Interchange, March 2020

Interchange March 2020

Vol. 48, Issue 3

Snow removal ahead

Use caution when around plow trucks

Letters Kudos to WYDOT; website top-notch

Director Reiner, First, a sincere thank you and acknowledgment to all that you do to keep our Wyoming roads safe. To the men and women who man the plows, those that monitor our highways and those that make the tough decisions to help keep all motorists safe. I cannot imagine the time and effort required to build and design a highway system and then keep it in good repair and safe for the traveling public.

The WYDOT website is timely and informative, as we travel east or west, our first order is to check the WYDOT website.

Thank you.

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Vol. 48, Issue 3

Excellent snow maintenance

To the snow removal workers for state highway 251 a huge thank you for the excellent maintenance of and snow removal on Casper Mountain Road.

You are all great! We are appreciative – thanks again.

The Thursday Ladies Skiing and Snowshoe Club

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

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

Staff WYDOT Director: K. Luke Reiner

Public Affairs Manager: Doug McGee

Sincerely, Robert Taylor

Editor:

Carlie Van Winkle

Contributors:

Don’t rely on luck . . .

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

Always designate a sober driver.

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.

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

Take road conditions with you. Get the WYOMING 511 app. www.wyoroad.info

Know before you go.

Visit wyoroad.info.

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    

Know traffic hazards & road conditions before you go View highway webcams "Where am I?" function Hands-free, eyes-free function Easy to use

March 2020

Available for free download at the Apple App Store.

Available for free download at the Google Play Store.

A WYDOT PUBLICATION

Contents

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Features 8 Q&A with executive staff Answers to Town Hall questions

10 A WYDOT female plow driver Samuelson brings decades of experience to job

with executive staff

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11 Plow hit on I-80 Commercial truck collides with WYDOT plow

Also in this issue

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Letters.........................................................................................2 District briefs.............................................................................4 By the Numbers.......................................................................7 Training.....................................................................................13 District news...........................................................................14 Extra Mile Awards..................................................................17 Passings....................................................................................18 WTDEA......................................................................................18 Rides......................................................................................... 20 Break Time.............................................................................. 23

On the cover:

Snow removal on US 85 north of Lusk Feb. 17.

Photo: Carlie Van Winkle

Kindly recycle this publication after reading.

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District Briefs Commission awards $17 million in contracts in February CHEYENNE – The Wyoming Department of Transportation will make improvements to the road surface along a section of Interstate 90 between Sheridan and Buffalo.

The Wyoming Transportation Commission awarded a $9.8 million contract to Simon Contractors, of Cheyenne, for the surface work in Johnson and Sheridan counties. The commission awarded that and eight other projects during its recent meeting.

For the I-90 work, crews will perform a mill and overlay on about 11 miles of the interstate. Crews will also perform bridge rehabilitation work to six structures in the area by adding a friction surface to the bridges. The contract completion date is June 30, 2021.

Besides the I-90 work, the other contracts the commission awarded include surfacing, bridge and pavement marking work.

S & S Builders, of Gillette, was the low bidder on a $2 million bridge rehabilitation contract for 12 bridges in Campbell, Crook, Johnson and Weston counties.

Crews will perform minor concrete repairs and will resurface some of the bridges. The contract completion date is July 31, 2021.

The commission awarded Streamline Markings Inc., of Billings, Montana, a $1.4 million pavement marking contract in Laramie County. Crews will use modified epoxy and preformed tape to install the markings on interstates 80 and 25 and parts of US 85. The contract completion date is Oct. 31, 2020.

Lewis & Lewis Inc., of Rock Springs won a $1.6 million contract for pavement, sidewalk, streetlight and storm drain work on a half a mile of WYO 89 in the town of Evanston in Uinta County.

Crews will perform surfacing work on the street, make the sidewalks compli-

HQ

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ant with Americans with Disabilities Act standards and upgrade the streetlights and storm drains. The contract completion date is Nov. 30, 2020.

Also awarded by the commission were contracts for: • $614,604 to Streamline Markings Inc. for a pavement marking contract at various locations in Albany, Campbell, Carbon, Crook, Johnson, Laramie, Sheridan and Weston counties by Sept. 20, 2020; • $486,390 to Streamline Markings Inc. for an epoxy pavement line contract at various locations in Sublette, Sweetwater and Teton counties by Oct. 31, 2020; • $203,900 to Harvey Contractors, of Englewood, Colorado, for a pavement marking contract on WYO 258 between Gannet Street and Yellowstone Highway in Casper in Natrona County

by Oct. 31, 2020; • $340,225 to S & L Industrial, of Cowley, for a pavement marking contract at various locations in Albany, Carbon and Laramie counties by Oct. 31, 2020; and • $205,650 to Keyhole Technologies, of Casper, for a pavement marking contract at various locations in Natrona County by Oct. 31, 2020.

WYDOT urges motorists to use caution when driving near snowplows CHEYENNE – Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) officials are urging motorists to use extra caution and be on the lookout for snowplows when traveling during winter storms.

WYDOT has experienced a higherthan-normal number of snowplow collisions for the 2019-2020 winter season and is asking motorists to be extra vigilant when traveling. So far, 21 vehicles collided with WYDOT snowplows since October 2019.

“Our mission is to ensure the safety of the entire traveling public, including the men and women of WYDOT who are

out maintaining the roads during wintry weather,” said WYDOT Director K. Luke Reiner. “We want everyone to get to their destinations safely and we urge everyone to slow down for conditions and be aware of their surroundings.”

The data WYDOT uses for snowplow crashes is during the winter season, which typically runs from October through April.

For the other winter seasons, there were eight crashes for 2018-2019, eight for 2017-2018, three for 2016-2017, seven for 2015-2016 and 13 for 2014-2015.

During a recent crash on Jan. 30 on Interstate 80 east of Rock Springs, a tractor trailer collided with the rear end a WYDOT snowplow, flipping the snowplow on its side.

WYDOT’s snowplow driver, who was wearing his seat belt, and the tractor trailer driver sustained no injuries.

Snowplows travel at 25 to 45 mph, depending on conditions. Motorists should stay a safe distance behind the plows until it’s safe to pass.

“If a motorist sees a cloud of snow ahead of them, they should use caution and not drive into it because there could be a snowplow ahead of them,” said WYDOT Chief Engineer Shelby Carlson.

“If a motorist sees something like that, they should stay back and wait. If they can then see the truck, they can use caution and pass when safe to do so, if they absolutely need to.”

Motorists also should never pass a snowplow on the right side of a two-lane road because a snowplow could be using its wing plow. A motorist could see the wing plow last minute and end up running into it.

To stay safe, motorists should stay far behind snowplows so they can drive on roads that WYDOT crews have maintained and also so the plow operator can see them in their rear-facing mirrors. “’If you can’t see to safely pass, don’t,” Carlson said. “The snowplow will pull over to let you pass when they are able to.

They will move over when it is safe for them and you.”

Section of US 287 was closed due to snow drifting, high winds

WYDOT closes section of Interstate 80 in southeast Wyoming CHEYENNE – The Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) closed a section of eastbound Interstate 80 between Laramie and Cheyenne Jan. 31 due to multiple crashes and wintry conditions.

