Interchange – October 2025

Interchange October 2025

Vol. 53, Iss. 10

Confident in any crises

District 3 finds ways to excel despite major challenges

By Stephanie Harsha The Wyoming Department of Transportation’s District 3 in southwest Wyoming covers some of Wyoming’s most diverse and extraordinary landscapes. Stretching from the vast Red Desert in the south to the majestic and frequently photographed Teton Mountain Range, District 3 does not disappoint with its powerful views. The crews that work in District 3 mirror that of the landscape – both diverse and extraordinary.

It takes a hard working and a brave team of transportation experts willing to work and find success in these remarkable conditions, and that is exactly what the District 3 family exhibits: hard work and collaboration.

District 3 has shown true grit this past year in the face of unexpected challenges and has proven their ability to harness partnerships and work long hours for the common goal of providing the best transportation services possible to the people of western Wyoming.

to clear the mudslide and begin preparing work for an emergency contract to install improved culvert drainage to the area.

At the same time, engineering crews were working closely with other WYDOT departments to field design a temporary detour at the landslide location. Both crews successfully collaborated with other internal stakeholders, as well as other agencies like the US Forest Service and the Idaho Transportation Department.

“The success of the projects on Teton Pass can really be attributed not only to the hard work and long hours of the local crews on the ground, but also to agency partners, and of course, our other WYDOT departments who worked just as tirelessly from Cheyenne to get the folks moving again here in Jackson,” said District 3 Engineer John Eddins.

The highway reopened with a temporary detour within three weeks, and then again with the permanent reconstruction of the road in June of 2025.

“It (I-80) is the preferred route for transcontinental goods transport, making it critical to not only Wyoming but every state from Chicago to the West Coast,” – District Maintenance Engineer Tory Thomas

Photo: WYDOT

WYO 22/Teton Pass In June of 2024, Wyoming Highway 22/Teton Pass suffered a critical failure at milepost 12.8. At the same time, WYO 22 also experienced a mudslide just over 2 miles down the road.

The District 3 crews from both maintenance and engineering immediately went to work to open the critical commuter route as soon as possible. With a “We got this!” attitude, crews were able

After WYO 22/Teton Pass collapsed in June 2024, District 3 crews from both maintenance and engineering immediately went to work to reopen the critical commuter route in just three weeks.

District 3 continued on page 3

Contents

Interchange

October 2025 Volume 53, Issue 10 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 Dakins, Interchange editor 5300 Bishop Blvd., Cheyenne, Wyoming, 82009-3340 or send an email to carlie.dakins@wyo.gov.

Confident in any crises 1 Driver Services hosts employee software training ahead of RIS modernization 11 GIS/ITS interns create innovative tools

12

Staff Programs and Partner Agencies

Also in this issue

WYDOT Director

District Briefs

6

Darin J. Westby, P.E.

Public Affairs Manager

Employee Safety

14

By the Numbers

8

HR Happenings

5

Noteworthy

13

Editor

Local Government

13

District News

15

Carlie Dakins

Tourism

10

Letters

18

Passings

18

WTDEA

20

Pets

19

Break Time

23

Doug McGee

Contributors Megan Arias Public Affairs Carlie Dakins Public Affairs Mark Horan Public Affairs Jordan Young Public Affairs Jaxson Penfield District 1 Jeff Goetz District 2 Stephanie Harsha District 3 Laura Dalles District 4 Cody Beers District 5

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.

Transportation Commission

Aeronautics Commission

Public Safety Communications Commission

Brandt Lyman, chair

Jerry Blann, chair

Monte McClain, chair

Mike Baker

Randy Harrop

Paul Bertoglio

Rick Kaysen

Pat Crank

Bill DeVore

Brian Browne

Cindi Shank

Susan Holmes

Sigsbee Duck

Matt Carr

Josh Van Vlack

Mark Hughes

Steve Maier

Mike Choma

Matt Waldock

Marlowe Scherbel

Dean McClain

Phillip Franklin

John Wetzel

Jim Willox

Bruce McCormack

Karl Germain

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Kindly recycle this publication after reading.

A WYDOT PUBLICATION

Photo: WYDOT

District 3 continued from front cover “We saw the viral video of the collapse, and it is a testament to the expertise and dedication of our Wyoming Department of Transportation that they were able to mobilize to construct this temporary road,” Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon said in a press release about the project. “Our residents, commuting workforce and visitors – this road is open to you. I applaud everyone who has come together to solve this problem and help – that’s the Wyoming way.”

Photo: Stephanie Harsha/WYDOT

Rock Springs maintenance, engineering and traffic crews eat lunch that was bought by the Transportation Commission to thank them for their hard work after the February 2025 fatal crash in the Green River Tunnels.

Contractors continue work to repair the Green River Tunnel liner after it was damaged in a fire and crash in February 2025.

I-80 Green River Tunnels In the south, transportation challenges in District 3 are just as dangerous as landslides in the north. Interstate 80 is the lifeblood of interstate commerce, with a traffic count of about 24,000 vehicles per day and heavy trucks making up nearly half of that traffic. With the number of vehicles traversing the state at high speeds, crashes can sometimes have devastating consequences.

On Feb. 14, 2025, a multi-vehicle pile-up took place at the I-80 Green River tunnels that tragically took three lives. District 3 crews responded quickly, providing immediate traffic control support to local first responders and our Wyoming Highway Patrol. The crash involved a total 26 vehicles – with 10 passenger vehicles and 16 commercial vehicles – and a fire that damaged the liner of the westbound tunnel.

Following the first response, District 3 got to work with WYDOT’s bridge department, planning department and consultants to assess the damage and put together plans for repairs, which are currently underway.

Managing winter weather on I-80 Traffic on I-80 is projected to continue increasing, including commercial traffic. Not only is I-80 carrying heavy traffic, but it is also essentially a 400-mile mountain pass. Wyoming’s average elevation is around 6,700 above sea level, and winter conditions here in Wyoming are unlike any other state, especially bordering states. This adds the challenge of adverse weather to our mission of providing a safe and effective transportation system for its users. District 3 is responsible for the western half of I-80 as it dissects the state – roughly about 187 miles.

“It (I-80) is the preferred route for transcontinental goods transport, making it critical to not only Wyoming but every state from Chicago to the West Coast,” District Maintenance Engineer Tory Thomas said.

Much of District 3’s resources are devoted to keeping this critical route moving efficiently. Small, isolated crews across the District provide snow removal and maintenance services for miles of remote high desert. These crews are a critical part of District 3’s commitment to service.

“This extreme environment makes maintenance activities, particularly during winter months, very challenging. The remote locations can be difficult to keep staffed,” Thomas added.

As technology grows, so does District 3’s ambition to utilize technology for traffic safety. District 3 continues to work with other departments to install weather sensors and warning signs, like the overhead dynamic message boards and variable speed limit signs, to help warn the public of adverse conditions and delays.

“The technology we use on I-80 is critical to our traffic, maintenance and patrol operations,” District Traffic Engineer Darin Kaufman said. “Technology helps us minimize crashes and informs motorists, as well as helps us as a District respond to weather-related incidents.”

