A Day inof the Life UDOT Region Three Winning Photo Series Captures Beauty and Hard Work of UDOT’s Snow Plow Crews Brian Allen was Region Three’s grand prize winner of the 2016 Photo Contest. His series “Winter Work” included the winning photo, “Blowing Snow,” and video clips of plowing Provo Canyon and American Fork Canyon.
Winning Photo Series, Winter Work by Brian Allen
Nearly 150 images were submitted for this year’s contest and 80 images were selected as semi-finalists. 2016 service award employees voted on three photo series and five photos selected as finalists. Runners up, finalist and semi-finalist photos are featured throughout this newsletter.
2016 Winners WINNER: Brian Allen, photo series
“Winter Work” including winning photo “Blowing Snow” and video clips. RUNNERS UP: Larry Montoya, photo “US-189 Deer Creek Widening”; Marvin Hatton, photo “US-191 shouldering Work”; and Marshall Terry, video clips “Plow Driver’s Point of View”. FINALISTS: Pat Lowe, photo series “R3 Sunset” and “R3 Seasons”; Dan Fauvell, photo “Flaming Gorge Erosion Debris”; and Mike Cole, photo “SR-73 Safety Spot Improvement”.
Utah Department of Transportation, Region Three News, Fall 2016
In this issue: Safety Award Winner...8 Years of Service...8 US 189 Widening...13 Working in American Fork Canyon...15 Buckle Up! Message from Director Terry Newell...17 Recognition for our Partners...24 Summer Picnic...29 Safety Posters...31
Runner up: US-191 Shouldering by Marvin Hatton
Runner up: Deer Creek Widening by Larry Montoya
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2016 A Day in the Life
Winning Photo Series, Winter Work by Brian Allen UDOT Region Three
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Winning Photo Series, Winter Work by Brian Allen
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2016 A Day in the Life
Winning Photo Series, Winter Work by Brian Allen. Click here to see Brian’s video from the Winter work series.
Finalist: Flaming Gorge-Manila Crew Removing Erosion Debris, by Dan Fauvell
UDOT Region Three
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Finalist: Safety Spot Repair by Mike Cole
Runner Up Video Series: See Marshall Terry’s Plow Driver’s POV video here.
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Runner Up Video Series: See Marshall Terry’s Pushing Snow video here.
2016 A Day in the Life
Runner Up Photo Series: Seasons by Pat Lowe
Runner Up Photo Series: Sunset by Pat Lowe UDOT Region Three
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Congratulations for your years of service! 5 YEAR Jason Henley Andrew Jordan Rich Allen Aaron Pinkerton Brad Jones Joseph Banford Jaramie Carter
Runner Up Photo Series: Seasons by Pat Lowe
Safety Award Winner Named for Region Three Jeffery Wood has been selected as Region Three’s Safety Award winner. A Safety Award has been added to the Annual UDOT Conference awards banquet and Jeff was considered for statewide recognition. Region Three ran an accelerated nomination and selection process this year to meet the statewide deadline. It was important to senior leaders that the award be peer-nominated and peer-selected similar to the process used for other employee recognition awards. The Safety Award will be included with the nomination and selection process for Employee of the Year, Leader of the Year and Career Achievement awards starting in 2017. Fourteen individuals or groups were nominated by 18 people during the three-day nomination Page 8
period. The summer picnic served as a venue for collecting nominations and encouraging people to submit nominations before the deadline. Thanks to everyone who took time to recognize a fellow employee for modeling safety on the job! Safety Award Nominees: Brian Allen Dan Caussey Dan Fauvell Dwaine Webber Eric Kinsman Jeff Wood Jordan Smith Justin Lazenby Larry Montoya Leslie Beck Marshall Terry Paul Baum R3 Carpenter Crew R3 Signal Crew
10 YEAR Brent Wallwork Kenneth Kortright Kim Krein Thad Cole Jon Duke Jake Barney Jared Steele Clint Tyler 15 YEAR Teri Newell Rich Crosland Chad Hansen Larry Montoya Kyle Lazenby Shawn Bright 20 YEAR Dan Avila Josh Glazier 25 YEAR Steve Bonner Jim Winn 30 YEAR Kevin Carter Manus Kogianes 35 YEAR Glen Wahlberg
2016 A Day in the Life
Runner Up Photo Series: Seasons by Pat Lowe
Runner Up Photo Series: Sunset by Pat Lowe UDOT Region Three
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Runner Up Photo Series: Sunset by Pat Lowe
Semi-Final Photo Series: Earth work near Main Canyon Road by Larry Montoya
Runner Up Photo Series: US-189; State Park to Rock Cut by Boyd Humpherys Page 10
2016 A Day in the Life
Semifinal Photo Series: Test Section of New Delineation by Mike Cole UDOT Region Three
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Semifinal Photo Series: US-189; State Park to Rock Cut by Boyd Humpherys
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2016 A Day in the Life
Semi-Final Series US-89 Widening Near Rainbow Bay by Larry Montoya
