March 2019 Interchange

Interchange March 2019

Vol. 47, Issue 3

Snowy Range Road bridge

Awarded “Project of the Year”

Interchange

Letters

Vol. 47, Issue 3

511 system kudos from OTR trucker Hello. I am an over-the-road truck driver, and I am leaving a comment about the 511 road system and your road maintenance crews. The way you maintain your roads in Wyoming and especially I-80 is commendable.

I am very grateful and thankful that you maintain your roads the way that you do and keep the 511 information updated.

The 511 system is very instrumental in making sure that I plan my routes safely and get where I’m going in one piece.

So, I just wanted to say thank you to whoever updates this information around the clock. You are doing a great job.

Santiago Hernandez Jr. Via phone message

Many thanks to Motor Vehicle Services Good Morning, I am sending this email in an effort to let you know that the staff at WYDOT has taken excellent care of JCB Trucking for over 15 years. I seldom get to write a good email these days, as it seems most business are short staffed and do not really focus on customer service, especially a state-run entity like yours.

I am sure it has been a trying time for everyone during this transition over to the online system and all. I want to personally thank Damion and Melinda in the IRP department and also Terry in IFTA. Over the years there have been many people that have treated us professionally and went above and beyond to meet our needs, but these three have been indis-

pensable in helping us in recent years and especially the past several months in assisting us with the move to your online platform.

Our experience with most state-run entities, to include other MVDs in different states, has mostly been negative and extremely frustrating to deal with. It is a breath of fresh air that you all have people like Melinda, Damion and Terry working for you. While it seems most MVDs try to find a reason not to help you, your division always tries to explain rules and regulations and truly help the customer understand what paperwork they need and why.

Even during the transition over to the online platform, which caused them to be overwhelmed with phone calls, emails and foot traffic, they did not falter and took the time to explain things and help with issues. Their overall professionalism, helpfulness and knowledge should be commended.

Lastly, I wanted to thank everyone for listening to my feedback with the online system as with any new platform there are always issues that need to be worked out and tweaked. For example, when filling in the IFTA form online you could not copy and paste, so basically most of us were having to do double data entry which leads to typos and unnecessary mistakes. I brought this to the attention of your staff and shortly thereafter, viola!; we could copy and paste to the form, thus saving us time and mistakes. Maybe one day we could have an import button that would take an excel format.

Once again, a big thank you to all.

Mark Ganley, Director JCB Trucking

Put a stop to distracted driving.

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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.

A WYDOT PUBLICATION

Contents

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Features 7 New WYDOT director named Luke Reiner appointed 18th director of agency

8 Laramie UPRR Overpass Wyoming Engineering Society’s Project of the Year

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9 Wyoming Conservation plates Public showing interest in new offering from WYDOT

Also in this issue Letters.........................................................................................2 District briefs.............................................................................4 District news...........................................................................13 Civil Rights...............................................................................10 Noteworthy..............................................................................10 By the Numbers.....................................................................10 Aeronautics..............................................................................11 Training.....................................................................................12 HR Happenings......................................................................16 Extra Mile Awards..................................................................16 Passings....................................................................................16 Rides..........................................................................................17 Break Time...............................................................................19

On the cover:

Brisk morning on WYO 210, Happy Jack Road.

Photo: Rick Carpenter

Kindly recycle this publication after reading.

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District Briefs Commission awards $11 million in highway contracts in February

CHEYENNE – Construction crews will repave a section of WYO 290 west of Meeteetse in Park County to improve the road surface.

The Wyoming Transportation Commission awarded McGarvin-Moberly Construction Co., of Worland, a $2.2 million contract for the work. The commission awarded that and eight other contracts totaling $11 million at its recent meeting.

For the work on WYO 290, crews will pave about five miles of road. The work will also include a chip seal applied to the surface to improve friction. In addition, crews will replace guard rail. The contract completion date is Oct. 31, 2019.

Other contracts the commission awarded included bridge, chip sealing and striping work.

Mountain Construction Co., of Lovell, won a $1.6 million contract for a pavement resurfacing project on US 310 and WYO 789 between Greybull and Lovell in Big Horn County.

Crews will mill and overlay about five miles of road and add a chip seal to the surface. The contract completion date is Oct. 31, 2019.

Croell Inc., of Sundance, was the low bidder on a $1.5 million project that will resurface 18 miles of gravel road on County Road 68 north of Moorcroft in Crook County.

The Wyoming Department of Transportation is working with the county on the project. The county received federal funding and WYDOT is overseeing the project. The contract completion date is Oct. 31, 2019.

The commission awarded King Enterprises, of Mills, a $1.5 million contract to replace deteriorating right-of-way fencing in Big Horn, Hot Springs, Park and Washakie counties. The contact completion date is Oct. 31, 2020.

HQ

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Bituminous Paving Inc., of Ortonville, Minnesota, received two contracts – $935,491 and $563,458 – for chip sealing work at various locations in Campbell, Goshen and Platte counties. The contract completion date for both contracts is Aug. 31, 2019.

Streamline Markings Inc., of Billings, Montana, received two contracts – $775,020 and $548,360 – for striping work at various locations in Albany, Campbell, Carbon, Crook, Johnson, Laramie and Sheridan counties. The contract completion date for both contracts is Sept. 30, 2019.

The commission also awarded Reiman Corp., of Cheyenne, a $1 million contract to install a temporary crossing and replace the Sybille Creek Bridge in Platte County. The contract completion date is May 31, 2020.

More work is needed to keep fatalities down in 2019 CHEYENNE – Although fatalities were down last year due to drivers being more cautious, more work is needed.

