Interchange, April/May 2020 by WYDOT

Interchange April/May 2020

Vol. 48, Issue 5

We are WYDOT strong

Letters Forgive us, please. WYDOT Family, An article featured in the March Interchange highlights a female plow driver out of Jackson. The Jackson Hole News & Guide ran the story, which was meant to highlight that particular WYDOT employee in that community. Unfortunately, we ran the headline like it ran in the newspaper, which gave the impression we only have one female snow plow driver. That is not the case. We have numerous female maintenance crew members. We respect and appreciate all of them and the work they do. For that error, we are truly sorry because we in no way intended to exclude any of the other dedicated female snow plow operators who are part of WYDOT’s workforce. All of our employees do an exceptional job on a daily basis in their various roles within the Department of Transportation. We are grateful for everything you do. Again, we deeply regret the error and sincerely apologize to everyone.

Respectfully, Doug McGee and the Public Affairs Team

Thank you, WYDOT family On behalf of my family and me, I would like to thank each and every one who donated their sick leave during my husband’s surgery and recovery. Your generosity is greatly appreciated and without your donations, I would not have been able to care for my husband during his medical procedure and recovery. The recovery will be a long haul and we are blessed with all the calls, well-wishes and donated time that was bestowed upon us. A special thank you to my coworkers for covering for me in my absence. God bless all of you and thank you again.

Dana McInerney Sundance Construction, Crew 4005

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Interchange WYDOT Tag Plant gets thanks Thanks for helping us keep ‘em on the road.

Maggie, LMC Truck Lenexa, Kansas

Motor Vehicle staff great to work with Thank you so much for all your help Damion (Aldana) and Melinda (Harmon). You all have been such a great staff to work with and I hope you let your supervisors know that I said so.

Sincerely, Joy Cox, Big Red Trucking

WYDOT and WHP employees are the best Good morning! On Wednesday, March 11, as we were heading to Casper on I-25, the Wyoming wind ripped the tonneau cover on the pick up. As we were battling the wind trying to get it rolled up, Mervin Breazeale stopped an offered his assistance. He was able to remove the cover for us. Our heartfelt thanks to him for his kindness and help. Thanks, too, to Lt. KC Ramsey for stopping. Proof again that WYDOT/WHP employees are the best!

Kaylee Marcott and Karen Obermeier

Excellent rest area

Vol. 48, Issue 5

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, Wyoming, 82009-3340 or send an email to carlie.vanwinkle@wyo.gov.

Staff WYDOT Director: K. Luke Reiner

Public Affairs Manager: Doug McGee

Editor:

Carlie Van Winkle

Contributors: Aimee Inama Carlie Van Winkle Jordan Achs Jeff Goetz Stephanie Harsha Laura Dalles Cody Beers Sgt. Jeremy Beck

Photography: Rick Carpenter

Public Affairs Public Affairs District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 District 5 Patrol Public Affairs

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

Hi Cody (Beers), The personnel at the South Pass Rest Area between Lander and Farson should be commended for the job they are doing in keeping the facility cleaner than any rest stop we have seen anywhere in the state. We have used the facility twice this year, February 15 and March 29, and found it spotless, odorless and well maintained inside and out. We would love to see them get recognition for their efforts so please pass this on to those in charge.

Thanks Cody, Don and Linda Rood Riverton, Wyoming

A WYDOT PUBLICATION

Contents

Features 17 Alternative methods for customers Social distancing suggestions for Driver Services needs

18 Q&A Answers to important Town Hall questions

22 Women of WYDOT At the wheel of the plow

Also in this issue Letters.........................................................................................2

with executive staff

District briefs.............................................................................4 By the Numbers..................................................................6, 7 HR Happenings..................................................................... 24 Aeronautics............................................................................. 25 Training.................................................................................... 25 Noteworthy............................................................................. 26 District news.......................................................................... 28 Tourism.................................................................................... 33 Passings................................................................................... 34 Extra Mile Awards................................................................. 35 Outdoors................................................................................. 36 Game & Fish........................................................................... 37 Break Time.............................................................................. 39

On the cover:

WYDOT employees sporting their finest face wear in this coronavirus environment we have been living in. Photo: Rick Carpenter

Kindly recycle this publication after reading. April/May 2020

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District Briefs Commission awards $5.3 million in contracts in April CHEYENNE – The Wyoming Department of Transportation will install several variable speed limit signs along a 30-mile section of Interstate 80 in Sweetwater County. The Wyoming Transportation Commission awarded Advanced Electrical Contracting, of Sheridan, a $1 million contract for the work in the eastbound and westbound lanes. The commission awarded that and eight other contracts during its recent meeting. For the I-80 project, crews will upgrade the regular speed limit signs with the variable speed limit signs. They will also install weather stations and make electrical upgrades in those areas. The variable speed limit signs and weather stations will help WYDOT reduce traffic flow during wintry conditions and other conditions where speed limits need to be reduced for safety purposes. The contract completion date is June 30, 2021. The other contracts the commission awarded included sign replacement, pipe work and line painting. S & L Industrial, of Cowley, was the lowest bidder on an $879,849 sign replacement contract. Crews will perform the work along various locations on I-80 in Albany and Carbon counties. WYDOT is having the work done because the signs are in need of updating. The contract completion date is Oct. 31, 2020. Wilson Brothers Construction Inc., of Cowley, won a $797,940 contract for work on cleaning out and repairing corroded pipes at various locations along US 287 south of Lander in Fremont County. Crews will clean out and line some of the pipes and replace others. The contract completion date is March 31, 2021. The commission awarded Signs Up LTD, of Webster, Iowa, a $713,450 contract for the lowest bid on a sign contract

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in Campbell, Carbon, Converse, Goshen, Johnson, Natrona, Niobrara and Platte counties. Crews will install “no passing” and “pass with care” signs at several locations in those counties. The contract completion date is Sept. 30, 2020. Also awarded by the commission were contracts for: • $560,371 to S & L Industrial for a sign replacement contract at various locations statewide by April 30, 2021; • $370,000 to S & L Industrial for a pavement marking contract that will install school crossing zones, crosswalks and other markings at various locations in Campbell, Crook, Johnson, Sheridan and Weston counties by Oct. 31, 2020; • $367,700 to S & L Industries for a pavement marking contract at various locations in Lincoln, Sublette, Sweetwater, Teton and Uinta counties by Oct. 31, 2020; • $366,092 to Advanced Electrical Contracting for a traffic signal work on I-25 and Happy Jack Road (WYO 210) in Laramie County by March 31, 2021; and • $232,937 to Traffic Safety Services Inc., of Bismarck, North Dakota, for pavement markings at several locations in Big Horn, Fremont, Hot Springs, Natrona and Park counties by Oct. 31, 2020. The commission also awarded $18.7 million in contracts in March. The following were approved for the eight contracts: • McGarvin-Moberly Construction Co., of Worland, was awarded a $4 million contract for a paving project on about 11 miles of US 26 between Dubois and Diversion Dam in Fremont County. The contract completion date is June 30, 2021. • McGarvin-Moberly Construction Co. was also awarded a $4 million contract for a pavement project on almost 20 miles of US 16 between Ten Sleep and Buffalo in Big Horn, Johnson and Washakie counties. The contract completion date is June 30, 2021. • McGarvin-Moberly Construction Co.

was awarded a $3 million contract for a pavement project on 7 miles of WYO 789 between Muddy Gap and Lander in Fremont County. The contract completion date is June 30, 2021. • McGarvin-Moberly Construction Co. was awarded a $2 million contract for a pavement project on almost 6 miles of US 14-16-20 between Cody and Greybull in Big Horn County. The contract completion date is June 30, 2021. • Coldwater Group Inc., of Pleasant View, Utah, was awarded a $1.8 million pavement, bridge rehabilitation and guardrail project at various locations in Big Horn, Fremont, Hot Springs and Washakie counties. The contract completion date is Oct. 31, 2020. • S & L Industrial, of Cowley, was awarded a $1.3 million contract for placing crushed base, making bridge railing modifications and removing and replacing guardrail at various locations in Fremont County. The contract completion date is Oct. 31, 2020. • DeBernardi Construction Company, Inc., of Rock Springs, was awarded a $975,000 contract for concrete pavement and miscellaneous work at various locations in Lincoln and Sweetwater counties. The contract completion date is Oct. 31, 2020. • Casper Electric, Inc., of Casper, was awarded a $355,555 contract for electrical systems and miscellaneous work at various locations on I-80 and US 89 in Lincoln and Uinta counties. The contract completion date is Nov. 30, 2020.

WYDOT recognizes two construction contractors for pavement smoothness CHEYENNE – The Wyoming Department of Transportation recently recognized two contractors for completing state road surfacing projects that provided an exceptionally smooth ride. WYDOT recognized Simon Contractors, of Cheyenne, with the Smoothest

Pavement with Wearing Course award for a project on Interstate 80 near Cheyenne. The department also recognized Riverside Contracting Inc., of Montana, with the Smoothest Pavement without Wearing Course award for a project on US 14 near Dayton. “We are pleased to recognize these two companies for the fine paving work they did on those projects,” said Shelby Carlson, WYDOT chief engineer. “These two companies continually produce an outstanding product for the people of Wyoming and we are grateful. Projects like these enable us to provide an effective and high quality transportation system for the people of Wyoming and to benefit Wyoming’s economy.” WYDOT began recognizing highquality asphalt pavement construction with regard to pavement smoothing in 2001. The move was to recognize the exceptional work on road surfaces that will benefit the traveling public. WYDOT officials evaluate smoothness based on calculations that use an International Roughness Index (IRI) determined by driving roads with vehicles equipped with a device that measures road surfaces. WYDOT analyzes the data to determine the IRI value for the smoothness award. The award for Smoothest Pavement with Wearing Course looks at the overall surface ride and how smooth it is for vehicles. That category has a wearing course on the surface, which is typically about three-fourths of an inch thick and is applied as a top layer to provide water drainage. The water hits the wearing course, seeps down and then is drained out the sides of the road, preventing the surface from having standing water to improve safety for the traveling public. A wearing course is typically added to highervolume roads such as interstates 80, 25 and 90. The award for Smoothest Pavement without a Wearing Course also takes into account the overall surface ride. But that award doesn’t have the additional wearing course layer. Those types of roads are typically seen on lower traffic volume roads and have a chip seal course to provide the friction surface during water runoff. The I-80 project Simon Contractors worked on was 10 miles in the westbound lane between Cheyenne and Pine Bluffs. Crews performed a 2-inch mill

and 3-inch hot plant mix with a wearing course. “Simon Contractors were able to get a smooth road while maintaining traffic, which can be challenging,” said Wayne Shenefelt, resident engineer on the project in Cheyenne. “That section of road is smooth, the work has improved the safety in that section and it should hold up for a number of years thanks to their work. Prior to the project, there were numerous potholes, aging pavement and lost surface friction. With the new pavement and wearing course, there are no longer potholes for drivers to hit and with the new wearing course, the friction factor of the surface has been increased.” Simon Contractor officials said they’re pleased WYDOT recognized the company for its work. “We strive each and every day to achieve the smoothest pavement possible on our projects,” said Steve Bastian, construction manager with Simon Contractors. “Ensuring we provide a smooth pavement shows that we consistently produce the best product out there.” The US 14 project Riverside Contracting worked on was an overlay on five miles between Dayton and Ranchester. Crews performed a 2-inch mill and 2-inch hot plant mix overlay. Jerry Buckley, retired WYDOT resident engineer who oversaw the project, said he is pleased with the work Riverside did and how team members like Becky Kobielusz, WYDOT tech lead inspector, worked to ensure it was a success. “I’m pleased with the work Riverside did for WYDOT and the people of Wyoming,” Buckley said. “That section of road now has the necessary improvements to make it better for the traveling public.” Riverside Contracting officials said they are pleased with the recognition. “The work we did on that highway and on other projects shows we have an excellent team of dedicated employees who work hard to produce a superior product,” said Todd Talkington, asphalt supervisor with Riverside Contracting. Dennis Devous, operations manager with Riverside, agreed, adding that the company continually strives to produce quality products for its clients.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration extends Emergency Declaration; continued support of emergency relief efforts CHEYENNE – The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) extended and expanded its emergency declaration regarding commercial transportation of essential COVID-19 supplies. The federal government extended the declaration through May 15 because it expired on April 13. The federal declaration further expanded relief to also cover liquefied gases to be used in refrigeration or cooling systems. The declaration covers transportation of essential supplies, equipment and persons, and provides necessary relief from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations for motor carriers and drivers engaged in the transport of essential supplies, equipment and persons, related to COVID-19 outbreaks during the emergency. Specifically, the declaration covers transportation to meet immediate needs for: • medical supplies and equipment related to the testing, diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19; • supplies and equipment necessary for community safety, sanitation, and prevention of community transmission of COVID-19 such as masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, soap and disinfectants; • food, paper products and other groceries for emergency restocking of distribution centers or stores; • immediate precursor raw materials – such as paper, plastic or alcohol – that are required and to be used for the manufacture of items in categories 1, 2 or 3; • fuel; • liquefied gases to be used in refrigeration or cooling systems; • equipment, supplies and persons necBriefs continued on page 6 April/May 2020

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Briefs continued from page 5 essary to establish and manage temporary housing, quarantine, and isolation facilities related to COVID-19; • persons designated by Federal, State or local authorities for medical, isolation, or quarantine purposes; and • persons necessary to provide other medical or emergency services, the supply of which may be affected by the COVID-19 response. Commercial motor vehicle drivers who can safely operate a motor vehicle while transporting essential supplies, equipment and persons related to the COVID-19 emergency outbreak will be allowed to continue to operate beyond standard hours of service. The director for the Wyoming Department of Transportation, through a state declaration, will also continue to waive size and weight permit fees when a commercial vehicle is transporting COVID-19 supplies, equipment and persons to communities in Wyoming. Commercial vehicles will still need to get a permit if they are oversize and overweight, but the fee will be waived. All safety measures will continue to be followed for non-divisible and divisible loads, as long as maximum allowable weights are not exceeded for axles, bridges and gross weights. “This Emergency Declaration will help keep necessary supplies flowing throughout this coronavirus environment,” said WYDOT Director K. Luke Reiner. “It is vital that we support transportation needs so our communities get the supplies they need in these unprecedented times.” Commercial carriers can obtain their permits at the appropriate Wyoming Highway Patrol (WHP) ports of entry. The ports can also fax or email those forms. For a list of the ports of entry, visit http://www.whp.dot.state.wy.us/home/ ports.html.

