Interchange, June 2019

Interchange June 2019

Vol. 47, Issue 6

New WyoLink site ground breaking Dignitaries arrive in Buffalo to ‘dig’ in

Interchange

Wildfire tracking

Wildfires are a common occurrence in Wyoming, and knowing their size and location can make you more aware of how near they are to your community and help you plan for potential impacts from smoke. A great resource to tell where fires are currently burning is InciWeb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/. It will show the location of prescribed burns, which are used by various agencies to thin forest growth, as well as wildfires. The National Interagency Fire Center also has more detailed information on current wildfires as well as statistics and historical data at https://www.nifc.gov/fireInfo/fireInfo_main.html.

Additional Resources: AirNow has current fire conditions that includes smoke plume mapping: https://www.airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=topics.smoke_wildfires

Vol. 47, Issue 6

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

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

The Public Affairs Office may also be contacted by sending an email to carlie.vanwinkle@wyo.gov

Staff WYDOT Director: K. Luke Reiner

Public Affairs Manager: Doug McGee

Editor:

Carlie Van Winkle

Contributors: Aimee Inama J.L. O’Brien Carlie Van Winkle Matt Murphy Jeff Goetz Stephanie Harsha Laura Dalles Cody Beers Sgt. Jeremy Beck

Photography: Rick Carpenter

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

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

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A WYDOT PUBLICATION

Contents

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Features 14 Confined space awareness Definitions and safety recommendations

16 Long-time employee calling it quits Rock Springs employee Fedrizzi retires after 61 years

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18 WYDOT updates trucking association New safety initiatives brought to table

19 Chief Technology Officer to retire Pat Lewis leaves state with 26 years of service

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Also in this issue District briefs............................................................................ 4 By the Numbers...................................................................... 7 Aeronautics............................................................................ 20 Training................................................................................... 21 District news......................................................................... 22 Awards.................................................................................... 25 Passings.................................................................................. 26 WTDEA.................................................................................... 27 Rides........................................................................................ 28 Break Time............................................................................. 31 On the cover:

Key players at the ground breaking of the newest WyoLink tower just outside of Buffalo.

Photo: Rick Carpenter

Kindly recycle this publication after reading.

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District Briefs Commission awards $78.7 million in highway contracts in May

CHEYENNE – Construction crews will soon start work on another section of road south of Jackson as part of an overall corridor improvement plan.

The Wyoming Transportation Commission awarded Oftedal Construction Inc., of Casper, a $67 million contract for the Snake River South Project on US 26/89/189/191. The commission awarded that and eight other contracts during its recent meeting.

The Snake River South Project includes new pavement, additional lanes, turnouts, pathways, accommodations for wildlife and landscaping, as well as various other improvements from mileposts 141-145. It is anticipated work will begin later this summer.

Crews previously started work on the Jackson South Project from mileposts 145-149, which had similar improvements. Work on that part of the project is required to be completed by June 30, 2019.

Accommodations for wildlife include six underpasses for big game and several smaller culverts for small mammals and facilities for fish passage have been included in the corridor improvements for these two projects. More information is available at www.dot.state.wy.us/jacksonsouth.

Other contracts the commission awarded included bridge rehabilitation, cattle-guard work and slide repairs.

Wilson Brothers Construction Inc., of Cowley, won a $2.8 million slide-repair contract for work on US 14 between Burgess Junction and Dayton in Sheridan County.

Crews will realign the road to move it away from the slide plane. The slide is occurring below the road, which is causing the surface to break off. The contract completion date is Nov. 30, 2019.

S & S Builders LLC, of Gillette, was

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the low bidder on a $1.9 million bridge rehabilitation contract in several locations in Laramie and Albany counties.

Crews will perform rehabilitation work at two locations near Missile Drive in Cheyenne in the northbound and southbound lanes and on the Curtis Street Bridge in Laramie. The contract completion date is Aug. 31, 2020.

The commission awarded Reiman Corp., of Cheyenne, a $1.6 million contract for bridge work on WYO 215 between Pine Bluffs and Albin in Laramie County.

Crews will remove both structures and replace one with a box culvert bridge and the other with a regular structure. The contract completion date is July 31, 2020.

The commission also awarded contracts for: • $1.5 million to Cache Valley Electric Co., of Salt Lake City, Utah, for traffic signal system upgrades at several locations in Campbell and Natrona counties by Nov. 30, 2019; • $1.3 million to Wilson Brothers for slide repair work on US 14A between Lovell and Burgess Junction in Big Horn County by Nov. 30, 2019; • $1.1 million to Reiman Corp. for bridge resurfacing work at various locations in Fremont County by July 31, 2020; • $573,931 to 71 Construction, of Casper, for cattle-guard work at various locations on WYO 70 in Carbon County by Oct. 31, 2019; and • $136,990 to S & L Industrial, of Cowley, for removal and replacement of signs at various locations on Interstate 80 in Albany, Carbon, Laramie, Sweetwater and Uinta counties by Oct. 31, 2019.

WYDOT, WHP urge motorists, passengers to buckle up A simple choice to buckle up when driving or riding in a vehicle could mean the difference between life or death.

The Wyoming Department of Transportation and the Wyoming Highway

Patrol urge motorists and passengers to always wear their seat belts to help keep them safe while traveling.

Wyoming has had 64 fatalities, as of May 24, in 2019, which can be attributed to distracted driving, lack of seat belts, alcohol, among several other factors. So far, 43 percent were not wearing their seat belts.

“Safety belt usage in Wyoming is lower than that of the surrounding states, and it is typically lower than the national average,” said Lt. Col. Shannon Ratliff during a May Mobilization event at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center recently. “That is absolutely unacceptable. Without a doubt taking a few seconds to buckle up could be the difference between life and death.”

So far, this year’s fatalities are higher than that of previous years. In May 2018, there were 36 fatalities and 37 in May 2017.

“You hear us say don’t risk it, click it or ticket,” Ratliff said. “Just to be clear, we’re not talking about risking receiving a citation. I wish a ticket would be the only consequence. What we’re talking about is risking your life or the lives of your passengers when you choose not to wear your safety belt or when you permit your passengers to ride with you, unrestrained.”

Total fatalities for an entire year have fluctuated when looking at data over five years.

Wyoming had 111 total fatalities in 2018. There were 123 in 2017, 112 in 2016, 145 in 2015 and 150 in 2014, statistics from WYDOT’s Highway Safety Program indicated.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration lists several reasons why people should always wear their seat belts.

• Buckling up keeps you secure in your vehicle. A person can be ejected from their vehicle if they are not wearing their seat belts.

• Air bags alone do not provide enough protection. The force from an airbag can cause serious injury or kill a person who is not buckled up.

• Buckling up in the front seat of a passenger car can reduce your risk of a fatal injury by 45 percent and moderate to critical injury by 50 percent.

• Buckling up in a light truck can reduce your risk of fatal injury by 60

• Safety belts and airbags are designed to work together to ensure you have the best chance of survival if involved in a serious vehicle crash.

Pursuit ends in Cheyenne CHEYENNE – On May 3, the Wyoming Highway Patrol attempted to stop a vehicle which failed to stop. The trooper pursued the vehicle into the city of Cheyenne where the Cheyenne Police Department took the lead in the pursuit.

The pursuit came to an end the suspect vehicle crashed in the 2300 block of East Pershing around 6:30 p.m.

During the pursuit, there was an exchange of gunfire between the driver of the vehicle and law enforcement officers. The man driving the stolen vehicle sustained two gunshot wounds and was transported to Cheyenne Regional Medical Center.

No officers were injured during this incident. Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation is now lead over the case.

Commission awarded $14.4 million in highway contracts in April CHEYENNE – Construction crews will resurface 6 miles of US 16 between Worland and Ten Sleep to improve the road’s surface.

The Wyoming Transportation Commission awarded Mountain Construction Co., of Lovell, a $3.5 million contract for surfacing and guard rail work in Washakie County. The commission awarded that and six other contracts totaling $14.4 million at its recent meeting.

For the US 16 work, crews will level the surface, put an overlay on top and then chip seal the surface. They will also replace old guardrail. The contract completion date is June 30, 2020.

Other contracts the commission awarded included bridge rehabilitation, pavement work and shoulder work.

Dietzler Construction Corp., of Yoder, was the low bidder on a $2.9 million bridge rehabilitation project on several structures in Converse, Laramie and Platte counties. The contract completion date is July 31, 2020.

S & S Builders, of Gillette, won a $2 million concrete slab replacement contract. The work will take place on Interstate 80 between Roundtop and Central Avenue and in several locations on state roads in Cheyenne in Laramie County.

Crews will replace concrete slabs that have deteriorated to improve the road surface. The contract completion date is June 30, 2020.

The commission also awarded S & S Builders a $2 million contract for bridge rehabilitation on six structures in Big Horn and Park counties.

Crews will perform an overlay on the bridge decks to improve the surface. They will also pave and replace some of the approach slabs. The contract completion date is Oct. 31, 2020.

The commission also awarded contracts for: • $1.2 million to Wilson Bros. Construction, of Cowley, for a slope flatting contract at various locations between Manderson and Basin on US 16-20 in Big Horn County by Oct. 31, 2019; • $1.3 million to DePatco Inc., of Idaho Falls, Idaho, for a slab replacement contract on parts of I-80 and in Jackson in Teton and Uinta counties by Oct. 31, 2019; and

respective sides of the Snowy Range for several weeks and first broke through the snowpack late in May. The snowstorm May 20-22 added as much as two feet of fresh powder to the road, and strong winds created new drifts that workers had to break up.