Statistics from the Wyoming Department of Transportation’s Highway Safety program indicated Wyoming had 108 fatalities in 2018, which was one of the lowest in six years. However, since the beginning of the year, there have been 16 fatalities, which is a relatively high number that month.

“Over time the public has done an incredible job helping us reduce fatalities and ensure they stay safe when driving on Wyoming’s roads,” WYDOT Director Bill Panos said. “We feel our messages that urge people not to drive drunk, not to drive distracted and to always wear their seat belts are resonating with Wyoming drivers. However, we can do much more to reduce our fatality rate.”

WYDOT and Wyoming Highway Patrol are urging the public to continue their efforts to keep fatalities down.

“Travelers in our state are losing their lives on our interstates and highways every week,” WHP Colonel Kebin Haller said. “Buckle up, watch your speed and keep your eyes on the road. All drivers

have a responsibility to make sound and safe decisions.”

Now that the winter season has arrived in Wyoming, WHP has seen some drivers not slowing down in adverse weather conditions resulting in some of the fatalities this year.

“People need to make sure they slow down for hazardous road conditions,” said WHP Sgt. Momen Elazizi. “They should reconsider their travel plans if conditions are poor. If they must travel, people should plan for extra time, check WYDOT’s 511 website for the latest road and travel conditions and of course slow down.”

Some other travel tips motorists can follow during winter conditions include: • Having a survival kit that contains water, blankets, non-perishable food, cell phone chargers, flashlights, jumper cables, and a shovel.

• Having an emergency first aid kit.

• Letting someone know their travel route.

• Having a full tank of gas.

• Getting a winter maintenance checkup on their vehicles.

WYDOT’s 511 website can be accessed at http://wyoroad.info. WYDOT provides the latest information on conditions to the traveling public on the website. The website also has a 511 app people can download to get the latest conditions from their cell phone.

Besides slowing down for conditions during winter weather, motorists should always wear their seat belts, never drive distracted, never drive drunk and obey posted speed limits. By doing so, they can improve their chances of not being involved in an injury or fatal crash.

“People think it’s not going to happen to me until it does happen,” Elazizi said. “People need to do what’s important to go home safe. We want the public to continue doing their part to help reduce fatalities.”

Drivers of collision avoid major injuries due to seat belt use LARAMIE – Around 6:40 a.m. on Feb. 5, Wyoming Highway Patrol troopers were dispatched to a collision involving

WYDOT snowplow struck case of cash, felony drug seizure followed ELK MOUNTAIN – On Jan. 31, a Wyoming Department of Transportation snow plow driver struck a black Pelican case with the plow as he was treating the roadway. The WYDOT driver picked up the case and its spilled contents and immediately turned it over to the Wyoming Highway Patrol. The spilled contents of the Pelican case held large amounts of US currency. Troopers took the cash to the

JACKSON – The Wyoming Department of Transportation hosted a public meeting on the Snake River Bridge Replacement Project on Feb. 21.

There was a short presentation, followed by an open house format for questions.

The meeting shared information about WYDOT’s plans to replace the Snake River Bridge and improve the intersection of WYO 22 and WYO 390. Information was available on the bridge and intersection project development and schedule, WYDOT’s Planning and Environmental Linkage Study (PELS) for the WYO 22 and WYO 390 corridor, and how the project design and public involvement process will rely on the work previously accomplished in the document.

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New web camera installed on I-80 at Strouss Hill LARAMIE – A new webcam has been installed and is operational along I-80 between Laramie and Rawlins.

The camera is at Strouss Hill, which is around milepost 284, or about 26 miles west of Laramie.

WYDOT continues to install more web cameras along Wyoming’s roadways, and cameras are being added as funding becomes available.

The public can view the camera online under the camera list at http://wyoroad. info or on a layer on the Wyoming Travel Information Map. Web cameras are also available on the Wyoming 511 app for iOS and Android.

Photo: WYDOT

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WYDOT hosted public meeting on WYO 22 bridge replacement

local office to be processed.

Meanwhile, another maintenance unit was contacted by three individuals in a small Toyota passenger vehicle inquiring about the Pelican case that fell out of their car carrier. Maintenance directed them to the local patrol office in Elk Mountain.

When the individuals arrived at the Elk Mountain patrol office, the odor of marijuana was noticed emitting from the vehicle. A Wyoming Highway Patrol K-9 unit responded, and the K-9 gave a positive alert.

A search of the car revealed 81 pounds of marijuana, felony amounts of MDMA, a misdemeanor amount of hallucinogenic mushrooms and felony amounts of liquid THC. The individuals in the Toyota passenger vehicle were arrested and charged with felony possession of controlled substances.

Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation and the Wyoming Highway Patrol is currently investigating the case.

An open house was held regarding this bridge at the intersection of WYO 22 and WYO 390 on Feb. 21.

WYDOT starts Snow Plow Radio

Photo: WYDOT

four vehicles. The collision took place around milepost 334 on Interstate 80.

A 2004 Ford Expedition was headed west on Interstate 80 when the driver lost control on the slick roadway. The Expedition left the roadway and entered the median at an estimated speed of 65 mph.

Meanwhile, three full-sized pickup trucks were eastbound in the same area in the right-hand lane. The Expedition exited the median and entered the eastbound lanes colliding head-on with a 2013 Chevrolet Silverado. The Expedition continued west striking a 2015 GMC 2500 before coming to a stop in the median.

A driver of an eastbound 2017 Ford F-150 was unable to stop in time and collided with the GMC as it entered the ditch.

