The Office of Civil Rights Program aims to advocate, collaborate and educate
By Mark Horan
The Civil Rights office within the Wyoming Department of Transportation is a three-person unit that works to ensure WYDOT and its contractors are adhering to federal law under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as well as the Americans with Disabilities Act (Title II).
Responsibilities within the Civil Rights office focus on areas such as: limited English proficiency, environmental justice, affirmative action requirements, ADA accessibility, prevailing wage, contract compliance, and the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program.
Based out of Cheyenne Headquarters, Civil Rights is overseen by Program Manager Jeff White. He’s assisted by ADA
Program Coordinator Courtney Herceg and DBE Program Coordinator Lillian Zuniga.
In order to receive federal financial assistance, every state department of transportation in the country must have assurances in place, including a Title VI plan, prohibiting discrimination.
“We want to make sure that our programs and projects out in the field are complying with all federal rules since they’re being completed with federal dollars,” White said.
On the ADA side, meeting those requirements is important to White not only because it’s the law, but because “any one of us could find ourselves disabled when we wake up tomorrow morning.”
“Accessibility for our rights-of-way and our roads and pedestrian crossings is critically important for all of us, whether or not we have an aged parent or a child with a disability,” he said.
Herceg said ADA may come into play when there is construction on a WYDOT right-of-way that affects facilities used by pedestrians. She looks for ADA compliance in areas such as widths, turning space, curb ramps, grade breaks and slope measurements. She noted there are various instances that require construction crews to rehabilitate a sidewalk or build a curb ramp to make it wheelchair accessible, for example.
If a portion of WYDOT infrastructure does not meet ADA standards, even if it’s something seemingly minor such as an incorrect slope on a curb ramp, those violations may be subject to public complaint and can be taken all the way to the Department of Justice if not properly addressed. The Civil Rights office has a formal grievance process in place to request remediation.
To help with her inspections, Herceg uses the Street Smart™ web application from Cyclomedia to review photos and data of curb ramps, street crossings, sidewalks and pedestrian signals on WYDOT rights-of-way. Cyclomedia captures data from the real world and turns it into valuable insights, and Herceg uses it to identify areas in need of ADA upgrades
“It’s like Google Maps on steroids,” White said.
Because ADA compliance is so vital, it’s most beneficial to include Herceg in at the very beginning of the project planning process.
“If we have to come in after a project has already started pouring concrete, it’ll likely cost far more,” said White.
The primary remedial goal and objective of the DBE program is to level the playing field by providing small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals a
Graphic:
Carlie
Dakins
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 Dakins, Interchange editor 5300 Bishop Blvd., Cheyenne, Wyoming, 82009-3340 or send an email to carlie.dakins@wyo.gov.
Carlie Dakins Public Affairs
Matt Groth Public Affairs
Mark Horan Public Affairs
Jordan Young Public Affairs
Andrea Staley District 1
Jeff Goetz District 2
Stephanie Harsha District 3
Laura Dalles District 4
Cody Beers District 5
Lt. Kyle McKay Patrol
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.
fair opportunity to compete for federally funded transportation contracts.
“We’re taking folks who have been historically disenfranchised and helping them on the path to entrepreneurship and financial self-sufficiency, which I think is really important,” White said.
Zuniga works closely with small businesses to qualify them for the program.
“There is a lot of documentation required to meet the qualifications to be certified as a DBE in Wyoming,” she said, adding that every state has to follow the same regulations.
Currently, there are 27 certified DBEs in Wyoming, and more than 100 certified DBEs from other states have been accepted, making them eligible to bid on jobs that their company qualifies for. Zuniga noted that in addition to certifying DBEs for construction, her office also certifies businesses under the Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, which helps them to compete for airport contracting opportunities.
The DBE program works closely with contracts and estimates, construction field staff, and the Associated General Contractors of Wyoming.
“We want our prime contractors to be using these certified DBEs, and we kind of had to build that from scratch over the last 20 years,” White said. “It’s nice because we know that when we are increasing our goal, even though it’s incrementally each year, that means that the word’s getting out that the DBEs are doing good work, that the prime contractors are using them in their bids. It’s a win, win for everybody.”
Annually, at least 5 percent of the total amount of money spent on federal projects has to go toward contractors or subcontractors who are DBE certified. Zuniga collects and reports those numbers to the federal government twice a year. In 2023, WYDOT had an average DBE rate of 6.3 percent. The proposed DBE goal for fiscal years 2025-2027 will be 5.3 percent.
“As that goal goes up, it demonstrates that we’re growing the program, and that’s what we really want to do,” said Zuniga
White said the high level view of the prevailing wage program is making sure that the workers have been paid properly and on time. Part of White’s responsibilities include going through the state’s construction management system to see if all the payrolls on WYDOT projects have been approved by the Civil Rights office. He works with the University of Wyoming to gather results from their statewide wage survey and collaborates with the Department of Workforce Services in order to set the prevailing
wages for the upcoming construction season.
Another objective within the Civil Rights office is to assist individuals with limited English proficiency by providing a phone translation service that WYDOT employees can use to access interpreters in 240 languages. For information on how to use the LanguageLine Solutions audio service, WYDOT staff can contact White’s office.
White has been with WYDOT for less than a year and said he feels “really lucky to be here.”
“I had friends growing up whose dads worked for WYDOT for 30 to 40 years, and they would talk about the WYDOT culture,” White said. “Now that I work here, I see what they meant by that and I understand why people work here so long. It’s been such an inviting, friendly community of people. Everyone’s been so nice and helpful to me, and I’m just really thankful for that.”
The program is not without its challenges. White explained that federal programs go through periodic changes and updates, which means his staff has to stay knowledgeable and compliant as well.
“It can be a challenge trying to absorb all of the different types of information when it comes to federal laws, rules and regulations,” White said.
But his team is prepared to meet those challenges - and help contractors and other stakeholders navigate the complexities as well. He said his team is “happy to help in any way,” whether through live training events with the Districts or one-on-one questions with staff over the phone or via email.
“We collaborate with cities and towns, and we also work closely with WYDOT’s local government program by offering training at some of their annual events,” White said.
The success of WYDOT’s Civil Rights program is really dependent on the relationships that the agency fosters with stakeholders around the state.
“Advocate, collaborate and educate is the philosophy I kind of wanted to instill with our office, and that’s how I want to represent the Office of Civil Rights when we’re working with other internal and external partners,” White said. “We don’t want to come at it from an adversarial approach.
“If anyone has any questions, I encourage them to get in touch with our team.”
The Civil Rights office team from left: Jeff White, Lillian Zuniga and Courtney Herceg.
Photo: Mark Horan/WYDOT
District Briefs
Headquarters
WYDOT reminds drivers of new penalties for weight based road closures
CHEYENNE – The Wyoming Department of Transportation would like to remind motorists of the new penalties for violating highway closures to light and high profile vehicles that went into effect July 1.
The “Light and high profile vehicle closures bill” (SF0113) passed in the 2024 legislative session. The bill language notes that, “any person who willfully fails to observe any sign, marker, warning, notice or direction” for closures to light, high-profile vehicles is guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction, subject to a fine of $1,000 and potential imprisonment for not more than 30 days.
If the motorist is convicted of subsequent offenses within three years of the first offense, the violator is subject to a $2,500 fine. The conviction would be deemed reckless driving under Wyoming Statute 31-5-229, with possible driver licensing action.
Also new with this legislation, the driver of the light and high-profile vehicle at the time of the violation would be liable, upon conviction, for any of the above penalties.
“We hope these new penalties will be a better deterrent for drivers who otherwise may decide to test their luck and chance the wind closures to save some time,” said Col. Tim Cameron with the Wyoming Highway Patrol. “We see time and time again that this gamble results in crashes, injuries and lost time for everyone if the road has to close for cleanup.”
This new law does not just apply to commercial drivers; RVs, campers, moving vans, utility trailers and other large, boxy vehicles or trailers are also considered light and high profile and are subject to these penalties.