District 3 continued on page 4

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Photo: Stephanie Harsha/WYDOT

District 3 continued from page 3

District 3 Avalanche specialist and supervisor Don Lawless checks out a recent avalanche slide at the Glory Bowl on WYO 22/Teton Pass.

Photo: WYDOT

The avalanche team works within the maintenance crew, monitoring forecasts, maintaining avalanche mitigation infrastructure and performing mitigation missions to release controlled avalanches to protect WYDOT’s roadways.

“They are extremely skilled at what they do,” Thomas said.

D3 crews have to monitor slide paths around Jackson Hole all winter long, with the goal of triggering and clearing slides before they are a risk to traffic. Sometimes, that means closing a highway until the slide can be cleared.

Managing avalanche risk In the northern part of the District, avalanches threaten the traveling public in and out of Jackson throughout the winter.

With thousands commuting every day through mountain passes and canyons into Teton County, driver safety remains critical.

WYDOT has been performing avalanche mitigation in Teton County since 1972. The Jackson maintenance crew is the only crew in the state with two avalanche specialists, supervisor Don Lawless and forecaster Brenden Cronin. Every winter, the crew hires two temporary employees to assist with winter operations.

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Preventing wildlife collisions Some of District 3’s greatest achievements have come from collaborating with wildlife organizations to construct wildlife connectivity projects on animal migration corridors in western Wyoming.

District 3 recently broke ground on the Kemmerer South Wildlife Connectivity project, which will be the latest addition to a long list of wildlife connectivity efforts in southwest Wyoming.

The Kemmerer South project will feature seven underpasses and one overpass, as well as 61.5 miles of wildlife fencing. The overpass will be the third one constructed in the state, with the other two located on the Trappers Point Connectivity Project located near Pinedale.

What sets this project apart, however, is the successful collaboration of funding. WYDOT not only received a $24.3 million federal grant, but also unprecedented support and funding from the Wyoming Game and Fish and several private and nonprofit partners to set the project in motion.

District 3 has a history of building highly effective and award-winning wildlife connectivity projects. WYDOT is a three-time recipient of the Federal Highway Administration’s Exemplary Ecosystem Initiatives award, and two of those awards were for projects located in District 3. The Exemplary Ecosystem Initiatives award is given out yearly for outstanding commitments to environmental stewardship. The Nugget Canyon project near Kemmerer won the award in 2010 and Trappers Point won the award in 2011. The overpasses at Trappers Point are the first of its kind in Wyoming and the first ever built specifically for

Meeting people where they are District 3 strives to serve western Wyoming as best we can, whether that is maintaining the highways that take our local trona miners to work in Sweetwater County, helping anglers get to the beautiful Greys River in Star Valley, or clearing snow so snowmobilers can get to Horse Creek near Pinedale for some winter sledding.

District 3’s hard work and dedication impacts two of Wyoming’s major industries – mining and tourism – in addition to recent work addressing crises that have garnered national and even international media attention.

“District 3 has some of the hardest working crews around,” Thomas said. “When times get tough, there is no one I’d rather be in the trenches with getting the job done.”

Photo: Joe Riis

Photo: Stephanie Harsha/WYDOT

pronghorn.

More recently, WYDOT is already seeing success with the completion of the Dry Piney Project last year, which also leveraged partnership funding to build nine underpasses and 33.4 miles of 8-foot tall deer fence near La Barge.

Resident engineer in Kemmerer, Jennifer Hoffman, oversaw the work on the Dry Piney project and now is working with contractors on the construction of the Kemmerer South project.

“We have had a lot of private funding donations for these projects, which isn’t normal for most of what WYDOT does, so that’s been pretty special,” Hoffman said.

The wildlife overpasses at Trappers Point (US 191) were the first of its kind in Wyoming and the first ever built specifically for pronghorn. District 3 has won awards for its wildlife crossing efforts, including at Trappers Point.

HR Happenings

Open Enrollment for 2026 benefit elections Open enrollment begins Oct. 1 and runs through Nov. 30. All open enrollment changes take effect Jan. 1, 2026.

The Benefit Press Newsletter (emailed to all employees Sept.

19) introduces the first ever Online Benefit Fair, which will be held all week from Oct. 6-10. This is the perfect opportunity to get questions answered directly by Employees Group Insurance vendors as well as learn more about the benefits available to you.

Open Enrollment • Change your health plan deductible.

• Add dependents to health or preventive dental plans.

• Drop dependents or coverage from health or dental plans.

• Add or drop optional dental, vision, or ambulance coverage if the one year wait commitment has been met.

• Add basic dependent life insurance if you are already enrolled in basic employee life insurance.

Flexible Benefits Elections • Change your tax status for insurance premium deductions.

Your tax status will remain the same from year to year unless you change it during the open enrollment period.

• Make your election for medical reimbursement or dependent daycare for 2026. Elections for medical reimbursement or dependent daycare must be made every year for the next year.

Reminder: If adding dependents, supporting documents (marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc.) are due no later than Dec. 30.

Please access the EGI online portal at egiportal.wyo.gov to make open enrollment and flex election changes.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Employees’ Group Insurance office at 307-777-6835 or toll free in Wyoming at 800-891-9241, or email egi@wyo.gov. You can also contact your HR Representative.

• Add or increase voluntary life insurance (limited amounts) if you are already enrolled in basic life insurance.

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District Briefs Headquarters

Commission awards a $2.3 million highway contract in September CHEYENNE — The Wyoming Transportation Commission awarded a contract valued at approximately $2.3 million for a Wyoming Department of Transportation project during its September regular business meeting.

The Commission awarded the bid to Rock Springs-based Kilgore Companies LLC, dba Lewis & Lewis Inc., for combined salt/sand stockpiling at various locations in Lincoln, Sublette, Sweetwater, Teton and Uinta Counties. The contract completion date is March 31, 2026.

The above project is funded primarily with state dollars. Almost all WYDOT projects are awarded to the lowest bid.

WYDOT hosted public hearing on proposed rule changes regarding project bidding, ORVs in the right-of-way CHEYENNE ­— The Wyoming Department of Transportation hosted a public hearing regarding changes to agency rules and regulations.

Proposed changes included the following chapters: • Chapter 1: Procedures for Public Notice of Call for Bids • Chapter 6: Bidder Prequalification Procedures for Transportation Projects • Chapter 8: Award and Execution of Contract • Chapter 10: Procedures for Submitting Bids • Chapter 33: new rule regarding Offroad Recreational Vehicles, Interstate Rights of Way and Crossings The hearing took place Sept. 15 at the WYDOT headquarters auditorium in Cheyenne and virtually via Zoom.

The proposed rule was reviewed and

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approved to proceed to rulemaking by the Wyoming Transportation Commission.