While most of the vehicles were either destroyed or severely damaged in the crash, the occupants walked away with minor injuries. Seat belts and airbags played a large role in the survival of all occupants.

The roadways were slick with snow and ice from an early morning storm.

The variable speed limits were lowered due to the hazardous road conditions.

Speed too fast for conditions is being investigated as contributing factors.

The WHP would like to remind motorists using a seat belt is the easiest step you can take to ensure a better chance of surviving a serious motor vehicle collision. Seat belts can help prevent drivers and passengers from being ejected during a crash and have saved thousands of lives each year.

The Strouss Hill webcam is now up and running near milepost 284 west of Laramie.

SHERIDAN - Travelers passing through District 4 now get messages on local radio stations regarding snow plow safety. Over the past few months, snow plow operators in the Northeast corner have been connecting with the traveling public regarding how to share the road with them.

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The messages are simple – don’t crowd the plow – follow from a safe distance – take your time – if you can’t see ahead, don’t pass, and lets all get home safely.

District 4 wanted to approach the public in a way that was more personal.

Having the guys and gals who are driving the plows educate the public about how best to share the road with them has been a success.

A standard PSA tends to run its course and get stale. After a while, the message gets tuned out and is no longer effective. Personalizing the message with a WYDOT plow operator has given the message meaning according to District Maintenance Engineer, Larry Konetzki.

“Our guys are making connections with the public, asking them to help take care of each other while educating them on how to share the road with our plows.”

Locals and family members agree - they like hearing the ads and look forward to them throughout the day.

“These roads belong to the plow operators. They know every little nuance, every curve, bump and crack in the road - its their road and they risk their lives every time they go out - so why not let them be the ones asking the public for help,” said Public Involvement Specialist, Laura Dalles. “My voice doesn’t belong to the road, theirs does.”

These messages have been running since the snow started falling and will continue throughout the plowing season.

Webbwood Road reopened to traffic Feb. 8 morning in Riverton RIVERTON – Webbwood Road, east of North Federal Boulevard in Riverton, reopened to traffic Feb. 8.

Webbwood Road had been closed to allow for storm sewer installation between North Federal Boulevard and Pure Gas Road, according to Robert Scheidemantel, Wyoming Department of Transportation resident engineer in Riverton.

The Webbwood Road storm sewer improvements are part of the two-year, $13.96 million project to improve North

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Federal Boulevard (US 26/WYO 789) through Riverton.

And speaking of year two of the North Federal Boulevard improvements, that work is expected to begin in about six weeks (late March to early April), depending on favorable weather. This year’s work is scheduled to start at the north end of the project near Burger King, and it will work its way south to Sunset Drive.

A public meeting is tentatively planned for March prior to the restart of 2019 highway improvements. Stay tuned for more information.

Contract completion is Oct. 31.

paving, and other work.

Prime contractor is S&S Builders LLC, of Gillette. Contract completion date is Oct. 31.

Driver hit-and-runs tow plow working north of Riverton

Photo: WYDOT

Briefs continued from page 5

Work continued this past week along the north edge of Webbwood Road. A live creek, carrying nearly 1,100 cubic feet per second of water, complicated storm sewer installation efforts during the two months of work east of North Federal Boulevard.

Demolition/blasting of old Sage Creek bridge near Lovell LOVELL – Demolition of the old Sage Creek bridge took place Feb. 27, adjacent to US 310 between Lovell and Cowley.

“The bridge piers were blasted, leaving the old bridge deck to fall to the ground.

Northbound and southbound traffic was stopped 1,500 feet from the bridge, and an area was cleared prior to blasting,” according to Wyoming Department of Transportation Resident Engineer Michael Miller of Basin.

Miller said Shoshone River bridge improvements are continuing through the winter, weather permitting, as well as removal of the old Sage Creek and railroad bridges adjacent to US 310. “Chip sealing, seeding and reclamation is scheduled for this spring and summer,” Miller added.

The $11.7 million Sage Creek highway and bridge improvement project consists of road widening, bridge widening over the Shoshone River, replacement of the Sage Creek and railroad bridges, asphalt

RIVERTON – A second hit and run crash since Jan. 21 involving a Wyoming Department of Transportation plow truck happened the afternoon of Feb. 6 north of Riverton.

The incident occurred about 5:30 p.m. between Haymaker Draw and Burma Road (milepost 109.01) north of Riverton in the five-lane section of US 26 / WYO 789.

The WYDOT plow truck was pulling a tow plow, and the fully-deployed tow plow was struck from behind by an unidentified vehicle. The WYDOT plow truck driver pulled over after the incident but nobody stopped. The plow truck driver estimated 6-8 vehicles immediately passed the plow truck after it pulled to the side of the highway. The rear bumper of the tow plow was damaged; it will be repaired.

“Most of the damage to the tow plow was cosmetic,” said WYDOT heavy equipment operator Shane Pugh of Riverton. “It is unfortunate that the driver who hit the tow plow, who was likely driving too fast for conditions, chose to leave the scene of the crash.”

WYDOT is asking for citizens’ help in finding the person who was involved in Wednesday’s hit and run incident. Please call 1-800-442-9090 to share any information regarding the incident.

The first hit and run incident involved a WYDOT plow truck that was damaged on Interstate 80 on Monday, Jan. 21. The January incident took place near milepost 182 on I-80, west of Rawlins near Wamsutter and Green River.

“Wednesday’s crash should serve as a reminder to drivers of all vehicles to be aware of working plow trucks and tow plows during winter storms,” Pugh said.

