August 2018 Interchange by WYDOT

Interchange August 2018

Snowy Range Bridge Opening Materials Program

Involved in projects from start to finish

Interchange

Vol. 46, Issue 8

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. The Public Affairs Office may also be contacted by sending an email to carlie.vanwinkle@wyo.gov

Staff WYDOT Director: William T. Panos

Public Affairs Manager: Doug McGee

Editor:

If you’re texting, who’s driving?

Carlie Van Winkle

Contributors: Aimee Inama J.L. O’Brien Carlie Van Winkle Matt Murphy Jeff Goetz Stephanie Harsha Laura Dalles Cody Beers Sgt. Kyle McKay

Photography: Rick Carpenter

Public Affairs 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.

Interchange

August 2018

A WYDOT PUBLICATION

Contents

Features 8 Snowy Range Bridge grand opening Ribbon cutting and festivities in Laramie

10 New Driver Services map launched A user-friendly way to access information

12 Materials Program Involved in projects from start to finish

Also in this issue District briefs.............................................................................4

By the Numbers.......................................................................7 HR Happenings......................................................................14 Aeronautics..............................................................................15 District news...........................................................................16 Awards......................................................................................19 Passings................................................................................... 20 Extra Mile Awards................................................................. 20 WTDEA......................................................................................21 Break Time.............................................................................. 23

On the cover:

Snowy Range Bridge over the Union Pacific Railroad tracks in Laramie. Photo: Rick Carpenter

Kindly recycle this publication after reading. August 2018

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District Briefs Commission awards $13 million in highway contracts in July

CHEYENNE – The Wyoming Department of Transportation will soon begin slide stabilization repair work on the Chief Joseph Scenic Highway (WYO 296) in Park County. The Wyoming Transportation Commission awarded a $5.5 million contract to Oftedal Construction Inc., of Casper, to add 280,000 cubic yards of material at the bottom of the slide to stabilize it. The material will counterbalance the slide to prevent it from moving. Crews will also replace guardrail and repair portions of the road that the slide damaged. Currently the road is down to one lane of travel. The contract completion date for WYO 296 is June 30, 2019. Other contracts the commission awarded included bridge repairs, pavement resurfacing, sign installation and pavement widening. JTL Group Inc., of Cheyenne, won a $2.1 million contract for bridge work on Horse Creek (WYO 211) in Laramie County. Crews will remove the old timber bridge, install piping and build a road on top of it. The contract completion date is June 30, 2019. Simon Contractors, of Cheyenne, was the low bidder on a $2 million road widening project on WYO 110 at the junction of WYO 24 and Devils Tower in Crook County. Crews will add 8-foot shoulders on both sides of WYO 110, install a turning lane and install a second lane going into Devils Tower National Monument. The work will prevent traffic from backing up onto WYO 24. The contract completion date is June 30, 2019. The commission awarded S & S Builders, of Gillette, a $1.1 million contract for bridge work at several locations in Big Horn and Crook counties. Crews will perform erosion work, channel changes and minor structural

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repairs on five bridges. The contract completion date is Aug. 31, 2019. The commission also awarded contracts for: • $972,895 to Mountain Construction Co., of Lovell, for a left-turn lane on US 20 between Thermopolis and Worland in Hot Springs County by Oct. 31, 2019; • $598,523 to Mountain View Building Inc., of Sheridan, for slide repair work on Interstate 90 in Sheridan County by June 30, 2019; • $439,709 to Wilson Bros. Construction Inc., of Cowley, for pipe rehabilitation work at several locations in Big Horn, Fremont, Hot Springs and Washakie counties by June 30, 2019; • $357,830 to Oftedal Construction for road work to remove loose debris near the TY Basin Interchange in Platte County by Oct. 31, 2018; • $259,723 to Modern Electric Co., of Casper, for variable speed limit signs at six locations on US 14-16-20 between Yellowstone National Park and Cody in Park County by June 30, 2019; and • $128,864 to Modern Electric Co. for traffic signal work on Sheridan Avenue and 16th Street and Stampede Avenue and 17th Street in Cody by Nov. 30, 2018.

Enforcement, safety messaging keeps roads safer during holiday CHEYENNE – Injury crashes involving alcohol decreased by almost 26 percent during the July 4 week compared to the previous week, showing motorists appear to be paying attention to public safety campaigns and law enforcement efforts. From 2013 through 2017, there were a total of 29 injury crashes during the week of July 4, a 26 percent decrease from the previous week, statistics from the Wyoming Highway Department’s Highway Safety Program indicated. The week before July 4, there were a total 39 injury crashes from 2013 to 2017.

However, there were a total of 43 injury crashes the week after, or a 48 percent increase in alcohol-involved crashes compared to the week of July 4. During that same time period, the total number of overall injuries involving alcohol also decreased during the week of July 4. From 2013-2017, there were a total of 45 injuries. During the week before, there were 48 injuries. During the week after, there were 72 injuries. “Imagine how safe our roads would be year round if everyone maintained that alert, safe driving approach and didn’t drive drunk,” said Sgt. Kyle McKay, of the Wyoming Highway Patrol. “The statistics suggest that when we specialize enforcement and we have our safety messages in place, the public is listening and doing their part to keep the roads safe.” During the Fourth of July and other major holidays, law enforcement entities like Patrol have more personnel out on the roads, which may help deter drunk driving and other illegal activity. Plus, more people are out and tend to report suspicious activity, McKay said. Those who decide to drink alcohol on the Fourth or during any time of the year can stay safe and keep others safe following several tips. They include: • Designating a sober driver. People should always have a safe ride home, whether they have a designated driver or use public transportation. • Taking the keys away from a friend who had too many drinks and is thinking of driving. • Reporting drunk drivers on the road. Wyoming drivers can contact WHP and file a Report Every Drunk Driver Immediately (REDDI) report by calling 1-800-442-9090, #HELP or 911. “People need to be 100-percent sober when driving their vehicles because buzzed driving is still drunk driving,” McKay said. “No matter what, never, ever drive drunk. Drunk driving can not only cost you your life, but you can seriously injury yourself, someone else or even kill someone.” Also, a DUI arrest could cost someone up to $10,000 in attorney fees, fines, car towing, repairs, higher insurance rates and lost time at work.

