Interchange January 2015, Vol. 43, Issue 1
Letters
WYDOT family thanked for support We would like to send a special thanks for all the generosity and caring our WYDOT family have shown us during this very difficult time. Your gifts, kind words and prayers will always remain special to us.
Lance & Lee Robinson Pete Robinson Family
A thank you to Cheyenne based WYDOT Geology employees We wanted to send our heartfelt thank you to all of you for your generosity, support and encouragement during my difficult illness this past year. We are so appreciative of your warmth and kindness. Blessings and best wishes to all of you and your families this holiday season. Our sincerest thanks,
Jared and Carrol Nuhn
Interchange Classic? Hot rod? Late model? Two wheeler? Get those photos in!
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, WY, 82009-3340. The Public Affairs Office may also be contacted by phoning (307) 777-4165, faxing (307) 777-4289, or sending email to carlie.vanwinkle@wyo.gov
Rides
submission deadline:
02/13/15
Staff
carlie.vanwinkle@wyo.gov
WYDOT Director: John F. Cox
job searches
Public Affairs Manager: Doug McGee
just got
harder
WELCOME TO THE DUI LIFE 2
Interchange
Editor/Art Director: Carlie Van Winkle Contributors: Bruce Burrows Public Affairs Dave Kingham Public Affairs Carlie Van Winkle Public Affairs Ross Doman District 1 Jeff Goetz District 2 Stephanie Harsha District 3 Ronda Holwell District 4 Cody Beers District 5 Sgt. David Wagener Patrol Photography: Rick Carpenter Public Affairs
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DOT publication
Also in this issue:
Contents
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Letters.....................................2 District briefs.........................4 By the Numbers...................4
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Noteworthy..........................12 Training.................................13 District news.......................14
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Extra Mile Awards..............15 WTDEA..................................19
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Outdoors............................. 20 Break Time.......................... 24
7 A new year, a new you
WYDOT Wellness program benefits
8 TechNotes
How a password changed my life
10 WYDOT Research Program 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.
Paying dividends to the department
12 Battle of the Belts
A Fremont County high school wins honor On the cover:
Snowfence and drifting above I-80 near Elk Mountain. Photo: Rick Carpenter
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District Briefs Transportation commission awards $33.8 million in highway contracts
Cheyenne – Contracts totaling nearly $33.8 million for nine highway projects around the state were awarded by the Wyoming Transportation Commission during its December meeting in Laramie. A 7-mile section of Interstate 90 between the Powder River and the Johnson-Campbell County line will get a new layer of pavement under a $13.2 million contract won by Simon Contractors and Subsidiaries of Cheyenne. The project also will include rehabilitation work on six bridges on the highway section. The contract completion date is June 30, 2017. High Country Construction of Lander submitted the low bid of $10.3 million for improvements to 4.4 miles of the northbound lanes of Interstate 25 about 5 miles west of Douglas. The work will include milling off deteriorating pavement, replacing it with a new layer of pavement, widening the safety shoulders by 2 feet on each side of the highway and replacing the bridge over La Prele Creek. Northbound traffic will be diverted into one of the southbound lanes in April, and the project is expected to be done by Oct. 31. Worland’s McGarvin-Moberly Construction was the low bidder at $3.7 million for a new 2-inch layer of asphalt on 14 miles of WYO 130 between Centennial and Ryan Park. Parking areas along the highway also will be repaved, and the work is scheduled for completion by Aug. 31. A 12-mile section of WYO 130 north of Saratoga also will get deteriorating pavement milled off and replaced with a new layer of pavement under a $3.7 million contract won by Mountain Construction Co. of Lovell. The contract completion date is Oct. 31. Simon Contractors and Subsidiaries of Cheyenne submitted the low bid of $1.5 million to complete a full-depth reclamation and chip seal on WYO 313 from