“Please give our drivers plenty of space to do their work. These drivers have families, and their primary goal is to safely perform their jobs and go home every night to spend time with their families.” n

Photo: Rick Carpenter

Luke Reiner becomes 18th director of WYDOT

By Aimee Inama Retired Maj. Gen. Luke Reiner became the 18th director of the Wyoming Department of Transportation in March 2019. Gov. Mark Gordon recently appointed Reiner to the position.

“Luke Reiner brings to the job a wide breadth of leadership and organizational experience stemming from over 36 years of military service, as well as his years working in the private sector,” Gordon said in a news release from the governor’s office on Feb. 20. “I’m confident that his strong management skills will be an asset to the state.”

Reiner recently retired as adjutant general for Wyoming. In that position he directed the Wyoming Military Department in Cheyenne where he was responsible for formulating, developing and coordinating all policies, plans and programs that affected more than 3,000 Army and Air National Guard members. He was also responsible for the Wyoming Veterans’ Affairs Commission and the Oregon Trail State Veterans’ Cemetery.

“I thank Governor Gordon and the Transportation Commissioners for their faith in me and for the opportunity to continue to serve,” Reiner said. “And I certainly look forward to working with the men and women who man the Department of Transportation as they perform their critical missions across our state.”

Reiner also previously served as the chief of the Joint Staff at the Wyoming National Guard Joint Force Headquarters. Reiner began his military career as an enlisted soldier in 1982, serving in the Nebraska Army National Guard.

He received his commission from the University of Nebraska’s Reserve Officer Training Corp. program in December 1986. He then transferred to the Wyoming Army National Guard where he served in various field artillery positions until his entry into the active guard and reserve program in 1991.

Reiner served as commander of Camp New York, Kuwait, during Operation Iraqi Freedom II and commanded the Wyoming Army National Guard’s 115th Fires Brigade, during which time he was instrumental in the unit’s successful transformation to a new modular design. He also served as the chair of the National Guard Field Artillerymen Advisory Committee.

During his time in the military, Reiner was honored for his work. He received the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Services Medal (with three Oak Leaf Clusters), National Defense Service Medal 2nd Award and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Global, among others.

Reiner’s educational background includes: • 2015 CAPSTONE, Fort McNair, Washington, D.C. • 2014 Kenan-Flagler Business School, Army Strategic Leadership Development Program, Chapel Hill, North Carolina • 2009 Advanced Joint Military Professional Education, Joint Staff College, Norfolk, Virginia • 2005 U.S. Army War College, Master of Strategic Studies, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania • 2001 Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas • 1999 Master of Public Administration, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming • 1986 Bachelor of Arts, Business, Accounting, Concordia Teachers College, Seward, Nebraska • 1986 Bachelor of Science, secondary education, Concordia Teachers College, Seward, Nebraska. n

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Photo: Rick Carpenter

Members of WYDOT’s executive staff, the Transportation Commission, Laramie and Cheyenne employees celebrate the Snowy Range Road/Union Pacific Railroad Overpass “Project of the Year.”

By Matt Murphy The Laramie UPRR Overpass, also known as the new Snowy Range Road Bridge, won the title of Project of the Year at the Wyoming Engineering Society convention in Cheyenne on Feb. 7.

WYDOT won the award along with the city of Laramie and Laramie-based Trihydro, which was the project’s design engineering consultant.

The new structure, which carries WYO 130 and 230 over the Union Pacific Railroad in Laramie, was completed in 2018. It features four vehicular travel lanes, a multi-use path, and a sidewalk, as well as lighting and decorative fencing.

In addition, the project included a new routing of Snowy Range Road on Laramie’s west side, the widening of a bridge over the Laramie River, landscaping, utility work, and the demolition of the old Clark Street Viaduct.

The entire project cost about $23.5 million and was completed ahead of schedule and under budget. It is one of the largest capital construction projects to take place in Laramie outside of the University of Wyoming.

A public ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on July 16, 2018, which was attended by around 200 dignitaries and Laramie residents. Traffic was permitted on the bridge later that day.

WYDOT’s Steve Cook was the resident engineer for the project.

“We’re honored to receive WES’s Project of the Year award,” said Tom DeHoff, district engineer for District 1, based in Laramie. “The success of this project was the result of the hard work

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Photo: Matt Murphy

Laramie UPRR Overpass named ‘Project of the Year’

WYDOT, Trihydro and the city of Laramie won the Wyoming Engineering Society’s Project of the Year award for the Laramie UPRR Overpass at the Society’s 99th annual convention Feb. 6-8.

of our WYDOT employees, our consultants and contractors, the city of Laramie, and numerous other organizations, residents, and businesses in the community.”

“We’re always proud to contribute to projects in our local communities,” said Claudia Torrence, Trihydro’s senior engineer and project manager. “This project hits particularly close to home because many of us get to use the bridge every day and see its positive impact firsthand.” n

Public shows interest in new wildlife conservation plates annual fee for the plate. For those who want an embossed plate, there is an additional $50 charge.

WYDOT issues the plates in the order received. There isn’t a top number the department will issue and is just based on demand. However, per state statute, WYDOT will have to issue at least 1,000 plates from 2019 until Dec. 31, 2023 in order to continue to offer them after 2023.

The plate applications are available on WYDOT’s website at: http://www.dot.state.wy.us/home/titles_plates_registration/specialty_plates/wildlife-conservation.html “After a customer applies for the wildlife plate, WYDOT will send the license plate to the county treasurer,” said Debbie Lopez, Motor Vehicle Services manager. “The county treasurer will then contact the customer and let them know it’s in. They can then come in and trade out the plate they have on their vehicle for the wildlife plate.”

