UDOT Region Three
2017 Outlook New funding advances several projects at Region Three The Utah Transportation Commission approved project lists for two new funding sources in May 2017.
In this issue: Myton Bench...2 Tech Corridor...3 US-191...4 Update on Terry...4 Redwood update...5 Mountain View update...5 You DOT...5 S.R. 113 and two-lane section of 189, both places where projects are now funded through this recent approval, show the need for shoulders After the Utah State Legislature approved $1 struction project is now programmed for 2023. billion in bonding over four years, UDOT identified highway capacity projects that could be The commission also approved projects for a advanced throughout the state. UDOT prepared a new Transportation Solutions fund. This fund was list of projects that were already funded and could formed by combining several formerly designated benefit from being built sooner. The I-15 Technol- funding programs such as choke point and asset ogy Corridor project to reconstruct I-15 from Lehi management. Combining the funds and renaming Main Street to S.R. 92 was part of that list. it “Transportation Solutions” allows it to address projects that might not have been able to receive UDOT utilized the existing prioritization process funding under past structures. to put together the list. It was then presented to the Utah Transportation Commission, the goverProjects in Region Three funded with Transportanor-appointed board that allocates funding. After tion Solutions includes shoulder widening on S.R. opportunity for public comment, the Commission 113 in Wasatch County, additional funds for the approved UDOT’s recommended list of projects to SR-77 Spanish Fork Main to I-15 widening project, fund over the next four years. improvements in the Pleasant Grove Interchange area, ramp improvements for the Pioneer CrossThe bonding also allowed other funding sources to ing/I-15 interchange, additional funds for widenbe freed up to cover projects that previously had ing to go along with a signal at SR-198 and 1400 E not been added to the Statewide Transportation in Spanish Fork, catch basins and detention ponds Improvement Program (STIP). in U.S. 191 Indian Canyon, cattle guards in Santaquin, barrier in Provo Canyon, block wall repair In addition to advancing the timing for the Tech in Provo Canyon and additional money to extend Corridor, Region Three will also benefit from fund- the Provo Canyon trail from Vivian Park to the ing to complete the last segment of U.S. 189 from Deer Creek dam. Charleston to Wallsburg. That widening and recon-
Utah Department of Transportation, 2017 Region Three Summer News
Provo Orem TRIP...6 UDOT culture...7 Plow drivers honored...8 Excellence award...8 Commissioner Millington...9 Heroes...9 Photo contest...10 Roadeo...10 Breakfast...10 Employees OTY...12-13 Monthly Safety Focus...13
Myton Bench
WIDENING
UDOT is widening U.S. 40 to five lanes from 6250 South in Myton to Pole Line Road in Roosevelt. The highway will include two lanes in each direction, with a center turn lane and ten-foot-wide shoulders. This project will improve traffic flow and enhance safety for drivers. Work is taking place on both sides of U.S. 40 with lanes maintained for travel. There are shoulder closures in some locations while workers or equipment are present. The speed limit in the work zone has been reduced to 55 miles per hour. Weekly project updates are available by emailing us40@utah.gov. Widening will include two lanes in each direction, a center turn lane and ten-foot-wide shoulders 2017 Outlook
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I-15 Technology Corridor to Start Construction in 2018 The Utah Transportation Commission approved the acceleration of the I-15 Technology Corridor project in May 2017, which will widen and reconstruct I-15 from Lehi Main Street to S.R. 92.
The I-15 Technology Corridor is the last section of I-15 in Utah County to be reconstructed. The area has experienced rapid growth in population and new commercial development. The project was already funded and scheduled to begin in 2020. With a new transportation bond approved by the state legislature in March, UDOT can now begin construction in 2018. An announcement video was posted on social media to share the news with commuters. You can view it at: https://youtu.be/NRRTqcRXENk. The project will reconstruct and widen I-15 with two new lanes in each direction from Lehi Main Street to S.R. 92. It will replace 13 bridges and reconstruct the 2100 North and S.R. 92 interchanges. The project will increase local access options with a new frontage road system and a bridge over I-15 at Triumph Boulevard. It will also provide better connections for bikes and pedestrians. Since necessary approvals and initial designs are already in place, UDOT is ready to start the process of selecting a design-builder to begin construction in 2018. Construction UDOT Region Three
is expected to last through 2020. Details about construction phasing, potential impacts and traffic control will be available after the design-builder is selected. Between now and the completion of the project, UDOT encourages businesses and motorists to rethink the way they travel. TravelWise during rush hour by shifting travel times, carpooling, taking transit or teleworking. To see a complete list of projects funded by the new $1 billion bond, click here: https://tinyurl.com/n25ekfg Bob Westover is the Project Director, Craig Hancock is the Design Manager and Boyd Humphreys will be the Construction Manager.