WYDOT, AGC of Wyoming partner on construction coronavirus safety guidelines CHEYENNE – Two state entities are working together to ensure workers implement additional safety measures this

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construction season while working in the coronavirus environment. The Wyoming Department of Transportation and the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Wyoming created several safety rules to ensure everyone is safe this construction season. “Our construction season is underway, and we wanted to consider ways to help prevent our employees and contractors from getting or spreading the coronavirus,” said Shelby Carlson, WYDOT chief engineer. “State government is open for business and highway construction is essential. This created the need to continue working during our short summer season and develop non-traditional methods to keep everyone safe while we achieve the necessary interaction between parties that must occur to construct a highway project.” Officials developed and suggested construction protocols that address staff safety, public safety and contract requirements. “Our partnership goal is to take great care of our employees and contractors while we accomplish our mission of providing a safe and effective transportation system in a coronavirus environment,” said WYDOT Director K. Luke Reiner. “We are confident that these measures will ensure we have a successful construction season so the people of Wyoming will continue to receive a high-quality transportation product.” The measures also keep general contractors safe so they can continue to operate and ensure needed state projects get completed. “During these challenging times there is no margin for error when it comes to protecting the safety and health of every construction worker and the traveling public from the spread of coronavirus. Contractors and WYDOT are working hand in hand to ensure everyone understands, and follows, all relevant safety guidelines provided by public health and safety officials,” said Katie Legerski, AGC of Wyoming executive director. For safety measures, officials are urging workers continue to maintain 6 feet of social distancing while working on projects. They are suggesting that WYDOT and contractors have a COVID-19 safety meeting to establish protocols. Additionally, employees and crews will be asked to clean and sanitize their equipment, stay home if they’re sick, use virtual

Total number of employees: As of March 9, 2020

1,976

One month ago

1,946

One year ago

1,920

WHP Total number of highway fatalities: As of March 17, 2020

One year ago

Total number of employees: As of April 7, 2020

1,945

One month ago

1,946

One year ago

1,925

WHP Total number of highway fatalities: As of April 16, 2020

One year ago

meetings, keep groups to 10 people or less, use outdoor spaces for meetings, only allow necessary employees in work trailers and laboratories if used, minimize the direct hand to hand exchange of contract documents, and stagger breaks. WYDOT has addressed additional contract issues relating to completion dates if delays due to a coronavirus situation arise. Project engineers and contractors will document any delays or work stoppages. That documentation will be used in determining any time extensions on projects.

WYDOT keeps COVID-19 supplies moving during storm CHEYENNE – The Wyoming Department of Transportation worked to ensure supplies and products that could help with the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation get to their destinations during the storm that approached the state midMarch. WYDOT crews prepared for the spring storm, which impacted the state March 18-20. The storm was expected to bring anywhere from 5 to 9 inches in the southwest part of the state and 8 to 12 inches in the southeastern, south central and east central parts of the state. Travel impacts occured along Interstates 80 and 25. “We’re always prepared for weather events that occur in Wyoming,” said WYDOT Director K. Luke Reiner. “In the event of a road closure, our maintenance crews and the Wyoming Highway Patrol will work with officials to ensure COVID19-related supplies get through. We will do everything in our power to ensure these vital supplies get to their communities.” Health officials or suppliers needing assistance transporting COVID-19-related materials or supplies on a closed road were asked to contact Patrol Dispatch. During any storm event, WYDOT crews work hard to keep the interstates and roads open. Closures typically occur when conditions like blowing snow cause white-out conditions, making it too hazardous for travelers, or if there is an accident that is blocking the travel lanes. “We’re doing the usual things we do for any weather event,” said Don Bridges,

area maintenance supervisor for Cheyenne/Pine Bluffs. “We’re checking all of our equipment and making sure everything is ready to go.” Crews are looking at all the snowplow truck attachments, such as the cutting edges on the plows, lighting and other parts to make sure they are functioning properly. “We’re testing our equipment and making any necessary adjustments,” Bridges said. Crews in the Cheyenne area had been busy maintaining the roads due to freezing fog that had impacted southeast Wyoming. The work of those crews and other WYDOT crews continued as the storm system moved into the state. The storm began in the western part of Wyoming starting March 18 with rain and some snow showers, said Mark Heuer, meteorologist for DayWeather in Cheyenne. The storm then moved through the state, changing over to snow the following day. The southwestern part of the state, from Rock Springs to the Utah state line, along Interstate 80 received about 5 to 9 inches of snow. Rawlins to the Nebraska state line along I-80 and Interstate 25 from the Colorado state line to Casper and toward Lusk got between 8 to 12 inches of snow. In that area of the state, winds were as strong as 30 to 45 mph with blizzard conditions.

I-25 slab repair work cause slight delays CHEYENNE – On April 20, travelers, commuters and commercial drivers on Interstate 25 encountered potential delays getting to their destinations. Crews with Simon Contractors and the Wyoming Department of Transportation began roadwork between the Randall and Horse Creek interchanges. The first phase of the project begins with isolated slab repairs on the southbound, right-side driving lane. Similar work will be completed on the north-

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Commercial truck drives into the North Platte RAWLINS – On April 9, a crash occurred around milepost 229 on Interstate 80 east of Sinclair. At 5:38 a.m., Wyoming Highway Patrol troopers were dispatched to the area for a motor vehicle collision. A driver of a 2017 Freightliner commercial truck failed to maintain his lane after falling asleep. The commercial vehicle exited the roadway and traveled down an embankment before coming to a stop in the North Platte River. Carbon County Search and Rescue and the Wyoming Game and Fish responded to the scene. Carbon County Search and Rescue used its boat to assist in retrieving the occupants from the truck. The driver and passenger received minor injuries in the crash. The Wyoming Game and Fish and Carbon County Fire Department worked to contain any hazardous material leaking from the truck. Driver fatigue is being investigated as a possible contributing factor. The driver was cited for failing to maintain his lane of travel. The Wyoming Highway Patrol reminds motorists to pull off in a safe, designated area to get some rest if feeling fatigued, and always wear their seatbelt. A special thanks to all emergency responders who assisted with this event and containment of the hazardous materials leak.

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A commercial truck driver landed truck and cargo in North Platte River after falling asleep.

Pavement resurfacing, sidewalk improvements on WYO 70 through Dixon DIXON – Upgrades to sidewalks, intersection ramps and driving surface pavement on WYO 70 through the town of Dixon began April 6. Crews began by upgrading the sidewalks and ramps so they adhere to the standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Additionally, pavement on mile markers 6-11 within Dixon will be resurfaced as part of the project. Crews with Lewis & Lewis set up traffic control measures.

Bridge rehabilitation work on I-25, WYO 210 in Cheyenne CHEYENNE – Wyoming Department of Transportation and Reiman Corp. began bridge rehabilitation work on structures in Cheyenne, including on Interstate 25 and WYO 210 (Happy Jack Road). Crews started by working on the Crow Creek structure on WYO 210, which includes replacing concrete on the approach slabs as well as placing an epoxy overlay on the existing bridge deck to help seal and preserve it. Additionally, concrete slabs adjacent to the structure will be replaced and some of the concrete barriers will be repaired. The Crow Creek portion of the project is expected to take about three months to complete. In part two of the project, crews will begin similar work along I-25. The four areas that will be receiving bridge rehab work are the Vandehei interchange (mile marker 13.8), the Randall interchange

(mile marker 11.2), the Clear Creek structures (mile marker 8.4) and the High Plains interchange (mile marker 4.75). Each will receive repairs and either epoxy or latex overlays to help preserve the existing concrete bridge decks. There will be lane closures, traffic shifts, reduced speed limits and personnel working on foot in the construction zones for the duration of the project.

Multiple-vehicle crash closes Interstate 80 east of Laramie LARAMIE – On March 20, a crash involving multiple vehicles occurred in the eastbound lanes near milepost 331 on Interstate 80 east of Laramie. Around 10:18 a.m., a WHP trooper stopped to check on a commercial truck stopped in the roadway. As the trooper was speaking with this driver, another vehicle ran into the back of the stopped commercial truck. This caused several other drivers to lose control of their vehicles and crash. The crash involved more than 27 vehicles, which included 23 commercial trucks. All parties injured in the crash were transported to the Ivinson Memorial Hospital. At the time of the crash, there was dense fog and slick roads. The interstate remained closed while troopers continued to investigate the crash.

Photo: WYDOT

bound driving lane and the interstate onand off-ramps in the project area. Crews will attempt to limit both the length and duration of necessary lane closures during this phase of the work, but delays are likely. Along with lane closures, the project will see additional traffic control measures including reduced speed limits and occasional full or partial ramp closures. Travelers should stay alert, slow down and obey all traffic signage through the work zone. The second phase of this project, scheduled for later this summer, involves slab repair work on the southbound and northbound passing lanes along with work in the median. This phase will likely take more time and will involve longer lane closures.

Photo: WYDOT

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Dense fog and slick roads may have contributed to a 27-vehicle pile up on March 20.

Slab repair work resumed on College Drive; expect delays CHEYENNE – Crews with S&S Builders resumed slab repair work in Cheyenne beginning March 16 in the northbound

lanes of College Drive (WYO 212) near its intersection with Lincolnway (US 30). After crews completed the northbound lanes, they shifted to southbound lanes of College Drive near where it intersects with Campstool Road. WYDOT reminded commuters and travelers to drive cautiously in the work zones and expect delays; traffic was reduced to one lane during the slab operations. This is the second segment of a project that started last year, which also included repairs on Interstate 80 eastbound near the Interstate 25 northbound ramp. Slab repair projects help to provide a better driving surface for road users.

Pavement rehab project on 12 miles of WYO 12 LARAMIE – Crews with Simon Contractors began a pavement rehabilitation project on about 12 miles of WYO 12 (Herrick Lane) west of Laramie on March 16. Spanning mile markers zero through 12, the project includes pipe work, culvert replacements and milling and paving operations. Traffic – including bicyclists – encountered delays from lane closures throughout the duration of the project. A pilot car/traffic signal was operating to guide travelers through portions of the highway that was reduced to a head-to-head single lane.

Lane closures, reduced speeds during rehab work on I-180 bridges across railroad CHEYENNE – Starting March 9, drivers needed to give themselves extra time for their commutes as crews with the Wyoming Department of Transportation and Reiman Corp. started a bridge rehabilitation and damage repair project on two structures crossing the railroad tracks where Interstate 180 splits into Central and Warren avenues. Beginning with the northbound side, crews replaced bridge joints and patched parts of the bridge decks on both structures. Simultaneously, crews replaced concrete slabs on either side of the structures

between 9th Street and Lincolnway. Traffic was shifted to one lane for the duration of the project with reduced speed limits through the work zones. Delays were expected especially during peak hours.

Missing female located safely in Seattle, Washington CHEYENNE – On Feb. 23, WHP troopers located Jordan Lampus’ vehicle abandoned along Interstate 80 east of Cheyenne. Troopers and other law enforcement agencies searched the area but were unable to locate Lampus. The Wyoming Highway Patrol partnered with the Division of Criminal Investigation on the incident to look for any clues on her disappearance. On Feb. 25, the Federal Bureau of Investigation partnered with other law enforcement agencies to investigate the missing person case. Feb. 27, agencies involved were notified that Lampus was found safe and alive in Seattle, Washington. The Wyoming Highway Patrol would like to thank all agencies who assisted in the investigation and the Laramie County community for their support and assistance during this harrowing family event. The community support directly impacted this nationwide search.

Troopers arrest wanted suspect in connection to three murders California CHEYENNE – On Feb. 27, a Wyoming Highway Patrol trooper on routine patrol ran a registration check on a vehicle. The registration returned with information showing the vehicle being connected to a murder. The trooper waited until other units were close to assist him and conducted a traffic stop east of Cheyenne around the Burns exit on Interstate 80. The driver was taken into custody without further incident. The driver, Jose Luis Torres Garcia, was identified by authorities as the suspect Riverside County Sheriff ’s Office was looking for.

WYO 59 improvement project underway DOUGLAS – Through late April, only excavation work and a few side projects have begun, but once work on WYO 59 in and around Douglas is completed next year, motorists will experience a much more efficient highway that forms a belt loop around the town. Croell Inc., of Sundance, was awarded the $11 million contract last year to improve WYO 59 and its junction with I-25. Work began early April with dirt excavation and grading at the junction with I-25 business loop (exit 140). Improvements include turn lanes, softening of turns at the intersection, new signals, reworking the interchange ramps and a right turn island. The project runs from milepost 0.00, which is the intersection of the I-25 ramps, Center Street and WYO 59, north to milepost 8.75, which is near Converse County Road 48, north of Douglas. At the I-25 intersection, the project includes a right turn lane off of the interstate for eastbound traffic onto southbound WYO 94; a dedicated left turn lane onto northbound WYO 59 and a thrulane to Center Street. For those going to I-25 from that intersection, there will be two lanes, reducing traffic congestion at the signal. All turns at the intersection will be “softened,” increasing the amount of room vehicles have to make right turns from any direction. This should make it easier for semis to negotiate the intersection. There will also be curb and gutter at the intersection, new signals, handicapped ramps and sidewalks. There will be some new pavement and work on WYO 94 south of the I-25 intersection roughly to the Monroe Street area, along with curb and gutter work, new ADA ramps. North on WYO 59, the project includes pavement overlay (asphalt) until the railroad bridge. Then north from the bridge, the highway will be widened and a center turn lane striped continuing northbound to the Antelope Creek Bridge.

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Photo: WYDOT

Finally, at the WYO 59 intersection with 4th Street, a right turn lane will be lengthened for northbound traffic from WYO 59 onto 4th. The merge/ acceleration lane from 4th Street onto northbound WYO 59 will be lengthened as well. Similar right turn lanes will be added at Jarmon Trail, Bill Hall Road and Combs Road.

Grading work at the junction of the I-25 business loop and WYO 59 in Douglas. When completed next year, the intersection will feature new turn lanes, softened right turn areas, new turn islands and new signals.

WYDOT, contractors work on Harrison Drive EVANSTON – Work is underway in downtown Evanston as crews began working on storm sewer drains at the intersection of Main Street and Harrison Drive. The initial work on the storm sewer drains takes place in two phases, in which local businesses and drivers will see minor closure impacts. Each phase is to last roughly a few days. Drivers may see closures, detours and reduced lanes near the intersection of Main Street and Harrison Drive. The work on the storm drains is part of a larger project awarded to Lewis and Lewis Inc. for improvements to roughly a half mile on Harrison Drive. Other work includes grading, paving, emulsion stabilized full depth reclamation, plant mix wearing course, sidewalk, curb and gutter, electrical and other miscellaneous work.

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ROCK SPRINGS – The Wyoming Department of Transportation moved traffic head-to-head in the westbound lanes of Interstate 80 April 13 as construction gets started for the Point of Rocks I-80 project. WYDOT, along with contract crews Kilgore Companies doing business as Lewis & Lewis Inc. and DeBernardi Construction Company, demolished the old eastbound structure at the Superior interchange. For the safety of the work crews and the traveling public, the roadway under the bridge was closed temporarily for the work to take place. Emergency vehicles continued to be accommodated through the work. Drivers were directed to access Interstate 80 and/or Superior by way of the Point of Rocks exit at milepost 130 or the Airport exit at milepost 111 and travel on the I-80 service roads. However, traffic heading to Rock Springs from Superior was not affected.

Work continues on Snake River bridge; commuters, river users see delays JACKSON – Work continues on the second half of the Wyoming Department of Transportation’s Jackson South reconstruction project, just north of Hoback Junction. Crews are working on assembling the girders on the Snake River bridge between Hoback Junction and the WYDOT shop. Delays are expected while crews and trucks are on the road and the cranes pick up the girders. River users could potentially see delays while crews work around the girders. Notices and information were posted at the boat ramps and there was a flagger on the river to let users know when to pull over to the bank for the lift time and for their safety. Work began at 8 a.m. on April 8 and continued for several days. “The only delays will be when the girders are being picked up and this is for the public’s safety,” WYDOT Resident Engineer Bob Hammond said. The project is the second half of a broader corridor improvement project between the Hoback Junction and Jackson on US 26/89/189/191. The scope of work for this job includes grading,

draining, full-depth reclamation, paving and a bridge replacement, placing post-tensioned precast concrete retaining walls, as well as miscellaneous work on approximately three-and-a-half miles of roadway. The contract was awarded to Oftedal Construction Inc. this past May for about $67.5 million.

Photo: WYDOT

I-80 Superior Interchange impacted by bridge work

Briefs continued from page 9

Cranes pick up the girders in the morning and afternoon, causing delays in traffic.