CHEYENNE – The driving (right) lane of Interstate 80 westbound in Cheyenne has closed June 25 for repairs to two bridge decks. Both the Walterscheid Boulevard bridge and the Central Avenue/I-180 bridge are in need of repairs to the bridge decks, including a hole that developed in the Walterscheid bridge. As a result, a section of the driving lane of I-80 westbound was closed until July 1. A width restriction was in effect. Loads wider than 15 feet were not permitted through the work area but were detoured through Exit 362.

Trooper fatally wounds dog while arresting uncooperative subject CASPER – A WHP trooper fatally wounded a dog while arresting an uncooperative subject during a crash investigation June 24. The trooper was dispatched to a single vehicle crash at milepost 18 on US 20/26 near Casper. While the trooper was responding to the scene, it was reported from a passerby, that a woman was standing outside a separate vehicle on the side of the road waving her arms like she was trying to get someone’s attention. The trooper located the subject and her dog near milepost 18.2 on US 20/26. The trooper was able to identify her as the driver through his investigation and placed her and the dog in his vehicle to take them back to the original scene to complete the crash investigation. During the course of the investigation, the female subject became uncooperative and refused to stay in the patrol car. The subject ignored the officer’s requests to leave the dog in the back seat of the patrol car and retrieved her dog. The trooper repeatedly requested her to put the dog back into the patrol car and to place her hands behind her back.

She refused to comply. When the trooper attempted to place her under arrest for interference, the female subject dropped the leash holding the dog. The dog charged at the trooper in an aggressive manner lunging and attempting to bite the officer multiple times. The trooper drew his service weapon and placed one round into the dog, mortally wounding it. The uncooperative subject was placed into custody and was physically combative with officers at the scene. She has been identified as 27-year-old Kemmerer resident Cheryl Abriani. Due to the level of her intoxication, Abriani was taken to Wyoming Medical and admitted for treatment. Abriani was charged with driving while under the influence of alcohol and a controlled substance, which is her third offense, misdemeanor possession of methamphetamine, driving while suspended, failure to maintain a single lane of travel and interference with a peace officer. Animal control from Natrona County assisted troopers at the scene and retrieved the dog.

I-80 Rock Springs marginal closed for power line repairs ROCK SPRINGS – The Wyoming Department of Transportation closed Interstate 80 in the Rock Springs area for half an hour July 10. From 5:30 a.m. to 6 a.m. the morning of July 10, I-80 from exit 102 Dewar Drive to exit 104 Elk Street was closed for power line repairs. On July 9, a power line snapped in half near the I-80 eastbound on-ramp at Dewar Drive, causing a brush fire. The fire was quickly extinguished by the local fire department. Rocky Mountain Power worked on repairing the power line. Due to the nature of the work, and because Rocky Mountain Power had to string the power line over Interstate 80 at that location, I-80 was closed in both the eastbound and westbound directions. Multiple routes are available through Rock Springs and I-80 service roads were not affected by the work and were available as alternate routes. Interstate 80

eastbound was accessible at the Elk Street Interchange (but not westbound) and I-80 westbound was accessible at the Dewar Drive Interchange (but not eastbound).

WYDOT hosts public meeting about work on WYO 233 KEMMERER – The Wyoming Department of Transportation, along with representatives from Riverside Contractors, hosted a public informational meeting on the work taking place on WYO 233, Hams Fork Road. The meeting was held July 12 at the South Lincoln Training and Events Center in Kemmerer. A tentative schedule of work was presented.

Photo: WYDOT

Part of I-80 driving lane closed in Cheyenne for bridge repairs

The public meeting held in Kemmerer addressed upcoming pavement rehabilitation projects on WYO 233.

WYDOT has been working on pavement rehabilitation on the 17.73 miles of WYO 233 which begins at milepost 2. WYDOT presented the upcoming overlay on Hams Fork Road, as well as the two slide repairs that will take place on WYO 233 in the future. The planned overlay did not address the two slide areas on Hams Fork Road at mileposts 12.5 (City Dam Slide) and 16.7 (Lake Naughton Slide). However, engineers discussed when the slides will be repaired and the nature of the work. The City Dam Slide is a result of roadway settlement over the years. WYDOT maintenance crews have been addressing the movement with frequent patching jobs. This slide repair job is scheduled to be let in September 2018 and will likely be constructed in 2019. The Lake Naughton Slide is located on the "Ten-Percenter" Hill. The settling of the road has resulted in a very uneven roadway surface. This project is also in the September 2018 letting and will likely be constructed in 2019. Briefs continued on page 6 August 2018

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Hot in-place pavement recycling project underway on WYO 136 RIVERTON – Nearly six miles of Gas Hills Road (WYO 136) is now getting hot in-place pavement recycling. The project begins at the intersection WYO 136 and WYO 135 just southeast of Riverton and extends 5.67 miles, according to Wyoming Department of Transportation Resident Engineer Robert Scheidemantel of Riverton. Scheidemantel said the $1.03 million project began Monday, July 23, with topsoil blading, removal of delineator posts and installation of project signs. Road improvements are expected to take about a month to complete. Gas Hills Road drivers should expect traffic delays of up to 20 minutes. “This project is a combined project with another $2.3 million project between Buffalo and Ucross in northeast Wyoming,” Scheidemantel said. “We’re hoping to find out if the cost savings and durability of this process on these lower traffic volume roads is better than doing complete pavement rehabilitation, which comes at a higher costs to WYDOT and taxpayers.” Hot in-place recycling is a process where two inches of existing roadway pavement is removed, and the milled material is run through a pug mill and crushed to a specific size. Rejuvenating oil is added to the crushed material and then the material is placed on the roadway in a windrow. An asphalt paver picks up the windrowed material and paves it. Rollers compact the material on the roadway. After rolling to WYDOT specifications, the newly paved roadway is chip-sealed.

