March April 2016 Interchange

Interchange March/April 2016

Information Technology

Where info super-highway meets regular highway

Letters

Exemplary customer service Dear Capt. Walther, I am writing to commend Kim McLees for her outstanding customer service.

As an attorney, I routinely request records from your agency. I imagine that numerous requests are received on a daily basis from attorneys and others seeking records. Responding to requests may be challenging, if not impossible, at times.

Despite the workload, each time I have had a request, Kim has gone out of her way to personally update me on the status of my request and has suggested alternatives when the records I am seeking are not with WHP. I am sure she could simply deny the request, as other agencies routinely do, however she has shown that she cares enough to help me in my efforts to serve my clients, who are largely citizens of the state of Wyoming.

She serves as the face of WHP to many constituents and does an outstanding job in upholding the pride and integrity of the Patrol. For that, I am grateful to her, you and your agency for a job well done.

Please send her and your command staff my best regards.

Jack D. Edwards Edwards Law Office, P.C.

Kudos to WYDOT snow removal crews To whom it may concern: Thank you so much for all your hard work clearing the roads here in southeast Wyoming. You have a very difficult job, as was very clear in mid-December. The onslaught of snow and wind during the busy travel season made your daily actions and decisions life-changing as you worked to keep travelers safe.

I do not know all of your names, but I do want to thank you! Your faithfulness in bad weather, hard work and generosity in leaving your families at all hours is appreciated!

511 Travel Info caller appreciation

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You folks do the best job reporting the road conditions of any place in the country.

Keep up the good work!

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

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

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

Anonymous caller on the 511 Travel Info system

Outstanding service from Motor Vehicle Services Dear Jody (Brown), We are always grateful for your help.

Your office is among the most efficient we deal with and each member of your staff seems to have a happy demeanor and positive attitude. We appreciate your service. Thank you.

Janice Frye Castle Rock Afton

Vol. 44, Issues 3/4

Staff WYDOT Director: William T. Panos

Public Affairs Manager: Doug McGee

Editor: Carlie Van Winkle

Thank you from the Cheyenne VA hospital

Contributors:

Dear Lynn (Spence) and WYDOT Employees, On behalf of the Cheyenne VAMC patients and staff, we would like to extend our appreciation to you for your donation of the personal care items. Your thoughtfulness reflects the concern that you feel for our veterans and for the service they provided to all of us while in service to our country.

Without your support, we could not provide these special items that make hospitalization more bearable. Your thoughtfulness also reflects the concern and compassion that our community feels for our veterans.

Thank you for your continued support.

Photography:

Aimee Inama Dave Kingham Carlie Van Winkle Ross Doman Jeff Goetz Stephanie Harsha Ronda Holwell Cody Beers Sgt. David Wagener 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.

Sincerely, Linda G. Brown Chief, Voluntary Service Department of Veterans Affairs

Elizabeth Williams Laramie

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March/April 2016

DOT publication

Contents

10

Features 10 Developing WYDOT leaders Employee Safety partners with Chad Hymas

11 Parent’s Supervised Driving Program Teaching safe driving habits to teens

11

12 Information Technology Keeping computers, applications and networks running

16 Financial Services The backbone of WYDOT; keeping department on track

Also in this issue

12

Letters.........................................................................................2 District briefs.............................................................................4 WHP Commissions 90th class...........................................15 Highway Safety program in Wyoming schools.............18 Noteworthy............................................................................. 20

16

TechNotes............................................................................... 22 Training.................................................................................... 22 District news.......................................................................... 24 Passings................................................................................... 30 WTDEA......................................................................................31 Outdoors/Rides..................................................................... 32 Break Time.............................................................................. 36

On the cover:

Colorful computer network lines link each District to the state network.

Photo: Carlie Van Winkle

Kindly recycle this publication after reading.

March/April 2016

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District Briefs Transportation Commission awards $24.8 million in contracts

Cheyenne – Contracts totaling $24.8 million for 18 projects around the state, including five to be funded with revenue from the fuel tax increase, were awarded by the Wyoming Transportation Commission during its February and March meetings in Cheyenne.

S & S Builders of Gillette won the largest of the contracts with the low bid of $3.9 million to complete minor repairs to 22 bridges in Campbell, Crook, Johnson, Sheridan and Weston counties. The contract completion date is Oct. 31, 2017.

Mountain View Building of Sheridan submitted the low bid of $2.89 million to rebuild about a mile of West Fifth Street (WYO 330) in Sheridan, from Mydland Road west to the end of the paved section.

The work also will include new sidewalks, curb and gutter, and the contract completion date is Oct. 31.

Lewis & Lewis Inc. of Rock Springs won a $2.7 million contract for improvements to Hitching Post Drive and West Teton and East Teton boulevards in Green River. The work will include full-depth reclamation and sidewalk upgrades, and it is expected to be done by June 30, 2017.

Cheyenne’s Reiman Corp. was the low bidder at $1.95 million to complete rehabilitation work on three bridges in Natrona County. The US 20 bridges over Casper Creek and the abandoned C&NW Railroad tracks in Mills will get a new layer of concrete pavement and other repairs.

The F Street Bridge over the Platte River in Casper will get a new expansion joint.

The work will be paid for with revenue from the 10-cent fuel tax increase, and is scheduled to be done by Oct. 31.

Bituminous Paving Inc. of Ortonville, Minn., submitted the low bid of $1.9 million for chip sealing work on a total of about 75 miles of highways in Campbell, Crook, Johnson, Sheridan and Weston counties. The contract completion date is Sept. 15.

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Cannon Builders of Blackfoot, Idaho won a $1.8 million contract for bridge rehabilitation work on three bridges on Interstate 80 in Uinta County by Oct. 31. The work will include new concrete pavement, deck rehabilitation and new approach slabs.

Mountain Construction of Lovell was the lowest bidder at $1.6 million for chip sealing work and guardrail and cattle guard replacement on 6 miles on WYO 170 (Hamilton Dome Road) west of Thermopolis. The work will be paid for with revenue from the 10-cent fuel tax increase and is scheduled to be finished on Oct. 31.

Lovell’s Mountain Construction Co. was awarded a $1.4 million contract to add a new layer of pavement to 4.5 miles of US 310 north from the Little Dry Creek Bridge about 7 miles northwest of Greybull. The work will be funded with 10-cent fuel tax revenue and is scheduled to be done by Oct. 31.

Intermountain Slurry Seal of Watsonville, Calif. submitted the low bid of $1.2 million for chip sealing on a total of 30 miles of US 20-26 between Casper and Shoshoni, US 26 between Shoshoni and Riverton, and WYO 789 between Riverton and Lander by Aug. 31.

Simon Contractors of Cheyenne submitted the low bid of $1.1 million for patching to extend the life of pavement on three highways in Laramie County.

The patching will be done on Lincolnway (US 30) from College Drive to Pershing Boulevard in Cheyenne, Horse Creek Road (WYO 211) about 16 miles northwest of Cheyenne, and WYO 215 immediately south of Albin. The contract completion date is Oct. 31.

Also awarded by the commission were contracts for: n $862,000 to Simon Contractors of Cheyenne for chip sealing on 10 miles of US 85 south of Torrington and in LaGrange by Aug. 31; n $854,000 to Earth Work Solutions of

Gillette for landslide stabilization work on WYO 24 between Hulett and Alva

by Oct. 31;

n $832,000 to Intermountain Slurry Seal

of Watsonville, Calif., for chip seals on 17 miles of highways in the Laramie and Rawlins areas by Aug. 31.

n $585,000 to Intermountain Slurry Seal

for microsurfacing work on 7 miles of US 16 between Osage and Upton by Sept. 30.

n $535,000 to S & S Builders of Gillette

for concrete slab replacement on I-80 at various locations between Cheyenne and Pine Bluffs, and at the intersection of Third Street and Curtis Street in Laramie by Sept. 30;

n $287,000 to Cannon Builders of Black-

foot, Idaho, for rehabilitation work on a US 30 bridge about 5 miles south of Kemmerer, and a deck sealant on the US 26-89 bridge over the Snake River south of Hoback Junction by Oct. 31;

n $150,000 to Earth Work Solutions

to add a left-turn lane to US 14 for eastbound traffic turning left onto Ranchester Five Mile Road to access the new elementary school there by June 30; and

n $99,000 to Dan Hart Patrol Service

of Upton to create a wetland on Old Woman Creek near the intersection of WYO 270 and US 85 about 21 miles north of Lusk by Oct. 31.

Winter storm activity keeps WHP busy Cheyenne – Jan. 31 through Feb. 3 troopers investigated 146 crashes statewide. Of those crashes, 121 involved property damage only, 24 crashes had injuries and there was one fatal crash southwest of Laramie that was not weather related.

WHP dispatchers and office administrative employees answered more than 4,800 phone calls and dispatched 1,408 events. Broken down or stranded motorists accounted for 225 of those calls, including one phone call fielded by a trooper on Feb. 1 from “Thunder”, the Denver Broncos mascot, and his trainers who were stopped near Rock Springs due to an I-80 road closure on their way to Super Bowl 50. Thunder and crew thanked the WHP for their assistance in getting them to the Super Bowl.

D1

Drifted over vehicles serve as safety reminder

WYO 130 north of Saratoga sees speed increase

Cheyenne – Severe winter weather and multiple crashes resulted in a road closure in both directions on I-80 between Cheyenne and Laramie on Feb. 6 resulting in stranded motorists. The first crash approximately 20 miles west of Cheyenne occurred when a commercial truck crashed into a WYDOT snowplow, blocking all lanes. Shortly after that crash, all westbound lanes became blocked due to multiple crashes in the same vicinity near milepost 340.

As law enforcement, first responders, WYDOT and tow companies sorted through and cleaned up crashes, stranded motorists and their vehicles became drifted over while stopped. Troopers began walking through miles of stopped vehicles reassuring motorists and making sure they were ventilating their vehicles with fresh air. The drifting became so extreme with 55 mph wind gusts that the snowdrifts began covering their vehicles or plugging exhaust pipes.

Some motorists were not freed from the drifts until 5 a.m. the next morning.

The storm is a reminder to always travel prepared during winter months. When traveling in inclement weather remember to keep your fuel tanks full, carry extra blankets, a shovel, non-perishable food and water that will help you survive an extended time if you should become stranded.

Get out of your vehicle to frequently check that your exhaust is not blocked by snow and ice and is able to vent properly to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Occasionally bring fresh air into the vehicle by opening windows.

Stay resourceful, stay with your vehicle and be sure to keep an eye out for your neighbor, as not everyone will be prepared.

Saratoga – The speed limit is now 70 mph on WYO 130 between I-80 and Saratoga.

The 19-mile highway section is the third in the state to get the higher speed limit this year.

Much of US 85 from just east of its interchange with I-25 north of Cheyenne to Newcastle got the 70 mph limit on Jan. 15, and WYO 120 from about 18 miles north of Cody to the Montana border got the higher limit on Jan. 26.

The three highway sections were the first chosen from 1,546 miles of highway WYDOT identified as having the best potential for safely handling the 70 mph limit approved for two-lane rural highways by the 2015 Legislature.

The decision to increase the speed limit on the three sections was made after completion of the comprehensive engineering study and traffic investigation required by state law. That study found the 70 mph limit to be safe and reasonable on those sections.