As noted in subsection (d), these new fines also apply to “other weight based closures” that aren’t necessarily wind related.
“Even on highways without strong wind restrictions, like Wyoming Highway 22/Teton Pass, drivers who willfully disregard weight restriction signage will be subject to these steeper penalties,” Cameron said.
Drivers can see any active wind-related highway closures, high wind warnings and
weather sensors, by visiting www.wyoroad. info
Overweight load coordination and information can be found with the Wyoming Highway Patrol: https://whp.wyo.gov/ commercial-carrier
To learn more about wind on Wyoming’s highways, visit: https://www.dot.state. wy.us/home/travel/wyoming-wind.html
Truck types prone to blowing over:
WYDOT awarded federal RAISE grant for Wind River Canyon resiliency study
CHEYENNE – The Wyoming Department of Transportation was recently awarded a $1.62 million federal Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity grant for the Wind River Canyon Corridor Resilience and Feasibility Study.
The RAISE grant will fund a study to guide resilience planning efforts for the Wind River Canyon Corridor along US Highway 20/Wyoming Highway 789. Various risks affecting travel along this vital link between communities will be addressed in the study, including rock falls, landslides, inclement weather and crashes.
The study will present recommendations to improve the corridor’s resilien-
cy, including the feasibility of creating an alternate route for improved system redundancy.
“We think the alternate route is worth exploring,” said WYDOT Director Darin Westby. “This one canyon thoroughfare has thousands of livelihoods, families, businesses, and tourists depending on it every day. No matter what the study recommends, the knowledge gained will help us better mitigate future challenges.”
WYDOT will continue working closely with its partners in this study, including the Towns of Thermopolis and Shoshoni as well as the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho Tribes of the Wind River Reservation.
The total cost for the study is estimated to be about $1.8 million. WYDOT will likely seek a consultant to complete the study through the agency’s typical competitive bid process.
This is the fifth competitive federal discretionary grant awarded to WYDOT in less than two years, totaling to $67.12 million in additional federal funds for Wyoming infrastructure projects.
“WYDOT is actively seeking ways to continue to invest in Wyoming’s infrastructure,” Westby said.
WYDOT Driver Services
announced
short closures for staff training
CHEYENNE – Patrons conducting business at select Wyoming Department of Transportation’s Driver Services offices were made aware of staff training closures.
Throughout the summer, Driver Services exam stations statewide met for staff development and training. Some of these training opportunities required the office to close to the public for a limited time. Patrons were encouraged to pick alternate times or locations to conduct business on those days, which were on July 16 and 17.
Additional meeting locations around the state will be communicated as scheduling is finalized.
Many Driver Services forms, instructions and requirements can be found on the website: https://www.dot.state.wy.us/ driverservices
Truck types not prone to blowing over:
Commission awards emergency contract for I-90 work
CHEYENNE – The Wyoming Transportation Commission awarded a $341,137 emergency bid to GeoStabilization International during a special meeting this morning via Zoom.
With this contract, GSI will address a creeping landslide north of Sheridan on Interstate 90 at mile marker 6.9. The work involves using soil nails and other stabilization methods, mobilization, traffic control, and other miscellaneous work.
District 1
Closure on Cleveland from Pershing in Cheyenne
CHEYENNE – Crews with the Wyoming Department of Transportation, Reiman Corp. and Aztec Construction closed Cleveland Avenue at Pershing Boulevard.
The intersection was closed per-
What is the WYDOT STIP?
The STIP is a six-year program approved by the transportation commission. It provides a snapshot of existing and expected projects and their schedules and is continually updated.
The current STIP is for the years 2024-2030 and represents the planned construction, preliminary engineering, and right-of-way costs of each project. The program also indicates the share of federal funding, state funding and other funding sources for each project.
WYDOT pledges to do its best to adhere to this program and to serve the public interest through these projects.
To learn more about the STIP, information is available at: https://www.dot.state.wy.us/STIP
manently as crews worked to create a new cul-de-sac at the end of Cleveland Avenue.
Seasonal paving in Carbon County
RAWLINS – Maintenance crews with the Wyoming Department of Transportation began seasonal paving operations in Carbon County July 17.
Work started on US Highway 30 at mile marker 290 near Rock River. Crews then moved to Hanna on US 30 at mile marker 242 to 242.75.
Other locations in Carbon County maintenance crews plan to pave this year include:
• US 30 at mileposts 275 near Medicine Bow;
• Various locations on Interstate 80 by Elk Mountain;
• I-80 by Rawlins near mile markers 198-199 and 210 in both east and westbound lanes; and
• Wyoming Highway 70 near Saratoga by mile markers 50 and 52.
Please note the above list is not necessarily in project order; crews may move between these locations based on weather conditions, material and equipment availability, or other factors.
Paving operations in Carbon County were expected to take about a month.
Work on WYO 72 through Elk Mountain underway
ELK MOUNTAIN – Crews with the Wyoming Department of Transportation and Simon Contractors began working on Wyoming Highway 72/Bridge Street through Elk Mountain in July.
The work began at reference marker 12.37 and end approximately at reference marker 15.98.
The project includes milling, paving, chip seal, and structure replacement at Halleck Creek (RM 13.25). During the structure replacement, traffic was temporarily shifted onto an alternating one-lane detour. Traffic in town was temporarily on a milled surface, and pilot car operations were used to navigate milling and paving times.
The expedited schedule has an expected completion date next spring.
STIP meetings held in Laramie, Albany and Carbon Counties
LARAMIE – The Wyoming Department of Transportation scheduled its annual State Transportation Improvement Program meetings this summer. District 1, which encompasses parts of Laramie, Albany and Carbon Counties, had meetings scheduled in July and some upcoming in August.
District 1’s STIP last upcoming meeting will be held in Albany County on Aug. 13. It will be a joint work session with the Laramie City Council and the Albany County Board of Commissioners at the Albany County Building at 525 E. Grand Ave. in Laramie.
All meetings are open to the public.
Work to begin on US 30 in Pine Bluffs
CHEYENNE – Crews with the Wyoming Department of Transportation and Simon Contractors began work on US Highway 30 in Pine Bluffs on July 1.
The project took place between Parson Street and the Wyoming/Nebraska state line, between mile markers 401-403.
Work included a mill and overlay, box culvert replacement and a new railroad crossing at Butler Avenue. There was a signed detour in place from 3rd Street to Market Street and a 16-foot width restriction for the duration of the project.
The project is anticipated to be completed this fall.
Epoxy striping caused delays district-wide
LARAMIE – Crews with Streamline Markings and the Wyoming Department of Transportation placed epoxy striping in various locations around the district.
Epoxy striping is more durable than traditional striping, especially in high-traffic areas.
Work included mobilizing and minor work in intermittent locations around the city of Cheyenne. Other various locations included work on Interstate 25 in Laramie County and along Interstate 80 in Laramie, Albany and Carbon Counties.
This was a mobile work zone with
Briefs continued from page 5
slow-moving striping equipment. Motorists were encouraged to obey all traffic control, slow down around work zones and avoid passing the heavy equipment where epoxy was still wet, as it is hard to remove from a vehicle.
District 3
WYDOT refuels avalanche infrastructure on Teton Pass
JACKSON – The Wyoming Department of Transportation conducted helicopter operations to refuel the GazEx avalanche infrastructure on Wyoming Highway 22, Teton Pass. The GazEx infrastructure uses explosions to trigger smaller, controlled avalanches to prevent dangerous, uncontrolled conditions above the highway. They are remotely operated by computer and are maintained and refueled by helicopter.
For the safety of the traveling public and the safety of WYDOT crews, the road was briefly closed and free of moving traffic for helicopter operations to carry fuel to the unit. Motorists encountered brief delays as the helicopter traveled to and from the unit on Teton Pass. Roadside flaggers controlled traffic for the operation. Traffic was stopped briefly while the helicopter took off and crossed the highway, and then again when it returned over the highway and landed. Traffic was only impacted twice for about 5 minutes each time. The work was necessary for the preparation of winter avalanche operations on Teton Pass.
with fuel for the upcoming winter season.