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Chugwater 19 miles east into Goshen County. The full-depth reclamation on 2.5 miles of the section will entail grinding up the existing cracked pavement and using that as a base for a new 3-inch layer of asphalt. The chip seal will cover the entire 19-mile section. Work is not expected to begin until summer and the contract completion date is Oct. 31. Wilson Brothers Construction of Cowley won a $985,000 contract for landslide repairs along I-90 south of Sheridan. The Marshall Hill slide about 2 miles south of Sheridan will be stabilized by drilling 80 holes 25 feet deep into the unstable soil, filling the holes with crushed rock and compacting the rock. The Meade Creek slide about 3.4 miles further south will get 320 of the stabilizing aggregate columns. Some of the unstable soil on the slopes below the highway also will be replaced with lightweight scoria rock. The contract calls for the slide work to be done by the end of March and all work to be completed by May 31. JM Concrete of Idaho Falls was the low bidder at $158,000 for a contract to repair timber components under the Fish Creek Bridge on WYO 22 just east of Wilson. The work will include using jacks to lift the bridge deck slightly while it is still carrying traffic, and replacing two rotting timber pile caps under the deck. The work must be done during the winter months when the water level in Fish Creek is low, and the contract completion date is April 30. Gillette’s S&S Builders won a $146,000 contract to repair a concrete girder on a county road bridge over I-90 about 7 miles east of Sundance. The girder was damaged when it was struck by a truck hauling logging equipment. The repairs will include replacing reinforcing steel inside the girder and then patching the concrete. The work is scheduled to be done by Feb. 28. Contract West Roofing of Salt Lake City was awarded a $34,000 contract to replace the roof on the Star Valley Rest Area on US 89 about 10 miles north of Afton. The contract completion date is March 15.
Calling completed for WYDOT customer satisfaction survey Cheyenne – The Wyoming Survey and Analysis Center at the University of Wyoming has completed making telephone calls to Wyoming residents for a customer satisfaction survey for WYDOT. The calls were made on weekday evenings, Saturday afternoons and Sunday evenings. The survey included up to 30 questions and took less than 10 minutes to complete. The goal was to get responses from a sample of approximately 900 Wyoming residents, and the calls were made through December. WYDOT contracts with UW to conduct the survey every two years to measure residents’ satisfaction with the department’s performance, and identify areas where improvement is needed. WYDOT thanks residents who choose to participate for providing the department with their valuable feedback.
Total number of employees: as of Nov. 25, 2014
1,969
One month ago
1,959
One year ago
2,014
WYO 59 enhanced enforcement
up Retirement Gro
Douglas – The Wyoming Highway Patrol’s enhanced enforcement efforts continue on WYO 59 between Douglas and Gillette. Troopers have been working altered shifts with additional troopers being brought in from other divisions to assist with the efforts to increase highway safety on WYO 59. Attention focuses on general traffic enforcement with special attention given to the contributing factors identified in 2014 fatal crashes. Commercial vehicle violations commonly investigated by troopers have also been given special attention. From Oct. 25 through Nov. 25, troopers issued 325 citations and 141 warnings on WYO 59 between Douglas and Gillette. Violations cited included: speed, seat belt, improper lane use, following too close, improper turning, stop sign, impaired driving, careless driving, equipment violations, driver’s license violations, registration violations, vehicle insurance, drug possession, underage alcohol possession and commercial vehicle violations. In the same time frame, preliminary numbers showed 31 crashes occurred on WYO 59 between Douglas and Gillette. Of those crashes, one resulted in a fatality, eight resulted in 14 injuries and 22 resulted in property damage only. A Mobile Education and Enforcement Team detail was sent to WYO 59 Nov. 1819 to help educate and enforce commercial vehicle violations. During that detail, 52 commercial vehicles were contacted. Of those, 12 of 27 vehicles weighed were over legal weight; 21 vehicles were placed out of service for equipment violations; and six drivers were placed out of service for paperwork violations. Commercial vehicle violations totaled 85. Patrol’s commitment to promoting highway safety in this area and on all highways in the state continues to be a top priority.
SERG
Gather with other state retirees monthly.
