July 2014 Interchange

Interchange July 2014, Vol. 42, Issue 7

Interstate speeds see increase

Speed limit is raised to 80 mph in stretches

WYDOT 511 website wins over travelers To Whom it May Concern.

This is, by FAR, the BEST travel information website of all 50 States. The fact that you have it tied to actual sensors and cameras, offering near “real-time” data is simply amazing.

I am a truck driver, hauling goods from a manufacturing plant near my home outside Dallas to either Oregon or Washington. I have found a back haul from the Portland area back to Texas.

These hauls allow me some small measure of choice in routing. And while one that takes me across New Mexico is the shortest; it is not the most convenient, nor the quickest. There’s not a significant difference, but an hour or two extra travel time is, put simply, dollars off my bottom line. My preferred travel route is I-80 across Wyoming. Even though I don’t drive as fast as the speed-limit, the freeway allows my travel time to be used more efficiently.

In addition, I-80 across Wyoming provides more choices in where to stop, for such necessities as fuel, rest and eateries.

However, as anyone who travels I-80 regularly knows, it can be a hazardous trip.

Winds can be especially dangerous. Since most of my trips are made with relatively light loads, being able to determine the actual weather conditions well before I have to the make the Wyoming vs. New Mexico choice provides both a peace of mind and keeps me from having to turn around. Turning around would incur far more out of route miles or significant delays waiting for road and weather conditions to improve to the point that travel is again safe.

Since the merchandise I carry to the Pacific Northwest is part of either new store construction or a remodeling of an existing structure, both the production and delivery schedules are tied closely to the construction schedule. Knowledge of the road conditions is vital, particularly during the winter.

I can’t begin to tell the number of days your site has saved me by alerting me to the likelihood, and actual road closure due to ice and wind.

Again, whether any other person ap-

2

Interchange

Interchange 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, WY, 82009-3340. The Public Affairs Office may also be contacted by phoning (307) 777-4165, faxing (307) 777-4289, or sending email to carlie.vanwinkle@wyo.gov

Thank you, Dennis Griffin

Dear WYDOT, My wife and I returned a couple of weeks ago from a 5,968 mile trip from Winchester, Tenn. We traveled through 15 states in 23 days and spent six nights in Wyoming. Your state was our favorite, especially the area between the eastern side of Yellowstone and Cody. I could move to that area and be very happy in any season.

Your website for the 511 Notify worked wonderfully for us. We were in your state the first week in May and had lots of different road conditions. I picked roads we expected to travel and without your site we could have had problems.

Thank you for doing a great job. Too bad our current administration in Washington did not hire your folks to design the Obama Care Website.

Again, a great experience in Wyoming, Patrick and Ellen O’Neal, Winchester, Tenn.

Staff WYDOT Director: John F. Cox Public Affairs Manager: Doug McGee

Just for fun…

Editor/Art Director: Carlie Van Winkle Contributors: Bruce Burrows Public Affairs Dave Kingham Public Affairs Carlie Van Winkle Public Affairs Ross Doman District 1 Jeff Goetz District 2 Stephanie Harsha District 3 Ronda Holwell District 4 Cody Beers District 5 Maj. Perry Jones Patrol Photo courtesy Ross Doman

Letters

preciates your website or not … this truck driver recognizes its value and frankly, its excellence. In my opinion, it exemplifies what a travel information website SHOULD be! The other 49 States have a LOT of catchin’ up to do.

Photography: Rick Carpenter Public Affairs

WYDOT District 1 Construction Engineer Tom DeHoff chats up Dale Evans prior to his STIP presentation in June at the Elk Mountain Senior Center.

a n

July 2014

DOT publication

Also in this issue:

Contents

Letters.....................................2 District briefs.........................4 Noteworthy..........................15

18

Training at a Glance..........15

8

Outdoors..............................16 District news...................... 20 Awards................................. 23 By the Numbers................ 23

12

Extra Mile Awards............. 24 WTDEA................................. 24

10

8 Where public records requests go

Break Time.......................... 27

New process goes through Maintenance Staff

10 80 mph the new limit

Wyoming interstates see increased speed

12 Compliance Program at work

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.

Businesses educated, vehicle regulations enforced

15 WYDOT teams with BP

Possible local transportation solutions found On the cover:

A new 80 mph speed limit sign being finished by sign shop foreman Vince Lucero.

Photo: Rick Carpenter

July 2014

n

Interchange

3

District Briefs Cheyenne – A study completed for WYDOT’s Aeronautics Division found that 35 of the state’s public-use airports generate a combined $1.4 billion in economic activity in the state annually.

That figure was derived using the Federal Aviation Administration’s approved methodology for estimating an airport’s economic impacts, which considers jobs created or supported by the airports directly and by the travelers and businesses that use the airports, and the successive waves of additional economic activity they generate.

The study estimates 12,268 jobs in the state are related to airport management, airport tenants, visitor spending and capital investment in the airports. The annual payroll associated with those jobs is $526.4 million.

When all annual spending related to airports, airport tenants, capital investment and air visitors is considered, the study estimates Wyoming airports support $1.4 billion in total annual economic activity or output.

The study found visitors who arrive in Wyoming on commercial airline flights spend $547.2 million in the state annually, and that spending supports 8,438 jobs with an annual payroll of $318 million.

The airports themselves account for 283 jobs in administration, operation and maintenance, with an annual payroll of $13.7 million.

The study completed by consultants ICF-SH&E, Kramer Aerotek and Jviation estimates the airports and the activities they support also generate $55 million in state and local tax revenues each year.

“The study is something the Wyoming Aeronautics Commission has asked us to do periodically to help quantify the value of aviation to Wyoming,” Aeronautics Administrator Dennis Byrne said. “The information helps us understand the need for airport and air service development in

HQ

4

Interchange

n

July 2014

the state.”

The research documented how Wyoming airports support businesses, tourism, agriculture, hospitals and doctors, emergency services, state and federal agencies and colleges. The project concluded that there are approximately 38,100 additional jobs in Wyoming that rely on or benefit from aviation on a regular basis.

Contributing to the study results were surveys of 4,000 travelers using Wyoming airports, direct mailings to 400 businesses, and input from 50 chambers of commerce and economic development groups and 30 government agencies and statewide organizations.

WYO 70 over Battle Pass open for the season WYDOT crew members swung open the gates over Battle Pass, officially opening WYO 70 for the season in south-central Wyoming.

Both WYO 130 over the Snowy Range (which opened on May 24) and WYO 70 over Battle Pass close annually in late autumn when relatively low traffic amounts and deep snow accumulations render plowing operations impractical.

D1

Crash takes out welcome sign The District 1 sign crew put up a new “Welcome to Wyoming” sign on I-25 at the Colorado-Wyoming Border on June 11, replacing the sign knocked down and damaged a Colorado vehicle.

The new sign had to be handmade at WYDOT’s Sign Shop in Cheyenne, and the timbers that hold it up also had to be replaced. Total cost for the replacement, including materials, fabrication and installation, was about $4,000.

The sign was damaged on May 29, when a vehicle driven by Robert Novack of Wellington, Colo., hit the support timber on the west side of sign at an es-

Photo: Rick Carpenter

Study estimates airports contribute $1.4 billion to Wyoming’s economy

timated speed of 75 mph. Novack was in diabetic shock at the time and his vehicle was on cruise control when it veered into the sign.

A REDDI report had already been called in on the vehicle after it struck a mobile home being towed in the northbound lanes of I-25 about three miles south of the Wyoming line.

The collision with the sign triggered the vehicle’s airbags, which automatically shut down the engine and stopped the vehicle. Emergency services personnel revived Novack, who was not injured and refused further treatment.

He was not cited for the crash, but he will be billed for the damage to state property.

Highway Patrol Trooper Jim Hess said the speed at which Novack’s vehicle hit the sign might have saved his life. The high speed allowed the vehicle to smash through the timber rather than coming to a violent stop, he said.

The collision bent and scratched the sign, and with no support left on the west side, the weight of the sign caused the east timber to buckle.

Wyoming welcome sign is a typical photo-op stop for travelers. WYDOT’s sign shop handmakes each of these one-of-a-kind signs.

Tanker crash results in oil spill Wheatland –A commercial vehicle crash on WYO 270 north of Hartville resulted in a spill of hot oil into a dry creek bed.

The driver of the vehicle failed to negotiate a curve to the right and went off the west side of WY 270 at the top of the Hat Creek Breaks.

The tanker was carrying emulsion for

D2

faulty equipment violations. Troopers are still investigating any other factors that may have contributed to the crash.

Photo: WHP

a highway project near Mule Creek Junction. When the vehicle rolled the tanker trailer was breached and the product ran into a dry wash. There was no road blockage due to the crash and there were efforts to contain the spill and recover the remainder of the product. The driver was transported to by ambulance to the hospital in Lusk. Clean up efforts were coordinated by the WYDOT and vehicle recovery began after the product was off loaded and contained.

