vehicles, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). By 1901, that number had nearly doubled to 54. Over the next decade, traffic deaths would increase on average 40 percent per year until 1918 when the first real dip in traffic fatalities would occur – a rise of only 8 percent to 10,390 deaths. Traffic crash fatalities would continue to increase steadily each year until 1932, when there was a 13 percent reduction.

With over 2.5 million vehicles invading the nation’s primitive roads and highways in such a short period of time, improvements in infrastructure couldn’t keep up. Roads and highways designed for horse and buggy remained more suited to horse travel once the invasion began.

Today, as it was over a century ago, roads and highways are crowned, or domed, in the middle. Prior to the automobile and modern road building materials, the height of the crown was

A look at an early road with no center striping. Notice how the car on the right tilts to the side due to the high crowning in the center.

more pronounced, allowing for better drainage of water, dirt and mud, and horse manure. Horse-drawn vehicles tended to stay toward the middle of the roadway, avoiding the mess that accumulated on each side. Once people began driving, that behavior carried over: it was common for a driver to meet an oncoming vehicle in the middle of the highway. Naturally, this behavior increased the risk of head-on crashes. Dividing the roadway in half by painting lines and stripes seemed like a logical solution.

And it was a logical solution, though it took awhile to be conceived, studied and accepted. Center line stripes were developed and implemented prior to 1920, but it took 20 years to study whether they had any impact. According to an article in “Road and Bridges Magazine,” by Allen Zehyer, the first studies weren’t conducted until the 1940s and they confirmed the effectiveness of center line marking on two-lane, two-way roads. The center line kept vehicles in the right lane and from encroaching on the left side of the roadway, Zehyer notes.

So, who invented the stripe?

Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress

Three people are often credited with conceiving the center line stripe: Dr. June McCarroll, Edward Hines and Kenneth Sawyer, though it’s Hines who is known to be the first to put the idea into use in 1911.

McCarroll, a physician with the Southern Pacific Railway in California, recalled a time in the fall of 1917 when she was driving along a paved highway and was run off the road by an oncoming truck. The event gave her the idea to divide a road in half, delineated by a painted white stripe. Following a vigorous letter writing campaign and a test strip of road she painted herself, McCarMcCarroll roll was able to convince the California Highway Commission to adopt centerline stripes in November 1924. McCarroll is credited with bringing the center line stripe to California.

Wyoming changes color and a national standard The first center line stripes were painted by hand and they tended to be white. It was believed that white would provide the most contrast against the darker pavement and would be easier to see. But there was no adopted standard and states were free to experiment with different colors and stripe design.

According to the original 1935 MUTCD, center line stripe standards were, “…required only on approaches to hill crests, short radius curves, curves with a restricted view, or pavements wider than 40 feet. When the centerline was used everywhere, a distinctive line was required at all points of hazard.” As for color, it could be white, yellow or black – whichever provided the most contrast.

According to a year 2000 report on the evolution of pavement markings, author H. Gene Hawkins, Jr., Ph.D., P.E, of the Texas Transportation Institute, wrote that the MUTCD was revised in 1939 and again in 1942. The 1942 edition was known as the War Emergency MUTCD and though it allowed continued use of all three colors, “the material indicated that white paint was rapidly replacing black paint for centerline applications. This was particularly significant for blackout conditions, under which black markings were not visible. Yellow was reserved for barrier lines and curb markings. This MUTCD described the need for alternative yellow pigments so that chromium could be used to support the war effort,” Hawkins wrote.

By 1954, all but one state, Oregon, had adopted white as the standard center line color. And in 1958, the U.S. Bureau of Public April 2017

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Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress

While McCarroll was the first person to aggressively advocate for a center line stripe, she was not the first to implement it. Hines and Sawyer, both county commissioners in Michigan, put the idea into use years earlier.

When he served as Michigan Road Commissioner, Sawyer’s claim to fame was testing a center line stripe on a known dangerous curve – known as “Dead Man’s Sawyer Curve” – in Marquette county during the summer of 1917. A photograph of the test section of highway puts the date a few months before McCarroll.

Sawyer is recognized by the state of Michigan as the first to stripe rural roads.

According to author and lawyer Steve Lehto, Hines, a Wayne County, Michigan commissioner, may have been inspired while following a leaky milk truck down a local road. The dripping milk, according to the story, created a near-perfect divide of the road. A more likely scenario, according to a story in the Oct. 20, 1953 Milwaukee Journal, is that Hines witnessed a nearmiss between a horse and buggy and a vehicle. Hines told the Journal he thought that some sort of dividing line would have helped prevent what he witnessed. Hines Hines painted the first center line stripe on a Detroit area street – Wayne County includes Detroit - in 1911 and shortly thereafter striped all of the county’s roads, starting with curves and other dangerous areas.

Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress

Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress

Left: The first highway to use a center line stripe was state highway M-15 in Michigan, c. 1917.

Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress

Roads made white the standard color for center lines on the Interstate Highway System. In Wyoming, white center line stripes were not favored. Yellow, the state maintained, was easier to see during winter months. In defiance of the new federal interstate highway regulations, Wyoming passed the Yellow Stripe Act in 1959 choosing the color for all its highway center line stripes.

This put the state, the legislature and Gov. J.J. Hickey at odds with the feds and they risked losing federal highway funds over it. The issue was eventually settled, though exactly how is unknown, as noted in “A New History of Wyoming,” by Phil Roberts.

“The most celebrated non-issue of Hickey’s administration was the media-charged demand from federal highway officials that Wyoming’s highways be striped with white paint instead of the traditional yellow. In a larger symbolic display of state’s rights, the Wyoming Legislature ordered state highway officials not to comply, even at the risk of losing federal highway funds. The issue was eventually settled quietly.”