Around 7:45 a.m., a Wyoming Highway Patrol trooper stopped to check on a motorist who had slid off the roadway. As the trooper was speaking with the motorist, two eastbound commercial trucks passing the trooper collided. This caused several other drivers to lose control of their vehicles and crash. One of the commercial vehicles involved in the crash struck the WHP vehicle.

WYDOT closed the road around 8 a.m., after the crashes occurred near milepost 331, which resulted in several injuries.

There was poor visibility in the area at the time of the crashes due to wind and blowing snow. WYDOT and the WHP diverted the traffic on eastbound I-80 onto the westbound lane to clear the area.

The crash involved more than 24 vehicles including 19 commercial trucks.

All parties injured in the crash were transported to Ivinson Memorial Hospital in Laramie. The WHP trooper was not in his patrol vehicle at the time of the collision and was not injured. All other parties involved in the incident who were not injured were transported by bus to the Albany County Fairgrounds.

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Photo: WYDOT

Since October 2019, 21 WYDOT snowplows have been crashed into this winter season.

Multi-vehicle pileup on I-80 due to winter conditions.

WYO 130 western closure gate temporarily relocated due to large snowdrifts SARATOGA — The Wyoming Department of Transportation has temporarily moved the western seasonal closure gate on WYO 130 due to large snowdrifts in the area.

The highway closure was relocated from just above Ryan Park, near mile marker 47.5, to mile marker 53 because of large snowdrifts – some reaching 4 feet tall in some places – in the Ryan Park area.

Crews began work early mid-February clearing the drifts with a rotary plow to make the Ryan Park parking area accessible once again.

Outdoor enthusiasts looking to visit the area as crews were working were advised that parking was located at milepost 53 until the drifts were cleared.

A scenic highway that reaches elevations of around 10,800 feet through the Snowy Range, WYO 130 closes seasonally each winter due to large amounts of snowfall and low traffic numbers.

WYO 130 has a target opening date of Memorial Day Weekend each year, and crews from Laramie and Saratoga begin work clearing the roadway in late spring.

RAWLINS — US 287 between Rawlins and Muddy Gap was closed and remained closed overnight on Feb. 6 due to high winds, snowdrifts and continued winter weather.

While visibility was an issue for most of the day on Feb. 6, crews worked to push back snow that continuously blew into the roadway — sometimes blocking entire travel lanes — due to prolonged periods of high wind in the area.

Maintenance personnel said the drifts are formed between snowplow passes.

Loader-mounted rotary plows, dozers and large blowers contracted by WYDOT worked to push snow where it could be blown farther away from the roadway to avoid the continual drifting.

Other WYDOT districts around the state also moved resources to the Rawlins area to help move the snow out of and away from the roadways.

Photo: WYDOT

Photo: WYDOT

Winter weather impacted other parts of the interstate. I-80 closed eastbound between Rock Springs and Rawlins due to winter conditions.

Along I-80 between Elk Mountain and Laramie, I-80 was closed to light, high profile vehicles due to gusting winds.

Wintry weather caused an overnight closure of US 287 between Rawlins and Muddy Gap.

Pursuit ends safely north of Casper CASPER – An Evansville, Wyoming, resident was taken into custody following a pursuit that took place Feb. 17. The pursuit started south of Casper on Interstate 25.

Late on Feb. 17, WHP Troopers were notified of a vehicle traveling north in the southbound lanes of I-25. Troopers were able to locate and attempted to stop the vehicle south of Casper. The driver failed

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Briefs continued from page 5 to stop for troopers and fled north toward Casper. The vehicle continued to drive on the wrong side of the interstate at speeds of more than 100 mph, driving head-on toward other motorists. Due to the extreme danger to other motorists, troopers attempted a tactical vehicle intervention maneuver to stop the suspect’s vehicle.

The vehicle was successfully disabled, and the driver was taken into custody without further incident north of Casper. The pursuit spanned 10 miles in very dense fog.

The driver of the vehicle has been identified as 39-year-old Evansville resident Jason M. Haught. Haught was charged with reckless driving, fleeing to elude, driving while under the influence and other traffic-related offenses.

Haught was booked into the Natrona County Detention Center.

Natrona County Sheriff ’s office and the Casper Police Department assisted the patrol with this event.

Crack seal work caused delays north of Rock Springs ROCK SPRINGS – The Wyoming Department of Transportation and contract crews from Z & Z Seal Coating Inc. conducted crack sealing work on US 191 north of Rock Springs near the Reliance cutoff to milepost 20.

Work began Feb. 18 and continued for a week. Delays of up to 20 minutes were expected. Traffic was carried through the work areas at reduced speeds on a single lane using flaggers.

Crack sealing is used as a defense against pavement deterioration. If done effectively, crack sealing keeps water from entering and weakening the base or subbase of the roadway.

Z & Z Seal Coating Inc. was awarded the contract last year. The completion date for this district-wide project is April 30.

Commercial truck strikes WHP patrol vehicle; trooper injured SUNDANCE – The collision occurred Feb. 24, on US 212 west of Colony.

The trooper was stopped on the shoulder of the roadway finishing up with a previous crash. An eastbound commercial vehicle jackknifed, causing the trailer to strike the back of the stopped WHP patrol vehicle. The trooper, who was in the driver’s seat, was knocked unconscious. A passing motorist who witnessed the crash stopped and called for assistance using the trooper’s radio.

The WHP trooper was transported to Monument Health in Spearfish, South Dakota, for injuries sustained in the crash. The trooper who was injured also is assigned a K-9. His K-9 partner was inside the vehicle when he was struck, but was not injured.

The driver of the commercial vehicle was not injured in the crash.

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Cody Driver Services office moves to new location

Photo: WHP

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description of the alleged drunk driver speeding 97 mph in a 75 mph posted speed zone. The WHP trooper turned on his emergency lights and sirens to attempt to stop the vehicle. The driver failed to stop for the trooper and fled east on I-90 at speeds of 85 to 90 miles per hour. As the trooper was pursuing the vehicle, he could see the driver reaching out of the sunroof with his hands. A short time later, the driver exited through the sunroof and jumped onto the roadway while the vehicle was still moving around 80 miles per hour. The vehicle crashed a short time later into the median cable divider. The trooper immediately called for an ambulance and attempted to perform CPR on the subject. Emergency Medical Services arrived a short time later and pronounced the driver deceased. The pursuit lasted around five miles.

The driver has been identified as 43-year-old Tyler, Texas resident Marshall R. Acker.

A commercial truck collided with a WHP vehicle. The trooper was injured and transported to the hospital while his K-9, Ally, was uninjured.

Pursuit ends east of Sheridan SHERIDAN – A Tyler, Texas resident led WHP troopers on a pursuit before jumping from a moving vehicle Feb. 21.

The pursuit started near Sheridan on Interstate 90.

Wyoming Highway Patrol troopers were notified of a suspected drunk driver in the area of Sheridan. Troopers were able to locate a vehicle matching the

CODY – The Wyoming Department of Transportation’s Driver Services Program has a new location in Cody.

The new office is located in the Beck Lake Plaza, 2201 17th Street, in Cody in the shopping plaza where Ace Hardware, Bomgaars, McDonald’s and other businesses are located.

