October 2014 Interchange

Interchange October 2014, Vol. 42, Issue 10

New tow plow debuts in Casper District 2 prepared to combat winter

Letters

Thankful for Chugwater WYDOT shop

I wanted to thank the highway department, especially Marvin, for your help and generosity on July 18 when we experienced car trouble by the highway garage.

With your help, we were able to complete our vacation as planned. We really enjoy our visit to Frontier Days. It really was a nice homecoming after a year absent from the air base.

On our way home from Glendo we got a flat on our boat trailer. Of course, we didn’t have the correct size wrench to remove the tire nuts. Having no other option, we continued on and came across a WYDOT maintenance shop.

The employees who helped us were so kind. They had us pull our boat right up to the maintenance building, jacked it up, and even changed the tire for us.

Ed (Hunter) and Paul (Lovett) are their names. So, if you are around Chugwater and you need a helping hand, they’re the men to call.

I love Wyoming! Please let them know we really appreciated their help!

Travelers thankful for helpful WYDOT worker

Pam and Art Essex Gaston, Ind.

Interchange 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, faxing (307) 777-4289, or sending email to carlie.vanwinkle@wyo.gov

Cindy Wyman

An update on transportation issues from the Wyoming Transportation Commission The cost-effectiveness of the management of Wyoming’s highway system is ranked the best in the nation by a nonpartisan organization that conducts public policy research.

The Reason Foundation’s 21st Annual McCormack Highway Report ranks Wyoming first among the states in overall highway performance and cost-effectiveness.

The ranking is based on 2012 data comparing states’ spending per mile of road for construction, maintenance and administration, the condition of rural and urban interstate highways, percentage of deficient bridges, urban Interstate congestion, fatality rates and other factors.

The high ranking is the cumulative result of the support received from members of the Wyoming Legislature, Gov. Matt Mead and the state’s congressional delegation, and the state’s citizens who all recognize the singular importance of quality highways in a state so heavily dependent on ground transportation. The commission appreciates that support and is especially proud of the good work done by WYDOT employees statewide.

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In addition to its top overall ranking in this year’s report, Wyoming was at the top of the rankings for the condition of its rural interstate pavement, lack of urban interstate congestion and lack of narrow lanes on its rural roads.

Its percentage of deficient bridges was the sixth lowest in the nation and its overall spending per mile of highway was the 12th lowest. Less favorable rankings came in the fatality rate category at 35th in the nation, and the condition of its urban Interstate pavement at 32nd.

Based on the mileage in Wyoming’s state-controlled highway system, WYDOT manages the 35th largest system in the country.

Wyoming has consistently appeared in the report’s top 10 overall rankings, and was fourth in last year’s report.

The overall findings offer a favorable independent assessment of the efficiency of the management of the state’s highway system. However, it’s important to note that the ranking does not indicate Wyoming’s highway system is in ideal condition. Rather, it indicates, considering the resources available, the system is performing better than the systems in other states.

Staff WYDOT Director: John F. Cox Public Affairs Manager: Doug McGee Editor/Art Director: Carlie Van Winkle Contributors: Bruce Burrows Public Affairs Dave Kingham Public Affairs Carlie Van Winkle Public Affairs Ross Doman District 1 Jeff Goetz District 2 Stephanie Harsha District 3 Ronda Holwell District 4 Cody Beers District 5 Sgt. David Wagener Patrol Photography: Rick Carpenter Public Affairs

Bruce McCormack, Chairman, Wyoming Transportation Commission

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DOT publication

Also in this issue:

Contents 8

Letters.....................................2 District briefs.........................4 Training at a Glance.......... 6

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District news.......................14 By the Numbers.................15 Outdoors..............................18 Awards................................. 20 Extra Mile Awards............. 20

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Passings............................... 20 WTDEA..................................21

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8 HAWK beacons debut in Laramie

Break Time.......................... 23

Pedestrian signals new to area

9 Tow plow new to Casper

WYDOT’s latest tool to combat winter

10 Civil Rights Program fair to all

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.

Team combats discrimination in many forms

12 Keeping children safe on the Web

Internet safety at home On the cover:

District 2’s newest plow added to the roster of snow fighting equipment. The truck-trailer combination will be able to plow nearly 24 feet of road in one pass.

Photo: Bruce Burrows

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District Briefs Transportation commission awards $29 million in contracts

Contracts totaling $29.2 million for 15 projects around the state were awarded by the Wyoming Transportation Commission during its September meeting in Cheyenne.

Oftedal Construction of Casper won the largest of the contracts with the low bid of $9.96 million to build a 1,500-foot-long retaining wall below US 26-89 immediately southwest of the new Snake River Bridge south of Hoback Junction. The highway section above the retaining wall also will be rebuilt, connecting previously improved sections of the highway. The project is the final phase in a series of projects to improve US 26-89 between Alpine and Hoback junctions, and the contract completion date is Oct. 31, 2015.

Oftedal also was the low bidder at $5.7 million for a contract to improve 3.5 miles of WYO 433 north of Worland. The contract is the 19th to be awarded with revenue from the 10-cent fuel tax increase.

The project will be a full-depth reclamation in which the existing pavement will be ground up and mixed with the existing crushed rock road base, and a new layer of pavement added over that base. The existing highway has no shoulders, and the project will add 6-foot shoulders to improve safety. The contract completion date is Oct. 31, 2015.

Casper’s Knife River won a $5.3 million contract for a full-depth reclamation on 3.7 miles of WYO 310 west of Wheatland.

The work is expected to be complete by Oct. 31, 2015.

Lovell’s Mountain Construction won a $1.6 million contract for pavement leveling and a chip seal to extend the life of the pavement on an 8.2-mile section of WYO 132 between Ethete and Kinnear by Aug. 31, 2015.

Cheyenne’s Reiman Corp. won a $945,000 contract for bridge rehabilitation and guardrail replacement work at four locations in Carbon County. The work at

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two locations on US 30 and one each on WYO 76 and WYO 789 is scheduled to be done by Oct. 31, 2015.

Three contracts were awarded for providing stockpiles of crushed rock and salt for use to improve traction on highways during winter weather. Frost Rock Products of Lovell was the low bidder at $1.9 million to provide the stockpiles for highways in Big Horn and Park counties by April 30. Lewis & Lewis of Rock Springs won a $1.4 million contract to provide the stockpiles for highways in Lincoln, Sublette, Sweetwater, Teton and Uinta counties

by May 31. Worland’s McGarvin-Moberly Construction won a $1.2 million contract to provide the stockpiles for Campbell, Crook, Johnson and Sheridan counties by June 30.