More information about the rule can be found on the State’s administrative rules website: https://rules.wyo.gov/ Search.aspx?mode=2

District 1

Driver inattention leads to fatality, road closure on I-80 CHEYENNE — On the morning of Sept. 18 the Wyoming Highway Patrol was alerted to a crash between two semi-truck commercial vehicles. A 2022 Freightliner was parked on the side of the highway, on the shoulder near mile marker 274 north of Elk Mountain.

Meanwhile, a Volvo combination unit was eastbound on I-80 when it crossed the white line into the shoulder and struck the Freightliner’s trailer. The impact caused the Freightliner to roll onto its passenger side. The Volvo continued past the Freightliner before leaving the roadway to the right and catching fire. The crash and subsequent incidents, along with the effort to investigate and clear the crash, led to the closure of I-80 eastbound for most of the day before it opened again at approximately 7:00 p.m.

The passenger of the Volvo died at the scene. The driver of the Volvo was taken by helicopter to Banner Health in Casper. The driver of the Freightliner was taken by ground ambulance to Ivinson Memorial in Laramie and was treated and released.

Driver inattention is being investigated as a primary factor in this crash. This investigation is still ongoing, and potential citations or charges are pending.

Distracted driving kills. Please minimize distractions while driving. Stay off your phone or tablet, do not text and drive, and don’t use your phone while driving, outside of hands-free operation.

Utility work caused short delays on I-80 west of Cheyenne CHEYENNE — Drivers on Interstate 80 west of Cheyenne could expect minor delays in September due to utility work.

Contractors with Black Hills Energy worked on a power line crossing project on I-80 near mile marker 354.17. Work was expected to take approximately three days to complete. All work scheduling was dependent on weather and equipment availability.

Traffic both eastbound and westbound was stopped periodically for up to 10 minutes at a time while lines were moved across the highway. There are no lane closures expected, but drivers should expect reduced speeds through the work zone.

Pursuit puts school into secure status, ends in arrest CHEYENNE — One person is in custody after a pursuit involving a stolen pickup truck and the Wyoming Highway Patrol.

On Sept. 10, 2025, troopers were alerted to a stolen vehicle out of South Dakota headed southbound in Laramie County on Interstate 25. Troopers observed the vehicle, a Ram pickup truck, on I-25 southbound near mile marker 29. The truck then exited the highway and continued south on the frontage road (Old Yellowstone Road). Troopers attempted to stop the vehicle soon after, but the truck did not stop and a pursuit ensued, continuing southbound to Yellowstone Road.

Out of an abundance of caution during the pursuit, the WHP requested Prairie Winds Elementary School go into a secure status. Troopers then laid spikes at the intersection of Yellowstone Road and Iron Mountain, successfully spiking the truck’s tires. A trooper then performed a tactical vehicle intervention, and the truck was brought to a stop south of the intersection. After the pursuit ended and the suspect was secured, the secure status was lifted for Prairie Winds.

The driver of the pickup was arrest-

WHP responds to rollover crash in Goshen County

District 2

Fatality possibly involved driver fatigue DOUGLAS — On Sept. 4, the Wyoming Highway Patrol was alerted to a single vehicle crash on Wyoming Highway 59 north of Douglas. A Ram 1500 pickup was southbound negotiating a right curve when the vehicle crossed the center line.

The truck then struck a bridge support and guard rail, causing the vehicle to roll.

The driver, identified as Rosalind Bach, 48, of Gillette, was not wearing her seatbelt and was completely ejected from the vehicle. Bach was transported by ground ambulance to the Memorial Hospital of Converse County in Douglas, where she was pronounced dead that evening.

Speed, driver inattention, and driver fatigue are being considered factors in this crash.

Getting tired on the road is nothing new – but it is dangerous. Driving while fatigued or sleepy is the same as driving while intoxicated and can put everyone on the road in danger. If you are tired or sleepy while driving, find a safe spot to pull over and get some rest.

CHEYENNE — On Aug. 29 the Wyoming Highway Patrol was alerted to a single vehicle rollover in Goshen County south of Torrington. A 2007 GMC Sierra was northbound on Wyoming Highway 92, near mile marker 2.5, when it left the roadway to the right. The driver over corrected and entered the roadway again in a driver’s-side leading slide. The truck then crossed the road, rotating as it left the west side of the roadway. The truck then crashed through a fence, rolling one and half times.

The driver suffered serious injuries and was taken to Scottsbluff, Nebr. for medical care. Another occupant was taken to Torrington Community Hospital, while two other occupants declined treatment at the scene. Both the driver and another occupant in the crash were not wearing their seat belts.

This investigation is ongoing and charges are pending.

Photo: Stephanie Harsha/WYDOT

A stolen Dodge Ram from South Dakota was stopped by WHP on Yellowstone Road in Cheyenne.

bridge rehabilitation project, which began in May of this year. The scope of work for the project includes structure rehabilitation, asphalt paving, guardrail and concrete paving work at various locations in southwest Wyoming. The project was awarded last October and the completion date for all the work is Oct. 31, 2025.

The Killpecker Creek Bridge before restoration work was started.

Crews will be working on Hoback Junction Bridge

Photo: WHP

Photo: WHP

ed and charged with eluding. This is an active investigation and further charges are pending. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The rollover incident caused injury but was not fatal.

District 3

Crews will be working on Rock Springs I-80 bridge ROCK SPRINGS — The Wyoming Department of Transportation and contract crews from DeBernardi Construction Company Inc. began working on the Killpecker Creek Bridge on Interstate 80 at mile marker 104.67 in Rock Springs Sept. 22. Crews worked in both the eastbound and westbound lanes and the work lasted through the month. Drivers encountered single lane closures and reduced speeds through the work area.

The work is part of a district-wide

HOBACK JUNCTION — The Wyoming Department of Transportation and contract crews from Reiman Corp. worked on the Hoback Junction arch bridge to repair to the expansion device in order to extend the life of the structure.

The work began Sept. 23 and was scheduled for roughly more than a week. Traffic had a single lane in each direction but was shifted on the bridge to accommodate the work zone. Drivers encountered reduced speeds, slower moving traffic and minor delays.

The work is part of a district-wide bridge rehabilitation project that includes structure rehabilitation, asphalt paving, guardrail and concrete paving work at various other locations in western Wyoming.

Motorcyclist fatality near Rock Springs ROCK SPRINGS ­— A fatal crash occurred on Sept. 5, 2025 on Interstate 80 east of Rock Springs. A Harley Davidson motorcycle was eastbound near mile marker 123 when the motorcycle left the roadway to the left and into the median.

The bike then traveled parallel to the cable barrier before striking a delineator Briefs continued on page 8

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I-80 traffic detoured through Green River for tunnel maintenance

Briefs continued from page 7 post, then the cable barrier.

The rider of the motorcycle died at the scene. Troopers believe rider fatigue, or a possible medical condition, may have been the primary factors in this crash.

The rider was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

GREEN RIVER — The Wyoming Department of Transportation routed eastbound Interstate 80 traffic through Green River on Flaming Gorge Way beginning Sept. 11 for maintenance repairs. Crews repaired and realigned struck concrete barriers and re-installed damaged glare shields. WYDOT advised local traffic to adjust their schedules accordingly for potential delays from the additional traffic through town. Once the work was completed, traffic was moved back to the head-to-head lanes in the eastbound tunnel.