The wildlife conservation plate is one of 13 specialty plates offered by WYDOT. For a complete listing of plates, visit WYDOT’s website at http://www.dot.state.wy.us/home/titles_ plates_registration/specialty_plates.html The conservation plate is also an outgrowth of the cooperation between WYDOT and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. Over the years, both agencies have worked together to address wildlife connectivity issues. WYDOT also has an immense amount of data on wildlife and connectivity information it uses when considering highway projects. n

Photo: Rick Carpenter

By Aimee Inama The new wildlife conservation plates are off to a strong start with the public acquiring more than 500 since the Jan. 1 unveiling.

The new plate features a mule deer design as a way to raise awareness about wildlife conservation and to help protect wildlife migration routes. The state Legislature passed a statute last year creating the new plate. The Wyoming Transportation Commission then approved the design in consultation with stakeholders.

As of Feb. 13, WYDOT has issued 447 of the new plates. Out of Wyoming’s 23 counties, Laramie issued the most so far at 65, figures from the Wyoming Department of Transportation’s Motor Vehicle Services program showed for Feb. 13. The other counties topping the list included Sweetwater at 61, Fremont at 58, Teton and Natrona tied at 35 each and Lincoln at 33.

“The public indicated they wanted a specialty plate that supports wildlife conservation efforts,” said Taylor Rossetti, WYDOT Support Services administrator. “The state Legislature then approved the new plate and WYDOT worked to get it ready and available for the public. The proceeds from the sale of this plate will go toward supporting wildlife conservation projects related to the transportation system.”

Some of those projects include signage, animal crossings, fences and other related work. The initial application fee is $180, of which $150 goes to the conservation fund and $30 toward the specialty plate fee. Then, motorists will pay $50 each year as an

Conservation plates hot off the presses.

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Noteworthy

Engineer Luke Provart from the Sheridan office listens to students during the mint-mobile design process.

On-the-job training (OJT)

Total number of employees: As of Feb. 13, 2019

1,901

One month ago

1,906

One year ago

1,920

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Engineer Elliot Bauder from the Laramie office looks on while a student puts his mint-mobile together.

WHP

Civil Rights

By Mitzi Krois The primary objective of the on-thejob (OJT) training program is to provide and enhance training opportunities targeted to move women, minorities and other disadvantaged individuals into journey-level positions to ensure that a competent workforce is available to meet highway construction hiring needs.

Historically, there has been an underrepresentation of members in these groups in the highway construction skilled crafts and the program seeks to foster an enhanced interest in construction related trades.

Supportive services funding is available to firms interested in providing training in the construction trades as well. n

Photo: WYDOT

By Laura Dalles In celebration of Wyoming Engineers Week, Feb. 18-22, District 4 WYDOT engineers from Buffalo and Sheridan offices spent time with 3rd graders at Cloud Peak Elementary School, in Buffalo, and Highland Elementary School, in Sheridan, building “mint-mobiles.�

The engineers worked through a sixstep engineering design plan in which students designed their mint-mobile utilizing straws, index cards, Popsicle sticks, lifesavers, tape, lots of creativity and critical thinking.

Students worked in teams of two to design their mint-mobile, build and test their designs and modify as needed. No two mint-mobiles were alike and there were some pretty impressive distances reached once they took them to the ramps.

Many thanks to Michelle Edwards, Elliott Bauder, Luke Provart and Isaac Finkle for sharing your love of engineering with these kiddos.

Wyoming Engineers Week is a collaborative effort by the University of Wyoming College of Engineering and Applied Science, The Wyoming Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, the Wyoming Engineering Society, Wyoming Department of Education and Discover-E. n

Photo: WYDOT

District 4 engineers celebrate Wyoming Engineers Week

Total number of highway fatalities: As of February 6, 2019

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One year ago

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Aeronautics Division completes rates, charges survey Airports charge tenants and users for a variety of services. The revenue generated plays a crucial role in supporting the financial health of our nation’s aviation system. However, it can be a challenge for smaller airports to set competitive and fair rates.

The goal of the Rates and Charges Guide is to assist airport operators, promote a robust aviation system and help operators to maintain compliance with federal grant assurances.

To accomplish this, WYDOT Aeronautics created a survey targeting airport operators within Wyoming and surrounding states to collect data.

Participation in the survey was not compulsory, but 84 airports across the region contributed data. The participating airports ranged from small- to mediumsized with widely varying levels of yearly operations and based aircraft. The variety of respondents has provided for a final product which should prove to be beneficial for operators of varying sized airports across the region.

Some highlights of the collected data include: • 28 Airports with Commercial Service and 56 General Aviation Airports responded

The full results from the 2018 Rates and Charges update survey are available in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet format, which will allow interested parties to manipulate and analyze the collected data. n

• Average Landing Fees for Air Carriers: • Affiliate of Signatory Airline: $1.88/1,000 Lbs Landed Weight • Signatory Airline: $1.22/1,000 Lbs Landed Weight • Non-Signatory Airline: $2.04/1,000 Lbs Landed Weight • Average Car Rental Customer Facility Charge: $3.47/Day • Average Uber/Lyft Surcharge: $1.65/ Pickup or Dropoff • One Airport reported a rate of $60 for an annual permit • Average Annual Airport Marketing Expenditure: $28,755.58 • Average Airport General Liability Insurance: • Limit Per Person: $3,500,000 • Limit Per Occurrence: $14,260,000

Rate survey highlights: Average Tie-Down Fees: Overnight: Single Engine $7.53, Multi $11.38 Monthly: Single Engine $48.93, Multi $70.79 Average Fuel Flowage Fees: Average Fuel Flowage/Storage Fee: $0.05/Gallon Average Fire Fighting Operations Fuel Flowage Fee: $.10/ Gallon Average Hangar Rental Fees: T-Hangars: $1.46/Sq. Ft. Box Hangars: $2.12/Sq. Ft.