40-day closure of Main Street/North Federal Boulevard intersection RIVERTON – A closure of 40 working days is underway at the Main Street/ North Federal Boulevard intersection in Riverton to allow highway improvements to resume at south end of the $13.96 million project. With the closure of Riverton’s busiest intersection, northbound and southbound traffic on Federal Boulevard will be moved to the new concrete on the east side of Federal Boulevard between Washington and Jackson avenues. Demolition of concrete is scheduled to begin Monday on the west side of North Federal Boulevard between Washington Avenue and Main Street. “A signed detour was opened Monday, July 23, from South Federal Boulevard east on Monroe to Broadway, north to Pershing, and east to Federal Boulevard,” according to Wyoming Department of Transportation Resident Engineer Robert Scheidemantel of Riverton. “We continue to ask drivers on North Federal to avoid making left-hand turns in the work zone, and to please slow down. And please remember the speed limit inside the work zone is 20 mph.”

Photo: WYDOT

Briefs continued from page 5

The most recent concrete pour on North Federal Boulevard is between City Hall and Sunset Drive.

Law enforcement makes 240 traffic stops over July 4 holiday; arrest two RIVERTON – An early July Fremont County multi-agency DUI enforcement operation led to 240 traffic stops and the arrests of two drunk drivers. In an 18-hour operation for the July 4 holiday, the focus was on impaired driv-

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ers. Fremont County law enforcement officers also issued 40 speeding tickets and three seat belt citations. In all, 53 other citations were issued, and 186 warnings were given. “The 4th was right in the middle of the work-week so there wasn’t a weekend involved, but it was obviously very busy for law enforcement. A bunch of traffic enforcement only resulted in two drunk drivers during big parties on July 4 all across Fremont County. It was an outstanding performance by our county drivers during a heavy party day celebrating Independence Day,” said Wyoming Department of Transportation public relations specialist Cody Beers of Riverton. Fremont County law enforcement agencies are working together, and in the third year of a county-wide, multi-agency, traffic enforcement effort for 2018. The July 4 operation was the fifth of at least six planned operations in Fremont County for the year. The next operation is scheduled for the Labor Day weekend. The purpose of the operations is to reduce fatal crashes in Fremont County through enforcement of impaired driving and seat belt laws. Focused enforcement efforts will be surrounded by a media campaign that will stress law enforcement’s zero-tolerance stance on impaired driving and commitment to seat belt enforcement. The enforcement operation is conducted by police departments in Riverton, Lander and Shoshoni, Fremont County Sheriff ’s Office, Wind River Police Department, Wyoming State Parks, and the Wyoming Highway Patrol. Partners in the campaign include Injury Prevention Resources and WYDOT. Along with this enhanced enforcement effort, the Wyoming Highway Patrol is urging drivers to help keep Wyoming’s roadways safe by calling the Report Every Drunk Driver Immediately (REDDI) hotline number at 1-800-442-9090 to report suspected drunk drivers. Callers should be prepared to provide the dispatcher with a description of the vehicle, its location, and direction of travel.

BASIN – A $1.8 million project to replace timber retaining walls with mechanically-stabilized earth retaining walls is continuing on US 14 through Shell Canyon. “Concrete barrier and traffic signal systems have been installed for one-way traffic operations in Shell Canyon at mileposts 23.13 and 24.73,” said Wyoming Department of Transportation Resident Engineer Michael Miller of Basin. “A 12foot width restriction is in place on this project.” Prime contractor is Wilson Brothers Construction of Cowley. The US 14 wall construction locations are at mileposts 23.13 and 24.73, between 23 and 25 miles east of Greybull. Contract completion date is Oct. 31.

Single-lane traffic over Shoshone River bridge LOVELL – Traffic delays were expected with the beginning of bridge-widening work over the Shoshone River on US 310/ WYO 789 between Lovell and Cowley in northwest Wyoming. “Drivers should expected traffic delays of up to two minutes at the bridge,” according to Wyoming Department of Transportation resident engineer Michael Miller of Basin. “ One-way traffic over the bridge is in place until about Sept. 1.” Miller said the Shoshone River bridge traffic signal was turned off July 14 to accommodate increased traffic following the Byron Days fireworks show. “Flaggers maintained traffic after the Byron Days fireworks, but drivers should expect delays of up to 20 minutes with the increased traffic volumes.” Big Horn County law enforcement personnel encourage drivers to consider alternate routes as they drive to and from Byron for the annual fireworks display. The $11.7 million Sage Creek highway and bridge improvement project consists of road widening, bridge widening over the Shoshone River, replacement of the Sage Creek and railroad bridges, asphalt paving, and other work.

Miller said work is continuing throughout the Big Horn County project, and drivers should expect traffic delays, reduced speed limits, and increased law enforcement to maintain speed limits. The prime contractor is S&S Builders LLC, of Gillette. Contract completion date is June 30, 2019.

Total number of employees: As of July 2, 2018 Photo: WYDOT

Concrete barrier, traffic signals installed on US 14 retaining wall project

1,919

Widening of the Shoshone River bridge started this week, and drivers using the bridge should expect traffic delays while the bridge-widening work is being completed.

One month ago

East Lincoln, East Jackson reopened July 3; East Pershing Avenue closed until late July

One year ago

RIVERTON – Highway improvements picked up steam on the North Federal Boulevard highway improvement project in Riverton, as concrete work moved toward East Pershing Avenue and side streets reopened to traffic. Prime contractor S&S Builders LLC, of Gillette, reopened the East Lincoln and East Jackson intersections on July 3 and North Federal concrete paving was slated for July 6, between East Lincoln and East Pershing Avenue. The North Federal/East Pershing intersection closed to traffic June 28 and remained closed to through traffic until late July. The good news: the East Park Avenue intersection reopened the evening of June 27. Real-time project updates are available at #RivertonRebuild. n

1,914

1,897

WHP Total number of highway fatalities: As of July 10, 2018

One year ago

August 2018

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Snowy Range Ro grand opening After about a year and a half of construction, the new Snowy Range Road bridge over the Union Pacific Railroad tracks in Laramie is completed – a few months ahead of schedule. The grand opening ceremony for the $23.5 million bridge occurred Monday, July 16, at 10 a.m. Immediately after the ceremony, the new bridge opened to traffic and the existing bridge at Clark Street closed. The new bridge is an impressive improvement over the old structure. It will carry four lanes of traffic over the railroad and will come complete with lighting and wide sidewalks to accommodate both pedestrians and bicyclists. The new bridge is expected to last about half a century and is designed to accommodate future traffic projections, said Resident Engineer Steve Cook. This compares to the old Clark Street Bridge, which was built in the mid-20th Century and carries just two lanes of traffic along with a standard width sidewalk. The existing structure was deteriorating and in need of replacement.