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U.S. 191 open to local traffic after portion of the road was sinking U.S. 191 was reduced to one lane after road damage was identified 8 miles north of Vernal in late-May. Utah Highway Patrol alerted UDOT that a portion of the roadway at milepost 362 had dropped about one foot. Crews on-site monitored the roadway and saw that heavy water flow through a large drainage pipe about 50 feet below was flowing outside of the piped culvert, cutting its own channel adjacent to the pipe and destabilizing soils. A contractor was hired under an emergency contract to make modifications that will slow the flow of the water at the inlet and fill the gap outside of the culvert pipe in order to stabilize the soils. A longer term solution might include headwalls on both sides of the culvert and potential pipe liner placement. Thanks to the Vernal crew for keeping a 24-hour watch while repeairs were made!
A contractor was hired under an emergency contract to address water damage that is causing U.S. 191 sink
Terry Jacobson is back to work Terry Jacobson went back to work three months after a semi hit his snowplow, pushing it off U.S. 6 down a 300-foot embankment in Spanish Fork Canyon. He is on light duty, which means no driving trucks or heavy lifting; but Terry is back to taking care of inventory and other office work for the Spanish Fork station. He is happy to be back with the crew. Terry is still undergoing some neurological evaluation and dealing with the effects of the crash. Appointments with the chiropractor and physical therapist are now part of his routine. KUTV Channel 2 news reporter Cristina Flores interviewed Terry during his first week back to work. You can watch the story here. Terry Jacobson with Utah Governor Gary Herbert
2017 Outlook
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Mountain View Corridor update Funding has been allocated to extend MVC in Utah County from S.R. 73 to 2100 North.
Redwood Road will be widened from three to five lanes from 400 South to Lake View Terrace Road.
Since the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was published in 2008, the design has changed in this area to include frontage roads. Initial construction plans include two lanes in each direction along with a six-foot sidewalk on the east side of the future roadway. The intersection and traffic signal at Redwood Road and 2100 North will also be reconfigured to accommodate the new connection. Construction is projected to start fall of 2017.
Redwood Road south of Pioneer Crossing in Saratoga Springs will be widened and reconstructed to reduce congestion and improve mobility. Construction will begin summer 2017 and is anticipated to be complete late 2018.
YouDOT employee website is place to go for information
In 2017, Redwood Road will be widened from three to five lanes from 400 South to Lake View Terrace Road. Dual left turn lanes will be constructed at Grandview Boulevard and bike lanes will be extended to Lake View Terrace Road. Redwood Road will also be resurfaced from Village Parkway south, approximately 10 miles.
A new employee website, youdot.utah.gov, was launched to share employee news and information.
In 2018, a new east-west Continuous Flow Intersection (CFI) will be built at Pioneer Crossing. Redwood Road will be widened from three to five lanes from Lake View Terrace Road to Stillwater Drive along with new traffic signal installation at Ring Road and Stillwater Drive. Bike lanes will be extended to Stillwater Drive and a trail segment will be completed between Pioneer Crossing and 400 South.
The site features employee spotlights where you can get to know people from around the department. Region Three contributes at least one news story each month and the site has spotlighted several of our employees. If you have ideas or suggestions for the You DOT website, contact Eileen Barron (ebarron@utah.gov).
Redwood Road construction
The 2017 improvements are anticipated to significantly reduce congestion and delays during the morning and evening commutes. An overview video is available at: [link]. See www.udot.utah.gov/redwoodsaratoga for more information.
UDOT Region Three
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Facebook posts promote businesses along Provo Orem TRIP project Construction is in full swing on University Parkway and University Avenue as part of the Provo Orem Transportation Improvement Project (TRIP). Construction on some of Provo and Orem’s busiest roads is a challenge, but the project team is committed to minimizing impacts to drivers and adjacent businesses. Access to all businesses along the project corridor is being maintained during construction. The goal is to keep traffic moving and help people get to and from local businesses. Mitigation plans are being put in place to handle construction issues like noise and dust and potential changes to landscaping, parking and local events. The project team is currently meeting with businesses and residents along the project route to discuss and address their concerns that may arise during construction.
The project partners contributed to funding a marketing budget for promoting local businesses that members of the Community Advisory Committee decide how to spend. Due to the effective geo-targeting of social media and the ability to measure engagement, Facebook promoted posts and contests have been a key part of growing the project’s Facebook following and raising awareness of the project vision, impacts and businesses along the corridor. The CAC members agreed to allocate a portion of their funds to buy gift cards that are used as contest prizes as well as purchasing promoted posts that highlight local businesses.