Snow removal work continues on WYO 70 over Battle Pass, which is still closed for the season.

All travelers should also be prepared for possible closures due to winter-like weather on WYO 130 and WYO 70, even after they open.

WYO 130 over the Snowy Range and WYO 70 over Battle Pass close annually in late autumn when relatively low traffic and deep snow accumulations render plowing operations impractical. WYO 130 closed for the season on Nov. 3, 2018.

WYO 130 has a target opening date of Memorial Day weekend. It opened on May 15 in 2012, May 23 in 2013, May 24 in 2014, May 22 in 2015, May 25 in both 2016 and 2017, and May 21 in 2018.

WYO 130 and WYO 70 are two of several high-elevation mountain roads in Wyoming with seasonal closures. WYO 130 tops out at more than 10,800 feet, and WYO 70 crosses the Continental Divide at the 9,955-foot Battle Pass.

• $1 million to Intermountain Slurry Seal Inc., of North Salt Lake, Utah, for a crack seal and chip seal project at various locations on WYO 434 in Washakie County by Aug. 31, 2019.

WYO 130 over Snowy Range opens for the season LARAMIE – WYO 130 over the high country of the Snowy Range is open for the season as of May 25.

Travelers are advised that current high country conditions can be wet with cold nights. All vehicles, especially motorcycles and bicycles, should watch for patches of frozen runoff before the morning sun dries the road surface.

Crews from Laramie and Saratoga worked to clear the road from their

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Photo: WYDOT

percent and moderate to critical injury by 65 percent.

The clearing of WYO 130 requires rotary plows to cut through the deep winter snowfall.

Grand Avenue work underway LARAMIE – Grand Avenue in central Laramie is being repaved this summer, with lane closures in effect while work takes place.

Construction is from 3rd Street to 15th Street. In addition to new pavement, curbs and gutters will be repaired, sidewalk intersections will be made ADAcompliant, and traffic signals will be Briefs continued on page 6 June 2019

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Work on I-80 near Fort Steele underway

Briefs continued from page 5 replaced at 4th, 9th, 13th and 15th streets.

Some trees along Grand will also be removed, and WYDOT has already been in touch with affected property owners.

Crews with Simon Contractors began work May 28, starting with the signal at 4th and Grand and curb work on the south side of Grand Avenue. From there, signals will be replaced at intersections one at a time from west to east, and workers will move to the north side curbs after completing the south side.

In late July, paving will begin and will continue though late August.

The entire project should be complete by the end of August.

Drivers should be prepared for lane closures during the course of the project, as well as delays or closures at intersections while signals are being replaced.

RAWLINS – The second half of a resurfacing project on I-80 in the Fort Steele area began May 6.

This project is a continuation of work performed last year in the eastbound lanes. This year’s construction will be in the westbound lanes from milepost 227.5 to 233.76.

Once construction begins, traffic will be moved into a two-lane, head to head configuration.

Crews with Lewis and Lewis will be conducting bridge and resurfacing work in the area.

Work will continue for much of the summer.

Photo: WYDOT

Evening delays on Horse Creek Road due to filming

Paving, repairs and signal upgrades are underway on Grand Avenue in Laramie from 3rd to 15th Streets.

Road work on US 85 north of Cheyenne CHEYENNE – The Wyoming Department of Transportation began a project to resurface 12 miles of US 85 north of Cheyenne, replace a structure, and replace several pipes under the road.

Work started May 6 and will be from milepost 35 to milepost 47.

Work on pipes, culverts, and a stock pass at milepost 42.4 will begin the summer-long project which will continue through August.

In all, six pipes, one box culvert and one stock pass will undergo construction.

During this phase, no more than two structures will be worked on at a time.

Temporary traffic controls are in place at each work area.

Paving on the section will begin in September after Labor Day. All work will wrap up in October.

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CHEYENNE – Drivers using Horse Creek Road (WYO 211) during evening hours on May 2-3 were advised of delays due to a filming project.

Film crews were creating a public service announcement concerning drinking and driving on behalf of the Governor’s Council on Impaired Driving.

Filming occurred between mile markers 18 and 19 (west of Road 110 and the BNSF Railroad) and 24 and 26 (just east of Horse Creek) from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

I-80 on-ramp closed at Cedar Street in Rawlins RAWLINS – As part of a project to repair concrete slabs and rehabilitate bridges on Interstate 80 in Rawlins, the Wyoming Department of Transportation has closed the on-ramp to westbound Interstate 80 at Cedar Street (Exit 215).

The ramp will be closed for about eight weeks.

WYDOT decided to close the ramp while work takes place on the structure.

Drivers should detour either east to Sinclair to access I-80 or west through the city of Rawlins to the Spruce Street interchange.

Public meeting held for I-25/I-80 interchange project CHEYENNE – The Wyoming Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) hosted a public scoping meeting to discuss potential improvements to the I-25/I-80 interchange in Cheyenne. The meeting was held on May 1 at WYDOT Headquarters in Cheyenne.

The open house-style meeting presented the project’s purpose and need, history and issues; and obtained public input on any transportation, environmental, and socioeconomic issues, as well as any other concerns the public may have had. Comments received at the meeting will be considered in the environmental assessment being prepared for this study.

The I-25/I-80 interchange is a critical hub in the movement of people and goods on a local, regional and national level. With no major improvements made to the interchange since its construction in the 1960s, its small loop ramps and short deceleration and acceleration lanes contribute to crashes. An updated interchange design is needed to facilitate the safe movement of vehicles to local destinations and beyond, and to support Cheyenne’s development goals.

The scoping meeting is a critical component of the process required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

NEPA requires agencies to integrate environmental and community values into their decision making processes by considering the potential environmental, social and economic impacts of the proposed action. For more information about NEPA, visit www.epa.gov/compliance/nepa.

Patrol vehicle struck near Douglas On May 9, a Wyoming Highway Patrol vehicle was involved in a collision near milepost 129 on Interstate 25 close to Douglas. The troopers were stopped on the shoulder investigating a prior crash when a southbound 2013 Dodge Chal-

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WYO 371 impacted by bridge removal

Photo: WYDOT

lenger collided with the patrol car.

The driver of the Dodge lost control of his vehicle on a slush-covered roadway.

The troopers were inside the vehicle and sustained only minor injuries in the collision.

The WHP vehicle sustained damage when another driver lost control on slush-covered roads and crashed into it.

Grant Street between Center, A Streets closed for work ROCK SPRINGS – The Wyoming Department of Transportation closed access to Grant Street between North Center Street and A Street May 29.

The closure is for the installation of a pipe to alleviate drainage issues.

During this time, drivers will experience lane reductions on North Center Street, restrictions on turning movements and possible delays and congestion.

The work is similar to the work on the Belt Loop and Dewar Drive. Two-way traffic will be maintained on Center Street as crews work on the ADA and signal upgrades. This work will last roughly a month.

The completion date for this project is Oct. 31. The project was awarded to Casper Electric, Inc. in January.

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ROCK SPRINGS – The Wyoming Department of Transportation intermittently closed a section of roadway under the bridge at the WYO 371/Superior Road and the Interstate 80 interchange.

WYDOT, along with contract crews from Kilgore Companies doing business as Lewis & Lewis, Inc. and DeBernardi Construction Company, initiated temporary periodic daytime closures of both lanes under the bridge off the interchange of Superior Road and I-80. The closures were limited, and the work was controlled by flaggers.

Work began May 14 and lasted roughly one week. During the evening and nighttime hours, traffic was able to access the road under the bridge. Drivers may be directed to access I-80 and/or Superior by way of the Point of Rocks exit at milepost 130 or the airport exit at milepost 111 and travel on the I-80 service roads. Traffic heading to Rock Springs from Superior was not affected.

Brief I-80 closures caused delays ROCK SPRINGS – The Wyoming Department of Transportation briefly closed a section of Interstate 80 near the Superior exit and Point of Rocks exit (milepost 122 to milepost 131) to conduct some rock scaling work. Crews were working in the area and the closures were for certain site areas that were too close to the highway for scaling activities to take place safety. The closures began May 15 and lasted one week. The closures took place intermittently between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. for no more than 20 minutes at a time. WYDOT advised that local traffic plan accordingly for the delays.

Since both directions of travel in the area were head-to-head single-lane traffic because of a current resurfacing project that is underway, both eastbound and westbound traffic were delayed.

Total number of employees: As of May 7, 2019

1,929

One month ago

1,923

One year ago

1,902

WHP Total number of highway fatalities: As of May 20, 2019

62

One year ago

36

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Weather caused delays in Kemmerer bridge work KEMMERER – The Wyoming Department of Transportation with contract crews from Lewis & Lewis have been working on the US 189 bridge through the town of Kemmerer. Spring storms, dipping temperatures and precipitation has caused working delays. Additionally, there were some issues with materials on the job that also contributed to the delay.

The bridge work has a 45-working day window, but with delays, the work will more than likely extend into late June, said WYDOT Resident Engineer Jennifer Hoffman.

Local traffic will continue to see reduced lanes and two-way traffic on the bridge over the railroad tracks near Quartz Street. The completion date for the project is October of this year.

Heavy rainfall closed US 14 west of Dayton

ROCK SPRINGS – The Wyoming Department of Transportation temporarily shut down the traffic signal at Dewar Drive and the South Belt Loop on May 6. Crews needed to work on signal upgrades. WYDOT estimated the work would last roughly a week. Mainline Dewar Drive traffic ran continuously in both directions and traffic emerging from local businesses were controlled with a stop sign.