U.S. 189 Deer Creek Widening Project Substantially Complete The widening of U.S. 189 near Deer Creek State Park was designed to improve safety and alleviate congestion caused by heavy seasonal and recreational traffic through Utah and Wasatch Counties. This project involved excavation of the hillside to construct an additional travel lane in each direction, as well as a center turn lane and 8-foot wide shoulders. Installation of deer fencing and a wildlife undercrossing improves safety and provides separation between area wildlife and vehicular traffic. During the last two years there were 86 recorded vehicle-wildlife collisions through this segment. The wildlife undercrossing is 17 feet tall and 32 feet wide, composed of multi-plate corrugated steel panels assembled in an elliptical shape and partially filled with soil. The structure is slightly larger than the existing wildlife undercrossing adjacent to the State Park entrance that has been so successful. Installation of the deer fence throughout the project limits is the final work item and will begin in late September. Crews will install as much fencing as cooperaUDOT Region Three
tive weather will allow this season, resuming in the spring to complete the task. If the traffic volumes during the Labor Day holiday weekend are any indication, the widening will be a welcomed relief to this well-traveled stretch of roadway! Larry Montoya is the project manager, Boyd Humphreys is the resident engineer, AECOM is the design consultant, and AMES Construction is the contractor. @coledrobison, Oct 13, 2016: @UDOTRegion3 Just drove by Deer Creek. Beautiful job on the widening project!
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Semi-Final Photo Series: AF Canyon by Marshall Terry
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2016 A Day in the Life
Semi-Final Photo Series: AF Canyon Snow by Marshall Terry
Here’s what crews say about working in
AMERICAN FORK CANYON Challenges “There are a lot of people in a tight, narrow space: bicyclists, pedestrians and cars on a narrow road with small shoulders and steep terrain. And then there are people who just aren’t prepared to be in the mountains such as two-wheel drive cars trying to go up the canyon with 12 inches of snow on the road spinning out and getting stuck.”
see how the canyon transforms during different weather patterns and seasons.”
“There are a lot of people visiting the canyon for national parks and to climb Mount Timpanogos without much parking. We also end up responding to mudslides and avalanches a few times each year.”
“I remember when we were working in the canyon and our guys were the first responders to a rock climber falling off a 100-foot cliff. They needed us to call dispatch with radio for an ambulance. It’s good to have our radios up there for emergencies; we were the first ones who could make contact with emergency help since there was no cell service.”
Rewards “It’s pretty neat to be the first one up the canyon to open the roads after snowfall for all types of recreation. Quite a few people count on us to keep the canyon open from residents and outdoor enthusiasts to the Forest Service and National Parks Service.”
Memorable moments “One time we had to back the truck all the way up the canyon because of black ice. Since the sander is in the back of truck, we were able to drive on our own salt and grit by backing up.”
“One time there was a big mudslide that trapped everyone at Timp Cave. We used our own forces with different sheds and the city to dig them out and have them home safely late that night.”
“It’s great to get out of the valley and have a chance to work up the canyon. We often see wildlife and get to
UDOT Region Three
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Semi-Final Photo Series: US-189 Wildlife by Brian Allen
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2016 A Day in the Life
Buckle Up! Message from Region Director, Teri Newell Last month as I was driving down I-15 on my way to work, I looked in the rear view mirror and saw flashing lights behind me. It was clearly an unmarked vehicle. I started clicking off in my head all the possible things I could have done to be pulled over and couldn’t come up with anything. As it turns out, I was pulled over because the officer thought I wasn’t wearing my seat belt. It was a cold morning and I had pulled my coat up around my neck and my hair was hanging down where my shoulder belt couldn’t be seen. I tell you this as a reminder to wear your seatbelt. Last year the legislature made lack of a seatbelt a primary offense, which means you can be pulled over for not wearing one, as evidenced by my experience. UDOT was very supportive of this legislation for the simple reason that it will help us work towards the goal of Zero Fatalities. As the officer said to me when I was pulled over, nearly half of vehicle fatalities are either not buckled or improperly buckled. You can make all the arguments you want against seat belt use, but the bottom line is that it is now a primary offense and you can be pulled over and ticketed for it. In support of this, UDOT now has a policy that allows and encourages progressive discipline of employees that choose not to follow the law. I highly encourage you to wear your seatbelt, not only while at work, but in your personal vehicle as well. You may have strong feelings against it, but at least wear it while you’re at work. It’s the law and it’s UDOT policy, but I ask you to do it because I care.