• Deductible: $5,178 • Premium: $26,590

Division offers airfield marking training

Photo: WYDOT

The Aeronautics Division hosted an airfield marking training at Casper/Natrona County International Airport on Jan. 8-9, 2019. The two-day course was presented by Sightline Inc., a specialty consultant that focuses on improving the effectiveness of airfield markings. Sightline played a major role in producing the Airfield Marking Handbook for the Innovative Pavement Research Foundation in a cooperative agreement with the Federal Aviation Administration.

The class was taught by Donna Speidel, founder of Sightline, who has more than 35 years of highway and airfield marking experience. The training was attended by 35 people, including Wyoming Department of Transportation Aeronautics employees, various consultants who work with public-use airports around the state and operations personnel from commercial service airports in Wyoming.

The goal was to educate individuals involved in the annual seal coat and mark project and those who either currently are, or may in the future be, responsible for maintaining markings at their airports in an effort to get a better, longer-lasting product. n Thirty-five people attended the training offered in Casper.

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New Employee Orientation is now Know WY. Onboarding Better engaging and preparing our new employees

By Kurt Borgaard Think back to when you were a new employee. What were your biggest concerns: getting the information you needed so that you could do your job well; finding out the people you needed to know and getting to know them; knowing who to contact if you had questions related to various aspects of your job; your salary; or your benefits? What was important for you to know about the culture, mission, structure and processes of WYDOT? The goal of the Know WY. Onboarding Program is to provide a well-structured, consistent and relational onboarding process for our employees. Research indicates when we do this right, employees are 69 percent more likely to remain with and be productive contributors to our organization and to your program.

Instead of signing up employees to New Employee Orientation, starting in March, new employees will be automatically assigned the Know WY. Learning Plan in the WELL. Know WY. consists of a “Day-one” training with HR at each District location, ongoing learning support through the WELL, and a four day on-site workshop at headquarters. Here is what the learning plan will entail: DAY ONE: On day one of employment, each new employee will spend the entire day with the HR representative from their district or at headquarters in Cheyenne. Together, the new employee along with the HR representative will review required HR paperwork. Additionally, they will discuss: • Executive orders; • Benefits and compensation; • Performance management and the Halogen System; • Personnel rules; and • Wyoming Retirement System.

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In the months that follow, new employees will also have access to the eLearning they covered on day one, as well as be directed to complete eLearning courses from Payroll and Accounts Payable.

Then, within the first year, new employees should enroll to attend an interactive four-day Know WY. Workshop at HQ in Cheyenne. The Know WY. workshops at headquarters will be held on Mondays through Thursdays, every other month.

THE KNOW WY. WORKSHOP will cover safety topics including: • Lifting/back injury; • Operating a fire extinguisher; • Stop the job/hazard control; and • First aid/CPR certification training.

OTHER TOPICS WILL INCLUDE: • Intro to WYDOT culture with communication, accountability and service motivation; • Introduction to the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI); • Google/intranet/WELL basics; • A presentation from the Wyoming Retirement System; and • Meet-and-greet panel discussion with WYDOT subject matter experts and leadership.

Finally, employees will be involved in an interactive tour of the Cheyenne campus, introducing them to WYDOT facilities and people. Additionally, new maintenance classification employees, and any other required employees, will stay through Friday to complete a 10-hour OSHA training.

Instructional emails will be sent to supervisors of employees who begin work on March 1 or later. The email will inform supervisors of the steps involved in the new process.

Employees want to reach their full potential and productivity, and they want to do it in a timely manner when they start a new job. The goal of the new Know WY. Onboarding Program at WYDOT is to help employees reach those outcomes. n

District News Headquarters

Welcome Kieran Crawford, Office ServicesMailroom; Kari Fictum, Highway Safety; Michael Hosafros, Facilities Management-Building Maintenance; Millissia Ludtke, Right of Way-Appraisals; Dalena Phipps, Grants and Contract-Administration; and Kristy Watson, Motor Vehicle Services-Registration/Title.

Jonathan Goehring, Bridge-Engineering Design – 10 years; Kathryn Sednek, Highway Development-Project Development – 10 years; and Chance Johnson, GIS/ITS – 5 years.

Promotions and Transfers Kurtis Briggs, Materials-Bituminous; Rocky Meyer, Planning-Counter Shop; Laura Miazga, Driver Services-Laramie; and Tiffany Romero, Fuel Tax-Uniformity.

Herceg

Schei

engineering from Northwest College in Powell. He also has a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Wyoming. Clabaugh has an additional 34 hours in surveying courses beyond his bachelor’s degree.

Over the years, Clabaugh has served on several local and national committees.

They included two terms as chairman of TRB’s Geospatial Technologies for Design and Construction, chairman of the small Unmanned Aerial Systems subcommittee, three terms as chairman of the Transportation Surveys Committee for American Society of Photogrammetry & Remote Sensing, president of the Cheyenne Engineer’s Club.

Kim Todd retired on Jan. 5 after working for WYDOT for 33 years. She was an accountant in Financial Services.

Congratulations Nicole Klassen was selected as the new Consultant Service lead. She began her new position Feb. 1.

