November 2016 Interchange

Interchange November 2016

Spectacular fall views in Wyoming Images from around the state

Letters

Bridge project a success WYDOT, On behalf of the town of Elk Mountain I would like to express our appreciation for your involvement with the bridge replacement in our town. Your professional and friendly representation went far to ensure the success of this project.

WYDOT did a great job helping to bring all the parties together. The long drawn out process ended up being more complicated than most expected.

WYDOT excelled at researching the properties involved and negotiating with the land owners. Many land issues have been resolved due to this work and the future will be less controversial since everyone knows how things shook out. This leg work also assisted our municipality in planning for our future projects.

A special thanks for doing a superb job overseeing our affected infrastructure. The water and sewer lines were an unexpected obstacle. More right of way considerations and expense required a great deal of additional effort. Even beyond the preparation and planning the project, the sewer line required a repair when your inspectors determined it was faulty. I recognize the thorough job done by project inspectors and management.

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It was a great relief to know we were left with new lines that can be counted on to provide reliable service and not a headache and additional expenses years down the road.

We have received many compliments on the new bridge. The new structure is not an uncomfortable change for everyone due to the extra effort taken to design it for our community. Many of the concerns folks had have not materialized.

So far everything is a positive outcome.

The town of Elk Mountain’s partnership with WYDOT is an important one to our operation. I hope to continue to support each other with our responsibilities to the public. As we have discussed, being rural entities it is beneficial to be able to team up from time to time. I appreciate all the help with the issues we have worked through together through the years. I hope to maintain our positive relationship.

Thank you for the Wyoming Department of Transportation’s leadership and support. Your expertise has ensured the bridge we now have is one of quality and that the public funds were well spent.

Everyone involved with this project did a wonderful job.

Vol. 44, Issue 11

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

Staff WYDOT Director: William T. Panos

Public Affairs Manager: Doug McGee

Editor: Carlie Van Winkle

Contributors: Aimee Inama Carlie Van Winkle Jeff Goetz Stephanie Harsha Ronda Holwell Cody Beers Sgt. David Wagener

Regards, Morgan Irene Mayor, town of Elk Mountain

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

Photography: Rick Carpenter

Public Affairs

Photos: WYDOT

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

A look at the newly completed Elk Mountain bridge (top). The historic original trusses were relocated to a local county road (bottom).

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DOT publication

Contents Features

Highway User Fees (Dedicated) $201,566,282 31.85%

8 Director holds District meetings

Commission $524,544,220 82.88%

Budget update for all employees

9 Fall arrives in Wyoming Photos from around the state

10 Former auction item refurbished

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Federal Revenue $296,013,361 46.77%

Legislativ $108,408,8 17.12%

Programs Construction Maintenance Equipment Facilities Traffic Financial Services

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Couple purchases RV from department

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Also in this issue Letters.........................................................................................2 District briefs.............................................................................4 By the Numbers.......................................................................5 Noteworthy..............................................................................10 TechNotes................................................................................10 Training at a Glance..............................................................11 District news...........................................................................12 Awards......................................................................................15 Extra Mile Awards..................................................................15 WTDEA......................................................................................17 Break Time...............................................................................19 On the cover:

The changing of the seasons near Baggs. The white of the snow mixes with the green, golds and oranges of the trees.

Photo: Merna Carver

Kindly recycle this publication after reading.

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District Briefs Commission awards $30 million in highway contracts in October

Cheyenne – WYDOT will soon start work on a $23.5 million viaduct and road project in Laramie which will replace the deficient Clark Street viaduct and improve traffic flow.

The Wyoming Transportation Commission awarded the Harney Street viaduct contract to S & S Builders of Gillette during its meeting on Oct. 20. The contract was one of six the commission awarded totaling $30 million.

The new viaduct will replace the 53-year-old Clark Street viaduct, which has physical deterioration and doesn’t have the appropriate width to accommodate vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle traffic. Construction is expected to start in the spring and be completed by July 31, 2019.

“The bridge at Clark Street is deteriorating and it needs to be replaced,” said Steve Cook, resident engineer out of Laramie. “WYDOT did a lot of research as to where the new bridge will be built.”

The viaduct work is part of 1.33 miles of construction that also includes connecting traffic with Snowy Range Road, WYO 230, and widening the Laramie River Bridge to four lanes. WYDOT will construct a new section of Snowy Range Road across the railroad tracks. The road will curve around the west side of the community and connect to the existing Snowy Range Road.

WYDOT spent several years of research on the viaduct, which including taking public comment to determine the best location for the new viaduct, Cook said.

The new viaduct will provide continuous east-west transportation system connection that will better serve corridor traffic movements through Laramie. It will also provide transportation service, increased capacity and improved functionality needed for future growth.

The work will improve safety on the

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existing transportation, and will provide transportation service that is consistent with local transportation and land use plans.

“This project will help with traffic flow and will help meet the future needs of the community,” Cook said.

The rest of the contracts the commission awarded were for crack sealing and milling work.