The location of the new Snowy Range Road bridge ties into Laramie’s overall traffic plan. Because the bridge connects into Harney Street on the east side of the tracks, traffic will have a more direct east-west path across town compared to Clark Street, which terminated at the University of Wyoming campus. Snowy Range Road, which carries WYO 130 and 230 into Laramie, will also be realigned as part of the project. Instead of connecting into the old Clark Street Bridge, the new road arcs around part of Laramie’s neighborhood west of the railroad tracks and links into the bridge. The new alignment will be wider than the old system and will have a corresponding sidewalk. “The new corridor we’re building from 3rd Street to I-80 is at least four lanes,” Cook said. This new traffic pattern is expected to help traffic flow better through Laramie, particularly during the evening as people head home from work. Backups on the old Clark Street Bridge and on 3rd Street to turn onto the bridge will be a thing of the past. The bridge is also designed to be aesthetically pleasing. Black

Photos: Rick Carpenter

The new bridge is an impressive improvement over the old structure.

The Snowy Range Bridge grand opening and ribbon cutting was held on Monday, July 16 in Laramie. Dignitaries from WYDOT, including Director Bill Panos and Chief Engineer Gregg Fredrick and Transportation Commissioner Bob Ruwart attended the ceremonies with local dignitaries and Laramie Mayor Andi Summerville.

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ad Bridge metal fencing and light structures line the bridge, and the color fits into Laramieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s landscape. About $255,000 was set aside specifically to be spent on adding improvements along the realigned Snowy Range Road, including trees, shrubs and other landscaping. As for Clark Street, the old structure will be removed over the course of several weeks as the contractor dismantles the bridge in sections. Once the old bridge is gone, crews will return to resurface Clark Street â&#x20AC;&#x201C; this time, though, without a bridge in that spot. n

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Noteworthy WYDOT launches new Driver Services map

Photo: WYDOT

By Aimee Inama People looking for driver services offices and locations now have a new and improved tool at their disposal. The Wyoming Department of Transportation recently launched a new Driver Services map on its website that shows where all 29 locations are within Wyoming. For each location, the public can access hours of operation, exam station information, physical address and directions. “This new map provides a one-stop shop for the public when accessing information about all of our Driver Services locations,” said WYDOT Director Bill Panos. “Our customers wanted a more user friendly way to access our information, so we decided to create this new map. The map shows how WYDOT is using the latest technologies to deliver vital information to the public.” WYDOT designed the new map to work on desktop computers and mobile devices. With so many people using mobile devices, officials wanted a map that could easily be viewed on smaller screens. The map is on the Locations page under Driver Services on WYDOT’s website. When a person clicks on the link to the Locations page, the map loads and shows points where all of the Driv-

er Services locations are in the state. On the left side of the page, names with thumbnail images of each location are displayed. A person can then either click on one of the points on the map or on the thumbnail image to display the addresses and more information about a specific location. “By displaying it both ways, a person can find a location by looking at the map or at the name and image displayed on the left side,” said Debbie Trojovsky, WYDOT’s Driver Services program manager. “This is going to be a great new tool for our customers, so they can get all the information they need about our Driver Services locations without having to click several links.” Trojovsky and her team had the idea to create a new Driver Services map as a way to streamline information. She then worked with WYDOT’s GIS/ITS program to develop the new map at no additional cost. “This map is a great example of working together to improve customer service for Wyoming residents,” said Vince Garcia, WYDOT’s GIS/ITS manager. “We were able to use existing resources to build this map for Driver Services without incurring any additional cost and build it in such a way that we can make changes to incorporate suggestions from the public.” To view the map, visit WYDOT’s website at http://www.dot. state.wy.us/driverservices and view the map on that page or click the “locations” link on the right side to view a larger version. n

WYDOT’s new Driver Services map provides a one-stop shop for the public when looking for information. The map can be accessed through the department’s website under Driver Services by clicking on Locations. The above screenshot is a display of the Douglas Driver Services location list of information which appears on the left hand side when the location clicked on.

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The Materials Program By J.L. Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brien

From recommending which highway sections need work the most, to the final check to make sure all materials used to build a highway have been tested and certified, WYDOTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Materials Program is involved in projects from start to finish.