Office hours in Cody are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. The telephone number for Cody’s Driver Services office is (307) 587-3346.

Office hours in Lovell are 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays. The telephone number for the Lovell Driver Services office is (307) 548-2494.

WYDOT’s Driver Services Program administers and maintains Wyoming’s driving records system, tests, and issues and processes all classes of driver licenses, commercial driver licenses, learner permits, graduated driver licensing, and identification cards. Driver Services maintains driver history records, including convictions for motor vehicle offenses

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and crashes, and administers the process of withdrawing and reinstating driving privileges.

Sheridan Avenue project underway CODY – A $4.93 million concrete rehabilitation project began March 2 along Cody’s Sheridan Avenue.

Work is scheduled to begin, weather permitting, March 2 on the north side of Sheridan Avenue from 10th Street to 12th Street. The north side of the 10th Street and 11th Street intersections will be closed while traffic is carried, one lane in each direction, on the south side of Sheridan Avenue.

Phase 1 of the project – 10th Street to 14th Street – is required to be complete

by June 15, said Wyoming Department of Transportation resident engineer Todd Frost of Cody.

Weekly public work progress meetings will be held at 10 a.m. every Tuesday between March 3 and June 9 at the Cody Club Room. Citizens and businesses are invited to these weekly meetings, where the prime contractor will answer questions and share a two-week schedule of upcoming work.

The Sheridan Avenue project (#CodyImprovements) includes removing and replacing existing damaged concrete slabs, resealing existing concrete joints, grinding and texturing existing roadway, upgrading Americans with Disabilities requirements at every street corner between 10th Street and Stampede Avenue, replacing broken curb and gutter and sidewalk, and upgrading wiring at traffic signals.

The project begins at US 14/16/20 milepost 51.78 at the intersection of 10th Street and Sheridan Avenue in front of the Park County Courthouse, and it proceeds 1.20 miles on US 14/16/20 to the Intersection of 17th Street and Stampede Avenue on Greybull Hill.

Phase 2 of the project, by contract, starts Aug. 24, and all work must be completed from Alger Avenue to 14th Street through grinding and texturing prior to winter shut down.

Phase 3 of the project, by contract, proceeds from Alger Avenue to the end of the project and must be completed through concrete grinding and texturing prior to June 15, 2021.

Phase 4 of the project, by contract,

requires all remaining work to be completed by Sept. 30, 2021.

Prime contractor S&S Builders, LLC, of Gillette will be paid a $200,000 incentive if all project work is complete by June 15, 2021.

Contract completion date is Sept. 30, 2021.

During work, Frost said a maximum of two intersections may be closed at any one time.

“Work will be completed on one side of the street while two-way traffic is carried on the other half,” he said. “Left turns will not be allowed through the work zone. Parking may not be allowed through the work zone, and a 10-foot width restriction will be in effect.”

By contract, S&S Builders has a public information specialist on the project who will be working with businesses and answering questions and providing schedule updates.

S&S Builders, LLC, was awarded the Sheridan Avenue concrete rehabilitation project last November by the Wyoming Transportation Commission. n

Snowmachines?

Beach vacation?

Get those photos in!

Outdoors photos deadline:

03/15/20

Total number of employees: As of Feb. 10, 2020

1,946

One month ago

1,949

One year ago

1,908

WHP Total number of highway fatalities: As of Feb. 11, 2020

4

One year ago

16

carlie.vanwinkle@wyo.gov

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with executive staff During our last Town Hall meetings, many of you asked about topics related to Budget, Recruiting, Retention and Turnover issues.

Below are the answers to those questions. We hope you take the time to review them and learn more about those important topics.

On the topic of Budget: Q. How does WYDOT set its priorities regarding roads, maintenance and equipment? How do we ensure we are good stewards of our resources and ensure we are getting quality equipment at a reasonable price?

A. Road Construction – WYDOT identifies pavement, bridge and safety needs in our electronic management system. WYDOT has established dollar amounts as follows, along with mileages of different treatment types, that are used in these categories each year to improve safety and maintain our highway infrastructure in its current condition.

• Pavements – $160 million, mileage and treatment type vary by district; • Bridges – $35 million; and • Safety – $25-$30 million, roadway safety improvement and education.

Lists of eligible projects are established with associated ratings.

The district’s use that information along with input gathered from district leadership in all programs – construction, maintenance and traffic; district tours; and the public to establish their district portion of the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). The STIP will include projects to meet the above mentioned objectives along with other transportation needs, although limited by budget, in each district. Additional information can be found regarding the STIP development process in Operating Policies 3-1 and 3-2.

Maintenance – Districts develop their own maintenance programs based on available funding and needs. This is accomplished through district tours, meetings with maintenance crew leaders, area supervisors and other pertinent information to

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decide how to best to use the funding they receive. This information can be reviewed more closely in the District’s Maintenance Long Range Plan. The snow plan is reviewed and updated annually in each district based on roadway traffic volumes, school bus usage, etc. to establish the protocol for snow removal efforts during and after a storm. This information can be reviewed more closely in the District’s Snow Plan.

Equipment – Each district has a “District Equipment Committee.” This committee discusses and prioritizes suggestions for equipment needs for the district. These suggestions are forwarded on to the district staff, the district representative to the State Advisory Equipment Committee, and the State Equipment manager for consideration. The State Equipment Committee meets annually, or as needed, to act on suggestions which are forwarded onto the State Equipment manager and the Operations Equipment Committee for consideration to decide on the equipment to be included in the upcoming budget. The department also has a Long Range Equipment Plan that establishes criteria and prioritization for purchasing equipment and other critical information.

More details can be found regarding this process in Operating Policy 8-7.

There are a number of checks and balances in place to ensure we are spending our funds correctly and efficiently. We expect agency leaders to make decisions daily to ensure the most important activities that meet our agency mission are being completed in an efficient and effective manner. Other checks and balances in place are FHWA audits on federal projects, quality standards that must be met for materials incorporated in projects, quality control measures for roadway assets for maintenance consideration, planning and budgeting purposes, purchasing and procurement policies – see Operating Policy 24-9, etc. For equipment the State Equipment manager, in coordination with the District Equipment supervisor, prepare specifications of the requirements we want for a certain piece of equipment. This is bid out and the lowest bid is accepted as long as it meets all of the requirements, ensuring the best value for agency equipment.

Q. Will there be any budget cuts?

A-1. Governor Gordon recently released his first budget. His proposed budget has been able to fund standard agency budgets without cuts. The Governor’s proposal keeps ongoing spending

low; calls for a significant reduction in capital construction and limits the use of our rainy day fund to only legislatively mandated educational needs and local communities. It is now the Legislature’s responsibility to finalize the State’s Budget and we will know the results early in March.

A-2. We anticipate no commission budget reductions through FY2020.

Q. Do surplus items we sell go back into our budget?

A. Yes. When we sell surplus property, like old highway signs or outdated computers, the money goes back into WYDOT’s overall budget.

Q. Is WYDOT pursuing any grant money?

A. Yes, we pursue grants on a regular basis. In fact, we just received a $14.5 million BUILD grant for the Dry Piney Wildlife Crossing Project in the La Barge area.