McGarvin-Moberly Construction Co., of Worland, was the low bidder on a $2.6 million mill and overlay project on 7.7 miles of US 189/191 about 20 miles north of Daniel Junction.

Crews will mill off about an inch of asphalt to remove the deteriorated surface, and then replace it with 2-inches of asphalt. The project is being paid for with 10-cent fuel-tax revenue, and is expected to be completed by Oct. 31, 2017.

Highway Improvement Inc., of Sioux Falls, S.D., won a $2.2 million crack sealing contract for work at locations in Big Horn, Fremont, Park and Washakie counties. The work will impact about a dozen roads in those counties and is part of WYDOT’s pavement preservation strategy to keep the roads in good working condition.

The crack sealing work involves sealing the cracks to prevent water from getting into the road and deteriorating it.

The contract completion date is May 15, 2017.

Highway Improvement Inc. also was the low bidder on a $1 million crack sealing contract for work on I-80 and several road sections in Sublette, Sweetwater and Teton counties. The contract completion date is April 30, 2017.

The commission also awarded two other crack sealing contracts.

Hardrives Construction Inc., of Billings, Mont., won a $368,060 for crack sealing on several road sections in Campbell, Crook, Sheridan and Weston counties. The contract completion date is May 15, 2017.

Z & Z Seal Coating Inc., of Billings, Mont., was the low bidder on a $303,065 crack sealing project. The contract completion date is April 30, 2017.

WYDOT completes summer construction season Cheyenne – WYDOT let 106 projects totaling about $267 million this past year.

Because of favorable construction prices, WYDOT was able to add about $35 million of additional work this past construction season, which is reflected in the total amount.

WYDOT recently completed its work for the summer construction season, but will likely continue to do some minor projects work.

“Construction went very well this year,” said Gregg Fredrick, WYDOT’s chief engineer. “Everything was on schedule and completed on time. I’m very pleased with the way our construction activities went and the cooperation between our contractors and WYDOT construction crews across the state.”

The projects WYDOT did over the past year included reconstruction of sections of the interstates, overlays on rural two-lane highways, bridge repair work and other construction activities that ensure the roads and bridges stay in the best condition possible.

WYDOT’s projects are focused on preserving the state’s investment, which means that a lot of the work that was done last year and in the coming years will continue to focus on projects that will repair the existing roads and bridges.

“When we have an overlay type of project, we remove the top surface of the roadway,” Fredrick said. “After that surface is removed, we go back in with a like or a slightly thicker amount of asphalt.

What that does is it reduces the rutting.

It also eliminates the cracking and it increases the traction between the car and the roadway, making the roadway safer for the traveling public.”

The work that’s completed each year is planned by WYDOT in its State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), which is a six-year document that outlines all the projects the department intends to do over that time period.

The STIP is a dynamic document and officials update it annually based on funding and the infrastructure needs of the state. WYDOT takes public input when formulating the STIP and holds public meetings in different parts of the state to

present the document and gather input on the projects.

The projects are then put out for bid and the Wyoming Transportation Commission awards the work during its monthly meetings.

Stolen vehicle pursuit north of Cheyenne Cheyenne – Just past midnight on Sept. 26, WHP troopers were dispatched to a pursue a Chevrolet Corvette driving erratic on I-25 southbound just north of Cheyenne on I-25. As the trooper attempted to catch up, the Corvette changed direction and began to travel northbound in the southbound lanes of I-25.

The Corvette exited I-25, still going the wrong way, at the Vandehei exit (I-25 exit 13) and continued north on Bishop Boulevard. Once the Corvette reached the intersection with WYO 211 (Horse Creek Road), the car proceeded west on WYO

two highways, including left hand turning vehicles,” said District Engineer Keith Compton.

The upgrades require that the current two wooden pole system, put up approximately 25 years ago, be replaced with a temporary metal, four pole signal system.

This upgraded system will accommodate the additional weight of the turn signal as well as allow for improved visibility of the signal heads.

“The work is tentatively scheduled for four weeks and traffic disruption will be kept to a minimum, as most of the work will take place on the shoulders,” Resident Engineer Bob Hammond said.

The contract was awarded to Casper Electric for $99,051.30 in August. The completion date is set for Dec. 15.

WYDOT will be initiating a NEPA study to determine a better design for the WYO 22-WYO 390 intersection, as well as a new design for the bridge over the Snake River. These more permanent solutions, once determined, are currently scheduled for the year 2022.

Motorists encouraged to ‘move over for parked emergency vehicles’; new signs installed Photo: WHP

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211 with the trooper in pursuit.

The pursuit continued west on WYO 211 and crossed multiple county roads, pastures and one residential yard. Once on County Road 216, near the intersection with WYO 211, the male driver, who was from Billings, Mont., stopped the Corvette in a pasture and both he and the male passenger, also from Billings, took off on foot. Both were eventually caught by troopers and Laramie County Sheriff deputies, and were taken into custody at the Laramie County Detention Center in Cheyenne.

The 25-year-old driver of the stolen car was charged with possession of stolen property, impaired driving, possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, interference, fleeing and eluding, and reckless driving. The 18-year-old passenger was charged with possession of stolen property and interference.