The South Belt Loop remained closed until work was completed on the drainage issues. There were lane reductions on Dewar Drive, restrictions on turning movements with some delays and congestion.

Work on the South Belt Loop and

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Photo: WYDOT

Dewar Drive, South Belt Loop upgrades

SHERIDAN – US 14 felt the impact of heavy rainfall over the Memorial Day weekend resulting in a number of rockslides encroaching onto the roadway at several locations west of Dayton May 27 and 28.

WYDOT closed US 14 early May 28 in order to clear rock and mud from locations between Steamboat and the Forest Service boundary. It was anticipated the road would be open later that evening.

In addition to the rockslides on top, a portion of US 14 just west of Dayton at mile marker 81 slid and resulted in a lane closure. WYDOT had flagging operations in place. The flagging operation remained in effect until traffic signals arrived on May 29.

The White Cross slide area is scheduled for repair later this summer, but contractors will begin work on that reconstruction immediately.

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Photo: WYDOT

Inclement early spring weather caused delays in Kemmerer bridge work and streets project.

WYO 50 from West Lakeway Road south to Southern Drive to be widened to five lanes

Dewar Drive will be followed by similar work on Grant Street and Center Street.

Two-way traffic will be maintained on Center Street as crews work on ADA and signal upgrades. This work should also last roughly a month.

The completion date for this project is Oct. 31. The project was awarded to Casper Electric Inc. in January.

Briefs continued from page 7

The Red Hill slide in the White Cross slide area just west of the U.S. Forest Service boundary on US 14.

GILLETTE – WYDOT and Simon Contractors began work on widening WYO 50 from West Lakeway Road south to Southern Drive April 1.

This project is located along Wyoming State Highway 50 beginning at the south leg of the intersection with West Lakeway Road and extending south for 2.06 miles through the intersection with Southern Drive ending at milepost 5.08.

The purpose of this project is to upgrade the highway to current standards, improve safety and increase the capacity of this section of highway. WYO 50 has seen an increase in traffic resulting in congestion, higher frequency of crashes at intersections and an increase in large and oversize loads supporting the energy industry, warranting the need for the upgrade.

The existing route is primarily a twolane roadway with dedicated turning lanes at major intersections including Hamilton Street, Washington Street, Hidden Valley Road, Force Road/4J Road and Southern Drive. This project will widen the existing rural two-lane roadway to a five-lane section with curb and gutter.

Travel lanes will be 12-feet wide with a continuous 11-foot center left-turn lane.

“This is an urban project within city limits, but the roadway is part of the Wyoming Department of Transportation’s system,” said Josh Jundt, resident engineer for WYDOT in Gillette. “WYDOT will be working closely with the city of Gillette, but WYDOT will be administering the project. Any questions or concerns should be directed to either myself or Mike Bush who will be project lead on this job.”

In order to complete the project on time and decrease the impact to the traveling public, a portion of WYO 50 from West Lakeway Road to Force/4J Road will be closed from May 28-August 17.

The detour route will be west on Lakeway Road to Oakcrest Drive, south to 4J Road and then back onto WYO 50. No detour will be allowed while school is in session.

The detour is not on an established truck route and through truck traffic will need to utilize I-90, WYO 59 and Southern Drive.

US 14A spring opening May 23 LOVELL – The annual spring opening of US 14A between Burgess Junction and Lovell had been scheduled to open at noon May 23. However, snowy weather the previous two days hampered those efforts and WYDOT crews worked throughout the day on May 23 to get it open by 4 p.m.

“We will likely have to run a plow truck up the mountain even after we get it opened, at least through the weekend,” said Wyoming Department of Transportation Maintenance Foreman Jason Fleming of Lovell. “When the road opens for the season, drivers are encouraged to drive safely and buckle up.”

The annual winter closure of US 14A, west of Burgess Junction, is at milepost 76.04 on the Lovell side of the Bighorn Mountains. The seasonal road closure at Burgess Junction is just east of milepost 98.1. WYDOT annually closes this 22mile stretch of scenic mountain road in the Bighorn Mountains of north-central Wyoming about Nov. 30 at the conclusion of the fall hunting season. It usually opens for the summer by Memorial Day weekend.

Paving between Manderson and Hyattville, and south of Lovell; fencing project moves near Basin BASIN – Asphalt paving is underway on a pair of Big Horn County-area projects, while a right-ofway fencing project has moved to the Basin area, according to Wyoming Department of Transportation Resident Engineer Michael Miller of Basin.

Manderson-Hyattville (WYO 31) paving project McGarvin-Moberly Construction Co., of Worland, began paving WYO 31 between Manderson and Hyattville mid-May. The paving is located between mileposts 19 and 22 on WYO 31.

The $1.3 million project includes shoulder flattening, pipe extensions and an asphalt pavement level and overlay.

Project completion date is Oct. 31.

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Lovell South (US 310) paving project Mountain Construction Co., of Lovell, began asphalt paving operations May 15 south of Lovell on US 310.

“The work is between mileposts 230 and 235 directly south of Lovell,” Miller said.

The $1.6 million highway rehabilitation project includes widening mailbox turnouts, asphalt pavement milling, and a pavement overlay.

Contract completion date is Oct. 31.

Right-of-way fencing project moves to Basin area A northwest Wyoming fencing project moved to Basin’s Golf Course Road (WYO 36) mid-May, and the work near Basin will occur for about two weeks.

More than 72 miles of right-of-way fencing will be replaced as part of the $1.6 million project.

“The work will take place in 10 different locations throughout the Big Horn Basin,” said Wyoming Department of Transportation resident engineer Michael Miller of Basin.

Other sections of new right-of-way fencing to be built include: US 14/16/20 (mileposts 100.75 to 99.7), north of

Greybull; US 310, (mileposts 249 to 257), from Deaver to the Montana state line; WYO 120 (mileposts 109 to 111), north of Cody; US 14/16/20 (mileposts 35.83 to 40.65), between Cody and the East Entrance to Yellowstone National Park; WYO 120 (mileposts 80.2 to 81.20), from US 14/16/20 intersection toward Meeteetse; WYO 120 (mileposts 56.5 to 65), Meeteetse Rim between Cody and Meeteetse; WYO 290 (mileposts 6.04 to 8.30), west of Meeteetse; and WYO 170 (mileposts 6 to 9.74), west of Thermopolis.

King Enterprises, LLC, of Mills, is the prime contractor. Project completion date is Oct. 31, 2020.

Chief Joseph Slide improvements resumed northwest of Cody CODY – A $5.54 million project to repair the Chief Joseph Slide is scheduled to resume work next week on WYO 296 near Cody.

Oftedal Construction, Inc., of Casper, is the prime contractor.

The Chief Joseph Slide is located about 20 miles east of WYO 120, northwest of Cody.

“All work will need to be completed by June 30,” said Wyoming Department of Transportation Resident Engineer Todd Frost of Cody. “Remaining work includes paving, chip sealing, reclamation, trail and trailhead construction, and fence work.”

Photo: WYDOT

Residents of Spring Hill Road and Patriot Estates will have access at all times as will all businesses located along WYO 50.

In addition, a 10-foot multi-use path will be installed on the east side of the road to provide continuity with the pathway located north of the project and also provide a connection to the City of Gillette pathway system within the project limits. A 5-foot sidewalk will be installed on the west side of the project.

A temporary signal is in place at the Lakeway Road intersection and at the 4J Road/Force Road intersection. Both temporary signals will be replaced with permanent signals as part of this project.

This photo was taken last November after WYO 296 was reopened to two-way traffic across the top of the rebuilt Chief Joseph Slide area.

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Railroad crossing repairs on May 18 near Lovell LOVELL – BNSF Railway Co. workers made repairs on an at-grade railroad crossing east of the Bighorn Lake causeway on May 18.

The US 14A at-grade railroad crossing is located at milepost 55.43, west of Lovell.

During the work, traffic was detoured around the construction area to the north and construction was completed in one day.

Passing lane construction begins between Riverton, Hudson on WYO 789

CODY – Annual spring opening road work on US 14/16/20 between Pahaska and the east gate of Yellowstone National Park is complete, and the highway opened for the spring and summer on May 1.

The opening of two miles of US 14/16/20 highway between Pahaska and Yellowstone is dependent upon favorable weather. This stretch of highway is closed annually west of Pahaska due to the limited amount traffic; the stretch of highway has traditionally been a popular winter recreation area for cross-country skiers and people with snowmobiles.

“This is the normal time of the year for WYDOT’s road-opening operations to take place,” said WYDOT maintenance foreman Jim Berry of Cody.

Following the annual opening of the two-mile stretch between Pahaska and Yellowstone’s East Gate, WYDOT maintenance workers shift their focus to annual road-opening operations of US 14A east of Lovell in the Bighorn Mountains.

WYO 789 where 1.8 miles of passing lanes are being built between Riverton and Hudson.

Photo: WYDOT

Photo: WYDOT

RIVERTON – Construction of 1.8 miles of passing lanes is the highlight of a $6.8 million project underway between Hudson and Riverton on WYO 789.

Prime contractor is McGarvin-Moberly Construction Co., of Worland, and the dirt subcontractor is High Country Construction, Inc., of Lander.

When construction is complete, the passing lanes north of Hudson will be a four-lane section of WYO 789 with passing opportunities in each direction.

US 14/16/20 road-opening work complete west of Cody

“The new 1.8-mile, four-lane highway section will begin about 5 miles north of Hudson and continue for 1.8 miles (mileposts 95.46 to 97.27),” said Wyoming Department of Transportation Resident Engineer Erik Smith of Lander.