Q. Can you explain why WYDOT maintains its own fencing rather than leaving it up to a private property owner?

A. The Wyoming Transportation Commission and WYDOT are entrusted with highway safety of the traveling public on and along all highways within their jurisdiction. In addition, Wyoming is a “fence out state for cattle,” which means that a landowner is responsible to build a fence to keep roaming cattle off of their property. Fencing is a critical element to improve safety along our highways by minimizing the presence of livestock.

By Wyoming State statute 24-1-112, WYDOT is responsible to construct and maintain fences along the state highway rightof-way. Some areas are considered “open range” and therefore are not fenced. WYDOT installs “open range warning signs” to alert drivers to the potential that there maybe livestock present.

Further information can be found regarding WYDOT’s fencing requirements in Operating Policy 19-4, Fences and Cattle Guards, along with the Wyoming State Statutes referenced at the end of the policy.

On the topic of Recruiting, Retention and Turnover: Q. Why do we have the PMI?

A. State statute requires an employee appraisal system. The PMI system was developed by A&I HRD in conjunction with representatives from across state agencies, from a mix of professions, including personnel from WYDOT. In addition, it is important to have a tool that helps create opportunities for employees and supervisors to talk about performance and set goals.

PMI is designed to objectively review and measure performance and to allow for supervisors and employees to document these discussions. The tool allows for employee development through individual development plans and allows for a place to document an employee’s achievements throughout the year. If we were not using the current system, we would still be required to complete and document an annual review in another system.

Q. Are we doing anything regarding employee turnover?

A. WYDOT is always working to reduce employee turnover through multiple different activities. For many occupations

across the state, compensation issues contribute to an increase in turnover. The Director and Executive Staff are working with other state agencies to develop potential long-term solutions to the pay structure that we will present to the appropriate decision makers. As part of these discussions, we will be reviewing the cost of living in our more challenging locations to see if there are creative and sustainable ways to address recruitment and retention issues. Beyond efforts to improve compensation, the Director has also created employee advisory teams to propose other solutions to reduce turnover and increase the overall employee experience with WYDOT. Some policy areas that are already under review are compensatory time accrual, use and payout as well as alternative work schedules. There will also be a renewed focus on employee safety with continuance of the clothing policy and the boot policy expected near the start of calendar year 2020.

The long-standing Safety Committee is also expected to meet on about the same time line.

Q. Are we promoting work/life balance?

A. Work/life balance is important to the Executive Staff and we will work with the employee advisory teams to find opportunities to enhance this for all employees. As mentioned above, both the compensatory time and alternative work schedules should contribute to a more balanced approach to work and life.

Part of the rollout for any of these policy revisions will be to ensure that supervisors are aware of what has changed and what the expectations from the Director are so that employees across the state are treated similarly. We encourage all employees to work with their supervisors to ensure an appropriate balance between work demands and personal needs.

4. Why can’t we double fill positions?

A. We can double fill positions if it is needed. One condition of opening a position for double fill is that the person vacating the position must commit to leaving their position. This often does not happen with enough notice to allow for a position to be advertised, interviews to be conducted and to appoint a new person to work alongside the incumbent for a period of time.

5. When did the moving expense reimbursement change?

A. The review of the policy on moving expenses began in 2017 as we were preparing to sell a property that had been purchased years earlier as part of a relocation. As the review of the policy and how it had been administered in the past were conducted, it led to a review of the statute surrounding moving expenses.

The most recent interpretation of the wording within the statute led to the determination that only expenses for employees that are reassigned at the direction of the department are eligible for payment of these expenses. At that time, we honored commitments that had previously been made and discontinued offering these payments for future recruitments and promotions. The Executive Staff understands the importance of being able to assist with moving expenses for employees for their growth and for the betterment of the department. Due to the importance of having this tool, we have worked with the Joint Transportation Committee of the Legislature to propose changes to the existing statute to allow for moving expenses once again. As the director mentioned at the Town Hall meetings, this is one of our highest legislative priorities for the upcoming session. n March 2020

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By Cherise Forno, Jackson Hole News & Guide With more than three decades of experience as a heavy equipment operator, Shirley Samuelson is the lone woman on a dedicated Wyoming Department of Transportation team that keeps the roads of Jackson and Teton Pass clear and safe for drivers throughout the long winter season.

“I’m the only woman with Jackson WYDOT and the first in the maintenance crew,” Samuelson said. “It’s been good. The crew has treated me really well.

“There’s no him or her — we just work together as a team.”

Samuelson’s unlikely journey from nurse to an equipment operator for WYDOT began in 1984 while she was working as a nurse, EMT and part-time security guard at an open-pit mine in Caribou County. She decided to accept a full-time position at the mine and soon found herself gaining experience with heavy equipment to perform tasks such as snow removal.

“I’ve done everything from cars and trucks to snow plow equipment,” she said.

That led to similar jobs with other companies until she decided to apply to a year-round position for WYDOT. She was hired in November 2017.

“I was getting tired of seasonal work and decided to give this a shot,” Samuelson said. “It happened at the right time.”

She explained that her work as a nurse also equipped her with skills that she uses in her current job as she melds her experience with helping people, handling emergency situations and operating heavy machinery to be a successful WYDOT employee.

“Number one: I like playing with snow,” Samuelson said. “I have moved a lot of it. It’s a new method, but something that I’ve done a lot of. I’ve always been into emergency work, EMT and search and rescue. This is a people-serving role to keep people moving and traveling in the safest way possible. I like the people service part of it.”

For the first two winter seasons working for WYDOT, Samuelson was responsible for the town route that included snowplowing from Hoback through town and past Wilson. This year she began working on Teton Pass, a challenging stretch of road, as well as the town route, rotating between them every two weeks.

“It is way busier,” Samuelson said of the pass. “There’s a lot more weather up there, a lot more people. You’ve got wind, terrain, avalanches and a lot of people to work with. It’s interesting.”

Samuelson typically works from 1 to 9 p.m., but a 40-hour workweek occurs only when the weather and other variables cooperate. She is on call with no sick days or vacation to use during the winter as part of a team that takes pride in keeping highways open and safe for commuters, tourists and locals.

“If there’s no real active weather then we work five days a

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Photo: Kathryn Ziesig/Jackson Hole News & Guide

WYDOT’s female plow driver in Jackson has brought decades of experience to the job.

Shirley Samuelson is the lone female snowplow driver for the Wyoming Department of Transportation in Teton County. She has been working with WYDOT for three years maintaining the roadways. Samuelson said she was never told growing up that there were “traditional male and female jobs” — she just learned how to do it all.

week,” she said. “When things get crazy the hours can extend to the next shift. We’ve had some long hours this year.”

During a particularly stormy day Jan. 15 Samuelson put in a 16-hour shift battling strong winds and drifting snow on Teton Pass. She performed snow removal, avalanche mitigation and managed road closures from 1 p.m. to 6 a.m. During a busy season Samuelson works long hours, sometimes with just enough time to take a quick nap between shifts.

“This job timewise has been more demanding than probably any other job I’ve had,” she said.

WYDOT prepares new hires by having them attend an equipment training academy to learn WYDOT procedures and best practices. They also provide separate training opportunities to learn skills such as operating a rotary snowplow, which Samuelson is trained to use to widen roadways and remove snow following an avalanche.