Over the next decade, national debate over which color to use turned in favor of yellow. The 1961 MUTCD allowed yellow for use in specific applications and in 1971, the MUTCD mandated yellow as the standard color for center lines on two-lane highways nationwide.

It’s impossible to know the number of lives center line stripes have saved since they were first painted in 1911. Such statistics weren’t kept then. But given the primitive era of driving, with a lack of safety equipment, rules and standards, coupled with an explosion of automobiles on the roadways, this one simple idea has left its mark upon the automotive world. No matter the color, the center line stripe brought order to a chaotic time in motoring and without them, drivers today would still be arguing over who had the right-of-way. n

An early publication illustrating the issues drivers had at the turn of the 20th century dealing with “road hogs.”

Check out these upcoming training opportunities from WYDOT-U, the Transportation Learning Network (TLN) and WeLL.

Coming in May: Date Class 5/2/17 5/3/17 5/8/17 5/11/17

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PMI Competency Developing Others Leadership Communication

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WYDOT-U WYDOT-U WYDOT-U

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To register, or to find out more details, visit the Training Program internet page.

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Location

J O’Brien

Photos: J O’Brien

IMPROVING LICENSE PLATES WYDOT Tag Plant Manager Steve Lund monitors the machinery that cuts the Wyoming license plates to size.

W

yoming residents renewing their registration this year tige plates would not like the new markings but said, “We must will get new plates with their tags, bearing improvedo what’s best for the general public.” ments to ensure vehicles are not misidentified outside The only exception to this is on the optional embossed plates of Wyoming.

– available for an additional cost of $50 – for which the letter The new plate features Square Top Mountain, part of the designations would not fit.

Wind River Range near Dubois, Wyoming. More importantly, Additionally, the new prestige license plates will now bear five Wyoming Department of Transportation Manager of Motor characters instead of four to allow for more possible combinaVehicle Services Debbie Lopez said the new plate design includes tions. The font had to be changed to accommodate the additional a change in how passenger vehicles, trucks, commercial carriers characters. and other designations are identified, which required The plate also includes new security features that a change to state law. make it more difficult for the plates to be produced by Previously, Lopez said state law dictated plate deanyone but WYDOT, including a textured watermark signs must include the county number, the Steamboat of Steamboat. logo and the assigned vehicle number in that order.

The state rolled out the new license plate design for Because trucks, passenger and commercial vehicles the first time in February of 2016 – making it availcould then have essentially the same numbers, it led able to those who chose to pay two years’ worth of to issues with how out-of-state law enforcement and registration in advance – but now all plates issued will toll-road companies handled ticketing and tolls. bear the new design. This is because all plates with the Lopez said it was not uncommon for a Wyoming older designs will expire at the end of 2017. All license resident who owned a passenger vehicle to be sent plates in the state by 2018 should bear the new design. a ticket or toll that should not have been on their Additionally, the state has resumed filling orders for record because all fees would register to passenger specialty plates. The state had to stop filling the orders vehicles by default. temporarily because anyone who ordered specialty “It was only an out-of-state issue,” Lopez said. “ In- New license plates roll off plates would have to pay for new plates as soon as of the assembly line at the the new design came out. Lopez said the department state law enforcement knew what to look for.” department’s production In fact, she said the E-470 tolling authority went didn’t want owners to get plates that would only be facility. The department through a period during which it was not charging valid for a few months. produced 1.2 million Wyoming drivers fees until it worked out how to Wyoming’s license plate design is changed every plates for the initial rollout of the new plate. properly process information with WYDOT. eight years, in accordance with state law. However, However, Lopez said it wasn’t practical for the Lopez said the department must work ahead to ensure department to contact every law enforcement agency or toll comthe needed plates can be produced in time to be distributed. pany where Wyoming drivers traveled.

Manufacturing of the new plate design had actually begun in The new plates will include additional markings within the October of 2013. It took the department two years to produce license plate numbers to indicate what type of vehicle the plate what would be needed for the initial roll-out of the new design – has been issued to, which should ensure tickets and tolls are at1.2 million plates. tributed to the correct vehicle. For instance, truck plates will now In fact, the department will start working on the next round of bear a “T” between the county number and the Steamboat logo. plates, which will be needed in 2025, in 2021. n Lopez said there was some concern that those who order pres-

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executive staff to meet

WYDOT organizes

needs of agency Aimee Inama

WYDOT recently overhauled its executive staff to better represent employees and the programs they serve.

As a way to ensure the WYDOT family has a strong support system, agency officials reorganized executive staff to reflect the changing needs of the agency and to provide even better customer service to residents of Wyoming.

Under the new organizational chart, executive staff who report to WYDOT Director Bill Panos are Gregg Fredrick, chief engineer; Patrick Lewis, chief technology officer; Dennis Byrne, chief financial officer; Taylor Rossetti, Support Services administrator; Amy Surdam, Aeronautics administrator; and Col. Kebin Haller, Highway Patrol administrator.

Under Fredrick are Keith Fulton, assistant chief engineer for Engineering and Planning; and Mark Gillett, assistant chief engineer for Operations.

The chief technology and chief financial officers are new additions to executive staff.

“I met with employees all over the state,” Panos said. “There were a few things that came out of those meetings that included focusing on certain areas within the agency such as technology and finance. We discussed with employees having a chief technology officer and a chief financial officer and they responded very well to that idea saying that’s exactly what we need.”

The new chief technology officer position will help organize and connect WYDOT’s decisions on information systems. The new chief financial officer position will focus on the future of the agency, making sure it’s in a financial position that’s sustainable over a long period of time, Panos said.

Although the chief technology officer and chief financial officer are new on executive staff, WYDOT hasn’t added any new positions to the agency.

“These are new positions for executive staff but we’ve recycled positions we already had here at WYDOT,” Panos said. “What we

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did was we took positions where we had no intention of filling and reused them.”