WYDOT will monitor speeds, crashes and traffic flows on the highways, and reevaluate the higher limit annually.

WYDOT continues to study another 1,314 miles of highway for their potential to safely handle 70 mph speeds, including US 20-26 between Casper and Shoshoni, US 287 between Lander and Rawlins, Wyoming 220 between Casper and Muddy Gap, US 191 from Rock Springs to Pinedale, and US 14-16-20 east of Cody.

Among the factors being evaluated are the terrain the highways pass through, their crash histories, current travel speeds, traffic volumes and the percentage of heavy trucks, alignment and sight distances, the number and locations of intersections and the amount of agricultural and recreational use the routes experience.

Photo: WHP

Nearly 300 pounds of marijuana seized on I-80

A passenger car with occupants is under a drift of snow on eastbound I-80.

Laramie – Wyoming Highway Patrol Troopers confiscated approximately 292 pounds of marijuana during a traffic stop Feb. 13 west of Laramie.

A trooper stopped a U-Haul rental truck for speeding on eastbound I-80 approximately 18 miles west of Laramie.

Confusing and conflicting stories, along with an admission to marijuana in the truck, led to a WHP K-9 alerting to the presence of a controlled substance in a couch in the back of the moving truck.

Troopers discovered the large amount of marijuana in multiple items of furniture in the U-Haul.

With the assistance of the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation, troopers arrested a 48-year-old resident of San Francisco, Calif., and a 41-year-old resident of Brooklyn, N.Y., who now face felony Briefs continued on page 6

Total number of employees: as of Feb. 8, 2016

1,971

January 2016

1,976

February 2015

1,962

and as of March 1, 2016

1,977

One year ago

1,975

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Photo: WHP

charges.

The marijuana is believed to have originated in the Seattle area and was destined for New Jersey. The seized marijuana has an estimated street value of $1,068,000.

The marijuana was found in various pieces of furniture safely packed away in the U-Haul moving truck.

Cheyenne area highspeed chase ends in Colorado Cheyenne – A WHP trooper attempted to initiate a traffic stop on a blue Jeep Cherokee March 7 south of Cheyenne.

The Jeep failed to stop, and the pursuit began on College Drive (WYO 212) near the intersection with South Greeley Highway (US 85). The SUV eventually fled south for eight miles on US 85 toward Colorado.

The pursuit continued into Colorado on multiple county roads near Carr. The suspect drove off-road multiple times including one time that did not allow the WHP to follow. The trooper was able to maintain observation of the Jeep while relaying the Jeep's location to Colorado law enforcement.

WHP continued to observe the Jeep until Colorado State Patrol located the SUV on I-25. The suspect stopped for the CSP near milepost 291 on southbound I-25 eight miles south of the Wyoming state line. The suspect was taken into custody by the Colorado State Patrol.

Future charges are pending against the suspect in Wyoming as the investigation continues.

D1

WHP saturation patrol in Converse and Platte counties

Kemmerer Streets project underway; no additional land required

Douglas – Motorists traveling on I-25 through Converse and Platte counties Feb. 8 may have noticed an increased presence of law enforcement.

Troopers from Division M as well as troopers from adjacent divisions and deputies from Converse and Platte County participated in a one-day saturation patrol with a focus on highway traffic safety and criminal interdiction. Approximately 15 troopers and deputies, including six K-9 teams, participated in the saturation event.

Wyoming Highway Patrol Col. Kebin Haller placed a high priority on criminal interdiction. The WHP will focus on “quality investigations that lead to successful prosecutions.”

Criminal interdiction is not limited to just illegal drug detection and seizures.

Haller has emphasized the importance of interdicting other criminal elements taking place on our highways such as human sex trafficking, national security violations, fraudulent documents, stolen property and impaired drivers.

Haller recognized the importance of the interagency teamwork between Patrol and the two sheriff ’s offices that took place during the saturation to make it successful.

Arrests from the detail ranged from warrants to felony and misdemeanor drugs. Some of the drugs seized included heroin, oxycodone and marijuana.

Highway safety efforts were also successful as only one crash, with no injuries, was investigated by troopers in the two counties during the detail.

Kemmerer – WYDOT has begun planning work on the Kemmerer Streets project slated for the spring of 2018. The work will take place on US 189, from milepost 34 at the intersection of US 30 and US 189, continuing to milepost 37.35 and then resumes again from milepost 37.5 for about half a mile, ending just north of intersection with WYO 233.

The work consists of two sections that will receive new pavement after milling, and new curb and gutter work on the intersections that will meet the American Disabilities Act (ADA) specifications.

However, driveways and other accesses to the sidewalk will not be upgraded.

“Although both these sections of roadway have had thin maintenance overlays in the past five years, the condition of the underlying pavement is so deteriorated that it’s necessary for us to remove and replace more pavement to ensure a stable surface into the future. While we’re doing the overlay work we’ll be addressing the sidewalk ramps at the intersecting streets throughout these short sections, to bring them up to current standards,” WYDOT Resident Engineer Jennifer Hoffman said.

The scope of work will not include any additional widening, reconstruction, realignment or the taking of right of way.

All construction activities will take place on the existing roadway and sidewalks, and the need for any construction permits are highly unlikely.

Many residents received a letter from WYDOT’s Right-of-Way Program with information about the project and the rightof-way process. These letters are required by law to educate landowners on the right of way processes and their rights.

However, the current project does not require any taking of right of way and WYDOT plans to perform the scope of work within the state’s right of way. The project could be let out for bid as early as October of next year.

D2

Trooper Marc Russell with K-9 Baxter after an arrest at milepost 93 on I-25 during the saturation patrol.

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Photo: WHP

Briefs continued from page 5

Buffalo contractor to complete airport work Sheridan – The Wyoming Aeronautics Commission has awarded a $518,000 contract to Buffalo’s Top Job for pavement preservation work at four airports around the state.

Cracks and joints will be sealed to extend the life of pavement on runways, taxiways and aprons at the Casper, Gillette, Sheridan and Douglas airports.

The work is scheduled to be done by June 15.

D4

70 mph speed limit in place on WYO 120 Cody – The speed limit is now 70 mph from about 18 miles north of Cody to the Montana border.

WYDOT completed the task of changing the speed limit signs on Jan. 26.

The highway is one of three which the higher speed limit is now in effect.

US 85 north of Cheyenne and WYO 130 from I-80 south to Saratoga also received the higher speed limit.

The three highway sections are among 1,546 miles of highway WYDOT identified as having the best potential for safely handling 70 mph speeds.

The decision to increase the speed limit on the three sections was made after completion of the comprehensive engineering study and traffic investigation required by state law. That study found the 70 mph limit to be safe and reasonable on

D5

Powell Streets open house held Powell – A open house format public meeting to discuss 2017 highway improvements in Powell was held Feb. 1.

WYDOT Resident Engineer Todd Frost of Cody said, “This project will impact traffic movements while it is being reconstructed. The city and WYDOT want this to be the best possible project for Powell and its citizens, and citizen involvement is needed to accomplish this.”

The Powell Streets project is a joint effort between the city of Powell and WYDOT. Expected work includes removing medians on US 14A, installing roadway lighting, realigning First Street/ Evarts streets, milling and overlaying asphalt pavement, installing Americans with Disabilities Act upgrades, and replacing broken sidewalk, curb and gutter, and double gutter from Fair Street to Homesteader Park.

Mild winter conditions advance Willwood bridge construction Powell – Construction of a new bridge across the Shoshone River in Park County is running ahead of schedule due to mild winter conditions throughout the Big Horn Basin.

The new $3.45 million Willwood bridge construction and road realignment of Park County Lane 14 is scheduled for completion Oct. 31. Mild winter conditions have

allowed prime contractor Sletten Construction Inc., of Great Falls, Mont., to work through the winter without a winter shutdown, according to WYDOT project inspector Stuart Eckhardt of Cody.

The project is being funded by 90 percent federal funds through WYDOT’s Bridge Replacement Off-System Program and 10 percent by Park County.

The new Willwood bridge is located about 200 feet downstream of the existing structure on the Willwood Dam. The new bridge, when complete, will be 28 feet wide and 420 feet long. The roadway will include two 12-foot driving lanes with two 2-foot shoulders. The new bridge will be about 60 to 70 feet above the Shoshone River.

As part of the project, the roadway is being realigned to meet the new bridge.

A new 12-foot by 12-foot box culvert has been placed in the Willwood Canal, and the new roadway will be built over the box culvert, paved and chip sealed.

Local traffic is currently being carried on the existing roadway and structure without delay.

When the new bridge opens this summer, the existing structure over the Willwood Dam will remain in place but will be closed to normal traffic.

Photo: WYDOT

Photo: WYDOT

Asphalt resurfacing project slated for spring 2018 in Kemmerer.

those sections.

WYDOT will monitor speeds, crashes and traffic flows on the highways, and reevaluate the higher limit annually.

WYDOT continues to study another 1,314 miles of highway for their potential to safely handle 70 mph speeds, including US 20-26 between Casper and Shoshoni, US 287 between Lander and Rawlins, Wyoming 220 between Casper and Muddy Gap, US/ 191 from Rock Springs to Pinedale, and US 14-16-20 east of Cody.

Among the factors being evaluated are the terrain the highways pass through, their crash histories, current travel speeds, traffic volumes and the percentage of heavy trucks, alignment and sight distances, the number and locations of intersections and the amount of agricultural and recreational use the routes experience.

Ongoing Shoshone River bridge and road construction near Willwood Dam in Park County.

Trail work, hand rail improves safety for cross country skiers Lander – Nearly 100 feet of the Beaver Creek Ski Trail has been improved thanks to help from WYDOT’s maintenance crew at South Pass.

WYDOT provided and installed a hand rail and foot boards underneath the bridge last fall where WYO 28 crosses Beaver Creek south of Lander.

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10th Street and Cody Labs on US 14-16-20, which includes 8th Street and Sheridan Avenue.

The street and sidewalk improvements are scheduled between milepost 50.64 (Cody Labs) and milepost 51.78 (10th Street) in Cody.

By contract, the project must be complete by June 15, and all concrete work is required to be complete by May 15.

WYDOT Cody Resident Engineer Todd Frost said prime contractor Mountain Construction Co., of Lovell was scheduled to begin mobilizing equipment to the area March 1.

“The contractor will begin work at 10th Street and work on the westbound lane.

Work will progress to the west, and concrete work on this side of Sheridan Avenue and 8th Street is scheduled to be complete

by April 16,” Frost said. “The contractor is scheduled to then start on the eastbound side of 8th Street starting at Cody Labs, and will progress eastward with the flow of traffic.”

Frost said asphalt milling is scheduled to begin May 9, with paving scheduled to begin on May 16.

Frost said access to businesses will be maintained at all times. Any work on businesses accesses will be completed on one-half of the approach at a time, unless alternate access has been coordinated with the landowner.

Briefs continued from page 7

U.S. 14-16-20 tunnel lights outage near Cody Cody – The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation cut power Feb. 29 to the lights inside the big tunnel on US 14-16-20 west of Cody.

The power outage was scheduled to last four days.

s

S tate E mployee

SERG

up

Retirement Gro Photo courtesy of Cody beers

“Seventy feet of the access trail was excavated several inches to provide a level walking surface. Prior to this work, the existing foot path was very steep as it turned under the highway bridge and skiers were forced to walk a sloping patch that was, at times, very icy,” said Brian Martin, WYDOT engineer in Lander and crosscountry ski coach in Lander.