“The academy is good for new hires or even people with experience in different fields,” said Bruce Daigle, WYDOT maintenance foreman.

Samuelson noted that her previous experience made the transition to her new position easier, even as she joined an all-male crew.

“When things get bad all we have to lean on is us,” Samuelson said. “We are on-call all winter pretty much 24/7. We are one team, and we handle whatever comes.”

Daigle said he wanted Samuelson to succeed, and she has proven to be a valuable addition to WYDOT. “The challenge was bringing in the first woman because you want to make it work, and so far it has,” Daigle said. “She has done a really good job. We encourage anyone willing to pursue a career to get hold of WYDOT and see what it’s about.”

As an equipment operator Samuelson is responsible for myriad tasks, including changing the edges and blades on her machine, which can weigh up to 70 pounds each. Even with the physical work, Samuelson said she performed more heavy lifting as a nurse with moving patients than she does for WYDOT. She has also realized that each operator sometimes struggles with one aspect of the job, but they get their work done, helping each other whenever possible.

“Some days I wonder what I got myself into, but then I realize some of the guys struggle with things, too,” she said.

Despite any challenges that arise as an equipment operator, Samuelson said she prefers being active and outdoors to working a desk job. As a commuter in the past from Star Valley to Jackson, she also understands the importance of keeping roads open for everyone, and she feels fulfilled to help people get to work and home safely.

“Being bottled up in an office is a huge challenge for me,” she said. “I love being outside, and I enjoy working with people.

“I get a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day that everyone arrived safely.”

When winter ends, Samuelson’s work shifts from snow removal to spring, summer and fall tasks such as removing dead animals from roadways, fixing fences and guardrails, directing traffic and installing signs and posts.

“Our winters are so long it can take a while to get to our normal spring activities — we can get started as late as June,” Daigle said. “Sometimes there’s a challenge for everyone to get these very varied tasks done. They work a lot of hours without complaints.”

Despite the long hours, heavy lifting and responsibility that comes with her job, Samuelson, 60, continues to enjoy it as she works hard to keep everyone in the valley safe throughout the

By Stephanie Harsha A Wyoming Department of Transportation plow truck was hit on Interstate 80 east of Rock Springs near milepost 148 on Jan. 30 around 9 a.m. by a tractor trailer truck, flipping the plow truck on its side. According to the Wyoming Highway Patrol, WYDOT plow driver Jake Webber was traveling eastbound in the right hand lane, plowing the lane and shoulder, traveling at roughly 35 mph. A Blue Line tractor trailer driven by Angel Hernandez was also eastbound in the right lane behind the plow truck.

Hernandez failed to move over, rear-ending the plow truck. The plow truck was sent off the right side of the road and turned over.

Webber was wearing his seat belt. The tractor trailer truck then jack-knifed from the impact and went off the road. Both trucks came to rest on the right side of the road.

Hernandez did not report any injuries at the scene and Webber was transported to Sweetwater Memorial Hospital for undetermined, but not life-threatening injuries.

“We are asking the public to remember to slow down and adjust your driving to current road and weather conditions. These plow drivers are our friends, neighbors and family members.

We all want them to come home safely every night,” WYDOT District Maintenance Engineer Tory Thomas said.

Thomas would like to remind drivers that we all should remember that it takes extra time to slow down or stop on slick roads, don’t use your cruise control and drive appropriate speeds.

WYDOT has numerous bright yellow snow plows, and when working the roads, these plow trucks have amber, red and blue flashing lights mounted on top of the cab and on the back of the sanders. Snow plows are huge machines, capable of moving tons of snow every minute. Operators of these snow plows are highly trained professionals, but still need room to operate.

WYDOT drivers need cooperation from drivers so they can do their jobs and keep the road safe for motorists.

“Stay well back from operating snow plows,” said Thomas.

“They are spreading sand, anti-icing and de-icing chemicals on the roadway. It’s always a good idea to stay back from snow plows while their operators are doing their jobs.”

With limited visibility, snow plow drivers can’t see vehicles

Photo: WYDOT

Plow hit on Interstate 80

WYDOT plow operator Jake Webber was struck from behind by a commercial carrier. Webber was wearing his seat belt and was taken to the hospital for non-life threatening injuries.

behind them if the vehicles are too close to the plows.

“Remember, the safest driving surface is behind the plow. If you must pass, don’t pass on the right into the plume of snow being moved,” Thomas said. “Be sure on two-lane highways that you have plenty of time to pass. Keep a close watch, as these huge plows often stir up their own whiteout conditions while doing their work.” n

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Photo: WGFD

WGFD and WYDOT’s ‘Wildlife Crossing’ initiative make roads safer for wildlife and drivers Nearly 6,000 big game animals like deer, pronghorn, elk, moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goats die each year from collisions Sara DiRienzo, Wyoming Game and Fish Drivers on Wyoming roads have one thing in common - most have, or have nearly, hit a big game animal. Nearly 6,000 big game animals like deer, pronghorn, elk, moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goats die each year from collisions with vehicles on Wyoming’s highways and interstates. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department along with the Wyoming Department of Transportation is hoping to change those statistics with a new initiative to keep wildlife and drivers on the go. Wildlife Crossing focuses on raising funding and awareness for reducing wildlifevehicle collisions.

“Our vision for all wildlife crossing projects is to ensure wildlife are able to easily and safely cross highways in order to access important seasonal habitats,” said Brian Nesvik, Game and Fish director. “We’re partnering with the Wyoming Department of Transportation to reduce collisions and design roads with wildlife in mind.”

In 2017, Game and Fish, WYDOT and wildlife conservation groups came together to form the Wyoming Wildlife and Roadways Initiative Team. In partnership, the team identified 240 opportunities statewide to take action for wildlife and motorist safety through a variety of roadway projects. Some projects are as expensive as wildlife over and underpasses or as localized as fencing and wildlife crossing signs.

The projects were priority raked based on safety, biological issues and feasibility, boosting 10 to as the most significant or greatest need. Those include areas near Dubois, Cody, Meeteetese, Kaycee, Powder River, Kemmerer, Dry Piney, Sweetwater,

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Bates Hole and Halleck Ridge.

One of those projects — Dry Piney — is a 19-mile stretch of US 189 between La Barge and Big Piney with the most mule deer collisions in Wyoming. Both the Wyoming Game and Fish Commission and the Wyoming Transportation Commission contributed $1.25 million, and WYDOT was awarded a $14.5 million BUILD grant.

“This grant will enable us to continue our work on the Dry Piney project, which will help us reduce vehicle-wildlife collisions on our roads,” said WYDOT Director K. Luke Reiner.

“This initiative is important to Wyoming because it will not only improve highway safety but also preserve natural wildlife movements.”

Seven to eight underpasses are planned to allow game to cross under the highway with the help of wildlife friendly fencing that will funnel deer and other wildlife to the crossing. The improvements are projected to reduce collisions by 85-90 percent.