Besides construction of passing lanes, the project’s scope of work includes a 3-inch pavement overlay, chip seal finish, grading, draining, placing crushed gravel base, fencing, bridge repair and other work on about 7 miles of WYO 789.

The contractor’s current work schedule calls for topsoil removal, excavation, placement of crushed gravel base and pipe installation through July 15. Bridge work includes bridge deck repair over Rogers and Gregg Ditch, installing a box culvert extension and placement of grouted rip-rap at Lamoureux Draw through Sept. 24.

“Please slow down for workers. The work zone is currently signed at 45 mph, and motorists should expect delays in the work zone,” Smith said.

Paving and chip sealing of WYO 789 is scheduled between late June and late July.

Contract completion date is Oct. 31.

A motor grader and loader were the main pieces of equipment used this year in removing snow from two miles of US 14/16/20 in an annual effort by WYDOT to reopen the highway for the spring and summer west of Cody near the east gate of Yellowstone National Park.

Take road conditions with you.

Get the WYOMING 511 app. www.wyoroad.info

Know before you go.

Visit wyoroad.info.

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WYDOT’s Travel Information System is the one and ONLY source for up-to-the-minute road and travel information.

HR Happenings Life Changing Events

If you experience a life changing event such as a birth or adoption, divorce, marriage, or death of dependent, Human Resources has an easy-to-follow checklist and information packet available for you. Please visit our Intranet page under the HR Toolbox and click Life Changing Events.

PMI PMI began on April 1 with the new Planning Phase, which ended May 31. Supervisors have until February 2020 to complete the new PMI Supervisor Training; however, we encourage supervisors to complete it as soon as possible to become familiar with the changes. One of the changes is goals are no longer rated and a rating is not required unless it is being tied to a competency. The competencies are rated.

The new evaluation period is as follows: • Planning Phase: April 1 - May 31 • Mid-Year Coaching Phase: Oct. 1 - Nov. 30

Information for Supervisors HR is pleased to provide our supervisors with a variety of important information related to forms, recruiting, interviewing, hiring, PMI and more. Visit our Intranet page under the HR toolbox and click on Supervisor Information.

• Evaluation Phase: March 1 - April 30 Thank you to everyone as we continue to work through the updated system and process.

As always, please contact HR with any questions, comments, or concerns. If there is something you would like us to consider adding to our Intranet section, let us know. n

WTDEA District 4

Scholarship Gun Raffle Proceeds go toward District 4 Scholarship Fund supporting District 4 employees and their dependents in the pursuit of higher education.

Ruger American Predator 6.5 Creedmoor Bolt Action Rifle

with a custom rifle sling handcrafted by Harvey Johnson

Tickets $10

Please note: Winner must pass FFL requirements.

Only 200 tickets – get yours before they’re gone!

Drawing will be held after the sale of all tickets.

Call 307.674.2300 for information and tickets!

For more information contact Laura Dalles – 307.674.2356; David Johnson – 307.674.2371; Jean Little – 307.752.0730; Misty Wood - 307.461.7319; or Captain Jason Green – 307.231.4556

Donations needed for WYDOT employee after tornado destroys home WYDOT employee Jesse Zumpfe, of Marbleton, is in need of financial assistance after a tornado left him, his wife and their children homeless.

A GoFundMe account has been set up for Zumpfe and his family.

Employees who want to make a donation can do so by visiting: https:// www.gofundme.com/tornado-inmarbleton-wy.

The incident happened after a tornado touched down in the area April 26, causing damage to Zumpfe’s home, camper and outdoor sheds.

The area then received 10 inches of snow, which caused more damage.

The National Weather Service has an overview of the tornado along with a video, which can be viewed online at: https://www.weather. gov/riw/Marbleton_Tornado_ April_26_2019?fbclid=IwAR2Zumpfe and his family are now living in temporary housing and are hoping to find a home in the Pinedale area. His insurance will help, and the additional funds are needed in order for the family to replace lost belongings and furnishings and assist in finding a new home. n

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Photo: Rick Carpenter

New emergency communications tower ground breaking The Wyoming Department of Transportation broke ground on a new emergency communication tower May 14 in Buffalo.

The groundbreaking was east of Interstate 25 on South Main Street.

The tower is one of 16 being added to expand coverage in areas of need and provide enhanced coverage where gaps exist.

WyoLink, an integrated, interoperable emergency communication network for entire state of Wyoming, currently has 75 towers. A $12.5-million contract, won competitively by Motorola Inc., will expand the number of towers to 91.

The original towers were built along the major roadways in Wyoming and not necessarily around communities. Where the original emphasis of the system was “tower-to-vehicle,” the majority of the 16 new towers will increase, “tower-to-person”, “vehicle-to-person” and “in-building” coverage. This interoperable system means federal, state, county, city and town emergency services all have the opportunity to be on a statewide integrated emergency communication network.

Joint Transportation, Highways & Military Affairs Committee (JTC) Chairman Representative John Eklund, JTC Chairman Senator Michael Von Flatern, Motorola Senior Project Manager

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Steve Langworthy, Public Safety Communication Committee (PSCC) Commissioner Mike Choma, PSCC Commissioner and Wyoming Highway Patrol Col. Kebin Haller, PSCC Commissioner Dwane Pacheco, PSCC Chariman Mark Harshman, WYDOT Director Luke Reiner, WYDOT CTO Pat Lewis ,PSCC Commissioner Doug Frank, WYDOT Emergency Communications Program Manager Troy Babbitt and WYDOT Emergency Communications WYOLINK Support Manager Nathan Smolinski participated in the groundbreaking.

In addition to Buffalo, new towers are being planned with local communities in Evanston, Jackson, Rock Springs, Alcova, Newcastle, Bondurant, North Goshen County/Lusk, Sundance, Greybull/Basin, Ten Sleep, North Bighorn County, Orin Junction and Wright. n

Buckling your seat belt may save your life

By Cody Beers We all drive to work, drive to school, drive to the store, drive to the doctor’s office and this list goes on and on. We live in rural Wyoming, and we must drive places to experience life.

Buckle up.

And driving is most likely the single most dangerous thing that any of us will do on any given day of our lives in Big Horn County, Wyoming.

Buckle up.

The morning of May 20, I was driving toward the Wyoming Department of Transportation’s district office in Basin. At the Hot Springs-Washakie County line, about 7:40 a.m., cars were parked along the shoulder of the US 20/WYO 789, and people were rushing to help at the crash scene. I slowed. That’s when the white sheet caught my eye. Then the people’s faces … they had witnessed another death on Wyoming’s highways … 63rd of the year, to be exact.

Buckle up.

The “death” looks on the citizens’ faces and the white sheet have stuck with me throughout this week. The Thermopolis woman was someone’s friend, someone’s co-worker, someone’s daughter, someone’s someone. Today, she’s a memory. It sucks.

The fatal crash was unusual, because both drivers in the near head-on crash were wearing their seat belts. About half of the year’s fatal crashes have involved drivers or passengers who weren’t wearing their seat belts. Unfortunately, the sheer force of Monday morning’s crash, wet road conditions, and an improper passing decision contributed to the 40-year-old woman’s death.

The 62-year-old Worland man who survived the crash was also wearing his seat belt; his decision likely prevented serious injury,

or even death. He was treated and released Monday from the Worland hospital.

Buckle up.

Buckling your seat belt is your best defense against a drunk driver. Wearing your seat belt may be one of the best decisions you make to save your own life, or the life of your passengers. It may surely be one of the best decisions you make for your family.

As our busy summer driving season approaches, law enforcement officers all over Wyoming and our nation are reminding drivers about the importance of seat belt use. The annual Click It or Ticket high-visibility enforcement effort underway is focused on enforcing seat belt use. It only takes seconds to buckle your seat belt.

Buckle up.

Whatever we do and whenever we do it, our main focus every day should be about returning home safely to our friends and family, such as a homebound parent, our little boy or little girl, our dog, our horse, our cat, etc. The most important things to each and every one of us are home, waiting for us to return.

This is a very simple message. Buckle up. Drive defensively.

Turn on your headlights so that other drivers will see you. Drive at or below the speed limit. Be aware of what is happening around you. Limit your distractions and just drive.

Buckle up. n

Step 1.

Get it together.

Step 2.

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Everyone Needs Confined Space Awareness

By Todd DePorter, Employee Safety You are leaving work on a Friday afternoon with nothing but the weekend ahead of you. You exit the building and begin your short walk across the parking lot to your car. Approaching your car, your notice an open manhole with three orange cones around it, and an aluminum ladder rising out of the hole. No one appears to be around and you wonder to yourself, who would leave an open man-hole with no one watching it? The heavy steel manhole cover is lying next to the opening and has red lettering stenciled on top labeled “Confined Space Permit Required.” As you get closer you can hear someone murmuring from the bottom of the hole and believe you hear the word “help.” You look down inside the opening and can barely see the darkened silhouette of a person lying down and not moving. Your shout down of “Hey, are you all right?” goes unanswered, and you worry he may be in a lifeor-death situation. You try to recall the First Aid training you received more than a year ago. What do you do? Should you go down the ladder and offer First Aid and CPR, or do you call 911 and wait for help?

Surprisingly, similar situations happen almost daily across the country. The worker down in the manhole in this situation has unexpectedly become incapacitated in a confined space. So what is a confined space, and why should you be concerned about it?

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“ ... you can hear someone murmuring from the bottom of the hole and believe you hear the word “help.”

You look down inside the opening and can barely see the darkened silhouette of a person lying down and not moving.