“Several people a week would injure themselves traversing this short path due to its steep slopes and lack of hand rails,” Martin said.

The new hand rail encourages skiers to take a wide turn under the bridge to avoid the steep slope and the foot boards provide sliding protection, Martin said, adding that “at least one broken wrist was reported last winter.”

“I haven’t heard of any injuries this winter,” Martin said. “That’s great news.”

WYDOT South Pass Maintenance Foreman Mike Hitshew said WYDOT is a proud neighbor of residents and people involved in recreation in the Southern Wind River Mountains.

“We are happy to help people safely navigate the area under the WYO 28 bridge as it’s inside the state right of way. It makes good sense for safety’s sake to help people walk safely under the bridge to the ski area, instead of up the hill and across the highway,” Hitshew said.

WYDOT also provides help, when needed, in clearing the ski area’s parking area in between storms that regularly occur on the mountain pass between Lander and Farson, Hitshew said.

ect is Wilson Brothers Construction Inc., of Cowley.

Ten of the siphons are located between Thermopolis and Worland on US 20, while one of the siphons is located between Basin and Otto on WYO 30.

By contract, work on all siphons must be completed by April 15, and all work is required to be complete by May 31. Work began at the end of February.

Thermopolis WYDOT resident engineer Kaia Tharp said traffic delays will be minimal during the project.

“Siphon pipe is being re-lined under the roadway, and siphon pipe is being replaced going up the slopes to the inlet and outlet structures,” Tharp said. “New inlet and outlet structures are being installed in some locations, and others are being tied into the existing structures.”

Photo: WYDOT

Cody will see street and sidewalk improvements in the coming months.

Skiers using the improved foot path crossing area at Beaver Creek (cross-country) Ski Area south of Lander along WYO 28.

Cody street/sidewalk improvements underway Cody – A $1.95 million highway improvement project is underway between

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Pipe project between Thermopolis and Worland, Basin and Otto underway Thermopolis – Pipe lining and repairs on 11 pipe siphons is underway on US 20 and WYO 30 between Thermopolis and Worland, and between Basin and Otto.

Prime contractor for the $632,000 proj-

Gather with other state retirees monthly.

SERG meets at noon the second Monday of each month at the Cheyenne Radisson (formerly the Holiday Inn).

The gatherings include a brief business meeting, social luncheon and an educational program.

Contacts for further information:

Roger Nelson – 634-1881 Ron Labreque – 632-8240 Donella Marrs – 635-5858

Sunday morning crash forces closure of Lander office Lander – WYDOT's Lander office was closed following a morning crash on March 6 which caused significant damage to the building. The office was re-opened on March 10 after the area was deemed safe for employees.

"Crews worked to secure the area, board up the opening, and completed structural evaluation," said WYDOT Chief Engineer Gregg Fredrick. "Employees of the resident engineer's office were not able to access their work stations until it was determined to be safe. Other areas not affected by the impact of the crash remained operational.

Public access was limited."

Riverton – A $4.96 million highway and bridge improvement project kicked off west of Riverton on US 26, and it includes major rehabilitation of the bridge over the Big Wind River.

High Country Construction Inc., of Lander is the prime contractor on the project, which begins about a mile east of Diversion Dam Junction and extends 5 miles toward Riverton.

Current work includes extending three concrete box culverts. Improvements planned in the upcoming weeks and months include slope widening at the box culverts, bridge repairs at Winchester Draw and Big Wind River, installation of articulated concrete block on the south side of the highway near the Big Wind River to mitigate future erosion from floods, and an asphalt overlay and chip seal.

"Expect single-lane travel with use of a traffic signal during the work on the Big Wind River bridge," said WYDOT Resident Engineer Robert Scheidemantel of Riverton. "The asphalt overlay on the highway will begin after bridge work is completed."

Completion date for the project is June 30, 2017.

Photo courtesy of Cody Beers

U.S. 26 highway/bridge improvements underway west of Riverton Damage to the WYDOT office building in Lander after a large sport-utility vehicle slammed into the side of the building along Buena Vista Drive in Lander before sunrise March 6.

Culbertson bridge annual inspection requires closure in Worland Worland – WYDOT bridge inspectors conducted an inspection of the Culbertson bridge in Worland on March 15.

The bridge over the Big Horn River closed to allow time for the inspection to be complete. During the closure, traffic was routed across the US 20/WYO 789 bridge located just north of the Culbertson structure.

The steel-truss style Culbertson bridge is inspected every two years by WYDOT bridge inspectors.

WYDOT owns and maintains 1,938 structures in the state, including the Culbertson bridge.

Each of these structures, as well as the 847 bridges owned and maintained by the towns, cities, counties, and other state

agencies, are carefully inspected at least once every two years by teams of highly trained WYDOT bridge inspectors.

There are exceptions to the two-year frequency. Bridges requiring posted load restrictions are inspected annually. Additionally, bridges having certain levels or types of deterioration or with specific details that may affect the safe usage of the structure receive special inspections designed to closely monitor their unique condition.

Bridges require periodic maintenance to remain safe and serviceable, and WYDOT inspections help to identify those elements needing repair or replacement. When a condition is found that could affect the ability of the structure to carry the anticipated loads, a rating is completed and traffic crossing the structure may be limited until the condition can be corrected or the bridge is replaced.

These hands-on inspections are completed in accordance with the requirements set forth in the National Bridge Inspection Standards outlined in federal regulations.

The inspection procedures are based on the codes, instructions, assessment criteria, and reporting requirements of the Federal Highway Administration’s Recording and Coding Guide for the Structure Inventory and Appraisal of the Nation’s Bridges, the PONTIS and Wyoming Element level bridge inspection criteria, and the AASHTO Manual for Bridge Evaluation.

The inspection results are submitted to the Federal Highway Administration annually. n

Photo: WYDOT

Drivers were advised to pay heed to the signs at each end of the tunnels, advising people to “Turn Headlights On For Safety” when driving through the tunnels.

“The signs are black and white, which means Wyoming Highway Patrol troopers can cite drivers who don’t comply with the signs’ message. It’s a good idea to turn on your lights anyway for safety, and turning your headlights on will definitely improve visibility during the upcoming planned power outage,” said Cody Beers, WYDOT public involvement specialist in Riverton.

“Drivers are also reminded of the 35 mph speed limit when driving through the tunnels.”

The power outage will take place on the 6.9 kV power line near the tunnels. The power line is also connected to a transformer, which in turn feeds a Western Area Power Administration metering cabinet.

This cabinet feeds another power line, which feeds the WYDOT tunnel lights and exhaust fans.

Culbertson bridge in Worland.

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Photos courtesy of Chad Hymas

New training teaches leaders safety by Aimee Inama

WYDOT wants its employees and the children in the communities to learn the value of practicing good safety skills.

Through its new leadership training program called “Developing the Leader Within,” WYDOT is teaching supervisors how to encourage employees to be safe in the workplace and educating children in the local communities about a variety of safety issues.

WYDOT’s Employee Safety program is partnering with professional speaker Chad Hymas on the new program that started in January.

“The new program focuses on safety, but also teaches our leaders what role they can play to encourage safety out here,” said Ron Chavez, WYDOT Employee Safety program manager. “The leadership training with Chad is challenging our leaders to keep safety in the forefront of their minds so they can help keep their employees safe.”

The program, which has about 170 people enrolled, will last about a year, with participants meeting every six weeks. During the two-hour sessions, which are offered at different locations in the state, supervisors listen to Hymas’ presentation and get out into the WYDOT community to put into practice the lessons from the workbook. Hymas said he believes that it’s best for supervisors to do the lessons in the workbook instead of just reading about them.

Hymas, who became a quadriplegic 15 years ago after an accident, said his partnership with WYDOT will help employees recognize they have to take a different stance on safety.

“We’re not just teaching safety,” Hymas said. “We’re teaching employees to be proactive instead of reactive when it comes to safety. Our idea is to teach the supervisors over the course of a year so they can then go back and pass the information off onto their employees.”

Another component of the leadership training is educating school children on a variety of safety issues such as drug and alcohol abuse and distracted driving.

“There’s a tour bus that will go to the schools in the different

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areas and stress safety,” Chavez said. “We want to start teaching safety to our children so they can learn those skills at an early age.”

Hymas owns the bus, which has WYDOT logos on it. Inside, there are simulators that reinforce the safety messages. Hymas also said that students receive pamphlets and other handouts.

“Part of our strategy is teaching students to be proactive as well,” Hymas said. “Our messages, when we go to the elementary, middle and high schools, are tailored for the appropriate ages.”

Besides the leadership training program, WYDOT has been partnering with Hymas for the past year on the Roll with Safety training materials, which deal with a variety of safety topics such as fatigue, shortcuts and common sense. WYDOT posts the training materials in video and poster format on a weekly basis on the employee intranet.

For WYDOT, safety programs like the new leadership training ensure the agency is working toward achieving its goal of developing and caring for its people. The training also aligns with two of Director Bill Panos’ focus areas, which emphasizes “Family First” and “WYDOT University,” the agency’s learning initiative.

Chavez said that WYDOT averages about 100 to 150 injuries per year statewide. Not all of those injuries fall under Occupational Safety and Health Administration, but they’re still injuries.

“That number means we have approximately 5 to 8 percent of our people hurt each year,” Chavez said. “My goal is to have zero accidents. There isn’t a reason you can’t get to zero.”

For additional ways to stay safe, employees can access the Safety Alert for Supervisors, which is also posted on the employee intranet. Employee Safety sends those safety alerts out twice a month. n

Photos: Rick Carpenter

Safe driving habits for teens

WYDOT, the Safe Roads Alliance and State Farm® are partnering to provide Wyoming parents with a simple, easy-to-follow plan to teach teenagers safe driving habits.

The Parent’s Supervised Driving Program focuses on the role of the parent in the driver education process, offering a guide for a methodical, sequential approach to teaching teens the driving skills they need for a lifetime of safe driving.

The printed manuals are available at WYDOT’s driver license exam stations around the state, and will be provided to parents or guardians when teens apply for their first instruction permit.

The manual also is available online on the WYDOT Driver Services Web page and at www.theparentssuperviseddrivingprogram.com.

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for the nation’s teens, and Wyoming drivers between the ages of 16 and 19 are more than twice as likely to crash as drivers in other age groups. The Parent’s Supervised Driving Program is designed to help new drivers become more safe, experienced and confident.

“Safe roads begin with safe drivers,” WYDOT Support Services Administrator Tom Loftin said. “By providing parents with the resources to teach their teen drivers, we feel we are one step

by Dave Kingham

closer to a new generation of safe drivers. This manual breaks down each part of the driving experience and allows for plenty of practice as your teen is learning the rules of the road.”

The Safe Roads Alliance developed the curriculum by working with parents, teens, driver license examiners, highway safety researchers, academics, behavioral scientists, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The sponsorship by State Farm makes it possible to provide the manuals at no cost to the families or taxpayers.

“Getting a driver license is such a special moment in a teen’s life, but it often causes increased anxiety for parents,” State Farm Marketing Director Ed Gold said. “Research tells us the single most important thing parents can do to help their teens stay safe on the road is to allow as much supervised practice behind the wheel as possible.”