Concrete paving on WYO 390, limited impacts to traffic
JACKSON – The Wyoming Department of Transportation, along with contract crews from Ames Construction, paved portions of Wyoming Highway 390 near the intersection of Wyoming Highway 22 on July 18. No lane closures were anticipated, and traffic impacts were minimal. Drivers encountered summer traffic congestion, with delays during peak commuter hours which increased with trucks moving in and out of the area.
Crews striped the new pavement on July 19.
A WYDOT webcam image of the intersection of WYO 22 and WYO 390 west of Jackson.
Teton County is now in the peak traffic season, so drivers were warned to plan their travels accordingly, as well as to make sure they obey all roadside signs, traffic control devices and closures. For more information about the current work going on at the WYO 22 and WYO 390 intersection and Snake River Bridge, visit https://wy22wilsonsrb.com.
WYDOT, Sweetwater County Commission met about projects, public was welcome
ROCK SPRINGS – The Wyoming Department of Transportation met with the Sweetwater County Commission on July 16 during their regular meeting to share information about local projects. The public was invited to attend.
The Sweetwater County meeting agendas are posted online at Sweetwater County Commission. For those who couldn’t make the meeting, it was broad-
cast online for viewers to attend remotely on Sweetwater County’s YouTube channel. The link is available on the commission website.
For those unable to attend the Sweetwater County Commission meeting, the information presented was also be available on our web site at https://www. dot.state.wy.us/STIP. The public can also provide comments for inclusion by clicking the left link, “STIP Public Comment Map.”
Topics for the meeting included:
• Program overview;
• Information on funding;
• Timeline of the process; and
• Details on local transportation improvements.
Culvert work near exit 99
ROCK SPRINGS – The Wyoming Department of Transportation maintenance crews will be working on the shoulder of Interstate 80 for culvert cleaning operations near exit 99 beginning the morning of July 9.
The work is necessary to remove silt and debris from clogged culverts to improve drainage around the roadway. Crews will be working in the area all that week. WYDOT asks drivers to be aware of roadside workers, reduce your speeds and watch out for heavy equipment moving on the shoulder.
Bridge closure on WYO 374, Jamestown Road
ROCK SPRINGS – The Wyoming Department of Transportation along with contract crews from DeBernardi Construction Company Inc. closed access to the bridge over the Green River on Wyoming Highway 374, the Jamestown Road,
The GasEx avalanche infrastructure equipment along a ridge on Teton Pass were re-filled
Photo: WYDOT webcam
WYDOT crews worked to clear culverts of debris and silt at exit 99.
Photo: WYDOT webcam
for bridge repair work on July 9.
Variable message boards were installed warning local drivers of the upcoming closure. Residents and motorists wishing to access west of the bridge detoured on Interstate 80 using Exit 85, near the Love’s truck stop. The east side of the bridge closure was accessible from Green River or by using Exit 89 on I-80.
The closure was expected to last roughly three months while crews replaced the bridge deck.
The work is part of a district wide bridge rehabilitation job. The completion date for the work is Oct. 31, 2024.
Bridge rehabilitation on WYO 374 over the Green River. Detours to get around the closure have been made along I-80 using exits 85 and 89.
Chip sealing in Star Valley and near Big Piney
ROCK SPRINGS – The Wyoming Department of Transportation, along with contract crews from H-K Contractors Inc. conducted chip seal work in the Star Valley area on US Highway 89 on July 8. Crews worked from mile marker 108 to 118, between Etna and Alpine.
Traffic was carried through the work areas at reduced speeds using flagger and pilot cars. Drivers were advised to obey all traffic control signs and plan accordingly for delays that occurred through the work zones. Delays lasted 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Chip seal work is necessary to help prolong the lifespan of a pavement and keep drivers safer.
The work in Star Valley lasted roughly a week then crews moved operations to US Highway 189, between La Barge and Big Piney.
The work is part of a district-wide contract. The completion date for the work is Aug. 30, 2024.
Total number of employees: As of June 25, 2024 1,813 One month ago 1,808 One year ago 1,737
District 4
Permanent striping of Sheridan’s Downtown
Main Street completed
SHERIDAN – The Wyoming Department of Transportation and its contractors Oftedal Construction Inc. and S&L Industries permanently striped Sheridan’s Main Street. This work was completed at night and had minimal impact to traffic.
Traffic control was set in place each night by 6:00 p.m. and included full or partial lane closures of one to two blocks each night as well as the intersections within the work zone.
Side street parking along Main Street within the work zone was not available from 6:00 p.m. to 7 a.m. Traffic cones were placed along Main Street by 6:00 p.m. each night indicating the no-parking areas.
During these partial and rolling closures, the contractor applied a thermoplastic pavement marking material.
Thermoplastic striping is a technique that uses heat to melt the pavement
Total number of highway fatalities: As of July 10, 2024 46 One year ago 68
marking material into the grooves created during the grinding process. It is highly durable, especially when applied to a grooved surface, and eliminates the need to re-stripe roadways yearly.
WYDOT District 4 STIP meetings – public invited
SHERIDAN – The Wyoming Department of Transportation held its annual State Transportation Improvement Program meetings this summer. District 4, which encompasses Sheridan, Campbell, Crook, Weston and the northern half of Johnson Counties, continues meetings scheduled over the next three months.
District 4’s STIP remaining meeting schedule is as follows:
• Johnson County: Johnson County Commission; Aug. 21 at 9:00 a.m. Johnson County Courthouse, 620 W. Fetterman Street.
• Weston County: Newcastle City Council; Aug. 15 at 6:00 p.m. Newcastle City Hall, 10 W. Warwick Street.
Briefs continued from page 8
Weston County Commission; Aug. 16 at 9:00 a.m. Weston County Courthouse, One Main Street.
• Campbell County: Campbell County Commission; Aug. 20 at 9:00 a.m. Campbell County Courthouse, 500 S. Gillette Avenue.
Gillette City Council; Aug. 20 at 6:00 p.m. Gillette City Hall, 201 E. Street.
• Crook County: Crook County Commission; Sept. 3 at 2:30 p.m. Crook County Courthouse, 309 Cleveland Street.
Sundance City Council; Sept. 3 at 6:00 p.m. Sundance City Hall, 213 E. Main Street.
All meetings are open to the public.
District 5
Chip sealing on US 14/16/20 project east of Cody
CODY – Chip sealing of a $9.2 million pavement improvement and fence replacement project on US Highway 14/16/20 began July 15 east of Cody.
“The contractor did smoothness testing and grinding and has started fog sealing shoulders on this project,” said Wyoming Department of Transportation resident engineer Todd Frost of Cody.
The US 14/16/20 chip sealing began just west of the highway’s intersection with Oregon Basin Road at milepost 61.04, east of Cody, and extended 14.68 miles to milepost 75.72, 2.02 miles west of the Park County/Big Horn County line.
Work east of Cody has included asphalt milling, asphalt pavement leveling, chip sealing, minor slope flattening, bridge rehabilitation at the Dry Creek bridge and other work.
Motorists encountered a one-lane roadway with traffic movements controlled by pilot vehicles during chip sealing.
A portion of the project took place on Wyoming Highway 120 north of Cody from milepost 111.00, 11 miles north of Cody, and extended 7.54 miles north to the south end of Chapman Bench at milepost 118.54. Work north of Cody included fence removal and replacement and other work.
Prime contractor is Mountain Construction Co., of Lovell. Contract completion date is Oct. 31, 2024.
Chip sealing kicked off near Basin July 8; chip sealing scheduled near Lovell and Cody in July
CODY – A Wyoming Department of Transportation chip sealing crew kicked off its summer work July 8 on Wyoming Highway 30 east of Burlington.