Also awarded by the commission during the meeting were contracts to: Casper Electric Inc. for $345,000 to upgrade the traffic signal system and make ADA upgrades to the sidewalk at the intersection of WYO 59 and Union Chapel Road in Gillette by Oct. 31, 2015; Modern Electric Co. of Casper for $234,000 to replace high-mast lighting at the Dwyer Junction Rest area on I-25 about 12 miles north of Wheatland by Oct. 31, 2015; Casper Electric Inc. for $226,000 to install a traffic signal and make ADA upgrades to the sidewalks at the intersection of Cedar Street and Airport Road in Rawlins, where the opening of a Wal-Mart store is expected to increase traffic. The signal is expected to be in operation by Jan. 15, 2015; Casper Electric Inc. for $163,000 to install a temporary traffic signal at the intersection of WYO 50 and 4J Road in Gillette by May 31, 2015. The temporary signal will remain in operation until a permanent signal can be installed after a future widening project is completed; Casper Electric Inc. for $133,000 to upgrade electric service at locations in Campbell, Crook, Sheridan and Weston counties by June 30, 2015; Casper Electric Inc. for $83,000 to move the statues of the American Indian and mountain man from the former welcome center site on I-25 south of Cheyenne to the High Plains Interchange, where the new welcome center is located,

by May 31, 2015. The move was directed by a budget footnote approved by the 2014 Legislature; and Casper Electric Inc. for $21,000 for upgrading the electrical system for the traffic signal at the intersection of US 16 (Main Street) and Fort Street in Buffalo. The contract completion date is May 31, 2015.

Togwotee project competes for national awards Cheyenne – WYDOT’s reconstruction of U.S. 26-287 between Dubois and Moran Junction is one of 10 projects selected to compete for two awards given for the nation’s best transportation projects.

They are competing for the America’s Transportation Awards Grand Prize, which will be selected by a panel of experts, and a People’s Choice Award to be decided by online voting.

The awards are given by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, AAA and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Online voting can be done at http://nominate. americastransportationawards.org/Voting. aspx.

The 10 finalists received the highest overall scores during four regional competitions. Wyoming’s project was honored for the best use of innovation in a medium-sized project at the western regional competition in July.

“While all 73 projects nominated deserve recognition for their contributions to improving transportation in America, these 10 remaining projects are the best of the best,” said Bud Wright, AASHTO executive director. “This competition recognizes excellence in project delivery.”

The 38-mile Togwotee reconstruction began in May 2006 and was completed in July 2013 at a total cost of $146.2 million.

The project required stabilization of 17 landslides in order to rebuild the highway and add shoulders and eight passing lanes.

Substandard horizontal and vertical curves were improved, deteriorating bridges were replaced, pullouts and recreational parking were enhanced, and under-crossings built for wildlife and snowmobiles.

Earlier this year, Oftedal Construction of Casper won the Associated General Contractors of America’s Alliant Build America Award for best renovation of a highway for its work as contractor on four of the five phases of the Togwotee project.

Cheyenne – Troopers were busy statewide over the past Labor Day holiday weekend, making 1,100 traffic stops and arresting 17 impaired drivers.

Eight warrant arrests were made, along with two drug seizures and three miscellaneous arrests.

Two arrests were made from 46 impaired driving reports called in by motorists throughout the weekend. One fatal crash was investigated, along with nine injury crashes out of 63 total crashes statewide. Troopers were also successful in assisting 99 motorists in other incidents.

The campaign for the long weekend was “Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving.”

Troopers were focused on identifying impaired drivers. Violations that impact highway safety were also targeted such as non-use of child and occupant restraints, speeding and other moving violations.

Public Safety Announcements were utilized before and during the weekend to spread the word about the consequences or tragedies associated with impaired driving.

Lt. Col. Shannon Ratliff said the campaign was very successful through the efforts of all Wyoming law enforcement and the public working together to keep our highways safe over the Labor Day weekend.

Harney Street Viaduct work nears Laramie – The new Harney Street Viaduct is on schedule for construction in 2016. Travelers will benefit from a modern design that improves traffic flow and increases safety for all, including pedestrians and cyclists.

Roadway alignments and grading plans for both the east and west sides of the new structure have been determined in partnership with WYDOT, city of Laramie

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Cheyenne – WHP troopers were dispatched Sept. 2 to attend to a man sitting on a bridge railing at the I-80 overpass at Roundtop Road. Multiple calls received by dispatch reported citizens were fearful that the man was going to jump.

The man was observed to be standing on the bridge deck of I-80 near traffic. The trooper directed traffic away from the man and engaged him in conversation. The man started to walk away heading toward the overpass. After more conversation with the trooper, the man sat down next to the bridge railing instead of causing harm to himself. The trooper was able to talk the man into receiving help and he was taken to Cheyenne Regional Medical Center.

Due to the nature of the event, the westbound lanes of I-80 were temporarily closed for the safety of both the suicidal man and the motoring public.

Deputies with the Laramie County Sheriff ’s Department provided assistance on scene.

New K-9 team stationed at Elk Mountain Elk Mountain – Trooper Dave Chatfield and his new K-9 partner Robbie recently began working together to help in the Patrol’s efforts in criminal interdiction.

Robbie is a springer spaniel who originally came from Ireland before receiving his initial training with the company “Battle Born K9” in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Chatfield and Robbie have been training together since July 21 and have received their certification to begin working the highways together. Robbie is a drug detection K-9 and is trained to detect a variety of controlled substances.

Chatfield and Robbie will be working in the Elk Mountain area with statewide deployments year-round. Chatfield and Robbie are available to all local law enforcement agencies at their request.

Chatfield is a 20-year veteran of the Patrol with nine years of experience with his previous K-9 partner Todd from 2000 to 2009. Chatfield and Robbie mark the eighth K-9 team statewide, with a ninth team expected in Nov. 2014. The WHP K-9 program is partially funded through a federal grant as well as local criminal interdiction assets seized in Wyoming.

Photo: WHP

Labor Day weekend busy for WHP

Suicidal man talked safely down from bridge

and the FHWA. An open house public meeting was held on Sept. 11 where WYDOT representatives explained configurations and answered questions, including potential impacts to mobility and private properties during and after the build.

When the project is completed, the Clark Street Viaduct will be taken down completely.

The I-80 bridge overpass overlooking Roundtop Road at milepost 357.

Briefs continued on page 6

Coming Soon!

WYDOT Rides Photo: WHP

The U.S. Forest Service also honored the project with an award for outstanding partnership to preserve, conserve and enhance the highway corridor’s natural, scenic, visual and wildlife resource values.

Trooper Dave Chatfield with new K-9 partner, Robbie.

Introducing a new quarterly section – Rides.

Submit images of your tricked out or classic transportation.

Submission deadline

Nov. 14

carlie.vanwinkle@wyo.gov

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Instincts, social media and a phone call lead to arrest Casper – WHP was dispatched to milepost 232 on I-25 looking for a man jumping into traffic.

When troopers arrived at the location 40 miles north of Casper, they encountered a male and female claiming they had run out of gas.

After inquiring about the occupants’ names and receiving conflicting information, the troopers became suspicious.

Through conversation with the female, troopers ended up on the phone with a third party. The phone conversation led the investigation to the social media site Facebook. Through Facebook and the third party, troopers contacted the Larimer County Colorado detention center which led to a photo of the male who was on scene with the troopers.

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The man who had been falsely identifying himself had multiple warrants for fraud, dangerous drugs and an escape from Colorado. The man’s identity was confirmed and he was taken into custody by the troopers without incident. The woman was cited for interference as she had given the troopers false information during the investigation.