With the chief technology and chief financial officers on board along with the rest of executive staff, Panos said that WYDOT will be able to provide an even better product to Wyoming and WYDOT employees.

For example, the assistant chief engineer for Operations will provide better support the districts.

“One of the things I heard from the districts is we need more support and advocacy for our work in Cheyenne,” Panos said.

“The assistant chief engineer for Operations is going to do just that.”

Members of the executive staff bring numerous years of experience to WYDOT, providing expertise in their specific areas.

Each person ensures their section runs efficiently and looks for ways to better WYDOT. The following are members of the team and background of what they do at WYDOT.

Bill Panos, Director

Gov. Matt Mead appointed Panos as the 17th director of WYDOT in October 2015. Panos came to Wyoming with impressive credentials, drawing from diverse experience he’s gained working in both the private and public sectors over the past 35 years.

Panos is a native of California and a graduate of the California State University where he studied physics and forensic science. His previous work has included engi- Panos neering and leadership positions with the TRW Corporation, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the State of Washington and local government. Immediately

prior to heading WYDOT, he was director of Wyoming’s School Facilities Department for two years.

During his career, his work has intersected with numerous transportation-related functions and issues, including transportation safety, infrastructure development, capital finance and asset management, public policy and regulation, supplier management, multi-site operations, advanced risk assessment and government relations.

Gregg Fredrick, Chief Engineer

Fredrick oversees all planning, design, construction and maintenance activities associated with the state’s transportation system in WYDOT’s five districts.

Fredrick first worked for WYDOT during 1980 as a temporary employee, and he returned in 1986 permanently as a bridge engineer after earning his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Wyoming.

Fredrick worked his way up through the Bridge Program, becoming state bridge engineer in 2001. He joined Fredrick WYDOT executive staff in June 2010 as assistant chief engineer for engineering and planning. He was named chief engineer in October 2015.

He is a Cheyenne native who served in the Wyoming Air National Guard from 1987 to 1997, attaining the rank of captain.

Fredrick’s professional affiliations include AASHTO’s Subcommittee on Bridges and Structures, the American Institute of Steel Construction, the Wyoming Engineering Society and Laramie County Community College Engineering Technology Advisory Committee.

Keith Fulton, Assistant Chief Engineer for Engineering and Planning

Fulton oversees the Bridge, Contracts & Estimates, Geology, Highway Development, Highway Project Delivery, Materials, Planning and Right-of-Way programs as WYDOT’s assistant chief engineer for engineering and planning.

Fulton moved to the position after serving as state bridge engineer since 2010.

Fulton first worked for the Wyoming Highway Department during the summer of 1989 as a temporary Fulton employee based in Laramie. He joined the department on a permanent basis in early 1992 as an engineering analyst in the Bridge Program at Headquarters.

Fulton later served as a principal bridge engineer and then as

assistant bridge engineer. Altogether, he has more than 29 years of service with the state, mostly with WYDOT. A Riverton native, Fulton earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering from the University of Wyoming.

While he was student, he worked for the UW Civil Engineering Department.

His professional affiliations include the Wyoming Engineering Society, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials’ Subcommittee on Bridges and Structures and the Cheyenne Engineers Club, of which he is currently serving as vice president.

Mark Gillett, Assistant Chief Engineer for Operations

WYDOT officials appointed Gillett as the assistant chief engineer for Operations in October 2016. As assistant chief engineer for Operations, Gillett oversees all five districts and the Employee Safety, Field Operations, Highway Safety and Traffic Design/ Operations programs.

Gillett most recently served as district engineer for District 4 of WYDOT for the past 16 years. District 4 is based out of Sheridan and Gillett provides services for the northeast part of Wyoming.

Gillett started working for WYDOT in May 1980 as an engineer I in Gillette. After that, he served as resident engineer in Lovell, resident engineer in Cody, maintenance staff engineer in Cheyenne and district maintenance engineer for District 4 in Sheridan.

Gillett was born is Rapid City, S.D. He received a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

Pat Lewis, Chief Technology Officer

The newest addition to the executive staff team is Lewis, who started in October. Lewis oversees the GIS/ITS/TMC, Information Technology/Data Storage/Web Applications and Telecommunications programs of WYDOT. “My job is to facilitate and get the barriers out of the way for the program managers I oversee,” Lewis said. “This is an exciting time to be in technology and WYDOT is implementing many exhilarating initiatives.

My program managers are the ones who have the expertise for their speContinued on page 18 April 2017

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cific programs, and I’m here to help promote what they do and what WYDOT does.”

Lewis, who attended the University of Wyoming for broadcasting, isn’t brand new to WYDOT. In the early 1980s, he worked for Highway Safety driving the photo log van, recording images and the geometrics of the highways on film using a primitive computer and 35 mm motion picture camera. Those images were used by engineers and Patrol to look at roads for future work and for investigations.

After working here for three summers, Lewis went to work for Channel 5 News in Cheyenne, where he spent 14 years working in various positions. He worked his way up to production department manager, a position where he was responsible for all on-air technical aspects from sign-on to sign-off, including on-air commercial break operations and all news production personnel from studio camera operators to newscast directors.

Lewis then went to work for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department as that agency’s videographer, putting together the weekly broadcast. When an opportunity to become one of two of the state’s webmasters came up, Lewis went to work for the state’s Information Technology Department, which is now the state Department of Enterprise Technology Services.

After that, Lewis went back to Game and Fish as its network administrator and then Information Technology Program manager, a position he held for 16 years before coming to WYDOT. “In that position I was responsible for all of the technology at that agency,” he said.

Although he enjoyed his time at Game and Fish, Lewis said the growth potential with the new position and the agency’s philosophy prompted him to change agencies.

“My experience at WYDOT has been wonderful,” Lewis said.