About 14 miles of chip sealing were scheduled for WYO 30 (mileposts 111.8125.59).
The crew moved the chip sealing operation July 15 to the Wyoming Highway 114/US Highway 310 junction between Frannie and Garland, heading southwest toward Garland (mileposts 29.57-40.62); July 18 to Wyoming Highway 295 (Elk Basin Road) north of Powell (mileposts 13.8-29.35); July 29 to Wyoming Highway 296 (Chief Joseph Scenic Highway) northwest of Cody (mileposts 17.1923.00); and July 31 to WYO 296 (mileposts 33.21-46.2).
All chip sealing is dependent upon favorable weather.
Fremont County DUI Task Force focused on impaired driving during holiday weekend
RIVERTON – The Fremont County DUI Task Force was in operation and patrolling for impaired drivers beginning July 4 through July 7.
Fremont County law enforcement is reminding everyone to never drive impaired and to always wear your seat belt.
SafeRide was also in operation and available for free rides in Lander and Riverton on July 5 and July 6 between 8 p.m. and midnight.
“In addition to providing free ride service over the holiday weekend, WRTA is pleased to announce that SafeRide will be extending ride service to every Friday and Saturday evening in Lander and Riverton,” said Tim Nichols of the Wind River Transportation Authority.
“There is no excuse to get behind the wheel when you’re impaired. Too much is at stake, and we encourage you to have a plan, use a designated driver and on any weekend in Riverton and Lander call SafeRide at 307-856-WRTA (9782),” added Nichols.
The Fremont County DUI Task Force includes Wyoming Highway Patrol, Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, and the Lander, Riverton, Shoshoni, Dubois and Bureau of Indian Affairs Wind River police departments.
The Fremont County DUI Task Force recommends safe alternatives to drinking and driving:
• It is never okay to drink and drive. Even if you have had only one alcoholic beverage, designate a sober driver, use a ride sharing service or SafeRide to arrive home safely;
• Contact SafeRide at 307-856-WRTA (9782);
• If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact Fremont County law enforcement immediately or dial 911;
• Have a friend who is about to drink and drive? Take his/her keys and assist your friend in arriving home safely.
Paving project west of Eagle Pass earlier this summer on US 14/16/20 east of Cody.
Photo: WYDOT
Seasonal paving project near Lovell.
Photo: Cody Beers/WYDOT
Highway closure planned for US 26/287 through Dubois on July 4
DUBOIS – A 90-minute closure of US 26/287 occurred July 4 to allow for the annual Dubois Chamber of Commerce holiday parade.
During the closure, motorists driving through Dubois were not allowed to travel east or west of town during the parade, according to a June 28 Wyoming Department of Transportation special events permit.
The full closure of US 26/287 took place between 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. on July 4. The closure of US 26/287 began at the entrance to the Dubois Town Park at Stalnaker Street and ended at 1st Street’s intersection with US 26/287.
A permitted partial closure of US 26/287 for children’s events is also scheduled between 1:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. between 1st and 3rd streets. During the
30-minute closure, highway traffic was diverted on Welty Street.
Lander Brewfest
enforcement operation
yields a DUI, 48 speeding citations
RIVERTON – A Fremont County multi-agency impaired driving enforcement operation during the Lander Brewfest resulted in 165 traffic stops, one arrest of an impaired driver and 48 speeding citations.
The Fremont County DUI Task Force prioritizes impaired driving, but officers, deputies and troopers issued seven citations for other offenses and made four other arrests, including one for possession of a controlled substance, during the June 7-8 operation.
The task force issued 105 warnings during the two-day operation and issued two seat belt citations.
Superloads on Wyoming highways
No impaired driving fatalities were reported during the operation.
The Fremont County DUI Task Force has arrested 20 impaired drivers and made 1,187 traffic stops during five enforcement operations in 2024.
The Fremont County DUI Task Force includes the Wyoming Highway Patrol, Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, and the Lander, Riverton, Shoshoni, Dubois and Wind River police departments.
SafeRide provided a record-breaking 206 rides during the event in Lander. The Cheyenne Police Department’s DUI command vehicle was also present throughout Fremont County to support the task force.
The purpose of the Fremont County DUI Task Force is to reduce fatal crashes through the enforcement of impaired driving and seat belt laws. These enforcement efforts are supported by a media campaign that stresses law enforcement’s zero-tolerance stance on impaired driving and commitment to seat belt enforcement.
Wyoming highways see a lot of traffic. Every now and there is something a bit out of the ordinary to see. One superload was nearly 400 feet long and was 26 feet wide. It traveled between Laramie and Arlington on Interstate 80.
Photo: Andrea Staley/WYDOT
Noteworthy Rossetti named Deputy Director
Effective July 1, Taylor Rossetti was named Deputy Director of WYDOT.
“I know he’ll continue to represent this agency with integrity and dedication in this new role,” said WYDOT Director Darin Westby in an email announcement to WYDOT staff.
Rossetti will continue the duties of Support Services Administrator in the transition and will be taking on additional duties as well.
By Jordan Young
“I’m excited for the opportunity to serve the agency and the great people who work here in this new capacity,” Rossetti said.
Westby added that while having a named Deputy Director at WYDOT is new, “it was a topic of discussion before I came over as the Director, and I agree with this organizational structure.”
TOASTMASTERS
Roadmasters Chapter
“This will allow for efficiencies when I am not available and should set WYDOT up for successful transitions in the future,” he said the announcement.
In July 2016, Rossetti was appointed the WYDOT Support Services administrator and continues to oversee Compliance and Investigation, Driver Services, Human Resources, Motor Vehicle Services, Office Services and the Training programs.
He began his career with the Wyoming Department of Transportation in 2007. Originally hired as a transit specialist, he held multiple positions within the Office of Local Government Coordination prior to being named the Local Government Coordinator in 2012.
Rossetti is a Rock Springs native and graduated from the University of Wyoming with a degree in health sciences. He has worked for non-profits, in sales, and was a branch manager for a finance company prior to his WYDOT career.
Rossetti
FHWA’s Mobile Asphalt Technology Center visits WYDOT
By Jordan Young
The Federal Highway Administration’s Mobile Asphalt Technology Center visited the Wyoming Department of Transportation in July.
A 35-year old program, the MATC is a lab housed in a portable semi-trailer that the FHWA hauls to different states to provide training, demonstrations, best practices and more with state-of-the-art field testing equipment and materials.
The MATC promotes FHWA initiatives around the country, including balanced asphalt mix designs, pavement density, pavement safety, nondestructive field technologies for pavement monitoring, and pavement sustainability. The lab visit is also a chance for FHWA to show DOTs new technologies and testing procedures under development.
During their visit to the Cowboy State, which took place July 11 – Aug. 2, the lab visited not just WYDOT Headquarters in Cheyenne but also spent time conducting on-site testing at an active paving project on Interstate 80 between Green River and the Bridger Valley.
The MATC spent time with WYDOT engineers and contractors conducting on-site testing and new technology demonstrations at an active WYDOT paving project on Interstate 80 between Green River and the Bridger Valley.
While in Wyoming, the lab performed a thorough review of WYDOT’s pavement specifications and provided recommendations for specification improvements, including recommendations based on best practices in other states. Additionally, the FHWA will take best practices learned here to other states on its tour in a true information sharing endeavor.
One technology highlighted in the MATC’s visit was a Balanced Mix Design, which uses specific performance tests on appropriately conditioned asphalt sections to address multiple modes of distress, including mix aging, traffic, climate and location within the pavement structure. Wes Bybee, assistant
Another technology showcased during the MATC’s visit to Wyoming was a paver-mounted thermal profile, a quality control tool for contractors involving a high-precision real-time thermal profiler that detects thermal segregation during construction.
state materials engineer with WYDOT, said the BMD training was particularly helpful as “WYDOT’s BMD program is in its infancy.”