WYDOT extends trailer traffic restriction in the eastbound direction JACKSON – The Wyoming Department of Transportation is extending the seasonal trailer traffic closure of WYO 22 Teton Pass in the eastbound direction so crews can make modifications to the vehicle arrestor system. WYDOT closed the arrestor last fall while the department conducted an evaluation on how the system performed after its last use and developed some improvements for the system. WYDOT officials sent the arrestor components to a testing facility, the Texas A&M Transportation Institute, for further review. In the next coming weeks, WYDOT crews will be cleaning out the arrestor and approach and addressing the necessary modifications that will allow it to remain open for use. “The modifications will likely be temporary, initially, until details and a contract can be finalized for the construction of permanent modifications,” WYDOT Interim District Engineer Keith Compton said. Currently, there is only one escape ramp open on WYO 22 Teton Pass, located at milepost 8.2. Any vehicles with a hitched trailer illegally accessing Teton Pass in the eastbound direction will be found in violation of running a road closure and subject to fines. WYDOT will updating signage with the closure messaging for added aware-

ness. For alternative routes, contact any Wyoming Highway Patrol Port of Entry or Permit Station.

traveling 98 miles per hour south of Alpine, Wyoming on WYO 89 and attempted to stop the vehicle. Again, the driver accelerated and fled from the deputy. A Wyoming Highway Patrol trooper was able to deploy spike strips to slowly flatten the car tires 10 miles from the second attempted stop. The trooper was successful in deflating both driver side tires. The Subaru continued a couple of miles before turning off into a rural dead-end subdivision. The driver fled on foot across a snow-covered pasture and through a creek. Troopers and deputies were able to take the driver into custody without further incident. The driver has been identified as 30-year-old Idaho Falls, Idaho resident Kenneth Jensen. Jensen was charged with eluding, reckless driving, speeding, and driving while under the influence. He will be facing similar charges in Idaho, including domestic battery and violating a protection order from an incident before the pursuit.

WYDOT waiting to work on Flat Creek bridge JACKSON – The Wyoming Department of Transportation was to begin bridge rehabilitation work on the Flat Creek Bridge on West Broadway. The work was to begin on April 6 but has been postposed due to social distancing recommendations made by local governments and the state. The work will include extensive rehabilitation to the deck and abutments, as well as other miscellaneous work. When the work commences, drivers will see lane closures and reduced access. Businesses throughout the project limits will be limited to right-in, right-out at their approaches and access to Hoback Sports and Dollar Tree from Broadway will be closed for the duration of the work. Customers can access those businesses from the approach on Flat Creek Drive. The work is part of district-wide bridge rehabilitation project. The project was awarded to Cannon Builders Inc.

WYDOT began interstate job near Green River

Photo: WYDOT

GREEN RIVER – The Wyoming Department of Transportation began work on westbound Interstate 80 March 23 beginning at milepost 77 between Granger Junction and Green River. Work included grading and milling, concrete pavement and bridge work. The work was awarded to Interstate Highway Construction Inc. and has a completion date of October 2020.

Flat Creek Bridge in Jackson awaits work.

Multi-state pursuit ends safely near Alpine JACKSON – An Idaho Falls, Idaho resident is in custody following a pursuit that took place the morning of March 21. The pursuit started when a deputy within Bonneville County, Idaho, attempted to stop a 2016 Subaru WRX for speeding near Swan Valley, Idaho on US 26. The driver of the Subaru failed to stop and fled from the deputy. The deputy pursued the Subaru for 15 miles but discontinued as the pursuit approached the Wyoming border. A few minutes later, a Lincoln County, Wyoming deputy observed the Subaru

Crook County using FHWA funds to replace bridges SUNDANCE – The Wyoming Department of Transportation recently completed the installation of a new bridge over Arch Creek on County Road 179 in Crook County. This structure, in addition to the Belle Fourche Bridge near Hulett, is being funded by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) BROS program. The FHWA, Bridge Replacement Off-System (BROS)

program is a federally funded bridge replacement program intended to reduce the number of deficient off-system bridges within the state. This program applies to bridges under the jurisdiction of a public authority, located on a non-federal aid roadway and open to the public. This includes city, town, and county-owned bridges meeting the qualifications. The Arch Creek Bridge is located at mile marker 4.2 on Crook County Road 179, north of the town of Upton. This county road provides an alternate route connecting I-90 to WYO 116. The original bridge was a simple span timber stringer bridge with a timber deck. The bridge was constructed in 1960. In order for a bridge to qualify it must demonstrate structural deficiencies, physical deterioration, and/or functional obsolescence. This program applies to structures not on the federal-aid system. The Arch Creek Bridge was found to be structurally deficient with the timber components showing signs of decay, the deck surface wearing with the tops of nails protruding through the decking in the wheel lines. To be considered for replacement in the BROS program, the sponsoring jurisdiction – in this case, Crook County – must submit to WYDOT’s State Bridge engineer a request identifying the structure. The Crook County Commissioners submitted a request to WYDOT in 2012. WYDOT evaluated the bridge and in 2014 WYDOT engineers submitted to Crook County recommendations for the bridges replacement. WYDOT originally recommended replacing the bridge with multi-barrel culverts but was rejected due to higher cost and potential for the culverts to be clogged with debris. To offer sustainability and functionality the new bridge is made of pre-casted, pre-stressed concrete girders on cap type abutments on driven steel piles. The new bridge is 65 feet long with a roadway width of 26 feet and has a load rating of approximately 36 tons. The BROS program offers approximately a 90-10 match, meaning the project would be 90% federally funded and 10% locally funded. WYDOT is responsible for administration and management of all BROS projects This project went to bid in November Briefs continued on page 12 April/May 2020

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move west to the bridges at Machinery Pass (RM 37.56) and Prairie Dog (RM 37.16) which will only include westbound bridges, no eastbound work. All bridge repair work is scheduled to be complete by the end of August 2020. Epoxy overlays are scheduled for these bridges in May and June of 2021. WYDOT completes bridge deck repairs throughout the state as part of its statewide pavement maintenance plan. Contractors will repair bridge joints and patch areas that have demonstrated delamination. Once the bridge repairs are completed, these bridges will receive an epoxy overlay which provides a protective cover and traction. In addition to the bridge repair work, WYDOT plans to mill and overlay existing pavement in both westbound and eastbound lanes from approximately milepost 33.12 to 45.10 on Interstate 90 beginning August 2020. Paving operations are scheduled to be completed by October 2021.

Briefs continued from page 11 of 2018 and was awarded to DRM Inc., with a construction cost of $628,303 and a total cost including design, construction administration and indirect costs of $1 million. Crook County’s portion was estimated at $97,747. Construction of the bridge began in May of 2019 but due to weather and extreme wet conditions the bulk of the work did not start until after October of 2019. The bridge was completed in March of 2020. In addition to the Arch Creek Bridge, Crook County and WYDOT are replacing a bridge near the town of Hulett. This bridge is known as the Belle Fourche Bridge and is located on County Road 51. Originally built in 1980, this bridge was constructed using a rail, box car frame placed on steep columns. The new bridge will be constructed of the same material as the Arch Creek Bridge – precasted, pre-stressed concrete girders on cap type abutments on driven steel piles. This project was awarded to Reiman Corp. in November 2019 with the low bid of $1.6 million. The total project cost is $2.4 million with a County Match of $232,790. Reiman Corp. began construction in December 2019 and is scheduled to be completed by October 2020.

Photo: WYDOT

Pursuit ends with minor injuries near Sheridan

The Belle Fourche bridge under reconstruction.

Bridge deck repair underway on I-90 east of Sheridan SHERIDAN – The Wyoming Department of Transportation began repairs on six bridges east of Sheridan between mile markers 33 and 45 beginning on April 6. Contractors worked on the westbound travel lanes of the Desmet Ditch (RM 44.51) and Piney Creek (RM 44.12) bridges. Both westbound and eastbound lanes for these bridges should be complete by late July. The contractors will then

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SHERIDAN – A Sheridan resident is in custody following a pursuit that took place March 21. The pursuit started when officers with the Sheridan Police Department attempted to stop a 2007 Chrysler Sebring for going twice the speed limit. The driver of the Chrysler failed to stop and fled from the officers. The Wyoming Highway Patrol was asked by the Sheridan Police Department to assist with the pursuit. Troopers joined the pursuit on Highway 87 and observed the driver of the Chrysler attempt to hit other law enforcement with his vehicle. Due to public safety concerns, the decision was made to attempt a Tactical Vehicle Intervention (TVI) maneuver to end the pursuit. The TVI maneuver was attempted before the pursuit reached a busy intersection. The vehicle exited the roadway and overturned. The driver of the vehicle was taken into custody. He was identified as 54-year-old Sheridan resident Johnny J. Johnson. Johnson was not wearing his seat belt and received minor injuries in the crash. Johnson was charged with aggravated assault, driving while under the influence, fleeing to elude, reckless driving, speed-

ing and other traffic-related offenses. Due to the nature of the incident, the Division of Criminal Investigation was called in to conduct an external investigation on this incident.

WYDOT continued work on WYO 50 in Gillette GILLETTE – The Wyoming Department of Transportation continued working on WYO 50 south of West Lakeway Drive. The project began March 23. WYDOT and its contractors began work on the remainder of the southern portion of WYO 50 at the intersection of Force Road and 4-J Road. This work extended south to the Southern Drive intersection. Contractors completed sidewalks and a pathway from West Lakeway south to the 4-J/Force Road intersection along with fencing, landscaping and finish work. In addition, contractors began excavation and paving prep work from the 4-J/ Force Road intersection south to the Southern Drive intersection. Traffic encountered lane closures, head-to-head traffic, flagging operations and heavy truck traffic. Truck traffic is encouraged to take an alternate route to Southern Drive to access WYO 50.

Three intersections in Gillette get new traffic signals GILLETTE – The Wyoming Department of Transportation began replacing three traffic signals on its system in Gillette beginning in April. The intersections of 2nd Street and Brooks Avenue, US 14/16 and Warlow Drive, and US 14/16 and 4th Avenue have been upgraded to meet current traffic standards. This $1.5 million highway safety improvement program funded project included installing new signal poles and heads, replacing curbs, gutters and sidewalks, all of which meet current ADA requirements. Scott Brothers Inc. was awarded the bid and began work on the intersection of 2nd Street and Brooks mid- to late April. Each intersection is expected to take a month to complete. Once 2nd and

Brooks is complete, crews will move on to the Warlow intersection and then the 4th Avenue intersection. Scott Brothers expects to fully complete the project by late August. During the reconstruction of these intersections there have been reduced speed limits, lane closures, flagging operations and heavy truck traffic. The city of Gillette removed perennial plants from the intersections prior to excavation being done and plans to replant them once the contractors have completed the upgrades.

Development Corporation LLC. This new roadway provides a second north-south access for heavy truck traffic to north WYO 59. This new access shortens the existing route through Gillette via US 14/16 by 4.5 miles.

Photo: WYDOT

Slope flattening project restarts between Manderson and Basin

The US 14/16 and 4th Avenue intersection in Gillette scheduled to get a traffic light upgrade.

Work underway on final phase of North Garner Lake Road GILLETTE – The Wyoming Department of Transportation began the final construction phase of the North Garner Lake Road. Work began the week of March 23. Contractors began working on the new intersection of Northern Drive and North Garner Lake Road. Detours were put in place to allow for the realignment with the new North Garner Lake Road. Traffic accessing Northern Drive from North Garner Lake Road will be detoured onto Northern Drive west of its current intersection. Traffic accessing North Garner Lake Road from Northern Drive will also be detoured to the west to access that intersection. Northern Drive traffic will remain online until the final tie-in of the two roads. Slight detours, reduced speed limits, flagging operations, and heavy truck traffic throughout the project is expected. This project is a partnership between WYDOT, Campbell County Commission, Contura Coal West, Western Fuels Wyoming Inc. and WYODAK Resource

BASIN – A $1.2 million project to flatten slopes and install guardrail has restarted on US 16/20 between Basin and Manderson. “The contractor is finishing the slope flattening, placing topsoil, and installing signs and delineator posts,” said Wyoming Department of Transportation resident engineer Michael Miller of Basin. “Please slow down through the work zone, and give the workers a brake.” The Basin/Manderson project is occurring between mileposts 187 and 195. Wilson Brothers Construction Inc., of Cowley, is the prime contractor. Contract completion date is May 15.

US 16 project underway between Worland and Ten Sleep WORLAND – A $3.6 million highway improvement project is underway on 5.2 miles of US 16 between Worland and Ten Sleep. Mountain Construction Co., of Lovell, is the prime contractor on the US 16 project that begins 18.53 miles east of Worland and ends about three miles west of Ten Sleep. The Wyoming Transportation Commission awarded the project to Mountain Construction Co., on April 18, 2019. By contract, the project must be complete by July 31, 2020. The scope of work on the 5.2-mile project includes one inch of asphalt pavement leveling, a two-inch asphalt pavement overlay, a chip seal finish, replacement of guardrail and fence, paving of Cottonwood Street and 1st Street in the town of Ten Sleep, and a double chip seal

of Washakie County roads 20-54, 20-580 and 65. Paving on US 16 is scheduled in early May, with chip sealing in June. “The contractor is currently working on replacing guardrail and fence,” said Wyoming Department of Transportation resident engineer Kaia Tharp of Thermopolis. “Twenty-four-hour flagging is occurring in the guardrail sections of US 16 when the guardrail has been removed.”

US 20/WYO 789 project slated to begin through Thermopolis THERMOPOLIS – A $3.3 million highway improvement project is scheduled to begin in early May through the town of Thermopolis on US 20/WYO 789. Prime contractor is McGarvin-Moberly Construction Co ., of Worland. The Wyoming Transportation Commission awarded the project to McGarvin-Moberly on Nov. 21, 2019. Contract completion date is June 30, 2021. The project’s scope of work includes grading, milling asphalt pavement, placing crushed base and asphalt pavement surfacing, asphalt wearing course, removal and replacement of broken sidewalk and curb and gutter, replacement of every Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) street corner, and other work on 2.6 miles on US 20/WYO 789 beginning at milepost 130.82 (near the Wyoming Department of Transportation) and continuing past the old National Guard Armory on the north edge of town. The project is scheduled to occur in stages, beginning May 4, with concrete work by subcontractor McClellan and MacQueen, of Worland, required to be completed between WYDOT and Amoretti Street in Stage 1, between Amoretti Street and Arapahoe Street in Stage 2, and between Arapahoe Street and the north end of the project in Stage 3. By contract, Stage 1 concrete work is required to be completed prior to Stage 2 beginning, and Stage 2 work is required to be complete prior to Stage 3 work beginning. “The contractor is required to maintain two-way traffic at all times,” said Briefs continued on page 14 April/May 2020

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WYDOT resident engineer Kaia Tharp of Thermopolis. “The contractor is required to complete all concrete work, including ADA work, prior to milling existing asphalt. All work is required to be complete, except asphalt plant mix wearing course pavement, and thermoplastic pavement markings by Nov. 30, 2020.” Weekly public work progress meetings will occur at 2 p.m. every Tuesday beginning May 12 at the northeast corner of Thermopolis’ lone signalized intersection where the highway intersects with Main Street and the downtown business area. Citizens and business owners are invited to attend the weekly outdoor meetings, and everyone attending the meetings are being encouraged to maintain good social distancing or to wear a mask to the meetings.

WYO 290 project restarted west of Meeteetse CODY – A $2.3 million pavement improvement project west of Meeteetse resumed April 13 on WYO 290. “Remaining work consists of seeding, fertilizing, mulching, installation of erosion control, and general cleanup,” said Wyoming Department of Transportation resident engineer Todd Frost of Cody. “This is work that was not completed last year due to weather delays.” The project begins at milepost 6.06, about 6 miles west of Meeteetse, and the project continues 5.2 miles to the end of the state-maintained section of WYO 290. Work on the West Wood River project included milling of the existing pavement surfacing, placement of 1 inch of asphalt pavement leveling, placement of 2 inches of pavement, and a chip seal finish. The existing guardrail was replaced or adjusted as needed. Mailbox turnouts were constructed as needed, and slopes were flattened as needed. Prime contractor on the MeeteetsePitchfork project is McGarvin-Moberly Construction Co., of Worland. Contract completion date is April 30. The project completion date was extended from October 31, 2019, due to statewide weather delays.