Crews have completed the hydro demolition of the fire damaged areas of the westbound tunnel and were placing shotcrete on those areas for the rest of September. Once crews complete the shotcrete repairs, they will repaint the tunnel liner. Contractor Casper Electric is currently working on replacing the entire electrical system in the control room and installing anchors for the lighting structures within the tunnel. WYDOT and contractor Casper Electric are working towards opening the westbound tunnel to traffic with reduced speeds by the winter.

The legal load only restriction – which is 8 foot, 6 inch width – remains for I-80 traffic in the eastbound tunnel. Oversized vehicles should contact the Wyoming Highway Patrol’s oversize loads permit office for detours. Info at https://whp.wyo. gov/commercial-carrier/ports-of-entry.

I-80 Exit 142 westbound off-ramp closed for work ROCK SPRINGS — The Wyoming Department of Transportation, along with contract crews from Kilgore Companies LLC, doing business as Lewis & Lewis Inc., closed the westbound off-ramp at Exit 142 on Interstate 80, the Bitter Creek Rest Area Interchange, Sept. 11 for roughly a week for paving operations occurring at on the westbound lanes at the Bitter Creek Rest Area.

The Bitter Creek Rest Area has been closed since the start of summer and remained closed during the duration of the work. Travelers heading westbound were able to exit at the Exit 139 Red Hill Interchange and then head east on I-80 to access the Exit 142 Bitter Creek Interchange.

Work has been underway on the I-80 Patrick Draw to Wamsutter construction project since spring, with paving operations on the crossovers and slip ramps between mile markers 141 to 155 in the westbound lanes. The work includes milling, paving, bridge work and rest area resurfacing. Travelers will continue to see head-to-head traffic, reduced speeds of 65 mph, and the closure of the westbound rest area this summer. The completion date is set for Oct. 31, 2026.

Photo: Stephanie Harsha/WYDOT

District 4

The Bitter Creek Rest Area has been closed since the beginning of summer due to the construction.

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WYDOT lowered speed limit on WYO 336 SHERIDAN — The Wyoming Department of Transportation announced the speed limit on a section of Wyoming Highway 336 would be reduced from 70 mph to 50 mph. The change affects the stretch of highway between mile markers 1.52 and 2.43 and was put into effect the week of Sept. 8, 2025.

The decision followed a traffic study conducted as part of an access application for the Story House development, a new

Total number of employees: As of Aug. 28, 2025

1,846

One month ago

1,842

One year ago

1,812

WHP Total number of highway fatalities:

As of Sept. 1, 2025

71

One year ago

63

reconstruction was part of the project between mileposts 49.74 to 50.44, beginning about 4 miles west of Dubois.

“Reconstruction consisted of 3 feet of excavation of the existing roadway to mitigate for unconsolidated soils, which have created a rollercoaster effect on the highway surface,” Scheidemantel said.

A two-lane detour was being used while the reconstructed area was paved.

An 11-foot width restriction was in place; the narrow detour had a reduced speed limit of 30 mph.

The project’s scope of work includes isolated reconstruction, grading, aggregate surfacing, asphalt pavement milling and paving, chip sealing, traffic control and other work on US 26/287 west of Dubois.

The contract with prime contractor HK Contractors Inc., of Idaho Falls, Ida., prohibits any work between mileposts 51.87 and 53.82 from Jan. 1 to Aug. 15 due to wildlife (eagle) restrictions.

The Wyoming Transportation Commission awarded the bid to HK Contractors on Jan. 16, 2025.

Contract completion date is Aug. 31, 2026.

Photo: Laura Dalles/WYDOT

45-acre mixed-use community located at mile marker 1.66. The development is expected to include more than 380 residential units and commercial businesses over the next several years, leading to a significant increase in traffic.

This new posted speed more appropriately matches the speeds drivers are traveling through this section of road and is a proactive measure to ensure public safety, addressing existing roadway conditions combined with the anticipated increase in traffic. The affected area includes a large radius curve east of the Story House development access and the intersection with County Road 84 (Wildcat Road) at mile marker 1.97. The combination of the curve and the skewed intersection creates limited sight distance, particularly for drivers looking east/north.

The new speed limit is a necessary change to mitigate potential hazards and improve safety for all motorists and residents in the area.

WYDOT will be placing 50 mph speed limit signs on WYO 336 between mile markers 1.52 and 2.43 the week of September 8. This speed limit change is a necessary change to mitigate potential hazards and improve safety for all motorists and residents in the area.

District 5

Paving on US 26/287 project west of Dubois DUBOIS — Paving on a $6 million pavement improvement project was started on 5.2 miles of US Highway 26/287 beginning in Dubois.

“The project begins at the end of the curb and gutter section (milepost 54.2) in Dubois and continues west near Stoney Point (milepost 49) on the road to Togwotee Pass and Yellowstone National Park,” said Wyoming Department of Transportation Resident Engineer Robert Scheidemantel of Riverton.

Three-quarters of a mile of highway

Driver inattention, speed being investigated in Washakie County fatal crash CHEYENNE — On Sept. 14, the Wyoming Highway Patrol was alerted to a single vehicle crash on Washakie County Road 10 northeast of Worland.

Troopers found a 1993 Honda Accord was northbound on County Road 10 when the car left the road to the right.

The driver corrected back onto the road, then overcorrected back to the right, leaving the roadway in a counter-clockwise manner. The Accord then left then entered a small ditch, beginning a driver-side slide into a gas meter, colliding with the meter and the metal protection around it. The vehicle then rolled, continuing to spin, and came to rest on the vehicle’s wheels in a driveway.

The driver, identified as Tanner Wolfe, 20, of Worland, was partially ejected from the vehicle, and died at the scene. Wolfe was not wearing his seatbelt. Speed and driver inattention are being investigated as primary factors in the crash.

Labor Day weekend enforcement operation yields 180 speeding citations, 9 DUIs RIVERTON ­— A Fremont County multi-agency impaired driving enforcement operation Aug. 29-Sept. 1 resulted in 549 traffic stops, nine impaired driving arrests and 180 speeding citations.

The Fremont County DUI Task Force prioritizes impaired driving, but officers, deputies and troopers issued 86 citations for other offenses and made eight other arrests, including three for possession of a controlled substance during the operation.

The task force issued 262 warnings during the four-day operation and issued six seat belt citations.

No impaired driving fatalities were reported during the operation.

The Fremont County DUI Task Force has arrested 51 impaired drivers, written 679 speeding citations and made 2,298 traffic stops during seven enforcement operations in 2025.

The Fremont County DUI Task Force includes the Wyoming Highway Patrol, Fremont County Sheriff ’s Office, and the Lander, Riverton, Shoshoni, Dubois and Wind River police departments.

SafeRide provided 94 rides during the Aug. 29 - Sept. 1 holiday weekend.