SERG meets at noon the second Monday of each month at the Cheyenne Holiday Inn. The gatherings include a brief business meeting, social luncheon and an educational program. Contacts for further information:
Roger Nelson – 634-1881 Ron Labreque – 632-8240 Donella Marrs – 635-5858
WHP Total number of highway fatalities: as of Dec. 19, 2014
146
one year ago
83
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Robertson Road Reopens Casper – On Dec. 2 crews with Andreen Hunt Construction, Inc. finished laying temporary pavement over a large box culvert recently installed across the roadway. It was the final obstacle in the reconstruction project preventing the opening of the road. There is scheduled water line work set for February, however that work would only impact one side of the road and wouldn’t close it to through traffic. This summer, work will resume on the final portions of the reconstruction south of where the new pavement currently ends. There will be some full closures associated with the project.
Photo: Jeff Goetz
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S tate E mployee
The drainage culverts that were installed under the roadway will double as a tunnel for the multi-use trail.
Crews working on Little Wind River bridge south of Riverton Riverton – A 3.32-mile highway improvement project is underway with work on the Little Wind River bridge south of Riverton on WYO 789. Prime contractor of the $11.04 million project is LeGrand Johnson Construction Co., of Logan, Utah. Crews worked on the Little Wind River bridge project starting the last week of November. The pedestrian/bicycle pathway along WYO 789 is closed at the Little Wind River bridge. Contract completion date for the bridge and highway improvements is June 30, 2016.
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The temporary Lenore bridge is open where it crosses the Big Wind River on Burris-Lenore Road. The bridge provides access to tribal lands on the east side of the Big Wind River, and about 20 residents. The span of the temporary bridge is about 160 feet in length, and the estimated time the temporary bridge will be in use is about two years. Tribal transportation officials hope to begin construction on the new permanent bridge next spring. The old Lenore bridge was condemned for public use by the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs about a year ago, and tribal transportation workers removed the old bridge in June. Estimated cost of the temporary bridge is $800,000, and funding came from federal highway funds administered by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. To reach the bridge, access may be gained off U.S. 26-287 near Crowheart on Urbigkeit Road. Urbigkeit Road then intersects with Burris-Lenore Road.
Briefs continued from page 5
Photo: Cody Beers
When the Riverton South project is complete, a new five-lane roadway will stretch from the Big Wind River bridge on Riverton’s south edge to south of Wind River Casino on WYO 789. The scope of work for the Riverton South project includes grading, draining, bridge widening, milling of asphalt pavement, removal and replacement of the existing temporary traffic signal at the Wyoming 137/Wyoming 789 intersection, placement of crushed gravel and new asphalt pavement, chip sealing, electrical work, guardrail removal and replacement, fencing and other work on 3.32 miles of WYO 789 beginning at milepost 100.86 between Hudson and Riverton.
Temporary Lenore bridge open to public use near Crowheart
Photo courtesy Cody Beers
Construction activities at the Little Wind River bridge south of Riverton will be happening throughout the winter. Crews are building work areas in the Little Wind River, and a portion of each side of the old bridge is being removed with jackhammers. The Little Wind River bridge is being widened to accommodate five lanes of traffic. A 160-foot temporary bridge has been placed over the Big Wind River. Work on a permanent solution will begin next spring.
stock photo
Crowheart – A bridge across the Big Wind River near Crowheart has reopened for public use, according to Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho Transportation officials.
Get smart!