Wyoming is the 19th state to offer the program. In addition to the manual, it offers a free RoadReady® mobile app for parents and teens to automatically track and log their supervised driving. It records driving times to assure reliable logs, and also tracks night driving, the type of roads traveled and weather conditions. n

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Information Technology keeps computers, applications, networks running

by Dave Kingham

WYDOT employees rely heavily on computers to accomplish the department’s mission, and the Information Technology Program’s staff of 35 supports more than 2,000 computers and 150 different computer applications used by those employees.

Some of the issues the program faces in the coming year are the replacement cycle for department computers, updates to the Windows operating system and Microsoft Office Suite, and moving the Revenue Information System (RIS) used by Driver Services and Motor Vehicle Services off the state’s mainframe computer.

WYDOT has been using a five-year replacement cycle for computers, meaning 20 percent of the department’s computers were replaced each year. However, with the governor asking all state agencies to look for places to cut their budgets, replacements are on hold this year.

The plan had been to begin migrating the department’s computers to the Windows 10 operating system as computers are replaced, but with replacements on hold, the upgrade also is being delayed.

The state’s mainframe is an aging IBM computer operated by the state Department of Enterprise Technology Services (ETS). The RIS is the only WYDOT system still running on it, and the department relies on third-party contractors and ETS to support and operate the system.

“We are considering options for replacing this system, because over time the costs of running on the mainframe will increase, and it will become more difficult to find people to maintain the system,” IT Program Manager James “Rusty” England said.

Cyber security is a constant concern IT is addressing by having a cyber security audit conducted this year, and by providing articles in Interchange to educate employees about computer security.

“The approach that we’re taking is to try to educate people about how they can be more secure in their personal life with respect to information technology,” England said. “The hope is that this will carry over into the work environment.”

The IT Program is divided into seven groups: Technology Support, Field Support, Application Development, Application Support, Financial Systems, Server Support and Network Support.

Technology Support Group

England

Dave Reilly’s Technology Support Group operates the Help Desk that provides assistance to employees across the state through the GroupLink ticketing system and its 777-3995 number.

“We’re the front-line of IT support, and handle all the end users’ technology needs,” Reilly said. “We research new applications while providing support for existing technology. This includes both hardware and software components.”

Reilly and his staff of six can troubleshoot and solve most problems remotely from Cheyenne, but occasionally travel around the state.

“We are a customer service organization, so we strive to provide a professional experience to anyone who calls,” he said. “On occasion we try to get out in the field and meet with the users when we can, so they know we’re here to help.”

For simple problems like resetting a password, employees can call the Help Desk, but for most problems they are encouraged to use the GroupLink ticketing system.

“GroupLink provides a means of tracking and being able to deliver the ticket to the right technician,” Reilly said. “It also helps us to keep the metrics on what we’re doing, while at the

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same time building a knowledge base of problems or trends and their respective resolutions so we can identify and resolve issues before we encounter them again.”

The Help Desk resets network and Gmail passwords, creates accounts for new employees, troubleshoots software and hardware problems, manages imaging for new computers, pushes out automatic software updates and makes sure the antivirus that protects the department’s computers is up-to-date.

The group manages security and software, Internet browsers and operating systems to maintain a safe and secure level of service consistency throughout the agency.

“With the growing number of new devices being introduced to our environment, one of the challenges we currently face is the ability to maintain and push the current updates out to netbooks, tablets and wireless devices agency wide,” Reilly said.

Employees with portable devices can help by connecting them to the network overnight at least once a week.

Reilly said his group works well together as a team.

“When you step back and look at just how many users we support with just the seven of us, it’s very impressive,” he said.

“However, it’s ultimately up to the customer base as to how well we’re addressing their needs.”

The Support Group works closely with the Field Support Group, which has a district computer coordinator in each of the department’s field operating districts.

Field Support Group

The Field Support Group has been part of ETS since July 2013.

Ryan Bulkeley provides support for District 1, Krystal Jackson for District 2, Scott Stiritz for District 3, Jennifer Mitchell for District 4 and Luke Mulford for District 5.

The technicians provide computer support needed in their districts, including getting employees set up with new or replacement computers.

Application Development Group

Supervisor Paris Edeburn and her team of four developers and two database administrators provide custom application development for programs across the department and maintain WYDOT’s Oracle database.

Examples of some of the group’s work include the applications that allow ordering prestige license plates or signing up for motorcycle safety courses online, and the application that allows employees to enter their exercise time for participation in the WYDOT Wellness Program.

Some of the projects begun or completed during fiscal 2015 include: • An airport features system for the Aeronautics Program; • Expanding the Motorcycle Safety Program’s Web application to accept credit cards; • Upgrading servers to help protect individuals from hacker attacks; • Expanding the outdoor advertising application to include a report and map for the public; • Creating a public map to augment ADA ramp information on the Civil Rights Web page; • An application that allows the University of Wyoming

to process UW plates through the specialty plates application; and • An annual average daily traffic and percent-changed package and application to visually portray that information for the Planning and Highway Safety programs.

Applications Support

The Applications Support Group under A.J. Myers provides support to the programs using commercial off-the-shelf applications, including the Fuelmaster system used to monitor the department’s fuel use, the Falcon document management system and Citrix.

Myers and his five-member team currently support about 85 different applications. Each specializes in some of the applications, but they cross train enough so they can support all of the applications when team members are out.

Brandon Patton’s primary specialties are Falcon and the Marquis ID System used by Driver Services.

Doug Wolfe and Ryan Fisk specialize in the many applications used by the Patrol Dispatch Center.

Dave Luegering and Seth Odhiambo handle the in-car mobile applications used by troopers, and Citrix.

Myers also handles some of the Citrix support, along with working on applications used by the Right-of-Way Program.

The support provided includes installation, hardware configuration and making sure everything continues to run smoothly.

“We probably spend 80 to 85 percent of our time working with Highway Patrol,” Myers said. “They have the mobile CAD system, E-citations, field reporting, video evidence systems, insurance verification, and all the common apps that everybody else has.”

Patrol vehicles have been converted to accommodate tablets, and with all the mobile apps they run, troopers rarely have to come off the highways now.

“About the only thing they have to go back to the office for is to offload the video evidence from the car,” Myers said. “They can pull up and offload wirelessly, or they can take in the card and offload manually to the server that’s in the station.”

Much of the work the group does can be done with Team Viewer, an app that allows them to access systems statewide, including those in Patrol vehicles out on the road.

Still, the staff sometimes has to work round-the-clock. One person is on-call at all times, and all of the team members take calls after hours.

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“We’ve tried to minimize that and figure out what’s critical and what’s not,” Myers said. “Dispatch obviously has our numbers on speed dial. But we’ve done a lot of work trying to figure out what the majority of the calls may be and try to mitigate those issues.”

The group is working to put all of its documentation into a secure website to provide step-by-step instructions on how to resolve problems.

“We’ve taken to heart in our group the idea of really letting the users drive what IT needs to be doing for them, and not be in their way,” Myers said. “We try to keep up with technology, but sometimes the users have something that we’ve not seen and they need, so we have to step up and try to figure it out.”

Financial Systems Group

The Financial Systems Group supervisor position is currently vacant following the departure of Jim Klopfer last month.

The group supports the PeopleSoft and Agile Assets systems used by Financial Services, Human Resources, Budget, Payroll, Fuel Tax Administration, Field Operations, the Materials Lab and other department employees.

The group’s primary responsibility is to make sure the systems are operating and available anytime a WYDOT employee needs them.

Its track record is good, with the ERP system that includes Agile Assets and PeopleSoft available more than 99 percent of the time.

The Fuel Tax Administration system is relatively new to the group’s responsibilities since it took the system off the state mainframe and rewrote it in PeopleSoft in 2014.

A few examples of the systems supported include the Equipment Office’s management of fleet maintenance, the Maintenance Office’s allocation of maintenance activities to specific sections of highway, the Materials Lab’s scenarios to reconcile pavement conditions with

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planned maintenance activities, and Financial Services’ processing of bills or creating purchase orders.

Requests for service from the group usually come through the Help Desk.

Server Support

Server Support is provided by ETS, with Dana Weickum and Nelson Fresses permanently assigned to support WYDOT’s servers throughout the state.

The department uses approximately 250 servers assigned to applications including antivirus, BEAM, BRASS, OWL, CADD, Citrix, Falcon, Pontis, print servers, field servers and Highway Patrol Dispatch servers.

The Server Support staff continually work to stay current with technology so WYDOT’s environment will reflect modern changes.

Network Support

Network Support also is provided by ETS, with Bill Oates and Richard Diggins permanently assigned to support WYDOT’s statewide network.

The job requires maintaining, monitoring, configuring and upgrading numerous devices across the state, and can require attention at anytime of the day or night.

In addition to maintaining the network, they work with ETS to improve network bandwidth to WYDOT locations, where possible, and on moving the department to the Wyoming Unified Network.

The IT Program’s current annual budget is nearly $4 million, down from nearly $6 million four years ago, but England said it is difficult to compare budgets because of the staffing changes and associated costs related to the consolidation of IT services throughout state government that began in 2013.

“All of these folks are dedicated to serving WYDOT, whether ETS is paying their check or WYDOT is paying their check,” England said. “They’re all supporting the same mission, goal and objectives at WYDOT.” n

Wyoming Highway Patrol Class 90 commissioned

by Sgt. David Wagener

The Trooper Basic Academy concluded and the graduates of the academy were recently commissioned. The oaths of office were taken and they transitioned from their recruit badges to their official badges in front of family and friends. The ceremony marked the 90th graduated class of the Wyoming Highway Patrol.

James Barry – Rock Springs: Barry is originally from St. Louis, Mo. He worked for the St. Louis County Police Department for seven years. Barry and his wife made the move to Wyoming after taking several vacations in the state. His interests include traveling with his wife, hiking and motorcycles. He is eager to begin serving his community.

W. Todd Baxter – Riverton: Baxter was raised in Palatka, Fla. He graduated from The Citadel in 1985, and served nine years in the United States Army. Prior to joining the Wyoming Highway Patrol, Baxter was a police officer for seven years with the Riverton Police Department.

Melanie Kress – Thermopolis: Kress is a native of Wyoming and grew up in the Cody area. She joined the United States Army after high school, and served more than eight years. After returning to Cody, she worked for the Park County Sheriff ’s Office for three years and the Cody Police Department for eight years. Kress most recently worked for the Thermopolis Police Department before making a change to WHP. She enjoys spending time outdoors with her family, friends and dogs.

Looney

Barry

Miller

Baxter

Morton

Kress

Ryan Logan – Laramie: Logan is a United States Army veteran and comes to Wyoming from South Carolina, where he worked for a city law enforcement agency. He enjoys golfing, hunting, fishing and college football.

Logan looks forward to serving the citizens of Wyoming and being a member of the Wyoming Highway Patrol.

Sierra

Logan

Class 90 special awards and achievements were as follows: Colonel’s Leadership Award: Trooper Argel Sierra Top Academic Award: Trooper Ryan Logan Top Fitness Award: Trooper Brandon Morton Top Firearms Student: Trooper Ryan Logan Most Improved Fitness Award: Trooper Argel Sierra

Walz

Jordan Looney – Basin: Looney is originally from Texarkana, Texas, where he was a law enforcement officer for 10 years. He is married to his best friend, Kelly, and they have two children. Looney looks forward to graduating with his bachelor's degree in criminal justice this fall. His hobbies include playing sports, competitive bowling, fishing, and spending time with his family. He is looking forward to starting his new adventure in Wyoming with his family and serving the people of Wyoming.