“We are currently in the process of procuring equipment and benchmarking our current plant mix pavement mixtures,” he said. “We look forward to meeting with the FHWA this winter to receive feedback concerning our current specifications.”
Another technology showcased during the MATC’s visit was a paver-mounted thermal profile, a quality control tool for the contractor involving a high-precision real-time thermal profiler that detects thermal segregation during construction. The MATC also showcased a laser texture scanner, which is a non-destructive way to measure pavement mean profile depth to determine surface macrotexture.
“Macrotexture provides vehicle traction and helps eliminate ‘run off the road’ issues when the pavement is wet,” Bybee said. “WYDOT hopes to evaluate this system to measure embedment depth on our chip seal projects.”
This is not the first time the MATC has visited Wyoming. In 2007, the lab visited a project in Cody and in 2023, the lab visited a project in Yellowstone National Park.
The MATC is a lab housed in a portable semi-trailer that the FHWA hauls to different states to provide training, demonstrations, best practices and more with state-of-the-art field testing equipment and materials.
Photo: Clint Lockman/WYDOT
Photo: Wes Bybee/WYDOT
Photo: Clint Lockman/WYDOT
100 Years of the Canyon Highway
US 20/WYO 789 through the Wind River Canyon celebrates centennial
By Jackie Dorothy, Hot Springs County Tourism
The Yellowstone Highway through the Wind River Canyon was a radical idea when it was first proposed.
A few remote ranchers protested that they didn’t need a road and didn’t want to pay a new tax for one since they would never own a vehicle. The town founders, however, were desperate for an easier route for autoists to reach the inaccessible town of Thermopolis and met personally with these protesters, trying to explain the importance of these new contraptions.
In 1915, it was a dangerous, long trip to get to Thermopolis over the Wind River Canyon in your automobile over Birdseye Pass. Some even failed in their attempt to drive over the pass and abandoned their Model Ts rather than take the treacherous path ever again. During the more passable summer months, the alternative was to ride the stage, which ran from Shoshoni to Thermopolis daily and took 12 to 14 hours to get passengers to their final destination.
To illustrate the desperate need for a safe highway, stories were shared of just how dangerous even the stage could be. John Hulse, a coal miner from Gebo, recalled some of his own personal mishaps when he worked for E. J. Richards as stage coach driver over Birdseye Pass.
Hulse recalls that the stage was 18 miles from Thermopolis to Birdseye and 18 more miles into Shoshoni. Lunch was served at the Half-Way House to the dusty passengers who felt “each mile seemed longer than the rest.”
The trail was perilous with one particular spot, Devils Slide, only about 30 feet wide. Hulse related that, “you really had to be careful and stay on the trail; if you didn’t it was a sheer drop off the cliff.”
During the winter, Hulse drove the stage through snow, belly deep, the lead team rearing and lunging to break trail and the wheel team pulling the load. It wasn’t just the weather and terrain that made driving stage over Birdseye so hazardous.
One summer day, three men lay in waiting along the trail with plans to hold up the stage.
Hulse was driving and ‘Old Man Moore’ was riding shotgun. As they approached, the men attempted to stop the stage. The team halted and the shooting began. Moore fell to the floor of the driver’s seat, and Hulse and a passenger held off the bandits. The passenger, who used a Luger, was wounded and his gun jammed. After some time, the bandits, seeing that their attempts were futile, gave up and left without the loot.
Runaway horses were also a risk. Hulse told such a story that, when driving four horses over Birdseye, the hand brake broke. Sheep
Clockwise from top left:
The official opening of the highway to yearround traffic was in October 1924. Wyoming Governor Brooks arrived for the grand ceremony and a convoy drove to the canyon tunnels to celebrate this radical new highway.
An old postcard advertises the new highway through the Wind River Canyon. One of the first motorists to travel the pass in 1924, Howard Jackson said, “The roadway is smooth, and there is plenty of room so that there is no danger of a traffic jam or of anybody being crowded off the highway.”
Crews had to use special tools to blast through solid granite to build the 12 miles of highway through the Wind River Canyon.
The 12-hour stage ride over Birdseye Pass was treacherous; one particular spot, Devils Slide, was only about 30 feet wide. Dusty passengers said they felt “each mile seemed longer than the rest.”
This newspaper ad is from 1913. Before the Wind River Canyon construction, the main way between Shoshoni and Thermopolis was to ride the stage, which took 12 to 14 hours to get passengers to their final destination.
US 20/WYO 789 through the Wind River Canyon still boasts many of the same beautiful views that Gov. John Kendrick predicted before the highway was built – he said, “it will become one of the best scenic routes imaginable!”
Queen Lucy Moore, a prominent sheep rancher in this area, was his only passenger. As the stage went into a turn, the brake broke and the stage turned over. Hulse kept hold of the reins and stopped the team. If he had turned loose, he said, the turn-over would have killed everyone. As it was, Hulse was “skinned up all over,” and Sheep Queen Moore “buggered up her knee.” She sued the stage company for $1,600 and collected damages for the injury.
This treacherous road was preventing travelers from arriving in Thermopolis, especially in their new automobiles, and a radical idea was proposed in 1916.
Wyoming Governor John Kendrick was in town to meet with locals about badly needed road improvements and the proposed tax to help form a new road department for the State of Wyoming.
Hot Springs County Attorney Fred E. Holdrege was armed with facts and figures, according to the Thermopolis Record, and supported his arguments in a way that did not leave room for contradiction.
“If this were Colorado instead of Wyoming, the highway, instead of finding a way around, would go directly through the great canyon south of this city!” He stated.
Holdrege predicted that someday the road would be built through the canyon and the room erupted into applause.
Governor Kendrick heartily agreed with the radical idea.
“I believe that the canyon route is an entirely feasible one, and that when the money for building it is available, it will become one of the best scenic routes imaginable!” He said.
That fall, the vote passed in Wyoming to permit the state to use its funds in road building. Immediately, Thermopolis autoists joined with others to promote the idea of building one of these roads through the canyon. Their enthusiastic lobbying worked. Six years later, work began in June of 1922 on the new Yellowstone Highway to replace the route over Birdseye Pass. The highway was finished two years later, over-budget but well appreciated.
The Thermopolis Chamber of Commerce wrote, “The building of Wind River Canyon road five miles south of Thermopolis, Hot Springs, Wyoming, has united two great empires of the west. Until the Wind River continued on page 12
Photos courtesy of Hot Springs County Museum
construction of that highway, the northwestern and eastern and southern parts of Wyoming were separated buy natural barriers, which prevented all kinds of vehicular traffic except light passenger conveyances, the latter being possible during only 100 days of the year.”
The finished highway through the Wind River Canyon was 12 miles long and was the most expensive road in America at the time. The main cost occurred when the crews had to blast and drill their way through solid granite with specially-made tools. The price of these 12 miles came to more than $750,000, and the state was able to pay for it using federal aid.
The first automobiles passed through the canyon Jan. 22, 1924. The highway was then thrown open to Sunday drives in July of 1924. The official opening to year-round traffic was in October. Wyoming Governor Brooks arrived for the grand ceremony and a convoy drove to the canyon tunnels to celebrate this radical new highway.
Howard Jackson, deputy sheriff of Converse County, was one of the very first autoists to drive down the new “Canyon Boulevard.” He told the Casper newspaper that it was a harrowing drive.
“I’ll bet many old women will faint and drop into the bottom of the car as they go through those tunnels and come out suddenly onto a shelf hung two- or three-hundred feet above the water, where you can look straight down into a raging river, and then look straight up for half a mile, and find that you are hung up there in mid-air, as it were,” Jackson said.
As seen on the District Briefs page in this month’s issue of Interchange, WYDOT recently received a $1.62 million federal RAISE grant for the Wind River Canyon Corridor Resilience and Feasibility Study. The study will present recommendations to improve the corridor’s resiliency in the face of risks like rock fall, landslides, wintry weather, crashes and other hazards.