Download and use the free Drive Sober Wyoming smartphone app. drivesoberwy.com 6
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AVOID THE
DUI LIFE
A new year, a new you – get on board with WYDOT Wellness
WYDOT employees who find themselves a little tardy in deciding on a New Year’s resolution for 2015 might want to consider joining the agency’s voluntary Wellness Program. Now beginning its ninth year, WYDOT Wellness offers employees the chance to get some exercise during the day, without having to burn annual leave time in doing so. The program was implemented in 2006 as a means of incorporating physical activity into their daily routine, in the interest of promoting better health and well-being. State government policy gives each state agency latitude in how it structures its own wellness program, including the option of offering an incentive. In WYDOT’s case, the incentive is in the form of administrative leave. Those who participate on a consistent basis and track their progress earn four hours of administrative leave; a.k.a. “comp time,” if they complete a minimum of 13 hours of exercise each month, for six consecutive months. That translates to an average of roughly 30 minutes of exercise daily. WYDOT employees are authorized to use their break times to take a walk or other types of wellness activity. Wellness activities can also be logged before and after work or on weekends. Three dozen wellness activities are eligible, covering a wide spectrum, from walking to swimming to boxing. (Walking is far and away the most popular activity type, accounting for roughly half the total exercise time logged.) Eligible exercise are those that are primarily recreational and include a significant physical activity component which contributes to improved fitness. The goal is encouraging employees to adopt active exercise in addition to work done during the scope of everyday living. Activities considered to be mostly recreational are not included on the list, although some limited exertion may be required; for example, bowling. Likewise, activities which are more in the realm of work, even those strenuous at times, such as housecleaning or doing yard work, are not on the list either. Information about the Wellness Program is available on the WYDOT Intranet site, under the “Useful Links & Files” tab; link
name: Wellness_FAQ.pdf within the “Files” section. Employees who are already enrolled can use the “Wellness Program” tab under “Useful Links & Files” tab on the same Intranet page to log exercise times and types and track their status. Those who are interested in joining or simply learning more about the program can also contact one of the numerous volunteer Wellness coordinators listed on the Intranet page. Confusion occasionally arose when employees mistook WYDOT’s Wellness program for the now defunct Wyoming on Wellness initiative, which was coordinated by the Employees Group Insurance (EGI) Program within the Department of Administration and Information. Although WYDOT’s Wellness Program was always distinct from Wyoming on Wellness, the two programs were interrelated and many WYDOT employees participated in both. Budget constraints forced the elimination of Wyoming on Wellness, which was in force in one form or another between the summer of 2008 and the end of 2013. Exercise types eligible for WYDOT’s Wellness Program are:
Aerobics Aquatic Exercise Basketball Bicycling Boxing Calisthenics Circuit Training Cross-country skiing Dancing Downhill skiing Elliptical training Hiking Inline skating Jogging Karate Mountain biking Pilates Racquetball
Rowing Running Snowboarding Snowshoeing Soccer Softball Spinning Stair climbing Swimming Table Tennis Tai Chi Tennis Volleyball Walking Weight lifting Workout with exercise band Yoga Zumba
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TechNotes
How a password changed my life The following events occurred between periods of sadness and joy for the writer Mauricio Estrella. Perhaps his story may also change your life.
“How could she do something like this to me?” said a voice in my head. All the time. Every day.
Back in 2011, when everything had gradients, iOS icons made sense and people used deodorants, I was stuck in the middle of a pretty bad depression due to my divorce. Thankfully, I think I was smart enough (and had great people around me) so I found ways to stay afloat. One day I walk into the office, and my day begins at my computer screen. It was all great, until I saw this message: Your password has expired. Click ‘Change password’ to change your password. I’m breathing heavily. I’m staring at the mouse arrow. I read this dumb message in my mind with angry grandpa voice: “The password has expired.” At my workplace, the Microsoft Exchange server is configured to ask thousands of employees around the planet to change their passwords every 30 days. Here is what’s annoying: The server forces us to use at least one uppercase character, at least one lowercase alphabetic character, at least one symbol and at least one number. Oh, and the whole thing can’t be less than eight characters. And I can’t use any of the same passwords I’ve used in the last three months. I was furious that morning. Tuesday, 9:40 a.m. – It was so hot that my torso was already sweaty even though I just got to work. I was late. I was still wearing my helmet. I think I forgot breakfast. Something tastes like cigarette in my mouth. I need to get stuff done before my 10 a.m. meeting and all I have in front of me is a huge waste of my time. So there it was… This input field with a pulsating cursor, waiting for me to type a password that I’ll have to re-enter for the next 30 days. Many times during the day. Then, letting all the frustration go, I remembered a tip I heard from my former boss, Rasmus. Somehow he combined to-do lists with passwords, and I thought to use an augmented variation of that.
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I’m gonna use a password to change my life.
