December 2020 Interchange

December 2020

Vol. 48, Issue 12

Commercial Vehicle Operators Portal WYDOT’s CVOP provides commercial vehicles with specialized information

By Aimee Inama Truck drivers can get specialized travel information geared toward commercial vehicles that can help them make informed decisions when heading out on Wyoming’s roads.

The Wyoming Department of Transportation offers a Commercial Vehicle Operators Portal that provides travel information to truck drivers. The program started in 2014 and has about 2,200 drivers enrolled, representing all but two states.

“This is a free service we offer to registered commercial vehicle operators traveling in Wyoming,” said Vince Garcia, ITS/GIS manager, “The CVOP provides customized road weather forecasts that predict wind, visibility and surface impacts along interstates 25, 80 and 90 and other heavy truck traffic routes.”

Commercial drivers apply to receive the information. Once WYDOT approves their applications, they then have access to a portal where they log in to get information.

“The road impact forecasts are written and updated daily by WYDOT’s on-site meteorologist,” Garcia said. “The forecasts are tailored for commercial vehicles and the common challenges they face when driving in our state.”

Additionally, weather conditions vary considerably in different parts of Wyoming based on location and terrain.

CVOP has divided the state into several forecast sections to provide commercial vehicle operators with more information so they can see trouble spots and get more

Photo: Rick Carpenter

A free service for truck drivers updated daily by WYDOT's meteorologist

accurate forecasts with more details.

For example, Wyoming is prone to high winds, especially along certain sections of Interstate 80 and Interstate 25. Those enrolled in the CVOP can get detailed information that can help them decide whether or not they should drive or if they need to change their travel plans.

The forecasts for the CVOP are provided for a 72-hour period in 12-hour increments for visibility and road surface conditions and in three-hour increments for wind.

Each forecast has a specific impact level of low, moderate or high. Users can access the definitions for each forecast type and impact level on the forecast page.

CVOP started as a way to help commercial vehicles navigate the state safely

during weather conditions that may impact them differently than regular vehicles.

As with other travel systems WYDOT offers, department officials will continually enhance CVOP and provide additional tools as the portal matures.

“We are hopeful this portal helps the commercial vehicle industry by providing road impact forecasts that can assist in advanced awareness for driver safety and planning purposes,” Garcia said. “The goal of the CVOP is to help commercial truck drivers decide whether to travel ahead of a storm, wait for a storm to pass or find an alternate route.”

To sign up, visit https://cvop.wyoroad. info/cvop/ or visit https://wyoroad.info/ and click on the CVOP logo. n

Contents Features

Interchange

Vol. 48, Issue 12

Wyoming Travel Authorization Program streamlined, expanded

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 or send an email to carlie.vanwinkle@wyo.gov.

8 WYDOT assists with Mullen Fire

Staff

1 Commercial Vehicle Operators Portal Provides specialized information to over-the-road truckers

7 WYDOT’s W-TAP System

WYDOT Director:

Southeast Wyoming was on alert

K. Luke Reiner

Public Affairs Manager: Doug McGee

Also in this issue

Editor:

District briefs.................................................................................................... 3

Contributors:

Carlie Van Winkle

By the Numbers.............................................................................................. 4 Game & Fish...................................................................................................10 Employee Safety...........................................................................................12 Training............................................................................................................13 District news..................................................................................................14 Letters..............................................................................................................16

Aimee Inama Carlie Van Winkle Jordan Achs Jeff Goetz Stephanie Harsha Laura Dalles Cody Beers Sgt. Jeremy Beck

Photography: Rick Carpenter

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

Passings...........................................................................................................16 Rides.................................................................................................................17 Break Time......................................................................................................19

Kindly recycle this publication after reading.

2

Interchange

n

December 2020

A WYDOT PUBLICATION

District Briefs Headquarters

Commission awards $33 million in contracts in November CHEYENNE – Crews will resurface several sections of Interstate 80 in central and southeastern Wyoming to improve the road surface.

The Wyoming Transportation Commission awarded three contracts that will resurface a total of 20 miles along different sections of I-80. The commission awarded those and three other contracts totaling $33 million at its recent meeting in November.

The commission awarded H-K Contractors a $10 million contract for resurfacing work on 5 miles of Interstate 80 between Rock Springs and Rawlins.

Crews will perform the work to improve the surface and extend the life of the pavement. Crews will also work on the ramps and crossroads at the interchanges at Bitter Creek. The contract completion date is Aug. 31, 2022.

The commission awarded Simon Contractors, of Cheyenne, a $9.6 million contract for resurfacing almost 9 miles of I-80 between Rawlins and Laramie in Albany County.

The Wyoming Department of Transportation is having the work completed to improve the road surface, which is showing signs of wear. Additionally, crews will perform bridge surfacing work in the area. The contract completion date is July 31, 2022.

Knife River, of Cheyenne, was the low bidder on a $7 million resurfacing contract on 6 miles of I-80 between Rawlins and Laramie in Carbon County.

Crews will resurface the pavement to improve the surface and extend the life of the road. Crews will also perform minor dirt work in the area to reduce snow drifts on the road. The contract completion date is Oct. 31, 2022.

Also awarded by the commission were contracts for: • $4.3 million to Reiman Corp., of Cheyenne, for a rehabilitation contract on seven bridges in Converse, Lara-

mie, Natrona and Platte counties by Oct. 31, 2021; • $1.1 million to Asphalt Surface Technologies Corp., of St. Joseph, Minnesota, for microsurfacing work on 8 miles at various locations on US 20-26 and WYO 258 between Casper and Mills in Natrona County by Oct. 31, 2021; and • $808,707 to CC&G Inc., of Lander, for a bridge reconstruction project over Bates Creek in Natrona County by Nov. 30, 2021.

District 1

WYO 130 through the Snowy Range, WYO 70 over Battle Pass close for winter season LARAMIE – Both WYO 130 through the high country of the Snowy Range and WYO 70 over Battle Pass in the Sierra Madres have officially closed for the season.

After first closing Nov. 10 due to drifting and blowing snow, WYDOT crews in Laramie and Saratoga decided upcoming weather forecasts and current road conditions warranted closing the section of WYO 130 for the season.

Also known as the Snowy Range Scenic Byway, the 12-mile section of WYO 130 tops out at more than 10,800 feet in elevation and closes annually each fall when lack of travel and deep snow accumulations make plowing the highway impractical.

The closure spans mile markers 36-48, from the Green Rock trailhead in the east to just above Ryan Park in the west.

Last year, WYO 130 first closed Oct. 20 due to wintry conditions before officially closing for the season Oct. 29. In previous years, WYO 130 closed Nov. 3 in 2018, Nov. 20 in 2017, Nov. 28 in 2016, Nov. 11 in 2015, Nov. 4 in 2013 and Dec. 7 in 2012.

WYO 130 is one of two high-elevation highways in District 1 that close for the winter annually, with the other being WYO 70, which crosses the Continental

Divide at the 9,955-foot Battle Pass between Savery and Encampment. The last time both highways closed on the same day was in 2016.