The purpose of the Fremont County DUI Task Force is to reduce fatal crashes through the enforcement of impaired driving and seat belt laws. These enforcement efforts are supported by a media campaign that stresses law enforcement’s zero-tolerance stance on impaired driving and commitment to seat belt enforcement.

WYO 120 highway paving south of Meeteetse MEETEETSE — Paving on an $8.24 million highway improvement project began Sept. 8 on Wyoming Highway 120 between Meeteetse and the Gooseberry Rest Area.

The project begins at milepost 38.086 (just north of the Gooseberry Rest Area) and extends 13.3 miles north to milepost 51.385 on the south edge of Meeteetse (Highland Street).

Briefs continued on page 10

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Briefs continued from page 9 Prime contractor is JTL Group Inc., DBA Knife River, of Casper.

Highway improvements include a 1-inch asphalt pavement leveling course, placement of a 2-inch asphalt pavement overlay, chip sealing, minor slope flattening and other work from milepost 38.086 (at the south end of the project) to milepost 43.925, and rotomilling of the existing surfacing, placement of a 2-inch asphalt pavement overlay, chip sealing, and minor slope flattening from milepost 43.925 to milepost 51.385 (Highland Street in Meeteetse).

Other highway improvements this fall include minor Americans with Disabilities Act work in Meeteetse, and construction of turning lanes at the Wyoming Department of Transportation maintenance facility near Meeteetse.

Chip sealing of the project will take place in 2026.

Contract completion date is June 30, 2026. All work, except reclamation and chip sealing, must be completed by Nov. 15, 2025.

Erosion repair project restarted Sept. 15 west of Cody CODY — Work on a $3.57 million erosion repair and guardrail replacement project resumed Sept. 15 along the edge of Buffalo Bill Reservoir west of Cody.

The contract with prime contractor Wilson Brothers Construction Inc., of Cowley, required work on the project suspended between Memorial Day weekend and through Labor Day weekend.

“The shutdown was required for high water levels in the reservoir during the summer months that impacted the work area where machine placed riprap is being placed for erosion repair,” said Wyoming

Department of Transportation Resident Engineer Todd Frost of Cody.

The US Highway 14/16/20 project is located west of the highway tunnels along Buffalo Bill Reservoir from milepost 43.860 (the rockfall fence) and extending about a mile east toward Cody at milepost 44.78 (a popular cliff diving location west of the Buffalo Bill Dam Visitor Center pullout).

A 12-foot-high gabion rock wall has been constructed west of the cliff diving location for about 344 feet, which is similar to the existing rock wall between the cliff diving location and the Buffalo Bill Dam Visitor Center parking area.

The remainder of the slope will have machine-placed rock riprap placed on the slope to protect the roadway.

Contract completion date is Dec. 31, 2025.

Tourism

Is your small town America’s favorite?

Nominate your Wyoming town for “America’s Favorite Small Town” Parade and Steller are searching for “America’s Favorite Small Town,” and your Wyoming community could win! Towns with a population of 250,000 or less can enter for a $250 fee.

The winning town will receive: • National exposure on Parade.com and Steller.co, as well as their social media channels.

• A feature in a special Parade newsstand issue.

• An official “Favorite Small Town in America” badge to promote the achievement.

Finalists will be announced in spring 2026, with the winner announced in June 2026. The Wyoming Office of Tourism will promote any Wyoming towns that are selected as finalists. Enter your town by scanning the below QR code.

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Photo: Laura Dalles/WYDOT

• A special community celebration at the next July fourth event, including giveaways and national media coverage.

Driver Services hosts employee software training ahead of RIS modernization “It’s going to be game changing”

By Jordan Young Wyoming Department of Transportation’s Driver Services program is one step closer to finishing its multi-year software modernization project, completing a major milestone in September.

Every Driver Services office in the state was briefly closed to the public to facilitate staff training on the agency’s new software system called MAX, as well as introduce a public facing component called oneWYO. Both are replacing the agency’s legacy Revenue Information System.

The closures were staggered to try to minimize impact to the public while still allowing employees time to really dig into the program.

While some employees have been working on MAX for months, others like Driver License Field Examiner Michael Bachelder and Compliance Specialist Rachael Hocker had never been exposed to MAX before September’s training.

“After just the two days of training, I feel very comfortable being able to go into my role and go live to the public,” Hocker said.

“I think it’s going to really streamline our processes and make them smoother, easier and quicker.”

Not only did employees quickly learn their own tasks in the modern system, but many found the software so straightforward that they easily learned how to do brand new tasks as well. For example, Driver Services Deputy Program Manager Renee Kocina said that many of the back office staff like Hocker – who had no prior training on how to issue a credential like a driver license in RIS – were able to do so by the end of the two-day MAX training. Before, new employees spent weeks learning that procedure from start to finish.

“They were picking that process up so quickly with MAX,” Kocina said. “I think that speaks volumes to the ease of learning this more streamlined system.”

MAX is a major upgrade from the RIS software employees have been using since the 1980s, which has a notoriously clunky interface. Both Hocker and Bachelder agreed that learning RIS as a new employee was a little overwhelming and time consuming, but MAX couldn’t be more opposite.

Beyond ease of use, MAX also has features that are a new luxury for employees. It has the capability to immediately identify and flag typos or missed entries for quick adjustments, whereas the old system relied on a human to take time and comb back through the text fields to find any errors. It also has robust workflow tracking and reporting capabilities.

“MAX will definitely decrease the amount of time that we have to train new employees to use the system,” Kocina added.

“Then we can really focus on why we do what we do.”

Beyond the boost in employee morale and operational efficiency, MAX has another customer service tool up its sleeve: the online portal. Through oneWYO, the public can conduct a lot of Driver Services business online, including scheduling appointments at a busier location and even renewing a driver license.

“This is a change that our customers have been very vocal

about ever since I’ve started,” said Bachelder. “They’re wanting that customer portal; they’re wanting that ease and ability to do things from home. It’s going to be game changing.”

Even so, Bachelder, Hocker and other Driver Services staff anticipate a learning curve as the public gets used to the modernized system.

“Even the customers I get in my chair now,” Bachelder said, “I’m telling them the next time they’re up for renewal, it’s going to be a completely different process.”

MAX and oneWYO are expected to go live later this fall.

What is MAX? MAX is WYDOT’s new software system that will replace the outdated Revenue Information System software. RIS helps the Driver Services complete almost any task, including issuing driver licenses, compiling driver records, and managing driving privileges. The software also communicates with all other states and keeps driver personal information confidential. Additionally, WYDOT programs like Motor Vehicle Services, Compliance and Investigation and the Wyoming Highway Patrol use this system. More information about MAX can be found in April and June 2025 issues of Interchange.

Work on the modernization project is nearly complete, with MAX and the public facing oneWYO expected to launch later this fall. Keep an eye out for updates in future issues of Interchange!

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dashboard to visualize data from the “Report Roadkill” feature on WYDOT’s Wyoming 511 mobile app. The dashboard effectively illustrates roadkill data, differentiating between reports from the public and those collected by the agency, and categorizes them by species, migration corridor, and seasonal ranges.