Photo: WYDOT

A commercial semi-truck caused a five-car derailment north of Green River.

A rolled tanker spills hot oil into a dry creek bed on WYO 270.

Crash near OCI Chemical Corp. derails five cars Green River – WHP investigated a crash that closed WYO 372 and caused a five-car train derailment near the OCI Chemical Corp. north of Green River.

A truck driver for Lewis and Lewis was traveling northbound on WYO 372 when he was unable to stop for a crossing train, colliding with it.

The driver exited the truck by jumping out and rolling down the highway. He was transported by ambulance to the hospital and then flown to Salt Lake City.

The driver’s commercial carrier truck was extensively damaged. The VIN number could not be recovered. Six train cars were damaged in the collision, and five cars were derailed. Clean-up extended into the evening and kept WYO 372 closed for about 14 hours.

Troopers investigated the cause of the crash and why the driver failed to yield to the flashing lights and flaggers that were guiding the train across the highway. Troopers specializing in commercial carrier inspections have noted multiple

D3

Bridge repair work done in Rock Springs Rock Springs – WYDOT and Contract crews from Gerber Construction out of Utah repaired two bridges in Rock Springs.

Work began on the Center Street bridge over the Bitter Creek near Zoobecks. Traffic lane widths were reduced to accommodate the work. Traffic was reduced to one lane.

The bridge on Pilot Butte over the Bitter Creek just past Coyote Creek Restaurant also saw work. Crews patched concrete and applied an epoxy overlay.

This work reduced traffic lanes and slowed speeds through the area.

Local traffic endured some lane closures even though work was not being performed.

“This is due to the fact that the concrete, after being put down, needs time to strengthen before carrying traffic,” said WYDOT Resident Engineer Clint Lockman.

Bridge rehabilitations are part of a larger district-wide job that incorporated two more bridges in Evanston and one on I-80.

WYDOT repairs U.S. 89 bridge Afton – WYDOT began sealing various bridge decks in southwest Wyoming this past month. A bridge south of Smoot at milepost 72 will was included in the project.

Operations started June 16 and were

projected to last about a week. Temporary traffic control was utilized while the bridge was reduced to a one lane thoroughfare.

An epoxy overlay was placed on the bridge deck. The work included first thoroughly cleaning the deck and then placing two applications of epoxy seal.

This work is a part of a district-wide bridge rehabilitation project.

Cannon Builders Inc. of Blackfoot, Idaho was awarded the contract project last year.

Teton County sections will see improvement Jackson – Crews from HK Contractors along with Evans Construction will be milling and paving sections of WYO 22, WYO 390 (Teton Village Road), and U.S. 191 near Hoback Junction.

This is a district-wide contract patch project which repairs short sections of road in rough condition with a lift of asphalt. This type of work is longer lasting than patching potholes but not as comprehensive as a full overlay. This contract consists of work in six counties on WYDOT maintained highways.

Sections are as follows: • WYO 22 will see work in small sections on Teton Pass. The two sections are on the Idaho side of the pass.

• WYO 390 will have seven different small sections of various lengths throughout the roadway.

• U.S. 191 will have two sections between Hoback Junction and Camp Creek.

WYDOT paint crews will follow up on the new paving with stripes.

Rockfall mesh repair under way in Teton County Jackson – Rockfall mesh repair work began in Teton County on June 23. Work will included minor rock scaling, ditch clearing and rockfall mesh repair and replacement. Operations on Teton Pass Briefs continued on page 6 July 2014

n

Interchange

5

Briefs continued from page 5 began at milepost 7.45 and moved west to milepost 13.2. Work on Teton Pass is scheduled to be completed by July 24.

Upon completion of work on Teton Pass, operations will shift to Snake River Canyon. Work will begin at milepost 119.2 and proceed up the canyon, concluding at milepost 135.2. All work in the Snake River Canyon will be similar in nature to that done on Teton Pass. Work is scheduled to run from July 23 through Sept. 26.

Starting Sept. 26, new mesh installation will commence at milepost 66.7 on U.S. 89 on Salt River Pass. This section of repairs is scheduled to run through Oct. 24.

Hours of operation will begin at 7:30 a.m. and may run into the evening hours.

Traffic will remain unrestricted between the hours of 5:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. daily and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. daily on U.S. 26/89 and WYO 22. All other times of the day, drivers can expect up to a 20 minute delay. Please plan your trips to allow for delay time.

I-80 bridges west of Green River repaired Green River – WYDOT sealed various bridge decks and viaducts across I-80 between mileposts 85 to 91 west of Green River.

Operations lasted more than a week, starting the first week of June. Traffic was carried in one lane over the bridge while work was underway in the adjacent lane and speeds were reduced.

Motorists used the East Green River Interchange at Exit 91 while the West Green River Interchange deck at Exit 89 was sealed and the westbound off ramp was temporarily closed to traffic.

“The work included first thoroughly cleaning the lane, then applying a concrete sealer. The contractor worked long hours to expedite the completion of this work,” Resident Engineer Leslie Ranta said.

The work is a part of a district-wide bridge rehabilitation project in Sweetwater County and is a continuation of the bridge deck rehabilitation work completed in the 2013 construction season.

Reiman Corp. of Cheyenne was awarded the contract for this $1.36 million project in April 2013. Cannon Builders,

6

Interchange

n

July 2014

Inc. of Blackfoot, Idaho, was awarded the Uinta Drive viaduct sealing contract last year.

Rock Springs street sees new pavement Rock Springs – WYDOT and subcontract crews from Lewis and Lewis Inc. teamed up for a paving project on Dewar Drive. Work began on the east side of the Gateway Boulevard intersection.

The work included rotomilling the existing pavement and laying down new pavement on 300-400 feet of roadway, from the intersection to near the Golden Corral restaurant. Alternating traffic lanes were utilized while work was underway on closed lanes.

Traffic lane widths were reduced to accommodate the work and speed reductions with intermittent delays were planned. WYDOT advised motorists to take alternate routes to avoid the Dewar Drive-Gateway Boulevard intersection if at all possible to limit traffic congestion and avoid delays.

The $2.79 million project was awarded to HK Contractors Inc on April 17.

Rail Crossings on WYO 336 closed for repair Sheridan – Burlington Northern Santa Fe closed the railroad crossings on WYO 336, Wyarno Road for rail work. The road was closed for two days in early June for improvements.

The two crossings are located approximately seven miles east of Sheridan.

Traffic was detoured around the crossing on County Road 84, Wild Cat Road. The detour was approximately 2.5 miles long.

D4

Asphalt pavement overlay projects under way on South Pass Lander – A pair of asphalt pavement improvement projects are under way on WYO 28 south of Lander over South Pass, according to Erik Smith, WYDOT resident engineer in Lander.

Motorists traveling between Lander and Farson should expect traffic delays during the asphalt pavement overlay projects.

Pavement leveling has started on the 15.27-mile, $3.4 million pavement project beginning at milepost 34.12 near the old U.S. Steel mine on WYO 28. The project includes grading, milling plant mix, asphalt pavement surfacing, chip sealing and other work between Farson and Lander. Contract completion date is June 30, 2015.

McGarvin-Moberly Construction of Worland is then scheduled to begin paving a 9.68-mile, $3.8 million pavement project beginning at milepost 24.41 near the Sweetwater River Rest Area on WYO 28. The project includes milling plant mix, placing pit run subbase rock, asphalt pavement surfacing, chip sealing and other work on 9.68 miles on WYO 28 between Farson and Lander. Placement of pit run subbase rock began June 2. Contract completion date is July 31.

Once paving is complete on the two projects, McGarvin-Moberly plans to chip seal both projects, according to Smith.

The contractor is expected to move to another WYO 28 pavement improvement project this summer on the same highway in Sweetwater County following its work on the two Fremont County projects.

D5

Hill Street closure comes to an end, other projects progressing Riverton – Installation of storm sewer is progressing as planned on Hill Street in Riverton on the $2.8 Riverview highway improvement project. The closure of Hill Street helped the contractor, Jerry Bornhoft Construction, Inc., of Riverton to accelerate work on the project. Hill Street reopened to traffic mid-June.

The installation of storm sewer, sanitary sewer and fresh water lines are progressing between Washington Avenue and Monroe Avenue in Riverton on the west half of the $5 million South Federal Boulevard/Monroe Avenue highway improvement project. Archer Construction continues to make good progress on utility installation on East Monroe

Photo: WYDOT

Avenue. The closure of East Monroe Avenue continues. Citizens are reminded to access East Monroe Avenue via East Park Avenue or Webbwood Road. All businesses are open on East Monroe Avenue and South Federal Boulevard, and all business accesses are being maintained.

Hill Street intersection with Riverview Road on the Riverview Road highway improvement project.

Big Horn Basin highway chip sealing under way Thermopolis – Chip sealing of Wyoming highways throughout the Big Horn Basin started June 23.