The program has laboratories that test virtually all materials used by the department, from the components of asphalt or concrete pavement to the reinforcing steel and bolts used in bridges and the paint used to stripe the completed highways. “Essentially, anything that is incorporated into a project that’s materials related has to be tested and/or certified, from barbed wire to bridge girders,” State Materials Engineer Greg Milburn said. “We test lots of different materials and products in-house. We test how thick the galvanization is on the wire used in fences. We test bridge paint. We even test the roundness of glass beads used to increase reflectivity of traffic paint.” But the program’s responsibilities go beyond testing materials. Its Pavement Management System (PMS) is one of the primary tools used to decide if and when a project is added to the State Transportation Improvement Program. The PMS rates the condition of pavements based on roughness, rutting, cracking and friction using information gathered by consultants and Materials technicians who drive the state’s highways annually with special testing equipment. The pavement condition ratings are used to predict the future performance of the pavement based on computer models. That helps WYDOT determine which highway sections need work the most, and the appropriate rehabilitation strategies to use. Once a project is added to the STIP, engineers in the Materials Program begin working to find what kind of surfacing materials should be used and how thick each layer needs to be. The pavement thickness recommended depends on current and projected traffic volumes, particularly for trucks, the stability of the soil and geology under the route and how long the pavement is expected to last. “Whether it’s concrete or asphalt, or if the project is for maintenance, rehabilitation, reconstruction or new construction, we design it for a particular life,” Milburn said. “We design for 10-year, 20-year and 30-year life spans.” For highways with relatively consistent traffic volumes, the recommended thickness of the pavement can vary widely based on the soil conditions under the road. “We need to know how strong the roadbed will be,” Milburn said. “Geology drills it and sends us samples to test. We have areas with completely different soils. We might have some clays in one area and some sandstones in another. So that’s where you’ll see the thicknesses change significantly.” Some sections of I-90 have pavement 2-feet thick, with another 2 feet of crushed base and subbase below, while sections of other highways have only two inches of pavement over three or four inches of crushed base and have not required major rehabilitation since they were built in the 1940s, he said. If a project involves reconstruction or new construction, Materials works with Project Development and the districts to determine what kind to pavement to use. Concrete doesn’t rut or shove, so it has advantages for urban areas where there will be frequent turning, stopping and starting, Milburn said. Asphalt pavements tend to be quieter and ride smoother so they have advantages as well. The decision tree on which type of pavement to use includes looking not only at what it will cost to build the road, but what routine maintenance it will take for the road to get to its expected design life. “When we look at a plant mix road, it may be a 20-year design, but we know we’re going to have to go out there and do a crack seal or some chip sealing or a thin overlay if we structurally want to get that pavement section to 20 years,” he said. Depending on the project, the crushed base and aggregate required may come from a commercial source or WYDOT may provide a source. In either case, Materials tests the size gradations of the aggregate, the strength of the crushed base, and the individual aggregate properties to make sure they meet specifications. Once a project goes to contract, Materials provides the resident engineer on the project with a list of the tests and certifications that will be required. “We tell them what they should be testing and the frequency of the tests,” Milburn said. “We provide support to resident engineering during the project construction when issues involving construction materials arise.” Each week during construction season, a Materials Program representative drives

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the resident engineer to get that test result or that certification.” The program’s involvement in projects from start to finish means Materials personnel often have to have expertise in more than one area. Engineers who make thickness recommendations also review mix designs, provide construction support to the resident engineers, and then assist in the finals process. “We’re involved all the way from the Pavement Management System selecting candidate projects to the finals process of putting those jobs to bed,” Milburn said. “We’re really the last set of eyes on a project. We wear many hats here.” The program’s Field Services Division does bridge deck inspections and during the winter collects core samples from pavements. The cores can be used to measure pavement thickness and analyze the quality of the mix. Field Services also does falling weight deflectometer testing. Using equipment that drops a heavy weight onto the pavement or ground, the crew measures the resulting deflections to determine the strength of the pavement or subgrade below. All the personnel in the lab in Cheyenne, the mobile lab and anyone performing tests in the field must be trained and certified, and the equipment they use must be accredited and calibrated annually. “We carry an AASHTO accreditation, which isn’t easy to get,” Milburn said. “All of these guys are experienced and exposed to these different tests and they’re tested by national inspectors. So that keeps them busy maintaining their certifications and staying up on the specifications and making sure they’re dialed in.” WYDOT has its own tester certification program operated by Materials in conjunction with the University of Wyoming’s Civil Engineering Department, which provides classes on concrete, asphalt and aggregate, and soils. “Every tester who tests on a WYDOT job, whether a consultant or someone on a resident engineering crew, must be certified, Milburn said. “At the end of the job, we’re not just making sure that they did all the tests, we’re making sure the people who did the tests are certified.” In addition to testing materials being used on current projects, Materials also is involved in research on new products to determine whether they will be useful for WYDOT. “The technology changes very rapidly, so we’re heavily involved in the evaluation and installation of different products,” Milburn said. Currently products are evaluated on a case-by-case basis to see how they would work on a specific project, but developing a preapproved product list is a goal of the Materials Program. “We get thousands of materials that show up on our dock for testing on an annual basis,” Milburn said. “Those guys stay hopping back there and they get exposed to a lot of different types of materials and different tests. It’s very diverse and challenging, and I think it keeps the job interesting.” n Photo: Rick Carpenter

a circuit around the state to pick up samples to be tested at the lab in Cheyenne. “He gets back at the end of the week with a truck full of samples, whether for an asphalt mix design, crushed base or steel,” Milburn said. “Recently we’ve even gotten involved in testing fence posts, to see the depth of the penetration of the treatment. “We do compression tests on the concrete cylinders that the resident engineers’ crews are casting and sending to us. We condition those and then we break them. When we’re breaking steel, this whole building will shake.” The lab gets hundreds of gallons of asphalt samples from all the refineries and suppliers in the area for testing. “We test emulsified asphalts, cut-back asphalts, asphalt binders and crack sealants,” Milburn said. “These products are tested for many properties ranging from viscosity to elasticity under severe atmospheric conditions.” The program also has a mobile lab that spends the construction season on the road traveling to the sites of any projects that need it. “The purpose of this is to be able to go to projects quickly and provide support,” Milburn said. “When a resident engineer is having some issues with a particular mix on the road, we send our mobile lab out.” Once a project is done, Materials does a final check to make sure all the testing and certifications required were completed. “We look at all the materials-related items – certifications for the rebar or the paint, the gradations or the tests and the pay factors,” Milburn said. “If we find anything missing, we work with

Photos: Rick Carpenter

This page: Ryan Higgins and Estevan Trujillo operate the falling weight deflectometer which is used to determine the strength of the pavement or subgrade below the surface. Opposite from top: Jessica Williams in the Material Lab testing soils and their plasticity and the liquid limit of those soils; Karen McKnight removed a core sample from the ignition oven to extract the percent of asphalt in the core; and Terrence Gavagan is running gradation test on virgin hot plant mix.