It was obvious that I couldn’t focus on getting things done with my current lifestyle and mood. Of course, there were clear indicators of what I needed to do – or what I had to achieve – in order to regain control of my life, but we often don’t pay attention to these clues. My password became the indicator. My password reminded me that I shouldn’t let myself be a victim of my recent break up, and that I’m strong enough to do something about it. My password became: Forgive@h3r. During my meeting I kept thinking on what I just did. Something drew a smirk on my face. During the rest of week, I had to type this password several times a day. Each time my computer would lock. Each time my screensaver with her photo would appear. Each time I would come back from eating lunch alone. In my mind, I went with the mantra that I didn’t type a password. In my mind, I was reminding myself to “Forgive her.” That simple action changed the way I looked at my ex-wife. That constant reminder that I should forgive her, led me to accept the way things happened at the end of my marriage, and embrace a new way of dealing with the depression that I was drowning into. In the following days, my mood improved drastically. By the end of the second week, I noticed that this password became less powerful, and it started to lose its effect. A quick refresh of this ‘mantra’ helped me. I thought to myself I forgive her as I typed it, every time. The healing effect of it came back almost immediately. One month later, my dear exchange server asked me again to renew my password. I thought about the next thing I had to get done. My password became: Quit@smoking4ever. And guess what happened. I’m not kidding you. I quit smoking overnight. I have a ton of witnesses who could not believe how I did it. I had tried books, e-cigarettes, patches, etc. Nothing worked, but this one trick did. This password was a painful one to type during that month, but doing it helped me to yell at myself in my mind, as I typed that statement. It motivated me to follow my monthly goal. One month later, my password became: Save4trip@ thailand. Guess where I went three months later? Thailand. With savings. Thank you, password. Seeing how these reminders helped to materialize my goals kept me motivated and excited. I’ll admit this: It is difficult to come up with your next goal. Sometimes it’s hard to identify what we need to change, or what we need to move toward.
Make sure your goals are realistic, and avoid being too dreamy when you phrase them.
It’s important to build a metric around your goal so you can measure its success along the way. For example, if you’re on a hunt to get a better job, don’t use things like BeTh3NumberOne! but instead go with KickASS@LinkedIn! and use the new connections, groups and number of resumes sent as a metric to validate your efforts to land a new job. Being the number one is great, but being able to measure where you are and where you’re going is important, specially when there’s a big gap between those two points.
So why does this trick work?
In its simplest form, a password enables you to get somewhere, in your digital world. Say, to copy a file, to unlock a computer, to email somebody. This feeling of micro achievements, this thought of “my mantra helps me to get things done” can build up a momentum that motivates you to stay focused on achieving your monthly goals. It’s a tiny habit that has the power to transform. It worked with me. I’m sure it will work with you. This is how I learned that I can truly change my life, if I play it right. I kept doing this repeatedly month after month, with great results. Here is a simplified extract of what some of my passwords have been in the last two years, so you get an idea of how my life has changed, thanks to this method: Forgive@her – to my ex-wife, who started it all. Quit@smoking4ever – it worked. Save4trip@thailand – it worked. Eat2times@day – it never worked, still fat. Sleep@before12 – it worked. Ask@her4date – it worked. I fell in love again. No@drinking2months – it worked. It felt great! MovE@togeth3r – it worked. Get@c4t! – it worked. We have a beautiful cat. Facetime2mom@sunday – it worked. I talk with my mom every week. And the one for last month: Save4@ring – Yep. Life is gonna change again, soon. I still await very anxiously each month so I can change my password into a phrase that motivates me to focus on something that I need to get done. This method has consistently worked for me for the last two years, and I have shared it with a few close friends and relatives. I didn’t think it was a breakthrough in tiny habits, but it did have a great impact in my life, so I thought to share it with you all. Give it a try! Write these statements with the right mindset and attitude, and you’ll change your life. Let me know how it works for you! Remember, for added security, try to be more complex with the words. Add symbols or numbers, make it longer, and scramble a bit the beginning or the ending of your password string. S4f3ty_f1rst! Pass the tip to those who might need it. And as an update to the last password, on June 2014, she said yes. This article has been reprinted with the permission of Mr. Estrella.