WYO 70 through Battle Pass (mile markers 27-50) closed Friday due to strong winds as well as drifting and blowing snow. WYDOT crews in Saratoga and Baggs decided the added wintry weather the area received overnight, including heavy snow and strong winds, warranted the start of the seasonal closure.

Last year, WYO 70 closed Dec. 2. In previous years, WYO 70 closed Nov. 23 in 2018, Dec. 23 in 2017, Nov. 28 in 2016, Dec. 14 in 2015, Nov. 24 in 2014, Dec. 4 in 2013 and Dec. 8 in 2012.

Both highways will remain closed until WYDOT crews can work to clear the accumulated snow in the spring.

District-wide crack sealing project LARAMIE – Crews with Z and Z Seal Coating Inc. and the Wyoming Department of Transportation began a district-wide crack sealing project on Nov. 2.

Crews began with mileposts 26.9-41 of WYO 70, near the road closure gates.

Other project locations include: Carbon County: • WYO 230 between Riverside and the Colorado state line (mm 110.1-116.9) • WYO 130/230 south of its interchange with I-80 (mm 0-8) • WYO 76 west of Rawlins to Sinclair (mm 215.7-220.1) • WYO 71 south of Rawlins (mm 0-1.25) Albany County: • I-80 Business Loop/West Curtis Street in Laramie (mm 0-1.26) • US 287 south of Laramie toward Tie Siding (mm 404.3-415.8) Laramie County: • WYO 211/Horse Creek Road from the I-25 interchange west (mm 0-8.31) • WYO 213/Carpenter Road from the I-80 interchange north (0-10.8) • WYO 219/Yellowstone Road between WYO 212/E Four Mile Road and US 85/Torrington Road (mm 1.99-5.5) Note these locations are not in project Briefs continued on page 4 December 2020

n

Interchange

3

Briefs continued from page 3 order; crews moved to different locations based on weather conditions and equipment or material availability.

Motorists encountered flaggers and potential short delays as crews worked.

19th Street, and back south on Pioneer Avenue to rejoin West Lincolnway.

CHEYENNE – The Southeast Welcome Center near mile marker 4 on I-25 was temporarily closed for the weekend beginning on Oct. 30 due to concerns with COVID-19 exposure.

The closure remained in place while the facility was cleaned and reopened Nov. 6 once the cleaning process was complete.

Facilities, including restrooms and tourism information areas, were closed to the public. Parking remained available.

Ramp closure on US 85/ South Greeley Highway CHEYENNE – The on-ramp leading motorists from US 85/South Greeley Highway to the westbound lanes of I-80 was closed briefly Nov. 3 as a Roadway Evaluation Crew tested the bridge deck for delaminations.

The closure began around 8 a.m. and ended around noon.

A detour was in place, so motorists planning on using the on-ramp were urged to plan alternate routes and a little extra time to get to their destinations.

Railroad crossing repairs prompt road closure, detours CHEYENNE – The BNSF Railway Company closed West Lincolnway from Snyder Avenue to Bent Avenue Nov. 1-6 for railroad crossing repairs. Detours were in place and business access in the area maintained. Work was complete by Nov. 6.

The implemented detour route for westbound travelers directed traffic north at Carey Avenue, then west onto West 20th Street, and back south on Snyder Avenue to rejoin West Lincolnway.

The implemented detour route for eastbound travelers directed traffic north at Snyder Avenue, then east onto West

4

Interchange

n

December 2020

Photo: WYDOT

Southeast Welcome Center closed for weekend The above map shows the detour routing for the work done on West Lincolnway. The westbound traffic was detoured at Carey Avenue, while eastbound traffic was detoured at Snyder Ave.

District 2

Pursuit ends north of Douglas DOUGLAS – A California resident is in custody following a pursuit that took place Nov. 19, covering more than 140 miles.

The pursuit started when officers with the Gillette Police Department received a call of a subject impersonating a peace officer at a local gas station. The reporting party saw the subject leave the area in a gray 2019 Ford Edge. Officers with the Gillette Police Department located the suspect vehicle and attempted a traffic stop. The driver failed to stop and fled from the officers. WHP was requested to assist the Gillette Police Department with the pursuit on WYO 50 as it left Gillette's city limits.

Troopers joined the chase near Savageton. The pursuit continued south on WYO 50 with speeds exceeding 100 mph before heading eastbound on WYO 387 towards Wright. At the intersection of WYO 387 and WYO 59, the driver drove south toward Douglas. Attempts to deploy spike strips were initially unsuccessful by law enforcement involved in the pursuit.

Information was given to the Converse County Sheriff ’s office of the approaching vehicle pursuit. Converse County Sheriff ’s deputies and WHP troopers successfully deployed spike strips around milepost six on WYO 59. The driver stopped the vehicle for a short time but would not exit the car. A short time later, the driver started to drive south a second time. In the interest of public safety, a WHP trooper attempted a Tactical Vehicle Intervention (TVI) maneuver to end the pursuit. The

Total number of employees: As of Nov. 1, 2020

1,900

One month ago

1,910

One year ago

1,937

WHP Total number of highway fatalities: As of Nov. 5, 2020

114

One year ago

132

suspect vehicle entered the barrow ditch before the driver tried to drive around law enforcement again to escape. Due to the driver's actions causing an imminent threat to law enforcement and public safety, a WHP trooper drove into the suspect vehicle, causing it to overturn.

The driver of the vehicle was not injured and was taken into custody without further incident. He has been identified as 39-year-old Lomita, California resident Jonathan David Suckow.

Suckow was charged with fleeing to elude, reckless driving, speed and other traffic-related offenses. Suckow could also be facing additional charges in Gillette.

Agencies involved in the pursuit were Campbell County Sheriff ’s Department, Gillette Police Department, Converse County Sheriff ’s Department and Douglas Police Department.

District 3

Preliminary construction work begins on Etna North ETNA – WYDOT began work on the Etna North Project on US 89 between Etna and Alpine the first week of November.

WYDOT and contract crews removed the permanent fence along the job and installed a temporary fence in its place for the winter. Crews cleared and did some grubbing along the job site before the weather prevented them from working in the area.

Lower Valley Energy was also working within the job area, installing new power poles.

The Etna North Project was awarded to Avail Valley Construction, out of Afton, for $19.7 million. The project involves grading, draining, placing crushed base and bituminous pavement surfacing, full-depth reclamation and miscellaneous work on approximately 9.30 miles on US 89 beginning at mile marker 108.13 between Thayne and Alpine Junction. The completion date for this project is June 30, 2022.

WYDOT moved vehicle brake check area on Teton Pass JACKSON – WYDOT moved the vehicle brake check area from its current location at milepost 11 to the weigh station on the west side of the pass.

On Nov. 15, in conjunction with the seasonal trailer restriction on WYO 22 Teton Pass, WYDOT moved the current vehicle brake check area, located at milepost 11 on the top of Teton Pass and relocated it to the weigh station pullout at milepost 15.5.

“The brake check areas are not strictly for commercial vehicles, but any vehicle that may need to check their brakes or pull over for an emergency. Once the trailer restriction is in place, we are okay with moving the brake check area to the weigh station,” Interim District Engineer Tory Thomas said.