Goehring

Meyer

Miazga

Service Awards Robert Alles, Highway DevelopmentPhotogrammetry/Survey – 30 years; Richard Amen, Traffic – 25 years; Mark Wingate, Planning-Administration – 25 years; Christopher Salmon, Telecom District 1 Radio Shop – 20 years; Courtney Herceg, Human Resources – 15 years; Laura Schei, Maintenance Staff – 15 years; Alles

Amen

Wingate

Sednek

Retirements Curtis Clabaugh, state Photogrammetry and Surveys engineer, retired Jan. 4 after working for WYDOT for 42 years.

While at WYDOT, Clabaugh worked for 17 years on the construction side of the agency before moving to Photogrammetry and Surveys in 1993. During his time at WYDOT, he was Clabaugh instrumental in getting new technologies implemented and modernizing the Photogrammetry and Surveys program.

While at WYDOT, Clabaugh introduced electronic data collection and digital photogrammetry to WYDOT. His work also enabled WYDOT to be the first state to be fully digital in surveying and data collection.

He also helped WYDOT to be the second state to fully implement a digital aerial camera.

Clabaugh has an associate degree in

Misty Dobson was selected as the WYDOT Drivers License Program Manager for Driver Services effective Feb. 1.

Dobson has worked as the Driver Services Deputy Program Manager since 2015.

Oops!

Klassen

Dobson

A mistake was spotted regarding Jerry Plumley’s years of service upon retirement.

Plumley retired with 37 years of service to the state, not 17 years. Sorry for the error, Jerry! n

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District 1

Welcome

Reagan Bowdish, Highway Development-Project Development-Laramie Design Squad; Keith Brix, Laramie Maintenance; Dustin Cramer, Rawlins Maintenance; and Jack Longress, Laramie Maintenance.

Promotions and Transfers

Deidre Bennett, Highway Development-Project Development-Laramie Design Squad – 25 years; and Jon Briggs, Cheyenne Patrol – 10 years.

Promotions and Transfers

Edward Knight retired Jan. 3 from Laramie Mechanics with nearly 20 years of service to the state.

He began his career in Laramie in March 1999.

Lance Wedemeyer, Wheatland Maintenance.

Webb

Service Awards Knight

Cory Johnson, Torrington Construction – 15 years; and Brett McKinley, Wheatland Mechanics – 10 years.

Congratulations Torrington Mechanics crew member Frank Harmer was presented with his Fundamentals of Service test certificates for general shop, hydraulics and electrical certifications. n Stafford

Photo: WYDOT

Service Awards

Retirements

Daniel Stafford retired Jan. 5 from Cheyenne Maintenance with 12 years and 4 months of service to the state.

He began his career in Cheyenne in September 2006. n

Todd Greenamyre, Laramie Mechanics; and Tyler Webb, Baggs Maintenance.

District 2

Briggs

District 3

Family matters

James Brash, Wamsutter Maintenance; Gary Hodson, Telecom District 3-Radio Shop; and Bradly McCollum, Granger Maintenance.

Promotions and Transfers Joshua Ferguson, Pinedale Maintenance.

Service Awards

Wille

Photo: Clint Lockman

Cheri Fagin, Driver Services-Evanston – 10 years; and Tyler Wille, District 3 Maintenance Staff – 10 years.

Ferguson

Proud dad, District 3 Resident Engineer Clint Lockman, shared these photos of his son and daughter.

Aaron Lockman, top right, was recently selected for Army Ranger School.

He was one of three chosen from a group of 19 candidates. Lockman is with the 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment and began Ranger school in February.

Daughter and pilot, Shelby Lockman, bottom right, completed her first solo flight in December 2018. She had been taking flight lessons for a year prior to the solo flight.

Lockman’s flight instructor is Ed DeCastro and she has also been learning from Ed McPherson with Rock Springs Maintenance. n

Photo: Clint Lockman

Welcome

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District 4

Welcome Erik Brannigan, Sheridan TrafficStriping; Maurice Fortier, Buffalo Maintenance; Erik Koepp, Sheridan Mechanics; Kayla Membreno, Driver Services-Gillette; Loren Schnabel, Moorcroft Maintenance; and David Showers, Sheridan Maintenance-Guardrail.

Brannigan

Fortier

Koepp

Schnabel

Showers

Promotions and Transfers Misty Wood, District 4 Support.

Retirements Kevin Legerski Wood retired Jan. 1 from Sheridan Patrol with 25 years of service to the state.

Legerski began his career with the Wyoming Highway Patrol on Jan. 4, 1994, where he was assigned as a Legerski trooper in Gillette.

While in Gillette he was a member of the Special Service Squad as well as a Field Training Officer. After four and a half years in Gillette, Legerski was given the opportunity to move back to his hometown of Sheridan where he and his family had lived and where he grew up. Legerski jumped at the chance and was able to spend more than 20 years serving the citizens of Sheridan and Johnson County.

Throughout his career, Legerski had a passion for reaching Sheridan youth and making an impact in their lives early to keep them safe on the highways. Legerski has been a guest speaker for many driver’s education classes both in Gillette and Sheridan and was recognized for his hard work in this area many times.

Toward the end of his career he was

asked to be one of the first coordinators for the Freshman Impact program.

Legerski did a wonderful job in assisting the community of Buffalo with getting this program to the kids and helping them make wise decisions. As he prepared for the two programs he was a part of, you could see the passion and zeal he had for the safety of our youth.