The chip sealing began on 5.6 miles of U.S. 14 near Shell. Then the WYDOT crew moves to the Cody area and WYO 291 (South Fork Road) and U.S. 14-16-20 east of Cody. The crew is also chip sealing WYO 120 between Thermopolis and Meeteetse.

The crew is scheduled to work on WYO 290 (Pitchfork Road) near Meeteetse starting July 7, U.S. 20/WYO 789 between Worland and Thermopolis July 9-10, and U.S. 20/WYO 789 in Wind River Canyon July 14-16.

WYDOT’s annual chip sealing operation is scheduled to move south of Wind River Canyon around July 28 for three weeks of work.

Wind River Canyon pavement repair underway Thermopolis – A $370,000 pavement repair project through the tunnels in Wind River Canyon began mid-June.

Prime contractor for the U.S. 20/WYO 789 project is 71 Construction of Riverton.

Work consists of milling the rough, cracked concrete and old asphalt, and paving it with three inches of asphalt

pavement.

During the project, a 10-foot width restriction was in effect between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, as well as a height restriction of 13 feet, 5 inches.

The work is limited to three-tenths of a mile, mileposts 116.14 to 116.44, through the three tunnels on U.S. 20/WYO 789.

Dynamic message signs were placed two miles in advance of the pavement milling and paving work in the tunnels.

“These signs will warn people of the oncoming construction activities in the tunnels,” said Kaia Tharp, WYDOT resident engineer in Thermopolis.

The Wind River Canyon tunnels pavement repair project was awarded to 71 Construction in Dec. 2013 by the Wyoming Transportation Commission.

Paving crew’s annual hotmix patching under way Lander – A WYDOT asphalt paving crew began work on WYO 134 (Missouri Valley Road) and WYO 789 between Hudson and Lander late last month.

The paving crew is scheduled to finish paving nearly 500 tons of hot-mix asphalt on Missouri Valley Road and more than 1,750 tons of asphalt between Hudson and Lander.

The WYDOT hot-mix asphalt patching work continues from late June work into early July on WYO 135 (Sand Draw Road). On July 7, the WYDOT paving crew is scheduled to work five days on WYO 28 (South Pass). Then, the crew is scheduled to complete its summer work near Dubois on U.S. 26 July 15-16.

The WYDOT paving operation consists of a paving crew, a roller operator and numerous WYDOT trucks hauling the hot asphalt.

Highway improvements continue east of Cody; gravel, pavement being hauled through Cody Cody – Work continues on the $12.3 million highway improvement project on Cody’s east edge, according to WYDOT resident engineer Todd Frost in Cody.

Crushed gravel is being hauled through the city of Cody by the prime contractor Oftedal Construction Inc.

Other material, including hot mix asphalt, will be hauled through the city later this summer.

“Due to the lack of available gravel sources between Cody and Powell, this project was set up as a contractor-furnished source, and the contractor elected to use the Stampede Pit for this project,” said Frost.

“Hot mix asphalt and wearing course asphalt operations will start sometime after July 4 and will continue until completed,” said Frost. “All of this should be completed by the end of August. There will probably be approximately 25 days of haul involved with this material.”

U.S. 14/16/20 through the city of Cody is a U.S. highway and is being used for the hauling operations.

“There are no other haul routes available for this material,” Frost said. “We can’t move to city streets due to potential damage.”

Citizens should continue to expect traffic delays of up to 10 minutes through the project.

About 3.5 miles of U.S. 14A is being widened to five lanes with a continuous turn lane and eight-foot shoulders. This project is the final section in a long-term series of projects to widen 24 miles of U.S. 14A between Cody and Powell.

Oftedal Construction Inc., with offices in Miles City, Mont., and Casper, is the prime contractor of the Cody East highway improvement project.

The Wyoming Transportation Commission awarded the U.S. 14A project to Oftedal in May 2013.

Oftedal’s scope of work includes grading, draining, milling of existing asphalt pavement, placing pit run subbase and crushed gravel, asphalt paving and paving of asphalt wearing course, chip sealing, removal and replacement of the Sage Creek bridge, installing concrete pavement, installing roadway lighting and electrical work, and installing guardrail, fencing and other work on 3.45 miles of U.S. 14A and Wyoming 114 beginning at milepost 2.20 (West Cooper Lane) between Cody and Powell.

Weekly public project update meetings open to the public are being held at 11 a.m. Tuesdays at the WYDOT office in Cody. n

July 2014

n

Interchange

7

Official public records requests should go through Maintenance Staff

by Dave Kingham

Virtually everything WYDOT does and all its records are a matter of public record and open to inspection by the public at anytime, with the exception of some Human Resources and Highway Patrol records.

Wyoming’s public records law states: “All public records shall be open for inspection by any person at reasonable times, during business hours of the state entity or political subdivision, except as provided in this act or as otherwise provided by law, but the official custodian of any public records may make rules and regulations with reference to the inspection of the records as is reasonSpoonemore ably necessary for the protection of the records and the prevention of unnecessary interference with the regular discharge of the duties of the custodian or his office.”

Public records are defined as any information or communications created, accepted or obtained by a state agency, whether in paper, electronic or other physical form.

WYDOT policy is for all official records requests to go through the Maintenance Staff office and its legal liaison, Cliff Spoonemore.

“If it’s a record that would be kept by WYDOT, whether on the Construction side, Maintenance side, Programming side, Financial Services − anywhere that we would keep a record on our buildings, our expenses, whatever − it should come through the Maintenance Staff,” Spoonemore said. “They can talk to us on the phone, but we prefer they make the request in writing after they get done talking to us. If they want to send it by email, we’ll accept the email as official written notice.“ WYDOT personnel who get an official records request should promptly submit it to the Maintenance Staff.

“If you do get a request, forward it over to us as quickly as possible so we can begin our tracking process and make sure the right people are contacted,” Spoonemore said. “Even if it happens the information being requested is in your program area and I send the request right back to you, I can make that initial contact with the requestor to let them know we have it in hand and we can start working to complete the request.”

If a public record is readily available, state law requires it to be released immediately to the applicant unless the release would

8

Interchange

n

July 2014

impair or impede the agency’s ability to discharge its other duties.

If the information requested is not immediately available, or the department doesn’t have the information, the law establishes a deadline of seven business days to notify the applicant.

Spoonemore’s unofficial timetable is to send an acknowledgement of the request within 24 hours, and to respond to the request within five days. If for some reason a response is not possible in that time period, he lets the applicant know and gives an estimate of how much longer it will take.

“We’re trying to be as transparent as we can, and basically everything in WYDOT is available to the public upon request,” he said. “Don’t hesitate to let them know they can have it. Then just send a written request through Maintenance Staff and we will make sure it’s fulfilled.”

Investigations conducted by law enforcement agencies including the Highway Patrol, and personnel files kept by Human Resources are two classes of information the state law specifically excludes from public release requirements. Requests for structural drawings for bridges, tunnels or buildings that provide information that could be used in a terrorist attack also can be denied.

“Don’t hesitate to answer simple questions that you have the answer to, or refer the request to another person who has the answer,” Spoonemore said. “But if you get the feeling they’re trying to get more, then ask them if this is a records request. If it is, then request it in writing and have them send it to Maintenance Staff.

If in doubt, you can always send it through us.”

State law allows agencies to charge reasonable costs for producing a copy of the public record, including the costs of constructing the record, programming and computer services.

Spoonemore said WYDOT charges for any research time in excess of one hour required to fulfill a request, as well as copying and mailing fees if those services are needed.

Maintenance Staff also processes subpoenas issued to WYDOT programs or employees.

“A subpoena is just the formal request for records that attorneys use,” Spoonemore said. “It documents when a request time starts, and the period the requestor needs the information back in. If a WYDOT employee or office gets a subpoena, they need to forward a copy of that subpoena to Maintenance Staff so we can keep track and respond.”

Statewide fatalities trending downward with awareness campaigns With this year’s highway fatalities seemingly on the rise, it’s good to take a look back and see how far Wyoming has come in preventing deaths through awareness.

The Highway Safety Program has been partnering with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration

(NHTSA), WHP, local law enforcement agencies, Safe Communities and other traffic safety partners to spread the word about seat-belt use, impaired driving and distracted driving. Through high visibility enforcement and media campaigns that include the Click it or Ticket, Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving and One Text or Call Could Wreck it All, fatality numbers have been on the decline statewide since 2005.

The corresponding graph illustrates the overall decline from 2005 through

2012. While the black line indicates the declining trend, the colored graph marks show the recorded numbers within the state.

According to Stephanie Lucero of Highway Safety, the data was compiled from FARS (Fatal Analysis Reporting System) and delivered through Jeff Halloran, NHTSA Regional Program manager.

All national statistics are one year behind state recorded data.

– Carlie Van Winkle

July 2014

n

Interchange

9

Sheridan

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL

90

Buffalo

PARK

I-90: 64 miles between Buffalo & Gillette

Gillette

Sundance

90

I-90: 40 miles between Gillette & Sundance

W Y O M I N G G R. TETON N. P.