In the 10 months of activity, the Facebook page has grown to more than 1100 followers. Posts get a high level of enIn September 2016, the Provo Orem TRIP Project launched a gagement with contests seeing from 30 to more than 90 project Facebook page with the goal to increase community responses. The average views for our posts reach 61,000 awareness, education and engagement during construction. people each month. Featuring local businesses is part of the project’s construction impacts mitigation plan along the corridor. We want to Check out the Provo Orem TRIP Facebook page to see what’s make sure business patrons know that businesses are still happening on the project and learn about the businesses open and accessible during construction. Business highlights and events along the corridor on the Facebook page also fits with our community-minded approach of weaving the transportation network into the fabric of the community along the corridor, highlighting the variety of goods and services that can be accessed from University Avenue and University Parkway.
2017 Outlook
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Conversations on culture Message from Teri Newell, Region Director UDOT leaders are discussing our workplace culture with the goal of identifying guiding principles that describe the culture we want to create. Culture refers to the unique personality of our organization that influences our behavior and how we treat each other. As part of this effort, UDOT’s leadership team has made an effort to talk with people about our workplace culture. I encourage you to also initiate conversations with people about their experience working at UDOT. The following questions are a good way to begin a conversation: 1. What do you look forward to when you come to work every day? 2. What do you find most rewarding about your work? 3. Describe a time when you felt great about what you accomplished at work. 4. What three to five words would you use to describe your colleagues at UDOT to a friend or neighbor?
make drastic changes, we want to clearly state our priorities and more intentionally focus on how to make your experience working at UDOT a good one. Please take the opportunity to participate in these discussions. An email address – udotculture@utah.gov – has been established to receive input. The emails go to Internal Communications Manager Mat Allred, who has committed to keep your input anonymous. As we think about our internal culture, it is an opportunity to think about the great things already happening in our organization and how we can make UDOT even better.
Here are some short videos to watch as part of our discussion of workplace culture: Overview of Everybody Matters by Bob Chapman
5. What do you think makes UDOT different from other employers?
Culture is everyone’s iob Claira Shih, Forbes.com
Focus groups are being held at the region this summer that will contribute to building a better understanding of what’s important to you. Although we are not looking to
The happy secret to better work by Shawn Achor
Culture discussions at DeCoster UDOT Region Three
Card storming with the leadership team Page 7
Snowplow Drivers honored in Legislative Resolution On Friday, March 24, UDOT snow plow drivers from all four regions met at the Capitol for a ceremonial bill signing of SCR 5, a bill recognizing the hard work all of Utah’s snow plow drivers do. This winter UDOT crews plowed over 3 million miles of road, completed 70,000 different snow plow trips and put down more than 200,000 tons of salt and de-icing materials. It was an honor to hear from Governor Herbert and have him sign the bill formally thanking crews for what can sometimes be a thankless job. Terry Jacobson, Joe Banford and Troy Johnson were present representing Region Three at the resolution signing.
Governor’s Award for Excellence presented to Manila employees Steve Steib and Paul Sawyer from Manila were recognized with the Governor’s Award for Excellence for rescuing several stranded motorists on U.S. 191 this past winter. They were willing to travel into Wyoming to assist in a search and rescue effort when Wyoming officials could not reach the motorists. U.S. 191 on the Utah-Wyoming border is periodically closed during winter due to blowing snow and white-out conditions. On December 16, 2016, Paul heard discussion of stranded motorists on the scanner and the Utah Highway Patrol called shortly after, asking if UDOT could assist in any way. After gaining permission to travel into Wyoming, Steve and Paul drove snowplows to clear the way for one search and rescue vehicle and one UHP patrol car. They traveled about 30 miles into Wyoming, uncovering at least four vehicles stuck in deep drifts. They also rescued at least one individual who had left his car and was outside in freezing temperatures. The snowplowing was not typical work because the deep drifts had to be attacked from several angles and skillfully maneuvered to uncover buried cars. Steve and Paul were able to escort the stranded motorists to safety after digging them out, providing extraordinary public service. The two were honored May 15 with the Governor’s Award for Excellence in the category of Heroism. 2017 Outlook
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Millington honored for service to Utah Transportation Commission Kent Millington was honored with a farewell dinner May 18 at Soldier Hollow in Heber.
Millington served on the commission for 12 years representing Region Three. Millington was a strong advocate for transportation improvements in Region Three, regularly attending project public meetings and interacting with local officials to listen to needs and concerns.
McKeachnie is a former Utah Lieutenant Governor and state senator who resides in Vernal. His post has been filled by Donna Law, an administrator at Southern Utah University.
The Utah Transportation Commission is a governor-appointed board that makes decisions about how to allocate funds Former Utah County Commissioner Larry Ellertsen was nom- to transportation projects throughout the state. They hold inated to replace Millington, but later withdrew his nomimonthly meetings alternating between the Salt Lake valley nation citing retirement plans that would not allow him to and other locations throughout the state. In May, the comfulfill the six-year term. mission met in Heber. Region Three will host the commission again in November in Orem. Commissioner Gayle McKeachnie was also honored for his service as an at-large commissioner at the farewell dinner.