The 2013 Corvette was reported stolen from Billings on Sept. 20. Speeds during the pursuit reached 145 mph.

Total number of employees: as of October 6, 2016

1,894

One month ago

1,899

One year ago

1,967

The stolen Corvette came to a stop in a pasture just north of Cheyenne near WYO 211 and County Road 216.

WYDOT adds left turn to WYO 22 intersection Rock Springs – Work on the signal at the intersection of WYO 22 and WYO 390 near Jackson is underway.

Crews are upgrading the signal to a four-pole structure to accommodate an additional left turn signal for eastbound WYO 22 traffic.

“Teton County has, and continues to see increased traffic, especially on Wyoming highways 22 and 390. This increase in traffic puts a strain on the current configuration at the intersection of these

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Riverton – Reminding motorists of a 2001 state law, 10 signs are being installed in northwest Wyoming to encourage passing vehicles to “move over for parked emergency vehicles” displaying flashing lights.

Wyoming’s moveover law requires motorists to change lanes to move away from parked emergency vehicles that are displaying flashing lights; on two-lane roads, or where traffic prevents a driver from moving over, motorists are required by law to slow down to 20 mph below the posted speed limit and “change lanes as long as it’s safe to do so.” Violators may be fined.

The new signs are being installed statewide by S&L Industrial of Cowley.

Locations for the new signs in central and northwest Wyoming include US 14/16/20, about 4 miles east of Cody; US 14/16/20, 21 miles west of Greybull;

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Briefs continued on page 6 November 2016

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Driver safety encouraged as sugar beet harvest begins

Wind River Canyon rockfall project scheduled to begin this month

Riverton – Slow-moving trucks entering the highway from agricultural fields will be the norm in the coming months as the sugar campaign begins in Fremont County and the Big Horn Basin.

Local farmers are expected to begin digging beets soon; in other areas, such as near Lovell and Powell, the sugar campaign has started. The sugar campaign usually lasts about five months, and its success depends on weather and other factors.

During the farmers’ sugar campaign, drivers are encouraged to pay attention to heavier truck traffic on highways throughout northwest Wyoming.

“It’s important to be cautious of heavy trucks turning on and off highways,” said Randy Merritt, WYDOT district traffic engineer in Basin. “Trucks hauling heavy loads cannot slow or stop quickly. Be patient with accelerating trucks as it takes more time for trucks to accelerate to the posted speed limit.”

Merritt said drivers should exercise caution where heavy trucks are turning on and off the highways.

“With the rains we’ve been receiving, there will likely be some mud on the highway where these turning movements are taking place,” Merritt said. “We need the help of everyone, including farmers, to minimize the amount of mud tracked on to the highways. Our number one priority is to keep everyone safe on our highways.”

If muddy conditions persist on highways, citizens are asked to call WYDOT offices so snow plows may be dispatched to remove mud from the highway.

The sugar beet crop represents an important source of income for many farmers in Fremont County and the Big Horn Basin. Most of the trucks hauling

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Thermopolis – Traffic delays began Oct. 18, on US 20/WYO 789 through Wind River Canyon as a Cowley contractor began rock scaling, cleaning culverts, reshaping ditches and other work related to the Memorial Day weekend flooding and mudslides of 2015.

Wilson Brothers Construction Inc. of Cowley is the prime contractor on the $840,000 project.

The work within Wind River Canyon will take place between mileposts 116.80 (near the tunnels) and 126.82 (about 6 miles south of Thermopolis). All work is dependent upon favorable weather and favorable road conditions.

WYDOT Resident Engineer Kaia Tharp of Thermopolis said the contractor is scheduled to begin rock scaling in the southern end of Wind River Canyon, and will work its way north from there.

“As the work progresses, there will be more than one crew working in different locations along the canyon. By contract, traffic stop delays will total 15 minutes throughout the project,” Tharp said.

Rock crushing will be occurring in the Birdseye Pit south of Wind River Canyon as part of this project at milepost 109.1 on US 20/WYO 789, and motorists are advised of trucks entering and exiting the highway at this location.

THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE

WHO THINK

THEY HAVE THEIR CHILD IN THE RIGHT SEAT.

The Wyoming Transportation Commission awarded the project to Wilson Brothers Construction, Inc. at its Sept. 15 meeting. Contract completion date is May 31, 2017.

Photo: WYDOT

US 16, 2.5 miles east of Worland; US 20, 1 mile north of Shoshoni; US 20, 4 miles south of Thermopolis; US 26/287, 2.5 miles north of Moran Junction; US 26/287, 36 miles west of Riverton; US 287, 7 1/2 miles southeast of Lander; WYO 120, 1 mile west of Thermopolis; and WYO 120, 2 1/2 miles east of Cody.

the beets are coming from local farm fields near our local communities.

“Every beet harvested is hauled by truck on highways to a sugar factory, either in Lovell or Worland. Give these farmers a brake when you see them.

Farmers are making positive contributions to the local economies in the counties where they live,” Merritt said.