On July 1, the posted speed limit on nearly 500 miles of interstate highway in Wyoming increased to 80 mph, thanks to action taken by the Wyoming Legislature last winter.

Over the spring, WYDOT’s Traffic Program spearheaded a thorough engineering and safety analysis to identify the eight sections of highway where the higher speed limit is now in effect.

The change required field district sign crews to install or change more than 125 signs.

I-80: 34 miles west of Green River

25

Casper

I-25: 44 miles between Douglas & Casper

Douglas

I-25: 117 miles between Cheyenne & Douglas

25 Wheatland

Rawlins

Green River

80 Rock Springs

80 Evanston

I-25: 107 miles between Casper & Buffalo

I-80: 55 miles east of Rock Springs

Laramie

I-80: 27 miles between Cheyenne & Nebraska

Cheyenne

80

80 mph speed limit goes into effect on more than half of Wyoming’s interstates

by Bruce Burrows

WYDOT sign crews were called upon to perform somewhat of a rush job starting the end of June, as their role in implementing the 80 mph speed limit on nearly 500 miles of rural interstate highways. The speed limit increase, a result of action taken by the Wyoming Legislature during its 2014 session, went into effect July 1, and the crews had to scramble to install new signs or place overlays on existing signs at more than 125 locations, all before the beginning of the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

Consequently, the 80 mph speed limit is now in effect along three sections of Interstate 25, totaling 268 miles in length, as well as on three sections of I-80 (116 miles) and two sections of I-90 (104 miles).

The sign crews’ busy week was preceded by detailed engineering and safety analysis work undertaken by WYDOT’s Traffic

10

Interchange

n

July 2014

Program, in close coordination with the field district engineers.

In approving the speed limit increase, legislators directed WYDOT to study the three rural interstate routes to determine where a speed limit of 80 would be appropriate. Factors considered in the study were roadway characteristics, including curves, grades, width and proximity of interchanges, as well as traffic patterns, including current average speeds, traffic volumes and proportion of commercial trucks and passenger vehicles.

Also considered were safety statistics, including crash rates and relative severity of crashes in terms of numbers of fatalities and serious injuries.

The study was completed last month, in time to be presented to the Wyoming Transportation Commission (WTC) during its June 19 meeting in Cheyenne.

Photo: Rick Carpenter

I-25 • North of Cheyenne to south of Douglas; 117 miles (mileposts 18-135); • North of Douglas to south of Casper; 44 miles (mileposts 141-185); and • North of Casper to south of Buffalo; 107 miles (mileposts 190-297).

I-80

• East end of Bridger Valley to west of Green River; 34 miles (mileposts 48-82); • East of Rock Springs to west of Wamsutter; 55 miles (mileposts 110-165); and • East of Cheyenne to west of Pine Bluffs; 27 miles (mileposts 373-400).

I-90

• East of Buffalo to west of Gillette; 64 miles (mileposts 59-123); and • East of Gillette to between Moorcroft and Sundance; 40 miles (mileposts 130-170).

“The safety and welfare of the motoring public is a priority of the Wyoming Highway Patrol; therefore the 80 mph speed limit will be strictly enforced and drivers should not count on leniency if they operate at higher speeds,” Highway Patrol Administrator Col. John Butler said.

“The members of the transportation commission are pleased to see the speed limit raised and think it’s a good, common sense change for our state,” WTC Chairman Bruce McCormack of Cody said. “But it’s also for all drivers to adopt an extra measure of caution in traveling at these higher speeds so that this change does not come at the cost of more traffic crashes, injuries and fatalities.

“We are most pleased with the analysis conducted by WYDOT staff to ensure we did not compromise the department’s top priority - public safety,” McCormack added. “It’s “more important than ever that people embrace key safe driving habits - seat-belt use by everyone in the vehicle, avoiding cell phone use and other activities that distract the driver, and never drink and drive.”

WYDOT is continuing to assess two other sections of interstate where a speed limit increase could be possible. One section, measuring 46 miles, is I-80 from west of Rawlins to just west of Walcott Junction. The other section, measuring 17 miles, is I-90 from east of Sundance to the South Dakota state line. A time frame for completing the additional study is yet to be determined.

Speed limits posted along the urban sections of I-25 – 60 mph at Casper and 65 mph at Cheyenne – remain the same.

Going forward, WYDOT will continue to monitor those interstate sections going to the 80 mph speed limit this summer.

The results of the speed limit increase will be revisited to determine if further changes in section lengths will be warranted.

Wyoming now joins Utah and Texas as states which have speed limits above 75 mph on select rural highways. Idaho is also implementing an 80 mph speed limit on some of its interstate highways this month.

In Wyoming, the most recent large-scale change to the rural interstate highway speed limit was the increase from 65 mph to 75 mph implemented in December 1995. A speed limit of 55 mph had been implemented in January 1974, in the wake of the Arab oil embargo, and remained in place until May 1987.

Photo: Rick Carpenter

Road sections where the 80 mph speed limit is in effect are:

July 2014

n

Interchange

11

Compliance Program educates businesses, enforces vehicle regulations WYDOT’s Compliance Program is charged with enforcing state laws and regulations concerning vehicle titling and registration and businesses that sell or rent vehicles.

“We educate and regulate businesses to make sure that they’re buying and selling cars properly, and that companies like taxi companies or rental car companies are doing what they’re supposed to do according to the law,” Compliance Manager Bob Stauffacher said. “We put on quite a few education workshops, seminars, trainings.”

The program was created in 1999 Stauffacher to provide an investigative agency independent from Motor Vehicle Services.

In addition to Stauffacher, the Compliance staff in Cheyenne includes Lacey Bruckner, assistant manager, Shane Fox, an investigator covering the southern part of the state, and Kaylee Harmon, administrative assistant.

Elsewhere in the state, Steve Shay is an investigator stationed in Thermopolis and covering the western portion of state, and

12

Interchange

n

July 2014

Terry Reagan works out of Douglas to cover Casper, Gillette, Sheridan and the northeast corner of Wyoming.

“We’ve earned our status as experts in the field of vehicle fraud, odometer fraud and VIN (vehicle identification number) tampering,” Stauffacher said. “We’ve got an excellent staff that’s in tune with all that stuff, and keeps up with the latest trends in the industry. We’re pretty well respected around the state by all of our customers.”

As the staff has become more recognized and respected, the demands on them have increased. “I think at some point in time customer service will suffer because of that,” Stauffacher said.

“You can only do so much. We could use five more people.”

Wyoming law gives WYDOT administrative jurisdiction over vehicle titling and registration, even though county Kaylee Harmon performing a VIN inspection. clerks are statuto-

Photo: Rick Carpenter

by Dave Kingham

within the 30 days required by law. The Legislature granted the program the authority to issue citations to dealers in 2005, and to rental car businesses in 2010, but Stauffacher said he would rather educate businesses about the law.

“We haven’t really issued a lot of citations,” he said. “We’ve been really cautious and careful in how we’ve proceeded. Our first goal and mission is to educate.”

When a complaint is registered, a Compliance representative goes to the business, explains the allegation being made and asks for the dealer’s side of the story.

“A lot of time we’ll already have done some preliminary investigation and know what’s taken place,” Stauffacher said. “We listen to them and, depending on what it is, we’ll say, ‘That’s not the way it’s supposed to be, so this is how you correct it.’”

Additional complaints against the same dealer for the same violation could result in a citation and eventually an order for the dealer to show cause why its license shouldn’t be revoked.

“If we go through these two or three or four processes of education and citation and that doesn‘t seem to work, then obviously we can’t allow this business to continue to function if it keeps ripping people off,” Stauffacher said.

In the early years of the program, about 20 dealer licenses were revoked, but in recent years the program has averaged about one revocation a year.

“It was kind of a learning experience for all of us, but we iden-

rily charged with issuing the titles and the county treasurers are statutorily charged with issuing registration and license plates.

WYDOT supplies the titles and registration through Motor Vehicle Services, and the Compliance Program has the job of making sure the titles and registration are properly issued.

“Lacey and I will go to the county clerks or county treasurers meetings, and a lot of time we work on forms together with them,” Stauffacher said. “We work on issues to make the titling and registration easier.”

Anyone who sells three or more vehicles in a 12-month period is required to have a dealer license in Wyoming. To get a license, a dealer must have a commercial business location, a sign and a phone, and post a $25,000 surety bond. The cost of a license is $25 to sell fewer than 12 cars a year, and $100 for unlimited sales.

Motor Vehicle Services issues the licenses, and Compliance makes sure the dealers follow the law, rules and regulations.

There are more than 500 vehicle dealers licensed in Wyoming, and every year they issue between 75,000 and 80,000 temporary permits for cars purchased. When vehicles sold by private parties in the state and vehicles bought by Wyoming residents in other states are added in, there are in the neighborhood of 100,000 vehicles purchased by Wyoming residents every year.

“Out of all those transactions a year, you can imagine there are going to be instances where you’re not going to get what you’re supposed to get,” Stauffacher said.