UDOT Region Three
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Crews Improve Safety with Grate Lifter Shawn Bright, a Transportation Technician in Region Three’s Lehi Maintenance Station, developed a grate lifting device to remove heavy grates off of drainage boxes. Cleaning the drainage boxes is a regular maintenance activity that occurs alongside live traffic. The grates can weigh hundreds of pounds and pose safety risks such as injuries to backs, fingers and feet. The lifter is mounted to the bed of a one ton maintainer for easy access and uses a winch and cable system with a lifting arm. The device makes the grate removal faster and easier as well as being safer, meeting UDOT’s top strategic goal: Zero Crashes, Injuries and Fatalities.
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2016 A Day in the Life
Semifinal Photo Series: Flaming Gorge-Manilla Crew by Dan Fauvell
Semifinal Photo Series: Lehi Shed Plow by Marshall Terry
Semifinal Photo Series: Flaming Gorge-Manilla Crew by Dan Fauvell
Semifinal Photo Series: Snow Fence by Mike Cole UDOT Region Three
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Semifinal Photo Series: Snow Fence by Mike Cole
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2016 A Day in the Life
Semifinal Series: Savage Sweets Highway Cleanup by Rick Reynolds
Semifinal Photo: Debris from Sweeping by Mike Cole
UDOT Region Three
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Semifinal Photo: Brandon in Road Collapse by Austin Tripp Page 22
2016 A Day in the Life
Semifinal Photo: Mike Sabey’s Retirement Party by Robert Jahn
UDOT Region Three
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Recognition for our Consultant and Contractor Partners UDOT Region Three submitted the following consultants and contractors for the People’s Choice Award, an award category that was recognized during the Annual UDOT Conference. Nominating these firms is a way to show our appreciation for their good work. Conference attendees voted on the top candidates; Cache Valley Electric won the People’s Choice Award for Best Contractor Partner. Rowser Construction Region Three maintenance crews have a high level of trust that Rowser Construction Company will make roadside safety repairs in a timely manner and meet our quality standards. They have been a great partner in meeting UDOT’s goal for Zero Crashes, Injuries and Fatalities by making timely repairs to important roadside safety features. Rowser is contracted to install guardrail, cable barrier and various types of safety attenuation. They are called upon to repair these features on an emergency basis and have proven to be responsive while also maintaining a safe work zone. O’Neill & Company O’Neill & Company has consistently delivered high quality traffic and safety design plans for Region Three during the past year in support of UDOT’s goals for Zero Crashes, Injuries and Fatalities and to Optimize Mobility. Their work contributes to making critical safety improvements on Utah’s roadways with sensitivity to the local context and coordination with local governments. They have a positive attitude and deliver projects with professionalism. They respond to requests quickly and offer constructive suggestions to improve the project. Engineers at O’Neill & Company are good problem solvers and go the extra mile as part of the project team. Cache Valley Electric Cache Valley Electric has delivered critical projects for UDOT Region Three with professionalism, quality and timeliness. Their work Improves Mobility and is performed with Zero Crashes, Injuries and Fatalities in mind. They have earned our project managers’ trust and proven their ability for quick delivery of traffic signals and other safety improvements. They are good at problem solving and suggest better ways to do things. We rely on them to get the job built right. They successfully look ahead and come prepared with solutions when faced with a problem. Cache Valley Electric is focused on providing a quality product for a fair price.
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2016 A Day in the Life
Semifinal Photo: Provo Canyon by Larry Montoya
Semifinal Photo: Mount Timp by Brian Allen
UDOT Region Three
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Semifinal Photo: Plowing Snow by Brian Allen Page 26
2016 A Day in the Life
Semifinal Photo: Daniels Summit by Larry Montoya
Semifinal Photo: Train Between Provo and Springville by Pat Lowe
UDOT Region Three
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Semifinal Photo: Turn Lane Widening in Spanish Fork Canyon by Terry Jacobson
Semifinal Photo: Signal by Grant Jackson
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2016 A Day in the Life
2016 Summer Picnic The Region Three employee appreciation picnic was held at Soldier Hollow in August. Carlos Braceras and Shane Marshall greeted attendees and expressed their appreciation for the work we do. The photo contest winners were announced and a slideshow of photos was shown. Thanks to Greg Searle and crews from the urbanized area for coordinating this year’s picnic!
UDOT Region Three
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2016 A Day in the Life
Safety
Every Job, Every Day
Posters with a safety reminder focused on our core values of “Communicate. Question. Care.� have been placed at each maintenance station in the region. The posters will be changed out periodically to bring new safety reminders. UDOT Region Three
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