Briefs continued from page 5

Rock removal work by WYDOT workers this summer in Wind River Canyon. A new contracted project began in October.

Shoulder fog sealing scheduled next week on Fremont County highways Riverton – Short traffic delays were expected the last week of September during fog sealing of shoulders on a handful of Fremont County highways.

Highway shoulders slated for fog sealing included US 20/26, between Waltman and Shoshoni (mileposts 74.50 to 90.40); US 26/WYO 789, directly north of Riverton (mileposts 106.36 to 109.63); US 26/WYO 789, north of Riverton, between end of 5-lane highway and Campbell’s Corner (mileposts 115.40 to 119.13); WYO 789, just south of the 5-lane highway near Wind River Casino (mileposts 97.10 to 100.86); and US 20/WYO 789, south of the Wind River Canyon tunnels (mileposts 112.90 to 116.44).

“These are the locations where we did the contract highway chip sealing this summer,” said WYDOT Resident Engineer Kaia Tharp of Thermopolis. n

THE ONES

WHO ACTUALLY DO.

Retirees and their guests are cordially invited to the

The WYDOT Retiree Christmas Party

Thursday, December 8 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Cheyenne Airport Golf Club

Bring a potluck dish to share (don’t forget the serving utensil!)

Meat, place settings, coffee, tea and iced water will be provided.

Cash bar available.

Please RSVP prior to December 5: Rick Eccli - 634-3231; John Lane - 638-6348; Pat Collins - 635-2344; Pam Hendricks - 632-9151; or Ron Kisicki - 632-8413

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WYDOT officials give budget update to employees

Legislature through other state funding, including general funds, which is where WYDOT has seen cuts. The Legislature each year provides state agencies with money, and in times of budget reductions, lawmakers can reduce that amount by asking state agencies

by Aimee Inama to reduce expenditures.

Employees don’t have to wonder about the future of WYDOT’s The revenues WYDOT receives are spent on WYDOT’s budget, funding resources and expenditures. programs. The commission, which approves a budget annually, is During a series of meetings in early October, Director Bill expected to expend about $524.5 million or about 83 percent of Panos gave an update on how WYDOT is funded, explained the the revenues. The commission’s budget funds the Construction, impact to the agency from the reduction in funding and provided Maintenance, Equipment, Facilities, Traffic and Financial Services an overview of the budget. programs.

The meetings are part of regular comThe Legislature, which approves a budAnticipated Funding munication Panos is having with employees Fiscal Year 2017 - $632,953,032 get every two years, is expected to expend Highway User Fees (Dedicated) to ensure they know what’s happening. about $108.4 million or about 17 percent of $201,566,282 31.85% Panos is making sure all employees are well the revenues. The legislative budget funds Federal Revenue Other State Revenue $296,013,361 $135,373,389 informed by holding the meetings at headthe Highway Patrol, Aeronautics, Driver 46.77% 21.38% quarters in Cheyenne and in the districts.

Services, Motor Vehicles, Human Resources Commission Legislative “None of these cuts currently affect posi$524,544,220 $108,408,812 and Ports of Entry.

82.88% 17.12% tions,” Panos said of the cuts that have been With state lawmakers calling for reducPrograms Programs Construction Patrol made so far in the budget. “All of it impacts tions in the budgets for state agencies, Maintenance Aeronautics Equipment Driver’s License programs but our programs are still healthy Facilities Motor Vehicles WYDOT has so far made about $13 million Traffic Human Resources and we are still able to conduct business.”

Financial Services Ports of Entry in cuts to help the state save money. To date, Panos stressed that WYDOT’s budget the exposure has only been to programs One of the slides presented during the budget is still strong, explaining that the agency’s overview meeting. This image is of the anticipated and not personnel. funding comes from a variety of revenue The cuts have impacted WYDOT but funding for fiscal year 2017. streams. the agency is still able to continue with For fiscal year 2017’s total revenues of most of its projects. $632.9 million, WYDOT anticipates getting about 47 percent “We had to delay several projects by a year or two,” Panos said or $296 million from federal revenues and 32 percent or $201.5 of the $10 million cut to the surface transportation fund. “We million from state dedicated revenues such as driver license fees, have felt the impact of the cuts, but we haven’t had to cancel any gasoline taxes and other fees that are dedicated funds for WYDOT projects.” n for a total of 79 percent of revenues.

The other 21 percent or $135.4 million comes from the state Photo: WYDOT

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WYDOT changes bring reorganization of executive staff

by Aimee Inama WYDOT’s executive staff has changed over the years following retirements and a reorganization of the team.

Director Bill Panos took over as director about a year ago, and has been working to ensure the department continues to meet the needs of its employees, Wyoming residents and all of its stakeholders.

One of the ways Panos is doing that is by reorganizing executive staff to better represent employees and the programs they serve.

During meetings with employees over the past year, Panos gave an overview of the new executive staff, their duties and the two new additions to executive staff – a chief technology officer and a chief financial officer.