August 2018

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By Amanda Santee, Human Resources The State of Wyoming Halogen site for PMI has been upgraded to feature a new look for the home page, enhanced mobile accessibility (including iPad, Samsung Galaxy 5.x+, and Windows Surface), and full browser support of Google Chrome and Safari (10.3+). Please note: Internet Explorer users will need to upgrade to IE version 11. The upgraded site can be found at: https://global.hgncloud.com/wyoming/welcome.jsp Your friendly Human Resources staff would like to remind you the PMI Evaluation Phase will open on Aug. 1 and close on Oct. 1 (because Sept. 30 falls on a weekend). The PMI Evaluation Phase allows the supervisor to evaluate the employee’s performance over the last performance period. The supervisor should provide feedback/written justification and a rating based on employee performance. Helpful hints: • Supervisors: If you are using the feedback, goal notes and status tools in the employee pages, please take time to update those as it will make the process much smoother. • Supervisors: If your employee is out on protected leave and will not return during this phase, please complete the evaluation to the step where you meet with the employee. If your employee is terminating/retiring before the end of this phase, an evaluation must be completed.

plann ing

Halogen upgrade and PMI evaluation phase reminders

g chin oa

HR Happenings

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performance management instrument

• Please plan to complete all required sign-offs by 10 p.m. Oct. 1. • Do not include mentions of FMLA/medical leave/TTD/ Workers’ Comp/etc., injuries, personal matters or any disparaging information. • Focus on performance, feedback and development. Allow for open discussion. • New employees hired on or after July 1 are not evaluated in this phase. These employees will begin in the next scheduled PMI Planning Phase (date is TBD). • If you need a Halogen password reset, please contact your program’s senior HR associate or email dot-humanresources@ wyo.gov. Please include your employee ID and date of birth with your request. For helpful tools and training for PMI, you can visit http:// ai-hrd.wyo.gov/human-resources-division/employee-resources/ performance-management-instrument-pmi If you have questions or concerns regarding Halogen or the PMI evaluation phase, please contact your program’s senior HR associate or email dot-humanresources@wyo.gov. n

Training @ a Glance

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

Coming in August: Date Class

PMI Competency

Location

Coming in September: Date Class

PMI Competency

Location

8/6/18 8/14/18 8/15/18 8/27/18

9/11/18

KNOW WY (New Employee Onboarding) Customer Service: From the Customer's Perspective Speak Up! Improving Your Assertive Communication Skills WY Supervise (New Supervisors & Emerging Leaders)

Decision Making and Problem Solving

New Employee Orientation Customer Service Communication New Supervisor Orientation

Judgment & Decision Making

Visit the Training Services intranet page for more information. 14

Interchange

August 2018

WYDOT-U WYDOT-U WYDOT-U WYDOT-U

WYDOT-U

Aeronautics CHEYENNE – U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will award $770.8 million in airport infrastructure grants as part of the total $3.18 billion in Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funding for airports across the United States. It was also announced that $12.5 million will be awarded to 10 airports in Wyoming. This latest announcement brings the total for Wyoming airports to $20.3 million in grant funds awarded to 16 airports across the state. The grant funding will be administered by the Wyoming Department of Transportation’s Aeronautics Division. The U.S. transportation infrastructure, with its 3,332 airports and 5,000 paved runways as an essential component, increases the country’s competitiveness and improves the traveling public’s quality of life. According to WYDOT’s most recent economic analysis, 35 airports in the Wyoming Aviation System account for $1.4 billion in total economic activity and support more than 12,000 jobs annually. In addition to administering the funding, WYDOT’s Aeronautics Division represents and advocates for projects for local governments. The Aeronautics Division is also involved with the planning and engineering of these projects. All of the projects put forward in the planning phase are approved by the Wyoming Aeronautics Commission through the Aeronautics Division’s Wyoming Aviation Capital Improvement Program. Projects are thoroughly vetted and all necessary information has been coordinated before grant applications are made. The FAA typically awards between $30-35 million to Wyoming airports each year. The state gives an average of $8.5 million yearly to match federal and/or local funds for airport development. Among the grant awards announced are the following projects at Wyoming airports: • Casper/Natrona County International Airport – $2.7 million to rehabilitate Taxiway “C,” which is the primary connection to the crosswind runway; • Yellowstone Regional Airport (Cody) – $399,000 to update the airport’s master plan ; • Yellowstone Regional Airport (Cody) - $1.9 million to expand the airport’s commercial apron to accommodate parking additional commercial aircraft;

Photo: WYDOT

USDOT announces another $7.8 million in infrastructure grants to six airports in Wyoming

• Laramie Regional Airport - $4.45 million to rehabilitate runway 3/21 pavement and signage; • Ralph Wenz Field (Pinedale) - $182,000 to design the rehabilitation of the aircraft parking apron; • Rawlins Municipal Airport/Harvey Field - $303,000 to update the airport’s master plan; • Riverton Regional Airport - $1.6 million to rehabilitate a portion of the general aviation aircraft parking apron; and • Hot Springs County Airport (Thermopolis) - $100,000 to improve airport drainage. • Miley Memorial Field (Big Piney) - $606,054 to upgrade the runway 13/31 electrical system and install a new airport beacon; • Jackson Hole Airport – $2.6 million to rehabilitate the airport entrance road; • Kemmerer Municipal Airport - $450,000 to relocate the aircraft fuel system; • Sheridan County Airport - $538,000 to rehabilitate edge lighting for both of the airport’s runways and taxiway “B”;

• Dubois Municipal Airport - $80,000 to rehabilitate the aircraft parking apron and install lighting in the apron area;

• Phifer Airfield (Wheatland) - $3.6 million to rehabilitate the airport’s only runway;

• Fort Bridger Airport - $565,000 to rehabilitate the aircraft parking apron;

• Worland Municipal Airport - $75,000 to widen an airport hangar taxilane. n

• South Big Horn County (Greybull) - $255,000 to expand the airport snow removal equipment building;

August 2018

Interchange

District News Headquarters

Welcome Clare Farrow, Environmental Services; Daniel Hite, PatrolSafety and Training; and Jason Venable, Patrol-Safety and Training.