The brake check area at the top of the pass was open to public parking on Nov. 15. As a reminder, parking is restricted when snow control activities take place, indicated by the current black-on-white regulatory signs that read: “AVALANCHE CONTROL/PARKING AREA CLOSED WHEN FLASHING.” Typical control missions begin in the middle of the night, usually around 3 a.m. Generally, when WYDOT initiates a control mission, the flashing lights will begin flashing the night of the mission, earlier in the evening.

The vehicle arrestor on WYO 22 is currently under repair, but crews have worked to complete the work by the end of November. A runaway truck ramp approximately one mile up from the current vehicle arrestor location remained open for use.

“WYDOT will continue to evaluate and serve all aspects of the public within the resources given to us, with safety being the top priority for all who travel Teton Pass,” said Mark Gillett, WYDOT chief engineer.

The seasonal trailer restriction went into effect Nov. 15 and will continue through April 1. Any vehicles with a hitched trailer illegally accessing Teton Pass will be found in violation of running a road closure and subject to fines. For alternative routes, contact any Department of Transportation Port of Entry or Permit Station.

District 4

District 4 identifies snow plan levels of service SHERIDAN – Now that the winter season has settled in, WYDOT implemented its annual snow plan, giving guidance on how highways are cleared of snow and ice.

With budget constraints the department currently faces, WYDOT identified six levels of service and the routes that fall under those levels to help manage and work within those budget constraints while still maintaining adequate levels of service for plowing.

Within these constraints, highways will be plowed, but they may remain snow covered at times and overnight plowing may not happen or be minimized depending on the timing of a snow event.

Priority will be the travel and passing lanes with road shoulders and approaches being secondary. WYDOT will continue to use road traction materials such as salt/ sand and liquid and granular de-icing products, and has a budgeted amount for those supplies.

“We will have to strictly adhere to our winter maintenance budget, which means there likely won’t be any wiggle room to go over budget if we have a particularly severe winter,” said WYDOT Director Luke Reiner. “However, we will continue to provide winter maintenance services based on our limited budget.”

When determining which roads fell under which level of service, interstates and school bus routes took priority. Each district will work closely with school districts to help ensure designated bus routes receive service, and to keep them abreast of changing conditions and closures.

The levels of service for the state’s highways are consistent throughout Wyoming. However a highway may receive one level of service in one district and receive a higher or lower level of service within another district which is typically a result of local daily traffic volume and/ or primary road usage.

Cleanup operations at the end of the storm are to be performed during normal scheduled working hours after all other levels of snow control service have been accomplished. This operation includes Briefs continued on page 6 December 2020

n

Interchange

5

to 80,000 pounds. On average, crews can install about 20 feet of bridge in a day.

Briefs continued from page 5 the clearing of any snow blocked approaches, removal of drifted areas off the roadway, snow piles at intersections and turnarounds and other necessary cleanup.

WYDOT asks the public to do its part when traveling Wyoming’s highways.

When encountering a snow plow, motorists should keep their headlights on so they are more visible to the plow drivers and others. Slow down. Motorists should travel a safe distance behind the plow to avoid crowding it and getting sand on their vehicles. Motorists shouldn’t pass a plow unless the path ahead of them is absolutely clear. Many times, the road ahead is worse.

District 5

Photo: WYDOT

Volunteers enjoy cleaning up county-area highways

District 4 maintenance techs look over plans to build an ACROW bridge during an October learning session.

District 4 'erector set' SHERIDAN – Many hands make light work and in this case many minds came together to assemble the pieces.

District 4 maintenance techs teamed up to learn how to erect an ACROW Bridge in October. An ACROW bridge is a portable bridge structure that can be placed as a detour when permanent bridges are either replaced or damaged.

It was just five years ago WYDOT was called upon to replace a structure near Lusk that was washed out due to flash flooding. At the time, a team of 20-plus spent 23 days installing the structure.

Since then, many of those experienced techs have left leaving just a few who know how the structure comes together.

Realizing that in the event of a similar need, Sheridan Maintenance's Dustin Hockett and Buffalo’s maintenance foreman Tony Morris decided it was time to familiarize the crews with the process, terminology and learn first-hand how to build this structure.

When assembled, these 10 by 33 foot sections can span up to 123 feet, provide a 24 foot travel lane and can support up

6

Interchange

n

December 2020

RIVERTON – The view from Park County and Hot Springs-area highways improved in 2020 as hundreds of AdoptA-Highway volunteers cleaned their 2-mile highway sections.

In its 31st year, Wyoming’s Adopt‑A‑Highway program has nearly 1,000 participating groups in Wyoming.

Cody-area groups include: First Presbyterian Church; Wapiti Women's Club; Cody VFW Post 2673 Auxiliary; Trout Creek Ranch; Rozanne and Doug Reachard; Smith Family; Cody Masonic Bodies; Dano Youth Camps; Powell LDS Youth; Cody Fed Ex Ground; South Fork Community Clicks 4-H Club; The Krenning Family; Best Westerns of Cody, Sunset Property; Rotary Club of Cody; Trinity Lutheran Church; Ride Safe in Memory of Cujo and Joe Boydston; Carl and Millie Krenning Family; Powell Swim Club; The Edmonds Family; Dexter Dearcorn Family; Rocket and Groot; Filkin and Shipp; Sunlight Landowners Association; Tom and Carol Wagner; and Civil Air Patrol Cadet Squadron.

Hot Springs County-area groups include: Patricia Wahler Memorial; Big Horn Enterprises; Kiwanis Club; Knights of Columbus 2578; Thermopolis Rotary Club; Central Wyoming 4X4 Association; In Memory of Brenna Rankin; Thermopolis FFA Chapter; Russ and Carol Dowdy; and Russell Ranch.

"We really appreciate the volunteers who work to clean up highways in Northwest Wyoming," said Roni Stott, AdoptA-Highway coordinator for the Wyoming Department of Transportation in Cody.

"These volunteers provide an invaluable service in helping to keep Wyoming beautiful. We really appreciate this volunteer service," said Shane Wilson, Wyoming Department of Transportation maintenance foreman in Thermopolis.

Volunteers providing this public service range from retired people to elementary school children. Groups represent fraternal, civic and social clubs, youth groups, employee and professional organizations, schools, churches, government

agencies and families.

Signs identifying the groups are posted at each end of their adopted highway section, and WYDOT supplies safety brochures, orange vests and trash bags to the volunteers for each cleanup.

Winter closure of US 14A BURGESS JUNCTION – The annual fall closure US 14A between Burgess Junction and Lovell took place Nov. 16.

The annual winter closure of US 14A, west of Burgess Junction, is at milepost 76.04 on the Lovell side of the Bighorn Mountains. The seasonal road closure at Burgess Junction is just east of milepost 98.1. WYDOT annually closes this 22-mile stretch of scenic mountain road in the Bighorn Mountains of north-central Wyoming in November. It usually opens for the summer by Memorial Day weekend.

Waltman Rest Area reopens between Shoshoni and Casper SHOSHONI – Waltman Rest Area between Shoshoni and Casper has reopened after electrical work was completed inside the rest area facility.

Parking lot improvements at the rest area are part of the current project constructing seven sets of passing lanes between Shoshoni and Casper on US 20/26. The parking lot improvements will be completed next spring. Work at the Waltman Rest Area includes removal of existing pavement surfacing, grading, leveling and repaving of the rest area parking area.