“That’s where most of our calls come from.”

Compliance is in charge of the criminal background check Wyoming law requires for those applying for a dealer license. State law prohibits anyone convicted of any criminal or administrative action related to the conduct of a business from getting a dealer license or selling cars.

“Essentially a conviction for either a misdemeanor or felony fi- Lacey Bruckner inspecting VINs and odometer readings at WYDOT Headquarters. nancial crime of any kind excludes you from a license,” Stauffacher tified a lot of businesses that were really harming the consumers, said. and that’s why in the first two or three years there were so many However, the background check is only required for the revocations,” Stauffacher said. “Taking away a dealer’s license is principle owners or officers of a company, not for salesmen, and not our primary goal. A lot of what people do is a lack of educaStauffacher said that is where problems have occurred in recent tion. There are people who get into it without knowing the laws years. or regulations.”

“We have sales people or dealers who were convicted of Another frequent problem the program must deal with is crimes in Colorado and Utah, and they’ve come to Wyoming and people selling multiple vehicles a year without a license. acquired employment, a lot of times as a general manager or vice “The term for that is ‘curbstoning,’” Stauffacher said. “We conpresident of a company,” he said. “They’re selling cars on behalf tact them and tell them the law says if you sell three or more cars of a money man or a finance person, and they’re doing the same in a 12-month period you have to have a dealers license, and we’ll thing they were doing a month before in Colorado or Utah. We explain to them what they need to do to get one.” have to contact the owner and tell them our law says you can’t If they continue selling without a license, a citation can be ishave this person working for you.” sued. If they still disregard the law, they can be required to appear The most frequent complaint the program gets is from vehicle in court, where a judge can impose a higher fine or even a jail buyers who say the seller did not provide the title to the vehicle sentence.

July 2014

n

Interchange

13

Photos: Rick Carpenter

Photo: Rick Carpenter

Previous page: Shane Fox inspecting the vehicle’s VIN with a device (On-Board Diagnostic II) that accesses the vehicle’s computer.

Photo: Rick Carpenter

WYDOT,” Stauffacher said. “So we were involved in investigating those circumstances and going out and visiting businesses to make sure they remitted the money as they were supposed to.“ Compliance also has some limited involvement with taxi cab regulations. The businesses are required to have operating authority and insurance on file with Motor Vehicle Services Compliance responds to complaints regarding taxi and shuttle services that do not have current operating authority with WYDOT. The program coordinates authority status with the Highway Patrol and local law enforcement and city clerks across the state, because some cities require the companies to have a Rental car companies fall under the Compliance Program’s regulatory responsibilities. The rental car lot business license. on the left is at the Jackson Airport. The rental car company kiosks are found at the Cheyenne Airport.

There are no state regulations for taxi fares, so complaints or disputes Some of the unlicensed dealers buy and sell cars without titles. about fares generally are referred to the Attorney General’s con“Essentially that’s fraud, so we specialize in detecting vehicle sumer protection office. fraud.,” Stauffacher said. “We’ve had instances where a dealer, Junkyards and salvage yards also require some attention. or someone who should be a dealer, buys a car when they know When a vehicle is salvaged for parts or crushed, the titled should there’s no title. They turn around and sell that vehicle and keep be cancelled and the VIN killed. The Compliance staff has the giving the buyer stories about why the title hasn’t arrived yet. responsibility of making sure that happens so the VIN can’t be It’s like buying a dead horse. If I sell you a car without a title you used in the future on another vehicle. can’t drive it.”

Compliance also works closely with the Legislature whenever False VINs are often used to hide that a vehicle is stolen or issues arise on vehicle laws, registrations, titles, buying or selling has been damaged or salvaged. At the request of county clerks cars, and with the Wyoming Automobile Dealers Association on around the state, Compliance plans to begin training Wyoming various industry issues. law enforcement officers to spot bogus VINs. “I’m proud of the fact that we’ve developed a mutual respect “We’ve put together a course and training manual on VIN and we work well together with all of them,” Stauffacher said. inspections and VIN fraud that has been certified by Wyoming’s “It’s been my observation and experience that a large percentage Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission, “Stauffacher of the people doing business are legitimate. You have that small said. “I’m pretty proud of the work that everybody’s done to put percentage, just as in any other field, who end up victimizing this manual together. We’re going out to police departments, consumers. ” sheriff ’s departments. We’ve invited the Highway Patrol and the The nature of the program’s enforcement work can create risks Game and Fish.” that require caution.

The training covers the subtle things an officer can look for “Over the years we’ve put people in prison,” Stauffacher said. when inspecting a VIN, including if the number is attached in “We’ve had a couple of federal odometer cases that were prosthe appropriate way, or if there are labels missing. ecuted here in Wyoming, and the perpetrators have spent time Rental car companies are another of the program’s regulatory in federal prison for that. We’ve encountered people who have responsibilities, and much of that work concerns the 4 percent threatened us. ” surcharge approved by the Legislature more than 20 years ago to Dealing with those people requires a great deal of tact and encourage the companies to register their vehicles in Wyoming. sometimes assistance from the Highway Patrol or local law enCar rentals are a $10-million to $15-million-a-year business forcement officers.

Background checks have identified applicants in Jackson, and many of the companies were registering their with a history of felony assault convictions, and it is difficult to vehicles in Idaho to save money. As an incentive for the compapredict how they might react when facing a potential arrest and nies to buy license plates in Wyoming, the Legislature imposed a prison term.

4 percent surcharge to the rental bills. The money collected can “There have been a lot of instances when I’ve felt uneasy to be used to register the vehicles in Wyoming. If it’s not, the money have my staff go out and put themselves somewhat in harms must be remitted to WYDOT, which in turn gives 50 percent to way, ” Stauffacher said. “You don’t want to be paranoid, but some the counties. of the people who perpetrate vehicle fraud are just like any other “Some of the companies were collecting the surcharge, but criminal.

I have to really take my hat off to our staff for their abilretaining out-of-state registration and not remitting the money to ity to distinguish when it’s time to back off.”

14

Interchange

n

July 2014

Noteworthy

efficiently to increase employee travel safety.

Some topics that were discussed involved WAT, or WYDOT Authorized Travel Program, safety training from Highway Chief Engineer Del McOmie listening to a presentaPatrol during tion with BP representative Mark Tanner, Lt. Bob BP safety meet- Garner and Capt. Tom Stoker. ings and road condition reporting.

Vince Garcia, manager of WYDOT’s Geographic Information Systems/Intelligent Transportation Systems program, is working on bringing refreshing and revolving Web pages specific to the Wamsutter area for BP employees to post on screens at their offices.

“We also plan to develop a mobile app for all citizens,” Garcia added.

The meeting concluded with a tour of a BP operations, including a field tour of a well pad.

“We appreciated the opportunity to meet with BP Amoco in Wamsutter to better understand BP’s operations and needs,” District 3 Engineer John Eddins said. “The discussion set the stage for WYDOT and industry to communicate and exchange information in an effort to improve safety on the highways.”

“Safety is at the heart of everything that BP does. This meeting gave an opportunity for BP leaders to meet with WYDOT leaders in an effort to develop ideas to improve safety on Wyoming’s roadways in bad weather,” said Cindy DeLancey, BP director, government and public affairs.

“We are grateful for the chance to discuss this important topic and look forward to further dialogue going forward.”

Photo courtesy Cindy DeLancey/BP

WYDOT teams with BP to find solutions to local transportation issues

Photo courtesy Cindy DeLancey/BP

Leadership from both WYDOT and BP met in Wamsutter on May 22 to discuss safety issues and collaborate on possible solutions to local transportation issues. Representatives from Executive Staff, Districts 1 and 3, Headquarters, TMC, GIS/ITS and Highway Patrol met with safety and operations officials from BP to discuss winter operations, driver safety, road closures and other issues that affect both BP operations and industry transportation.

The meeting began with a short presentation on BP’s safety initiatives and emergency procedures. A question and answer discussion followed. WYDOT and BP discussed the different ways they could share road condition/closure information more

Group photo from a joint WYDOT meeting with BP to discuss winter operations, driver safety and other collaborative issues.

Training ata Glance

Here are upcoming training opportunities from WYDOT University and the Transportation Learning Network (TLN)

Date Class Jul. 8 Change for Good! How to Let Go of a Bad Habit

Location Cheyenne

Jul. 9

Creativity: Inspiring the AHA Experience

Cheyenne

Jul. 10

Decision Making & Problem Solving

Cheyenne

Jul. 14-17

New Employee Orientation #5 (NEO)

Cheyenne

Jul. 30-31

Train-the-Trainer

Cheyenne

Coming up in August: Aug. 5 Legal Aspects of Supervision Aug. 6

Successful Time Management

WYDOT Only TLN Cheyenne

To register, or to find out more details, call the Training Program and talk to Jim Boyd (777-4791), Rhonda DeLeeuw (777-4790) or Kurt Borgaard (777-4792).