However, he added, that the road itself is fine.
“There is no place where a Ford car cannot go through ‘on high’ without missing a lick,” he said. “The roadway is smooth, and there is plenty of room so that there is no danger of a traffic jam or of anybody being crowded off the highway.”
He also pointed out that the grade of the highway never tops 5 percent, “think of that.”
“Then, think of the 10,000 feet of mountain piled up on top of you as you go through the tunnels, and then look back to the climb over the top of Birdseye that this new boulevard is saving you, then you will realize what the state of Wyoming is doing with the money that is being used for our highways.”
Today, as you drive through the Wind River Canyon Scenic Byway, now designated US Highway 20/Wyoming Highway 789, you can still enjoy the views that were seen 100 years ago when the highway first blasted its way through the granite.
The cliffs that soar into the sky and the sparkling Wind River can now be easily enjoyed thanks to the radical idea of our town founders to build a highway through the Wind River Canyon and not around it.
Join us in celebrating 100 years of the Yellowstone Highway!
Photo: Carlie Dakins/WYDOT
Traveling southbound on US 20/WYO 789 through the Wind River Canyon. Vehicle traffic passes through two tunnels on the left and a railway tunnel can be seen on the right side across the river at this narrow section of canyon.
Photo: Carlie Dakins/WYDOT
A train trestle at the south end of Wind River Canyon before the dam at the north end Boysen State Park.
Crews with Evans Construction work on the finishing touches for the temporary detour at the Big Fill Landslide on Teton pass. The pass reopened to live traffic the next day, June 28. Can you spot the
Teton Pass reopens after Big Fill slide
‘Thank you from the bottom of our hearts’
By Jordan Young
On June 28, the Wyoming Department of Transportation reopened Wyoming Highway 22, commonly known as Teton Pass, to traffic after the Big Fill landslide.
The landslide, which occurred June 8, took out both lanes of the busiest two-lane highway in Wyoming. The closure forced thousands of commuters from Idaho to take a detour through Swan Valley to get to work in Jackson, adding as much as four hours to their daily commutes.
“While temporary, this safely reconnects communities and gives commuting families their valuable personal time back,” WYDOT Director Darin Westby said in a press release announcing the road reopened. “I think every Wyoming resident or regional commuter can be proud of their transportation department.”
Photos and videos from the slide received national – and even international – attention. Many thought it would take months for WYDOT to reopen the highway to traffic.
The Town of Jackson sent WYDOT a thank you letter in July. The letter notes that, when the landslide occurred in early June, “no one in our community even dared to imagine that Teton Pass would be open again by the Fourth of July.”
“But, here we are, and we have WYDOT to thank,” the letter reads. “The Town of Jackson is incredibly grateful for the hard work, attention to safety, and ingenuity that were all an integral part of being able to reopen Teton Pass less than a month after the natural disaster that closed this corridor.”
The town of Jackson wasn’t the only one to say thank you. The
WYO 22/Teton Pass reopened to live traffic June 28, just three weeks after the Big Fill landslide took out two lanes of the highway. Crews with Evans Construction worked around-the-clock on the temporary detour.
gratitude started pouring in; newspaper editorials, letters to the editor, hand-drawn cards from Teton Valley children, thousands of Facebook comments, hand-made signs in towns like Wilson, and more praise flooded WYDOT and construction crews for their efforts.
Jackson Resident Engineer Bob Hammond joked with a reporter with the Jackson Hole News & Guide newspaper that he’s seen positive reviews from drivers, too.
“So far, everyone who has given us one digit has put up the thumb,” he said. “That’s a good thing.”
smiley face?
Photo: WYDOT drone
Photo: WYDOT drone
Teton Pass continued on page 14
(From left to right) District 3 Engineer John Eddins, Chief Engineering Geologist James Dahill and WYDOT Director Darin Westby discuss the Big Fill landslide ahead of the media day WYDOT hosted on June 25. The media day gave reporters and local officials the chance to see the detour progress before the road reopened a few days later.
The Teton County, Wyoming, Board of County Commissioners also sent WYDOT a thank you letter in early July. The letter praised WYDOT for “the agency’s transparency with the county and the public, oftentimes multiple updates a day.”
Westby noted in a WYDOT press release that the agency’s response to the disaster was a “master level class in public service.”
In July, Westby and Gov. Mark Gordon attended a thank you dinner in Jackson hosted by Sen. Mike Gierau and other officials. The state officials took the time to personally serve the workers who made the impossible a reality.
“Three weeks of incredible work,” Gordon said at the dinner. “You were absolutely outstanding. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
Crews with Evans Construction worked around-the-clock, moving more than 30,000 pounds of dirt constructing the detour.
The finished temporary detour features a paved roadway with
While work on the temporary detour at mile marker 12.8 continued, crews with Avail Valley LLC installed a culvert at the mudslide located at mile marker 15. Crews worked efficiently and the culvert was ready for live traffic when the detour was complete.
two 12-foot lanes, one in each direction. The detour also has concrete barriers protecting motorists from any hazards.
Due to the 11 percent grade through the detour, WYDOT had to reduce speed limits and provide other traffic control. Advanced signage warns drivers of the reduced speed and any other applicable restrictions.
Meanwhile, crews with Avail Valley LLC also worked hard to install the culvert at the mudslide at mile marker 15 so that it was ready for live traffic once the Big Fill slide repairs were complete.
This was a monumental cooperative effort. In a press release after the highway reopening was announced, Gordon praised stakeholders from around the Teton Valley for the quick work with no sign of cumbersome bureaucracy.
“It’s absolutely incredible how the community and Wyoming
Beyond the dozens of WYDOT employees – in Jackson, Cheyenne, District 3, District 5, Wyoming Highway Patrol and more – who had a hand in the monumental effort to reopen Teton Pass, WYDOT would like to thank the following external partners as well:
• Governor Mark Gordon’s Office
• Wyoming’s Congressional Delegation and Idaho’s Congressional Delegation
• The Wyoming Office of Homeland Security
• The US Forest Service (specifically the Caribou-Targhee National Forest)
• The Federal Highway Administration and US Department of Transportation
• Local elected officials, including: Joint Transportation Commission Chairs Sen. Brian Boner and Rep. Landon Brown; Senators Dan Dockstader and Mike Gierau; and Representatives Andrew Bryon, Liz Storer and Mike Yin.
• Evans Construction
• HK Construction
• Avail Valley LLC
• Teton County Commissioners – Wyoming
• Teton County Commissioners – Idaho
• Town of Jackson
• Cities of Victor and Driggs – Idaho
came together to respond to the Teton Pass collapse,” he said. “I applaud everyone who has come together to solve this problem and help – that’s the Wyoming way.”
So what’s next? Due to the steep grade, the detour cannot serve as a long term solution for the slide area. WYDOT geologists and engineers continue to assess the area and prepare designs for the reconstruction efforts this fall.
Contracts will also be let for repairs to the weigh station damaged after the mudslide at mile marker 15, as well as additional debris cleanup at that location.
“It is a testament to the expertise and dedication of our Wyoming Department of Transportation that they were able to mobilize to construct this temporary road,” Gordon said. “WYDOT is now working diligently on the next steps for the full rebuild, keeping motorist safety paramount.”
Photo: Jordan Young/WYDOT
Photo: Jordan Young/WYDOT
Training 2024 WY Lead Cohort Update
By Jim Boyd, Training Services
WY Lead is WYDOT’s internal structured leadership academy meant for existing supervisors or those with previous leadership experience who are interested in advancing with WYDOT.
WY Lead 2024 kicked off in mid-May with a three-day in-person event in Cheyenne where participants explored leadership mindsets, strengths and growth through a series of activities and assessments. They were grouped into teams and given a strategic project to work on. The project centers on improving WYDOT’s brand, and each team will focus on either internal stakeholders, external stakeholders, or the traveling public. The cohort group also got a chance to meet with their mentor and discuss other development initiatives they wished to explore. Finally, this cohort group visited with Emergency Communications from the Technology Division and toured a few different areas, including the Transportation Management Center and Wyoming Highway Patrol center as well as the WYDOT license plate plant, where they heard a little about fraud from Drivers Services and Compli-
ance and Investigation.