Birge demonstrated her dashboard to WYDOT’s GIS user group in August.

Birge described the internship as “an opportunity to gain work experience and skills for a job in the GIS field.”

Through her internship, Birge learned how to manage, analyze, and visualize data and gained technical skills, including coding. She noted that learning to code was challengMason DeHoff displays some of the ing since she had no coding he wrote during his fourprior experience, but month internship with WYDOT’s GIS/ ITS program. she overcame this by reading articles and going through scripts with her mentor Jalynda McKay, a business project management analyst for WYDOT’s ITS program.

“I plan on obtaining a job in the GIS field after I graduate,” Birge said. “My internship helped me work toward my goal because I gained skills more specific to a job in GIS, skills such as data management and coding; I also was given the opportunity to see what GIS professionals do.”

“Ellie and Mason were such great additions to our team this summer; they picked things up quickly, worked hard, and created high-quality projects that will be used across the Agency,” Roseberry said, adding, “They both have bright futures, and I’m excited to see where their careers take them; selfishly, we would love to see them make a career at WYDOT, if an opportunity is open when they graduate.”

Both students have a familial connection to WYDOT. Mason’s father, Tom, worked for WYDOT for 35 years and was the Assistant Chief Engineer of Operations prior to retirement in January 2025. Ellie’s dad, Dave, was a section manager in WYDOT’s IT Program from 1988-2013.

Photo: Mason DeHoff/WYDOT

By Mark Horan This summer, the Wyoming Department of Transportation had two fantastic interns in the Geographic Information Systems/Intelligent Transportation Systems program, according to Suzie Roseberry, GIS/ITS solutions supervisor.

Mason DeHoff and Ellie Birge developed new applications to improve internal processes and data visualization.

“Both of them did amazing work,” Roseberry said.

DeHoff, a University of Wyoming sophomore studying Computer Science, created a web application to manage on-call schedules for the Transportation Management Center and WYDOT maintenance crews. This new Ellie Birge hopes to pursue a career system will replace in GIS after she graduates from the a confusing, spread- University of Wyoming. sheet-based system that often resulted in incorrect callouts, sometimes even calling people who were on vacation.

This project was a significant undertaking, and DeHoff stated that the experience taught him how to work on a large-scale project and write maintainable, reusable code.

“Previously, I have only worked on projects that were 500 lines of code max that took me a week to write,” DeHoff said. “Over the four-month duration of my internship and over 10,000 lines of code later, I learned how to maintain a huge, production level project.”

The application is currently being demonstrated to District personnel and is scheduled to go live this winter.

DeHoff particularly enjoyed the opportunity to build relationships with everyone on the GIS/ITS team.

“My favorite part was treat days, when we would all gather around the big table and share treats and stories,” he added.

DeHoff ’s career goal is to “build useful software that improves people’s lives,” with a long-term goal of working in the security or health sector.

Birge, a junior at UW majoring in Geography, developed a

Photo: Ellie Birge/WYDOT

GIS/ITS interns create innovative tools

Local Government

The Local Government team (from left) Cole Bostron, Alyssa Quinn and Sam Desrosiers.

Students set off on their bikes after receiving new helmets and a safety lesson.

Photo: WYDOT

Sam Desrosiers and Alyssa Quinn visited with students about the importance of bicycle safety. They told the students what to look for, how to protect themselves and the importance of wearing a helmet. The students were properly fitted for helmets and were then offered stickers to decorate their new helmets.

Desrosiers shows a student the proper way to wear a helmet.

Photo: WYDOT

By Cole Bostron, Local Government Coordination In September, the WYDOT Local Government Coordination Program spent a day with students of Tongue River Elementary School in Ranchester handing out bike helmets in preparation for Bike to School Day.

Photo: WYDOT

Students get helmets on ‘Bike to School Day’

Noteworthy

Citizen interaction helps save a life On Labor Day, the Wyoming Highway Patrol was notified at approximately 2:28 p.m. by concerned citizens who witnessed a dog being dumped near milepost 18 on Wyoming Highway 294. One witness took photos of the suspect vehicle, called the WHP, and transported the dog to their residence. Trooper Crosby Ralston took the complaint and met with the witness.

After obtaining more information, Ralston secured the dog.

Unable to secure the dog locally, the Lovell Animal Shelter took the dog. Troopers Ralston and Martucci then went to the suspect’s residence in Big Horn County, where the 43-year-old resident admitted he abandoned the dog. The suspect was cited for cruelty to animals, with a must-appear court date.

Wyoming Statute 6-3-203

the dog is currently housed. There were better options for this sweet pup. We’re thankful for the concerned citizens who got involved to save a life and ensure justice was served.

(b) “A person commits cruelty to animals if he has the charge and custody of any animal and unnecessarily fails to provide it with the proper food, drink or protection from the weather, or cruelly abandons the animal...”.

Photo: WHP

Abandoning the dog in that location, on an 85 degree afternoon, left the dog in serious jeopardy. The WHP is thankful for the witnesses who called us and took care of the dog, along with the Lovell Animal Shelter/PD where, as of press time,

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Employee Safety

Photo: Jordan Striff/WYDOT

Wyoming hosts annual NAATSHO Conference

Photo: Jordan Striff/WYDOT

The group of 121 safety professionals, engineers and department of transportation trades attended the most recent NAATSHO conference in Cody, all wearing their conference hi-vis shirt. safety training, best practices, and new safety technology. WYBy Jordan Striff, Employee Safety DOT Director Darin Westby, Chief Engineer Keith Fulton, AsWYDOT was honored to host the 57th annual North Amersistant Chief Engineer Operations Mark Ayen, and other leaders ican Association of Transportation and Safety and Health Offithroughout the agency took part in the knowledge sharing and cials conference in Cody, in August. The agency has hosted the networking collaboration. conference three times now, including the inaugural conference The next annual conference will take place in August 2026 in 1968. The Buffalo Bill Center of the West was host to the conand will be hosted by the Tennessee Department of Transportaference where 29 state DOTs, 121 safety professionals, engineers, tion. and an array of DOT trades gathered. The annual conference Thank you to all 28 WYDOT employees who attended. Spefocuses on protecting our greatest asset – the employee. cial thanks to the Employee Safety team, District safety represenThe conference kicked off with a panel discussion that includtatives, and Keith Carothers who helped to plan and set up for ed WYDOT Deputy Director Taylor Rossetti and all five District engineers. Throughout the event, 20 states presented on an array this very successful conference. of topics that included work zone safety, equipment training,

A panel discussion led by WYDOT Deputy Director Taylor Rossetti and WYDOT District Engineers.