Solving roadways problems for wildlife isn’t the simplest endeavor. Angi Bruce, Game and Fish deputy director says each site is unique and therefore has different potential solutions. With the help of movement data from collared animals, wildlife managers can see the exact places wildlife get hung up during seasonal and daily movements. This technology helps wildlife managers and road engineers pinpoint the needs and suggest the right solution for each road - and it’s not always underpasses and overpasses.

“There is a danger of over-simplifying the projects and the problem - wildlife over and underpasses don’t work everywhere and they are expensive,” Bruce said. “Each opportunity is unique and has different considerations to be successful, including private landowner buy-in, cost, social considerations, biology and geography. With these considerations and data in mind, Game and Fish and WYDOT can be the most strategic, responsible and collaborative with funding and resources.”

Because there are a spectrum of projects to help wildlife and drivers

Training

Raise your value and potential

By Kurt Borgaard, Training Services Linkedin.com posted an article titled, “The 5 Best Tips to Becoming a Person of Value.” The article highlights how to create value as it relates to your own success.

Focus on your own growth.

Offer More Value.

Sharpen Your Skills.

Work Harder on Yourself.

Value your Time.

Did you know that WYDOT has a tool to help you process and realize each of those five tips?

The tool is an IDP, or Individual Development Plan. I recently created my own IDP in collaboration with my supervisor.

Information about how to do an IDP is available on the “WYDOT Training Services” intranet page. The process is nicely laid out and straightforward. There are three steps for you and your supervisor to follow in order to have meaningful discussion as it pertains to your professional development. In my case, those IDP discussions led to a series of purposeful planned activities and tasks. Ultimately, the outcome for me, my program, and

WYDOT are the same: to tangibly benefit from the sharpened knowledge, skills and abilities I will gain through the implementation of my IDP. The IDP process fits into three principal phases: Preparation Discussion Follow-up Preparation allows you to define both personal and professional goals and values. You clarify knowledge, skills and abilities in relation to current state as well as anticipated future requirements. I found that creating clarity in each of these areas brings a heightened significance to my present day-to-day activities, as well as inspiration and incentive to progress and evolve professionally.

As stated on WYDOT Training Services website, “WYDOT’s Individual Development Plan is a structured way for employees and their supervisors to discuss and formalize a professional development plan.” Discover the process for developing an IDP on the “WYDOT Employee Website” (Intranet). Select “WYDOT Training Services”, then under “Quick Links” click on “Create an IDP”.

Create your plan. Create your present. Create your future. n

WGFD and WYDOT, continued.

Grant agreements signed The team that signed the Beartooth Highway BUILD grant agreement and the Rock Springs Railroad Interchange project INFRA grant agreement gathered on Jan. 31 for the signing.

The team consisted of Walter Satterfield, FHWA; Hank Rettinger, FHWA; Bryan Cawley, FHWA; Keith Fulton, Assistant Chief Engineer–Engineering and Planning; Shelby Carlson, Chief Engineer; John Davis, Management Services; and Kacey Brown, Management Services. n

Photo: WYDOT

share the road safely, Wyoming citizens have many opportunities to get involved.

“People can reach out to their local Game and Fish biologist or WYDOT engineer to learn more about their local projects, donate money to statewide efforts and show their support with the Wyoming wildlife conservation license plate,” Bruce said.

The license plate directly funds wildlife conservation efforts, thanks to a bill passed by the 2018 Wyoming Legislature. The initial price of the plate is $150 with a $50 renewal fee each year, in addition to registration fees. Proceeds from sales and donations will help fund overpasses, underpasses, fencing and signage to prevent vehicle/animal collisions along wildlife migration corridors. For 2020, Gov. Mark Gordon has challenged Wyoming drivers to put Conservation License Plates on the road by the end of 2020.

“We’ve already seen tremendous support from the public for the wildlife conservation plate. The plate allows those who want to support wildlife conservation efforts in the state of Wyoming to do so because a portion of the plate proceeds go toward those activities,” Reiner said. “The people of Wyoming have always had a strong commitment to making this state better, and the wildlife conservation plate gives them the opportunity to help make a difference.”

Wildlife Crossings comes on the heels of Gov. Mark Gordon’s Migration Corridor Protection Executive Order.

“We’re proud to focus efforts on wildlife crossings, and it is one additional way we can utilize our science and data to support the seasonal migrations of wildlife,” Bruce said. n

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District News Headquarters

Welcome Shala Brockevelt, Patrol-Support Services-Operations; Jason Gilmor, Emergency Communications-District 1 Radio Shop; Josette Knowles, PatrolSupport Services Manager; Devon Litzsinger, Driver Services-Policy and Records; Geoffrey McPherson, Employee Safety; Jerry Nelson, Geology; Benjamin Peterson, Planning-Traffic Data Analysis; and Bethany Smith, Patrol-Support Services-Operations.

Promotions and Transfers Jason Bogstie, Environmental Services; Cole Bostron, Materials-Bituminous; Shannon Degrazio, Motor Vehicle Services-Registration/Title; Christine

Murugesu

Degrazio

Grant

McCort

Grant, Budget; Hunter Hinckley, Geology; Brent Kindsvater, Traffic; Vincent Lucero, Traffic; Taylor McCort, Traffic; Geetha Murugesu, Patrol-Support Services Operation; Meadow Ridley, Highway Development-Project Development; Michael Sandidge, Materials-Bituminous; William Stevenson, BridgeOperations Design; and Lief Swanbom, Geology.

Pamela Allsop, Driver Services-Policy and Records – 15 years; Barak Capron, Highway Development-Photogrammetry/Survey – 15 years; Aimee Inama, Public Affairs – 10 years;

Allsop

Deporter

Mathews

Underwood

Stevenson

Service Awards

Bogstie

Burke

Capron

Liane Terrill, GIS/ITS – 10 years; Shawn Burke, Aeronautics-Air Service – 5 years; Todd Deporter, Employee Safety – 5 years; Rhonda Hoadley, Patrol-Support Services-Operations – 5 years; Sabrina Mathews, Planning-Administration – 5 years; and Dalton Underwood, Bridge-Engineering Design – 5 years.

Retirements Martha Ojeda retired on Jan. 8 with 27 years of service to WYDOT. Ojeda began her service with the Facilities Management Ojeda program in August 1992. She was promoted to senior custodian in 1995. She worked in the Planning building. n

District 1

Welcome Markus Bouley, Rawlins Mechanics; Steven Flauding, Rawlins Maintenance; Kahal Lattin, Highway DevelopmentProject Development-Laramie Design

Squad; and Christopher Schlotthauer, Laramie Maintenance.

Promotions and Transfers Retirements Reagan Bowdish, Highway Development-Project Development-Laramie Design Squad.

Service Awards

Bouley

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James Franks, Rawlins Maintenance – 5 years.

Franks

Darwin Sandoval, Cheyenne TrafficStriping – 20 years; and

Terry Arguello retired on Jan. 6 with 18 years of service to the state. She retired from the Rawlins/ Baggs Drivers Services field office as supervisor.

Arguello began her career at WYDOT in January 2002 in Rawlins. n Arguello

District 3

District 2

Welcome

Retirements

Promotions and Transfers

Sadie Brown, Douglas Construction; Timothy Garcia, Midwest Maintenance; Susan Walter, Torrington Maintenance; and Tyronne Young, Casper Maintenance.