The troopers’ experience, training, diligence and ability to think outside of the box on the investigation led to the successful capture of a wanted man.

Size and weight compliance check has successful results Douglas – A size and weight detail in the Douglas area was set up Sept. 11 due to the increased volume of commercial motor vehicle traffic and citizen complaints received in the area.

WHP worked this detail in conjunction with WYDOT. Patrol brought in troopers from around the district to support the training of troopers currently at the WHP Academy and to ensure compli-

Training ata Glance Here are upcoming training opportunities from WYDOT University and the Transportation Learning Network (TLN) Date Class

Oct 2 Oct 7 Oct 8

Oct 9 Oct 28

Coming up in November:

WYDOT-U WYDOT-U

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

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Ten Sleep – Construction activities picked up on the $11.14 million highway improvement project west of Ten Sleep, while the rural speed limit dropped to 45 mph through the work zone.

The reduced 45 mph speed limit took effect Sept. 3.

“The contractor stripped topsoil throughout the project and began rebuilding the Nowood River bridge,” said Dan McAfee, WYDOT resident engineer in Worland. “We are happy to report the contractor has completed storm sewer improvements on Cottonwood Street. There won’t be any interruptions to agricultural operations south of Ten Sleep.”

Prime contractor for the Ten Sleep West project is Oftedal Construction Inc., of Casper.

The Ten Sleep West project consists of various work on 3.1 miles of U.S. 16 beginning at milepost 23.74 between Worland and Ten Sleep.

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New Employee Orientation SDI

U.S. 16 speed limit dropped to 45 mph near Ten Sleep

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Nov 3 Nov 13

Location

Taking Care of the Customer: People Retention WYDOT-U The Leadership Lessons of Dr. Seuss WYDOT-U Breaking Thru Barriers: Effective Interpersonal Communication TLN Hiring Smart TLN Leadership Skills: Creating Success for your Team TLN

ance with the size and weight statutes and regulations. WYDOT engineers assisted by adjusting size restrictions on construction zones in the area and the permit clerk assisted by processing payment fees.

Throughout the day, 46 permits were issued totaling $1,902 and eight citations were issued in the amount of $4,345.

Included in this amount was a single citation issued for being 9,000 pounds over maximum allowable weight on a triple axle. Four warnings were issued for minor violations.

The goal of the day was to gain compliance through education and enforcement, while also giving the academy troopers hands on experience.

ease Re c Pl

Briefs continued from page 5

Riverton – Asphalt paving in Riverton forced the closure of Hill Street briefly at the end of August.

McGarvin-Moberly Construction Co., of Worland paved Hill Street as part of the Riverview Road project.

During the Hill Street closure, Riverview Road traffic was diverted east on Riverview Road to Major Avenue, and Main Street traffic was routed to Major Avenue and then to Riverview Road.

“The paving of Hill Street started early morning Aug. 25 and the contractor reopened Hill Street to traffic that same evening. Hill Street was again closed on Aug. 26 to allow the paving contractor to safely finish work in this confined work zone,” said Robert Scheidemantel, WYDOT resident engineer in Riverton. “We reopened Hill Street to traffic Tuesday evening.”

Estimated asphalt quantities for the Riverview project include 4,990 tons for Riverview Road, 940 tons for the bike path, and 670 tons for approaches to the roadway.

“This change in traffic movements will benefit citizens with the smooth driving surface of the new roadway,” said Scheidemantel. “Traffic is limited to a single lane in each direction on the west side of South Federal Boulevard. This change allows the contractors to begin preparing the east half of South Federal for concrete paving.”

“Prime contractor Reiman Corp. of Cheyenne and subcontractor Archer Construction of Riverton will continue working on sidewalk concrete pours, reclamation and other work throughout the project,” Scheidemantel said.

The $5 million Federal/Monroe project begins about 250 feet south of East Monroe Avenue and extends north, ending 0.4 miles north of the Federal/ Monroe intersection near Federal Boulevard’s intersection with East Washington Avenue. Work on Monroe Avenue will extend about 250 feet each direction from Federal Boulevard.

The intersection of Monroe Avenue and South Federal Boulevard was reconstructed in 1970 with asphalt and rebuilt with concrete pavement in 1989. The new project is being built with concrete.

Governor’s Council on Impaired Driving, Injury Prevention Resources and Wyoming Department of Transportation.

Photo: Cody Beers

Hill Street closed briefly for repaving

Fremont county law enforcement officials participated in “Drive Hammered, Get Slammered.”

Highway improvements near Diversion Dam Junction west of Riverton

Riverton – Riverview Road: Asphalt paving and highway striping is completed and the right-of-way areas have been reseeded on the Riverview Road highway improvement project.

Recent cold weather prompted WYDOT, working with paving subcontractor McGarvin-Moberly Construction Co., to delay chip sealing of the new roadway driving surface until June 2015.

WYDOT Resident Engineer Robert Scheidemantel said the remainder of work is mostly complete on .94 miles of Riverview Road beginning at milepost 2.16 in the city of Riverton between Rein Road and Augusta Drive.

Contract completion date was Sept. 30.

South Federal/Monroe Avenue: Traffic patterns changed on the South Federal Boulevard/Monroe Avenue highway improvement project.

Commuters are now driving on the west half of the new concrete South Federal Boulevard.

Photo: Cody Beers

A pair of Riverton highway improvement projects nearing completion.

The reseeding operation along Riverview Road in Riverton.

Fremont County law enforcement looking for drunk drivers Lander – Members of the Lander Police Department, Riverton Police Department, Fremont County Sheriff ’s Office, Wyoming Highway Patrol, and Bureau of Indian Affairs participated in enhanced August Crackdown “Drive Hammered, Get Slammered!” enforcement efforts aimed at discouraging drunk driving in Fremont County and across the state.

The “Drive Hammered, Get Slammered!” effort is jointly sponsored by the

Riverton – A $4.2 million highway improvement project is now underway west of Riverton near Diversion Dam Junction on 2.32 miles of U.S. 26-287.

“The contractor has milled most of the asphalt driving surface on 1.2 miles of the existing roadway near Diversion Dam Junction,” according to Erik Smith, WYDOT resident engineer in Lander.

“The contractor wanted to complete most of the project in this construction season and began working double shifts up to 20 hours a day.”

Smith said prime contractor Oftedal Construction Inc., of Casper plans to complete and pave the 2.32-mile project this year.

The scope of work for the Diversion Dam Junction project includes grading, milling asphalt, placing crushed gravel base and asphalt pavement surfacing, chip seal, cattle guards, signing, fencing and other work on 2.32 miles on U.S. 26-287 beginning at milepost 97.25 between Dubois and Riverton.

Contract completion date is June 30, 2015.

Briefs continued on page 11

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Photo courtesy Cody Beers

Photo courtesy Ross Doman

The newly installed Laramie HAWK signal near the University of Wyoming War Memorial Stadium.

Lovell has had the HAWK beacon installed in this location since July 2012.

HAWK beacons make debut in Laramie

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down hand starts flashing. After the countdown has finished, the overhead beacon goes dark and traffic resumes.

The two newly installed signals in Laramie function a Pinedale HAWK pedestrian beacons were placed in little differently. fall 2011.