Eli Miller – Riverton: Miller was born and raised in Fremont County. He enjoys spending his free time outdoors with his family in the Wind River Mountains. Miller is looking forward to furthering his career in law enforcement as a Wyoming state trooper.

Brandon Morton – Casper: Morton was born and raised in Casper, and graduated from Natrona County High School. Morton attended Maranatha Baptist Bible College, and completed his associate degree at Casper College. In 2009, he was hired by the Natrona County Sheriff ’s Office and worked six years as a deputy. Morton enjoys hunting, fishing, camping and anything outdoors.

Argel Sierra – Rock River: Sierra is a United States Navy veteran, and was with the 3rd Marine Division 2003-2006. Sierra was a police officer with the Miami Police Department in Florida from 2008-2015, before making the move to Wyoming. Sierra is married with two children. He and his family are all very grateful to be living in Wyoming.

Gabriel Walz – Douglas: Walz was born and raised in St. Francis, Kan., and attended Colby Community College, where he wrestled and earned an associate degree in criminal justice. Walz has seven years of prior law enforcement experience and comes to the Wyoming Highway Patrol from the Salina Police Department in Kansas. He enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter, competing in sports and Kansas Jayhawks basketball. Walz is excited to start his career with the WHP. n

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The backbone of WYDOT: Financial Services ensures WYDOT stays on track

by Aimee Inama

Ninety-thousand vouchers a year.

Two-thousand employees’ payroll.

And, one comprehensive annual audit.

In WYDOT’s Financial Services program it’s all about the numbers. On any given day, employees are busy crunching the numbers, calculating rates, tracking and purchasing items for agency use and performing a number of vital financial tasks to ensure the agency is operating at its best. The work that goes into the different sections of Financial Services requires its employees to be detail oriented while also providing the best customer service possible.

“We are the troopers of the financial world,” said Kirk Rohde, asset management inventory supervisor.

“In addition to providing excellent customer service, we have to make sure everyone is following the rules and regulations.”

The 17-member Financial Services team is led by manager David Stearns, who oversees the entire program consisting of revenue, accounts payable, inventory and assets, payroll Stearns and general ledger accounting. Over each section, Financial Service’s supervisors make sure their specific areas run smoothly and comply with state and federal regulations.

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“Financial Services performs many vital functions at WYDOT for both internal and external customers,” Stearns said. “We pay vendors bills. We generate the monthly payroll for 2,000 employees. We take in revenue, and we prepare financial statements for auditing. We do a lot of reporting and other financial work that goes into the daily operations here.”

The audit that WYDOT does each year needs to be completed 180 days after Sept. 30. The commission recently approved the audit in March. It’s then filed with State Auditor’s Office and the State Library. It’s also given to the State Legislature and the governor, and filed with different federal agencies that WYDOT received money from over the past year.

Although the audit tells the story of the agency for the entire fiscal year, Financial Services does reporting throughout the year to keep track of its finances.

“Internally, we do reporting for department managers and department heads,” said Ron Downey, accounting manager. “We do our financial statements monthly for the whole agency. This tells us as an agency where we are.”

That means if someone wants to know how much was spent on gas or how much money was collected on overweight permits, Financial Services has that information. WYDOT has about 125 revenue sources that it keeps track of throughout the year.

Some of the revenues are also first recorded by other programs and then sent to Financial Services. For example, Driver Services and the ports of entry will do the initial reporting on their revenues, but Financial Services will then do the higherlevel reporting.

“It’s a lot of cataloging,” said Barbara MacKenzie, revenue supervisor. “Each revenue source we have to keep track of. We have to follow a lot of guidelines. If you report out separately, you have to report in separately.”

In MacKenzie’s group, they handle all the invoices for miscellaneous bills. All of the data that gets put into the invoices comes from accounts payable, payroll and information from other

Photo: Rick Carpenter

Photo: Rick Carpenter

State vehicles are filled at monitored fuel filling areas in each district around the state. Each fill-up requires a code specifically assigned to the driver of the state vehicle. The coding allows Financial Services to bill a specific WYDOT program or state office's budget for the fuel.

Financial Services also keeps track of the salt, sand, gravel and other items that are used throughout the agency and charges accordingly.

“We have a consumable inventory of about $26 to $28 million each year,” Stearns said.

For payroll, Financial Services has to work each month to ensure all its employees are paid accurately and properly under federal and state labor laws. That also means calculating the payroll loading rate, which is used in getting money reimbursed from some jobs that are paid for by those funds. When determining that rate, WYDOT has to factor in such items as retirement, vacation, sick leave and other benefits, Downey said.

Accounts Payable is responsible for paying 94 percent of the invoices coming into WYDOT for payment. These payments include vendor invoices, utility payments, employee reimbursements, purchase orders and purchasing contracts, refunds from other areas and p-card processing of 350 cardholders monthly.

Accounts Payable personnel reconcile vendor statements and work with the vendors to correct any mis-posted payments and request past due invoices to be sent out for coding. n

Photo: Carlie Van Winkle

programs within WYDOT. “We bill for damage repair,” MacKenzie said. “If someone does damage to WYDOT’s property, we bill them. For example, we can bill for fuel spills on highways and for damages to guiderails, signs, lights and other property.”

Some of the other items WYDOT can bill for include the blue signs that alert motorists to services like restaurants, the use of the state plane and fuel that’s used by other state and federal agencies and school districts.

Whenever a program gets new property or vehicles, Rohde’s group helps with that. The program will need approval first for the purchase to get the process started. Once that’s completed, Rohde’s group gets the purchase order, pays for it out of the program’s budget and assigns a property number to keep track of that asset.

“We make sure it’s depreciated over the life of that asset and we record it,” Rohde said. “We also track if it’s been bought by federal funds.”

By following generally accepted accounting principles, certain items that are deemed as assets are depreciated over their useful lives, spreading the cost of the assets over their life spans.

Rohde is also responsible for calculating the different usage rates for the equipment so WYDOT can bill a program or department the appropriate amount. For example, if someone uses a vehicle in WYDOT’s motor pool, they record the time they used it on their timesheet. That way, the hours and usage are charged back to that person’s program and department.

Photo: Rick Carpenter

All new property purchased by WYDOT is assigned a property number to track the asset.

Robyn Eifert from Financial Services attaches a property tag to a newlypurchased computer monitor while Strategic Performance Improvement's Cassandra Sanderson looks on.

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STUDENT ROLE MODELS HELP TE SAFETY TO OTHER STUDENTS

When you look at the students on the posters, they’re ready.

With either looks of determination or big smiles, the student athletes and club members look as though they’re gearing up for their next big competition. But instead of battling it out on a field, court or classroom against a rival team, the student role models are taking their next challenge to their peers by teaching them the importance of wearing their seat belts.

As part of WYDOT’s annual seat belt safety poster campaign, the students are featured on posters with the slogan, “Stay in the Game! Buckle Up!” “We saw an opportunity to reach our target audience and help school programs like athletics,” said Doug McGee, WYDOT public affairs manager. “With the help of the athletic directors and school personnel, we have student athletes, social club members, academic club members and band students promoting seat-belt use.”

Rick Carpenter, WYDOT Public Affairs photographer, started

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by Aimee Inama

taking the photos for the posters in 2009. When it started, Cheyenne-area schools participated. In 2014, WYDOT started including schools in districts 3 and 5. By 2015, WYDOT had all five districts participating.

“Every year we use federal highway safety money to buy an advertising package from schools that includes a display of a large banner in the gymnasium or common areas, and for the distribution of poster-size versions of messages to the student body,” McGee said.

With students seeing their peers advocating the use of seat belts, WYDOT is hopeful it will get the younger generation to start learning good safety habits at a young age.

“It’s been proven that peer-to-peer communication works, which is why we do this,” said Ken Ledet, Highway Safety behavioral grants manager. “It’s another avenue for us to get this vital safety message out. It’s important because we can start change at an early age. When students learn the importance of wearing their seat belts at an early age, it becomes habit forming.”

In Cheyenne, Leroy Garcia, athletic director at Carey Junior High School, said the posters are working because students are excited about them.

“I always get asked by the students if they can be on the WYDOT posters,” Garcia said. “They want to be part of it. We narrow it down to students who are positive influences and mentors. That’s how they’re picked. We’ve mainly done athletics, but this year we’ve opened it up to other clubs as well. We have a student on there who is part of FFA, Future Farmers of America.”

Throughout the state, the reaction has been positive as well.

WYDOT is hopeful the posters will continue to raise awareness and get students to wear their seat belts.

“It’s a simple decision every time you climb behind the wheel, or when you’re a passenger, front seat or back seat. Buckle up!” said Cody Beers, public involvement specialist for District 5.

“This campaign is aimed at our young people, but it applies to all drivers. For many of us, the single most dangerous thing we will do on any given day is climbing in vehicles and driving somewhere.”

In 2015, there were 81 people

EACH SEAT-BELT

who died in crashes who weren’t wearing their seat belts, which is an increase from 2014’s figure of 68 who died, information from WYDOT’s Highway Safety program indicated. Fremont County had the highest number of unrestrained fatalities in 2015 at 15.

Other counties that had higher numbers of unrestrained fatalities in 2015 for non-seat-belt use were Natrona at 13, Laramie at eight, Converse at six, Carbon at five, and Big Horn and Campbell at four each.

In District 3, WYDOT enlisted the help of Western Wyoming Community College athletes to help spread the message. The athletes from WWCC also sign their posters and hand them out to the elementary school students as a way to get the seat belt message to an even younger audience.

“The earlier we get the message of safety out to students the better,” said Stephanie Harsha, WYDOT public involvement specialist for District 3. “The athletes from the college that are on the posters are from Sweetwater County. They’re seeing people from their community, people they look up to, wearing their seat belts.” n

Photos/layouts: Rick Carpenter

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Noteworthy On Dec. 16, 2015 the Wyoming Highway Patrol Association, with the help of local sponsors, invited all veterans to a free breakfast as a token of appreciation for sacrifices made by those who serve. The breakfast was held at the Best Western Sheridan Center. It was attended by 80 veterans, their families and several WHP troopers from the Sheridan and Johnson County areas. Other local sponsors were Sheridan Orthopedic, Sheridan Community Federal, First Federal Bank and Trust and Sheridan Media. n

WyHy-sponsored men's basketball team takes first place

(From left) Tpr. Scott Carey, Capt. Carl Clements, Tpr. Kelly Broad (Shaking Hands), Tpr. Ron Moseman and Tpr. Bill Beres.

WYDOT plows guide bus, parents home safely

The WyHy team plays other local Cheyenne teams in 12 games throughout the season. The team finished their fall season with an 11-1 record.

The team is currently playing winter league games. n

Photo courtesy of Doug McGee

The WyHy-sponsored men's basketball team took first place in Division 3 during the Cheyenne Parks and Recreation fall league.

The team, which consists of mainly WYDOT employees or former employees and spouses of WYDOT employees, has been crashing the boards for six years. The core team remains the same, although some players have left and new members have been recruited from outside WYDOT.