“We will close the rest area again next spring and the contractor will complete work on the rest area parking lot at that time,” said Wyoming Department of Transportation resident engineer Kaia Tharp of Thermopolis.

The $5.8 million project begins east of Moneta (milepost 76) and continues to Waltman (milepost 51.6). Paving of the passing lanes is currently under way.

Mountain Construction Co., of Lovell, is the prime contractor on the US 20/26 passing lane project. The contractor was awarded the contract on July 18, 2019, by the Wyoming Transportation Commission. n

WYDOT streamlines, expands authorized travel program

By Aimee Inama The Wyoming Department of Transportation revamped its authorized travel program to offer more travel options during wintry conditions that will help improve traffic flow. WYDOT recently launched the Wyoming Travel Authorization Program (W-TAP) that creates different types of travel authorizations that it can issue when travel is safe.

Under the new W-TAP, those with Wyoming driver licenses can apply to receive WYDOT Authorized Travel (WAT) authorizations, Rolling Closure Authorizations (RCA) or both if needed. Those without Wyoming driver licenses can apply to receive WAT authorizations only.

The program also offers a W-TAP Memorandum of Understanding, or MOU, which is between an organization and WYDOT. The W-TAP MOU is intended for organizations and not individuals. It addresses travel needs not easily addressed through the automated WAT and RCA processes.

“Travel restrictions occur on the state’s roads in the winter due to conditions, crashes and other unforeseen events,” said Vince Garcia, ITS/GIS manager. “Our new program offers different authorizations based on what a traveler signs up for. As a reminder, participation in W-TAP does not grant blanket approval

to travel on any closed road. WYDOT will continue to only allow travel on roads that are closed when it is safe to do so and under certain circumstances.”

The WAT application is open to all drivers but requires justification as to why a driver will need to travel on a closed road. Motorists are allowed to select seven segments of travel routes when applying for WAT. Rolling Closure Authorizations (RCA) are primarily for those with Wyoming driver licenses. Motorists do not need to provide a travel justification as part of the application process but must agree to the terms of the program.

“Rolling Closure Authorizations are intended to allow drivers with Wyoming driver licenses to travel during any rolling closure, even if they did not specifically request travel authorization for the affected route,” Garcia said.

RCAs and WATs will be put in place with every rolling closure, unless Wyoming Highway Patrol personnel are required but not available. WATs will be considered with every road closure.

Program participants will be notified by email when authorizations are in place.

In addition, they can access travel status via an automated phone system, their W-TAP account (https://w-tap.wyoroad. info/) and the Wyoming 511 mobile app.

With the move to the new W-TAP, WYDOT deleted all data from the previous program to ensure privacy.

“Even though some motorists may have participated under the previous WAT program, they will need to still reapply for W-TAP,” Garcia said.

For Wyoming drivers, the online application asks for a person’s name, date of birth and driver license number. That information is used to verify a person’s driver license and to retrieve address information, which is then verified with the United States Postal Service to ensure mail delivery. A person’s date of birth and driver license number will not be saved in the W-TAP database.

Wyoming residents who meet certain criteria will receive automatic approval.

WYDOT officials review out-of-state applications before giving approval. Outof-state applicants provide their name and address when applying.

Drivers who want to apply to the program can visit wyoroad.info and click on the W-TAP icon.

Hometown Heroes

from members of the public; they buy a box and donate a box to the program.

Members of both troops visited the Laramie shop to give the crew their cookies and to check out a snowplow up close — while wearing masks, of course! n

Show us what you’ve done during COVID!

District 1 Maintenance crew and snowplow drivers were chosen as Laramie Girl Scout Troops 1482 and 1228 as their hometown heroes.

Landscaping project?

Hunt lately?

Outdoors deadline: Photo: WYDOT

Girl Scout Troops 1482 and 1228 in Laramie chose WYDOT Maintenance Crews/Snow plow drivers as their hometown heroes this year.

The Hometown Hero program is a nationwide program the Girl Scouts participate in each year where troops choose different local heroes within their communities and donate some of their delicious cookies.

Often these cookies are bought as gifts

n

12/15/20

carlie.vanwinkle@wyo.gov

December 2020

n

Interchange

7

Photo: Zach Alexander

WYDOT assists with firefighting effort during Mullen Fire

8

Interchange

n

December 2020

By Jordan Achs This fall was a tough fire season for the entire Mountain West region, including in southeastern Wyoming.

First spotted Sept. 17, the Mullen Fire raged through the Medicine Bow National Forest in southern Carbon and Albany counties, even touching into Colorado before it started to fizzle out with the coming winter.

As of writing this, the blaze burned nearly 177,000 acres and damaged 66 structures. Much of that fire growth happened in a short time; on Sept. 26, the daily firefighter operations report noted the fire grew over 33,000 acres. Rugged wilderness, extreme winds and downed and dead beetle-kill trees fueled the flames.

WYDOT employees including Highway Patrol troopers, airports, maintainers and the Transportation Management Center assisted firefighters in the effort to fight one of Wyoming’s largest fires to date.

“Large wildfires, such as the Mullen Fire, require close coordination with many partners,” said USFS Laramie District Ranger Frank Romero. “WYDOT has always been a key partner in the work that we accomplish and is always willing to show up and lend a hand. This was apparent throughout the Mullen Fire and all previous fires I’ve been a part of.”

Due to the rugged terrain of the area, much of the firefighting efforts had to be via aerial operations.

Fixed-wing aircraft like planes used the runways at the Laramie Regional Airport and the Cheyenne Regional Airport, while helicopters used a makeshift heli-base near Centennial.

“There were probably 15-20 aircraft working the fire out of here,” Jack Skinner, Laramie Regional Airport manager, said.

“September was our best fuel sales month on record.”

He added some days they had to store planes on the taxiway because the hangars and ramps were full.

When the fire was peaking in late September and early October, crews were using multiple helicopters, fixed-wing planes for Air Attack supervisors, four Single Engine Air Tanker (SEAT) aircrafts and four of its aquatic cousins, SEAT aircrafts with floats nicknamed the “Fire Boss” or “Super Scoopers.”

SEATs are nimble aircraft well-suited

Photo: US Forest Service

to mountainous terrain, with the carrying capacity of up to 800 gallons of water or retardant at low altitudes (but less if needing to fly at higher altitudes.)

When not carrying retardant, Super Scoopers would fly down low to scoop water from nearby bodies of water like Rob Roy Reservoir or even Lake Hattie, where crowds would park and watch the spectacle.

Aircraft can only fly in the right conditions, however. Sometimes strong wind gusts — like the 70 mph gusts in the area on Sept. 26 — would force flying operations to ground.

Strong winds weren’t the only challenge firefighters encountered with aerial operations; on the morning of Sept. 28, pilots had to de-ice aircraft before flight, an uncommon task during most wildfires according to the firefighter operations reports for that day.

Beyond air support with chopper and plane, this fire relied heavily on unmanned aerial systems (UAS), more commonly known as drones. When conditions allowed, crews would use drones with infrared technology to map the fire perimeter, locate spot fires and guide firefighters to the spots for quick extinguishing.