Lowell Fleenor retired Jan. 2 with 36 years of service to the state.

He attended the University of Wyoming, graduating with a bachelor of science in civil engineering, landing a job with the department a short Fleenor time later in January 1985.

While at WYDOT, Fleenor has worked as an engineer in Cheyenne, resident engineer in Rawlins, construction staff engineer in Cheyenne and finally, District 2 construction engineer in Casper.

Jesse Zumpfe, Pinedale Maintenance.

Brown

Garcia

Service Awards Kevin Weston, Cokeville Maintenance – 20 years.

Weston

Congratulations Ted Wells has been selected for the district engineer vacancy in District 3.

Wells was interim district engineer after Keith Compton’s December 2019 retirement. n

Donald Swisher retired from Douglas Maintenance on Jan. 3 with four years of service to the state.

Congratulations

Young

Mark Ayen has been selected for the district engineer vacancy in District 2.

Ayen became interim district engineer following Lowell Fleenor’s retirement. n

Service Awards Tammy Moore, Driver Services-Douglas/Wheatland – 10 years; and Alvis Davis, Kaycee Maintenance – 5 years.

Photo: WYDOT

Walter

Dee Helm receiving his 25 year award from Tory Thomas.

WYDOT takes the cake Photo: WYDOT

Davis

Zachary Armstrong, left, District 2 technician with the Casper mechanic’s shop, completed his Fundamentals of Service (FOS) in Power Trains. The certificate was presented by District 2 Equipment Supervisor Terry Uhrich.

Rawlins Shop Foreman Tony Robidoux standing with his 35-year service award certificate and plaque.

Photo: WYDOT

Photo: WYDOT

Photo: WYDOT

District 1, cont.

Darin Brott, technician from Torrington, passed four of his FOS tests: Power Trains, Hydraulics, General Shop and Engines.

Our snow plow drivers and crews don’t always receive a lot of thanks from the public. But the office of Brook Trout Dental in Casper thought enough of the job the Casper crews and others helping with recent snow storms to send them a sweet token of their appreciation! Thanks to the folks of crews 2031, 2041 and 2032 (and all crews) for all your hard work keeping our roads safe!

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District 4

Welcome

Service Awards

Shawna Holwell, Newcastle Construction; Toni Schoolcraft, Buffalo Maintenance; and Jake Whisonant, Sheridan Construction.

Trent McKinley, Burgess Junction Maintenance – 40 years; Kari Bergeman, Gillette Construction – 10 years; Dale Fremont, Sundance Maintenance – 5 years; Brian Jordan, Hulett Maintenance – 5 years; Joseph Stetson, Gillette Construction – 5 years; and

Holwell

Schoolcraft

Whisonant

McKinley

Bergeman

Mark Williams, Newcastle Maintenance – 5 years. n

Fremont

Jordan

Stetson

Williams

District 5

Service Awards Travis Schriner, Traffic-Electrical – 5 years.

Retirements

Schriner

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K LIC

IT

16

click it or ticket. no excuses.

OR

Frederick Willert retired on Jan. 6 from Basin Construction with 30 years of service to the state.

Willert began his WYDOT career as summer help with Casper Construction.

He retired as a senior construction and field survey specialist.

He will now have Willert more time for his hobbies of hunting, fishing, boating and playing his guitar and singing.

Photo: WYDOT

Bilderback

Aidan Freeman, son of Andy Freeman in Thermopolis, played “Aria,” by Eugene Bozza on his alto saxophone, accompanied by Nancy Williams on piano.

He played at the 46th annual Showalter Music Festival on Feb. 8 at Northwest College in Powell. The festival this year brought approximately 400 students, 5th8th grade, from across the basin and from southern Montana to compete. Students performed musical pieces and were judged based on selection difficulty and musicianship.

Freeman was awarded “capture” for his performance by his judge Dr. Don Christman. Eight students received capture, one by each of eight judges for various musical instruments. Freeman is an 8th grader at Thermopolis Middle School. He is the first student from Thermopolis in 8 years to receive a capture award at the Showalter Festival.

Way to go Aidan! n

ET

Clinton Adams, Emergency Communications-District 5 Radio Shop; and David Bilderback, Basin Traffic-Striping.

Thermopolis student lauded for saxophone performance

C

Promotions and Transfers

T IC K

Congratulations to our January recipients!

Rick Ackerman Greg Barnes Vincent Martini Chad Sanderson Walter Schoene Karmen Warrington DJ Weekly For more information about the Extra Mile Award or to nominate someone, contact Katherine.Castaneda@wyo.gov.

Photo: WYDOT

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.

HR winter staff meeting The HR staff from Headquarters and each of the Districts met Jan. 23rd and 24th in Cheyenne. Various folks presented valuable information to the group, including Alice Burron from Cigna,

Karyn Williams from Employees’ Group Insurance, Jesse Naiman from the Attorney General’s Office, and the WYDOT Payroll Office. n

Got a Classic?

A hot rod?

How about a late model?

Maybe a two wheeler?

Wellness needs preventive care

Get those photos in!

Rides submission deadline:

05/15/20

carlie.vanwinkle@wyo.gov

Preventive care is any medical service that defends against health emergencies. It includes doctor visits, such as annual physicals, well-woman appointments, basic blood draw through Wyoming Health Fairs, flu shots, some immunizations and for colonoscopies (one every five years).

Most of our policies cover these at no cost to the employee – be sure to see an in-network doctor and tell them it is your “annual wellness visit.”

Did you know? Only 30% of state employees get their free annual wellness exams.

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WTDEA New officers elected for statewide WTDEA positions Every two years, the State Board, along with each District chapter, hold elections for new officers. The positions have the same format statewide: president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer. Many of the officers stay on for an extra term because there are no term limits. The last election cycle was held in January. The new WTDEA officers are listed on the next page.

The State Board holds three meetings per year – January, May and October – in which they discuss WTDEA business as well as meet with WYDOT executive staff. Each District chapter holds three meetings per year to discuss topics of concern with staff and plan for fundraising activities. The Headquarters chapter

State Board, District 1 scholarship applications now available The 2020-2021 WTDEA State Board Scholarship Application is available on the Intranet WTDEA page, under the State Board tab. The deadline for applications is April 30.

There are two $600 scholarships up for grab. The applicant must have at least a 3.0 GPA and be a dependant of a WTDEA member. The WTDEA member must be a dues paying member

holds monthly meetings due to their close location on campus.

Main topics of discussion for each chapter are the fundraising and support of the Employee Relief Fund, annual scholarships and to have an opportunity for direct communication with executive and district staff about issues that are on the minds of employees.

Many important improvements have developed from WTDEA/staff discussions over the years. For example: safety incentives, longevity pay, AM radios in trucks, mechanic tool allowances, and most recently the clothing/boot allowance, and Move Over Law. Each initiative is presented to executive staff to sign off on and move forward with, but the ideas have come from employees and communicated diligently through WTDEA until they come to fruition.

State Board also sends a representative to each Know WY. New Employee Onboarding Workshop at WYDOT University to present WTDEA to those employees new to the organization. n

for two consecutive years to qualify.

WTDEA District 1 2020-2021 Scholarships are available to download on the Intranet WTDEA District 1 webpage. The deadline for applications is April 30.