Now, Panos’ vision is almost in place. The only position left to fill is the Aeronautics administrator, which was left vacant following Dennis Byrne’s move to being the new chief financial officer. Currently, Christine Yaffa is serving as the interim Aeronautics administrator.

The face of executive staff as changed and the Interchange will feature a story about the team members, what they do and how this new setup will better serve WYDOT. Watch for the full article in December’s issue of the Interchange. n

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Procurement Supply Catalog

Updated and Improved.

Check it out.

Fall’s arrival in Wyoming These photos were captured by Rick Carpenter, Public Affairs photographer.

Horses graze in a pasture near Togwotee Pass.

Driving along WYO 130 near the WYO 130-230 junction between Saratoga and Riverside.

A gorgeous view over the valley at the apex of Battle Mountain Pass (WYO 70).

Frost on the trees above a field of green and gold. Near Moran Junction.

Thayne shows off some of its fall finery.

Photos: Rick Carpenter

Early snowfall on Medicine Bow peak along WYO 130 just west of Centennial.

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One-time WHP office and command post refurbished

An after shot of the beautifully refurbished travel trailer’s interior.

Photo: WYDOT

by Carlie Van Winkle A once-confiscated 1977 Airstream has been turned into a traveler’s dream by a Cheyenne couple.

Kent and Laura Drake purchased the 31foot Airstream Sovereign from the department through a vehicle auction, offering a mere $4,200 for the item. After purchasing this diamond in the rough, the Drakes gutted and refurbished the classic RV to make it their home away from home.

The Drakes took the interior down to the walls, rebuilt the inside and polished the outer aluminum sheeting to its former glory.

They plan on “cruising all over the place” in

Photo: WYDOT

Noteworthy

it according to the couple’s friend, Dennis Santora with District 1 maintenance.

After the trailer’s confiscation during a drug bust in 1989, the Wyoming Highway Patrol put the Airstream to good departmental use. The Port of Entry used the trailer as an office for several months during the remodel of the Laramie port office. Following the remodel, WHP’s Motor Carrier Division outfitted the interior with radios and began using the Airstream as a mobile command post.

In years that followed, the WHP was restructured and the vehicle was no longer needed. Rather than have the mothballed trailer sit and decay for several more years, the department decided to sell it.

Jeff Madden in Procurement Services listed the Airstream with other departmental vehicles for sale at a vehicle auction in June 2013. n

A before and after of the 31-foot Airstream Sovereign travel trailer’s exterior. Kent and Laura Drake standing with their classic RV.

TechNotes Network Drives

by Rusty England, IT Program There is quite a bit of news about cars that drive themselves.

Certainly exciting. This article is about network drives and how they should be used.

Letters are used to designate the different drives available on your computer. WYDOT IT provides some defaults for you to use. In this article will talk about the X:Drive and the G:Drive.

Before we get started talking about the drives, we should talk about what should and should not be stored on a network drive.

Employees should be storing work-related information on the network. Although we ask that you delete any old information that is no longer needed, such as: n Old documents one no longer uses; n Old software packages and versions one no longer needs; n Old time sheets, and travel expense reports; n Old backup copies of your computer; and n Documents you may have inherited from a former employee.

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Employees should not be storing non-work related information on the network. The acceptable use of computer equipment is covered in WYDOT operating policy 41-3. Policy statements aside, when an employee saves personal information to a network drive, it results in increased costs to WYDOT. The costs increase because we backup all of the network drives. WYDOT pays by the size of the data being retained. So every picture, music file, video clip and unused document residing on a server is backed up. In addition, the amount of time and bandwidth used to backup each drive is increasing.

Now we’ll look at the drives and how they are meant to be used.

G:Drive – This is also commonly referred to as the Sections drive. It is where you store work-related information that is important to your program and/or section. The information on this drive is typically available to everyone in your workgroup. So it is a great tool for sharing information within your group.

X:Drive – This is where you would store work-related information that applies to you as an employee and should be private, e.g. PMI documents. Basically, you would use this to store private information you want to keep and have backed up. This should be data not related to your daily work.

We’ll cover the Google Drive in a separate document because it is very different from the network drives. n

Training

WeLL courses temporarily suspended; awaiting new system integration

by Jim Boyd, Training Services The Wyoming eLearning Library (WeLL) will be temporarily suspended starting Nov. 1. The suspension is in place so the WeLL system can be integrated into a new employee-managed learning management system being planned for 2017.

Future announcements on the system and launch date will be forthcoming. Individuals who are actively working to complete a WeLL course will be contacted separately.

WYDOT launched WeLL on March 16, 2015 with the goal of providing WYDOT employees access to learning opportunities wherever they are. The WeLL was WYDOT’s first substantial en-

try into eLearning and it focused mostly on soft skills and leadership content. Several hundred employees completed coursework from the WeLL either for their own personal or professional development, a WYDOT specified goal or some other reason not indicated. At WYDOT University, the WeLL enabled us to learn quite a bit about how to properly support eLearning in an organization of WYDOT’s size and diversity of jobs as well as other eLearning best practices.