Skinner said it’s becoming more common to work with the

A SEAT aircraft dropping fire retardant on the hillside.

December 2020

n

Interchange

9

Photo: US Forest Service

Photo: Melanie Johnson

A single engine air tanker (SEAT) aircraft dousing flames with water.

U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management on aerial fire support as fire seasons get more intense. The airport hosted Smoke Jumpers this year that would respond to different regional fires as needed. Additionally, some aircraft working the nearby Cameron Peak fire in Fort Collins used the Laramie Airport during their firefighting efforts.

On the ground, WYDOT crews helped firefighters with traffic control near the temporary heli-base, including placing “No Parking” signs to discourage ogling drivers and passers-by.

Portable and established dynamic messaging signs (DMS) were also used to display fire information for travelers along nearby WYO 230, WYO 130 and even parts of I-80. Additionally, TMC updated the 511 travel map and call menu to give travelers easy access to fire information and updates.

Maintenance crews responded to firefighter needs quickly and efficiently, including installing a temporary approach to Sodergreen Lake and providing traffic control at one of the firefighter bases at the Wyoming Army National Guard Armory in Laramie.

With a fire spanning nearly 200,000 acres, road closures and evacuations were to be expected. WYO 230, WYO 11 and WYO 10 saw extended closures as the fire progressed.

Wyoming Highway Patrol troopers manned gates (both established and makeshift) day and night to keep all who weren’t actively fighting the fire out of the evacuation zones and harm’s way. Keeping people out of the active fire areas helped keep not only the public safe, but firefighters, too.

Fortunately, winter comes early to that part of Wyoming, and currently the fire sits at 97% containment with more snow expected to finish the job soon. No area closures or evacuation notices remain in The Mullen Fire relied on unmanned aerial systems, or drones, to support the planes and effect. choppers dropping the water and retardant on Unfortunately, the fire. burning that many acres came with a heavy cost. The fire caused extensive damage, including in areas where WYDOT employees and their loved ones may have had property or fond memories. Condolences to any and all who have suffered a loss due to this or any other wildfire this season.

Thank you WYDOT crews for your hard work –—not only did you fulfill WYDOT’s Purpose and Mission, you also exemplified WYDOT’s key values: Respect, Integrity, Dedication, Excellence and Safety.

“Forest fires are just one example, as our relationship with WYDOT goes beyond emergency situations,” Romero said. “I know that if I need something, and WYDOT can assist, they are just a phone call away.” n

Game & Fish Why wildlife overpasses are worth the expense

Photo: WYDOT

By Angi Bruce, Wyoming Game and Fish In Wyoming there are 6,000 documented collisions with big game annually. A wildlife overpass is one of many solutions wildlife managers and transportation engineers may recommend to help prevent wildlife-vehicle collisions and reduce barriers for season movements. While overpasses are a costly infrastructure investment for wildlife, they are a unique and indispensable tool for preventing crashes and re-establishing biological connectivity for herds.

The Wyoming Game and Fish Department and the Wyoming Department of Transportation acknowledge overpasses are expensive. On a two-lane road the cost ranges from $6 to $14 million for the structure. An interstate wildlife overpass can be pricier at $20 to $30 million.

Because they are expensive, Game and Fish and WYDOT only recommend overpasses when they are justifiable, suited to the species and the location. Often, lower-cost solutions are the first consideration to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions. Those might include fencing, using existing underpasses, variable speed limits, signs for drivers or mowing the rights of way.

Most important, an overpass must meet wildlife’s needs. Any road modifications for wildlife are supported by data and other

on-the-ground conditions. That starts with sometimes decades of research on the movements of big game like elk, deer or pronghorn. Biologists will analyze GPS-collar data to learn how many animals are crossing and the species, as well as the frequency and location of crossings and collisions.

When overpasses are placed in the right location they have been proven to be 80 to 90 percent effective in reducing collisions. Support wildlife crossing efforts by purchasing a Wyoming Wildlife Conservation License Plate or donating to crossing efforts. n

Wildlife priority area on US 26/287 near Dubois subject of public virtual meeting

Photo: Mark Gocke

By Wyoming Game and Fish The Wyoming Game and Fish Department and WYDOT invited interested citizens to attend a virtual meeting to discuss possible solutions to wildlife/vehicle collisions along US 26/287 outside of Dubois.

The meeting was held over ZOOM on Dec. 8.

Annually, an average of 136 collisions with mule deer occur on this stretch of highway, costing $746,000 per year. WYDOT,

A herd of mule deer at a wildlife-safe fence along the highway.

10

Interchange

n

December 2020

as well as Game and Fish and various wildlife and community groups, hope to reduce those collisions as well as impacts to other wildlife, such as bighorn sheep. The agencies are taking action to find solutions that give wildlife the green light for safe passage along this 26-mile stretch of US 26/287, from east to west outside of Dubois.

This stretch of highway was identified at the 2017 Wildlife and Roadways Summit as one of the top 10 priority areas in the state to begin looking for solutions. The summit kicked off the Wildlife and Roadways Initiative that Game and Fish, WYDOT, other governmental and non-governmental agencies have been working on to identify priority areas and work together to find ways to fund and implement projects that reduce wildlife/vehicle collisions, increase motorist safety, and maintain or re-establish disconnected wildlife migration routes.

To evaluate this stretch of highway, Julia Kintsch from ECO-resolutions LLC was hired as a consultant. Kintsch has 15 years of experience helping wildlife and transportation agencies mitigate wildlife movement. At the Dec. 8 meeting, Kintsch will present the project partnership’s initial findings and ideas for solutions.

Join the ZOOM call and share your thoughts about the information gathered, what has been learned and some potential solutions to reduce wildlife/vehicle collisions in the Dubois area. n

By Sara DiRienzo The Wyoming Game and Fish Department has released the Platte Valley Mule Deer Migration Corridor Draft Biological Risk and Opportunity Assessment. The document provides an overview of the conservation challenges and opportunities along the 80 miles in south-central Wyoming that make up one of the most crucial pathways in the state for spring and fall mule deer movements. The public is invited to review the draft and submit comments.

The Platte Valley Migration Corridor has been an official corridor since 2018 and was recognized as a designated migration corridor as part of Gov. Mark Gordon’s 2020 Migration Corridor Executive Order.

“The finalized assessment will align the Platte Valley Corridor with any new migration corridor designations and provide a framework for management,” said Embere Hall, Game and Fish Laramie Region wildlife management coordinator.

The Platte Valley is home to 12,000 mule deer who move annually between the shrubby winter habitats in Carbon County to summer ranges the Snowy Range, Sierra Madre and foothills in North Park, Colorado where grasses, forbs and mountain shrubs abound. The corridor includes public and private lands. The top concern for the corridor is maintaining connectivity between seasonal ranges.

“While much of the Platte Valley mule deer migration corri-

dor consists of intact open space, human development and the associated infrastructure can impair connectivity,” said Teal Cufaude, the Saratoga Game and Fish biologist. “Game and Fish is dedicated to working collaboratively with our part- Mule deer at a wintry roadside ners and stakeholders to minimize risks to corridor viability.”