Once the walk light changes from the white “walk” to the countdown “don’t walk” symbol, the overhead red beacons will begin alternating a red flashing light when the “don’t walk” countdown nears the last five to seven seconds of the cycle.

The signal in Laramie will alternate red until the “don’t walk” countdown has ended. The flashing hand symbol for the pedestrian will return to a solid state and the overhead HAWK beacon will go dark, allowing traffic to resume.

The alternating, or “wagging,” red lights on the Laramie beacons are the built-in clearance time for pedestrians and indicate to motorists that they may proceed if no pedestrians are present at the crossing.

HAWK beacons are linked to the same computerized traffic system as overhead traffic signals at intersections and are controlled by the sidewalk call button. When a pedestrian pushes the call button, the computer puts a locked call in queue and it will change the walk light at the next rotation. This computerized queue system is in place to avoid continual stoppage on main thoroughfares for motorists. Pedestrians only need to press the button once to get a call in the queue.

The beacons were installed by WYDOT in Laramie mid-August. The two HAWK signals in Lovell were installed by WYDOT July 2012 and the signals in Pinedale were put in place by a contractor fall 2011.

Photo courtesy Stephanie Harsha

The newest High-intensity Activated crossWalK (HAWK) beacons in Wyoming recently installed in Laramie should ease pedestrian traffic and create a safer walking environment near the university.

These LED beacons were placed at the Third and Shields Street intersection on the north end of town and at the 19th Street intersection on the newly reconstructed portion of Grand Avenue.

The HAWK beacons function much like a conventional signals, with the exception that they are only used for pedestrian crossings.

“HAWK beacons are typically put in place where there is a crosswalk but away from an intersection,” said Traffic Technical Operations Supervisor Jeff Sauter. “They are also frequently installed where there is a need to move pedestrians safely across a busy street rather than placing a traffic signal.”

When a pedestrian pushes the call button at the crosswalk, the single light at the bottom center of a HAWK cluster will begin flashing yellow warning motorists to slow. The pedestrian will see the illuminated “don’t walk” hand while the lights overhead flash yellow.

Once the pedestrian walk light turns from a “don’t walk” hand to the “walk” symbol, the double red overhead lights will both illuminate for motorists, stopping traffic and allowing the pedestrian to safely cross the street.

In two locations, Pinedale and Lovell, the red HAWK cluster lights remain a steady The HAWK pedestrian button will place a red for the duration locked call in the computerized traffic system queue and will allow the beacon to illumiof the walk light, even when the orange nate in coordination with surrounding traffic signals. “don’t walk” count-

Photo courtesy Cody Beers

by Carlie Van Winkle

Photo: Bruce Burrows

New tow plow resides in Casper

Photo: Bruce Burrows

This winter, if you see a truck and trailer combination, emblazoned in WYDOT yellow with flashing blue and yellow lights, seemingly skidding sideways down a highway, don’t panic: It’s just the department’s new tow plow clearing the highway of snow.

On Sept. 16, WYDOT District 2 unveiled its latest tool to combat winter’s weather: the tow plow. It’s the first of its kind in Wyoming, and the district has purchased an additional tow plow; both of which should be ready to combat snow this season.

The tow plow is a steerable, trailer-mounted plow that is pulled behind a tandem axle snow plow. It can swing to the right side behind the plow, clearing a wider path than would a typical plow.

With a 26-foot tow plow, the operator can clear around 24 feet of roadway in one pass, compared to a conventional plow with wing that clears around 16 feet of roadway.

“It’ll save us a lot of time,” said Charlie Loraas, Casper Crew 2042 crew leader.

Loraas used the Casper marginal – that section of Interstate 25 which runs through the Casper area – as an example of how effective the tow plows should be. A tow plow, working from the median outward, aided by a conventional plow with wing following in the driving lane, should be able to clear both lanes and

by Jeff Goetz

shoulders in one pass – a job that has taken up to five plows to complete. “(For example) part of our problem on U.S. 20-26 is that it’s 50 miles. Normally, we’ll have five to six trucks on the (Casper) marginal of I-25. We’ll be able to cut three trucks loose right off the bat – and those trucks could help plow 20-26 or I-25 north of town,” he said.

District 2 Maintenance Engineer Calvin Goddard agreed the time saved by the tow plows will translate into all plows meeting the levels of service in a timely manner.

“It could mean some road sections will get attention up to two hours sooner per shift in the Casper area,” Goddard noted.

Beyond the Casper marginal, Goddard said the tow plow should be every effective when clearing passing lanes.

“One plow/tow plow can clear both the driving and passing lanes in one pass,” he said, adding the tow plow has the benefit of being able to carry additional materials, allowing the trucks to travel further before needing to return for sand.

The positives for the tow plows are many: increased clearing width, increased distance between refilling stops, and overall increase in the service provided. But for a motorist, encountering a tow plow this winter may be disconcerting. It may look strange to see a trailer swinging to the right traveling on a highway, but Loraas said the rules won’t change.

“For any plow, you should never pass on the right or the left in poor visibility,” he said, acknowledging drivers may have to wait behind a tow plow while it’s working but plow drivers will give motorists opportunities to pass.

“It’s really going to help us serve the public better, if people are just a little patient.”

The Casper area tow plows will be operated by Casper Crew 2042, which is responsible for the north and western portions of the city and Casper Crew 2031, which is responsible for the east and south portions of the city.

The new truck is capable of plowing nearly 24 feet of roadway in one pass, compared to 16 feet of roadway with a conventional plow.

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Photo: Rick Carpenter

Civil Rights Program ensures contractors comply with federal regulations

by Dave Kingham

WYDOT’s Civil Rights Program is primarily responsible for making sure contractors hired for federally-funded projects comply with all federal regulations, including paying prevailing wages and goals for hiring minority-owned subcontractors.

Lisa Fresquez serves as the Civil Rights Program manager, taking over that position in July after serving as the Disadvantage Business Enterprise Program (DBE) coordinator for five years. Rachel Meeker became the new DBE coordinator in August.

“We are the smallest civil rights Fresquez department in the entire U.S., but I think we have a great team,” Fresquez said. “I look forward to working with our field people to come up with easier solutions to get things done in more efficient ways, and to get some training done out in the field for our district staffs.”

Fresquez said her program gets good support from Executive Staff, and has a good working relationship with the Federal Highway Administration. “That’s a huge benefit to us,” she said.

“As long as we meet our goals, they’re happy.”

When it comes to the DBE program, WYDOT exceeds its goals. During the 2104 fiscal year, WYDOT reached 6.64 percent DBE participation on federally-funded projects, exceeding its annual goal of 5.06 percent.

Wyoming is one of only a few states in the nation that doesn’t have mandated contract DBE goals. WYDOT sets a goal and the contractors voluntarily comply with it. They have met or exceeded the goals virtually every year since the program’s inception.

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Setting the goal is a complex process that involves analyzing census data, the contractors prequalified to work on WYDOT projects and the categories of work that they do, and also information from the department’s DBE directory to find out what categories of work the certified DBEs do.