Submissions deadline for the August issue of Interchange is:

July 18, 2014 carlie.vanwinkle@wyo.gov July 2014

n

Interchange

15

Outdoors

Photo: Dani Galuzzo

This yearling bull moose st opped by the what all the fu Galuzzo hom ss was about. e to see This boy is a newborn ante bit larger than lope. the tiny

Photo: Dani Ga luzzo

WYDOT Outdoors is published four times per year. It appears in the January, April, July and October issues of Interchange. Don’t miss your chance to show off what you’ve been doing outdoors.

We would love to see WYDOT’s adventurous side!

Submit your photos to carlie.vanwinkle@wyo.gov at least one month prior to the issue WYDOT Outdoors appears.

ance crew spotted Saratoga Mainten Mack Miller of the fence along WYO ing air rep t ys while ou these spring turke lbs. if he had to 15 t toms were abou big ee thr e es Th .

70 t! guess their weigh One of 80 new ca lves on Dani Galuz zo’s ranch. Galuz Cheyenne Driver zo works at Services.

16

Interchange

n

July 2014

Photo: Dani Galuzzo

Photo: Mack Miller

of a apped this photo Driver Services sn ne for en oto ey ph Ch of the Dani Galuzzo e work glove is in e in her yard. Th t 5 lbs. newborn antelop ably weights abou ob pr n or wb ne e Th n. iso ar size comp

Noteworthy

here all the way from Wyoming. Is there a chance I could get up there tonight?”

His matter-of-fact answer, “See those people? That’s the last tour of the day to the top. Less than half of them are here.

Follow them inside.”

Opportunity and luck were on my side in “Thank you,” I said, shaking his hand.

Washington, D.C., on May 12.

“You’re the only one who’s asked,” he I was invited by friend Big John Smith to said. “Enjoy yourself.” attend his “Champions of Change” transportaWow! My heart leaped. I followed the tion awards ceremony in our nation’s capital. line of people inside. The tour tickets My plane arrived at Reagan National Airport in had been all been given out and there the mid-afternoon hours of May 12. hadn’t been any available tickets for I caught the hotel shuttle to Crystal City, weeks. I walked through security, stood Va., at the doorstep of the Pentagon, quickly outside the elevator and thought about checked into my room, changed shoes, and my first trip to the top of the monument left to explore. Several hours later, I boarded at age 14 with my grandparents. the Metro train and headed into the heart of Thirty-four years later, I listened to Washington. the Park Service tour guide explain the My goal was to stand surrounded by flags at great monument’s history, the architecthe foot of the Washington Monument on its ture, the story – and my heart swelled proud reopening day to visitors, nearly three with pride for my country, its diversity, years after a 5.8 magnitude earthquake had A bronze relief sculpture of George Washington and this magnificent place. damaged it. adorns the monument of his namesake.

In the few days that followed, my Helped by friendly residents and tourists, I faith in our America was restored. A arrived at 8:30 p.m. – albeit after exiting at the visit to the many memorials ensued into every evening with wrong train stop and walking a mile – and found the only public good friends, including barbecue, seafood, and brick oven-fired rest room in the area, then walked the final quarter-mile to the pizza. I stood beside MLK’s likeness at his memorial, watched bottom of the monument that I’d been admiring from afar for the changing of the guard at Arlington, touched the stars at the nearly an hour.

WWII Memorial, walked among the American soldiers at the I admired the views of the U.S. Capitol, the White House, Korean Memorial, read the Gettysburg Address in marble while the new World War II Memorial, the Lincoln Monument, the standing near Lincoln, etched Elmer Lauck’s name in pencil National Mall, and the many marble buildings. I couldn’t help but at the Vietnam Wall, met with U.S. Sens. Mike Enzi and John have that feeling of awe and pride about our country, and even Barrasso during Wyoming Wednesday, cheered for my friend at smile about being where the fictional character Forrest Gump The White House, toured the U.S. Capitol, and enjoyed a visit to gave his famous, sound-free speech in the 1994 movie.

Smithsonian’s Museum of the American Indian.

I walked to the monument honoring George Washington – My memories of those places will remain during my life, but the 555-foot marble obelisk that towers over Washington, D.C. I what makes me smile today is the enduring kindness of the tired touched it. I looked up. I looked around. Others were doing the park ranger, the friendly people of Washington, D.C., throughout same thing. I walked around it, nearly walking head-first into a my visit, time spent with friends, the Washington Monument’s tired-looking National Park Service ranger. first new day and good luck.

What the heck, I thought. “Sir,” I said, pointing upward. “I’m – Cody Beers Photo: Cody Beers

A great trip

Put an end to distracted driving July 2014

n

Interchange

17

Photo: Rick Carpenter

Jarek Brown of Douglas served as WYDOT director for a day on June 12, Brandon Hutchinson of Evanston was the Highway Patrol colonel and Dustin Myers was Aeronautics administrator when the Boys’ State delegates visited the department.

The American Legion Boys’ State program teaches high school students going into their senior year about leadership and citizenship. The delegates visited WYDOT as part of their education Director John Cox welcomed Boys’ State Day participant Jarek Brown as in state government.

They met with Director he served as director for a day.

John Cox, Chief Engineer Del McOmie, Col. John Butler and Aeronautics Administrator Dennis Byrne and visited Project Development, the Highway Patrol, the Materials Lab and Sign Shop during their tour of the headquarters complex in Cheyenne.

Brown said his interest in WYDOT stemmed from debating the issue of transportation infrastructure as part of the Douglas

Photo: Rick Carpenter

Boys’ State delegates tour WYDOT

Col. John Butler welcomes Brandon Hutchinson to the WHP as colonel for a day.

Photo: Rick Carpenter

Noteworthy

High School speech and debate team.

His other school activities include cross-country, soccer and the marching and concert bands.

Hutchinson’s interest in the Highway Patrol is not surprising.

His father, Kent, is a trooper in Evanston. Brandon is a member of the Evanston High School band’s drumline and the Spanish Honor Society.

Myers said he’s had a longstanding interest in aeronautics, and has served in student government at Evanston High School.

Aeronautics Administrator Dennis Byrne and Dustin Myers. Myers chose to be the Aeronautics administrator for a day during his visit.

The WYDOT striping unit required a new windshield, which was replaced the next day. Any further cosmetic damage will be repaired this fall after all striping is finished.

Photo: WYDOT

Photo: WYDOT

A Torrington-based striping unit was involved in a late afternoon incident on June 10.

The crew was striping in the Lusk area when a deer ran out into oncoming traffic in front of an out-of-state passenger car. The car struck the animal, flipping it into the air and causing it to hit and land on the hood and windshield of the striping unit, causing damage.

Since this is a critical piece of equipment for highway striping operations, the unit was thoroughly looked over and the damage assessed. A replacement windshield was procured for the unit and was installed the following morning. The remaining damage was noted, preparing to get the unit ready to go back into service quickly. All major repairs to the unit will wait to be completed until the end of striping season in the fall.

The striping unit was placed back into service the day following the collision.

There were no injuries to WYDOT personnel or reported injuries to the driver and passengers of the other vehicle.

Photo: WYDOT

Collision with deer involves WYDOT striping truck

The mustang took a beating from the vehicle-deer collision.

18

Interchange

n

July 2014

Noteworthy

Port of Entry Officers involved in catching thief

Photo: WYDOT

On May 29 a wallet holding $107 was stolen at the Sheridan Port of Entry.

A driver who had stopped to buy trip permits unwittingly left his billfold on the port’s countertop while he was making a call to his company for information.

When the first driver was distracted, another driver walked up and stole the wallet. The thief went to the restroom, removed the cash from the billfold, hid the billfold under trash in a trash can and left the Port of Entry.

The first driver realized his billfold was missing and reported it to the port officer. The officer immediately reported the missing billfold to the on-duty Port of Entry manager who called the Sheridan County sheriff ’s office.

All Wyoming Ports of Entry have a security video camera on the premises for the safety of employees and drivers. The deputy took the first driver’s report and with a port officer, pulled the security tape to review. The recording clearly showed the theft and identified the thief, his truck and the company.

Grace Road Lines readily provided authorities with the second driver’s cell phone number and the sheriff ’s deputy called

The Sheridan Port of Entry

Alexandra Baxter wears her seat belt when she drives, and her buckled seat belt saved her life May 28 when her passenger vehicle rolled 2 1/2 times on Paradise Valley Road near Riverton.

Baxter, 20, was Riverton seat-belt survivor Alexandra Baxter, northbound on Tom Cunningham (left) of Injury PrevenParadise Valley Road tion Resources and Fremont County Sheriff’s when her 2001 Chev- Deputy Michael Hutchison during a June 17 rolet Malibu drifted seat-belt survivor award presentation. off the right shoulder of the roadway. Baxter over corrected and the vehicle rolled 2 1/2 times, coming to rest on its roof.