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WYO 132 improvement project restarts near Ethete; paving resumes in May

Lovell. The contractor began mobilizing equipment to the project work area on April 6. Removal of shoulder surfacing, installation of culvert extensions, and topsoil stripping began April 13. “This project should improve highway safety directly south of Lander, and the center-turn lane should give drivers making left-hand turns some refuge from traffic driving through the area at higher speeds,” said Wyoming Department of Transportation resident engineer Erik Smith of Lander. Project work includes grading, draining, placing rock and gravel base, asphalt pavement surfacing, chip sealing and other work on about 1.3 miles of WYO 789/US 287 directly south of Lander beginning at milepost 80.12 between Muddy Gap and Lander. Contract completion date is Oct. 31.

LANDER – Asphalt paving operations are scheduled to resume about May 1 on the Blue Sky Highway improvement project between US 287 and Ethete. With the warmer spring weather, prime contractor High Country Construction Inc., of Lander and several subcontractors have mobilized to the project to restart work on cattleguards, concrete irrigation structures, the pedestrian pathway between Ethete and Wyoming Indian Elementary School, highway accesses to private residences and fencing. “The second two-inch layer of asphalt paving work is scheduled to begin around May 1,” said Wyoming Department of Transportation project engineer Brian Martin of Lander. “Seeding and reclamation, delineator installation, and a chip seal to the roadway will hopefully wrap up the project by the end of June.” High Country Construction Inc., of Lander is the prime contractor on the $14.63 million WYO 132 improvement project. Improvements have included grading, draining, milling asphalt pavement, placing gravel pit run and crushed gravel, asphalt paving, chip sealing, electrical work and other work on 7 miles of WYO 132 north of Lander.

Cody project weekly public meetings have time change

Photo: WYDOT

Briefs continued from page 13

WYO 132 paving last fall.

Road-widening project south of Lander on WYO 789/US 287 LANDER – Construction of a centerturn lane directly south of Lander on WYO 789/US 287 began mid-April. Prime contractor for the $1.9 million project is Mountain Construction Co., of

CODY – The $4.93 million concrete rehabilitation project continues in downtown Cody, and due to several requests, the timing of the weekly public meeting has changed. Starting April 7, outdoor weekly public meetings have a start time of 9 a.m. every Tuesday in front of the Irma Hotel at the intersection of 12th Street and Sheridan Avenue. Work continues on the north side of Sheridan Avenue between 12th and 14th streets, and the 12th and 13th street intersections are currently closed on the north side of Sheridan Avenue. Winter weather on April 1-2 shut down progress. “Traffic continues to be moved, one lane in each direction, along the south side of Sheridan Avenue,” said Wyoming Department of Transportation resident engineer Todd Frost of Cody. Phase 1 of the project – 10th Street to 14th Street – is required to be complete by June 15. The project will be shut down from June 16 through Aug. 23. The Sheridan Avenue project (#CodyImprovements) includes removing and replacing existing damaged concrete slabs, resealing existing concrete joints, grinding and texturing existing roadway, upgrading Americans with Disabilities re-

Spring burning? Plan ahead, avoid burning in state rights-of-way RIVERTON – Many ranchers, farmers and other people are beginning their annual agricultural weed burning, and resources are available to help people make good decisions when planning these burns. Each year, as spring burning season increases, at least a few of these burns get out of control. “Frequently, our calm mornings turn breezy to windy during the afternoon,” said Tim Troutman of the National Weather Service Riverton office. “Having an up-to-date wind speed and direction forecast can help you decide whether or not dropping the match is worth the risk.” Troutman said federal and state land management agencies routinely obtain weather forecasts from the NWS, and citizens should do the same. The Riverton NWS office can be contacted 24 hours a day by phone at 1-800-211-1448. Area-specific forecasts are also available online at weather.gov/riverton. Highway conditions and remote weather information are available at wyoroad.info. Citizens conducting a field burn are not only responsible for what happens on their own property, they may also be held

criminally and civilly liable from damages to federal and state property. This includes, but is not limited to, right-of-way fencing, according to Wyoming Department of Transportation District Engineer Pete Hallsten of Basin. “From WYDOT’s perspective, the safety of the traveling public, workers and volunteers in the rights-of-way is first and foremost in decisions made regarding activity on or along the state highway system,” said Hallsten. “The situation of burning highway rights-of-way generates safety concerns for the traveling public by the potential of limited visibility caused by low-hanging smoke and damage to fences, signs, sign posts, guardrail and permitted utilities. Damage to any of these items may increase the potential for a crash or otherwise jeopardize the safety of the highway user.” Landowners, conservation districts, and others who plan to conduct prescribed burning activities are strongly encouraged to check the latest weather forecast by calling the National Weather Service toll-free at 1-800-211-1448. They should inform local government officials, including county sheriffs’ offices of burn plans as well.

Photo: WYDOT

quirements at every street corner between 10th Street and Stampede Avenue, replacing broken curb and gutter and sidewalk, and upgrading wiring at traffic signals. The project begins at US 14/16/20 milepost 51.78 at the intersection of 10th Street and Sheridan Avenue in front of the Park County Courthouse, and it proceeds 1.20 miles on US 14/16/20 to the Intersection of 17th Street and Stampede Avenue on Greybull Hill. During work, a maximum of two intersections may be closed at any one time. Pedestrians are welcome on the sidewalks throughout the project work zone. “Left turns are not allowed through the work zone, and a 10-foot width restriction is in effect,” Frost said. By contract, prime contractor S&S Builders LLC, has a public information specialist, Jenn Epperson, on the project who is working with businesses and answering questions and providing scheduling updates.

Ranchers and farmers wanting to begin their annual springtime agricultural burning should check the NWS forecast first.

Traffic changes on Cody’s Sheridan Avenue project; public meeting location change CODY – The $4.93 million concrete rehabilitation project is on schedule in downtown Cody, and work moved to the other side of the street March 23. Work continued the week of March 16 on the north side of Sheridan Avenue from 10th Street to 12th Street, but weather permitting, traffic was placed on the north side of Sheridan Avenue

between 10th and 12th streets by Tuesday, March 24. Improvements began the following week on the south side of the 10th Street/Sheridan Avenue intersection. The second major change involves the location of the Tuesday weekly public project meetings. “Until further notice, the weekly public meetings will be held outdoors at the 12th Street/Sheridan Avenue intersection, right in front of the Irma Hotel,” said Wyoming Department of Transportation resident engineer Todd Frost of Cody. The new outdoor weekly public meetings will begin at 10 a.m. every Tuesday. Phase 1 of the project -- 10th Street to 14th Street -- is required to be complete by June 15, 2020. The project will be shut down from June 16, 2020 through Aug. 23, 2020. The Sheridan Avenue project (#CodyImprovements) includes removing and replacing existing damaged concrete slabs, resealing existing concrete joints, grinding and texturing existing roadway, upgrading Americans with Disabilities requirements at every street corner between 10th Street and Stampede Avenue, replacing broken curb and gutter and sidewalk, and upgrading wiring at traffic signals. The project begins at US14/16/20 milepost 51.78 at the intersection of 10th Street and Sheridan Avenue in front of the Park County Courthouse, and it proceeds 1.20 miles on US 14/16/20 to the Intersection of 17th Street and Stampede Avenue on Greybull Hill. During work, a maximum of two intersections may be closed at any one time. “Work is being completed on one side of the street while two-way traffic is carried on the other half,” Frost said. “Left turns are not allowed through the work zone. Parking may not be allowed through the work zone, and a 10-foot width restriction is in effect.” By contract, prime contractor S&S Builders LLC, has a public information specialist, Jenn Epperson, on the project who is working with businesses and answering questions and providing scheduling updates.

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Lander businesses asked to limit, remove signs from Main Street LANDER – The Wyoming Department of Transportation asked for business cooperation in maintaining a safe and obstruction-free pathway along Lander’s Main Street sidewalks. “Main Street sidewalks provide pedestrians and customers with a safe route to enjoy shopping and entertainment afforded by Lander and the many local business owners along this highway (US 287),” according to WYDOT maintenance foreman Matt Sanders of Lander. “We appreciate everyone’s willingness in working with WYDOT on this important safety priority.” WYDOT is required to ensure that all state and federal statutes, rules, regulations and policies, including those related to the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), are met on the full width of the state rights-of-way. In Lander, the state right-of-way begins at the front of the building on one side of Main Street in Lander and the right-of-way extends to the front of the building on the other side of Main Street. “Non-permitted portable objects, such as benches, clothes racks, signs and sandwich boards, become a problem along US 287 in downtown Lander and WYDOT and the city of Lander receive complaints from pedestrians using the sidewalks,” Sanders said. “We are requesting, once again, for business owners to partner with WYDOT and the city of Lander to manage these items to provide a safe environment for customers of your businesses and pedestrians.” WYDOT officials in Lander notified business owners this week of encroachments not meeting ADA requirements

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Crews worked to clean up US 26 fuel spill; highway reopened RIVERTON – A Fremont County company is working west of Riverton Wednesday to complete cleanup efforts on a 2,500-gallon fuel spill that occurred mid-day March 3 alongside US 26 near

Diversion Dam Junction. A westbound semi-truck pulling a pup trailer and hauling unleaded gasoline, wandered off the north edge of US 26, struck guardrail at the Winchester Draw bridge (milepost 99.65), crashed and began spilling fuel in the state right-of-way, said Wyoming Highway Patrol Trooper Clayton Colman. “The truck driver failed to maintain his lane of travel, drove off the right side of the highway, hit the guardrail at the bridge and the trailers jackknifed. The westbound truck and pup trailer came to rest off the edge of the highway, facing east,” Colman said. Colman said the truck was enroute to deliver fuel at Crowheart Store. Fire departments from Riverton, Lander and Fort Washakie responded to a 911 call from the crash location and law enforcement responding included Wyoming Highway Patrol, Fremont County Sheriff ’s Office and Bureau of Indian Affairs police. WYDOT maintenance workers from Riverton and Lander used a tractor/loader from a nearby salt/ sand shed to help contain the spill in the right-of-way. The Casper-based truck driver was treated and released with minor injuries from SageWest Health Care in Riverton. US 26 reopened to traffic at about 11 p.m. March 4. n

Photo: WYDOT

Contractors working on the Sheridan Avenue concrete rehabilitation project in Cody.

and “WYDOT will begin removing any encroachment that causes an immediate hazard to the public if the owner fails to remove it immediately upon notification,” Sanders said. Portable items, including but not limited to, sandwich boards, clothes racks, flower pots, bicycles and newsstands, are to be placed next to the face of the building and encroach no further than two feet from the face of the building. Items placed further on to the sidewalk may violate ADA requirements and present a hazard to pedestrians. Sandwich boards, according to WYDOT, must provide information for the adjacent business and cannot be for a separate business located somewhere else, such as down a side street. “Encroachments not causing an immediate hazard will be removed after 48 hours if the owner fails to remove it, or the owner cannot be identified. These items will be temporarily stored by WYDOT for retrieval by the owner and will be disposed of after 30 days. After a third notification to a business owner, WYDOT may pick up the encroachment and dispose of it without further notice to the owner,” Sanders said. Wheelchair-bound and visually impaired individuals are required to have a five-foot unobstructed and continuous passage way, according to ADA regulations. Encroachments within two feet of the back of curb will not be allowed. This is because items placed next to the curb restrict the ability to open car doors to access the sidewalk and limit pedestrian movements at intersections, and this requires a seven-foot obstruction free zone. This eliminates all items unrelated to the functional operation of the highway system, including sandwich boards, portable signs, benches, flower pots, bicycles, etc. These provisions apply to other towns, too, where the town’s main street is also a state or federal highway.

Fuel truck crashes on US 26 with 2,500 gallons spilled near Diversion Dam Junction.

WYDOT urges customers to use alternative methods for Driver Services business By Aimee Inama To increase social distancing in support of the state’s efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19, the Wyoming Department of Transportation urges the public to take advantage of the Executive Order Governor Mark Gordon issued allowing for a 90-day grace period for expired driver licenses and identification cards and not visit the Driver Services Offices for those and several related services during the outbreak. “While we remain open for business, we are asking the public to maximize the use of email, phone and online methods to conduct business at the agency’s Driver Services offices so we can promote social distancing to protect the public and our employees,” said WYDOT Director K. Luke Reiner. The Governor’s Executive Order (2020-4), issued March 24, provides a 90-day grace period to those whose driver licenses and ID cards expire between March 15, 2020 through June 1, 2020. It also suspends non-commercial driving tests for 90 days and requires commercial tests to continue with the possibility of additional health-screening questions being asked. “If your license is due for renewal, you’ve now got an extra 90 days and we would recommend you use our remote services instead of visiting in person,” said Misty Dobson, Driver Services program manager. “If you do opt to come visit, we do ask that you limit the number of people you bring with you as we are following the 10-person guidance in order to help enforce social distancing.” Commercial driver license tests are still being conducted by appointment only. Commercial drivers requiring an exam should call WYDOT’s offices and employees will work to expedite the process. “At this time, commercial drivers are more important than ever before,” said Reiner. “Our state and nation need those critical supplies and drivers are needed to deliver them.” Because road testing for non-commercial licenses is suspended for 90 days, a 90-day extension of learner’s permits will be offered. Current rules and regulations allow for the issuance of new licenses to those who have taken and passed a certified driver education class. Residents who meet this criteria can contact their local Driver Services Office to inquire about immediate options. The goal of Driver Services is to provide services in a safe and socially distanced manner. Motorists whose licenses have expired will be able to download a letter later today from WYDOT’s website that they can carry with them to show law enforcement or Transportation Service Administration (TSA) regarding the grace period. TSA has also issued guidance that these documents will be accepted at all of their locations and for all of their requirements. WYDOT will assess the situation on April 20, 2020 to make a determination if testing can resume on a full or limited basis, the Executive Order stated. For additional information, please visit the following websites:

• Driver Services Forms and Applications: http://www.dot. state.wy.us/home/driver_license_records/formsapplications. html • Number of customers allowed at one time per location: http://www.dot.state.wy.us/home/driver_license_records/ office-procedures---covid-19.html • Phone numbers and other contact information for local Driver Services offices can be found at: https://wydot.maps. arcgis.com/apps/Shortlist/index.html?appid=f7834c5fa12c409 0b07172d159dbfafd • Executive Order (EO) 2020-4: https://drive.google.com/ file/d/12OH6_PTzT6Aj06K3BLDoqZYKtjQ0cRko/view To contact Driver Services by email, choose from the following: • Driving Records – dot-dscomp@wyo.gov • Record Review – dot-dscomp@wyo.gov • Hearing Requests – dot-dscomp@wyo.gov • Probationary License Issuance (on a limited basis) – dotdscomp@wyo.gov • Mail In Renewals – renewals@wyo.gov • DOT Medical Certificate submission – cdl@wyo.gov • Requests for Temporary Licenses – renewals@wyo.gov • Disabled Placard Issuance, Renewal and/or Replacement – dot-dscomp@wyo.gov • For general Driver Services question, go to WYDOT’s Contact Us page at: http://www.dot.state.wy.us/ContactWYDOT/ and select Driver License Issues. n April/May 2020

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with executive staff During our first round of Town Hall meetings, many of you asked about topics related to pay, benefits, compensation, raises and many other issues. Below are the answers to those questions. We hope you take the time to review them and learn more about those important topics.