Within the assessment lies several opportunities to benefit mule deer. One such opportunity is working together with landowners on targeted habitat projects. Better habitat, particularly food sources, can help mule deer get more of the nutrients they need to survive over winter.

“These projects range from helping reduce invasive plant species — like cheatgrass — that are low in nutrients for ungulates, to improving shrub communities, which can offer much better forage,” Hall said.

The draft assessment is available on the Game and Fish website. The public will have the opportunity to review and submit comments online. A virtual public meeting for local stakeholders will be held Dec. 8.

Comments will be accepted until Dec. 15 and will contribute to the final assessment, slated to be completed in January 2021. n

Photo: WYDOT

Platte Valley Mule Deer Migration Corridor Draft Biological Risk and Opportunity Assessment released

Snow Fence Can you fence the wind?

Or guide the snow On Winters Day When Wyoming Winds BLOW. Shape the snow into waves sparkling and white for a safer drive on a cold winters night.

Water for grass and forbs food for springs’ new fawns I’m so glad they aren’t eating my lawn! a supply for weathered wooden picture frames first built for safety on winters’ travel lane.

Snow Snake A girl or boy Snow Snake, Have you ever seen one?

Do they play in the dirt and grass and have fun?

A Snow Snake is a friendly sight, will not, coil, squirm or bite.

A Snow Snake prevents blowing snow watch for one by the road as you go.

December 2020

Poems by Marilee Manalo

n

Interchange

11

Employee Safety What a Job Safety Analysis is and why you need one

By Todd Deporter, Employee Safety What is a Job Safety Analysis (JSA) and why do you need one?

First, a JSA is a tool you use prior to starting a job or task that identifies the work to be completed. Secondly, you use it to identify the job related hazards to your health and safety and discuss actions to take to eliminate the hazards. A hazard is the potential for harm. In practical terms, a hazard often is associated with a condition or activity that, if left uncontrolled, can result in an injury or illness. Identifying hazards and eliminating or controlling them as early as possible will help prevent injuries and illnesses.

At WYDOT, our maintenance, construction, equipment and traffic professionals most frequently use JSAs. Like any organization, WYDOT experiences turnover due to retirements or other departures. When a new employee is hired it may take considerable time and training to get them to the level of the departed experienced worker. This includes knowing about work related hazards. The JSA helps to identify, analyze and record known hazards for particular jobs or work tasks and is available to review prior to beginning work. Each JSA is also unique and focuses on the specific type of work being completed, such as chip sealing. Although chip sealing may seem like an identical process requiring only one JSA, there are differences to be consider. As example, chip sealing on a two-lane county highway has some different hazards then on a four-lane interstate.

The differences can include the traffic flow, terrain, expected

12

Interchange

n

December 2020

weather conditions, speed limits and more. These differences are written in separate JSAs and tilted according for future reference.

Now that you know what and why the need for a JSA, let us look at how the processes for completing a JSA. WYDOT recognizes the three steps for completing JSAs to include: 1. The steps involved in performing a specific job. Supervisors should involve all employees who routinely conduct the job and include any relevant input into the JSA. Most employees have a unique understanding of the job and this knowledge is invaluable to finding and eliminating hazards.

2. Identify existing or potential safety and health hazards associated with each step. Look at all possible hazards from the equipment you are using to the type of work conditions.

These include the working environment, to the experience of the workers, and the resources you have available.

3. Recommended actions or procedures that will eliminate or reduce these hazards and the risk of a workplace injury or illness. Once you identify the hazards, you have to determine how to either eliminate, mitigate or avoid the hazards. The safety Hierarchy of Hazard Controls is a good reference for reviewing your options. PPE should only be considered as the last resort, but if used it should be included in the JSA and made available.

JSAs are living documents and are updated as tasks and hazards change. Supervisors are responsible for approved changes and briefing their employees on the changes prior to beginning work. To ensure JSAs are current, the supervisor shall upload the

updated JSAs to WYDOT’s designated records location.

The Employee Safety Team is in the final stage of fielding a newly updated JSA Program for WYDOT. More information can be found on the Employee Safety Intranet web page http://employees.dot.state.wy.us/home/employee_safety.html or you can email Employee Safety at dot-employee-safety@wyo.gov or call 777-4460.

So “Why a JSA?” Ultimately, the JSA is a living document that keeps you safe from injury and illness while at work. Coupled with your training, knowledge, experience and commitment, the JSA makes it makes it possible to make smart decisions about your safety. n

New S-1A Employee Injury or Accident Form

By Todd Deporter, Employee Safety WYDOT is changing how you will report your safety incidents and accidents. Starting in December 2020, new S-1A forms and the accompanying Accident and Injury Notification, Reporting, and Review Personnel Policy (PP 16-2) will take effect.

The new form is broken into two separate parts. Part I is to be completed by the employee and Part II is to be completed by the supervisor.

Following all incidents involving work-related injuries, accidents, and damage to WYDOT property or equipment, the following will occur.

1. Employees will immediately contact their supervisor and complete Part I of Form S-1A. The form is then forwarded by

the supervisor to either the district engineer (DE) or program manager (PM), who will review and sign the form. The form will then be forwarded to Employee Safety Program for tracking and trend analysis within 5 working days of the incident date.

2. Supervisors will complete Part II of Form S-1A, the Supervisor’s Investigation, and forward to either their DE or PM to review and sign then be submitted to Employee Safety within 30 calendar days of the incident. The information from Part II will provide background and other relevant information necessary for the Incident Review Committee to deduct root causes, evaluate procedures, and determine future actions.

The new S-1A comes with detailed instructions for each of the parts on the form. Additionally, Training Services has developed simple to follow e-learning content, which can be accessed in the Employee Safety section of the WELL. In the near future everyone will have this training assigned to them in the WELL. Please familiarize yourself with it when you get a chance.

Updated Policy 16-2, Accident and Injury Notification, Reporting, and Review Along with a new reporting S-1A form, WYDOT is releasing an updated version of Personal Policy 16-2, Accident and Injury Notification, Reporting, and Review. The policy adds a new incident notification process, explains the incident reporting and investigation procedures, and addresses the roles of the Incident Review Committee. The new policy also incorporates former policies 15-6, Incident Investigation Committee and Policy 19-3, Worker's Safety Inspection/Employee Fatality Report. n

Training Maintain confidence and motivation during COVID-19 by investing in personal growth

By Rebecca McGee, Training Services Using time to invest in personal growth and learning relevant new skills can help you maintain your confidence and motivation, and help you deal with challenges that may have arisen as work has evolved during COVID. “Keeping yourself stimulated and finding new ways to enhance or learn new essential skills can increase your value and open doors to new opportunities in the future,” said Namrata Murlidhar, marketing director at LinkedIn Learning.

Now is a great time to polish up on key professional skills that are essential and that may need some adjustments or refining as we use new tools to complete work, such as virtual meetings.

Skills like active listening, interpersonal communication and emotional intelligence are important now more than ever. Many of our interactions are not face to face and even though virtual meetings offer a bit of face to face communication, it's harder to hone in on body language to interpret the true meaning of

what is being communicated to you and being able to respond accordingly.