“We put those numbers together, crunch all the statistics and determine what we think is an attainable goal,” Fresquez said. “Then we meet with special interest groups and the industry to verify that they are on board with what our goal will be.”

Meeker The goal then undergoes a public comment period before it is sent to the FHWA for approval.

Once that approval is given, the goal is in effect for three years.

DBE participation includes both the commitments made to DBE companies in the bidding lettings, and the payments made to DBE companies during the same fiscal year, which can account for projects that run multiple years.

Wyoming’s DBE program is race neutral, meaning it doesn’t set participation goals for each contract.

“When you have a race-neutral program like ours, I feel like it gives everybody more of an level playing field, which is what we’re trying to do,” Fresquez said.“We want the DBEs to participate on our projects, and we want to create sustainable businesses. Our DBEs still have to bid competitively to get the work. They still have to know how to build their business so they’ll survive, whether they’re a DBE or not.”

Meeker brings to her new position two year’s of experience at

Photo: Rick Carpenter

Simon Contractors, one of Wyoming’s largest construction companies, and two years at the Wyoming Department of Audit.

“When I worked at Simon Contractors we solicited DBEs, so I was familiar with the program and what they do, and the contract and construction piece,” she said. “I went to a bid letting for the first time last week. It all starts with the bid letting and then flows down to award and committing the DBE contracts that were submitted with the bid.”

Meeker also went on her first on-site visit in September, a process certified DBEs must undergo every five years.

“We go out and talk to the owner and make sure they are managing day-to-day operations that are bigger than just the office duties, and see that everything is legitimate,” she said. “That also gives you facetime, so they can voice concerns and ask questions. It gives you a good face-to-face relationship, and you can see what they do everyday.”

Another of Civil Rights’ responsibilities is setting prevailing wages that must be paid on federally-funded projects.

The University of Wyoming works with the Wyoming Contractors Association on a survey of wages contractors are paying for various types of work. The Civil Rights staff analyzes the results to determine prevailing wages for various jobs, and then meets with contractors to make sure they are on board with the results.

“We put all that together here and forward it to the Department of Labor in Houston, and then they let us know whether or not they feel we’ve done a good job of analyzing the information,” Fresquez said “Once they give their approval, we post those prevailing wages and any contract let after that date must use those prevailing wages.”

Compliance with those wages is verified by collecting every payroll on every contract for a federal project.

“When we get the first payroll in, we look at every single employee, verify their wage rate, verify their benefits and make sure they’re getting paid within that wage determination,” Fresquez said.“If there are issues, they are addressed at that first payroll, to make sure the company knows that we’re looking and that we’re verifying that information before we’ll let them go on to the next week of payment.”

Ensuring compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act

Photo: Carlie Van Winkle

WYDOT hires many contractors for many different types of projects.

Contractors prepping a road site for fresh asphalt overlay.

is one of the few areas where Civil Rights’ responsibilities involve WYDOT employees and facilities. Currently the office is working on an ADA Transition Plan to inventory where upgrades are needed around the state.

“We’re working with the Local Government Coordination office, Taylor Rossetti’s group, to get ADA inventories done for the whole state so we can start prioritizing jobs based on some ADA compliance issues,” Fresquez said. “We’ve got District 3 complete, and District 1 is almost complete. We’re hoping at some point to be able to look at that data and analyze the highest risk areas that we should make sure to address right away, versus things that can wait.”

It would be cost prohibitive to upgrade all the facilities built before the ADA requirements went into effect, but having the Transition Plan will help make sure whenever a road or facility is updated the new requirements are met, Fresquez said.

Another Civil Rights’ responsibility is ensuring contractors, cities and counties that accept federal money through WYDOT meet the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which bans discrimination based on race, color or national origin.

As part of that effort, the office conducts contractor compliance reviews to make sure they’re not discriminating in their hiring practices.

“It’s something that we take seriously, and a lot of people don’t understand the Civil Rights office and what we do, because a lot of the work we do is on the contractor side,” Fresquez said. “We don’t do a lot of the internal DOT stuff, because the Human Resources Program handles that. If there is an issue of discrimination or harassment involving WYDOT employees, that’s handled

by HR.” Major changes are coming in the Title VI requirements, she said, and there is little time to work on how WYDOT will implement them.

“Some of the toughest things to work through are the national deadlines we have to meet and constant changes, but I love what I do,” Fresquez said. “I feel like working in civil rights its one area you can actually make a human difference. I understand that discrimination does happen, whether we like it or not, so we need to be in a place where we have the tools to address it. We should look at the human growth side of this program and not just focus on the negative.”

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Keeping our children safe on the Internet

by Rusty England

The Internet is a strange, wonderful, confusing and frequently dangerous place, much like the world today. Allowing our children to have free access to the Internet is akin to giving them the freedom to roam the world alone.

So what are the risks?

The Internet brings the world to our children. This means our children may be exposed to inappropriate content, or they may post inappropriate things. It also means criminals, predators and bullies can access our children. Below are some tips to help us keep our children safe on the Internet.

To help protect our children consider the following tips from NetSmartz.

“Children use a variety of online services and each of these services can have different safety concerns. However, there are some basic tips which you can employ no matter how your children use the Internet. u Keep the computer in a high-traffic area of your home.

u Establish limits for which online sites children may visit and for how long.

u Remember that Internet technology can be mobile, so make sure to monitor cell phones, gaming devices and laptops.

u Surf the Internet with your

children and let them show you what they like to do online.

u Know who is connecting with

your children online and set rules for social networking, instant messaging, emailing, online gaming and using webcams.

u Continually dialogue with your children about online safety.”

“Learn the Basics of Internet Safety.” Basic Internet Safety. National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, n.d. Web. 11 Sept. 2014.

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No surprise here, but it is important for us to be involved with our children and their use of the Internet. We must talk to them about where they go on the Internet and understand what they are doing. Some things we should talk to them about are: u People online may not be who they say they are, so don’t talk to strangers or agree to meet them in person;

u Never give out personal information; u Never post or send pictures without permission; u Never share passwords, user names, account IDs or PINs with anyone besides their parents; and

u They should let us know about anything threatening or uncomfortable that they come across online right away.

When it comes to tools, the Federal Trade Commission’s site provides the following guidance.

Parental Control Tools

Filtering and blocking: These tools limit access to certain sites, words or images.

Some products decide what’s filtered; others leave that to parents. Some filters apply to websites; others to email, chat and instant messaging.

Blocking outgoing content: This software prevents kids from sharing personal information online, in chat rooms or via email.

Limiting time: This software allows you to limit your kid’s time online and set the time of day they can access the Internet.

Monitoring tools: This software alerts parents to online activity without blocking access. Some tools record the addresses of websites a child has visited; others provide a warning message when a kid visits certain sites. Monitoring tools can be used with or without a kid’s knowledge.

Briefs continued from page 7

Photo: Carlie Van Winkle

Driver safety encouraged during sugar beet harvest

Computers and homework go hand-in-hand these days. Know where your kids are surfing, even when they are working on schoolwork.

Software and Sites Designed for Kids

Browsers for kids: These browsers filter words or images deemed inappropriate for kids.

Kid-oriented search engines: These perform limited searches or screen search results for sites and material appropriate for kids.