Fremont County Sheriff ’s Deputy Donavon Detimore said Baxter, a 2012 Riverton High School graduate, “suffered no notable injuries as she had been properly seat-belted in the vehicle.”

Baxter married Brandon Baxter of Riverton on March 8, and he is serving as a U.S. Marine in Japan. She plans to attend Central Wyoming College this fall.

“I had a long day on the day of my crash. I wasn’t paying attention to my driving, and I drifted off the road on a curve,”

Photo courtesy Cody Beers

Seat-belt use saves life in one-vehicle rollover on Paradise Valley Road near Riverton

Baxter said.

“By the grace of God, I walked away with minor cuts and bruises that have already healed.”

Baxter’s decision to wear her seat belt was the right one, and she’s a seatbelt survivor.

“I wear a seat belt, A seat belt made the difference in a young woman’s because it is life during this passenger vehicle-rollover crash near stupid not to. Riverton.

It takes two seconds to add extra protection while you drive,” Baxter said.

“Why would you not do that?”

Baxter still drives to work and other places, though she’s a more attentive driver these days.

“I’m not going to lie. I’m pretty nervous behind the wheel now. I drive more cautiously and try to take in everything while I’m driving, especially other drivers’ actions,” Baxter continued.

“Just make sure everyone in your vehicle is buckled. Don’t drive distracted and make sure you are fully aware of your surroundings.

“Seat belts save lives,” Baxter said.

July 2014

n

Interchange

19

Photo courtesy Cody Beers

the driver, Perry Nitz of Wynndel, British Columbia. Nitz was informed of the video evidence of the theft and asked him to return with the stolen cash. Nitz refused, continuing to drive southbound on I-25. Highway patrol units and sheriff ’s deputies located the vehicle north of Buffalo and the thief was arrested.

All cash and belongings were returned to the first driver thanks to the quick thinking and interagency teamwork by Wyoming port employees, Sheridan County sheriff ’s office and state troopers.

District News Headquarters Robert Armstrong, Bridge-Operations Inspection; Wendy Banzhof, Bridge-Hydraulics; James Branscomb III, Traffic; Mark Corbridge, Right Of WayAdministration; Phillip Hearn, BridgeOperations Design; Christopher Rehm, Right Of Way-Negotiations; and Hyung Shim, Bridge-Operations Design.

Photo: Doug McGee

Welcome

Yaffa

Director John Cox (left) and Transportation Commission Chairman Bruce McCormack congratulating Chief Engineer Del McOmie on his 35 years of service with WYDOT.

Dagnillo

Retirements

Promotions and Transfers Deborah Bowring, Patrol-Special Permits; Lisa Fresquez, Support Services Division Administrator; Tanya Lallak, GIS/ITS; and Dakota Smith, Highway Development-Project Development.

Bowring

Fresquez

Service Awards

Marsh

Congratulations

Scimone

Cori Hastings, Equipment Administration – 20 years; Christine Yaffa, Planning-System Planning – 20 years; David Persson, Traffic – 15 years; Keith Tupper, Traffic – 15 years; Joel Dagnillo, Materials-Design and Roadway – 10 years; Ryan Marsh, Highway DevelopmentPhotogrammetry/Survey – 10 years; Joseph Scimone, Patrol-Capitol Service Protection – 10 years; Timothy Tyler, Office Services Manager – 10 years; and Aubrie Adams, Purchasing-Buying – 5 years.

Rodney Freier has been designated by Support Service Administrator Tom Loftin as the Interim WYDOT Budget Officer, and will bring a wealth of WYDOT budget experience to that role.

Mark Corbridge was selected as the senior professional land surveyor for the Right-of-Way Program in Cheyenne.

Mark has replaced Tony Warburton, and has assumed his duties as senior professional land surveyor as of May 2014.

Geology loses two veteran employees to retirement

Photo: Carlie Van Winkle

Matthew Carlson, Highway Safety Administration – 30 years; Kermit Green, Office Services-Files – 30 years; Kent Ketterling, Maintenance Staff Administration – 25 years; Stephanie Lucero, Highway Safety – 25 years;

Lou Ann Cropper, Bridge-Engineering Design; Denton Dudrey, Geology; Kent Lambert, Civil Rights Office; Gregory Miller, Geology; and Michael Patterson, Bridge-Operations Inspection.

Carlson

Green

Lucero

Hastings

20

Interchange

n

Service awards were presented to 40-year Facilities Management security employee John Puente (second from right) and 25-year Maintenance Staff employee Kent Ketterling (center). Also at the presentation were (from left) Field Operations Engineer Mark Eisenhart, Facilities Management program manager Ray Vigil and Chief Engineer Del McOmie.

July 2014

Two veterans of WYDOT’s Geology Program, Greg Miller and Den Dudrey, retired last month, taking with them a combined five-decades plus of experience.

Miller, who retired May 2, started with the agency in 1983 as an engineering technician based in Sheridan. In 1984, he transferred to Buffalo and later the same year, moved to Cheyenne as an engineering geologist. He left WYDOT having chalked up almost 31 years of service.

Miller was born in Jamestown, N.D., and graduated from Sheridan High School. He subsequently completed a bachelors degree in geology from the University of Wyoming, and he is a registered

professional geologist in Wyoming.

Dudrey retired at the end of May, capping a little more than two decades with the agency.

Dudrey, a project geologist, started with WYDOT in 1993 and was based in Cheyenne for the duration of his career.

He is native of Sheridan, who like Miller, earned a geology degree from the University of Wyoming and is a registered professional geologist. In addition, Dudrey served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.

District 1

Retirements

Jeffrey Davis, Laramie Maintenance; and Thomas Peel, Highway Development-Project Development-Laramie Design Squad.

Jane Hillestad, Rawlins Construction; and Ramon Sandoval, Arlington Maintenance.

Promotions and Transfers Ross Washburn, Laramie Patrol.

Photo courtesy Dave Hammond

Service Awards

Hibbard departs

Steven Murray, Cheyenne Mechanics – 40 years; Wayne Boyhan, Rawlins Construction – 25 years; Thomas Pritchard, Laramie Patrol – 10 years; and Karmen Warrington, Rawlins Driver Services – 5 years.

Ray Sandoval at his retirement party.

Congratulations

Photo courtesy of Gary Curry

Kevin Hibbard, longtime WYDOT budget officer, left the agency in early June to accept duties as state budget officer for Wyoming, with the formal title of Administrator of Budget and Economic Analysis within the Wyoming Department of Administration and Information.

Hibbard joined WYDOT in March 1994 as a budget specialist and had been budget officer since January 1996.

“He has been a recognized expert on the WYDOT budget and its associated revenue projection and allocations, and will carry this recognition and expertise into his new role,” noted WYDOT Director John Cox. Hibbard’s family has had a long association with WYDOT and the Wyoming Highway Department (WHD).

His grandfather Robert Taylor worked for WHD in Lusk, as did his great-uncle Cooley, who worked in Lusk, Sundance, Gillette and Sheridan between 1922 and 1955.

Kevin Hibbard’s father, Bill Hibbard, was with WHD from 1956 until 1998, retiring as resident engineer in Sundance.

Brother Tim Hibbard also chalked up more than 30 years of service before retiring in 2011 as assistant chief engineer for operations.

Rodney Freier has served as interim budget officer for WYDOT since Hibbard’s departure.

AJ Trabing has been chosen as the new striping foreman for the crew in Laramie. Trabing will assume his duties July 1.

Congratulations to Sam Finkle and Brian Martin, District 1 Construction, on the passing of their P.E. exams and becoming professional engineers.

Chief Engineer Del McOmie and District 1 Engineer Pat Persson congratulating Steve Murray on his 40-years of service to WYDOT.

District 2

Welcome David Cullison, Traffic-Signing; and Kevin Ramsey, Wheatland Maintenance.

Service Awards

nance – 30 years; and Terry Uhrich, District 2 Shop – 25 years.

Retirements Mark Sebion, Casper Maintenance.

Benton Photo courtesy Jeff Goetz

John Benton, Wheatland Maintenance – 35 years; William Klemola, Torrington Construction – 30 years; Mark Sebion, Casper Mainte-

Photo: Rick Carpenter

Former Budget Officer Kevin Hibbard lauded for his years of service to WYDOT.

Welcome

Uhrich

Klemola

Mark Sebion celebrates his retirement in true WYDOT style. Sebion, District 2 area maintenance supervisor, retires with 30 years. He was responsible for Casper, Muddy Gap and the Shirley Rim crews.

July 2014

n

Interchange

21

District 4

District 3

Welcome

Welcome

Rollin Moon, Evanston Mechanics; David Pitlock, Kemmerer Port Of Entry; and Scott Wyckoff, Pinedale Construction.

Andrew Tkach, Sundance Port Of Entry.

Photo courtesy Stephanie Harsha

Promotions and Transfers

Promotions and Transfers Angela Hutchinson, Rock Springs Mechanics.

Carla Nichols receiving a retirement gift from Capt. James Thomas at her party last month.