Here in Training Services, we are constantly focused on identifying our employees’ learning needs as well as offering a multitude of ways to access the learning so that it’s effective, engaging and accessible when needed. One of Training’s major goals for 2017 will be to implement a system that helps employees manage and track their own learning. The WeLL and other eLearning solutions will be integrated into the system for accessibility when it launches. n

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

Coming in November: Date Class 11/7/16 11/9/16 11/14/16

11/15/16 11/15/16

11/16/16 11/16/16 11/17/16 11/18/16

11/21/16

11/22/16 11/22/16 11/29/16

New Employee Orientation TC3 PCC Pavement Preservation Joint Sealing & Crack Sealing WYDOT “Developing The Leader Within You!” Workshop 8 - Vision Leading with Emotional Intelligence WYDOT “Developing The Leader Within You!” Workshop 8 - Vision Developing Your Employees: The Practical Coach Writing & Grammar Skills for Today’s Work Environment John Maxwell’s “How to be a Real Success” Mobile and Terrestrial LiDAR & Effective Use of Point Cloud Data Negotiation Strategies and Techniques to Improve Construction Project Management Follow On Be Safe at Home High Friction Surface Treatment New Supervisors Orientation

Coming in December: Date Class 12/1/16

12/8/16 12/15/16 12/15/16

12/16/16

State of the Practice & the Future of GPA & NDT for Pavement & Deck Surveys Crashworthiness of Work Zone Devices TC3 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) WYDOT “Developing The Leader Within You!” Workshop 9 - Self Discipline WYDOT “Developing The Leader Within You!” Workshop 9 - Self Discipline

PMI Competency

Location

Communication Vocational

WYDOT-U Webinar

Leadership Leadership

Cheyenne WYDOT-U

Leadership Developing Others Communication Personal Effectiveness

Casper WYDOT-U TLN TLN

Vocational

TLN

Vocational Personal Effectiveness Vocational Leadership

Webinar TLN TLN WYDOT-U

PMI Competency

Location

Vocational Vocational Vocational

Webinar TLN TLN

Leadership

Cheyenne

Leadership

Cheyenne

To register, or to find out more details, visit the Training Program intranet page.

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Headquarters

Welcome Randy Burrous, Aeronautics-Flight Operations; and Gregory Carter, Driver Services.

Promotions and Transfers James Branscomb III, Traffic; Rebecca McOmie, GIS/ITS; Joseph Ruess, Traffic; and Kristofer White, Aeronautics-Flight Operations.

Service Awards Donald Timm, Maintenance Staff – 40 years; Peter Brennan, Right Of Way-Engineering – 40 years; Martin Kidner, Planning-Administration – 35 years; Richard Smith, Port Of Entry-Cheyenne Office – 35 years; Matthew Phillips, Highway Develop-

Ruess

Brennan

Phillips

Davidson

Meyer

VanDerLeest

ment-Project Development-Utilities – 20 years;

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Charles Davidson, Aeronautics-Flight Operations – 15 years; Sarah Meyer, Bridge-Engineering Design – 15 years; Alan Van Der Leest, Cheyenne I-25 Port Of Entry – 10 years; Ronald Hartwig, GIS/ITS – 10 years; Antonia Torres, Patrol Records – 5 years; Jason Brock, Driver Services-Policy and Records – 5 years; and Nathan Smolinski, Telecomm-WYOLINK – 5 years.

Retirements Dave Kingham, Public Affairs assistant manager, retired from WYDOT on Oct. 3., after 17 years with the agency.

Kingham began his career as Interchange editor in 1999 and worked his way up to Public Affairs assisKingham tant manager before retiring.

“I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to work at WYDOT,” Kingham said. “It was a great place to work. The people I worked with were my favorite part of WYDOT and I will miss everyone.”

During his time at WYDOT, Kingham worked under four different directors and two Public Affairs officers. The job itself didn’t change much over the years, but the agency did see changes in technology and equipment from new computer software to new snow plow equipment.

“The biggest change I saw was WYDOT’s move to a pavement preservation plan,” Kingham said. “We moved from doing larger complicated projects to pavement preservation.”

Kingham was a seasoned communications professional before starting at WYDOT. He worked as a reporter for United Press International, the Wyoming Eagle (which is now the Wyoming Tribune Eagle), Wyoming Catholic Register, Wyoming Network.com and the States News Service.

His experience in the media was what led him to apply at WYDOT.

Congratulations Vickie Hintze has been selected as the Office Support Specialist II for the Bridge Program effective Oct 3.

Patrick Lewis has been selected as the Chief Technology Officer for WYDOT Lewis effective Oct 3. Mr. Lewis comes from the State of Wyoming Game and Fish Department.

Jeffery Mellor has been selected as the Assistant State Traffic Engineer for the Traffic Program effective Mellor Oct 3.

Cradle Call Mary Thieken, with the Financial Services Program, and her husband, Nate, welcomed daughter Genevieve Marie to their family in May. Genevieve was born May 26 weighing 7 pounds, 0.4 ounces and was 19.25 inches long.