UDOT Employees are Everyday Heroes The Provo Daily Herald runs a regular feature to highlight people that quietly contribute to the community. Reporter Kurt Hanson has featured our snowplow drivers, avalanche control crew and incident management team. Each of these features appeared in the printed newspaper and online. If you haven’t seen them, check them out here:
UDOT avalanche team protects motorists from wintery catastrophes Roadside angels: Incident management teams risk their own lives for motorists
Snowplow drivers quietly protect motorists’ lives
UDOT Region Three
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2017 Photo Contest Call for Entries: People and Places The photo contest this year will have two distinct categories: People and Places. Photos in the people category must have one or more person who is identifiable. We’d like to see the faces of transportation that keep Utah moving! The places category will include landscape and construction photos – any picture where the primary subject matter is a location or activity where people are not present or not identifiable as individuals.
Employee Appreciation Breakfast
Entry deadline is Monday, July 31. Winners will be announced at the annual summer picnic in September. Send your entries to Kim Krein (kkrein@utah. gov) with your name and information identifying the people or place depicted in the photo. Video entries are also accepted.
PMENT I U Q E
ROADEO Congratulations to these skilled equipment operators: Backhoe 1st place: Cole Giles (Tabiona) 2nd place: Devan Ingram (Nephi) 3rd place: Justin Koyle (Nephi) Loader 1st place: Justin Koyle (Nephi) 2nd place: Marcus Nielsen (Nephi) 3rd place: Klay Steele (Eureka) Truck 1st place: Devan Ingram (Nephi) 2nd place: Paul Sawyer (Manila) 3rd place: Klay Steele (Eureka) Overall Points Winner Devan Ingram (Nephi) 2017 Outlook
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UDOT Region Three
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Nominees Employee of the Year Nominees Dale Ashcraft Roland Ivie Chad Gasser Craig Hamilton Doug Bassett Eldon Simpson Kai Fitzhugh Kelly Fugal Marvin Hatton Paul Sawyer Steve Jones Daniel Taylor Dustin Wall Joel Bascom Kurtis Park Mike Gardner Mike Rymer Mote Siufanua Scott Lott Shawn Davis Shayne Hatch Jared Jeffs
Congratulations to employee of the year nominees and winners! Winners Employee of the Year: Tonia Wall
Tonia Wall
Leader of the Year: Brian Phillips
Brian Phillips
2017 Outlook
Tonia oversees the region’s damage claims, taking calls from insurance companies and individuals. Although this can be a very stressful job, Tonia has the ability to bring calm to potentially volatile situations and finds resolution with all parties involved. Tonia’s upbeat and positive personality enable her to address each case with a smile and handle every correspondence with great professionalism. Tonia is willing to take on additional tasks and has the temperament and work ethic appreciated by both internal and external customers. During the past year, Tonia has received complements and thanks for her willingness to help with any situation and thoroughness in handling damage claims.
Brian is Region Three’s traffic and safety engineer. He is extremely responsive and demonstrates leadership skills in how he delegates responsibilities to his staff. He is supportive of his staff’s recommendations and decisions unless he is aware of something that should be brought to their attention. He has the ability to give direction without being over-bearing – he assigns his staff responsibilities and steps back, allowing them to do their work, intervening only if there is new information or a need for his help. He is respectful of differing opinions, willing to listen and answer questions. Brian makes good decisions based on his many years of experience paired with his calm demeanor. Page 12
Employee of the year, nominees and winners, continued.
Career Achievement: Karen Yoast
Karen Yoast with Kim Krein
Karen has 30 years of experience at UDOT and currently works as an office manager for the Jordan construction crew. Karen takes pride in her job and her good work is noticed by many at UDOT and among contractors. Karen constantly questions the way things are done, looking for better and more efficient solutions. She doesn’t hesitate to give her thoughts and insight, which is invaluable due to her years of experience. Karen shares her knowledge and is credited with training many resident engineers through the years. Karen has a strong commitment and does her job well, all the while making work fun with a positive attitude and her quick wit.
Leader of the Year Nominees Adam Lough Fred Priebe Brian Allen Safety Award Nominees Dan Fauvell Matt Betts Career Achievement Nominees Manus Kogianes Calvin Tisi Paul Baum Wayne Cummings Neil Lundell
Safety Award: Larry Montoya
Larry Montoya
UDOT Region Three
Larry is a project manager at Region Three responsible for projects in the Uinta Basin. Larry starts every meeting with a safety moment as a way to demonstrate the importance of safety and contribute to building a safety culture at the region. Although safety moments and toolbox talks are common with our field crews, Larry is stressing the importance of safety with office employees. Larry initiated this practice on his own, with no direction or obligation to do so. It shows his commitment to safety and begins a dialogue about safety among staff with a variety of responsibilities and positions within the department.
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