“Parental Controls | OnGuard Online.” Parental Controls | OnGuard Online. Federal Trade Commission, Sept. 2011. Web. 16 Sept. 2014.

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

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

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

Most of the trucks hauling the beets are coming from local farm fields near our 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,” Lamb said.

Tanker rollover causes lane closure on U.S. 14A Lovell – A tanker hauling 5,500 gallons of latex crashed and rolled at milepost 71 on U.S. 14A east of Lovell Sept. 9.

The driver of the 2012 Volvo tractor was negotiating a curved section of the highway with a 10 percent grade. Troopers are investigating brake failure as the contributing factor in the crash as the truck’s speed became too great for the grade, causing the truck to trip and roll. One lane of travel was closed.

The load of latex was not considered hazardous material, but emergency responders contained the latex that had leaked from the tanker.

The driver sustained minor injuries and was transported by ambulance to Lovell for treatment.

Finally, if you have information regarding possible child sexual exploitation, please report it immediately to local law enforcement and to the CyberTipline® at 1-800-843-5678.

Useful Links:

US Department of Labor: www.msha.gov/kids/InternetSearchforKids.asp Federal Trade Commission: www.onguardonline.gov National Center for Missing and Exploited Children: www.missingkids.com/cybertipline

Photo: WHP

National Cyber Security Alliance: www.staysafeonline.org

Photo: Carlie Van Winkle

Department of Homeland Security: www.dhs.gov/stopthinkconnect

A tanker crash closed one lane of travel along U.S. 14A east of Lovell Sept. 9.

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District News

principal engineer for the ​Materials Program in Cheyenne. Freeman assumed his duties ​Sept. 8.

Headquarters

Welcome Luke Awtrey, Patrol-Safety and Training; Nathan Bell, Patrol-Safety and Training; Rebecca Boyd, Patrol-Dispatch Manager ; Nathan Karnes, Patrol-Safety and Training; Chase Law, Patrol-Safety and Training; Rachel Meeker, Civil Rights Office; Amanda Pogoreski, ProcurementAdministration; Dennis Zezas Jr, PatrolDispatch Manager.

Promotions and Transfers Mark Kelly, Telecommunications-Administration; Michael King, Information Technology; Kenneth Ledet, Highway Safety; Katie Pfister, Aeronautics-Adminstration; and Dale Ryden, Bridge-Engineering Design.

Kelly

Service Awards Mark Eisenhart, Field Coordination – 30 years; Matthew Simpson, Contracts and Esti-

To Michael J. Miller of Right of Way on the passing of his father Herbert J. “Jim” Miller Jr., 86, who passed away Sept. 20 in Cheyenne.

Simpson

Neal

Lamb

Ramsey

Taylor

Escandon

Humphries

Messman

Congratulations Andy Freeman has been selected as

Photo: Doug McGee

Ledet

Condolences

mates – 30 years; Ginger Hebert, Patrol Dispatch – 25 years; Raymond Neal, Office Services-Printing – 25 years; John Samson, Environmental Services – 20 years; Kimberly Lamb, Budget-Federal Aid – 15 years; K.C. Ramsey, Patrol-Support ServicesOperations – 15 years; Russell Taylor, Bridge-Engineering Design – 15 years; Wesley Bay, Highway DevelopmentProject Development – 10 years; Jamie Emerine, Patrol-Dispatch – 10 years; Christopher Escandon, Materials-Design, Soil and Service – 10 years; Rebekah Humphries, Patrol-Dispatch – 10 years; Jason Klassen, Materials-Surfacing – 5 years; and David Messman, Office Services-Mailroom – 5 years.

Ryden

Eisenhart

Support Services Administrator Tom Loftin receives his 25 year service award from Director John Cox and Transportation Commission Chairman Bruce McCormack.

District 1

Welcome Sarah Carew, Rawlins Construction; Bruce Davidson, Laramie Maintenance; Paul Drake, Highway DevelopmentProject Development-Laramie Design Squad; Kelly Ferris, Rawlins Construction; Justin Kiser, Elk Mountain Maintenance; Gregory Taylor, Laramie Driver Services; Clinton Williams, Cheyenne

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Mechanics; and Kenneth Wirth, Laramie Maintenance.

Highway Development-Project Development-Laramie Design Squad.

Promotions and Transfers Richard Barber, Laramie Maintenance; Christopher Brecheisen, Highway Development-Project DevelopmentLaramie Design Squad; Joey Christensen, Laramie Traffic-Striping; Clyde Harnden, Traffic-Electrical; and Ethan Rhodes,

Barber

Poteet

District 2

Welcome Pamela Steele, Casper Construction.

Promotions and Transfers Devon Carrizales, Torrington Maintenance; and Danny Hobbs, Casper Maintenance.

Carrizales

Hobbs

District 3

Promotions and Transfers

career from Casper until his promotion in 2007 to the newly created Division “Q” lieutenant position in Sundance.

He transferred back to Casper where he finished out his career as the Division “B” supervisor .

Vincent always enjoyed working the road during his career, including the bad winter storm days.

“Lt. Vincent served the citizens and state of Wyoming with pride, distinction and honor for 26 years,” said Col. John Butler, WHP administrator.

Vincent is planning on simply kicking back and being retired for a while. His leadership and experience will be missed within Patrol.

James Dunford, Granger Maintenance; and Bert Erickson, Afton Maintenance.

Service Awards Dennis Halpain, Kemmerer Maintenance – 20 years; Paul Schurman, Rock Springs TrafficStriping – 15 years; and Bruce Daigle, Jackson Maintenance – 10 years.

Halpain

Retirements

Schurman

Daigle

Benton

Lt. Terry Vincent retired Sept. 5 from the Wyoming Highway Patrol, serving since Aug. 1, 1988. Vincent grew up in Pocatello, Idaho, before being initially stationed as a trooper in Casper. As a trooper, he was an active member in the Special Services Squad from 1995 until 2007. More senior troopers also remember Vincent as a mentoring custody and control instructor from 1993 until 2009.

Vincent worked his entire “road”

Photo: Jeff Goetz

John Benton, Wheatland maintenance supervisor retired Aug. 1 after 35 years with WYDOT. His Wheatland coworkers joined him in a celebration on his last day.

Lt. Terry Vincent enjoying his retirement party Sept. 5.

Congratulations Austin Adsit, Casper mechanics shop, earned the following certificates: power trains, engines, electrical, hydraulics, rigging and the fundamentals of service certificate.

Service Awards Milton Poteet, Cheyenne Maintenance – 40 years; and Lari Kay, Laramie Construction – 15 years.

Cradle Call Peter and Katie Stinchcomb welcome their first son.​ Rutledge Graham Stinchcomb arrived Sept. 14 weighing in at 6 pounds, 5 ounces and 19 inches long.

Total number of employees: as of August 29, 2014

1,980

One month ago

1,997

One year ago

2,011

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District 4

District 5

Welcome

Ryan Elliott, Sheridan Maintenance; Stacie West, District 4 Administration; and Ashley Wilson, Gillette Driver Services.