On the topics of pay, benefits, compensation and raises: Q. How do we ensure we remain competitive with the private sector in regards to pay raises and how can employees who start at the bottom of the pay scale continue to move up so they don’t leave? A. The State of Wyoming isn’t in a position to compete with the private sector regarding compensation. However, both the Legislature and the Governor recognize the importance of paying competitive wages. As a result, the state has a system that attempts to compensate employees using data from other governmental agencies as a guide. The state conducts compensation surveys on a regular basis. These surveys include national sources in addition to regional and surrounding states to create what is known as the MPP (Market Pay Policy), which is essentially the average pay for similar positions in surrounding states. However; based on the reality of available funding, Wyoming pays employees less than MPP, creating the pay issues of which you are all well aware. Another challenge is a budgetary limitation, commonly known as a payroll cap. Each agency has a ceiling, or cap, as to how much funding they have for total payroll. As a result, we must work within that cap. It’s also important to remember to factor in the total compensation employees receive. The state often offers additional benefits that the private sector may not offer such as retirement, vacation, stability, health insurance, life insurance, etc.

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As we discussed in the Town Hall meetings, we know compensation at all levels is an issue and are actively working shortand long-term solutions. Q. Who oversees the pay structure for WYDOT? What is the Legislature’s role in our pay? A. WYDOT is a State agency and follows the state compensation policy and operates within the guidelines of that policy. The state has a pay structure for each position that provides a pay range. In an attempt to eliminate pay inequities and to operate within the pay range set by HRD, WYDOT uses its own wage analysis tool. That tool looks at years of experience and education. A&I and other state agencies have asked to see the tool and be educated on how it works because they are looking for ways to consistently determine salaries. The wage analysis tool is not only used for new hires, but also for promotions, reclassifications and for equity issues. The Legislature sets the overall budget for salary and benefits and holds agencies to that budgeted amount. They set the budget amount using salary data provided by A&I through updated pay tables and existing pay of employees. Q. Can WYDOT look at compensation alternatives such as telecommuting, paying for skills and certifications or paying overtime with current vacant positions until they are filled? A. Telecommuting is an allowable alternative work schedule under the current A&I policies with approval from the agency head or designee. There is an application and approval process as well as a formal Memorandum of Understanding that must be signed by the employee and their supervisor prior to working this alternative schedule. These requests are handled on a caseby-case basis. There are areas within the department where certain certifications have warranted additional pay when required for operations – for example: water/waste water certification(s) for operating our rest areas. WYDOT also currently considers experience and education through its wage analysis tool when making employment offers. We continue to evaluate certifications and

skills that enhance operations and Executive Staff will work with employees and HRD on how to incorporate this into employee compensation. Operating Policy 35-4 states: “Overtime work is permitted when necessary to accomplish Department objectives. The Department intends, however, to keep overtime pay under control. Employees will not be allowed overtime without their supervisor’s expressed consent. Supervisors are responsible for overtime allowed and must adequately justify its use. Once an employee works overtime, whether approved or not, the Department must pay it.” Overtime is paid for with the money budgeted for salaries, which contains those funds associated with current vacant positions. Q. Can WYDOT implement performance-based pay? A. We all work for the State of Wyoming, at the Department of Transportation. Pay scales and systems are developed on a statewide basis. We cannot implement a system that differs from the statewide system. We continue to work with the inter-agency working group and A&I HRD to find ways to enhance the existing compensation policy. Q. Do troopers receive the same raises as WYDOT employees? Would the agency consider hazard pay for troopers? A. Yes, when the Legislature approves a raise for state employees, Troopers are included at the same rate. Many positions at WYDOT are inherently hazardous and compensation for that was built-in to the pay for that position when it was created. Through our work with the employee advisory groups and evaluating our job descriptions, we feel we could do a better job articulating these dangers into our Job Content Questionnaires (JCQs) and will work to incorporate this into the process when we begin doing the occupational studies with HRD. There are certainly some positions that need to be re-evaluated. Q. How does the state’s health insurance work? Who can be covered? Do retirees have access to it? A. As part of the state, WYDOT has a comprehensive health insurance plan it offers to its employees. There are several plans employees can pick, depending on their needs and budgets. Employees can select health, vision, dental and other benefits. For health insurance, the state has a group health insurance plan that is self-funded. Employees have the option of selecting the $500, $900, $1,500, $2,000 or $3,000 deductible, which determines how much an employee pays out of pocket and how much they pay each month toward health insurance. Selecting a higher deductible means an employee would pay a lesser amount each month, but would have to pay more out of pocket. A lower deductible means an employee would pay more toward their insurance each month but less toward out-of-pocket expenses. Full time and temporary employees are eligible for state health insurance. Retirees, at the time of retirement, have the option to elect coverage on our health insurance. The state pays roughly 85% toward the employees elected health, dental and life insurance each month. The Kaiser Family Foundation did a study on health insurance and reported that on

average across the country, employers pay about 82 percent for single coverage and 71 percent for family coverage. So, by national comparison, we are doing better than average when it comes to insurance premiums. Q. Is there a correlation between pay raises and insurance increases? A. No, there is no direct correlation between the two, it just seems that way. Raises, when they happen, generally take effect in July as per state policy. Insurance rate changes, when they occur, take place later in the year. So, raises are often “followed” by insurance increases, but one does not depend upon the other.

On the topic of communications: Q. Can there be better access to meeting minutes and committee membership lists for commissions and committees within WYDOT? A. Yes, we are always looking for ways to increase communications within the agency so every employee is aware of what we are working on. We have been sending out the Staff Call slides twice a month, emailing status updates on the Employee Advisory Teams and emailing DOT-ALLs concerning other important WYDOT topics. We also put information in the monthly Interchange magazine and have our intranet as a place to post information. Q. I would like to have access to meeting minutes for Staff Call. How will WYDOT officials do that? A. In response to a desire from some employees for more information about Staff Call slide items, contact information will be added to each slide so employees may contact the “owner” of that slide with questions or comments.

On the topic of Legislative items: Q. How does the proposed 3-cent fuel tax increase work? A. If passed, the 3-cent increase is an inflationary adjustment to the existing fuel tax rate, not a “new” tax. It would be collected and distributed in the same manner as all fuel taxes already being collected. Q. How will the I-80 tolling project work and what’s the project revenue? A. There is a long and extensive study on tolling in the state of Wyoming that we have available to anyone who would like to read it. The process to go from today to tolling an interstate in Wyoming is complex and has many moving pieces. Assuming the bill passes the Legislature in the spring of 2020, it will be about 2029, or 9 years later that we collect our first toll. In terms of revenue, there are various projections that have been made, but if you charge 25 cents a mile, the toll will produce a net of about $150 million/year. Continued on page 20

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However, the current language in the bill indicates the study will identify means and methods to relieve owners of Wyoming registered vehicles of the financial impact of toll fees. These types of details remain dependent on the language actually adopted in the bill. Q. What will we do in the meantime while lawmakers are discussing the I-80 tolling bill? A. We need to support lawmakers as they work to find additional revenue for us. We need to be available and work to answer questions as they arise. Additionally, we need to work to develop other potential revenue sources and ensure we remain excellent stewards of what we have. Q. What legislative bills will be before WYDOT that will impact the department and employees? A. The list in the town hall power point remains fairly accurate at this point, although it is likely that additional bills will be introduced. Employees can view the proposed bill by visiting this spreadsheet we created: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/ 12c42wcZoDfmpyZkitJaDKQITSmytuFIgZ2- n7UB9xbY/ edit#gid=0 Q. Can you explain the highway use tax? A. A highway use tax would be a state fee added as a percentage of cost when registering a vehicle. Q. How do you plan to communicate WYDOT issues to the legislature? A. We see communication with the legislature as an ongoing event. We will continue to focus on communicating with the key committees that we touch (Joint Transportation, Joint Appropriations, Joint Revenue, etc.) Employees can view a list of proposed bills before the state Legislature on the following Google spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/12c42wcZoDfmpy ZkitJaDKQITSmytuFIgZ2- n7UB9xbY/edit#gid=0 Q. How will the latest CREG report impact WYDOT? A. It is unlikely the CREG report will negatively impact WYDOT in FY2020. However, if state revenue continues to decline, WYDOT could see impacts in the future.

Q. Will the Employee Advisory Teams be addressing similar issues as the Safety Committee? Nothing has been done yet on the recommendations from the Safety Committee. A. The Employee Advisory Teams may provide input into safety issues but they will not replace the Safety Committee. With a new program manager and the program move from Operations over to Support Services, the Safety Committee will be re-engaged. The previous work of the Committee will be taken under consideration. Here is a brief update for three of the most important items the Safety Committee was working on: a. The boot policy has been released. b. The prescription safety eyewear policy is being worked. This will likely require an agreement with a vendor and should be finalized this year. c. Many of the concepts included in the safety incentive program were well thought out and can contribute to an enhanced safety culture within WYDOT. WYDOT continues to strive for a safe work environment, which is why continual training is important and offered through the WELL and other formats. Training offered helps employees strive to be safe in the workplace. At the end of the day, all employees have the same goal, which is to be productive and safe at their jobs. Instead of paying employees to be safe, we feel the money can instead be invested in equipment, supplies and training that keep employees safe. The Employee Safety program will continue to work with employees to make sure that employee safety needs are articulated to the director and the rest of the executive staff. Q. What is the status of the clothing allowance? A. The clothing allowance was implemented through personnel policy 8-16 and will remain in effect until rescinded. The current fiscal year allocation was available to employees as of Oct. 1. Q. How does the clothing allowance program work? A. The clothing allowance is a reimbursement program and resources can be found on the Employee Safety intranet website. Employees are assigned to a tier based on their job duties and can purchase clothing to be used for work and submit receipts for reimbursement up to the total amount available to them. Q. Can we get the money upfront for the clothing allowance?

K LIC

click it or ticket. no excuses.

A. The current construct of the bill sets up conditions so that Wyoming residents pay the same toll as everyone else that uses the road, in accordance with federal law.

On the topic of safety:

Continued from page 19 Q. Will there be consideration for Wyoming residents, trucks and out-of-state residents if I-80 tolling is implemented?

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A. We recently switched to a monthly stipend program for employees to purchase suitable clothing and footwear. As a result, Employee Safety can’t accept clothing reimbursement affidavits for repayment after Friday, Feb. 14, 2020. Employees will start receiving a dollar amount stipend starting with their March 31, 2020 monthly paycheck. The stipend is based on the employee’s tier qualification. • Tier 1: $0 • Tier 2: $300 • Tier 3: $450 • Tier 4: $350 • Tier 5: $350 Q. How can we expand the course offerings in WELL? Include interstate, non-interstate offerings and classes on striping. A. The Training Program regularly seeks input on the courses that are offered. Please reach out to them and see if they can facilitate your request.

On the topic of internal issues: Q. Would everyone need to take sexual harassment training? Why? A. The training will be required for all employees and supervisors. The results of the employee survey clearly demonstrated that training for everyone was warranted. It is important that every employee understand the behaviors that cannot be tolerated as well as clearly understand how the issues will be addressed. Q. Who is in charge of job reclassifications? A. Position classification is a duty assigned to A&I HRD by statute. WYDOT can submit individual requests for reclassification if the duties or responsibilities of a position change significantly over time. This is done in a collaborative effort between the employee and their supervisory chain together with WYDOT Human Resources. A new JCQ must be written, reviewed and signed off on by the employee and their supervisor and submitted for consideration. HRD will evaluate the JCQ and determine if additional information is needed prior to making their determination of the appropriate classification. Reclassification of a position does not necessarily lead to a pay increase if an employee’s existing pay is within the new classification’s pay band and similar to other employees pay in the new classification.

health of any classification structure and have not been completed for the past several years. We anticipate these studies will begin in early 2020 and will provide additional information when we can. Q. Can previous job reclassifications rejected be reconsidered? A. If a position request for reclassification was previously denied, it can be reconsidered under certain circumstances. If the position has had additional changes in duties or responsibilities since it was previously reviewed it may warrant an additional review. The best course of action would be to work through your program manager/district engineer and human resources to discuss the circumstances around the request. Q. Can we have biometric-thumb readers for passwords? A. CTO is having conversations with ETS on enterprise approach/options. Q. Can WYDOT use four-wheel drive for service trucks? A. Yes, in a ¾-ton single wheeled mechanics service truck. There is one of these vehicles in service in WYDOT now. The cost of the ¾-ton 4WD, single-wheeled vehicle with the utility box is comparable to the cost of the 2WD, dual-wheeled vehicle with the utility box. The cost of a 4WD, dual-wheeled vehicle with a utility box is significantly higher and therefore has not been incorporated in the WYDOT fleet options. Q. What are we doing about the housing situation not only in Pinedale but also Alpine and Thayne? Housing prices are too high and compensation is too low for new hires. A. WYDOT is actively working on the issue of housing in Jackson/Teton County at the current time. While we are working cost of living issues in other areas such as Pinedale, we are not actively working housing at this point. If that topic needs to climb in the priority list, then we will need to work it. n

Large scale reclassifications that impact entire families of positions, i.e., maintainers, engineers or mechanics are called Occupational Studies. These are in-depth reviews of all positions in the state workforce in similar job families. These reviews are useful for the

Put an end to distracted driving. PAO_cvw 05/2015

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Photo: WYDOT

The women of WYDOT – at the wheel of the plow

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By Laura Dalles, District 4 Public Involvement Specialist Over the years, more and more women are entering careers that traditionally have been male dominated. That’s also the case at WYDOT, where women are entering maintainer career paths, which have them operating snow plows, operating heavy equipment and performing other duties. With a combined 47 years sitting behind the wheel of a snow plow, 15 women from all five of WYDOT’s districts are proud of the role and responsibilities they share. Many of them have followed in family members footsteps, some have left professional jobs, others just stumbled upon the job, but none of them are looking back. Leslie Moore, a highway maintenance technician in Reno Junction, is a fourth generation WYDOT employee. Following in two of her uncles’ and their fathers’ footsteps, she joined the Reno crew in 2019 after learning the ropes from Scott Hokanson in Kaycee. Prior to that, she spent a number of years working as an emergency medical technician (EMT) and in the coal mines. “I chose WYDOT for the stability, and I love what I do,” said Moore. “I was born and raised here. I have many beloved family members, good friends and colleagues that travel my roads everyday in school buses, mine buses, cars, pickups and horse trailers. So I take great pride in working my hardest to keep our roads clear and safe for everyone.” Jesi Ehlers is a heavy equipment operator out of Thermopolis and has been with WYDOT for 10 1/2 years. She started in the winter so she learned to plow snow right out the gate. “I actually love plowing snow,” Ehlers said. “The Wind River Canyon can be a challenge at times. The only ‘real’ challenge I have is being able to see in the white outs.” Ehlers was introduced to the heavy equipment world early. “My dad was an equipment operator when I was growing up and I was always intrigued by the equipment,” Ehlers said. “But, in those days you didn’t see many women in that occupation. As I got older I figured I might as well try.” She started out on a construction job operating backhoes and loaders, and then got a job with the town of Thermopolis as an assistant street supervisor. She was on equipment all the time, plowing city streets, digging water lines, blading allies, etc. After that experience she knew she wanted a job with the state and began applying for jobs with WYDOT. Ehlers enjoys coming to work every day and being the only woman on her crew is not a big deal. “We are all treated the same and at the end of the day, I am just glad we can keep the public rolling and everyone gets home safe,” Ehlers said. Susan Jenn of Sheridan has been with District 4 as a highway maintenance technician for almost 10 years. Prior to coming to WYDOT she worked in a