“WYDOT’s family first philosophy really resonated with me.”

Lewis, a Cheyenne native, also does some work in freelance video. For the past 33 years, he has done television for Cheyenne Frontier Days rodeos and more recently has been responsible for recruiting local production crews who do the big screen production for CFD rodeos and concerts. Lewis is married and enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters and taking photographs.

Dennis Byrne, Chief Financial Officer Byrne is responsible for the financial and risk management operations of WYDOT. Those duties include the development of a financial and operational strategy, metrics tied to that strategy and the ongoing development and monitoring of control systems designed to preserve WYDOT assets and report accurate financial results.

Byrne previously served as the WYDOT Aeronautics administrator, a position he held from 2008 to 2016. In that position, Byrne was responsible for the state’s Airport Improvement Program, oversaw the disbursement

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of federal-aid funds for improving airport facilities, coordinated design of airport construction and maintenance projects, and managed flight services for the governor and other officials on state business.

Byrne graduated from the University of Wyoming in 1993 with a degree in economics, and he earned his Process Management Certificate from CSU-Denver in 2002. With WYDOT, he has served on special committees dealing with geographic information systems and strategic planning.

Taylor Rossetti, Support Services Administrator

Rossetti was appointed as the WYDOT Support Services Administrator effective July 2016 and oversees Compliance & Investigation, Driver Services, Human Resources, Motor Vehicle Services, Office Services and the Training programs.

He began with the Wyoming Department of Transportation in 2007.

Originally hired as a transit specialist, he held multiple positions within the Office of Local Government Coordination prior to being named the Local Government coordinator in 2012.

Rossetti is a Rock Springs native and graduated from the University of Rossetti Wyoming with a degree in health sciences. He has worked for non-profits, in sales, and was a branch manager for a finance company prior to his WYDOT career.

Amy Surdam, Aeronautics Administrator

Amy Surdam was appointed as Aeronautics administrator in March 2017. She oversees the distribution of state and federal funds for airport development through the state’s Airport Improvement Program, air service development through the Air Service Enhancement Program, and manages flight services for the governor and other officials on state business.

Surdam has lived in Cheyenne since age 11. She graduated from the University of Wyoming in 1996 with a bachelor’s in nursing, and in 2004 with a master’s in nursing. She serves in the Wyoming Army National Guard as a family nurse practitioner.

She is formerly the executive director of the Cheyenne Downtown Development Authority/Main Street Surdam and founder of Children’s Museum of Cheyenne. Her talent and passion lies in strategic planning, public relations, public speaking, leadership, connecting people together and making a difference. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, running, and creating a better tomorrow.

Col. Kebin Haller, Highway Patrol Administrator

Col. Kebin Haller became administrator and commanding officer of the Wyoming Highway Patrol in September 2015.

Haller, a graduate of Rawlins High School, holds an associate’s degree in business from Casper College and a bachelor’s degree in administration of justice from the University of Wyoming. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy.

Before joining Patrol, he was deputy director of the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI).

Haller began his law enforcement career in 1991 as a police officer in Rawlins. In 1997, he joined DCI, serving in Green River and Riverton, before his promotion to deputy director and move to Cheyenne in 2003.

Haller is an executive board member of the Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, a past president of the Wyoming Peace Officers Association and has served on the Wyoming Public Safety Communications Commission. n

Haller

Transportation Commission ensures WYDOT operates smoothly Aimee Inama The Wyoming Transportation Commission serves as the board of directors for the Wyoming Department of Transportation by adopting rules and regulations, official policy and budgets for the department.

The Wyoming Legislature created the Wyoming Highway Commission in 1917, which later became the Transportation Commission, to ensure the department works smoothly and is in compliance with state guidelines.

As part of the commission’s responsibilities, it awards all contracts for improvements paid for with the State Highway Fund.

The commission has the authority to enter into contracts and agreements with the federal government relating to road construction and maintenance under the provisions of any of the various laws enacted by Congress.

In addition, the commission has the authority to designate state highways and enter into cooperative agreements with cities, counties and other agencies for construction and maintenance of streets and roads.

The commission approves all purchases of non-highway equipment, materials or supplies that exceed $100,000. All purchases of motor vehicles or highway equipment, regardless of price, must also be approved by the commission.

The budget part of the commission’s responsibilities includes reviewing and approving a budget each year before the fiscal year ends on Sept. 30. The commission’s budget funds the Construction, Maintenance, Equipment, Facilities, Traffic and Financial Services programs at WYDOT. The Legislature oversees the budget for the Highway Patrol, Aeronautics, Driver Services, Motor

Vehicle Services, Human Resources and Ports of Entry.

The commission typically meets the third Thursday of each month to conduct regular business. There are seven members who represent different parts of Wyoming. The following are the commission districts and the counties they represent.

• District 1: Goshen, Platte and Laramie – next appointment scheduled for 2019; • District 2: Albany, Carbon and Sweetwater – next appointment scheduled for 2017; • District 3: Lincoln, Sublette, Teton and Uinta – next appointment scheduled for 2019; • District 4: Campbell, Johnson and Sheridan – next appointment scheduled for 2021; • District 5: Big Horn, Hot Springs, Park and Washakie – next appointment scheduled for 2017; • District 6: Crook, Niobrara and Weston – next appointment scheduled for 2021; and • District 7: Converse, Fremont and Natrona – next appointment scheduled for 2017.

The governor appoints each commission member with consent of the state Senate. Members serve a staggered six-year term, which ensures that there’s always a majority of experienced commissioners serving.

Commissioners receive a salary of $600 per year, which hasn’t changed since the state Legislature created the commission in 1917. n

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Noteworthy

Wyoming Transportation Commission adds two new members The Wyoming Transportation has two new commission members who officially started on March 1.