Promotions and Transfers

David

Hearn

Messman

Stephen David, Highway Development-Photogrammetry and Survey; Phillip Hearn, Planning-Programming; Karen McKnight, Materials-Bituminous; David Messman, Purchasing-Storeroom; George Pitt, Budget; and Jamie Romo, Budget.

John Jerkins, Patrol-Capitol Services Protection – 20 years; Amy Brooks, Driver Services-Laramie – 15 years; Christine Grant, Planning-Programming – 15 years; Steven Lund, Motor Vehicle ServicesPlate Production – 15 years; Adolph Narvais, Facilities Management-Grounds – 15 years; Robyn Eifert, Purchasing-Buying – 10 years; Philip Harris, Telecom-WyoLink – 10 years; Lois Neckel, ITS/ GIS – 10 years; Jennifer Naatz, Motor Vehicle Services-Registration/ Title –5 years; and Marshall Newlin, Bridge-Engineering Design – 5 years. Grant

Eifert

Neckel

Newlin

Retirements Goyen

Jerkins

Brooks

District 1

Bryan Miazga, Cheyenne Construction; Richard Rhoades, Rawlins Patrol; and Clayton Troegle, Highway Development-Project Development-Laramie Design Squad.

Promotions and Transfers

Naatz

Wilson

Montgomery

Sandra Pecenka retired on June 30 after working for WYDOT for almost 34 years. She worked as an engineer in Project Development. She began working for WYDOT in September 1984 in the Bridge program. She also worked as a squad Pecenka leader for Project Development. Pecenka received her bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Wyoming. n

Welcome

Service Awards William Wilson, Highway Development-Engineering Services – 35 years; Paul Bustos, Office Services-Printing – 30 years; John Goyen, Highway DevelopmentPhotogrammetry and Survey – 20 years;

Scot Montgomery retired on July 3 after working for the state for 20 years. He was a captain with the Wyoming Highway Patrol and worked in the Commercial Carrier division.

Adam Duerschmidt, Highway Development-Project Development-Laramie Design Squad; John Page VI, Elk Mountain Patrol; Michael Petruso Jr., Laramie Patrol; and Richard Rhoades, Rawlins Patrol.

Charles Cisco retired on June 2 after working for WYDOT for more than 30 years. He was a senior engineering technical specialist in Materials.

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Cisco

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Petruso

August 2018

Rhoades

District 2

Service Awards

Welcome

Tyler Jones, Elk Mountain Maintenance – 15 years.

Scott Goodall, Douglas Construction; and Jacob Rushing, Casper Maintenance.

Retirements

Carl Eggleston, Afton Maintenance; and Rachelle Miller, Kemmerer Construction.

Retirements Rex Kelson retired June 2 with 11 years of service from WYDOT. He retired from Muddy Gap Maintenance.

Eggleston

Service Awards Steve Olson, Traffic-Electrical – 45 years;

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Carla Brown retired June 16 from Cheyenne Construc- Jones tion with 22 years of service to WYDOT. She retired from her position as a senior construction and field survey technician. n

Promotions and Transfers

Jaskowak

Jason Buck, Kemmerer Maintenance; David Fish, Pinedale Maintenance; Kenneth Matlock, Traffic-Striping; and Tonia Pfeifer, Rock Springs Construction.

Service Awards Klief Guenther, Pinedale Patrol – 20 years; Bradford White, Evanston Patrol – 20 years; Brad Baxter, Evanston Construction – 5 years; James Dimele, Pinedale Patrol – 5 years; Darin Kaufman, District 3 Traffic Staff – 5 years; Dorothy Kizzire, District 3 Administration – 5 years;

Guenther

Stanly Schlichenmayer retired on June 2 from Wheatland Construction with 35 years of service to WYDOT. The Wheatland High School graduate began his career with the state in September 1982. Schlichenmayer took UW accredited classes in engineering Schlichenmayer surveying in 1996. n

Mellor

District 3

Welcome

Daniel Jaskowak, Casper Maintenance – 35 years; and Gary Mellor, District 2 Construction Staff – 35 years.

Retirements Barbara Flor retired July 3 from Rock Springs Construction with 30 years of service to WYDOT.

Baxter

Kaufman

Dimele

Kizzire

Charles Mallory, Rock Springs Maintenance – 5 years; and Angela Stephenson, Rock Springs Mechanics – 5 years.

Congratulations

Flor

Dustin Jorgensen, son of District 3 Area Maintenance Supervisor Kim Jorgensen, was recently awarded the honor of Detective of the Year for the state of Alaska. The award was presented to Jorgensen by the Commissioner of Public Safety for Alaska (right) and the Colonel of the Alaska State Troopers (left). Jorgensen works in the Anchorage office. n

Photo courtesy of Kim Jorgensen

District 1, cont.

White

August 2018

Interchange

District 4

Welcome

Promotions and Transfers

Mark Clements, Sheridan Maintenance; Scott Dendy, Hulett Maintenance; Andrew Minton, Moorcroft Maintenance; Jimmy Morrow, Traffic-Electrical; Luke Provart, Sheridan Construction; and Brandon Spotted Horse, Sheridan Maintenance.

Timothy Ayres, Newcastle Maintenance; Elliott Bauder, Sheridan Construction; and Mary While, Sundance Port of Entry.

Clements

John Broad, Sheridan Patrol – 20 years; Dwayne Hunt, Gillette Patrol – 20 years; and Dustin Hockett, Buffalo Maintenance – 10 years. n

Service Awards Vicky Gearhart, Buffalo Construction – 30 years;

Ayres

Hunt

Morrow

Bauder

While Photo: WYDOT

Dendy

Hockett

Provart

Spotted Horse

Gearhart

Broad

Our Sundance crew experienced an unwelcomed weather event June 29 when a supercell came through town. Large hail stones and strong winds blasted the small community, Port of Entry and WYDOT buildings and vehicles.

District 5

Welcome Photo: WYDOT

Frederic Allen, Meeteetse Maintenance.

Promotions and Transfers Bret Moore, Basin Construction.