Hutchinson

Retirements

Congratulations

Snyder Collins

Hass

Tegdesch

Minear

Carla Nichols, Rock Springs Patrol; and Darrell Snyder, Pinedale Maintenance.

Congratulations Afton resident engineer Mike Garner celebrated his daughter Erin’s wedding last month – a wedding that had a slight hiccup. Garner’s wedding gown had been stolen from the backseat of her vehicle overnight.

Although her wedding day was seemingly off to a horrible start, her friends and family pulled together to find a solution. A wedding gown for photos and another to walk down the aisle in were found with the help of bridal shops in Logan and Sandy, Utah.

Garner and Joshua Dimond were married June 12 in the Salt Lake Temple.

Interchange

n

July 2014

Timothy Winslow has been selected as the new District 4 equipment supervisor for the equipment section in Sheridan.

Winslow assumes his duties as District 4 equipment supervisor July 1. He replaces Vance Pruss.

Photo: Rick Carpenter

May and June Service Award Recipients

Photo still courtesy ABC 4 Utah

Garner leading his daughter Erin down the aisle at the ring ceremony.

22

Service Awards Mark Ottema, Sheridan Maintenance – 35 years; Loren Minear, Sheridan Construction – 25 years; and Scott Carey, Sheridan Patrol – 10 years.

Service Awards Virgil Helm, Afton Maintenance – 20 years.

Ronda Brunz, Sheridan/Buffalo Driver Services; John Collins, Sheridan Maintenance; Daniel Haas, Sundance Mechanics; and Louis Tegdesch, Sheridan Patrol.

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

Service award recipients at this month’s luncheon: (Front row left to right) Tom Biamon, Lance Adams, Matt Carlson, Mark Ottema, John Benton and Randy Griesbach. (Back row left to right) Debbie Duffield, Stuart Eckhardt, Jon Olson, Terry Uhrich and Bruce Morgenstern.

District 5

Promotions and Transfers

Service Awards

Shawn Coggins, Meeteetse Maintenance; Kevin Maynard, South Pass Maintenance; Aaron Owen, Worland Maintenance; and Wayne Riley, Basin Construction.

Zan Zwemer, Thermopolis Construction – 30 years; Tony Triplett, Basin Maintenance – 20 years; Bradford McConnell, Cody Patrol – 10 years;

Zwemer

Triplett

McConnell

Owen

Riley

Awards Total number of employees: as of May 28, 2014

2,007

One month ago

1,988

l e A f te yc

n

Interchange

ading !

July 2014

Re

2,067

Juel Leuis of the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration and recent retiree of the WHP, has been honored as the 16th annual Wyoming Trucking Association (WTA) Highway Safety Person of the Year. The award was Leuis given by the WTA during it’s 75th annual convention in Laramie on May 16.

Leuis recently retired from the WHP after serving for 25 years; 21 years as a motor carrier officer. The entirety of his career was spent in Rock Springs.

Leuis has been a constant supporter and great partner of the WTA by instructing safety classes, serving as a vice chairman-at-large member on the Coun-

cil of Safety Supervisors and served on the steering committee for several years for the Wyoming Truck Driving Championships held each year.

Leuis was nominated because, “He is always willing to talk to a person about the rules.”

In addition to completing extensive training in various aspects of motor vehicle inspections, post-crash investigation, hazardous materials and bulk packaging, he has dedicated himself to assisting the commercial carrier industry with all aspects of safety compliance.

Leuis is a member of the Wyoming Peace Officers’ Association and has served as president. n

r

One year ago

Highway Safety Person of the Year awarded to recent WHP retiree

c

Rickey Bluel, Meeteetse Maintenance.

Rick Bluel retired from WYDOT May 2 with more than 39 years of service. A party was held in his honor April 18 at the Meeteetse WYDOT Maintenance Shop. Ron Huff presented Bluel with his retirement gift from WYDOT and Area Maintenance Supervisor Robin Nichols gifted Bluel with a custom-made spinning rod.

se Re

Retirements

Photo courtesy Cody Beers

Maynard

ea Pl

Coggins

23

Passings Chuck Lowry

Wyoming Highway Patrol retiree Sgt. Chuck Lowry died May 18 in Torrington.

He was 72.

Lowry signed on with the Patrol as a recruit patrolman in 1968 and was posted initially to Cheyenne. He transferred to Wheatland in 1975, and two years later, was promoted to sergeant and moved to Jackson to take command of Division K. In 1982, he transferred to Torrington, assuming supervision of Division F. He remained in Torrington until his retirement on May 31, 1995.

Lowry was born on his family farm in rural Stegall, Neb., and he graduated from high school in nearby Lyman, Neb. Prior to joining the Patrol, he served a fouryear hitch as a paramedic in the U.S. Air Force. He also worked for the Torrington Police Department and the Goshen County Sheriff ’s Office.

After retiring from the Patrol, Lowry was appointed as Torrington municipal judge, and he continued in that role until his death.

A celebration of life for Lowry was conducted May 27 in Torrington.

Survivors include brothers Jim and Mike who also served with the Highway Patrol; Jim between 1980 and 1988 and Mike between 1985 and 2003.

Buckle Up! The life you save may be your own.

WTDEA

Relief fund statistics for first quarter 2014 show promise Out of approximately 1,900 WYDOT employees, 146 contribute to the WTDEA relief fund through direct deposit. WTDEA would like to see at least 90 percent of all employees contributing at least $1 per month. A monthly donation from each employee could make the relief fund self-sustaining, resulting in higher awards for those in need.

2014 first quarter relief fund income was $5,414.57 (fig. A). More than $3,000 was raised through cash calendar sales and nearly $1,600 was raised through direct deposit.

2014 first quarter fund distribution was divided between five individuals (fig. B). Four received $500 each and one received $1,000.

Employee contribution

Payroll Direct Deposit Cash Calendar Sales Interest Income Figure A

Employee distribution

$500 $1,000 $500 $500

$500

Figure B

Extra Mile

AWARDS Congratulations to our May recipients!

WYDOT salutes the following Director’s Extra Mile Award recipients.

The award is presented to individuals who have traveled the “extra mile” in service to WYDOT. Jordon Patton

Ken Bixler

Aaron Harper

Dale Cazier

Shawn Scolari

David Kaufman

Kerry Casner For more information about the Extra Mile Award or to nominate someone, contact Janet Farrar at janet.farrar@wyo.gov or Mel Anderson at mel.anderson@wyo.gov.

24

Interchange

n

July 2014

State board awards 2014 scholarships The WTDEA State Board of Directors presented a one-year cash award in the amount of $600 to four qualified applicants to use toward their full-time undergraduate study.

This year’s recipients are: n Katherine Jacobs is attending the University of Wyoming with a human nutrition and dietetics course of study;

Jacobs

Garcia

n Carlos Garcia is also attending the

University of Wyoming. Garcia will be attending the UW School of Pharmacy;

n Chase Ketterling is enrolled for his

third year at South Dakota School of Mines and is pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering; and

n Camille Allsop who is attending

Idaho State University for a degree in sign language interpreting.

Ketterling

Headquarters chapter awards 2014 scholarships WTDEA Headquarters chapter also awarded scholarships to qualified applicants. The recipients of this award will receive $500 for college expenses.

This year’s recipients are: n Chase Ketterling; and n Emily Ellis will attend Eastern Wyo-

ming College for business administration and will play volleyball. She plans to continue her education at University of Wyoming to obtain a degree in marketing.

Allsop

Ellis

July 2014

n

Interchange

25

Nominate someone you know in Wyoming who is a Community Advocate At WyHy we’re not just with our members, we’re with the entire communities that we serve and we know we’re not alone in wanting to make Wyoming a great place to live. WyHy wants to recognize those who go above and beyond to bring positive change to the lives of others.

Who is a Community Advocate? Someone who is giving, leading, inspiring or volunteering—making a difference in our community.

The winners’ charities will receive a total of $3,000!

Empowers Inspires Advances Boosts

Promotes Encourages Volunteers

Go online to nominate someone you know at WyHy.org/Advocate Nominations are due July 13, 2014.

WyHy.org 800.442.2392 307.638.4200 Cheyenne 307.234.2373 Casper Membership at WyHy is not required to nominate or vote.

26

Interchange

n

July 2014

Break Time Can you spot the six differences in the photos to the right?

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

Editor’s note: The photo on the right is of a project along I-25 north of Wheatland.

Retiring from WYDOT?

Name:

Or, just need to submit a new address so you don’t miss a single issue of Interchange?

Mailing address: Give us your name and address and we’ll be sure to put you on our mailing list.

Please fill in, cut out and return this slip to WYDOT Public Affairs Office, 5300 Bishop Blvd., Cheyenne, WY 82009.

Or, e-mail Carlie Van Winkle at carlie.vanwinkle@wyo.gov.

July 2014

n

Interchange

27

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

Summer parties are in full gear.

Law enforcement will be cracking down on drunk drivers.

Please designate a sober driver.