What do you do?”

Confined Space Definition

A confined space is any space not meant for human occupancy and is large enough or so configured to allow a person to bodily enter to perform work, such as a culvert. Additionally, OSHA stipulates confined spaces have limited or restricted means for entry and exit. At WYDOT, we have numerous confined spaces: such as underground utility vaults, sewer holes, hot work plant drums and sander truck beds. Most confined

spaces are easily recognized by warning labeling and signs. The signs will read “Danger, Permit Required Confined Space.” Only WYDOT employees and/or WYDOT contractors with current training, equipment, planning and knowledge can enter confined spaces.

Confined Space Dangers

According to the Department of Labor, the majority of the people killed in confined spaces because of a lack of oxygen, exposure to hazardous gases or were asphyxiated in a crushing space with converging walls. More alarming is that 66 percent of the deaths in confined spaces included would-be rescuers who didn’t recognize the confined space dangers and went in after an incapacitated coworker.

Confined Spaces at Home

Although most confined spaces will be labeled, it is still possible to come across an unmarked confined space or one that was incorrectly evaluated. Also, you may have spaces in and around your home that qualify as a confined space concern. As an example, the crawl space in your home may have standing water or sewage from a leak, mold and electrical hazards. Always call a professional to enter the crawl space of your home if you have any doubt or concerns of a lurking hazard.

Safety Recommendations

Here are some steps you can take if you come across an open and unattended confined space: 1. Stop. Do not enter any space you are not trained and equipped to enter. This includes sticking any part of your head or body into the confined space.

2. Contact emergency services (911) if you suspect or know someone is in danger in a confined space. Do not enter the confined space.

3. If no one is in danger, but the space is open and unattended, call the owner or your supervisor. Contact WYDOT Employee Safety in any case you can’t reach the owner or responsible party. If you can, remain at the location to notify others to stay out of the confined space.

Based on everything you just read, what will do you in the scenario at the beginning of this article? The right thing to do is call 911 and alert others nearby of the situation. Help keep any unqualified would-be rescuers from attempting a rescue prior to emergency services personnel arriving on the scene. Don’t let yourself or anyone else become a victim. Finally, seek medical attention if you believe you were exposed to hazardous gases or contaminants.

According to the U.S. Labor Department, confined spaces took the lives of 166 people in 2017. This unnecessary loss of life is shocking, and it serves as a reminder for all of us to understand what a confined space is and the dangers associated with them.

Remember, never enter a confined space unless you have the training, equipment and resources available to safety carry out the activity you are planning. Please contact Employee Safety if you have any questions at dot-employee-safety@wyo.gov or call 777-4837, 777-4460 or 777-4021. n

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WYDOT employee retires after 61 years of service

By Stephanie Harsha The Wyoming Department of Transportation’s longest running employee David Fedrizzi is bringing to a close a very long and successful career of 61 years.

“Employees like David show the caliber of workers we have at the Wyoming Department of Transportation,” said WYDOT Director K. Luke Reiner. “We have dedicated employees committed to ensuring the department is the best it can be. I want to thank David for his years of service and dedication. He will truly be missed.”

Growing up in Rock Springs, Fedrizzi always had a penchant for hard work and dedicated himself to his studies. He was eventually rewarded for that work when he was honored Fedrizzi in 1965 as the valedictorian for the class of 1954 at Rock Springs High School. He went on to the University of Wyoming, earning a Bachelor’s of Science in Civil Engineering.

During the summer prior to his senior year of college, Fedrizzi unknowing began a career at the Wyoming Highway Department that would span six decades. He began his career as a summer

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hire levelman on the Rock Springs Survey crew.

Following graduation from the University of Wyoming, he joined the United States Army and served three years, providing training and supporting border patrol units in Texas. After his service, he returned to Wyoming and once again, began working for the Wyoming Highway Department, this time as a highway engineer in Rock Springs. Fedrizzi had made such an impression on the survey crew earlier that WYDOT supervisors set out to recruit him upon his return from military service.

“Bill Mitchelson actually came over to my house and asked me to work for the department again. Of course, I said yes,” Fedrizzi recalled.

Fedrizzi took a position as a highway engineer in Rock Springs and also taught introductory engineering courses at Western Wyoming Community College from 1961-1965.

“At the time, I think the college was trying to establish an engineering department. The president of the college at the time had taken a job at New Mexico State and had wanted me to come on as a full time faculty member there. I didn’t want to move there. I liked Wyoming and the Highway Department too much to make a move like that,” Fedrizzi said.

Fedrizzi did, however, make the move to Cheyenne in 1966 to

join the bridge department.

“Charlie Wilson had always wanted me to come work in Cheyenne. The bridge department was always looking for top students and he wanted me to work there based on my academic record,” Fedrizzi said.

Top field supervisors at the Highway Department were always trying to draw Fedrizzi back to the field and he took a job in Sundance in 1968. However, shortly after taking the job in Sundance, Fedrizzi received word that his father had passed away very suddenly and felt the call to return to home to be with his family. He immediately returned to Rock Springs to be with his mother. It wasn’t long before he was again recruited to work for the department.

“I actually came home without a job. But Alfred DeBernardi, who was the district engineer at the time, asked me if I wanted a job. He said the reason he wanted to hire me was that they were just beginning to build a road to the Jim Bridger Power Plant and it had to be built for not one cent over $400,000. He knew I could get that road built to budget. Initially the road was suppose to go to the front gate, but then they wanted to extend the road to the parking lot and that added half a mile. So we did it and we still built it for $396,000. I was pretty proud of that,” Fedrizzi said.

In the 1980s, Fedrizzi began to work less in the field and more in the office in order to be available to take care of his ailing mother. One of Fedrizzi’s responsibilities was checking final projects.

Bob Maxim, WYDOT engineer out of Pinedale, recalls Fedrizzi’s impact on him during that time.

“When I started with the Wyoming Highway Department back then in 1984, I was tasked with helping Fedrizzi when he was the finals engineer during the winter. Wow, what an eye opener for a new engineer fresh out of college. Fedrizzi was and still is an extremely kind man who was always extremely organized and his attention to detail was unmatched. He was instrumental in my training as a WYDOT engineer when I worked for David Fedrizzi (right front) with the Rock Springs crew, in festive high-vis orange, at his retirement party him in finals. The valuable experion May 29.

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Photo: WYDOT

Photo: Rick Carpenter Photo: WYDOT

David Fedrizzi (right) with his brother, Fred, at his 60-year service award luncheon in June 2018.

ence that I learned from him has stuck with me through all of my years. David was very thorough in his work and who could ever forget his ‘green’ pencils!” Maxim recalled.

Fedrizzi continued to work at the Rock Springs office, holding various positions. He became an integral part of the District office and an important part of the family culture of WYDOT. “He always remembers everyone’s name. And if he has met your spouse or children, he makes it a point to remember their name as well. It makes you feel like you matter. You are not just a coworker, you are a friend,” district construction technician Becky Hager said.

Fedrizzi has also become the unofficial historian for highway work in District 3, managing the micro fiche library of as-constructed plans and taking calls and requests about past work in the area. Looking back, Fedrizzi recalled one of the most impactful jobs in his career—the construction of US 191 from the interstate to the Utah line from 1961 to 1964.

“I worked on the East Side Road (191 South) and I campaigned hard for a lake side road. At the time, there was no road out there and no continuous route from Canada to Mexico.

There was a missing link in that route from western Wyoming to the corner of Utah. That is why they decided to build it where it is today. It was a high-pressure job that needed to be built quickly – 56 miles of road in less than four years. We had to meet the time schedule and it would have taken too long to build a lakeside road,” Fedrizzi said.

Fedrizzi has been eligible for retirement since the early 2000s, but continued to work, commenting that he just couldn’t see himself as a retired person, that it didn’t quite feel right. Now, Fedrizzi said, things have changed.

“It just feels right now. And I better do it while it still feels good,” Fedrizzi said.

The Wyoming Department of Transportation has been lucky to have benefited from such institutional knowledge, as well as his kindness and support to his coworkers and friends.

“David’s experience in, and knowledge of, the department will very much be missed. He has always approached his work in a positive, professional manner. We all wish him the best as he moves into the next phase of life,” Compton said. n

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By Aimee Inama section of road between Laramie and Rawlins.

Wyoming Trucking Association members learned more about The project includes installing truck passing lanes on 2 miles new safety communication technology and other transportation eastbound over Halleck Ridge and 3.53 miles westbound between safety initiatives during the group’s 80th annual conference.

Cooper Cove and Quealy Dome Road, and the addition of truck Wyoming Department of Transportation Director K. Luke parking areas at Walcott Junction and Quealy Dome.

Reiner and Wyoming Highway Patrol Col. Kebin Haller spoke to The grant also includes installing safety communication the group about the safety initiatives, new policies and highway devices in that area, which will allow the department to provide safety statistics during the conference recently in Cheyenne. traveler information messages to drivers and will supplement Reiner gave an overview of the new Connected Vehicle comWYDOT’s Connected Vehicle Pilot Program. munications technology, the Move Over law and a new federal Reiner also talked about the issues before the Joint TransporBetter Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) tation Committee, which include looking into tolling along I-80 grant, construction projects and issues before the state Legislaand reducing wildlife collisions with wildlife crossings. ture’s Joint Transportation Committee.

The association also learned that Patrol is working on updat“We are one of three states in the nation to be involved in the ing several policies dealing with commercial vehicles, towing and Connected Vehicle pilot program,” Reiner said. “We are in the other issues. Patrol’s industry partners will be given an opportuprocess of equipping 400 vehicles with this new technology. The nity to comment on those issues before anything takes effect. end result is to keep traffic safer.”