Gov. Matt Mead recently appointed Louie Pfrangle, of Worland, who will represent Commission District 5, and Phil Schmidt, who will represent Commission District 7, to the commission. Both are six-year terms.

The commission consists of seven members who represent different parts of Wyoming. The Governor appoints each commission member with consent of the state Senate.

The commission is responsible for awarding all contracts for improvements paid for with the State Highway Fund. It also can enter into contracts and agreements with the federal government relating to road construction and maintenance under the provisions of any of the various laws enacted by Congress.

The commission has the authority to designate state highways and enter into cooperative agreements with cities, counties and other agencies for construction and maintenance of streets and roads. The commission approves all purchases of equipment, materials or supplies.

The commission’s budgetary responsibilities include reviewing and approving a budget each year before the fiscal year ends on Sept. 30.

Following is more information on the new commissioners.

Louie Pfrangle

Louie Pfrangle, of Worland, represents Commission District 5, which includes Big Horn, Hot Springs, Park and Washakie counties. He is currently a member of the board of directors for Admiral Transport Corporation of Worland.

He graduated from Cody High School, and attended the University of Wyoming on a track scholarship, earning a bachelor’s degree in education. After graduating, he taught school in Lusk

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Pfrangle

Schmidt

and Worland before going to work for Admiral Transport, the transport company for Pepsi Cola. Pfrangle became part owner of Admiral Transport and worked there for over 30 years before retiring in 2007.

Pfrangle is a military veteran and served six years in the Wyoming National Guard prior to working at Admiral Transport.

Pfrangle is married to his wife Kerby. He also has served as past president of the Wyoming Trucking Association and on the Governor’s Safety Council.

Phil Schmidt

Phil Schmidt, of Casper, represents Commission District 7, which includes Converse, Fremont and Natrona counties. He served as president and majority owner of Casper-based Greiner Motor Companies for almost 30 years.

Schmidt graduated from Rapid City Central High School. He also graduated from Black Hills State College with a bachelor’s degree in business administration with emphasis in accounting.

After graduating, he worked as a certified public account for Shamley, Obermueller and Killmer, CPAs of Casper.

Throughout the years, Schmidt has devoted his time to community involvement serving on several boards and in leadership positions with those organizations. Some of the boards he’s been involved with include the Casper Family YMCA, Wyoming Medical Center, Boys and Girls Club of Central Wyoming, Natrona County Library Foundation, Wyoming Auto Dealers Association, and many more.

Schmidt and wife, Jody, have six children. n

WYDOT, WHP implement safety measures to keep motorists safe The Wyoming Department of Transportation and Wyoming Highway Patrol are implementing several safety measures to help raise awareness on the importance of safe driving.

Recent fatalities in the state prompted officials to look at ways to reach out to the public to encourage them to buckle up and not drive drunk. WYDOT will display on its dynamic message signs throughout the state five different safety messages.

Some of the messages people will see include, “Check your seat belt! Check your speed!,” “Your family needs you! Slow Down! Buckle Up!,” and “18 deaths on Wyoming roads this year.

Buckle Up!” “It’s vital that we help educate our citizens on the importance of buckling up and not driving under the influence,” said WYDOT Director Bill Panos. “One of our goals is to improve safety on our state highways, and these messages will help us do that.”

WYDOT’s Transportation Management Center (TMC) is responsible for changing out the different messages that motorists will see. The TMC relays weather and road conditions to the traveling public, displays vital messages on dynamic message signs and communicates with WYDOT maintenance workers and Patrol.

“We’re working closely with Patrol to try to bring down our fatalities and to encourage safe driving habits,” said Vince Garcia, WYDOT’s GIS/ITS manager. “It’s so important that people buckle up, not drive drunk and not be distracted when they’re driving.”

Overall fatalities and fatal crashes have been decreasing since 2014. In 2014, there were 150 fatalities from 131 fatal crashes.

In 2015, there were 145 fatalities from 129 fatal crashes. And, in

2016, there were 112 fatalities from 100 fatal crashes, information from WYDOT’s Highway Safety Office indicated.

Troopers are always working hard to ensure Wyoming’s roads are safe. From March 17 through the 19, they will be performing special enforcement because of the holiday. They will be using a federal highway safety grant to pay for the increased law enforcement presence.

“Wyoming Highway Patrol troopers will be out for special enforcement throughout St. Patrick’s weekend, looking for impaired and distracted driving violations,” said WHP Col. Kebin Haller.

“Please Report Every Drunk Driver so we can work together to save lives in Wyoming.”

So far this year, Wyoming has had 18 fatalities from 15 fatal crashes, information from WYDOT’s Highway Safety Office indicated. n

Civil Rights Program The Civil Rights Office

manages and promotes the following programs to ensure non-discrimination in WYDOT and the administration of its contracts: n Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) n Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) n Contractor Compliance n Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) n On the Job Training (OJT) n Title VI If

you have any questions, comments or would like more information about any

of the

Civil Rights

program, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Lisa Fresquez

Mitzi Krois

(307) 777-4457

(307) 777-4268

Civil Rights Program Manager lisa.fresquez@wyo.gov

DBE Program Coordinator mitzi.krois1@wyo.gov

“Maintaining a high standard of equality through advocacy, education, and diversity awareness.”

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Noteworthy

WYDOT Director Bill Panos updates employees on legislative session The Wyoming Department of Transportation will no longer depend on state general fund dollars to operate its budget.

Starting with the new state budget, WYDOT will no longer receive $25 million in state general funds for each fiscal year.

Instead, the department will receive replacement funding from legislative changes that increase motor vehicle registration and driver license fees.

WYDOT Director Bill Panos explained the budget change that resulted from the last legislative session during his meetings with employees in mid-March.

With lawmakers looking for more cost-effective ways to streamline government and ensure education is funded, they decided to remove the general funding source from WYDOT’s budget.