Promotions and Transfers Gerald Jowett, Sheridan Traffic-Striping; and Eric Wiles, Hulett Maintenance.

Service Awards David Schwabauer, District 4 Traffic Staff – 30 years; and Joni Kachelhoffer, Newcastle Construction – 25 years.

Schwabauer

Brent Yorgason, Basin Maintenance.

Promotions and Transfers Robert Crum, Meeteetse Maintenance; and Travis Jorgensen, Ten Sleep Maintenance.

Service Awards

Jorgensen

Todd Frost, Cody Construction – 25 years; and Robert Hunt, Basin Maintenance – 15 years.

Kachelhoffer

Retirements

Frost

John Vechnak, Newcastle Construction; and Scott Waugh, Hulett Maintenance.

Capt. DeClercq retires after 30 years

Congratulations

Capt. Len DeClercq retired Sept. 1 from the Wyoming Highway Patrol after serving since May 1984. DeClercq grew up in San Diego, Calif., earned his bachelor’s degree in administration of justice from the University of Wyoming in 1982 and received his master’s degree in public administration from the University of Wyoming in 1994.

He was initially stationed as a trooper in Evanston before being promoted to sergeant in Evanston. DeClercq promoted again to the supervising lieutenant of

Congratulations to Andy Harkins from the Sheridan-Dietz Port of Entry for successfully completing Special Officer Training; and Congratulations also go to Troy Tyree from the Sheridan-Dietz Port of Entry for successfully completing Level I training.

Editor’s note:

The article regarding the replacement of the WYO 170 bridge northwest of Thermopolis contained an error.

The brief at the bottom of page 7 of the Sept. issue notes, “the last timber bridge on the state system is being replaced.”

WYDOT still has 14 timber bridges in service on state highways.

District 5 had three timber bridges and all are being replaced in projects currently in process.

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Hunt

Division N in Cody, before earning his captain’s bars in Safety and Training at headquarters. A final transfer as the District 5 Captain back to Cody marked his final assignment with Patrol.

DeClercq was active in establishing the Patrol’s crash team and continued to be active with the crash team up to his retirement.

Troopers can thank DeClercq for reinstituting the Patrol’s wellness program, bringing a fitness program to the organization, championing e-citations, being instrumental in the development of the MPS system and for many of the stringent requirements for the Report Beam crash reporting system.

He is far from being done in law enforcement, as he will be assuming his new duties as the director of the Wyoming Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission (P.O.S.T.). Col. John Butler congratulated DeClercq on his retirement stating, “Len has served the citizens of Wyoming well and with distinction.”

He will be missed in Patrol, but his knowledge and expertise will continue to benefit Wyoming in his new role as the director of P.O.S.T.

Photo courtesy WHP

Welcome

Capt. DeClercq remained an active part of the WHP’s crash team until his retirement in September.

WHP

Service Award Recipients

Photo: Rick Carpenter

Total number of highway fatalities: as of Sept. 22, 2014 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: (Back row from left) Rado Kekich, Ted Stienmetz, Woody Woodworth, Mark Williams, Tom Hammer and Dave Hammond.

(Front row from left) Tim McDowell, Milt Poteet, Karen Obermeier and Cliff Spoonemore.

one year ago

61

new dispatchers will begin radio training, where they work each radio in the dispatch center for one week at a time.

The WHP Dispatch Center dispatches statewide with six patrol radios and the SALECS radio that dispatches for Wyoming Game and Fish, State Parks, BLM, Livestock Board, Forest Service and Outfitters.

Six new dispatchers completed their classroom training and celebrated with a graduation ceremony on Sept. 19 at the communications center in Cheyenne.

WHP Dispatch trainees go through five weeks of classroom training where they learn about a variety of topics. Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), geography, emergency and non emergency call-taking, telephone procedures, National Crime Information Center, basic law and high risk traffic stops are just a few of the many topics the dispatchers studied.

This class was the first WHP Communications Basic that members of the WYDOT Traffic Management Center (TMC) attended.

Communications Trainer Heather O’Connor stated that “the joint training was very successful and helped us gain a better understanding from both sides”.

Now that the dispatchers have completed the classroom portion of training, they will move to phone room training for approximately four weeks where they sit with a communications training officer (CTO) and learn how to take actual calls and enter them into the CAD system. After successfully Back row: Communications Trainer Heather O’Connor, Gabe Gutierrez, Bryan Kent, Dennis completing the phone room training, the Zezas and Capt. Troy McLees. Front row: Carol DeWitt, Rebecca Boyd and Brianne Lopez.

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Photo courtesy WHP

Dispatch graduates six for WHP, TMC

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Outdoors

Photo: David Bilderback

Run e’s Freedom At Cheyenn Officer s ir ffa A ic Publ on Sept. 6, ter the cooled off af oup gr Doug McGee a icipating in Brrrr! race by part e. ng le al et ch ALS ice buck

District 5 Public Involvement Specialist Cody Beers snapped this serene photo at dusk over the July 4 holiday at Lower Slide Lake in the Gros Ventre drainage.

Farrar Photo: Janet

Photo: Cody Beers

n maintenance employee David Tall grass hides many things. Basi walk along the Big Horn River a Bilderback and his wife went for doing a “love” dance. They were and stopped to watch these two – snakes couldn’t have cared less the fewer than 10 feet away and this time. Thank goodness!

sure , but she pot of gold . Farrar’s e th n o t u do ing to it have misse bow lead Scenic ar might of the rain own Chief Joseph re tu ic Janet Farr p s d u r o e e h rg k o o g to a snapped Wyoming northwest roadtrip to Byway.

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Photo: Martin Kidner

Photo courtesy Mack Miller

After years of working with maintenance, Martin Kidner, now in Planning, always has an eye out for unique rest areas and issues as he travels. Kidner decided to wait for the next rest area after stopping at this one in Tanzania and discovered these lounging ladies.

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Mack Miller with Saratoga Maintenance and his son Aaron Miller of the Rawlins Mechanic Shop had a good fall hunt. Aaron harvested this nice 6x6 bull Sept. 13 with his compound bow and Mack had the pleasure of calling it in for him.

What a fun hunt and great weekend.

Photos: Cody Beers

District 5 Public Involvement Sp ecialist Cody Be joys an early m ers enorning fishing trip along the Bi River near Ther g Horn mopolis.

Photo courtesy Cod y

Beers

Photo: Carlie Van Winkle sy Ron Kisici Photo courte

Families that run together, win together. The Fredrick family participated in the Cheyenne Susan G. KomenÂŽ Race for the Cure in early August. Assistant Chief Engineer-Planning and Engineering Gregg Fredrick, his wife, Barbie, son, Nate, and daughter, Abbie, all placed in their age groups and took home the medals to prove it.

Hallsten Pinedale Resident Engineer Pete lo, shot buffa d este harv d displaying his prize on. on the first day of the hunting seas

Photo: Rick Carpenter

Photo courtesy Pete Hallsten

Brady Beers (blue shirt) and Baylor Beers on an August fishing trip near Lander. Nice catche s for both of them. District 5 Public Involvement Specialist Cody Beers is their father.

District 4 Public Involvement Specialist Ronda Holwell and her horse competed in barrel racing at this July’s Cheyenne Frontier Days.