Photo: WYDOT

Breakfast with the Bears in Sheridan

The WyHy team earned first place in the Cheyenne Parks and Recreation Fall Season. The team consists of (from left) #13 – Will Edwards (crouching) spouse of Headquarters WYDOT Office Services employee Joann Edwards; #44 – Office Services Manager Tim Tyler; #11 – Chad Marley formerly of WYDOT IT, now LCCC; #23 – Brent Burkart, spouse of WYDOT Internal Review Manager Kristin Burkart; #6 – Public Affairs Officer Doug McGee; #15 – WYDOT Bridge employee Phillip Hearn; #33 – Assistant State Planning Engineer Mark Wingate; and #0 – Justin Pendleton with LCCC.

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A snowstorm in early February caused many roads to close due to treacherous conditions. A school activities bus that transported the Riverton freshman girls’ basketball team to Rawlins on Feb. 4 found itself stranded in Rawlins after the game, along with many fans and families who had driven down separately.

The intensity of the snowstorm had made the highway impassable and forced a closure of the road from Riverton not long after the team arrived in Rawlins for the game. After the game in Rawlins, the bus and parents were stuck until WYDOT came to the rescue.

In a Facebook post the bus driver, Richard Bennett of Riverton, commented, “Rawlins to Riverton last night. Roads were closed, but WYDOT guided our bus and parent’s vehicles from Rawlins to Riverton safely.”

Bennett is one of many activity bus drivers in this state who does great work transporting Wyoming kids safely to activities in weather events of all kinds.

Kudos to the plow drivers who helped get this bus of students and their parents home safely to Riverton. n

Noteworthy

On Feb. 10, the Gillette Maintenance Crew and WHP in Gillette hosted a group of children from the Living Rock Church’s Contenders of Faith. Trooper Ethan Bowers talked about seat-belt safety, and WYDOT maintenance crew members Mike Prentice, Jon Struebing and Derek Anton gave the kids demonstrations of plow trucks, loaders and power brooms.

Bowers also had his patrol car available for the kids to look at.

The children really enjoyed the presentation and they shared some delicious homemade treats. WYDOT and WHP received poster boards thanking both agencies for their time and their service to the community of Gillette and the state of Wyoming. n

Photo: Carlie Van Winkle

The newest group of patrol dispatchers started Feb. 1 and completed classroom training on March 10. Another 12 weeks of practical and hands-on training in the communication center is still ahead of them.

Taylor Hausler, originally from Franklin County, Va., relocated to Colorado to attend Colorado State University, where she graduated with degrees in rangeland ecology and agriculture along with resource economics. Hausler’s hobbies include horseback riding, hiking, drawing, reading, quilting and writing fiction.

Cala Herder transfers to Cheyenne after working as a correctional officer at the Wyoming Women’s Center in Lusk.

Herder was raised in South Dakota, and in a very concise description of herself, she is married with six adult kids.

Kathryn (Kate) Paget was raised in Cheyenne and attended the University of Wyoming, majoring in criminal justice.

Paget was most recently employed at the

Casper Public Safety Communications Center, where she was a dispatcher for nearly five years. Her interests include reading, cooking, quilting and travel.

Sylvia Sanchez is a Cheyenne native.

She has an associate degree in medical billing and coding, and has had administrative assistant experience in the health care industry. Sanchez enjoys spending time with her 7-year-old son and her significant other. She also enjoys reading, music and vacations.

Shannon Washburn is originally from Cheyenne, but has also lived in Austin, Texas and Laramie. She is working on her bachelor of science in animal science at the University of Wyoming, and an associate degree in criminal justice at Laramie County Community College. While at UW, Washburn was in the marching band and on the shotgun sports team. She has most recently worked as an inventory specialist at Ivinson Memorial Hospital in Laramie. Her interests include spoiling her three dogs, gardening, woodworking, photography, fishing and hiking. n

The 2016 Patrol Dispatch Basic graduates (from left) Patrol Dispatch Instructor Heather O’Connor, Taylor Hausler, Kate Paget, Sylvia Sanchez, Shannon Washburn and Cala Herder.

Photos: WYDOT

Patrol Dispatch graduates five new dispatchers

An outing with WYDOT and WHP

A group of children posing with WHP Trooper Bowers (below) after having learned about seat-belt safety. The children also watched demonstrations by WYDOT maintenance crew members Derek Anton and Jon Struebing, and were able to sit in the plow trucks and tractors (top).

click it or ticket. no excuses.

March/April 2016

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Personal identifying information data and Gmail

by Rusty England, IT Program Manager IT is frequently asked about Gmail security and whether it can be used to send personal information. The following describes how personal identifying information (PII) is defined and outlines the security features available in Gmail.

The Wyoming statute 6-3-901 (b) defines PII: (b) As used in this section “personal identifying information” means the name or any of the following data elements of an individual person: (i) Address; (ii)

Telephone number;

(iii)

Social security number;

(iv)

Driver’s license number;

(v)

Account number, credit card number or debit card number in combination with any security code, access code or password that would allow access to a financial account of the person;

(vi)

Tribal identification card;

(vii) Federal or state government issued identification card; (viii) Shared secrets or security tokens that are known to be used for data based authentication; (ix)

A username or email address, in combination with a password or security question and answer that would permit access to an online account;

(x)

A birth or marriage certificate;

(xi)

Medical information, meaning a person’s medical history, mental or physical condition, or medical treatment or diagnosis by a health care professional;

(xii) Health insurance information, meaning a person’s health insurance policy number or subscriber identification number, any unique identifier used by a health insurer to identify the person or information related to a person’s application and claims history; (xiii) Unique biometric data, meaning data generated from measurements or analysis of human body characteristics for authentication purposes; (xiv) An individual taxpayer identification number.

So now that we know what it is, can we send it in an email? Per ETS, the recommended method for sending this information through Gmail is to put the keyword, including brackets, [gsecure]at the beginning of the subject of any message. This triggers the system to enforce Google Apps Message Encryption (GAME). This feature is on for all accounts in our domain (wyo.gov) by default.

Now for a word of caution. If the recipient of the data is an external party, they will need to log in through a secure portal to get the message. At this point you will be relying on them to provide adequate controls for what you have provided. n

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March/April 2016

Training

Continually getting better at what we do

by Kurt Borgaard, Training Services Consider this – you are heading home after work. As you think about your day, you take a deep sigh. You discern a slight smile on your face and a sense of fulfillment. Why? A couple of thoughts come into your mind. One, you realize that on this day you used the best of your skills and abilities. Secondly, the work you did today Training Services staff would like to help you made a significant reach your learning goals. Contact any of them difference. Amplifor more information. (From left) Kurt Borgaard, fying your feeling Jim Boyd and Todd DePorter. of satisfaction is knowing that you have accomplished this meaningful work with your team and co-workers. You reflect that your role is to support WYDOT’s mission to “Provide a safe, high quality, and efficient transportation system.” In your own way, along with your team, your best efforts served and represented the WYDOT mission impeccably. Well done!

That scenario is one that we would like to envision as an ongoing occurrence for the people of WYDOT. At WYDOT University, it is our desire to work with all the people of WYDOT, to live out both our corporate and personal sense of purpose and mission. Where every WYDOT employee has the opportunity to continue to expand their capacity at what they do and create both your and WYDOT’s desired results.

This quarter, we have created three on-going learning themes. It is our intention to continue to work alongside you to develop and enrich your skills to encourage you and your teams to expand your capacity to produce the desired results, both on a personal and organizational level. The three themes are Aspiration, Conversation, and Complexity. What follows is a very brief overview of these themes:

Aspiration

One characteristic of aspiration is fostering personal mastery, which, according to Peter Senge, is in part “the discipline of continually clarifying and deepening our personal vision, of focusing our energies …” It is getting better at what we do.

Michelangelo once stated, “The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.” With aspiration, we aim high, we are inspired by being our best and doing our best.

Another component of aspiration is translating an individual vision into shared vision of a team or organization. It is a process through which the enthusiasm of genuine commitment is cultivated rather than the half-heartedness of mere compliance.

Photo: Rick Carpenter

TechNotes

Conversation

According to Peter Senge, “A unique relationship develops among team members who enter into dialogue regularly. They develop a deep trust that cannot help but carry over to discussions. They develop a richer understanding of the uniqueness of each person’s point of view.” Genuine dialogue skills allow every team member to put their best thoughts forward, ultimately leading to better cooperation and results.

Complexity

Understanding complexity and breaking it down into coherent parts is essential to developing optimal solutions. The best solutions are realized when we understand how to make the most sense out of complex situations. By learning to discern the “bigger picture” and the connection between parts, complexity

becomes manageable and problems solved.

As we move forward, you will continue to see the development of these learning themes in practical training that will allow us to grow these skills together. It is our hope that as we all continue to learn together, we will reach toward becoming the individuals and organization we would envision ourselves to be.

(In the WeLL this month, you will find courses that have been pre-loaded into your learning plan. These optional courses highlight the three learning themes.) n

Check out these upcoming training opportunities from WYDOT-U, the Transportation Learning Network (TLN) and WeLL.

Coming in April: Date Class 4/4/16

4/5/16 4/5/16

4/7/16

4/12/16 4/12/16 4/13/16 4/14/16 4/19/16 4/20/16 4/21/16 4/21/16 4/27/16

WYDOT “Developing The Leader Within You!” Session 3 – Integrity New Supervisors Orientation WYDOT “Developing The Leader Within You!” Session 3 – Integrity Leading a Successful Change Initiative: Building Personal Resiliency and Organizational Agility in Times of Change Ethics Awareness for the Transportation Industry Leadership – Developing a Presence Gravel Roads Maintenance – New Manual Review Electrical Plan Reading – Inspections/Installations John Maxwell’s Today Matters FISH! Delivering Leading Edge Customer Service Results Based Performance Management Building Solid Work Ethics in Individuals and Organizations District 5 Roadshow – Speed of Trust Foundations

Coming in May: Date Class 5/5/16 5/9/16 5/9/16 5/10/16 5/11/16 5/11/16 5/12/16 5/18/16 5/18/16

5/23/16

Tractor Mower Safety Training New Employee Orientation John Maxwell’s The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth Fundamentals of Geometric Design: Exploring the Green Book Basic Sign Installation and Maintenance Best Practices to Support an Off the Job Safety Program Tier IV regenerations/Digital Multi-Meter Principals Bridging the Generation Gap at Work Understanding Linear Scheduling for Roadway Construction Projects WYDOT “Developing The Leader Within You!” Session 4 – Creating Positive Change

PMI Competency

Location

Leadership Leadership

Casper WYDOT-U

Leadership

Laramie

Personal Effectiveness Judgment & Decision Making Leadership Vocational Vocational Personal Effectiveness Customer Service Leadership Personal Effectiveness Leadership

TLN TLN TLN TLN TLN TLN WYDOT-U TLN WYDOT-U Riverton

PMI Competency

Location

Vocational Communication Personal Effectiveness Vocational Vocational Vocational Vocational Developing Others

TLN WYDOT-U TLN TLN TLN TLN TLN WYDOT-U

Vocational

TLN

Leadership

TBD

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

March/April 2016

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District News Headquarters

Welcome March Travis MacLeod, Patrol-Safety and Training; Vernon Romine, Bridge-Operations Inspection; and Donna Rowe, Fuel Tax-Administration.

March Christopher Corriveau, PatrolDispatch; Benjamin Dreher, PatrolDispatch; Meghan Ealy, Patrol-Dispatch; Troy Grandpre, Contracts and Estimates; and Stephanie Wheeler, Patrol-Dispatch.