veterinarian clinic. Assisting people with putting their beloved pets down was just too heartbreaking so she left that behind, spent some time with the city of Sheridan and then joined WYDOT. Besides her foreman, Jenn has the most experience of the Sheridan crew. She is often found training new operators, shadowing them as they learn the delicate nuances of the plow blades and navigating the roadways. When Jenn isn’t behind the plow, you can find her in the right-of-ways mowing – one of her favorite things to do other than plowing. Many of the living snow fences along I-90 were planted and nurtured by her as well. “It takes a special kind of person to be the lone woman on a male dominant crew.” said Jenn. “But like any family, we learn to respect and appreciate each other; we spend a lot of time together, experience long hours and extreme weather conditions and are constantly learning from each other.” Jennifer Chaney loves driving the snow plows, from the challenges of trying to stay ahead of the storm and keeping the roads safe for the public. Chaney said each storm can affect the way crews approach maintaining the roads. Chaney is highway maintenance technician in Baggs. She joined WYDOT a year ago because of the steadiness of hours and for the insurance for her family. She hopes to retire from WYDOT. “I really enjoy the team members I have in District 1,” said Chaney. “I like how we go to training and come home with close friends that will have your back if you’re in trouble, no matter where you are.” District 4 Maintenance Engineer Larry Konetzki appreciates the women he has employed in the D4 Maintenance program. They are proof women employees can be successful in this profession. “In District 4 Maintenance, we have a consistently high turnover rate in maintenance snowplowing operators,” Konetzki said. “We are always searching for qualified candidates to join our workforce. I trust their example will prove to other women our function in public service can be a challenging and fulfilling place to work.” Konetzki said he finds these women to be competent and dependable in the tasks assigned. It is no easy task to plow snow in some of the worst weather conditions in Wyoming and they do so on a regular basis. He appreciates that women and men offer different types of skill sets and perspectives to the work environment and the district benefits greatly from the different attitudes toward risk and collaboration. The Lone Forewoman Merna Carver was once told she needed to learn the fine art of patience. A hard habit to break after a number of years working on seismic crews, jumping out of helicopters, setting off dynamite, or crawling into small spaces because she was the smallest one on the team, only to run into the south end of a north bound alligator. Switching careers and working for WYDOT will certainly teach one some patience. Merna’s first exposure to highway work was a flagger one summer on the Beartooth Pass. She said she literally would watch flowers bloom. “That was the best job ever,” Merna said. “Beautiful scenery, no stress, long conversations with travelers as they waited for the pilot car and an occasion acquaintances from a previous time.” Merna has spent 18 winters plowing snow for WYDOT. Being based out of Baggs, Merna sees a lot of snow down south. She started with WYDOT in November of 2001, and quickly learned

how to move snow. She was promoted to a heavy in 2004 and to foreman in February 2013. Merna has a team of five, including herself and Jennifer Chaney. This small, but mighty crew covers some long road sections, collaborates with a crew out of Craig, Colorado, and has a seasonal closure of the Battle Mountain Pass of which they do not have the luxury of a rotary plow to assist them with spring snow removal. According to her Area Maintenance Supervisor, Marty Mayfield, Merna has been able to build a crew that gets the job done. Merna is a bit shy about her title and doesn’t think it a big deal to be a woman working for WYDOT. She’s just doing her job. The Matriarch Although no longer driving a snow plow, Rhonda Cochran spent 32 years on the roads in Casper and retired four years ago as a crew leader. Although she enjoys retirement, she missed not working and came back as a summer temp on the traffic crew – where, ironically she began as a high school student working as a flagger during the summer, and then as a seasonal while attending college. Cochran thought she wanted to be social worker, but after a few years of that, she decided it wasn’t for her and came back to WYDOT where the rest is history. She worked her way through the ranks and when a chance came about, she was encouraged to apply for the open crew leader position and she became the first female crew leader for WYDOT. “Although I worked in a male dominant field, I wasn’t treated differently,” said Cochran. “I learned to do the job the same as the men did, and had the same expectations as they did. I wouldn’t have had it any other way.” Cochran has decided to hang up the hard hat and orange for good and won’t be returning to the crew this summer. She truly enjoyed her career with WYDOT and encourages any woman to put the stereotype aside and give it a try. “It’s a great job, great organization, and you can’t beat the benefits,” Cochran said. In addition to the women mentioned above, eight others help maintain the roadways in Wyoming. These women are fairly new to WYDOT and are gaining experience and knowledge daily in their respected districts. They’re in good hands, learning from both their male and female counterparts. With time they will be putting in for those promotions. Follow up… When visiting with Shirley Samuelson in Jackson, she wanted to apologize to her colleagues for the article that came out in the Jackson paper indicating she was the “lone female snow plow operator” for WYDOT. ‘It was by no means my intention to indicate I was the only female operator,” she said. “I appreciated the article in the local paper and mentioned a number of times that I was not the only woman who drove a snow plow in Wyoming,” she said. Samuelson has an immense amount of respect for everyone working for WYDOT pushing snow, and their gender doesn’t matter. WYDOT’s female maintainers: D1 – Merna Carver, Baggs; Jennifer Chaney, Baggs; and Rhonda Sifford, Saratoga. D2 – Tracey Firnekas, Kaycee; and Susan Walter, Torrington. D3 – Andrea Williams, Rock Springs; Alexis Stewart, Pinedale; Shirley Samuelson, Jackson; and Annie Falasca, Kemmerer. D4 – Susan Jenn, Sheridan; Toni Schoolcraft, Buffalo; Crimson Scherer, Gillette; and Leslie Moore, Reno Junction. D5 – Jesi Ehlers, Thermopolis. n April/May 2020

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April/May 2020

Western Nebraska Community College, Scottsbluff, Nebraska – WNCC career day was attended by Casper Human Resources representative Keri Jenkins and Cheyenne Human Resources representative Jerry Davis.

Photo: WYDOT Photo: WYDOT

Shared by Taylor Frint, Green River Police Department On Jan. 20, there was a crash on I-80 near Green River. The couple involved in the crash were traveling with their dog “Zoey.” Zoey was not located after the crash. After the couple was released from the hospital they spent several days looking for Zoey. They were unable to locate her, they feared the worst and had no choice but to go back home to Oregon. An email was sent out advising the Green River Police Department of the lost Maltese mix dog “Zoey.” On April 14, two men, Larry Bryant and Julian Martinez, found this little stray dog on I-80 and took it to Green River Animal Shelter. Animal Control Officer Stephanie Ashley immediately thought this could be the dog from the accident in January. ACO Ashley called the family and sent pictures of the found dog to them. Turns out it was their Zoey. They were so excited, they got in the car and drove 16-hours to Green River to come pick her up. Nearly three months later, on April 15, Zoey was reunited with her family. This little courageous dog survived the cold elements and predators for nearly three months. She was very dirty, in desperate need of a bath, skinny, but otherwise happy and in good condition. Zoey was very happy to see her family again. They were very happy and very thankful! n

Photo: Green River Animal Shelter

Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana – MSU career day was attended by Sheridan Human Resources representative Jamie Chacon (not pictured) and District 4 Construction Engineer James Evenson (not pictured). MSU attendees in top image.

University of Wyoming, Laramie – UW career day was attended by Laramie Human Resources representative Ellen Teigen and Cheyenne Human Resources representative Nisha Bishop (not pictured).

Photo: WYDOT

Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado – Colorado School of Mines career day was attended by Cheyenne Human Resources representative Raquel Christensen (not pictured) and Materials Engineer Sarah Rickgauer. CSM attendees, top photo.

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Rapid City, South Dakota – Career day at SDSMT was attended by Sundance Resident Engineer Preston Beckstead (right) and Newcastle Resident Engineer John Leahy (left). SDSMT attendees in top image

The heartwarming story of a dog named Zoey

Photo: WYDOT

From Montana to Colorado, WYDOT HR and WYDOT subject matter experts were out and about early in the year touting the opportunities WYDOT has to offer to prospective employees in 2020. n

Photo: WYDOT

HR Happenings

A reunion – a recently found Zoey with her humans.

Aeronautics WYDOT officials continue work on UAS policies and procedures The Wyoming Department of Transportation is continuing work on its Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) policy, which could streamline processes and improve safety within several programs. WYDOT officials are working on policies and procedures for its UAS program, which are expected to be completed this year. Once in place, WYDOT can potentially use drones for bridge inspections, avalanche mitigation, accident reconstruction, landslides and in other areas where it could be potentially dangerous for employees. “The use of drones has the potential to increase safety for our workers and save taxpayers money,” said Brian Olsen, WYDOT’s Aeronautics administrator. “We could potentially use drones to get good, high-quality images without having someone in an area that is unsafe such as a landslide.” WYDOT has been working with officials from the University of Wyoming’s Wyoming Technology Transfer Center. Khaled Ksaibati, Ph.D., director of Wyoming Technology Transfer Center, and

Austin Woody, transportation specialist, recently attended a Wyoming Transportation Commission meeting where they explained the work they do with agencies and counties in helping to set up their UAS programs. The Wyoming Technology Transfer Center received a federal grant from the State Transportation Innovation Council (STIC), a program under the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration. The grant was $125,192, of which $100,000 were in federal funds and $25,192 was UW’s match. “The use of unmanned aerial systems has spiked since 2016,” Ksaibati said. “Transportation entities are interested in this technology because it can be used for bridge inspections, land surveying, aerial photography, construction inspection and more. Using drones can result in cost savings.” A 2016 survey conducted by the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) indicated that no state DOTs were using drones in their daily operations, said Sheri Taylor, WYDOT program manager, Unmanned Aerial Systems. However, as of 2019, there were 36 states using drones. “There has definitely been an increase in the use of drones,” Taylor said. “The

Training By Amy Bale, Training Services I’m the kind of person who reads purely for pleasure. Crime novels, romances, fantasy, sci-fi, history – I’ve never met a genre I didn’t like (except maybe graphic novels…). When it comes to reading for professional development, not so much. Even if the subject matter interests me, I struggle to get past the first few pages. The writing seems so dry, so literal and filled with facts and statistics that my brain wants to shut down. Sound familiar? Sometimes, though, there are things I want or have to read for my job, to improve my interpersonal skills, or just to help me grow. Several months ago, Training Services registered with a new service called Readitfor.me. It’s a website that provides a library of hundreds of book summaries for leadership, personal development, innovation and others. These book summaries are available in written and audio format, and sometimes as a video – there’s a learning format for everyone. Each summary is between 10-15 minutes, so it’s just a small portion of my day to read or listen to the most important aspects of some great books.

numbers increase each year.” Any entity having a UAS program will need to follow Federal Aviation Administration requirements, which provides oversight to ensure safety. Anyone participating in the UAS program at WYDOT and who will be operating a UAS will need to get a UAS commercial pilot license. WYDOT is expected to hold its first training session soon. The date will be announced shortly. “It will be a one-day training session where participants will be provided knowledge to help them pass the Part 107 test of the FAA license,” Taylor said. “It will also be a hands-on training session on how to fly a drone.” Those who receive the training can then take a multiple choice test consisting of 60 questions at a certified FAA testing center. If they pass, their license is valid for two years. After that, they will need to retest to renew their license. “The FAA is requiring a license and training because we essentially are taking a new aircraft system and integrating it into a heavily regulated airspace system,” Olsen said. WYDOT has a taskforce dedicated to working on the policies and procedures. That taskforce consists of eight regular members, including WYDOT and UW representatives. The taskforce has been meeting since last September. n

Readitfor.me also offers microcourses and masterclasses, which group together books on the same topic. If you’re a supervisor you may have seen or even read some of these book summaries in the Big Six Learning Themes we’ve introduced this year. But you don’t have to be a supervisor to have access to these great book summaries. As a WYDOT employee all you have to do is create an account using your wyo.gov email address address, and you can read any book in the Readitfor.me library for FREE! You can create your own favorites list, and even recommend books for them to add to the library. So what’s on my reading list now? Besides The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins (Hunger Games) and Read My Pins: Stories from a Diplomat’s Jewel Box by Madeleine Albright, I’ve added these book summaries: Willpower by Roy F. Baumeister, Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis, Mindset by Carol Dweck (part of our Innovation theme), and Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari Check out Readitfor.me: Go to https://readitfor.me/wyoming Click the START FREE NOW button and follow the instructions to set up your account. What book summaries will you add to your reading list? n April/May 2020

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Noteworthy

vehicles involved decreased. Driving too fast for road conditions and following too closely are being investigated as the leading cause of the crashes. Roadways were very icy with snowfall and blowing snow creating limited visibility at the time of the crashes. The Wyoming Highway Patrol would like to thank the following agencies and departments who assisted with this incident: • Carbon County Sheriff ’s Office, Sweetwater County Sheriff ’s Offices, Bureau Land Management Ranger and a brand inspector from Sinclair;

Troopers release further information of crash involving multiple vehicles

By Sgt. Jeremy Beck Following the I-80 crash on March 1, troopers learned roughly 30 vehicles collided on the westbound side of Interstate 80 around milepost 184. This crash consisted mostly of commercial vehicles. Secondary crashes involving around 25 vehicles occurred in front of this crash and within the stopped traffic. Three fatalities were confirmed from crashes on the westbound side of the interstate. One of the fatalities was a passenger in a Toyota Highlander, which was involved in a collision with a commercial motor vehicle. The passenger in the Toyota has been identified as 53-yearold Marshall, Michigan resident Deborah Carrel. The two other fatalities were both drivers of commercial motor vehicles. They were identified as 64-year-old Denton, Texas resident Emman Ojiaka and 27-year-old Hampton, Georgia resident Kian Kennedy. The crash on the eastbound side of Interstate 80 around milepost 181 consisted of roughly 40 vehicles. The majority of the vehicles involved in this crash were commercial motor vehicles. There were serious injuries reported with the eastbound crash but no fatalities. Carbon County Memorial Hospital treated approximately 30 people. It was originally reported that more than 100 vehicles were involved in the crash, but due to the dynamics of the crash scene, some vehicles were initially counted but were not part of any crash. As the investigation progressed, the total number of

• Fire and emergency medical personell from Carbon County, Sweetwater County, Green River, Wamsutter, Rawlins, Baggs, Hanna SCWEMS and Castle Rock, Colorado; • Transportation from the scene of the crash was provided by school busses from Carbon County School District 1; and • Towing and recovery companies from Rawlins, Elk Mountain, Wamsutter, Arlington, Cheyenne and Rock Springs areas.

Photo: WYDOT

The patrol also would like to thank everyone who assisted victims of the incident with cots, blankets, food supplies and any other items. n

A March 1 crash during winter weather on I-80 left dozens of vehicles smashed and three dead.

Casper Mechanic David Leeling removing belts from a drive gearbox.

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April/May 2020

Photo: Jeff Goetz

The District 2 hot plant after new drum has been installed.

Photo: Jeff Goetz

By Jeff Goetz, District 2 Public Involvement Specialist This is an ADM (Asphalt Drum Mixers) asphalt hot plant that is used by districts 1-4. Casper has had this unit since 2001. Recently the Casper’s mechanics have worked to replace the mixer drum and the accompanying components after 13,000 hours of use – and an estimated 700,000 tons of asphalt produced. In 2015, a major replacement was made to the plant’s dust suppression system. The images show one part of the overall plant. The drum mixer is where all of the aggregates are dried and then added to the asphalt bitumen to make the final product. The drum itself weighs about 20 tons and cost $70,000 to purchase. By maintaining the hot plant over the years, it ensures it remains reliable and also gives us a good return on our investment. New hot plant mixers can cost upward of $1.6 million. n

Photo: Terry Uhrich

Asphalt drum mixer gets an overhaul

Casper Mechanic Danny Francom prepping trunions for installation – view from the end of the drum. Inside the drum showing the various mixing “flights.”