Photo courtesy of Mary Thieken

District News

“WYDOT had a good reputation as an agency and as a good place to work,” Kingham said. “I also had the chance to get to know some of the people in Public Affairs and figured they’d be good to work with. During my time as a reporter, the people here were always willing to talk to you. I never got the run around.”

During retirement, Kingham plans to catch up on some home improvement projects and would like to do some traveling.

Kingham, a Cheyenne native, served for two years in the U.S. Army. He holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Utah State University.

District 1 Presleigh Hayashida, Highway Development-Project Development-Laramie Design Squad; Kelsey Johnson, Highway Development-Project Development-Laramie Design Squad; and Hannah Vehige, Highway Development-Project Development-Laramie Design Squad.

Promotions and Transfers

Ken Sharp, Cheyenne Maintenance – 5 years; Luke Eigenberger, Cheyenne Maintenance – 5 years; Marvin Pantle, Saratoga Maintenance Eigenberger – 5 years; and Scott Forest, Laramie Maintenance – 5 years.

nine years.

He started working for WYDOT in May 1985 as a survey rodman and a stake pounder in Laramie on the summit. During his time at WYDOT he also worked as an inspector, surveyor and project supervisor in Cheyenne.

Prior to WYDOT, he worked at Western Engineers and Architects in Casper.

Linch, who was born in Linch, Wyo., has an associate degree from Casper College and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wyoming.

He is a member of the Cheyenne Antique Engine and Tractor Club. n

James Chesnut, Traffic-Signing; and Jordan Patterson, Laramie Construction.

Service Awards

Photo: WYDOT

Stanley Trueblood, Traffic-Signing – 40 years; Gary Reierson, Elk Mountain Maintenance – 10 years;

Photo courtesy of Merna Carver

Welcome

Recent retiree Bruce Linch and his wife, Valorie, at his retirement party on Sept. 16.

Retirements Trueblood

Sharp

Bruce Linch Jr. retired on Sept. 17 after 31 years of service to the department. Linch most recently worked as a senior engineer in Cheyenne for the past

District 3

District 2

Welcome

Welcome

Raymond Gault, Shirley Rim Maintenance.

Jacob Kroupa, Rock Springs Construction.

District 3

Promotions and Transfers Bruce Daigle, Jackson Maintenance.

Service Awards Travis Garcia, Rock Springs Mechanics – 15 years; and Stephanie Harsha, District 3 Administration – 5 years.

Kroupa

Garcia

Daigle

Harsha

The Baggs maintenance crew was on break when two local school bus drivers came by with treats. There was a “Here’s A Grand for All You Dew” attached to a bag of 1000 Grand candy bars and a case of Mountain Dew.

Pinedale lieutenant to take over WHP District 4 captain duties Wyoming Highway Patrol Lt. Jason Green, the Pinedale area division supervisor, was promoted to the rank of District 4 captain on Sept. 26 by Col. Kebin Haller.

District 4 covers northeast Wyoming including Campbell, Crook, Johnson, Sheridan and Weston counties.

Green began his career with the Patrol in January 2000 and was Green initially stationed in Rawlins. As a trooper, Green was a longtime K-9 handler and continued to be a K-9 handler until he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant as the Pinedale area division supervisor in March 2011. Green has also been active with the WHP Special Services Squad including his current role with the squad as co-commander.

Green is replacing retired Capt. Carl Clements.

Green’s experience and knowledge will continue to benefit the Patrol as he assumes his new duties as the District 4 commander. n

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District 4

Welcome Michael Brinkerhoff, Sheridan Construction; and Heather Gallion, Driver ServicesGillette.

Woods

Promotions and Transfers

Service Awards

Nicholas Woods, Sheridan Maintenance-Guardrail.

Anthony Morris, Buffalo Maintenance – 10 years; Eric Wiles, Hulett Maintenance – 5 years; Kirwin Ostler, Sheridan Construction – 5 years. n

Morris

Ostler

District 5

Carlson leaves Basin as district engineer; Hallsten named interim district engineer

Wagner

Edwards

Thomas

Photo: WYDOT

Daren Wagner, Cody Mechanics – 10 years; Russell Edwards, Cody Maintenance – 10 years; and Scott Thomas, Basin Maintenance – 5 years.

Cody Resident Engineer Todd Frost celebrated his 50th birthday on Oct. 5. When he arrived at his office, the millennials on his crew had been busy with the “over the hill” decorations. It’s funny though – there wasn’t a crew member in sight and now Todd is amending some PMIs.

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November 2016

Longtime District Engineer Shelby Carlson is leaving the Wyoming Department of Transportation this week for an administrative position with the Wyoming State School Facilities Division in Cheyenne.

WYDOT District Maintenance Engineer Pete Hallsten of Basin will serve as the interim district engineer until Carlson’s permanent replacement is hired.

Carlson has served as WYDOT’s district engineer in Basin for 12 1/2 years.

“I will miss all the people I have had the opportunity and privilege to work with in District 5 and with WYDOT,” Carlson said.