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Awards

Most motorists on Wyoming’s highways and byways dread seeing those flashing red lights pulled up behind their car. However, in some cases, they may be there to save your life.

On July 2, Joe Scott Skipper and his wife, Candi Darlene Skipper, were traveling through Wyoming on I-80 near Evanston when Mr. Skipper pulled over to inspect some mechanical problems.

He then noticed that Mrs. Skipper had become unresponsive in the passenger side of the commercial truck. He dialed 911 and was advised to take her out of the truck and begin CPR. He thought she was having a heart attack.

While on the line with 911, Mr. Skipper began CPR on his wife. He struggled to continue compressions and was soon exhausted. Trooper Kent Hutchinson responded to the call and immediately

Photo courtesy WHP

Trooper recieves Colonel’s Commendation Award Trooper Kent Huchinson recieves the Colonel’s Commendation Award from Col. John Butler.

took over CPR on Mrs. Skipper. Hutchinson continued with CPR, and eventually received help from local fireman Brett Shelton. Together, they kept CPR going until EMTs arrived with an ambulance.

Mrs. Skipper was transported to Evanston Regional Hospital where she was readied for a life flight to Utah for further care.

Hutchinson’s supervisor, Lt. Timothy Boumeester, was impressed and proud of the quick thinking and response his trooper displayed to save the life of a passing motorist.

“Trooper Hutchinson displayed outstanding professional ability, courage, discipline, humility and conviction in all

Extra Mile

AWARDS Congratulations to our August 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. Jim Coffin Carol Dewitt Duard Dilday William “Bodie” Ernst Jason Fernandez

Larry Konetzki Tanya Lallak Rebecca McOmie Terra (Zoe) Pecenka William “Buck” Stevenson

Christine Grant Ronald Hartwid

Chad Varland

For more information about the Extra Mile Award or to nominate someone, contact Janet Farrar at janet.farrar@wyo.gov or Mel Anderson at mel.anderson@wyo.gov.

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aspects of this event,” Boumeester said.

Hutchinson soon followed up with Mr. Skipper concerning his wife’s condition.

After being treated in a hospital in Utah, Mrs. Skipper became responsive again but, was unable to speak at the time.

“The outstanding performance, sound judgment and devotion to duty demonstrated by Hutchinson contributed immeasurably to the successful revival and recovery of Mrs. Skipper,” Boumeester added.

Hutchinson was awarded the Colonel’s Commendation Award and the Wyoming Peace Officer Association Award for Valor for his heroic actions in saving Mrs. Skipper’s life.

“Trooper Hutchinson’s conduct reflects great credit upon himself and the Wyoming Highway Patrol,” Boumeester concluded.

All in a day’s work for the state of Wyoming’s Highway Patrol.

Passings Floyd Foresman

Retiree Floyd Foresman died Sept. 6 in Cheyenne. He was 74.

Foresman joined the old Wyoming Highway Department, WYDOT’s predecessor agency, at headquarters in 1963.

He first worked in Project Development and subsequently on Construction staff.

Foresman moved to Programming in 1973 as a needs engineer, and retired from that position in June 1995.

He was born in Cheyenne and raised in Dubois. Foresman received his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Wyoming the same year he started with the Highway Department.

He was an avid outdoorsman with a particular passion for skiing. Foresman was a longtime member of the Cheyenne Ski Club and served a term as president of that group. He was also a volunteer with the Snowy Range Ski Patrol.

He was a longtime member of the WyHy Federal Credit Union board of directors and served as president for five years. Other affiliations included Kiwanis, Cheyenne Frontier Days, Old West Museum, Boy Scouts, Meals-on-Wheels and St. Joseph’s Food Pantry.

A memorial service for Foresman was conducted Sept. 9 in Cheyenne.

WTDEA

WYHY contributes $2,500 to Employee Relief Fund

Congratulations to the winners of the WTDEA District 2 pig raffle – Nova Crawford and Bill Teter. Both were the lucky winners of half a pig.

The District 2 raffle brought in $1,184 which was divided 50 percent to WTDEA general fund, 25 percent to the relief fund and 25 percent was donated to Poverty Resistance in Casper.

“I really like that WTDEA helps out with the Employee Relief Fund and donates to our community,” said Myron Witt, WTDEA District 2 representative.

“It’s good to help out our own.”

Crawford, of Casper, had quite a surprise when she answered the call from WTDEA. Unknown to her, her husband had written her name on half the tickets he purchased.

Teter, of Chugwater, also won and was grateful for the two large boxes he received after the meat had been processed.

The pig was donated by Lee and Lisa Andersen of Chugwater, according to Witt.

WyHy Federal Credit Union contributed $2,500 to the WYDOT Employee Relief Fund on Sept. 19 as part of the partnership under which it issues credit cards carrying the WYDOT and Wyoming Highway Patrol logos.

WyHy President Bill Willingham presented the check to Director John Cox and Ryan Sorenson, president of the Wyoming Transportation Department Employees Association state board.

WyHy has pledged to donate $5 to the Employee Relief Fund for every card issued with the WYDOT or WHP logo.

“Last year was the first year of the program and we presented a $2,500 check, and we’re back this year to present another check for $2,500,” Willingham said. “So it’s going to be an annual thing.”

All active WYDOT employees are eligible for crisis assistance from the relief fund.

To request assistance an employee must complete a form available on the WTDEA page of the WYDOT Employees website, and send it to Sorensen in Casper, or Janet Vossler, the association’s treasurer, in Cheyenne.

The fund provides crisis assistance

District 2 raffle a success

Football crazy?

Fall color seeker?

Hunting photos?

Early season skier?

of up to $1,500, and has been used most often for health-care expenses. Applications can be made anytime of the year, but employees are limited to receiving assistance once a year.

“This is a significant contribution,” Sorenson said of the WYHY check. “There are only 140 employees now who contribute to the fund through direct deposit, which is less than 5 percent. So we do a lot of extra work to raise money and this contribution is huge toward allowing us to assist more people.”

Last year the association’s cash calendar fundraiser added more than $3,900 to the fund, and proceeds from its photography contest also help. Those sources and the WYHY contribution allowed the association to increase the maximum assistance available from $1,000 to $1,500.

The fund has provided assistance to 15 WYDOT employees so far this year, and 21 in 2013. Since the fund was established in 2005, I has provided $36,575 to WYDOT employees in need.

“The money can be used for emergency surgeries, car accidents, a fire in your house – pretty much any crisis situation you can’t plan for,” Sorenson said. “Thank you to WYHY for their generous support to WYDOT and to the WTDEA Relief Fund. Their commitment of the annual $2,500 donation makes a world of difference to the employees in need of help.”

Get those photos in!

12/12/14

carlie.vanwinkle@wyo.gov

Photo: Carlie Van Winkle

January Outdoors submission deadline: WyHy Federal Credit Union President Bill Willingham presented a check for $2,500 for the WTDEA Employee Relief Fund. (From left) Ryan Sorenson WTDEA state board president, Director John Cox, Willingham and WyHy board member and WYDOT employee Pam Fredrick.

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Break Time 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.

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