The cohort group reconnected virtually in June and just finished their second in-person event, which took place in Casper. There, they began exploring different readings related to successfully leading others, heard from District 2 District Engineer Mark Ayen on his leadership journey, explored WYDOT equipment and got an overview of the Operations division.
The cohort group will be meeting in Rock Springs (District 3) in August, Sheridan (District 4) in September, and finishing in Cody (District 5) in early November.
More information on the WY Lead program can be found on the Training Services intranet page in the WY Lead area.
I encourage employees and supervisors to support their efforts as much as able. As always, please don’t hesitate to contact me, Jim Boyd, if you have any questions or concerns, or you can reach out to any of us in Training Services through dot-training@ wyo.gov.
TRAINING @ A GLANCE
TRAINING @ A GLANCE
2024 WY Lead Cohort with District 2 employees
Photo: Jeff Goetz/WYDOT
District News
Headquarters
Welcome
William Marsh
Jr., Emergency CommunicationsDistrict 1 Radio Shop; Zion Rohde, BridgeEngineering Design; and Kristin Stuchlik, Driver Services-Policy and Records.
Promotions and Transfers
Vincent Birkle, Maintenance Staff; Vincent Martini, Driver ServicesAdministration-Cheyenne; Devon Nelson, Strategic Performance Improvement; Nathaniel Sainz, Highway DevelopmentPhotogrammetry/ Survey; and Caleb Sells, BridgeEngineering Design.
Jesse Burgess has been selected as WYDOT’s Equipment Program Manager effective July 1, 2024.
District 1
Welcome
Isaiah Arellano, Cheyenne TrafficStriping; Joshua Armas, Highway Development-Project DevelopmentLaramie Design Squad; Elias Frederick, Highway Development-Project Development-Laramie Design Squad; Albert Johnson, TrafficElectrical; Orlando Montez, Cheyenne Construction; and Bryan Perry, Rawlins Mechanics.
Service Awards
Joseph Devlin, Patrol-Rawlins – 5 years; Ryan Gerdes, Patrol-Laramie – 5 years; and
Laramie Jubilee Days
Employees from District 1 enjoyed a beautiful summer day and joined in on the Laramie Jubilee Days parade held on July 13. There were many floats, various carriages, marching bands and fire trucks participating this year.
From left: Laramie Maintainer Steven Hamlet; Kate Shields; District Construction Engineer Ryan Shields; Laramie Maintainers Austin Baker and Brendan Baker; HR Representative Mandy McMicheal; Sage McMicheal; District 1 Public Involvement Specialist Andrea Staley; Jan Staley; and Butch Staley.
Marsh
Birkle
Ayers
Murugesu
Ragan
Burgess
Flores
A. Nelson
Sainz
D. Nelson
Johnson Devlin
Arellano Perry
Photo: WYDOT
Steven Watson, Patrol-Elk Mountain
5 years.
District 2
Welcome
Pete Arndt, Wheatland Construction; Webster Askew, Casper Maintenance; Brendan Beauprez, Wheatland Construction; Katie Hansen, Chugwater Maintenance; Derek Moody, Wheatland Maintenance; and Michael Tucker, Wheatland Construction.
Promotions and Transfers
Jeddidiah Wilson, Torrington Maintenance.
Service Awards
Mark Williams, District 2 Construction Staff – 35 years; and Dan Goetz, Casper Maintenance – 5 years.
District 3
Welcome
Issac Howard, Rock Springs Mechanics.
Promotions and Transfers
Brittney Barrera, Rock Springs Traffic-Striping; Kelly Bennion, District 3 GIS/ITS; and Michael Picerno, Rock Springs Maintenance.
WHP participates in Donate Life night at the ball field
Recently Trooper Valerie Patmore and Trooper Eric Patmore participated in the Donate Life night at the Casper Spuds collegiate summer baseball team’s game on June 19. Trooper Eric Patmore was selected as the first responder to throw out the first pitch of the game.
We’ve got spirit, yes we do!
Congratulations to our local WYDOT folks who took time off to enter a float in the annual Central Wyoming Fair and Rodeo Parade June 9 in Casper. The float was sponsored and built by the Wyoming Transportation Department Employees Association. This year’s theme was “Cowboy Mardi Gras” and there were plenty of beads handed out to the crowd. The float earned honorable mention recognition from the parade judges.
Watson Gerdes
Photos:
WHP
From left: Kimberly Mullinex and her son, Koda; Debbie Herbold and Church Firnekas; Tracey Firnekas; Brittany Branson; Kyle Williams; and Zach Owens.
Photo: Spike Smith
Goetz
Williams
Service Awards
Nicholas Shidner, Jackson Construction – 15 years; and
Joshua Carris, Patrol-Rock Springs –10 years.
Retirements
Janet Hood, driver’s license field office supervisor in Kemmerer, retired in June after more than 18 years of service. Hood has also worked in Driver Services offices as a field examiner in Pinedale and Big Piney. When not at work, Hood enjoys spending time outside camping and fishing with her family, especially her grandkids.
District 4
Welcome
John Day, Sheridan Mechanics; Cody Fisher, Sheridan Traffic-Striping; and Ahmad Zaman, Buffalo Construction.
Promotions and Transfers
Kristin Dillehay, Port of EntrySundance; and Angela Fisk, Port of Entry-Sundance.
Service Awards
Adam Balthazor, Patrol-Sheridan – 5 years; and Richard Morrison, Patrol-Gillette – 5 years.
Retirements
Bruce Kent, highway maintenance specialist with District 4 in Pole Creek, retired in June after 18 years of service.
From left: Area Maintenance Supervisor Dustin Hockett, Bruce Kent, and Pole Creek Foreman Chuck Thompson at Kent’s retirement celebration in June.
Promotions and Transfers
Kyle Jorgensen, Lander TrafficStriping.
Retirements
Daniel Hahn, highway maintenance supervisor with the District 5 Traffic striping crew in Lander, retired in June with more than 15 years of service.
Donald Jackman, highway maintenance technician with District 5 in Thermopolis, retired in June with more than 16 years of service.
We salute the following Director’s Extra Mile Award recipients. This award is presented to individuals who have “traveled the extra mile” in service of WYDOT.
For more information about the Extra Mile Award or to nominate an employee, contact dot.humanresources@wyo.gov
Photo: Laura Dalles/WYDOT
Shidner Carris Fisher
Dillehay
Balthazor
Zaman
Day Fisk
Morrison
Jorgensen
Hahn
Jackman
Kudos for Motor Vehicle Services staff
Jennifer, Terri and the whole crew,
Just want to say thank you for taking such good care of us and our trucking. We really appreciate you all!
Have a great summer.
Hugs, Randy and DeVota DBAC Inc.
On a deep, dark night in the middle of Wyoming...
After relating this story for the dozenth time, I realize you should know. Four years ago on a Labor Day weekend, I was coming back to Montana from Colorado via the two-lanes versus interstate. Don’t have a good map but it was the main highway westbound from Casper. Somewhere near Natrona. Deep dark night; high traffic.
Was getting glared out by approaching headlights with visor dipped just a bit. Suddenly noted one light looked ... odd. Hit visor up to see the grill of a huge pickup with brights on on a headon course. I was driving a 2008 Subaru Outback. No way to avoid (so I thought). I swerved, in slo-mo accident time, stunned at missing a direct hit. Here comes the glancing crash. Nope. Here comes the mirrors broken off then a sideswipe. A great mystery how circumstances combined for a clean miss but pointless anyway as I cut off so fast, a roll or sailing crash into landscape was inevitable at that speed and vector.