April Sean Bibbey, Right Of Way-Property Management; Kenneth Ledet, Highway Safety; and Cory O’Connor, Patrol-Special Permits.

Service Awards March Abbas Alami, Highway Development-Project Development – 50 years; the second employee in WYDOT history to achieve this distinguished milestone.

James England, IT Alami Administration – 35 years; Russell Howe, Construction Staff – 35 years;

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Howe

March Simona Beltran, Facilities Management-Custodial.

Willmarth

Jesse Burgess, Equipment-Mechanics – 10 years; Terry Reagan, Compliance Investigation – 10 years; and Tracy Willmarth, Budget-Federal Aid – 5 years.

Bright

Photo: Carlie Van Winkle

Promotions and Transfers

Burns

Retirements

Rigging Shop Senior Fabricator Jesse Burgess received his 10-year service anniversary from Assistant Equipment Manager Bryan Wenger.

Photo: Rick Carpenter

April Lesley Debono, Financial ServicesDisbursements; Taylor Hausler, Patrol Dispatch Manager; Cala Herder, Patrol Dispatch Manager; Sara Holderman, Driver Services-Policy and Records; Aimee Inama, Public Affairs; Kathryn Pagel, Patrol Dispatch Manager; Sylvia Sanchez, Patrol Dispatch Manager; Cassandra Sanderson, Strategic Performance Improvement; Adam Schutzman, Planning-System Planning; Dennis Thomas, Facilities Management-Custodial; and Shannon Washburn, Patrol Dispatch Manager.

Nykun

Compliance Investigator Terry Reagan receives his 10-year service award from Compliance Assistant Manager Lacey Bruckner and Manager Bob Stauffacher.

April Diana Archerd, Purchasing-Buying – 40 years; Kenneth Link, Telecom District 2-Radio Shop – 25 years; George Nykun, Patrol-Capitol Service Protection – 15 years; Lee Burns, Right Of Way-Negotiations – 15 years; Forrest Bright, Patrol-Capitol Service Protection – 10 years; and Tom Schreur, ITS/GIS – 5 years.

March/April 2016

Michael Bush retired from the agency on Jan. 30 with more than 40 years of service to the state.

Bush joined the department in June 1975 as an Engineering Beltran Technician in Laramie while he attended classes at the University of Wyoming.

He left Laramie to pursue new roles within the old Highway Department. Bush was an auditor, IT Bush Program manager and, most recently, the Enterprise Technology Program manager.

Dalene Call, Highway Safety behavioral grants supervisor in Cheyenne, retired Jan. 1 with 27 years of service to the state.

Call began her career as a micrographic technician at the headquarters building before moving to the Highway Safety Program. She held various titles while in Highway Call Safety.

Call is a graduate of Cheyenne Central High School.

Therese McKinnon retired from her position in the Driver Services Program on Jan. 16 with 35 years of service to the state.

McKinnon began her career with the old Wyoming Highway Department in Nov. 1979 as a coordinator under Administrative Services. Prior to land- McKinnon ing in Driver Services, she worked in the IT Program as an IT Specialist.

McKinnon holds an associate degree in computer science from Laramie County Community College and a bachelor of business administration from the University of Wyoming. She also served as staff sergeant in the Wyoming Air National Guard 1981-1993.

Bruce Burrows retired from the Public Affairs Office at the end of January after more than 36 years of service to the department and state.

The Cody native signed on with the old Wyoming Highway Department (WHD), WYDOT’s predecessor agency, as a public information specialist Burrows in 1979.

Burrows performed a wide range of duties for Public Affairs over the years, including publicizing completion of the Interstate Highway System in Wyoming in 1985, and assisting Director Don Diller in researching and writing the reorganization plan that transformed WHD into the Wyoming Department of Transportation in 1991.

He was directly involved in production of the state highway map beginning in the early 1980s, and also in the development and evolution of the department’s road condition reporting systems. He served as the department’s wellness coordinator from 2005 until his retirement.

Burrows became known as the “Slide Rider” in 2011, after WYDOT posted a time-lapse video to show the Double Draw landslide that closed US 26-89 in Snake River Canyon was still moving.

The video, showing Burrows in his orange hard hat and safety vest standing on the

slide and moving through the stationary frame, got widespread attention in the news and social media.

“I feel fortunate I was able to be involved with at least putting the word out about a lot of cool work that WYDOT did over the years,” Burrows said. “Having a job that allowed me to travel around the state and get to know the people and see some of the projects, as well as the natural terrain, was always a highlight for me.”

His Public Affairs co-workers will miss his encyclopedic knowledge of the department, its history, and the location of every small town in the state and its distance from the nearest small town.

Burrows spent his early years in Cody, Casper and Bozeman, Mont., where he graduated from high school in 1972. After first studying chemistry and engineering at Montana State University, he transferred to the University of Montana, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism in 1978.

He completed his master’s degree in public administration at the University of Wyoming in 1989.

Before coming to Cheyenne, he worked as a writer and editor for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation in Durango, Colo.

Burrows is an avid skier and mountain bicyclist, and served 15 years as a volunteer with Snowy Range Ski Patrol, eight years on the Wyoming State Trails Advisory Council and six years with the Wyoming Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. In 2013 he was honored as Wyoming’s State Trail Worker of the Year.

He is a founding member of Wyoming Pathways (wyopath.org), and currently serves as chairman of its board.

Congratulations March Kenneth Ledet has been selected as the highway safety behavioral grants supervisor for the Highway Safety Program.

Ledet has replaced Dalene Call, and assumed her duties effective Feb. 5. He began his career with WYDOT in 2014 and has been a state employee since 2005.

April Mike Menghini has been selected as the state bridge engineer. Menghini replaces Keith Fulton and assumed his duties as the state bridge engineer effective March 1.

Cradle Call Cheyenne I-25 Port of Entry Officer Brittni Lesky and husband, Matt, welcomed Connor Daniel Ryan Lesky to their family.

Connor was born the morning of March 9 and weighed in at 8 pounds, 1.6 ounces and measured 20.75 inches long.

He joins 7-year-old big brother Wyatt at home. n

WHP Total number of highway fatalities: as of March 11, 2014

10

one year ago

18

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District 1

Welcome

Welcome

Gerald Thuente, Laramie TrafficStriping – 5 years.

March Walker Lloyd, Baggs Maintenance.

March David Mertzweiller, Chugwater Maintenance; and Ronald Reed, Casper Maintenance.

Retirements

Promotions and Transfers

March Timmy Cisneros of Cheyenne Construction retired Jan. 6 with 34 years of service to the department.

Joseph Gillespie with District 1 Maintenance Staff retired Jan. 5 with 43 years of service. n

March Joshua Baker, District 1 Maintenance Staff.

April Matthew Mayfield, Laramie Mechanics; and Steven Rothwell, Laramie Construction.

Service Awards

District 2

April Gage Hoff, Torrington TrafficStriping; and Clayton LeDoux, Kaycee Maintenance.

Service Awards March Jack Stone, Casper Construction – 30 years; Travis Schlager, Casper Mechanics – 15 years; Barry Schulenberg, Casper Mechanics – 10 years; and Ricky Schultz, Wheatland Maintenance – 10 years.

Mayfield

March Bruce Linch, Cheyenne Construction – 30 years; Brian O’Connor, Arlington Maintenance – 10 years; and Rothwell Samuel Finkle, Laramie Construction – 5 years.

April Patrick Varland, Douglas Mechanics – 30 years.

April Charles Muller, District 1 Maintenance Staff – 20 years; and

Stone

Varland

Retirements

Photo courtesy of Tim McGary

March Jerome Ciampi, Casper Maintenance. n

Joe Gillespie strikes a pose with a well decorated cake at his retirement party at the District 1 office in Laramie.

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se Re c

ea Pl

Photo courtesy of Terry Uhrich

March/April 2016

le Afte yc

ading Re !

Ed Leyba a heavy equipment operator in Laramie facilitated a demonstration for a preschool group in Laramie March 3.

Barry Schulenberg also received his service award from District 2 Engineer Lowell Fleenor in February. Schulenberg celebrates 10 years with WYDOT.

Travis Schlager receives his 15-year service award from District 2 Engineer Lowell Fleenor.

r

Photo courtesy of Tim McGary

Photo courtesy of Terry Uhrich

Charles Muller receiving his 20-year service award from District 1 Engineer Pat Persson.

District 3

Welcome

April Cooper Starmer, Patrick Draw Maintenance.

Promotions and Transfers April Deny Leonard, Granger Maintenance.

Photo courtesy of Stephanie Harsha

March Gloria Baker, Evanston Port of Entry; Morris Clift, Rock Springs Maintenance; John McKenna, Evanston Port of Entry; and Jonathan Rakowitz, Rock Springs Maintenance.

March Riley Pantier, Reno Junction Maintenance.

April Mark Gray, Gillette Maintenance; Andrew Lucus, Gillette Maintenance; Ricky Owsley, Gillette Maintenance; and Timothy Torongeau, Newcastle Mechanics.

March Cindy Brown, Evanston Construction – 20 years; Ember Caves, Evanston Construction – 15 years; and

Port of Entry – 10 years; and Ronald Shenefelt, Traffic-Electrical – 5 years.

April Jimmie Pierce, Sheridan Mechanics – 25 years; Christopher Martin, Sundance Maintenance – 5 years; and Kyle Seymour, Buffalo Maintenance – 5 years. n

Promotions and Transfers April Timothy Boumeester, Sundance Patrol.

Service Awards

Boumeester

Baumgartner

Jordan

Shenefelt

William Godward, Evanston Construction – 10 years.

Pierce

Godward

Evanston Trooper to lead Division D Evanston area Trooper Matt Arnell was promoted to Division D lieutenant in Evanston. Division D oversees Uinta County and the southern portion of Lincoln County.

Arnell is a 15-year Patrol veteran and has served in the Evanston Arnell area throughout his career. He replaces Lt. Tim Boumeester who recently transferred to Sundance.

The promotion was effective March 1. n

Seymour

Photo: WYDOT

March Mark Baumgartner, Traffic-Signing – 30 years; Cheryl Jordan, Sheridan

Caves

Service Awards

District 4

Welcome

Brown

District Traffic Engineer Darin Kaufman and extra mile recipient Ray Avery.

Mark Baumgartner and Scott Hamilton of the District 4 Sign Crew crafted a beautiful plan set holder for the District Construction Engineers Office. Great work!

March/April 2016

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District 5

Promotions and Transfers

Retirements

March Brendan Byron, Thermopolis Construction; Daniel Hahn, Lander Traffic-Striping; and Joseph Keele, Basin Traffic-Striping.

April Lander Mechanics Supervisor James Cox retired Jan. 29 with more than 36 years of service to the state.

The Laramie native began his career with the old Wyoming Highway Department in 1976 as a diesel mechanic in Casper. Cox briefly left the department to attend Colorado AeroTech in Broomfield, Colo., graduating with an A&P license in October 1978. He returned to Casper in 1981.

Following his employment in Casper, Cox moved to Lander where he finished his Cox career as shop supervisor. n

Service Awards March Richard Hart, Lander Construction – 30 years; Frank Hancock, District 5 Shop – 20 years; and Steven Otto, Traffic-Electrical – 5 years.

Otto

Get those photos in!