With the association’s members using the state’s roads freThe technology will be used along Interstate 80 and will help quently, Haller urged everyone to make sure they stay safe by alert traffic to hazards and other conditions. always wearing their seat belts, slowing down for conditions and With truck drivers hauling materials through the state to difnot driving distracted. ferent locations, Reiner wanted to remind the association memThe year isn’t even half over, and the state has seen more fatalbers of the new Move Over law, which is designed to help protect ities than during the same time last year. As of May 16, Wyoming workers who work alongside the roads. had 63 fatalities. There were 34 at the same time last year.

The new Move Over law not only requires motorists to move “It’s alarming the number of fatalities we have had so far,” over for parked emergency responders like the WHP, but also for Haller said. “We looked at them individually and collectively. authorized municipal, public utility and highway construction There are some commonalities but also some differences. One of vehicles, tow trucks or highway maintenance vehicles like those those commonalities is driver inattentiveness.” at WYDOT. That inattentiveness can result from a variety of reasons inWhen a motorist encounters any of the vehicles parked on cluding cellphone use. the side of the road on a road with two or more lanes in the same “We are a society that’s becoming more connected,” Haller direction, they must move to the farthest lane away from the said. “I’m challenging all of you and our Wyoming citizens to put stopped vehicle. down the devices, obey the speed limits and always buckle up.” n On a two-lane road where speeds are 45 mph or greater, motorists must slow down to 20 mph below the posted speed limit.

Motorists can be fined $235 for failure to move over.

“This provides another layer of protection to those who work on our state highways and secondary roads so they can make it home safe to their families,” Reiner said.

Regarding construction, Reiner said there are several areas within the state that have additional passing lanes to help with traffic flow, such as WYO 59 between Douglas and Wright and US 20-26 near Casper.

The new $20 million BUILD grant the federal government recently awarded Col. Kebin Haller speaking at the Wyoming Trucking Association meeting about new safety comWYDOT will also help improve traffic flow munication and other initiatives with WYDOT Director Luke Reiner (right) and Wyoming Trucking along I-80. The grant will improve a 45-mile Association Board Member Danny Hansen looking on.

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Photo: WYDOT

WYDOT officials update Trucking Association on several safety initiatives

Photos: Rick Carpenter

WYDOT’s Chief Technology Officer to retire June 3

By Aimee Inama Wyoming Department of Transportation’s Chief Technology Officer Pat Lewis will retire on June 3 after serving in the position for almost three years.

Lewis, who has 26 years of service with the state of Wyoming, was WYDOT’s first ever CTO. WYDOT has not yet announced a replacement for Lewis.

“All of the people within this agency are incredible and I will miss them,” Lewis said. “It’s been a pleasure to serve as the CTO and work with such a talented group of people. WYDOT employees are truly dedicated to serving the people of Wyoming.”

As CTO, Lewis oversees the Geographic Information Systems/ Intelligent Transportation System/Transportation Management Center, Information Technology/Data Storage/Web Applications and Emergency Communications programs of WYDOT. “Although I’ve only worked with Pat for a few months since becoming WYDOT’s newest director, he has worked hard to make positive changes throughout the department,” WYDOT Director K. Luke Reiner said. “Those changes will have a lasting impact. I am truly grateful for his dedication to not only WYDOT but the people of Wyoming.”

During his time at WYDOT, Lewis has overseen several accomplishments within his programs.

Lewis has helped streamline the technology organizations within WYDOT, reorganize the Public Safety Communications Commission following a Legislative move from Homeland Security, and initiated outreach efforts to local communities, city councils and county commissioners to better understand relationship conditions and rebuild credibility.

He also led the expansion of the WyoLink system, to include 16 new towers statewide. Wyo-Link, an integrated, interoperable emergency communication network for entire state of Wyoming, currently has 77 towers.

The additional 16 will expand the number of towers to 93, and

fill gaps in service. WYDOT recently broke ground at the Buffalo site, which is the first of the 16 additional towers.

The towers have proven to be effective and beneficial. During the 2017 solar eclipse, the Wyo-Link towers processed about 624,000 calls.

Another accomplishment under Lewis was the support of continuous improvements to WYDOT’s 511 website, map and smartphone app, which continue to be popular with the public.

Last year, there were 1.6 billion hits to the 511 map.

“It’s very important to note that these accomplishments were achieved by a team of very talented program managers and personnel in the technology division that I have had the pleasure to oversee at WYDOT,” Lewis said.

Lewis will actually end his career working for the same state agency he started with. While attending the University of Wyoming for broadcasting, Lewis worked for WYDOT’s Highway Safety Office for three summers, driving the photo log vehicle and capturing images for the department.

After attending the University of Wyoming, Lewis began his career working for Channel 5 Television in Cheyenne. He was at Channel 5 for 14 years, working in various positions including serving as production department manager.

Lewis then went to work for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and then the state’s Information Technology Department, which is now the state Department of Enterprise Technology Services.

After that, Lewis went back to the Game and Fish Department as its network administrator and then information technology program manager, a position he held for 16 years before coming to WYDOT. After he retires, Lewis plans to continue to shoot video and take photographs for rodeo events such as Cheyenne Frontier Days and others throughout the country. n

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USDOT announces $16 million in infrastructure grants to three airports in Wyoming said Melissa Palka, WYDOT airport engineer.

Torrington Municipal Airport is slated to received $5,000,000 to relocate and extend a taxiway, as well as other safety improvements.

This funding is in addition to the $3.31 billion awarded in FAA Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funding during fiscal year 2018, and $205 million awarded in the first portion of supplemental AIP funding in September 2018. The construction and equipment supported by this funding increases airports safety, emergency response capabilities, capacity and will support further potential growth and development within each airport’s region.

“We value the strong, collaborative relationship we have with the FAA, in particular the Denver Airports District Office,” said Brian Olsen, WYDOT Aeronautics administrator. “These projects will help the state provide a safe, efficient transportation system for the traveling public.”

FAA published a Federal Register notice on July 9, 2018, explaining the supplemental funding evaluation criteria and submission process. After the FAA awarded $205 million to 37 airports in 34 states in September 2018, airports in October 2018 submitted additional funding requests for grant awards in fiscal years 2019 or 2020.

The requirements under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 include: • Requiring the FAA to give “priority consideration” to specific types of airports (smaller and more rural airports); • For non-primary airports, there is no local match required for the work covered by the grant; and • Requiring the FAA to obligate the supplemental funding by September 2020.

Under the Secretary’s leadership, the FAA is administering the supplemental funding to strengthen the safety and efficiency of America’s airports.

These investments increase the nation’s competitiveness and improve the quality of life for the traveling public. According to the FAA’s most recent economic analysis, U.S. civil aviation accounts for $1.6 trillion in total economic activity and supports nearly 11 million jobs.

According to WYDOT’s most recent economic analysis, 35 airports in the Wyoming Aviation System account for $1.4 billion in total economic activity and support more than 12,000 jobs annually.

Photo: Rick Carpenter

According to a May 15, 2019, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) press release, U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao announced the intent to award $779 million in supplemental federal infrastructure grants to 127 airports in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

“This supplemental funding allows us to invest in important infrastructure needs at the nation’s airports, especially those serving smaller and rural communities,” said U.S. Chao.

Three Wyoming public-use airports were included in the list of U.S. airports slated for additional federal funding. These airports include the Casper/Natrona County International Airport (CPR), Rawlins Municipal/Harvey Field (RWL) and Torrington Municipal Airport (TOR). Selected projects include runway and taxiway work, as well as renovation and expansion of an aircraft rescue and fire fighting (ARFF) training facility.

The largest of the three intended grants in Wyoming, for $8,714,750, will be used to rehabilitate an ARFF training facility and purchase a new 3,000-gallon ARFF vehicle.

“Both the facility and vehicle are reaching the end of their useful life, so without these funds to purchase a new vehicle and reconstruct the training facility, we would be looking at winding down the operations here,” said Glenn Januska, airport director, in a May 14 media release. “To extend the life of the facility and training vehicle, plus provide much needed training space, will allow the facility to be used many years in the future.”

In addition to the grant for the ARFF updates in Casper, the intention to award grants was announced for projects at two other Wyoming airports.

Rawlins Municipal/Harvey Field is slated to receive $2,975,000 to rehabilitate a runway. The runway, which is critical for regional fire-fighting and medical flights, was nearing the point of having to be reconstructed without this grant funding, which would have significantly increased the cost of the project,

USDOT infrastructure grants benefit Wyoming airports.

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Each of the new employees taking the onboarding course was asked to go on a scavenger hunt to meet current employees.

These are a few of the photos returned from that hunt.

Left photo, from left: New Employee (NE) Kai Ginest, Maintenance – Pinedale; Huston Twitchell, Office Services – Printing; and NE Ashlee Erickson, Employee Safety – Cheyenne. Center photo, from left: Taylor Ree, Geology; Kirk Hood, Geology; and NE Blake Vaughn, Maintenance – Chugwater. Right photo, from left: Pat Bennett, Materials; and NE Jayden Haslam, Maintenance – Pinedale.

Know WY• – New Employee Onboarding Beginning in March of this year, all new employees were automatically assigned the Know WY. New Employee Onboarding Learning Plan in the WELL, and have attended an orientation on the first day of the month after their start date with their local Human Resources Representative. In April, many of our newest employees attended the first Know WY. Workshop at Cheyenne Headquarters.