I’m an ex-EMT with evasive/emergency driving training DECADES ago. Final stun was finding myself sliding out of it to stop, okay, without damage and out of traffic DUE TO THE WIDE PAVED SHOULDERS! I never saw that on roads before, especially rural. Seemed a bit excessive on first impression if memory serves.
However, their size, quality and mere existence SAVED MY LIFE. I’ve also done some work with MDOT and don’t believe
I ever saw those either. May have been some budget or design discussions either way; sure they were expensive to build. Yet whatever or whomever worked to make them happen, then yes, they save lives. They saved mine for one. Who knows how many else? WDOT would not know unless we report it.
P.S. I did call 911 to report the probably drunk driver. Checked back in the morning and no accidents reported.
Poor Subaru was destroyed a month later when taking the barrow pit instead of t-boning a young lady with baby (who was distracted with a cell phone) that turned right in front of me traveling 55 mph. Notorious intersection of Applegate and Lincoln Road with many fatalities.
Thanks,
Vince Moravek
WYO 22 Big Fill Slide brought back fond (and scary!) memories for a traveling couple
To whom it may concern,
My husband and I visited Driggs, Idaho, Jackson Hole and the Grand Tetons about six years ago. WYO 22 over the Tetons is one impressive (and scary!) highway. Naturally, it is one of our most exciting memories. Ever since, I have checked the webcams almost daily to relive the drive, to evoke pleasant recollections, to see spectacular scenery, etc.
So, we were very upset about the collapse and mudslide on the road but grateful no one was hurt or killed.
Congratulations to all who repaired the road in a remarkably short time! You guys are so efficient. Everyone involved should get special recognition. The people studying the road, the actual construction employees – they are the angels providing passage and protection to all who travel there.
God bless all your hard work, Sally and Ron Ferrero
Online Training Opportunity!
You’re invited to attend one of the following online training classes facilitated by Procurement Services and Financial Services.
• August 6, 2024 – from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• August 12, 2024 – from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
If you would like to attend one of these sessions please verify with your supervisor and contact Procurement Services at: dot-procurement-service@wyo.gov. A calendar invite will be sent to you prior to the training. This is an optional training but offers an opportunity to expand your knowledge of requirements of Procurement Services and Financial Services, and to get your ERP questions answered.
Passings
Gus Fleischli
Gus Fleischli, 98, passed away on July 21, 2024. Fleischli’s remarkable life was defined by his unwavering dedication to his family, community, state and country.
Fleischli was born Dec. 26, 1925, and when he was a young man, he bravely served his country as a waist gunner on a B-17 bomber during World War II. He served in the 490th Bomb Group, where he flew 32 missions, showcased his courage and resilience in the face of unimaginable challenges. Fleischli’s selfless sacrifice and unwavering commitment to protecting freedom will forever be remembered and cherished.
After returning from the war to Wyoming, he embarked on a successful business career. He started working with his father at Fleischli Studebaker, then bought the Husky Truck Stop and evolved it into Fleischli Oil. He also served as chairman of the Wyoming Highway Commission and served three terms in the state House of Representatives. His love and dedication to the University of Wyoming Business School earned him an honorary doctorate degree. All this has left a lasting impact on the local community. His entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to excellence set him apart as a visionary leader.
Fleischli’s greatest joy in life was his family. He was deeply
BUCKLE UP. EVERY DRIVE. EVERY TIME.
devoted to his beloved wife, Patricia Sitzman, whom he married on June 12, 1949. Together, they raised three children – Kirk, Kit and Kris – who carry on his legacy of love, strength and resilience. He adored his eight grandchildren and found immense joy in watching them grow and thrive.
Known for his special charisma and infectious sense of humor, Fleischli had a unique ability to light up any room he entered. His witty comments, funny stories, and positive personality could bring a smile to anyone’s face. Fleischli’s presence was a source of comfort and joy for all who knew him.
It is fitting that he passed away during Cheyenne Frontier Days, an event in which he served as chairman twice and was responsible for establishing the first night shows. The world’s largest outdoor rodeo held a special place in his heart, and his dedication to this cherished tradition will forever be remembered.
Fleischli’s service during World War II and his numerous accomplishments as a businessman and community leader have left an indelible mark on Cheyenne. He was instrumental in organizing the first honor flights for Wyoming and Colorado veterans.
Fleischli was a true hero, a loving husband, a devoted father and a cherished friend.
George S. Garrett
George Spencer Garrett, 81, of Eastham, Massachusetts, passed away on February 5, 2024. Garrett was born on August 29, 1942, in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania. He attended college at the University of Wyoming where he met his wife JoAnn (Joby) Hughes. They settled in Cheyenne, Wyoming, where he worked as a transportation planning engineer at the Wyoming Department of Transportation for nearly 33 years.
They raised two children, George Sean Garrett and Toria Garrett, and a menagerie of animals including a dozen of their beloved Irish Wolfhounds.
In 1997, they retired and moved to Antrim, New Hampshire, to be closer to their children and their future grandchildren, living there for over 21 years. In 2018, they decided to move to one of their favorite places, Cape Cod, and happily settled in Eastham.
Joby passed away in September 2020 and Garrett remained in Eastham where he made great friends whom he enjoyed immensely. He was a regular at the Eastham Senior Center, frequented the Elks Club as a regular “guest,” was a Cape Cod Corvette Club member and was a mainstay at Fairway and Yardarm. He loved his neighbors and above all, he loved his daily morning coffee gang at the Hole in One.
There was a private family service to honor him and Joby. In lieu of gifts or flowers, donations can be made to MSPCA, supporting their devotion to helping any animal in need. For online condolences, please visit www.nickersonfunerals.com
Fleischli
Garrett
The 12 winning photographs will be displayed in the 2025 WTDEA Cash Calendar.
The contes t and online voting is open to all active WYDOT employees
Winners will receive a 2025 WTDEA Cash Calendar featuring a $100 monthly bonus drawing.
9:30 am - 12:45 pm in the Training/WYDOT-U Building
Hagrid is a two-year old Wire-Haired Griffon. His favorite toy is always a sloth, no matter what style his mom, Kara Peterson with Cheyenne Project Development, buys he always prefers the sloth. He loves going for walks and visiting his grandpawents.
Meet Oliver. This five-year old is a goofy, back-talking pup who lives with his human, Kaleb Bowers-Seekins of the Sheridan striping crew. Oliver loves playing with his favorite toy, a giant carrot or frisbee; chasing his tail and eating the ever-unsuspecting bee.
Photo: Kaleb Bowers-Seekins
Photo: Kara Peterson
JeanPaul Willson, with the Materials program, goes home to these two after work – Ranger and Scout –mini Australian shepherds. They are incredibly smart, loyal and hyper-active. Definitely a handful, says JeanPaul.
Photo: JeanPaul Willson
Audrey Hobbs also shared this photo of Binx, her cat, being used as a cushion by Harley, her two year old poodle.
Photo: Audrey Hobbs
Chewy posing for the camera with his bestest feline friend, Wheezer.
Photo: Audrey Hobbs
(From left to right) Eight year old cattle dog/border collie mix Cowdog, 11 year old pit bull mix Eva, and 1 year old border collie mix Hank enjoy a big grassy field in Powell with their best friend, Elaine Palmer.
Photo: Elaine Palmer
Audrey Hobbs with Construction Staff relinquishes the couch to these cuties. The black poodle is Harley – he turns two this year; Chewy is the blonde; and Sasha is the Bully Bordeaux and she is nine.
Photo: Audrey Hobbs
Break Time
How to play Sudoku: Fill each 3x3 grid with numbers 1-9. Numbers in each 3x3 grid, rows or columns can not repeat. Each number on the grid can only appear nine times.
Answer to the July 2024 Break Time Strimko puzzle: 6 7 9 8 9 6 2 7 3 1 6 7 5 1 5 2 7 7 9 9 3 5 1 8 2
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