Rides

submission deadline:

05/13/16

carlie.vanwinkle@wyo.gov

Photo courtesy of Cody Beers

April James Thomas, Lander Maintenance – 35 years; Larry Stanger, Traffic-Signing – 15 Poston years; and Keith Poston, Lander Maintenance – 10 years.

Classic? Hot rod?

Late model?

Two wheeler?

Lander Valley High School students promote the idea of “not living the DUI life” at a recent high school basketball game in Fremont County.

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March/April 2016

Awards February Service Award Recipients

Photo: Rick Carpenter

Congratulations to our January and February recipients!

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

Service award recipients at the February luncheon: Rusty England, Bruce Linch, Abbas Alami and Russell Howe.

Photo: Rick Carpenter

March Service Award Recipients

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

Service award recipients at the March luncheon: Pat Varland, Diane Archerd, Ken Link and Jim Thomas.

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.

January: Terry Arguello Kevin Hedstrom Joe Ruess Karmen Warrington February: Abbas Alami Jason Aldridge Ray Avery Larry Christy Jean Dyjak Travis Hansen Jack Herman Dennis Hinton Kirk Koch Kenny Rosser Steven Sapp Joel Sherman Fred Willert For more information about the Extra Mile Award or to nominate someone, contact Janet Farrar or Cassandra Sanderson in the Strategic Performance Improvement office.

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Passings

The Wyoming Highway Patrol and the

LeRoy E. Graham

Retired Laramie maintenance employee LeRoy Graham, 82, died Feb. 12 at his home, surrounded by family.

Graham began his career with the old Wyoming Highway Department in Laramie in 1968. He retired from Laramie Maintenance in April 1995 Graham with 27 years of service to the state.

Graham worked at many different jobs throughout his life to provide for his family. He worked for the Bosler Ranch and the Diamond Horseshoe. He loved to keep busy, so after his retirement he went to work for SPIC and SPAN Laundry.

He also served in the Army National Guard, and received the Top Cow Hand Award earlier in his life.

He enjoyed camping, hunting and fishing and always included his girls in these activities. He was always an outdoorsman and cowboy at heart and loved working with animals.

Memorial services took place Feb. 19 at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Cathedral in Laramie.

Workplace Safety Training In light of recent events in our nation, it is our responsibility to focus on preparedness – including workplace safety. With this is mind, we are pleased to present workplace safety/violence training, which will be offered in multiple locations throughout Wyoming.

The training is approximately 3.5 hours and will cover topics such as: • Brief history of workplace violence; • Terminology used; • Law enforcement response versus expectations; • Active shooter profile; • Course of action – what should you do; • Following your intuition; Know your surroundings; • Emergency action plans; and more potentially lifesaving information.

This course will be held three times in each location to allow more individuals to have an opportunity to attend this critical training. Seating is limited so preregistration is requested.

Laramie — April 8 | Rock Springs — April 11 | Jackson — April 12 and 13 Riverton — April 14 and 15 | Cody — April 18 and 19 | Sheridan — April 21 and 22 Gillette — April 25 and 26 | Casper - May 2 and 3

Dennis King Dennis “Denny” King, 71, died Jan. 13 in Torrington.

King retired from WYDOT as a highway maintenance specialist in July 2011 with 15 years of service.

He was a Wheatland native and attended Guernsey High School.

Throughout his life, King pursued many careers including insurance salesman, truck driver, bar owner, route driver for Coors and Rainbow Bread, equipment operator at the Sunrise Mine, storekeeper, and owner/operator of his own striping business, “Quality Striping.”

He loved the Denver Broncos, and during hunting season, was always on the lookout for a monster bull elk. King was a devoted husband, father to a son and three daughters, grandfather to 10, and greatgrandfather to six.

Memorial services were held on Feb. 6 in Torrington. n

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March/April 2016

information at hls.wyo.gov/workplace-safety

WTDEA

State Board ushers in 2016 with new officers at first meeting WTDEA State Board called their first meeting of the year to order on Jan. 27.

Ryan Sorenson was elected president; vice-president Luke Eigenberger; secretary Dennis Santora; treasurer Audrey Hobbs; and new headquarters representative Robyn Eifert.

Headquarters representatives Janet Vossler and Nick Hines have both fulfilled their terms and stepped down from the board. The board thanks them for their help in transitioning their positions, and for their ongoing support.

WTDEA Employee Relief Fund gets A+ The WYDOT Internal Review Program has given an exemplary rating to the handling of the WTDEA Employee Relief Fund.

According to Internal Review Manager Kristin Burkart, the audit of the relief fund came back with no findings.

“Both the State Board and the Relief Fund Board have worked very diligently over the past few years to set up the fund in a very transparent manner,” said Burkart. “The last two audits of the Relief Fund have been clear with no discrepan-

cies in the accounting.”

The Employee Relief Fund received 20 relief requests and paid out $15,000 last year. This monetary support would not be possible without the sale of the annual Cash Calendar and the individual employee contributions made.

If every WYDOT employee donated just $1 per month, $12 annually, the Employee Relief Fund would be selfsustaining. If you would like to support the WYDOT Employee Relief Fund with a dollar each month, please contact your WTDEA representative. You could help change a co-worker’s life for the better.

Hobbs has discount tickets and season passes available for employees. Each ticket has the option of a meal voucher good at participating food court vendors. The meal vouchers offer a main course, side and fountain drink.

2016 Elitch Gardens Season Pass benefit details and restrictions: Bring-a-Friend Free Tickets: • If first visit to the park is on or before May 30, guest will receive three “Bringa-Friend” tickets. First ticket is valid any day in 2016; two remaining tickets are valid Monday-Thursday or any day in September.

Opportunities for funseekers and shutterbugs

• If first visit to the park is after May 30, guest will receive two restricted “Bringa-Friend” tickets.

• “Bring-a-Friend” tickets are loaded on each season pass holder’s pass card.

Actual paper tickets are not issued.

During the recent State Board meeting, discussion was held regarding the 2017 Cash Calendar.

A new photo contest is scheduled to decide the images chosen for the upcoming calendar. More information regarding the contest will be available after the May State Board meeting in Sheridan.

Shutterbugs, get your cameras at the ready and start taking pictures of this state you love and know so well.

Summer fun is around the corner, and what could be more fun than an amusement park? Opening day at Denver’s Elitch Garden Theme and Water Park is April 30.

The park is open seven days a week until Aug. 20, and then only open on weekends until Oct. 30, with the exception of Labor Day. WTDEA State Board Treasurer Audrey

• “Bring-a-Friend” free tickets must be redeemed with a season pass holder present.

2016 Fright Fest: Fright Fest admission is included with a valid season pass. Some Fright Fest attractions, such as haunted houses and séances are an additional charge.

Children’s tickets: Children 3-years old and under are free and do not require a ticket for admission. n

Take road conditions with you.

Get the WYOMING 511 app. 



Know traffic hazards & road conditions before you go View highway webcams

  

"Where am I?" function Hands-free, eyes-free function Easy to use

Available for free download at the Google Play Store.

March/April 2016

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Available for free download at the Apple App Store.

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Rides

Photo courtesy of Matt Sanders

Outdoors

Hank Ramirez grammetry employee Retired WYDOT Photo rebuilt this car s ha rez mi thead V8. Ra and his 1936 Ford Fla part by part. from the chassis up,

Lander Maintenance Foreman Matt Sanders with his oldest son Mark (center) and his youngest son Zach (right) with their 2015 bull elk. They hunted in Fremont County.

Photos courtesy of Dan Hahn

Retired Patrol Trooper Mike Tortorici with his silver 1970 Chevy Nova SS 396.

Lander employees Dan and Josh Hahn recently went ice fishing at Louis Lake near South Pass southwest of Lander.

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March/April 2016

. It 67 Chevy Nova hulte with his 19 ren Sc ar W ike at M ld ee he tir Re t at a car show ec oj pr st be d was vote in Cheyenne.

Air Force Base

Photo courtesy of Keith Roun ds

Photo: Rick Carpenter

Photo: Ted Stienmetz

Retired Public Affairs Off icer Keith Rounds with his 1965 Ford Mustang convertible. Rou nds has owned it for 51 years.

Photo: Rick Carpenter

Casper Striping Foreman Ted Stienmetz and wife, Ronda, pamper their 1955 Ford Thunderbird. Ronda’s grandpa gave it to the couple from his collection more than eight years ago, right before he passed away. It’s all original and they plan on keeping it that way. It’s a great car for a Sunday afternoon cruise!

Photo: Jim Haefele

Photo: Rick Carpenter

Environmental Services employe e Kathy Wenger enjoys cruising around in her 2012 Chevy Camaro 2SS. It’s a 45th anniversary edition with BMR suspension, 1-inc h lowering springs, sway bars, bushings, MRR 228 wheels with Nitto 275/40/20 and 315/30/20 tires, 3.91 rear gears, Kooks long -tube headers with high flow cats and Doug Thorley exhaust.

Autum Smith out and ab out in her cl Camaro. as

sic, cherry re

Photo: Rick Ca rpenter

Photo: Rick Carpen

ter

Retired Contracts and Estimates Program Manager Jim Haefele and wife, Estelle, own this beautiful 1929 Model A Tudor Sedan.

The car has been finished for 28 years, has a steel body, a 350 Chevy engine and a chrome Chevy Corvette drive train.

Haefele retired in 2002 after 37 years with WHD/WYDOT. He was a member of the first Laramie Design Squad and later worked in Project Development, and with Construction Staff prior to becoming program manager in Contracts and Estimates.

March/April 2016

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Did you hear?

WyHy now offers our members a variety of insurance options through UProsper Insurance Services.

We partner with First Line Insurance which is a full service, independent licensed insurance agency that provides a variety of commercial and personal products to fit the varying insurance needs of our members. They work with the Nation’s largest and best rated carriers to provide excellent options, along with 24/7 claims support, 365 days a year. First Line can also mediate disputes between the insured and the carrier.

They also offer special member options such as: • Packaging home/auto • Multi-car discounts • Adding umbrellas and recreational vehicles

• Reviewing young drivers for extra discounts • Special rate and other discounts where available

Call 307.638.4200 or come into a WyHy branch today!

*UProsper Insurance Services is a wholly owned subsidiary of UProsper Services Group, a credit union service organization owned by WyHy Federal Credit Union and Western Vista Federal Credit Union.

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March/April 2016

Spring skiing?

Beach vacation?

Hunt lately?

Get those photos in!

Break Time

Let’s play STRIMKO! The object of the puzzle is to fully fill in the given grid with missing numbers observing three simple rules. You place numbers 1-6 into a 6 x 6 grid.

Each row, column and connected stream of circles must contain the numbers 1-6. Each row, column and connected stream of circles must not repeat a number 1-6. Sudoku players: this game is very similar to Sudoku.

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

Hard Strimko 178

6 Outdoors submission deadline:

1

06/10/16

4 2 3 4

carlie.vanwinkle@wyo.gov

Š The Grabarchuk Family. All Rights Reserved.

Permission is granted for personal use only. This puzzle may not be duplicated for any kind of profit.

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) E-mail Carlie Van Winkle at carlie.vanwinkle@wyo.gov.

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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

March/April 2016

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Interchange

Wyoming Department of Transportation 5300 Bishop Blvd.

Cheyenne, Wyoming 82009-3340 Address Service Requested

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