District 4 participated in the Sheridan WYO parade this year. The parade’s theme was “Hats off to Sheridan’s first responders.” Talented Sundance employee, Rusty Speidel, painted badges on one plow and the v-plow sported a crowd-pleasing shark design.

Service Awards

Moore

Kurasz

Interchange

August 2018

Crum

Photo: WYDOT

Pamela Leach, Driver Services-Lander/Dubois/Riverton – 35 years; Kim Kurasz, Dubois Maintenance – 20 years; and Robert Crum, District 5 Maintenance Staff – 5 years. n

Awards Wyoming Highway Patrol District honored

Photo: WYDOT

District 4â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Highway Patrol were recently recognized as the 2017 Highway Patrol District of the Year. Congratulations go out to Capt. Jason Green, his lieutenants and troopers. Well done! n

HANG UP. BUCKLE UP. HEADS UP.

DRIVE NOW. TEXT LATER.

August 2018

Interchange

Passings Clardon Todd

Clardon “Ray” Todd, 68, of Lander died June 27 near his home. Todd retired May 5, 2017, from the Riverton engineering crew. He was hired Oct. 6, 2008, and he served WYDOT as a project inspector for more than eight years. Todd Todd’s services were held July 7 in Limon, Colorado.

Jeffrey Van Dorn Jeffrey Van Dorn, 50, of Cheyenne passed away peacefully at home on June 28, under the care of Davis Hospice, after battling cancer since 2016. Van Dorn spent 24 years working for the Wyoming Department of Transportation, enjoying the work and Van Dorn the challenges of the workplace. He was hired to work in Bridge in January 1994. Most recently, he worked for Tom Adkins in Mapping before a retiring in January this year. Van Dorn loved all things Wyoming, his dogs and social time with friends. He very much enjoyed sharp wit and snappy retorts. Talking politics was fertile ground for his humor, wit and sarcasm. As hobbies, Van Dorn enjoyed shooting at the range, woodworking and home remodeling projects. He was a “world traveler,” having completed Old Chicago’s World Beer Tour many times. He will be missed by family and friends. Though he wished for privacy during his battle with cancer, he wanted all those who worried and cared for him to know how much he appreciated and loved them all. Funeral Liturgy was held July 5 at the Cathedral of St. Mary in Cheyenne. n

Classic? Hot rod? Two wheeler? We wanna see ‘em!

Rides Deadline:

08/15/18 carlie.vanwinkle@wyo.gov

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

Mike Calaway Dino Gallegos Vince Lucero Matt Manzanares Kevin Mickle Max Morbeto For more information about the Extra Mile Award or to nominate someone, contact Katherine Castaneda at Katherine.Castaneda@wyo.gov.

Interchange

August 2018

WTDEA

The 2018 Walleye Derby winners are, from left, Zack Calaway, Evey Thompson, Lorraine Albright and Darren Albright.

There were also $200 worth of door prizes awarded, thanks to WTDEA. Additional door prizes were donated by WYDOT Employee Safety and Timothy Francois at Sportsman’s Warehouse. WTDEA hopes to see even more avid fishermen there next year. Cross our fingers that the fishing is a little better. n

Photo: WYDOT

The Annual WDTEA Walleye fishing derby was once again a success. This year, the derby sold out in less than two days. The derby took place on June 9 at Grayrocks Reservoir northeast of Wheatland. A favorite with those young and young at heart, many came out to show their fishing skill. Contestants were allowed to start fishing as early as 5 a.m., and just needed to meet at the far east boat ramp in the early afternoon to qualify for prizes. Although the fishing was painfully slow this year, it did not stop the following winners from placing in the top four spots. First place winner was Darren Albright with a walleye catch of 2.77 pounds. Second place went to Lorraine Albright who caught a 2.57-pound walleye. Third place finisher Evey Thompson reeled in a 2.46-pound prize, while Zack Calaway rounded out the winner’s circle with a 2.38-pound catch. The winning contestants each received a portion of the money collected for the event. First place was awarded 40 percent, second place 30 percent, third place 20 percent and fourth place took home 10 percent.

Photo: WYDOT

2018 WTDEA Walleye Derby catches

All of the WTDEA Walleye Derby contestants were happy to pose for a photo after the competition.

Vacation time! Where’d you go?

Outdoors Deadline:

09/15/18 carlie.vanwinkle@wyo.gov

WTDEA District 1 awards scholarships for the 2018-2019 school year WTDEA’s District 1 chapter awarded scholarships to four qualified applicants. The recipients of this award will each receive $500 for their college expenses. This year’s recipients are: • Koltyn Barber is studying health services recreation therapy.

Barber

A. Santora

• Ashley Santora is studying elementary school education. • Brianna Santora is continuing her study in large animal veterinary science.

B. Santora

• Robert Wenger is continuing his studies in mechanical engineering. The WTDEA appreciates the support of all employees and friends of employees Wenger alike for the raffles and are happy to pass the support along to these outstanding students. WTDEA wishes them great success in their futures. n

August 2018

Interchange

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Interchange

August 2018

Break Time

Time to take five!

Sudoku is easy to play and the rules are simple. Fill in the blanks so that each row, each column, and each of the nine 3-by-3 grids contain one instance of each of the numbers 1 through 9. Top puzzle is level easy and the bottom puzzle is level medium.

4 1

8 3

1 8

http://1sudoku.com

n° 117330 - Level Easy

http://1su

4 6

Answer to the July 2018 Break Time photo find:

2 7

9 6

7 1

8 6

9 5

3 1 1

2 5

9 2

http://1sudoku.com

n° 219591 - Level Medium

http://1su

Interchange subscription issue? Update your address:

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

Retiree Employee

Change my address

Play on your mobile these puzzles and find their solutions by flashing the codes belo

Remove this address; person n° 117330 no longer lives here or is deceased.

Name change, n°I 118938 am a family member of a deceased n° 219591 employee, but I would like to continue receiving Interchange.

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

Page 1/2 - Check solutions, print more free sudoku and play o

August 2018

Interchange

Wyoming Department of Transportation 5300 Bishop Blvd. Cheyenne, Wyoming 82009-3340 Address Service Requested

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