The Know WY. Workshop is meant to foster a positive experience for new WYDOT employees, orient them to WYDOT’s vision and culture, and to provide them with an overview of the agency resources. Our newest employees were introduced to Myers Briggs to help them become aware of and value the differences of their new teammates and coworkers, refresh their understanding of some core competencies including what cus-

tomer service, communication and accountability should look like at WYDOT, and have hands on experience using our Google Suite including Gmail, Calendar, and Google Drive. Additionally, highlights for our newest employees included a scavenger hunt to help them explore and learn about WYDOT, along with the opportunity to meet the new Director as he discussed his first impressions of leading this agency.

The Know WY. Workshop finished with employees getting hands on safety training in the use of fire extinguishers, first aid/ CPR and OSHA 10.

If you’ve recently hired a new employee, we encourage you to work with them to register for an upcoming Know WY. Workshop as part of their Know WY. New Employee Onboarding Learning Plan. n June 2019

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District News Headquarters

Welcome

and Stephen Toalson, Highway Safety.

Dale Armstrong, Driver ServicesCDL; Susan Berkeyheiser, Patrol-Safety and Training; Ethan Bridges, PatrolSafety and Training; Micah Burke, Patrol-Safety and Training; Keegan Dentici, Patrol-Safety and Training; Ashlee Erickson, Employee Safety; Jacob Fourman, Patrol-Safety and Training; Janelle Ladbury, Bridge-Engineering Design; Andrew Larue, Bridge-Engineering Design; Corey McCallister, Patrol-Safety and Training; Tyler Randig, Patrol-Safety and Training; Ryan Royce, Highway Development-Project Development; Clifford Schrock, Patrol-Safety and Training; Wallace Schulthess, Patrol-Safety and Training; Jason Simmer, Patrol-Safety and Training; Tyler Smith, Patrol-Safety and Training; Callie Strode, Emergency Communications; and Adam Watson, Patrol-Safety and Training.

Clifford Spoonemore, Maintenance Staff – 35 years; Bruce Morgenstern, Materials-Asphalt and Chemistry – 30 years; Darrin Hamilton, Patrol-Special Permits – 25 years; Derek Mickelson, Patrol-Safety and Training – 20 years; Robert Armstrong, Highway Development-Photogrammetry and Survey – 5 years; Mark Corbridge, Right of Way-Admininistration – 5 years; and

Service Awards

Spoonemore

Promotions and Transfers Austin Barker, Patrol-Safety and Training; Leanna Humble, Planning-Local Government Coordination; Kelsey Johnson, Bridge-Hydraulics; Joseph Lobert, Facilities ManagementSecurity; Brianne Lopez, Highway Development-Project Development-Utilities; John Poelma, Maintenance Staff; Ainslee Ross, Financial Services-General Ledger; John Thiel, GIS/ITS; Lopez

Morgenstern

Hamilton

Mickelson

Armstrong

Corbridge

Hearn

Phillip Hearn, Aeronautics Engineering/Construction Staff – 5 years.

Retirements Bob Bonds retired on April 13 after working for WYDOT for almost 29 years.

He worked in Environmental Services as a natural resources program supervisor.

He was originally hired as an engineer in Douglas and then worked in Project Development in Cheyenne before moving to Environmental Services.

He graduated from the University of Wyoming with a degree in civil engineering.

Congratulations Marcus Anderson was selected as the State Maintenance Engineer in Cheyenne.

He assumed his new position May 1.

Anderson began his career at WYDOT in 1995 as a senior engineer with Aeronautics. He was a Maintenance Staff Engineer with Field Operations prior to his promotion.

Anderson is a graduate of Colorado Anderson State University. n

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NO

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POSSIBLE INJURY

MINOR

INJURY

SERIOUS INJURY

FATAL INJURY

88% 84% 77% 55% 36% WORE A SEAT BELT

WORE A SEAT BELT

WORE A SEAT BELT

WORE A SEAT BELT

WORE A SEAT BELT

I PLEDGE TO BUCKLE UP

EVERY RIDER EVERY TIME #BUCKLEUP4LIFEWY

BUCKLING UP IS THE BEST PROTECTION IN A CRASH. IN FACT, WEARING A SEAT BELT REDUCES THE RISK OF DYING IN A CRASH BY 45 PERCENT IN A CAR AND UP TO 60 PERCENT IN A PICKUP TRUCK.

District 2

District 1

Welcome

Welcome

Jennifer Chaney, Baggs Maintenance; Robert Dunckley, Baggs Maintenance; and Dan Olson, Laramie Maintenance.

Craig Jepson, Douglas Construction; and Glenn Maguire, Douglas Construction.

Promotions and Transfers Promotions and Transfers Damion Fauver, Cheyenne Maintenance; and Shad Pitt, Arlington Maintenance.

Randall Griesbach, District 1 Traffic Staff – 35 years; Jon Olson, Rawlins Construction – 30 years; and Dwight Stanfill, Laramie Construction – 25 years.

Pitt

Retirements Ken Link retired on May 6 from Emergency Communications, formerly Telecommunications, in Casper.

Link retires with 28 years of service to the state. n

Service Awards Lyle Short, Torrington Traffic-Striping – 15 years;

Short Photo: WYDOT

Service Awards

Nicholas Koch, Torrington Construction; Chance Phillips, Traffic-Signing; Shane Powell, District 2 Maintenance Staff.

David Cullison, Traffic-Signing – 5 years; and Andrew Tkach, Port of Entry-Casper – 5 years.

Program Manager Troy Babbitt traveled to Casper to congratulate Emergency Communications Technician Ken Link (left) for his years of service to WYDOT.

Griesbach Cullison

Tkach

District 3

Welcome Stanfill

Retirements Larry Geldien retired on April 1 from Laramie Construction in a senior construction and field survey position. He retired with 35 years of service.

He began his career Geldien with WYDOT in 1984 as a temporary highway construction technician.

Promotions and Transfers

Jeremiah Mrsny retired on April 6 with 17 years of service.

Mrsny worked for the Douglas Police Department before getting hired by WHP. He was originally stationed in Kemmerer but served his remaining years in the Mrsny Cheyenne area. n

George Miles, Evanston Construction – 30 years; John Bundy, Rock Springs Mechanics – 20 years; Stephen Montoya, Granger Maintenance – 20 years;

Montoya

Gary Lance, Lyman Maintenance.

Service Awards

Lance

Pitlock

David Peterson, Evanston Construction – 15 years; Rollin Moon, Evanston Mechanics – 5 years; and David Pitlock, Port of Entry-Kemmerer – 5 years. n

Bundy

Photo: WYDOT

Olson

Jayden Haslam, Pinedale Maintenance; Crysta Herman, Port of EntryEvanston; Cameron Hoffman, Afton Construction; and Anthony Warpness, Traffic-Electrical.

Ray Avery receiving his 20-year service award from Darin Kaufman.

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District 4

Welcome

Promotions and Transfers

Charles Schuler III, Gillette Mechanics.

Preston Beckstead, Sundance Construction; Melvin Kinsinger, Gillette Maintenance; and Anthony Niswender, Gillette Construction.

Been outdoors recently?

Prove it!

Service Awards Schuler

Beckstead

Debra Duffield, Gillette Construction – 30 years.

Outdoors photos deadline:

ading!

Re

Niswender

le Afte yc

r

Kinsinger

ease Re c Pl

Duffield

06/15/19 carlie.vanwinkle@wyo.gov

District 5

Service Awards

Paumer, District Engineer Pete Hallsten, Merritt, and Traffic Engineer Jack Hoffman. Not pictured were Public Relations Specialist Cody Beers, Human Resources Associate Kari Davis and Wyoming Highway Patrol Capt. Steven Sanders.

Oops!

Eckhardt

Crawford

Stroble

Welch

Career day

Basin employees and Shoshoni High School students at a career day event in May.

Photo: WYDOT

Hoffman

There was an error in the cutline of the photo with Steve Paumer in last months’ issue.

Here is the updated cutline: District 5 Staff stood with District Facility Coordinator Steve Paumer and District Construction Engineer Randy Merritt as they received their 35-year and 15-year service awards, respectively, in April. From left, Equipment Supervisor Daren Wagner, Maintenance Engineer Lyle Lamb,

Photo: WYDOT

Stuart Eckhardt, Cody Construction – 30 years; Ronald Hoffman, Riverton Construction – 30 years; Michael Crawford, Riverton Maintenance – 25 years;

Michael Stroble, Cody Maintenance – 15 years; and Jamie Welch, Lander Construction – 15 years.

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June 2019

Awards WHP Troopers awarded at conference

District 2 WTDEA

Eight WHP Troopers were recognized for their outstanding enforcement and education at the Impaired Driving Conference held in Laramie.

Trooper Damon Bowen, Jackson; Trooper Josh Gebauer, Cheyenne; Trooper Mike Petruso, Laramie; and Trooper Gabe Testerman, Cheyenne, were all presented with the 2018 Outstanding Impaired Driving Enforcement award.

Trooper Adam Bruning, Casper; Trooper James Rose, Sundance; Trooper Cody Smith, Douglas; and Trooper Jaime Wingard, Wheatland, received the Outstanding Traffic Safety Education award. n

Bowen

Gebauer

Petruso

Testerman

Bruning

Rose

Smith

Wingard

ATV Poker Rally

Registered participants complete the run at their own pace.

Group social and winner announcement at 3:00 p.m.

Poker hands $5 each; ghost hands available.

Registration starts at 10:00 a.m. on June 22.