Legerski didn’t really plan on getting into law enforcement. He graduated college with a degree in secondary education and was looking for a job when his dad told him the Wyoming Highway Patrol was hiring. To prove to his father that no one wanted to hire a teacher to be a cop, he went to the testing.

To steal a line from his retirement letter, “Well, 25 years later, I type this letter filled with gratitude toward those who took a chance and saw something in me that I hadn’t yet seen in myself.”

Legerski truly enjoyed his career with the Wyoming Highway Patrol and is forever grateful to all those he served alongside with and got to meet along the way.

Speaking with him regarding his upcoming retirement party, he wanted to make sure all of the local fire, EMS, WYDOT, police department, sheriff ’s department and tow companies were invited so he could share with them the appreciation he has for the work they do and how they have touched his life.

Legerski wrapped up his career on Dec. 31, 2018. n

District 5

Welcome

Service Awards

David Bell, Cody Maintenance; Dalen Davis Sr., Basin Construction; and Jack Davis, Cody Maintenance.

Frederick Willert, Basin Construction – 30 years; Randy Merritt, District 5 Construction Staff – 15 years;

Promotions and Transfers

Roni Stott, Cody Construction – 15 years; and Robert Craft, Basin Mechanics – 5 years. n

Tamra Perkins, Lander Construction.

Perkins

Willert

Merritt

Stott

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Craft

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Annual HR team meeting The WYDOT Human Resources Program staff met for a day-and-a-half at the end of January 2019 for an annual HR team meeting. The team focused on team building, processes, strategic planning and new employee orientation, and also spent time with the Employee Safety Program and District engineers.

A volunteer guest speaker from the Wyoming Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) spoke to the team about the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA). n

Passings Doyle L. Adey

Doyle Lynn Adey, 79, passed away Jan. 23, 2019, at North Big Horn Hospital surrounded by his family.

Adey had been diagnosed with liver cancer two weeks prior. He was born July 26, 1939, in Kane, Wyoming. The family moved to Lovell when Adey was entering Adey first grade, where he continued his education, graduating in 1957.

In the summer of 1957, he met Lois Burgener, and they were married on Dec. 28, 1959. They had three sons and one daughter. Adey, at the time, worked in construction and he and his family moved to where the work was: Michigan, California, North Dakota and Washington, finally making their way back home to Lovell in 1965.

Adey farmed in Lovell for several years

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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.

Photo: WYDOT

Pictured from left: Keri Long, Laura Curtis, Brian Foster, Katherine Castaneda, Kari Davis, Elise Hartman, Ellen Teigen, Jamie Chacon, Jerry Davis, Nisha Bishop, Holly Hopwood, Courtney Herceg and Raquel Christensen.

Congratulations to our January recipients!

Trevor Ballinger Kadi Bradfield Greg Hampshire Brian Lashley

Melissa Palka Sarah Rickgauer Ryan Steinbrenner Whitney Wise

For more information about the Extra Mile Award or to nominate someone, contact Katherine Castaneda at Katherine.Castaneda@wyo.gov. before starting his employment with the Wyoming Highway Department in October 1980. He was a dedicated employee of the Lovell Maintenance crew, retiring as foreman in November 2001 with 31 years of service to the state.

He enjoyed playing the guitar, fishing, gardening, his Labrador Retrievers – especially “Buddy” – early morning visits with his “coffee buddies,” friends and family.

Funeral service was held on Jan. 29 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Lovell with internment at the Lovell Cemetery following the service.

Larry A. Miller Larry Arlyn Miller, 82, of Casper, passed away Dec. 10, 2018, in the care of the Wyoming Medical Center and Kloefkorn Hospice Center.

Miller was born on July 25, 1936, in Hyndman, Pennsylvania. His family moved to Casper at when he was 14 years old. He Miller graduated from Na-

trona County High School in 1954. While in high school, he met the love of his life, Jo Ellen Bolton, and after their marriage in 1957, they enjoyed 62 years together.

Miller began working for the Wyoming Highway Department in Casper in July 1956. He was a valuable member of the Casper Maintenance crew until his retirement after 37 years as a maintenance technician.

After his retirement from WHD, he worked another 14 years with McMurry Ready Mix testing aggregate.

His lifelong enjoyment came from spending his free time with family. Miller loved school plays and sporting events in which his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren participated. His other passions were hunting, fishing, golf, watching football, coaching baseball and traveling.

At the request of the family, a private memorial was conducted in his honor. n

Photo: Brett Renick

Photo: Rick Carpenter

Rides

Brett Renick of Farson Maintenance recently added this beautiful 1982 Corvette in silver and dark claret to his collection of show cars.

Photos: Mark Kelly

Retired Photogrammetry and Surveys employee Hank Ramirez owns this 2001 Harley Davidson XL1200 Custom.

Photo: Ed Smith

Photo: Ron Koehn

Mark Kelly from Emergency Communications-Project Development supervisor owns these two late-model race cars. Kelly drives the “01” Grand American Modified (GAM) and Kelly’s son, Marcus, drives the “4.” The above photos are from the duo racing at Big Country Speedway in Cheyenne last year.

The duo plans on taking a new car to Colorado National Speedway this year with son Marcus driving.

Ed Smith retired Maintenance foreman in Jackson has owned this scorch red 1969 Dodge Charger R/T since he was 16 years old.

Retired Assistant State Equipment Manager Ron Koehn built this 1964 Harley Davidson Panhead.

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Break Time

Challenging Mazes by KrazyDad, Book 3

Maze #17

Answer to the February 2019 Break Time maze:

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Need the answer? http://krazydad.com/mazes/answers

Š 2010 KrazyDad.com

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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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