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District News Donald Adams, Geology; Dylan Anderson, Patrol-Safety and Training; Kianna Blackburn, Patrol-Safety and Training; Landon Bosch, Office ServicesMailroom; Tyler Colley, Patrol-Safety and Training; Bryan Colton, ITEngineering Applications; David Diehl, Fuel Tax-Uniformity; Linnea Fraser, Right of Way-Administration; Ethan Gan-Dy, Bridge-Engineering Design; Kenneth Greenwood, Patrol-Safety and Training; Demetrian Grimes, Geology; Tanya Hauck, Driver Services-Laramie; Anthony Hernandez, Patrol-Safety and Training; Colin May, Patrol-Safety and Training; Bode Monson, Patrol-Safety and Training; Chelsea Muir, Right of Way-Appraisals; Logan Nofsinger, Patrol-Safety and Training; Timothy Riddle Jr., Patrol-Safety and Training; Charles Ritchey, Highway DevelopmentProject DevelopmentUtilities; Thomas Schinstock, PatrolSafety and Training; Thomas Veschi, Patrol-Safety and Training; and Elijah Woody, Patrol-Safety and Training.

Fraser

Muir

Ritchey

Service Awards AJ Myers, IT-Engineering Applications – 30 years; John Laughlin, Environmental Services – 25 years; Christopher Pivik, Contracts and Estimates – 25 years;

Dakins

Congratulations

Photo: Robert Roland/WYDOT

New Hires

David Luegering, IT-Engineering Applications – 20 years; Julianne Monahan, Planning-System Planning – 20 years; Carlie Dakins, Public Affairs – 15 years; Aspen Joiner, Aeronautics-Flight Operations – 10 years; Kyle Creswell, Materials-Pavement Management and Research – 5 years; Kathryn Everett, Highway Project Management Oversight – 5 years; and Kameron Stroup, Bridge-Engineering Design – 5 years.

Luegering

Lance Jenkins, right, with Maintenance crew 0308, received his 10 year service award from State Equipment Manager Jesse Burgess.

Photo: Robert Roland/WYDOT

Headquarters

Joiner

Retirements Todd Sullivan, project geologist with Geology at Headquarters, retired in August with 25 years of service. Sullivan started with WYDOT as a geologic analyst and also served as a senior geologic analyst. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Colorado Sullivan State University. In his spare time, he enjoys backpacking, camping and woodworking.

State Equipment Manager Jesse Burgess, right, presents Maintenance crew 0306 member James Rawley with his 5 year service award.

District 1

New Hires Justin Coykendall, Laramie Maintenance; Josiah Devlin, Baggs Maintenance; Hailey Haufler, Highway Development-Project DevelopmentLaramie Design Squad; Brooklyn Larson, Highway Development-Project Development-Laramie Design Squad; Jase Prock, Highway DevelopmentProject Development-Laramie Design Squad; Jeffrey Wilson, Rawlins Construction; Patrick Woolsey, Elk Mountain Maintenance.

Promotions and Transfers Pivik

Brendan Baker, Laramie Maintenance; and Kent Neumann, Cheyenne Maintenance.

News continued on page 16

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News continued from page 15

The Right Road

Margaret Biggs, Laramie Construction – 40 years; Corey Kimzey, Traffic-Electrical – 25 years; and Brandon Cook, Cheyenne Construction – 10 years.

Trooper Dave Motsick, of Sheridan, talks with students participating in The Right Road teen safety event in Buffalo about the night his life was changed forever due to a crash he was involved in while patrolling I-90.

Service Awards

Biggs

Kimzey Photo: WHP

Congratulations

Photos: WHP

(From left) D1 Senior Heavy Mechanic Calvin Pisano, D1 District Equipment Supervisor Roy Sommers, District Engineer Ralph Tarango, D1 Heavy Mechanic Zach Rouse, D1 Heavy Mechanic Ashley True, D1 Heavy Mechanic Wade Hendricks, and Laramie Foreman Mechanic Matt Mayfield.

Pisano, Rouse, True and Hendricks recently earned some of their FOS certificates. Pisano passed general shop; Rouse passed administrative procedures, general shop and engines; True passed general shop; and Hendricks passed hydraulics.

Photo: WYDOT

Photo: WYDOT

Natrona County Emergency Expo

In early September, Troop B (Casper and Douglas) Troopers participated in the Natrona County Emergency Expo. This event, held during National Preparedness Month, provided an excellent opportunity to connect with citizens and demonstrate how we respond to various emergencies. It is an interactive, educational event for all ages. With over 400 participants, the WHP was honored to share our message about the importance of wearing seat belts and highway safety.

Promotions and Transfers

District 2

Samuel Szott, Patrol-Wheatland.

New Hires

Service Awards

Jonathan Cahill, Midwest Maintenance; Robert Gurney Jr., Casper

Lance Green, Torrington Maintenance – 25 years; Ronald Patrick, Torrington Maintenance – 25 years; and Kyle Williams, Midwest Maintenance – 5 years.

Scherkenbach

Szott

Maintenance; Patrick Kernan, Wheatland Maintenance; Johnny Mayer, Casper Maintenance; Tracy Ricker, Port of Entry-Lusk; Tiffany Scherkenbach, Midwest Maintenance.

Cahill

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Green

Williams

Retirements

Amy Pearson, driver license field office supervisor in Evanston, retired in August with more than 17 years of service. In the invitation to her retirement party, Driver Services described Pearson as “an invaluable member of our team.”

“We want to honor her commitment, hard work and lasting impact she’s made on Driver Services,” it reads.

Jay Stuck, highway maintenance technician with District 4 in Moorcroft, retired in August with more than 15 years of service. Stuck served as a temporary employee for about a year before deciding to work for WYDOT full time. He transferred from Torrington to Moorcroft in 2020.

District 4

Michael Boughton, highway maintenance specialist with District 2 in Wheatland, retired in August with 15 years of service.

District 3

Retirements

New Hires Nolan Buckley, Sheridan TrafficStriping.

Boughton

Promotions and Transfers Anthony Alcon, Patrol-Gillette/ Sundance.

New Hires

Stuck and his wife, Billi, are looking forward to spending time with family and adventuring.

Darwin Gray, Rock Springs Maintenance; Keaton Johnson, Rock Springs Maintenance; and Daren Whelan, District 3-Guardrail.

Promotions and Transfers Luke Awtrey, Patrol-Evanston; Tera Fackrell, Driver Services-Evanston; Thomas Izzo, Jackson Maintenance; and Natasha Olsen, Driver Services-Rock Springs.

Awtrey

Photo: WYDOT

Patrick

Retirements

District 5

New Hires Buckley

Alcon

Service Awards Michael Kuhl, Sundance Maintenance – 30 years; Richard Taggart, Sundance Maintenance – 30 years; and Ryan Wolfensperger, Hulett Maintenance – 5 years.

Kuhl

Izzo

Nathan Carroll, Lovell Maintenance; and Ralph Powell, Thermopolis Mechanics.

Promotions and Transfers Travis Schriner, Traffic-Electrical.

Service Awards Shawn Coggins, Meeteetse Maintenance – 30 years; Jimmy Hallam, Lander TrafficStriping – 25 years; and Joshua Kipley, District 5 Construction Staff – 5 years.

Service Awards Devon Stapel, Kemmerer Maintenance – 5 years.