For more information, contact your WTDEA representative or Debbie Herbold at 307-473-3258.

Rally starts at the Sunset Trailhead near Esterbrook, Wyoming Camping sites are available at the Esterbrook Campground. Call the USDA Forest Service for camping info at 307-358-4690.

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Lawrence J. Gunton, 92, of Cheyenne, passed away May 14 at the Davis Hospice Center surrounded by his loving family Gunton was born Oct. 10, 1926, in Cleveland, Ohio. He was a graduate of Willoughby High School in Willoughby, Ohio, and served in the U.S. Gunton Army during World War II. Following his honorable discharge, he married Dorothy M. Christensen on April 4, 1947.

Gunton worked for the old Wyoming Highway Department as an accountant for 36.5 years, retiring in May 1987. Following his retirement, he enjoyed gardening, bike riding around town and building with Legos. He will be remembered for his commitment to his love of his family and to the First Christian Church.

Visitation was held on May 16 at the Schrader, Aragon and Jacoby Funeral Home in Cheyenne. A memory service was celebrated on May 17 at the First Christian Church. An interment service followed at the Lakeview Cemetery.

Charlett Leece Charlett “Charlie” Leece, 69, died April 25 at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital after complications from a stem cell transplant.

Leece was born Feb. 14, 1950, in Wheatland and lived in Guernsey until she moved to Laramie to attend the University of Wyoming.

She met her Leece husband Jim Leece in 1973 and the couple moved to Cheyenne.

Leece worked for the Wyoming Highway Patrol Records Division until her retirement in March 2012.

Leece was an artist. Whether it was fabric, fiber, beads or paper, she would make frame worthy, desirable art. She never judged people. She always wanted

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June 2019

Terryl L. Perkins

William L. Schmidt William “Bill” “Schmidty” Leonard Schmidt, 76, died peacefully at his home on April 23.

He was born Dec. 25, 1942 in Brush, Colorado and graduated from Laramie High School in 1960.

Nearly a decade later, he married Glenda Kay Michaud.

Schmidt Schmidt enjoyed many jobs throughout his life, his favorite being a mechanic for WYDOT. He worked in the Laramie shop beginning in 1974 and retired June 30, 2008. Post-retirement, he worked for Simon Contractors.

Schmidt was an avid collector of vintage cars, model trains, Star Wars memorabilia and M&M figurines. He loved attending Wyoming Cowboy sporting events and vacationing in Hawaii.

He was a member of both the Elks and Moose Lodges.

A memorial graveside service was held June 4 at Greenhill Cemetery with the Reverend Dick Naumann presiding, followed by a reception and lunch at the Laramie Elks Lodge. n

Terryl “Terry” Lynn Perkins, 79, of Basin, passed away peacefully on May 9 at the Bonnie Bluejacket Nursing Home.

She was born in Hagerstown, Maryland on Sept. 25, 1939.

Terry and her husband Dale moved to Wyoming and made their home in Basin where they raised their three sons: Rory, Nick and Perkins Greg.

While raising their children, Perkins was very involved with horses, endurance rides across the country and she played a big role in assisting with and participating in the Big Horn 100 annually for many years. She was also a lover of her dogs and cats.

Perkins joined the workforce at the old Wyoming Highway Department, WYDOT’s predecessor agency, in Oct. 14, 1968. She retired on Sept. 29, 1995, after 23 years of service to the state, but rejoined WYDOT as a temporary worker from Dec. 1, 1997, through Sept. 24, 2001.

She had an outgoing and cheerful personality and was a bright light in the department. Perkins never hesitated to volunteer to fill in as a dispatcher during winter storms, whenever those services were needed.

No services were held per her request.

Perkins’ cremains were placed next to those of her husband, All proceeds benefit the WTDEA who preceded her in State Board Scholarship Fund. death.

WTDEA

Lawrence Gunton

District 2

Passings

to help in any way and mostly wanted to have fun and enjoy each day.

There was a celebration of life held on May 24 at the Kiwanis Community House in Lions Park.

DJI Spark drone Raffle $5 per ticket 5 tickets for $20

Drawing to be held after the ATV Poker Rally on June 22.

For tickets or more information, contact your WTDEA Representative or Debbie Herbold at 307-473-3258.

WTDEA

‘Tis the season for WTDEA scholarships Headquarters chapter awarded three $500 scholarships to qualified applicants.

Drew Ellis, son of Sgt. Duane Ellis with Patrol, is currently studying agriculture business at the University of Wyoming.

Hunter Galluzzo, son of Danielle Galluzzo with Driver’s Services, is studying agricultural education and economics at the University of Wyoming.

Trace Ketterling, son of Kent Ketterling with Cheyenne Construction Administration, is conGalluzzo Ketterling tinuing his study of music technology at Montana State University.

Amelia Van Winkle, daughter of Carlie Van Winkle in Public Affairs, was chosen as an alternate. She will be starting her freshman year at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in the fall.

Each of the Headquarters chapter scholar- Van Winkle ship recipients will receive $250 per semester.

District 1 chapter received only one application for their scholarship and it was awarded to Koltyn Barber, daughter of Rich Barber, from Laramie. Barber will receive $250 per semester from the District 1 20192020 scholarship fund.

Barber is studying Recreational Therapy at Oklahoma State University, she held a 3.6 Barber GPA last semester.

Please remember if you have been a member for at least the last two years your college-age children can qualify for scholarship assistance.

District 4 chapter awarded two $200 scholarships this year.

Trent Taylor, of Sheridan and son of District Engineer Scott Taylor, will be attending Sheridan College to study business.

Signe Simpson, daughter of Sundance Construction and Field Survey Specialist Tina Simpson, will be transferring to Simpson Nebraska to study geron- Taylor tology.

They both received $200 to further their studies.

WTDEA State Board will be meeting at the beginning of June to choose their scholarship winners and will announce them in the July issue. n

Fundraising raffle winner announced Prize includes a two-night stay at the historic Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado, plus $250 spending cash! Choose a classic queen or classic king room, Sunday-Thursday. Restrictions and blackout dates do apply. Winning certificate valid through February 1, 2020.

The District 1 scholarship fundraising effort offered the winner an overnight stay at the Wind River Casino plus a fly fishing adventure, complete with a new fly rod, reel and case.

The winner of this deluxe package was Bryan Miazga with Cheyenne Construction. n

Proceeds go toward the 2019 Christmas Party fund.

For tickets, contact your local WTDEA Representative.

For more information, contact Antonia Torres at 777-4820.

Tickets on sale May 20 - June 14

Drawing held June 19

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Photo: Mark Kelly

Rides

Mark Kelly with Emergency Communications added a Grand American Modified car to his garage.

Above, his son, Marcus, is racing it at Colorado National Speedway in Dacono, Colorado.

The Wyoming Department of Transportation and the Wyoming Highway Patrol urged motorists to be extra vigilant when traveling during the upcoming Union Pacific (UP) railroad events.

UP held several events on May 4 and May 19 where the Big Boy No. 4014 and the Living Legend No. 844 made their way through Wyoming parallel to Interstate 80.

The event marked the 150th anniversary of the transcontinental railroad’s completion when the last spike was tapped into place at Promontory Summit, Utah.

Motorists were not allowed to stop or park on the side of I-80 or along the overpasses or bridges. Violators who decided to stop along the interstate were fined up to $235.

“Speeds along Interstate 80 can be anywhere from 75 to 80 mph, which made it extremely dangerous for motorists to pull over,” said Wyoming Highway Patrol Sgt. Jeremy Beck. “For everyone’s safety, we urged motorists to park in designated areas in communities the trains passed through.”

The Wyoming Highway Patrol allowed troopers to work extra shifts to ensure the safety of the motoring public while this event took place. n

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Photo: Bryan Wenger

WYDOT, WHP urged motorists to stay alert during railroad event

Big Boy No. 4014 (first engine) and the Living Legend No. 844 steaming down the tracks that parallel I-80 through southern Wyoming.

By Carlie Van Winkle Burgess and Lund. The license plates are currently on display in The Wyoming license plate display which was originally the headquarters building main lobby. donated to WYDOT in 1959 by Howard L. Burke, of Cheyenne, License plate 2/977 now belongs to Rob Dickerson of Cheywas recently entered into a license plate collection exhibition. enne, and he brings in his retired plate when new ones are The WYDOT collection garnered the first place award from the released so the WYDOT collection can keep growing.

Wyoming License Plate Society.

The Wyoming License Plate Society holds plate meets twice Retired WYDOT Photogrammetry and Surveys employee per year, the second Saturdays in May and September. The next Rick Eccli is the current president of the Wyoming License Plate meet will be held in Wheatland in the fall. n Society. Eccli retired in 2003.

“Former WYDOT buildings and grounds employee and former Wyoming License Plate Society President Joe McKee was a driving force in getting the license plate collection cleaned up and restored back in 1959 after the donation by Burke,” said Eccli. “The original display was created right around the time the old Wyoming Highway Department moved from downtown Cheyenne to the new headquarters building on Bishop Boulevard.”

McKee has since retired from the state.

The display of plates has been given a new stand and wing-like panels by current WYDOT Planning employee Jesse Burgess and WYDOT License Plate Plant Manager Steve Lund.

The award was presented in the HeadThe WYDOT license plate collection won an award from the Wyoming License Plate Society this past quarters lobby by Eccli and McKee to

Photo: Rick Carpenter

Accolades for collection

Photo: Bryan Wenger

May at the Society’s May plate meet for license plate aficionados.

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June 2019

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Interchange subscription issue? Update your address:

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

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