The new change means WYDOT will receive about 50 percent of its budget from federal funds, 35 percent from highway user fees and 15 percent from other state funds. Previously, WYDOT received 20 percent from other state funds, including general funds.

To make up the decrease in WYDOT’s overall budget funds, lawmakers approved House Bill 0218, which increases fees for motor vehicle registrations, and House Bill 0219, which increases fees for driver licenses. Gov. Matt Mead recently allowed both pieces of legislation to become law.

For motor vehicle registrations, WYDOT will receive $30 per vehicle. Previously, WYDOT received $15 out of the total cost to register a vehicle, Panos said. For example, if a registration fee costs $400, WYDOT previously received $15 but will now receive $30. The county then gets the rest of a typical registration fee.

“State lawmakers last increased the vehicle registration fees in 1975,” Panos said. “The state portion hasn’t been increased since that time but the county portion has increased over the years.”

The fees the state receives are required to be spent on state highways.

For driver licenses, the fees will increase as well. For example, if a person gets a regular driver’s license, instead of paying $20, they will now pay $40.

“Our driver’s license fees were established in 1993,” Panos said.

“Previously, the fees collected covered 40 percent of the costs of producing a driver’s license, and the rest of the cost was supplemented by highway funds. Increasing the fees will now cover 80 percent of the costs.”

The legislature approved the increases to ensure WYDOT still received necessary funding to pay for the transportation services the state needs. If the legislature did not replace the general funds from WYDOT’s budget without having an alternate funding source to replace it, the department would have had to make significant cuts to transportation programs that receive general funds like airports.

That could have potentially resulted in several airports having services cut or reduced.

Besides the motor vehicle registration and driver’s licenses, Panos gave an overview of other transportation bills that the legislature considered.

For example, lawmakers didn’t approve revisions to the move over law, which would have strengthened existing state law to include WYDOT trucks in the list of vehicles motorists need to move over for when driving on the interstate. The bill failed in the Senate.

In another example, lawmakers also decided to pass on the Yellowstone license plate. If passed, the new plate would have featured a picture of Yellowstone National Park and funded state rest areas and conservation programs. That bill failed in the House. n

During the 2017 legislative session, lawmakers looked for some cost-effective streamlining scenarios. One of the methods looked at was removing general funding from WYDOT’s budget.

Above: The WYDOT revenue stabilization slide from Director Panos’ presentation shows how funding was directed during the legislative session.

Left: General funding was removed from WYDOT, as shown in the pie chart. Other state revenue was reduced to 15 percent from 20 percent.

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District News Headquarters

Welcome

Service Awards

Molly Bennett, Bridge-Operations Design; Harrison Copeland, Cheyenne I-25 Port of Entry; Jason Dollarhide, GIS/ ITS; Cassandra Heller, Motor Vehicle Services-Registration/Title; Timothy Hunter, Cheyenne I-25 Port of Entry; Sharon Kennedy, Facilities ManagementCustodial; Joseph Norfolk, Cheyenne I-80 Port of Entry; Ryan Scheer, Financial Services-Assets; Scott Scheidemantel, IT-Financial Systems; Jesson Vasey, GIS/ ITS; and Kimberley Wilson, Financial Services-Disbursements.

Anthony Griego, Planning-Traffic Data Analysis – 40 years; Raymond Burlew, Materials-Bituminous – 35 years; James Messer, Construction Staff – 35 years; Debra Long, Patrol Dispatch – 25 years; Kelly Rounds, Highway DevelopmentProject Development – 25 years; Arsenio Fresquez, Cheyenne I-25 Port of Entry – 20 years; Jerry Mullen, Planning-Counter Shop – 20 years; Stacey Gierisch, Highway Safety – 15 years; Talbot Hauffe, Planning-Local Government Coordination Wyrick –15 years; Daniel Wyrick, Patrol-Commercial Carrier –15 years; Jeff Madden, Procurement-Storeroom – 10 years; Bobbie Helvig, Vine Procurement-Administration – 5 years; and Corey Vine, Cheyenne Port of Entry – 5 years.

Promotions and Transfers Stephanie Bruhnke, PlanningStatistics/Inventory; Katherine Castaneda, Human Resources; James Dahill, Geology-Administration; Sabrina Ernst, Budget; James Rose, Patrol-Capitol Services Protection; David Wagener, Patrol-Safety and Training; and Dana Wood, Right of Way-Property Management.

Castaneda

Retirements Dahill

Rose

Robert Wise retired from WYDOT on Feb. 15 after 25 years of service. He worked as a field data collection and analyst specialist in the Bridge program.

Wise

le Afte yc

r ading!

Re

se Re c

Wood

ea Pl

Wagener

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District 1

Service Awards

May

Congratulations to Andrew and Katherine Klingenberg on the birth of their son Ethan. Ethan came into the world on March 1 weighing in at 6 pounds, 2 ounces and measuring 19-inches long.

Proud dad, Andrew, is an engineer in Laramie.

Retirements Rawlins native Christopher Fagnant retired on March 9. He retires from WYDOT with more than 28 years of service. Good luck and congratulations Chris.

Photo courtesy of Andrew Klingenberg

Gary May, Elk Mountain Maintenance – 40 years; Kaylee Lonn, Rawlins Construction – 20 years; and Timothy Morton, Cheyenne Construction – 20 years.

Cradle Call

Anthony Spencer was promoted to crew supervisor for Cheyenne Urban Striping. Spencer replaces Nathan Fierro who recently passed away.

Lonn

Tim Morton has been recently promoted to district construction engineer. Morton has replaced Ralph Tarango who was recently selected as district maintenance engineer.

Photo: WYDOT

Congratulations

Morton

Chris Fagnant (left) and District 1 Equipment Supervisor Gary Curry at Chris’ retirement party.

District 3

District 2

Welcome

Thank you!