Taggart

Wolfensperger

Schriner

Hallam

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Letters Motor Vehicle Services knocks it out of the park – again Big shout out to Debbie (Lopez) at MVS for her great attitude and very efficient help today. I’ve had trouble getting the website to work for ordering my prestige plate, and she finalized it in minutes. I hope someone will relay the kudos to her. Thank you, Debbie!

cle After cy

ading!

Re

Please R e

Dana, via Facebook

Passings Hubert “Jeff” George H. Jeff George died in early September 2025. He began his career with the old Wyoming Highway Department, WYDOTs predecessor agency, in May 1990 as a mechanic in Casper. He retired July 1, 2011.

Carl W. Peternell

George

Carl Wayne Peternell, 81, a beloved husband and avid outdoor enthusiast, passed away peacefully on Sept. 3, 2025.

Born in Bryan, Tex., Peternell was the cherished son of the late Winsell and Margaret Peternell. At an early age, Peternell moved to Rock Springs, Wyo., where he grew up and attended local schools. He was a proud 1962 graduate of Rock Springs High School. Peternell pursued higher education at the University of Wyoming, earning a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.

Peternell Peternell dedicated 37 years to his career in engineering, contributing significantly to WYDOT. Known for his work ethic and commitment, he retired from the Rock Springs office in 2005.

Beyond his professional life, Peternell found joy in the simple pleasures. He was an ardent hunter and fisherman, spending countless hours immersed in the tranquil beauty of nature. His happiest moments were shared with his beloved wife, Judith

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SCHOOL IS IN SESSION

DROP THE DISTRACTIONS

DON’T TEXT AND DRIVE.

“Judy” Peternell, at their cherished family home.

Peternell’s departure leaves a profound gap in the hearts of those who knew him. His legacy – marked by dedication, kindness, and an enduring passion for life – will continue to inspire all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Cremation will take place and no services will be conducted at his request.

The family invites friends and loved ones to extend their sympathies and share memories at www.vasefuneralhomes.com.

Kevin C. Schmid Kevin C. Schmid, 63, of Cheyenne, Wyo. passed away peacefully in his home on Sept.

22, 2025.

Schmid was born July 14, 1962 in North Platte, Neb. to Alfred and Joan (Nozicka) Schmid.

Schmid graduated from Garden County, Neb. high school. Later, he graduated from Schmid the University of Wyoming with a degree in civil engineering and worked as a hydraulic project engineer for the Bridge program within WYDOT. He retired in July 2022 with 22 years of service to the state.

In his free time he enjoyed spending time with his children, going camping and fishing and working on his family ranch in Oshkosh, Neb. Services are pending at this time.

Jason Mitchum, with Project Development, shared a photo of Becky, his beautiful calico cat. Becky is a couple of years old and is all business when it comes to rabbits and ground squirrels in her back yard. She is quick to purr and her favorite toy is the laser light.

Kacey Brown, with Management Services, shared her pets (from top, down) Corgi Jango, cats Oreo, Snickerdoodle and Stan.

Photo: Stephanie Harsha

Photo: Kacey Brown

Photo: Kacey Brown

Photo: Kacey Brown

Photo: Jason Mitchum

Photo: Kacey Brown

Pets

District 3 Public Involvement Specialist Stephanie Harsha comes home to these two cuties. Mr. P on the left and Ellie on the right. Mr. P was Poe, but it was too close to ‘no,’ so now he answers to Mr. P. Ellie came from a litter from retired Chief Engineer Del McOmie’s dog, who came from a litter from retired Afton resident engineer Mike Garner’s dog. And she is the sibling of WYDOT’s Sandra Sanderson’s dog. So she is truly part of the WYDOT family.

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WTDEA WTDEA presents:

FALL FESTIVAL Trunk or Treat!

Admission: one non-perishable or canned food item per child. All donations go to the Cheyenne Salvation Army.

Food haunted Trucks house

Bring your family and friends!

Tell your neighbors!

BEST TRUNK CONTEST

Win the highly sought af ter traveling trophy!

Register your trunk by

emailing erin.blackman@

wyo.gov

Kids! see a wYDOT snow plow, a WHP Patrol Car, Game & fish trucks and Military vehicles up close!

Thanks to our co-sponsors: WyHy Federal Credit Union, Wyoming Game and Fish, and Wyomng National Guard CYP.

OCTOBER 18

1:00-3:00 PM

WYDOT Training Services and Car Barn parking lots – 5300 Bishop Boulevard, Cheyenne

4 WTDEA RAFFLE – 4 CHANCES TO WIN! D{{{{{{]]{ONE

Drawing December 3

$20

ticket

WYO Parks 2026 annual pass & gift basket

Glock 48 9mm with concealed carry holster

10-foot kayak

Lifetime Wyoming Game & Fish license (choice of C stamp, fish, bird/small game)

Get one of of four separate prizes!

A live randomizer drawing for each prize. Winner gets choice!

Drawings will be held Dec. 3, 2025. Proceeds go toward the District 4 WTDEA Scholarship Fund.

See your WTDEA rep for tickets

Only 250 Tickets Available!

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Thank you to our generous sponsors: Wyoming State Parks | Sundance Kid Guns WTDEA Membership | The WYldlife Fund.

1st drawn chooses from all 4 prizes; 2nd drawn chooses from remaining 3 prizes; 3rd drawn chooses from remaining 2 prizes; 4th drawn collects remaining prize.

WTDEA PRESENTS THE 12TH ANNUAL

W

!

TWIST

5

$

SLOW COOKER! C R O C K PUT A FAVORITE RECIPE IN A

BAITCHKA

to sample items

CAR BARN

CHILI, SOUP, CASSEROLE,

DESSERT – YOU PICK! ONLY 12 SPOTS AVAILABLE FOR COOKING

SECURE YOUR SPOT TODAY

October 23 11 am-1 pm

Benefits the WTDEA Employee Relief Fund 50/50 Raffle will be held

REGISTER WITH JUSTIN MORDAHL

NEEDS TO BE AT LEAST A 3-QUART CROCK POT TO ENTER

POT COOK

OFF

BEST RECIPE GOES HOME WITH

TRAVELING TROPHY

gun

WTDEA District 5

Tickets $2 each or 6 for $10

RAFFLE

See your WTDEA representative for tickets.

Ticket sales benefit the District 5 WTDEA Scholarship Fund.

GET YOURS TODAY! TICKETS ON SALE NOW THROUGH

JANUARY 2026 Contact Chase Hood for more information

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Break Time Word Ladder game Your task is to create a word ladder that connects the given starting word to the provided target word. You can do this by changing one letter at a time, with each step forming a valid English word. Write your intermediate words in the boxes provided.

Example: Cat > Cot > Dot > Dog

Answer to the September 2025 Break Time Strimko puzzle:

1

4

3

2

4

2

1

3

3

1

2

4

2

3

4

1

W

O

R

K

R

E

S

T

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 Dakins at carlie.dakins@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

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Interchange 23

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

Address Service Requested

Whoa, Pardner!

YOU'RE

DON'T

CLOSE

THE PLOW

MIGHTY TO THAT

PLOW!

CROWD