Collaborative funding helps US 212 reconstruction resume across Beartooth Ravine

Photo: WYDOT

CODY – An interagency team of state and federal agencies used a variety of federal funding sources in the rebuilding of a nearly 1-mile segment of the Beartooth Highway (US 212) in northwest Wyoming. The collaborative effort on 7/10s of a mile of roadway allows for the completion of the 420-foot, 3-span Beartooth Ravine steel girder bridge, 20-foot-high mechanically stabilized earth retaining walls, and roadwork and landscaping to tie into the existing highway. Project work is expected to begin this summer about 14.5 miles east of US 212’s intersection with WYO 296. The interagency team includes representatives of Yellowstone National Park, the Montana and Wyoming departments of transportation, as well as other federal government partners, citizens and non-government groups. “It’s a great success story in the making,” said Wyoming Transportation Commissioner Phil Schmidt of Casper. “This ‘grab bag’ of varied funding sources sponsored by WYDOT and a variety of agencies and the significant work completed to date showcases incredible effort and commitment of everyone involved to keep this highway in working order.” Moving this US 212 project to the construction phase wasn’t simple. When WYDOT received a 2017 TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) grant of $16.6 million to reconstruct this 1.6-mile segment, it seemed this key

bridge and highway segment of the route was going to be reconstructed. But when bids were opened in May 2019, the low bid for the total project totaled $31.2 million, much beyond the $15.9 awarded grant funds after design was completed. By only building the bridge portion of the project, which includes construction, construction engineering and contingencies, the total price of the project was adjusted to $27 million – $11.1 million below the adjusted bid. The low bidder on the project agreed to honor the bid through mid-December 2019 if additional funds could be committed to building the new Beartooth

Ravine bridge. Project partners went to work, and $9.3 million was appropriated from WYDOT federal funds. Remaining highway funding came from closed-out federal lands projects, which Yellowstone Park matched with $1 million of its funds. “The goal of this project is to keep US 212, the Beartooth Highway, in acceptable condition so that it can continue to provide connectivity between the northeast entrance to Yellowstone National Park and the communities of Silver Gate, Cooke City and Red Lodge, Montana, and Cody, via WYO 296, the Chief Joseph Highway,” Schmidt said. This phase of reconstruction includes 7/10s of a mile of roadway between milepost 24.5, just west of the Clay Butte Lookout turnoff and milepost 26.1. WYDOT Chief Engineer Shelby Carlson said construction of Beartooth Ravine bridge will improve safety and improve wildlife connectivity. “The project will improve safety by improving alignment to lessen or eliminate dangerous curves, widen the highway across the bridge by adding shoulders, and allow under-structure crossing routes for grizzly bear and other large ungulates, including elk and moose.” Carlson said the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, “which the Beartooth Highway traverses, is perhaps the most important wildlife corridor in the lower 48 states and key to the survival and success of many species of wildlife, including grizzly and black bear, moose, elk, mountain lion, bighorn sheep, pronghorn, mule and white-tailed deer, and others.” WYDOT is part of the Beartooth Steering Committee, which also includes the Montana Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Yellowstone National Park, U.S. Forest Service, Wyoming and Montana Congressional staff, and other federal, state, and local officials, tourism and community development organizations, and several nongovernmental organizations. This group has been working together to address the needs of the Beartooth Highway for nearly 25 years. Reconstruction of the seven segments of the Beartooth Highway began in the 1970s. Segment 4, where this project is located, lies entirely within the boundaries of Wyoming, though nobody claims ownership of the highway. The most recent section of rebuilt highway is within Segment 4 (mileposts 28.4 to 31.5), and the $13.8 million project was recently completed. n

April/May 2020

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District News Headquarters

Welcome April

Lee Arnold, Highway Safety; Julie Carpenter, Office Services-Printing; Drew Jacoby, Facilities Management-Security; Trinston Jeffries, Port of Entry-Cheyenne I-25; Aaron Johnson, Geology; Bryce McDonald, Port of Entry-Cheyenne I-80; April Patrick, Employee Safety; and Jordon Patton, IT-Engineering Applications.

Ledger; and Matthew Oolman, Highway Development-Project Development.

Service Awards April

B. Smith

May

Lorie Chesnut, Highway Safety; Neil Gardiner, Emergency Communications-WyoLink; Chrystal Good, Driver Services-Cheyenne; Kaitlyn Klahn, Patrol-Support Services Manager; Hunter Marshall, Patrol-Support Services Manager; Christina Merritt, Financial Services-Disbursements; Carissa Pecenka, Highway Development-Engineering Services; Cortney Raine, Patrol-Professional Standards Manager; John Soto, Driver Services-Cheyenne; Matthew Southworth-Fairbairn, Patrol-Support Services Manager; and Renee Wild, Geology.

Promotions and Transfers

Anderson

Yoksh

G. Smith

Ernst

Rodriguez

Fictum

April

Katherine Bradfield, Traffic; Lori Davis, Highway Safety; Sarah Guyott, Planning-Statistics/Inventory; Michael Killion, Geology; Erin Martin, Financial ServicesGeneral Ledger; John Radomicki, MaterialsBradfield Bituminous; Jacob Schwabe, Driver Services-CDL; and Kevin Schwaiger, Highway Development-Project Development.

Grant

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April/May 2020

May

Ronald Kaiser, Geology – 35 years; Christopher Irwin, Materials-Surfacing – 20 years; Chad Legerski, Highway Development-Project Development – 20 years; David Vanderveen, Geology – 20 years; Misty Dobson, Driver Services-Administration – 10 years; Alyssa Meyers, Patrol-Commercial Carrier – 5 years; and Brandi Miller, Budget – 5 years.

Kaiser

Legerski

Vanderveen

Dobson

Kolkman

May

Sara Dickey, Planning-Statistics/In- Schwaiger ventory; Ryan Drake, Highway Development-Project Development; Terrence Gavagan, Materials-Bituminous; Kimberly Hinker, Financial Services-General

Blaine Smith, Geology – 25 years; Marcus Anderson, Maintenance StaffAdministration – 20 years; Ryan Yoksh, Internal Review – 20 years; Greg Smith, Facilities ManagementSecurity – 15 years; William Ernst, GIS/ITS – 10 years; Robert Rodriguez, Strategic Performance Improvement – 10 years; Kari Fictum, Highway Safety – 5 years; Roger Grant, Facilities ManagementBuilding Maintenance – 5 years; Kelli Kolkman, Fuel Tax-Administration – 5 years; Robert Richardson, Compliance and Investigation – 5 years; Curtis Robinson, Port of Entry-Cheyenne I-25 – 5 years; and Christopher Sorensen, Bridge-Operations Design – 5 years.

Retirements April

Richardson

Robinson

Randall Taylor retired Feb 11 with more than 13 years of service. Taylor began his career with WYDOT as a Driver

Services examiner. He had also worked in the the records section and the quality section of Driver Services.

enne I-80 Port in 2005 and has enjoyed developing the many relationships with his coworkers and the truck drivers who frequent the Cheyenne I-80 Port. Most of these drivers referred to Marvin as “Santa.” Tackett plans to pursue his passion of photography while getting in some traveling and to volunteer at the Cheyenne V.A. hospital while in retirement.

Janet Vossler retired Feb. 8 with 23 years of service to the state. Vossler began her career with WYDOT in May 1996 as an evidence technician with the Wyoming Highway Patrol. She Vossler had previously worked at the Wyoming State Crime Lab. She had been a member of the Colorado Association of Property and Evidence Technicians and of the International Association for Property and Evidence. Vossler, a Cheyenne native, attended East High School and then Laramie County Community College, graduating with an associate degree in journalism. In her spare time, Vossler volunteers with Cheyenne Frontier Days, where she has been a volunteer since 1996.

District 1

Welcome April

Jordan Achs, District 1 Administration; and Andrew Hytrek, Saratoga Maintenance.

May

David Reid, Elk Mountain Mechanics.

Paul Vanderbloom retired on March 14 with 15 years of service to WYDOT. He worked in the Geology section as a driller. n

Promotions and Transfers April

Anderson

Eric Anderson, Laramie Maintenance.

Vanderbloom

May

Liam Aldridge, Laramie Construction.

Photo: WYDOT

Service Awards

May

Larry Sheridan retired March 2 from Emergency Communications. Sheridan leaves WYDOT after more than 17 years of service to the state and a total of 48 years of service in the communications industry.

Highway Safety and Geology employees put on some green attire and spread a little St. Patrick’s Day cheer at WYDOT headquarters on St. Patrick’s Day. Let’s hope they found their pot of gold! From right: Lori Davis, Tom Carpenter, Stacey Gierish, Holly Daniels (from Geology), Yolanda Pacheco and Jessica Woske, all from Highway Safety.

Aldridge

May

Thomas Stoker, Patrol-Cheyenne District Office – 30 years; Peter Aren, Laramie Patrol – 5 years; and Chadd Heggie, Traffic-Electrical – 5 years.

Stoker

Retirements

Emergency Communications annual all-hands meeting at the end of February. During the meeting the group celebrated Larry Sheridan’s retirement on March 2 and his more than 17 years of service to WYDOT.

Cheyenne I-80 Port of Entry Officer Marvin Tackett retired March 2 after nearly 15 years of service with the Wyoming Highway Patrol. Tackett began his career at the Chey-

Tackett

Photo: WYDOT

April

Esther Martin, 6th grade daughter of Heidi Martin of Right of Way-Engineering section, qualified for the Wyoming State Science Fair (WSSF) and received the Lemelson Early Inventor Prize. The award provides a $100 scholarship and a certificate to a young inventor creating a promising solution to real-world problems. Her project was “Building Bricks,” in which she tested different ratios of clay and sand to see what was the strongest. Once she qualified for the WSSF, she worked with Tracy Quinn in the WYDOT Materials Lab to test additional trials of bricks using professional grade equipment. The WSSF was held in Laramie on March 1-3.

Robert Booth retired Feb. 7 from Medicine Bow Maintenance. Booth had been with Medicine Bow maintenance since September 2018.

Heggie

Dale Wolfe retired Feb. 15 from Medicine Booth Bow Maintenance as a highway maintenance technician. He retires with more than 15 years of service to WYDOT. n

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District 2

Welcome May

Jeremy Cunningham, Traffic Striping-Torrington; Ryan Orr, Wheatland Maintenance; Sidney Stinson, Wheatland Maintenance; and Kyle Williams, Traffic Striping-Casper.

Cunningham

rington – 5 years; and Catherine Ray, Driver ServicesCasper – 5 years.

May

Ryan Sorenson, Casper Construction – 20 years; Shawn Wagner, Casper Construction – 20 years; Gregory Kearns, Casper Construction – 15 years; Jessy Killion,Wheatland Construction – 5 years; and Douglas Speece, Douglas Maintenance – 5 years.

Orr

Congratulations Chad Aagard has been selected as WYDOT’s District 2 Traffic Engineer effective April 15. Mark V. Williams has been selected as the District 2 Construction Engineer. Williams has been with WYDOT since July 1989, most recently serving as the Traffic Engineer for District 2. n

Aagard

Williams

Stinson

Sorenson

Wagner

Kearns

Killion

Williams

Promotions and Transfers April

Dustin Bumbaca, Port of Entry; and Travis Goodrich, Shirley Rim Maintenance.

Service Awards

Retirements April

Bumbaca

April

Rasnake

Photo: WYDOT

Timothy Rasnake, Wheatland Construction – 20 years; James Crowson, Traffic StripingCasper – 15 years; Jeromy Greene, Port of Entry-Tor-

Daniel Jaskowak retired Feb. 3 with 36 years and 6 months of service. Jaskowak began his career with WYDOT as a temporary flagger in Casper and ended as a highway maintenance technician. He will have plenty of time in retirement for his hobbies Jaskowak of hunting, fishing, canoeing, hiking and ATV riding.

Greene

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No coronavirus here... District 3 takes employee safety seriously with Mike Vandenberg on sanitization duties.

Ray

April/May 2020

District 3

Welcome Cody Ladue, Evanston Maintenance.

chanics; Dakota Housely, Port of EntryKemmerer; Alan Kellogg, Patrick Draw Maintenance; Robert Mathson, Evanston Maintenance.

May

Service Awards

April

George Andrikopoulos, Afton Construction; Jessica Hicks, Port of EntryEvanston; and Tyler McKenzie, Afton Construction.

Promotions and Transfers

April

Jeffrey Fox, Traffic Striping-Rock Springs – 25 years; and Shad Welling, Driver Services-District 3 – 10 years.

April

Kevin Dubry, Farson Maintenance; and Robert Hass, District 3 Southeast.

Anna Erickson, Alpine Junction Port of Entry-West Region Manager – 30 years; Austin Bluemel, Evanston Patrol – 5 years; Dakota Housley, Port of Entry-Kemmerer – 5 years; Brian Stacey, Lyman Maintenance – 5 years; William Vandenberg, Rock Springs Patrol – 5 years; and Quint Wagner, Port f Entry-Evanston – 5 years.

Retirements April

May

Thomas Covert, Rock Springs Me-

May

Dubry

Fox

Erickson

Carol Perkins retired on Feb. 22 from the Alpine Junction Port of Entry. She retired as a Port of Entry supervisor.

May

Mark Bullock retired March 3 from Evanston Maintenance with 17 years of service to the state. n

Congratulations Covert

Bluemel

Housley

Kellogg

Mathson

Stacey

Wagner

Photo: WYDOT

Hass

Tara Finley receiving her extra mile award.

District 4

Welcome

Promotions and Transfers

April

Christopher Isbell, Buffalo Mechanics; and Grant Toth, Emergency Communications-District 4 Radio Shop. Isbell

Toth

May

Brian Kerkvliet, Hulett Maintenance.

April

Maurice Fortier, Buffalo Maintenance; and Kyle Seymour, Buffalo Maintenance.

May

Ryan Huxtable, Reno Junction Maintenance.

Service Awards April

Joshua Diede, Moorcroft Maintenance – 15 years; Kerkvliet

Fortier

Seymour

Huxtable

Diede

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District 4, cont. Teresa Sutton-Tenke, Port of EntrySundance – 15 years; and Cassandra Kaul, Gillette Construction – 5 years.

May

Daniel Duff, Traffic-Electrical – 5 years; and Jason Smelser, Gillette Maintenance – 5 years.

Sutton-Tenke

Kaul

Smelser

Knudsvig retires from Port of Entry

Dowdy for four years. He moved back to his hometown of Sheridan and worked as a consultant until a project engineer position came available. In 2008, Buckley became Sheridan’s resident engineer. Many of Sheridan’s main roads were built or relocated under Buckley’s guidance. He was grateful for those opportunities to be part of his hometown’s growth. Buckley and his wife hit the retirement ground running and spent the first month of retirement traveling and visiting family. More traveling is in their future, as well as spending time at their cabin, fishing and scouting for elk. Mick Brinkerhoff, who previously worked for Buckley as a project engineer assumed the resident engineer position on March 16.

Sheridan Resident Engineer Jerry Buckley hung up his hard hat on Feb. 3 after 26 years with WYDOT. Buckley began his career straight out of college with a master’s degree in engineering and joined the Bridge/Hydraulics program. In 1996, Buckley moved to Newcastle as construction tech and worked under Rick

Photo: WYDOT

Buckley retires with 26 years of service

Gillette Port of Entry Officer and Inspector Bruce Knudsvig retired March 2 after nearly 30 years of service with the Wyoming Highway Patrol. Knudsvig began his career at the Evanston Port of Entry in 1990 before transferring to the Sheridan Port in 1992. Another transfer in 2015 brought him to the Gillette Port where he finished his career with the WHP. Knuds- Knudsvig vig obtained many commercial vehicle inspection certifications throughout his career including Level I, Cargo Tank, Hazmat and Passenger Vehicle. He maintained these certifications and continued to conduct these inspections up until his retirement. Knudsvig always enjoyed doing his part to keep the highways safe and getting to travel to different parts of the state for inspection details including Yellowstone National Park. n

District Engineer Scott Taylor congratulating Jerry Buckley on his 26 years of service.