Welcome

Austin Murphy, Torrington TrafficStriping; and Jon Toth, Shirley Rim Maintenance.

On Feb. 22nd, Trooper Scott Neilson received a quilt from “Quilts for Cops” after he and K-9 partner, Hunter, were involved in a crash back in December.

Thank you “Quilts for Cops” for this great gesture!

Eric Bressler, Telecom-District 3 Radio Shop; Keaton Johnson, Rock Springs Construction; and Jason Lloyd, Evanston Construction.

Service Awards

Service Awards

Joe McGuire, Casper Maintenance – 5 years.

Jacqueline Gish retired on Feb. 2 with more than 15 years of service to the state. A Casper native, Gish served her entire career with the Wyoming Highway Patrol district office in Casper.

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McGuire

Gish

n

Johnston

Perrin

Knight

Photo: WHP

Retirements

Robert Johnston, Rock Springs Maintenance – 40 years; Glen Perrin, Jackson Maintenance – 20 years; and Leroy Knight, Evanston Maintenance – 10 years.

April 2017

Shine your chrome!

District 4

Welcome

Service Awards

Lance Mahoney, Newcastle Maintenance; Caleb Ostheimer, Gillette Maintenance; Thomas Rodgers, District 4 Traffic-Signing; and Shawn Thorson, Sheridan Construction.

Tina Simpson, Sundance Construction – 15 years; and Kevin McMaster, Sundance Patrol – 5 years.

Promotions and Transfers John Holloman, Sundance Maintenance; and Guy Phillips, Gillette Maintenance.

Rides deadline 05/12/17

Congratulations James Evensen has been selected as the District 4 engineering manager in Sheridan effective March 1.

Evensen

Holloman

Phillips

Simpson

McMaster

carlie.vanwinkle@wyo.gov

Brag a little.

We want to be jealous.

Welcome

Oops!

Phillip Pendergrass, Lander Mechanics.

A clerical error in last month’s Interchange was brought to the attention of the editor. The error stated William Gotfredson had retired. Gotfredson has not retired and is celebrating 15 years of service to the state. Our sincere apology for any inconvenience this may have caused.

Service Awards Cody Beers, District 5 Administration – 25 years.

06/16/17

carlie.vanwinkle@wyo.gov

Spring cleaning!

Retirements Paul Koenig retired from Basin Construction on Feb. 4 after eight years of service.

Outdoors deadline:

Beers

Koenig

Congratulations Randy Merritt is now the district construction engineer for District 5 effective March 1st.

Photo: Cody Beers

Where have you been lately?

District 5

Snowblowing on Chief Joseph Scenic Highway (WYO 296) near Cody at the beginning of March.

Merritt

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TechNotes

Awards

CrowdStrike and Symantec and Defender – Oh My!

Photo: Rick Carpenter

Service Award Recipients

Service award luncheons are held by the Transportation Commission for employees celebrating milestones of 25 years of service or greater.

Service award recipients at this month’s luncheon: (Standing) Debra Long (25); Kelly Rounds (25); and Cody Beers (25). (Seated) Jeff Sherman (30); Jim Messer (35); and Brad Freeman (30).

Rusty England, IT Program Manager Evolution and change are constants in IT and in IT Security. As many of you already know, the state has moved off of Symantec antivirus software and is now using CrowdStrike. The reasons are many, and this decision wasn’t taken lightly. A key reason is that CrowdStrike uses a different approach to detecting bad stuff on computers (malware).

At a very high level, Symantec looks for markers in files (signature based technology). If it sees a known bad marker it then puts the file in quarantine – isolating it on your machine. This works great for known bad stuff. It doesn’t work great for new bad stuff (zero-day events).

Again at a high level, CrowdStrike looks for bad behavior. If it sees a file doing something that files should not do (e.g. sending all your data off to the Internet), it quarantines the file. This works great for the known bad stuff. It also works for the zero-day events, because it catches the file behaving badly, before anyone even knows there is a new bad file out there.

Below are some technical bits for those interested. n CrowdStrike uses a purpose built

Congratulations to our February recipients!

WYDOT salutes the following Director’s Extra Mile Award recipients. The award is presented to individuals who have traveled the “extra mile” in service to WYDOT.

David Gillaspie Dennis Goodwin Travis Schriner Thomas Styles For more information about the Extra Mile Award or to nominate someone, contact Katherine Castaneda at Katherine.Castaneda@wyo.gov.

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cloud architecture. The platform enables using a lightweight agent, as opposed to a software client. As a result, it is quick and simple to deploy, manage and update. In addition, CrowdStrike uses a 24/7 managed hunting service. This service analyzes and correlates billions of events in real time, providing complete protection and five-second visibility across all endpoints.

n Windows Defender is a an anti-mal-

ware tool that is built into Windows 8, and newer machines. It is not currently active on WYDOT machines, due to compatibility issues with Symantec.

While it can work with CrowdStrike, it isn’t needed. n

Passings Bill R. Dawson

Bill Dawson, 76, of Cody, died Dec. 17, 2016, after a short battle with cancer.

Dawson was born in Bentonville, Ark., on March 23, 1940. He first came to Wyoming in 1958 when he worked on a wheat harvest crew and met his bride-to-be. He returned in 1960 working at Old Faithful Lodge in Yellowstone Park where he developed his love of the mountains and horses, again leaving the state at the end of the season. He Dawson returned to Wyoming permanently when he married Judy Bomhoff on May 27, 1961, and worked on several ranches around Egbert and Wheatland, WY. Dawson worked for the old Wyoming Highway Department, WYDOT’s predecessor agency, in Wheatland and then transferred to Cody in 1977, in an effort to move his family closer to the mountains. He retired in 2002 after 30 years of maintaining highways and plowing snow.