Finding ways to deal with conflict and stress, at work as well as at home, can be found in online offerings from our Employee Assistance Program (EAP), through eLearning classes in the WELL or through LinkedIn Learning (accessible via the State of Wyoming Library). Many of our eLearning classes are grouped together in learning plans like Motivation, Coaching and Innovation for convenience. Putting a strategic professional growth plan or IDP together with the help of your supervisor is a great way to get serious about your career growth.

Organizational skills and having routines are key. Being organized, maintaining the ability to meet deadlines, being able to multi-task, staying informed of project statuses, and performing work from a home-based office can be challenging. Expanding your knowledge and existing skill sets through online learning through the WELL, ReadItForMe.com or through LinkedIn Learning (accessible via the State of Wyoming Library) is a smart way to use your time and proactively contribute to your professional growth.

Please contact dot-training@wyo.gov if you need any assistance accessing the learning resources available to you. n

December 2020

n

Interchange

13

District News

District 1

Welcome

Headquarters

Retirements

Laura Bartlett, Patrol-Records; Aimee Binning, Emergency Communications-Administration; Katelyn Bristol, Planning-Programming; Jacqueline Croom, IT-Financial Systems; Meritte Evans, Driver Services-Laramie; and Kelly Smario, Patrol-Administration.

Timothy McDowell retired Oct. 3 from Planning-Programming as a state programing engineer.

McDowell retires with 41 years of service to the state.

He began his career with the Wyoming Highway Department in July 1979 as an engineering tech in McDowell Casper.

McDowell completed his studies in civil engineering at the University of Wyoming.

Throughout his career, McDowell held many positions within the agency including: highway engineering associate, resident engineer, and construction and maintenance engineer, all in Cheyenne.

He has been the state programming engineer since 1996.

Promotions and Transfers Alison Helgoth-Ragan, Grants and Contracts-Administration; David Herdt, Planning-Local Government Coordination; and Leanna Humble, Planning-Local Government Coordination.

Service Awards

Helgoth-Ragan

Christy Stone, Planning-Programming – 40 years; Carl Moody, Equipment-Mechanics – 30 years; Pamela Fredrick, Budget – 15 years; Brent Kindsvater, Traffic – 15 years; and Autum Smith, Office Services-Mailroom – 15 years.

Smith

Retirements Merna Carver retired Oct. 16 from Baggs Maintenance as maintenance foreman.

She retires with 18 years of service to the state.

Leroy Rusk retired Oct. 2 from Equipment-Mechanics as a fabricator with 16 years of service to the state.

Rusk began his career with WYDOT in January 2004 in the Rigging Shop.

He has also served Rusk more than three decades in the Wyoming Air National Guard. n

Service Award presentation at Headquarters.

From left: Carl Moody, Equipment-Mechanics – 30 years; Duwane Floy, Construction Staff – 25 years; and Kevin Stogsdill, Highway Development-Project Development – 30 years.

Carver

Randall Griesbach retired Oct. 17 from District 1 Traffic as staff engineer with 36 years of service to the state.

Griesbach began his career in May 1984 in Pinedale Construction for about two years. He also held positions in Griesbach Traffic Design and Project Development in Cheyenne before moving to Laramie and becoming District 1 Traffic engineer remaining there for 31 years.

Griesbach is a graduate of the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

He graduated with a civil engineering degree in 1984. n

Photo: WYDOT

Fredrick

Dunlap

December 2020

le Afte yc

ading!

Re

Moody

Charles Dunlap, Laramie Mechanics – 20 years; and Lorenzo Hurtado, Cheyenne Traffic-Striping – 5 years.

r

Stone

Service Awards

ease Re c Pl

Welcome

Kenneth Elseroad, Laramie Maintenance.

n

Interchange

14

District 2

District 4

Promotions and Transfers

Welcome

Jeremy Andresen, Shirley Rim Maintenance.

David Marple, Gillette Maintenance; and Christen Schneider, Gillette Maintenance.

Service Awards Marvin Lambert, Wheatland Mechanics – 25 years; and Brenda Bosler, Driver Services-Torrington/Lusk – 10 years. n

Logan

Retirements Marple

Lambert

District 3

Welcome Joesh Ingleby, Wamsutter Maintenance.

Service Awards

Morton

Brandon Morton, Sundance Patrol – 5 years.

Schneider

Service Awards

Connie Tucker retired on Oct. 3 from Sheridan Construction as a construction and field survey technician with 27 years of service to the state.

Tucker

Bruce Kent, Pole Creek Maintenance – 15 years; Joshua Undeberg, Sundance Patrol – 15 years;

Kent

Undeberg

Simon

Photo: WYDOT

Ronald Pizzie, Rock Springs Maintenance – 10 years; and William Baxter, Jackson Patrol – 5 years.

Retirements

Virgil Helm retired on Oct. 15 from Afton Day Maintenance as a highway maintenance technician with 26 years of service to the state.

Congratulations Brad McCullough has been selected as the Rock Springs resident engineer, effective Nov. 1. n

Christopher Simon, District 4 Maintenance Staff – 10 years; Ryan Logan, Sheridan Patrol – 5 years; and

District 4 Engineer Scott Taylor leading by example at this year’s flu clinic. The clinic is held annually in partnership the Sheridan County Public Health Dept. This is the third season the flu shot clinic has been offered.

Helping with the healing On occasion, family members of those who have been lost in a crash within District 4 ask if they can be present when maintenance crews install the roadside memorials.

Sheridan Heavy’s Mark Clements and Carson Morales install a roadside memorial as the family and friends of the loved one observe and reminisce about what this sign represents. n

Photo: WYDOT

Mark Day retired on Oct. 17 from Evanston Mechanics as a senior heavy mechanic with 31 years of service to the state.

December 2020

n

Interchange

15

District 5

Service Awards Shawn Mollett, Cody Patrol – 15 years;

Lyle Peck, Dubois Maintenance – 15 years; and Clay Johnson, Lander Maintenance – 10 years.

Retirements

Mollett

Johnson

Russell Edwards retired on Oct. 2 from Cody Maintenance as a highway maintenance technician.

Edwards served 14 years with WYDOT.

Brent Keen retired on Oct. 16 from Riverton Maintenance as a highway maintenance technician. Keen began his career with WYDOT in Shoshoni in October 2003. He moved to Riverton Keen early in his career and stayed there, retiring with 17 years of service. n

Edwards

Passings Bob V. Burns Robert Vane Burns, 66, died in Spearfish, South Dakota on Oct. 5 at Monument Health Spearfish Hospital from heart disease.

Burns was born in Newcastle on Oct. 6, 1953, to Robert V. and Beverly Burns. After graduating from Newcastle High School, he Burns attended the University of Wyoming.

Burns worked for WYDOT for more than 30 years, including in District 1 on Crew 1002, Laramie Engineering. While at WYDOT, he continued his education earning his associates of science degree in engineering technology. When he became a certified bridge inspector, he found that inspecting bridges was his passion. He retired from WYDOT in 2011.

His family has noted that he made them stop during their travels together so he could check out any and every bridge along their route.