District one is offering two $500 scholarships. The applicant must have at least a 3.0 GPA and be a dependant of a WTDEA member who has been a dues paying member for two consecutive years to qualify. n

Passings Charles J. Kisicki Charles J. “Chuck” Kisicki, 74, of Cheyenne, died Feb. 1 in Cheyenne.

He was born on April 18, 1945 in Cheyenne and had retired from WYDOT with more than 38 years of service.

He joined the Kisicki department in April 1966 and in a permanent position in 1969 after he finished his bachelor’s degree in business administration and accounting from Chadron State College in Nebraska. In 1973, he became an auditor with the Internal Audit Program (now Internal Review), and was promoted to supervisor in that program in early 1978. In 1984, he was promoted again to head up Accounting as a controller. He later moved to the Planning pro-

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gram before retiring in December 2004.

He was a long-time season ticket holder of University of Wyoming football, member of Cowboy Joe Club, Cheyenne Quarterback Club, United Way of Laramie County, Cheyenne Optimist Club, St. Mary’s Catholic church and the YMCA. Funeral Liturgy was Feb. 5 at the Cathedral of St. Mary in Cheyenne.

George R. Johnson George “Pidge” Johnson, 86, died Nov. 18, 2019. He was born in Sheridan to John Jay and Rose Marguerite Johnson.

His paternal grandfather, John Johnson, was an early Sheridan pioneer and stonemason whose skills are visible in many downtown buildings Johnson

including the Courthouse, Elks Lodge, and Perkins Building.

Johnson grew up on Val Vista Street with his five siblings and nearby aunts, uncles and cousins. His family was paramount to him and he kept in close contact with all his relatives, wherever they scattered.

He served in the U.S. Army as a surveyor and was stationed in the Philippines and Okinawa. He graduated from the University of Wyoming and worked for the Wyoming Highway Department, WYDOT’s predecessor agency, until his retirement from the Photogrammetry and Surveys program.

Johnson’s family would like to thank the staff of the VA and Devoted to Home for their tireless efforts to help him stay in his own home.

Johnson will be buried in Sheridan Municipal Cemetery with military honors on May 23, 2020, at 3:00 p.m. at the Sheridan Municipal Cemetery. n

WTDEA Officers STATE BOARD President

Christina Fisher

District 1 Construction

(307) 777-4404

Vice President

William McGary

Baggs Maintenance

(307) 383-2135

Treasurer

Audrey Hobbs

Field Operations/ Construction Staff, Cheyenne

(307) 777-4456

Secretary

Misty Wood

Sheridan Finals Office

(307) 674-2323

President

Rich Barber

Laramie Maintenance

(307) 745-2154

Vice President

William McGary

Baggs Maintenance

(307) 383-2135

Treasurer

Brian Lashley

Arlington Maintenance

(307) 378-2285

Secretary

Chris Fisher

Cheyenne Construction

(307) 777-4404

President

Ryan Sorensen

Casper Construction

(307) 473-3267

Vice President

David Cullison

Casper Construction

(307) 473-3241

Secretary/Treasurer

Debbie Herbold

Casper Construction

(307) 473-3258

President

Kevin Lennon

Granger Maintenance

(307) 871-5288

Vice President

Mike Kennedy

Afton Maintenance

(307) 880-2477

Treasurer

Paul Schurman

Rock Springs Traffic

(307) 922-3287

Secretary

Christina Kindler

Rock Springs Construction

(307) 389-9322

President

David Johnson

Burgess Junction

(307) 674-2371

Vice President

Vacant

Secretary

Jean Little

Gillette

(307) 752-0730

Treasurer

Misty Wood

Sheridan

(307) 461-7319

President

Christa Hauser

South Pass

(307) 856-1341

Vice President

John Farr

Lander

(307) 332-4151

Secretary/Treasurer

Cole Mosegard

Basin-Traffic

(307) 568-3433

President

Justin Mordahl

Geology

(307) 777-4781

Vice President

Alyssa Meyers

Patrol-Commercial Carrier

(307) 777-4643

Treasurer

Pam Fredrick

Budget

(307) 777-4023

Secretary

Brianne Langdon

Project Development-Utilities

(307) 777-4149

DISTRICT 1

DISTRICT 2:

DISTRICT 3:

DISTRICT 4:

DISTRICT 5:

HQ

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Rides

Photo: Bill Croy

Bill Croy, of Rock Springs Maintenance, owns this gorgeous 2013 Shelby GT500.

The car has quite a few mods and puts down 700hp. Croy drives it and races it every chance he gets.

WyomingPBS is streaming LIVE

24/7

In continuous use since 1896, the Green River Drift is an old-fashioned horseback cattle drive now facing modern threats.

and

online

wyomingpbs.org

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WTDEA State Board is Looking for Crafty Donations to Host an Online Auction Fundraiser for the WYDOT Relief Fund.

Photos of received donations with the Maker’s Name will be added to an online site to be bid on.

All Proceeds will Benefit the WYDOT Employee Relief Fund.

Smaller items may be grouped.

No Alcohol. No Baked Goods. Canned Goods OK.

Donations will be accepted by your State Board Reps

by June 1st, 2020.

Audrey Hobbs Tiffanie Young

Headquarters Patrol

Cheyenne Cheyenne

307-777-4456 307-777-4778

William McGary Chris Fisher

District 1 District 1-RE Office

Baggs Cheyenne

702-202-5486 307-777-4404

Ryan Sorenson Debbie Herbold

District 2 District 2

Casper Casper

307-473-3267 307-473-3258

Kevin Lennon Paul Schurman

District 3 District 3

Granger Rock Springs

307-871-5288 307-922-3287

Misty Wood Dave Johnson

District 4 District 4

Sheridan Sheridan

307-461-7399 307-674-2371

John Farr Christa Hauser

District 5 District 5

Lander Riverton

307-714-8942 307-856-1341

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WE’RE

WITH YOU

WYOMING HIGHWAY PATROL All WYDOT employees and their families are eligible to join WyHy! Receive a $100 Bonus* when you sign up for the following: • Visa Debit Card with Wyoming Highway Patrol logo • Online & Mobile Banking • Direct Deposit & Bill Pay

Visit WyHy.org/VisaDebit or get in touch to start saving!

(800) 442-2392 MemberServices@WyHy.org *Terms & Conditions may apply. To be eligible for the $100 bonus, member must enroll in WyHy Debit Card program and sign up for online banking, direct deposit and bill pay. Terms, offer and eligibility subject to change without notice.

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Break Time Can you find the 5 differences between the top and bottom photos? Check back next month for the answer.

Answer to the February 2020 Break Time maze:

Interchange subscription issue? Update your address:

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

Add me to the mailing list

Retiree Employee

Change my address

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

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

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

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Interchange

Wyoming Department of Transportation 5300 Bishop Blvd.

Cheyenne, Wyoming 82009-3340

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

Address Service Requested

The 2020 Conservation License Plate challenge Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon has challenged Wyoming drivers to put 2,020 Conservation License Plates on the road by the end of 2020. Meeting this challenge will directly help fund wildlife crossings.

Visit: www.dot.state.wy.us/wildlife_plate for an application.