After retirement, Dawson worked his small ranch, raising hay and livestock, and it was not uncommon to see him and his horse, Rosie, and buggy along the Greybull highway, giving rides to anyone that asked. Bill loved woodworking, building many pieces of furniture for home and family and repaired and restored furniture for friends. He never regretted a day working around his place.

Dawson always had a smile on his face. He loved life and never met a stranger. He loved the mountains, taking many pack trips with family over many trails in the Yellowstone area. He was dearly loved by many and will be sorely missed by his family, neighbors and friends.

Services were held Dec. 21, 2016.

Eric R. Inberg Eric Richard Inberg, 55, of Riverton died at his home Feb. 28.

Inberg was born on Aug. 9, 1961 and grew up in Riverton with his brother and two sisters. After graduating from Riverton High School in 1979, he continued his education at the University of Wyoming earning a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering.

After graduation he returned to Riverton and worked as a professional civil engineer. Inberg was first employed at WYDOT as a temporary worker in 1989. He returned in 1991 and worked as an engineer until his departure in June 1995.

He owned his own company, ERI Engineering, which was both a design and construction company.

He grew up in the great outdoors of Wyoming and enjoyed every minute he could be outside. He loved going to Boysen Reservoir and catching catfish – some weighing 20 plus pounds, and packing into the mountains on horses to the peace and quiet of solitude. He also enjoyed a good game of poker.

He was always helping others no matter what their situation or what they needed. He had a very caring and giving personality. n

SAVE DATE THE

The Department of Enterprise Technology Services (ETS) has just updated its Google Collaboration training schedule. Here are the upcoming dates: May 17-18, Powell – registration open!

June 14-15, Cheyenne Aug. 2-3, Casper Sept. 20-21, Cheyenne Nov. 15-16, Cheyenne

For more information or to register for the workshop, you can access the “Everything Google” page on the ETS Training Portal, or can find other training information on our Training Services intranet page.

Remember, these workshops are open to all state agencies and seating is limited to 20-25 people.

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WTDEA

Headquarters chapter Spring Fling a success Thank you to all who donated items, volunteered and attended the annual Spring Festival. Director Bill Panos and his wife, Michelle, made time to join in celebrating WYDOT and the WTDEA. Special thanks to: n WYDOT seasonal snow plow driver,

Bill Weaver, for volunteering his professional auctioneering skills for the live auction.

n Retired WHP captain, Troy McLees,

for being the master of ceremonies.

n Brenda Luegering and her crew of

volunteers kept the food rolling out of the kitchen. Luegering made more than five dozen fresh cinnamon rolls the day of the Spring Festival. Those tasty pastries sold out fast.

n With the help of Renee Krawiec and

Frontier Arms, four happy Spring Festival raffle winners left fully armed with the best firearms.

n Tim Dolan and his volunteers kept

the youngsters busy with games, face painting, henna tattoos and the ever popular bounce house.

n Pam Fredrick and her crew made it

very easy for everyone to spend their money on the raffles, food, games and auctions.

n Last, but not least, a special thank you

to the Spring Festival photographers, Landon Bosch, son of Heidi Bosch with Field Operations, and Kelly Groeneweg, wife of Maj. Keith Groeneweg of WHP.

All proceeds from the Spring Festival benefit the Headquarters chapter of the Wyoming Transportation Department Employees’ Association Grant Assistance Program. The GAP enriches members’ lives through education, exercise, cultural and sporting activities. n

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April 2017

Photo: Cody Beers

Outdoors

ntain in blue near Cody, ear

ly 2017.

Photo courtesy of David Cullison

Photo: Mark

Libert

The backside of Heart Mou

ned Mark Libert, with the Evanston maintenance crew, happe , Utah, in the upon this cougar last year while hunting near Tooele s and was 7.9 Oquirrh Mountains. The cougar weighed 168 pound Crockett and Boone the on low feet long. The cougar made it in 14.66, with Club scoring scale for big game. The dried score was is a Boone the skull measuring 15.18 inches. Libert’s taxidermist the length and and Crockett scorer who uses a caliper to measure width of skull and then adds them for a total score.

Photo: Matt Sanders

Photo: Mark Libert

Casper Traffic employee David Cullison and his wife, Linda, had their photo taken near Masaya, Nicaragua when they visited mid-March.

The Cullisons were in Nicaragua on a mission trip working with local Nicaraguans to establish Celebrate Recovery in their community.

Highland Park Community Church in Casper was their sponsor.

Lander maintenance crew leader Matt Sanders and family show off trophies from this fall. (From left) Son Zachary Sanders with his archery mule deer; Zachary’s fiancé, Erica Eckley, with her mule deer and bull elk; Matt Sanders with his mule deer and bull elk; Mark’s wife, Alex Sanders, with her first big game animal – a white tail deer; and lastly, son Mark Sanders with his bull elk. All were taken in Fremont county.

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We’d all love that new big screen TV with the money received from a tax refund, but putting that extra money into your financial well-being is a good option to consider.

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Break Time Time to take five!

Sudoku is easy to play and the rules are simple. Fill in the blanks so that each row, each column, and each of the nine 3x3 grids contain one instance of each of the numbers 1 through 9.

Check your answers online at: employees.dot.state.wy.us, or if not able to access the employee site: www.dot. state.wy.us/home/engineering_technical_programs/manuals_publications/ interchange.html.

Easy Sudoku #002 1 2 7 6 9 1 4 2 6 9 1 9 6 1 8 7 3 8 4 8 2 5 5 6 3 7 5 3 4 5 9

Sudoku puzzles courtesy of: Livewire Puzzles http://www.puzzles.ca

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Interchange

Wyoming Department of Transportation 5300 Bishop Blvd.

Cheyenne, Wyoming 82009-3340

Pre-sorted Standard U.S. Postage Paid Cheyenne, WY 82009 Permit No. 24

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