Burns was an avid outdoorsman. Hiking, fishing, hunting and camping with family and friends in and around Wyoming sparked many campfires, stories, great memories and a few emergency room visits. Burns and wife, Jo, went on

16

Interchange

n

December 2020

several extended backcountry camping trips throughout their 44 years of marriage.

He retired five days earlier than his wife and after that eternal wait, they began traveling the U.S. in a fifth wheeler, camping and hiking and exploring.

During travels there was always a side mission of looking for the right place to retire. In the end, nothing compared to Spearfish and Burns and his wife bought a house and lived there for the past eight years.

In Spearfish, Burns was restricted somewhat by his health and he diverted his interest largely to his wood shop, restoring antique furniture and building needed items.

Burns served in the Wyoming National Guard for six years and was honorably discharged.

Due to COVID-19 Bob’s service is being delayed until next spring.

Paul Vanderbloom Paul Vanderbloom, 62, of Cheyenne passed away Nov. 23, 2020 at his home.

He was born July 9, 1958 in San Jose, California to Douglas and Darlene Vanderbloom.

Vanderbloom worked in Geology as a driller, retiring in March 2020 after 15 Vanderbloom years of service.

Services will be held when social distancing restrictions are more relaxed.

Kenneth Washburn Kenny Washburn, a valued member of WYDOT, passed away Nov. 16, at his home.

Washburn was a heavy equipment operator in Reno Junction in District 4. He had worked for WYDOT since 2012. n

Letters Kudos for Driver Services Director Reiner, I just wanted to let you know the positive experience I just had renewing my driver’s license in Casper. I walked in the door and everyone moved me through the process in less than 15 minutes.

Terri Hockin helped me. Kudos to the staff.

Take care and be safe.

Charles E. Moore Executive Director Wyoming Gaming Commission

Photo: Lou Ann Cropper

Rides

Photo: Jeremy Andresen

Bob Cropper, husband of Lou Ann Cropper (retired from Bridge Program), is enjoying his car again. In 1969, Cropper bought his new ‘69 Hurst S/C Rambler from Cropper Motors in Cheyenne after graduating from East High School. After 40 years in storage, he and Lou Ann have refreshed the mechanics of the car and brought it back to life. Life is good!

Photo: Buck Stevenson

Shirley Basin Highway Maintenance employee Jeremy Andresen owns this 1955 Chevy. The classic car boasts a new 350 Chevy motor with 4-speed manual transmission and fresh paint as of summer 2020 that Andresen’s dad and family friends did.

Bridge Program employee Buck Stevenson owns this 1985 Dodge 3/4-ton with a rather uncommon 8-foot utiline bed.

Stevenson claims, “It's just another used but not abused older pickup with authentic and all natural non-clear-coated rust.

It may not be much, but it gets a lot of compliments and stories of ‘the one my dad used to own’ from passers-by.”

December 2020

n

Interchange

17

2X T H E REWARDS P O I NTS | NO BA LA NCE T RA NSFER FEES

*APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Rates “as low as” dependent on creditworthiness and subject to WyHy approval. Rate is accurate as of 11/1/20. Call for updates. Double points awarded on new purchases made between 11/1/20 – 2/28/21. Promotional rate valid through August 2021 billing cycle; rate will revert to normal qualified rate after. New and existing card holders may be eligible. Terms & Conditions apply. Rates, Terms & Promotion are subject to eligibility and may change without notice. Contact the Credit Union for full details regarding any WyHy products.

18

Interchange

n

December 2020

Break Time See if you can find the following 25 words hidden in the grid to the right: Angels

Peppermint

Bells

Reindeer

Bows

Rudolph

Candles

Santa

Candy Canes

Scrooge

Decorations

Sleds

Families

Sleigh rides

Fireplaces

Snowfall

Happiness

Snowshoes

Hot Cocoa

Stockings

Jingle

Twinkle lights

Joy

Wassail

Packages Answer to the November 2020 Break Time photo find:

C H E R M E Y T H E E L F C O O K I E C R A N B E R R I E S C I E A T F N

J H F A M I L I E S C N U T C R A C K E R G P Q U C S R B W V A L Y S F E

C A R T G M R C G G W H T M G E P V J B S X U G R H L P S O A W R T I U E

O P C I R R S R L A L E I W A H B A C S R N T E U R H A I T W T A S H L R

M R B K S E I Q Z A R A A M I R O E S O A E I V D I F E S R U S E O O F G

E A U D T T E N U G U L D T N N C S N T L N E C O S P L U T I F T R L D A

T N M A O F M S C S W S A T H E K H T E D D T Z L T N E A P G C F G L A L

D C B S C R T A C H G H T N I E Y L O E E H M A P M U T A K O I L E Y E S

A E L H K O Y R S I R A I W J D R O E F G Z A D H A R S Y C E A F L B A T

N R E E I S O N E C E P X T I P I R S L T L E H I S K Y O R E S E T E D O

C L G R N O O T V R E P V P N X R N I H I H I R A N E A E C Y F R S R G X

E O R C G W F C I Y N I I E G E C E G N S G E Z E N N Q P V O T U T R I O

R S I E S G R U R N S N C D L Q L E S S Y T H T T T U E U A E V H L Y S E

T T N H K L I P F W S E O H E U O V M E M K A T O S C K R A C G I I T A U

O S O L L A D I C R L S N D I C A N D L E S G Y S Y B S K T I K N D F E C

Y E E F A M A D G H A S E X L M O S C S Y N R M C I S J H A A N A T I G B

S Q U E U E Y E X I O N S L O P N R S A T W T Y I A M O R O H F T G R A C

Z L X M S H O T S U L C K U C S E E A N D Y O S R G T Y L E P J F G E E O

K P E P P E R M I N T T O I K A B P Y T O W V F O N E I B D C S Y Y P S R

H R K D H C P O P C O R N L N N J T P M I B A A V I G J O Y I I V N L E N

T O I R S O H X Q W K W E S A C K O H E U O R S L E I G H R I D E S A I I

H B M S I R L E U B P M F E E T E X M A R L N A S K W A N Z A A E T C P S

E K E E C N O I E V H B O A N G E L S C Z M L S N A J O E A L T F R E S H

T R W L F V G E D R U Y S U L V L S N R A E I E T D I V G R Y G O F S E H

W H Q B L O I L Q A N T N A S L N U H S Q K L N D H I L O E N I R L M K E

I L U L Y S R W E U Y H O L D E P A M U E U E N T W U E T A E F M E U A N

N C A N D Y C A N E S S W F O W N L A M A R E Y U H I G D L A T Y S R C S

Interchange subscription issue? Update your address:

1) Complete and return this slip to WYDOT Public Affairs Office, 5300 Bishop Blvd., Cheyenne, WY 82009, or 2) Send an email to Carlie Van Winkle at carlie.vanwinkle@wyo.gov.

Add me to the mailing list

Retiree Employee

Change my address

Remove this address; person no longer lives here or is deceased.

Name change, I am a family member of a deceased employee, but I would like to continue receiving Interchange.

Name Current address City, State, Zip Previous address City, State, Zip

December 2020

n

Interchange

19

Interchange

Wyoming Department of Transportation 5300 Bishop Blvd.

Cheyenne, Wyoming 82009-3340 Address Service Requested

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