Carlson’s career with WYDOT spans 27 years, and it includes five years working in Construction, five years in Project Development, 3 1/2 years as a specifications engineer and a year developing WYDOT’s Winter Research Services Program, all in Cheyenne. She holds degrees from Central Wyoming College in Riverton and the University of Wyoming in Laramie.

Carlson will spend the first year of her new state government position traveling to each of Wyoming’s 48 school districts to build relationships with local school officials and learning about their facilities.

A Riverton native, Carlson and her husband Mike plan to move to Cheyenne next year after their youngest daughter, Julianne, graduates from Greybull High School in May. Their oldest daughter, Ceirra, is a student at Sheridan College.

“District 5, and specifically Central and Northwest Wyoming, is a special place,” Carlson said.

Hallsten joined WYDOT as an engineer in June 1990. He was promoted to resident engineer in Pinedale in 1997, and he transferred to Jackson in 2000 and served the Jackson area until 2011.

In 2011, he transferred to Pinedale as resident engineer. He has served as WYDOT’s district maintenance engineer since January 2015.

Hallsten was born in Fort Collins, Colo., and was raised in Fairbanks, Alaska. His education includes a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Colorado State University. Hallsten and his wife, Shelly, have two sons. Hallsten and his wife live in Worland.

WYDOT District 5 covers central and northwest Wyoming, including South Pass, Lander, Riverton, Shoshoni, Dubois, Thermopolis, Worland, Ten Sleep, Basin, Greybull, Lovell, Powell, Cody and Meeteetse. n

Photo: WYDOT

Service Awards

District 5 Engineer Shelby Carlson’s last day was Sept. 23. Her crew helped her celebrate her new position with a themed cake.

Service Award Recipients

Congratulations to our September recipients!

WYDOT salutes the following Director’s Extra Mile Award recipients. The award is presented to individuals who have traveled the “extra mile” in service to WYDOT.

For more information about the Extra Mile Award or to nominate someone, contact Katherine.Castaneda@wyo.gov.

Photo: Rick Carpenter

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

Service award recipients at this month’s luncheon: (From left) Pete Brennan, Martin Kidner, Wayne Miller, Bob Wise and Stan Trueblood.

Interchange reader survey The Public Affairs Office would like to get a better idea of what you want from your department magazine. Please take a few minutes to respond to a short survey found on Google Forms by Dec. 31.

The survey can be taken online at:

goo.gl/nkcbA4 Thank you for your assistance.

Classic?

Hot rod?

Late model?

Two wheeler?

Get those photos in!

Rides

Submission deadline:

11/10/16

carlie.vanwinkle@wyo.gov November 2016

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December 10 Cocktail Hour 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Buffet-style Dinner 6:30 p.m.

Cash Bar

$25 for WTDEA members $30 for non-members

Free Tickets for Wine & Beer

Prizes

See your WTDEA Representative for your tickets today!

$500 Visa, $300 Menards, $200 King Soopers gift cards up for grabs!

Entertainment by

Contact Andi Jones or Cori Schrinar for more information.

Dance All Nite DJ XS

Take the elevator home for $69!

Call 638-4466 to reserve a room.

at

The Radisson Hotel 204 W. Fox Farm Rd., Cheyenne 204 W. Fox Farm Rd., Cheyenne

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November 2016

WTDEA

What is WTDEA?

5th Annual WTDEA Relief Fund Chili Cook-off

5

$

Tickets for Chili Tasting, Voting & Small Bowl of Chili November 2 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Car Barn

HOT It’s going to be

50/50 Raffle Tickets to benefit the WTDEA Relief Fund also on sale! $5 for 6 tickets or $1 per ticket

Are you new to WYDOT? Do you wonder what the Wyoming Transportation Department Employee Association (WTDEA) is all about?

Originally, the old Wyoming Highway Department (WHD) needed an organization to promote better employee relations.

In October 1957, a committee was formed and was charged with drawing up a constitution and bylaws for building the then WHDEA (Wyoming Highway Department Employee Association). WHDEA changed to WTDEA when WHD officially became WYDOT in April 1991.

WTDEA continues to represent employees while at the same time sponsoring fundraisers and social activities to help better the lives of the members and their communities.

Becoming a member of WTDEA is easy! Find your representative and ask to join. Each WTDEA chapter has set their own dues, with $4 of each membership going to the WTDEA State Board.

Check out the WTDEA intranet page for more information about the organization. n

WTDEA 2017 Cash Calendar Enjoy 12 months of photographs taken by WYDOT employees.

The calendar makes a great birthday or Christmas gift!

All proceeds benefit the WYDOT Employee Relief Fund

The Relief Fund is a benefit available to ALLNovember WYDOT employees.

2016 n Interchange 17

SmartReturns Checking

SEASON OF GIVING October 15 - November 30, 2016 WyHy.org/365 *See website for full details. Federally Insured by NCUA.

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November 2016

Break Time

Take five and find five differences in the images.

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.

Interchange subscription issue? Update your address:

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

Add me to the mailing list

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Change my address

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

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Interchange

Wyoming Department of Transportation 5300 Bishop Blvd.

Cheyenne, Wyoming 82009-3340 Address Service Requested

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