District 5 May

Welcome May

Matthew Hutson, Lander Construction; and Lloyd Nickles Jr., Emergency Communications-District 5 Radio Shop.

Ryan Cheney, Cody Construction; and Joseph Kaiser, Lander Construction.

Service Awards

Promotions and Transfers April

Hahn

Pogue

Nolting

Cheney

Kaiser

Hood

Badura

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Franklin Pogue, Lander Mechanics – 5 years.

May

Scott Nolting, Riverton Construction – 35 years; Chase Hood, Shoshoni Maintenance – 25 years; and Anthony Badura, Lander Patrol – 15 years.

Retirements

Keith Carothers, Traffic Striping-Basin; and Joshua Hahn, Lander Mechanics.

April

May

April/May 2020

David Haller retired March 2 from District 5 Construction Staff with 36 years of service. Haller began his career with the state in 1983 and retires as a senior staff technician. Haller

District 5, cont. Kirk Koch retired on March 13 from Riverton Maintenance with 8 years of service to WYDOT. He was a highway maintenance technician.

Congratulations Chris Hieb received his master technician hat for passing all of his Fundamental of Service tests, including his welding test. n

Photo: WYDOT

Koch

Shoshoni High School careers fair

Photo: WYDOT

Tourism Trooper Clayton Colman talked to students curbside about careers in law enforcement.

Photo: WYDOT

March 10 marked the second straight year that District 5 participated in Shoshoni High School careers fair at the school. Students heard from employees about careers at WYDOT, including the Wyoming Highway Patrol, and they checked out the heavy equipment and asked many questions. n

Photo: WYDOT

Above: Students get a closer look at WYDOT trucks. Right: Employees participated in the question-and-answer period. They are, from left, Shoshoni maintenance employee Joseph Babcock, Trooper Clayton Colman, Riverton engineer Craig Alburn, and Shoshoni maintenance heavy equipment operator Chase Hood. Also heavily involved was Riverton WYDOT office manager Christa Hauser.

Randy Merritt is a member of the 2020-2021 Leadership Wyoming class. He’s pictured here with Gov. Mark Gordon. Leadership Wyoming is a nine-month cohort experience designed to help Wyoming leaders understand the state and grow in their capacity as leaders. Each year between 45-50 leaders are selected for the experience that begins in August and is completed in May.

WOT led the way; celebrated “307 Day” with state On Saturday, March 7, the Wyoming Office of Tourism (WOT) invited Wyomingites to show off their state pride on “307 Day.” The date of the celebration is a nod to the 307 area code used across the state. From discovering fossils at Fossil Butte National Monument to hiking Periodic Spring Trail near Afton, WOT wanted residents to share their favorite parts of Wyoming on social media. “We look to Wyoming residents to inspire potential visitors to explore the Cowboy State,” said Michell Howard, WOT’s senior director of brand strategy. “What better way to show off authentic Wyoming experiences through our onthe-ground experts, the locals.” To share the love for Wyoming on 307 Day, Facebook users were urged to submit photos of their family travels throughout the state. Wyoming residents are also encouraged to use the hashtag #ThatsWY and #WY307, along with tagging the Wyoming location in which the picture was taken. n

April/May 2020

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Passings Bernard J. Finch Bernard “Bernie” J. Finch, 81, of Cheyenne passed away April 6 at David Hospice Center from complications of pneumonia. He was born to Harry and Sarah Finch in Indianola, Nebraska on May 4, 1938. Bernie was the eighth of eight children. He was Finch raised in a loving and faith-based home. He graduated from Red Willow High School in Indianola and then enrolled at McCook Junior College. He moved to Denver, Colorado and eventually to Cheyenne where he made his home. He began his career with the Wyoming Highway Department in the Right of Way section in the late 1970s. In 1977 he met Sue James and they were married May 7,1977 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cheyenne. Shortly after their marriage they moved to Gillette, Wyoming to open Sun Agency Realty. In 1979 they returned to Cheyenne where he resumed his career with the Department as head of land negotiations. During a break from the Department, he acquired his broker’s license and worked for several real estate firms in Cheyenne. Finch retired from WYDOT in 2000. Finch was very civic oriented. He was a past president of Jaycees and the Miss Wyoming Pageants. He was a member of the Board of Realtors, Kiwanis and Cheyenne Hot Air Balloon Club.

He had numerous Cadillac Eldorado convertibles and made a hobby of working on them at the LCCC Body Shop. A memorial service will be held at a later date when restrictions have been lifted. A private family graveside service was held to inter his urn.

John Gallenbeck John Gallenbeck, 72, of Baggs, died March 18 at Memorial Regional Health in Craig, Colorado. Gallenbeck began his career with WYDOT in November 1993 and retired in December 2012 with 19 years of service to the state. He worked in Baggs the entirety Gallenbeck of his career. At Gallenbeck’s request, no services were held.

William F. Sherman William Ferdinand Sherman, or Bill as most knew him, former chief engineering geologist, 91, died March 20. Sherman died in Windsor, Colorado. He was born August 29, 1928 in Burns, Wyoming to John Dallas Sherman and Ida Mae Keenan. He graduated Sherman from Hillsdale High School in 1946 and was later drafted and served for two years in the Korean War with the U.S. Army. He graduated with a B.S. in geological science

from the University of Wyoming in 1956. There, he met and married his wife of almost 60 years, Janet Mae Robertson. They had four children – Lynn, John, Anthony (who died at birth) and William Gregory. Sherman worked as a petroleum geologist for Atlantic Richfield before going to work as a geologist at the old Wyoming Highway Department (WHD), the predecessor agency of the Wyoming Department of Transportation, in Cheyenne, in 1957. He established and developed the Engineering Geology branch at WHD and served as chief engineering geologist for 20 years. He retired after more than 30 years of service with the Department. After retiring, he served as a geotechnical consultant on several projects throughout Wyoming. He was a member of the Geological Society of America, Association of Engineering Geologists and the Wyoming Engineering Society. He served as chairman of the steering committee of both the Northwest Geotechnical group and the National Highway Geology Symposium. He also served as chairman of the Wyoming Board of Registration of Professional Geologists. Sherman was a member of the Knights of Columbus and served on the Holy Trinity Parish Council. In retirement, he and his wife spent several years at their home in Casa Grande, Arizona; where he taught a class in geology at Central Arizona College. He also served as a volunteer to prepare income tax returns. Sherman and his wife loved to explore the world and travelled to more than 15 different countries. They moved to Windsor, Colorado in 2014. He loved to spend time with his family and was known for his teasing and humorous shenanigans. A private family service was held. There will be a celebration of life in Cheyenne on August 22, 2020. n

What did you see or do during your stay-at-home time? Get those photos in! Outdoors photos deadline:

June 15, 2020 34

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April/May 2020

carlie.vanwinkle@wyo.gov

Congratulations to our February and March recipients!

le Afte yc

r ading! Re

ease Re c Pl

In Wyoming, operating a motor vehicle, ATV, boat, snowmobile, personal watercraft or motorcycle under the influence of alcohol is a crime. THE average DUI cost is $10,000.

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.

February

Deb Ferguson Tara Finley Tom Hart John Samson March

Jacque Crawford

James Evensen Cheri Fagin Crystal Gullickson Stephanie Harsha Corey Hill Mark Janicek Joseph Klein

Doug McLean Laura Miazga Chris Pivik Matt Simpson Mikaela Smith Mark Townsend Misty Wood

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

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In continuous use since 1896, the Green River Drift is an old-fashioned horseback cattle drive now facing modern threats.

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April/May 2020

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Photo: Ryan Cheney

Outdoors

Photo: Larry Lijewski

Ryan Cheney (far left), Cody Construction, and Russell Edwards (far right), Cody Maintenance participated in the last weekend of goose season with their Pullâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;N Feathers hunting group. There was a nineman limit for the weekend. Cheney and Edwardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s group used shotguns and layout blinds hunting in the Powell area. Late season birds are hard to hunt because of how smart they get all season. The nine-man group did pretty well with harvesting more than 300 birds this season.

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April/May 2020

Photo: Dan McAfee

Photo: Larry Lijewski

District 2 Facilities and Construction coordinator retiree Larry Lijewski took up painting in his retirement. Lijewski has completed 58 paintings since retirement and is a member of ART 321 in Casper working in both oil and acrylic. The painting on the above is a landscape featuring Canadian Geese. The image below a serene mountain landscape. He has even painted two especially for his grand-daughter.

Retired Worland resident engineer Dan McAfee caught this largemouth bass this spring on one of his favorite lakes.

Enjoy the outdoors safely with social distancing Wyoming Game & Fish In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, people need to be extra vigilant to recreate safely and follow state directives. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is urging all hunters, anglers, boaters and other recreationists to enjoy the outdoors responsibly. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, people need to be extra vigilant to recreate safely and follow state directives. “Being outside is good for your health and with nicer weather, we know you are itching to get out and enjoy it,” said Brian Nesvik, director of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. “However, you must do so responsibly and protect the health of Wyoming.” Residents are advised if they choose to go outside to recreate, to do so close to home. Do not travel long distances or go to other states for outdoor activities. Stay local, fill up on gas in your community and bring food and water so that you

don’t have to stop at the store. Social distancing, even in Wyoming’s vast outdoors, is extremely important. Avoid congregating with others in parking lots, public access areas and trailheads. Do not meet up with friends for hunting, fishing or boating; go out with people in your household only. “If you arrive somewhere that has a full parking lot - find somewhere else to go,” Nesvik said. “We are dealing with an unprecedented set of conditions, so you must strike a balance between getting outside and avoiding as many people as possible.” Game and Fish field personnel are making efforts to practice social distancing as they continue to work in the field and offices. “Please keep in mind to exercise social distancing when interacting with game wardens, biologists and any office staff. Realize they are doing their best to keep themselves and their families healthy while continuing to conserve your wildlife,” said Rick King, chief game warden. On April 3, Wyoming Gov. Gordon issued a directive for a 14-day quarantine

Photo: WYDOT

Game & Fish for travelers arriving in Wyoming from another state or country. The order was effective through April 30. Nonresidents hunters, anglers or antler gatherers are encouraged to adhere to any stay-at-home orders in their home state, and anyone planning to come to Wyoming needs to have the ability to follow the Governor’s 14-day quarantine directive. At this time, all hunting and fishing opportunities remain open in Wyoming, and many applications for fall hunts are open until June 1. People can apply for and buy licenses and stamps online. If you need assistance, call (307) 777-4600. Game and Fish has closed overnight camping until further notice at the Grayrocks Reservoir and Wheatland No. 1 Public Access Areas, and at Cottonwood Draw Wildlife Habitat Management Area located in Platte County. Day use is still allowed. n

The incorrect maze answer was posted in the March issue. The CORRECT Answer to the February 2020 Break Time maze:

Wyoming Game & Fish Wyoming state law requires any watercraft entering the state between March 1 and Nov. 30 that was last used on waters outside of Wyoming, have an authorized inspection before launching on Wyoming waters. Some border check stations are now open for the 2020 season, with others opening soon. Please contact a Game and Fish Office, Certified Inspection Location, or Private Authorized Inspector to arrange a watercraft inspection. When the check stations open, all boaters are required by law to stop at every check station they encounter on their route of travel to and from their intended boating destination. In addition, all watercraft must have current AIS decals before launching on Wyoming waters. These can be purchased anytime online. All visible vegetation must be removed from a watercraft/trailer once it leaves the water. Boaters must drain all water from watercraft after leaving a water includ-

Photo: WYDOT

Watercraft inspections

Wyoming watercraft inspection stations are now open or opening soon.

ing all compartments. All bilge/ballast/ live well plugs must be removed from the watercraft while transported by land in the state. Almost every state surrounding Wyoming has at least one water that has tested or is suspected positive for zebra or quagga mussels and keeping these damaging species out of Wyoming is critical. The mussels are resilient and once introduced into a water, are almost impossible to remove. n

April/May 2020

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REFINANCING IS EASY: Visit WyHy.org/Mortgage or call (800) 442-2392 *APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Rates “as low as” dependent on creditworthiness and subject to WyHy approval. Rate is accurate as of 4/20/20. Call for updates. Terms and Conditions may apply. Rates and Terms are subject to eligibility and may change without notice. Contact the Credit Union for full details regarding any WyHy loan products.

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April/May 2020

Break Time See if you can find the following 25 words hidden in the grid to the right: Backyard

Rain

Barbecues

Robins

Camping

Seedlings

COVID

Soap

Daisies

Social distancing

Dandelions

Spring

Fishing

Strawberries

Gloves

Summer

Hand sanitizer

Sunshine

Ice cream

Swingset

Lawns

Telework

Masks

Virus

Picnics Answer to the March 2020 Break Time photo find puzzle:

R G Z F V S W A L L O W S E A C H R Y S T H A N T H E M U M S E C R E T S

P A T L D I C H E E S E T H T Q M A R A T H O N O F N E T F L I X B I G W

R R I I B A R B E C U E S C O C K O I D G R B R N S C P C N S C S A C E C

U E E N M Z I A B Y C F D E M W B E V A R O G S A U L O N E E O T S E S O

A P N X D P S S L J O E A S F I T H C N A C L D W B O S R T C A O K C W R

T A O Q O I G T Y M A J S T N O H L A W N S A T D J T I E I M P U D R I O

B U W U T G U H R C O M E S H R E B K N S N L E O E H T A R C L R I E R N

R G O I E E L E N A H Z N A S E A I E O D K U V H C S L E A A A I N A L A

I L L C N O L C M C W A Z D U R R K N E S S P Q M T D I A I F I S C M I V

T I H O T N D B V H T B I A S K Y E L F H C A E A I F P T N I G M R C S I

B S S V V S B A I E D I E N R C C I V F H Y R N S M A O I I S N A O O N R

A H G E Q E Y N R D I P Z R S V O A A E O R Y T I A K L V N H T P B L G U

K I N D E U S A U D S O L E R N E V R I P A A C A T C N E G I O P B A N T

Y S E L B T I N S A T P H A S I G R I C P N K L P T I M S D N O R I T C M

C U A D R P P A T R A T S I Y B E E T D C O F K N E E Z H R G L O N E O O

H M V S E B I S E P N C R A G S A S A I E D H O R R M A E I N K V S C L R

I M G E A A S Z A W I H B I R S N T N B P N T A C S A P I R R I E H H A E

L E A B D C L P Z C I C H S O E O G D L E E O K I E O S N V U T D A O H H

I R S A O K I A D A A L N O U A N M O E S C A S R X S A E E T T S S I A S

T B N K C Y D R R U S T L I N T Y O V P R M R C Y P K C P R A R H G P E B

C E V I D A E K S E B H A D C B M R E U S A J M H E B A O S I A I O E C A

O B L N M R M B L A N L E R X S O E D B I S I E S E O N N L L V N D F K N

M A G E A D P P A L B I S P R I N G J L O K F O E R S E L I S E L H U E D

P S V O W X S D I S E B L U E B E R R I E S O S S T O M I C V I E O D R A

U I R S V O S W I N G S E T R E U C O C W P E R L O L G S U N S H I N E N

T L U B G I R C O V G R O S E S S H R A F E F S A S I E R G S O X F E F R

E H E R B S D K I D O T R A N S C O M M S K I L L S A W S A R D S C I S E

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