Don’t take the bait.
In the December issue of Interchange, you may have read an article about watching for suspicious email. The following is a more detailed article from IT Program Manager Rusty England. “This is not just a work-related problem,” said England. “My hope is that employees will see the personal need to take steps to protect themselves and they’ll use them both at home and at work.”
Phishing, like fishing, is an attempt at hooking prey.
When it comes to phishing it is you they are trying to hook. Once hooked, they try to get you to freely give up sensitive information like login information for bank accounts, credit cards, email, etc.
How does it work?
Typically you receive an email with the “bait” included. Some examples of phishing messages: You open an email or text, and see a message like this: • “We suspect an unauthorized transaction on your account. To ensure that your account is not compromised, please click the link below and confirm your identity.” • “During our regular verification of accounts, we couldn’t verify your information. Please click here to update and verify your information.” • “Our records indicate that your account was overcharged. You must call us within 7 days to receive your refund.” The senders are phishing for your information so they can use it to commit fraud. Typically, phishing is an email with the “bait” included, but you may also receive a phone call that attempts to bait you into giving up your information – don’t fall for it! Source: “Phishing | OnGuard Online.” Phishing | OnGuard Online. Homeland Security, Sept. 2011. Web. 18 Nov. 2014.
What’s a person to do?
First, don’t take the bait. Legitimate companies don’t ask for your information via email. If you are concerned, then contact the company via the phone using a number known to you (e.g. from your statement or on the back of your credit card). Do not use any of the contact information provided in the email. Next, forward phishing emails to spam@uce.gov – and to the company, bank, or organization impersonated in the email. You also may report phishing email to reportphishing@antiphishing.org. The Anti-Phishing Working Group, a group of ISPs, security vendors, financial institutions and law enforcement agencies, uses these reports to fight phishing. If you might have been tricked by a phishing email: • File a report with the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov/complaint. • Visit the FTC’s Identity Theft website (http://www. consumer.ftc.gov/features/feature-0014-identity-theft). Victims of phishing could become victims of identity theft; there are steps you can take to minimize your risk. Source: “Phishing | OnGuard Online.” Phishing | OnGuard Online. Homeland Security, Sept. 2011. Web. 18 Nov. 2014.
England would like to remind users to be aware that changing a password is not a fix for phishing. Users must not respond to phishing messages and avoid divulging any personal information via email to unknown parties. January 2015
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Photos: Rick Carpenter
WYDOT Research Program paying dividends Research sponsored by WYDOT improves the efficiency and effectiveness of the department’s operations, and the Research Advisory Committee (RAC) is the group that recommends which studies should be done. State Programming Engineer Timothy McDowell oversees the research program, and Enid White serves as research manager. White has expertise in contracts and legal issues, and brings a valuable non-engineering perspective to the program. “Research is the unsung hero of the DOT,” McDowell said. “WYDOT realizes a substantial return on the research McDowell investment. Every time we can find something that allows us to put more money out onto our assets and provide a safe, high-quality and efficient transportation system for the public and economic well-being, that’s a massive win.” Two of WYDOT’s research projects earned national recognition recently, making the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials’ list of the nation’s top 16 high-value research projects. A study on creating and managing a variable speed limit system to improve safety on I-80 in the Elk Mountain area made the list for 2013, and a study on managing risk in the department’s project planning pipeline made the 2014 list. “The variable speed limit signs were researched and implemented, and are now part of our mainstream culture in Wyoming and have saved a lot of lives,” McDowell said. The study that looked at the project pipeline found that uncertainty in funding levels can lead to mismatches between available funding and the number of projects designed and ready for construction. It identified process improvements to strike the best balance to maximize miles paved and minimize financial risks.
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“Research helps refine our department’s processes,” McDowell said. WYDOT’s annual budget for research is usually between $600,000 and $700,000. The funds come from federal aid designated for research, and a 20 percent match required from the state. To decide which projects should be funded with that money, the RAC reviews, evaluates and prioritizes all research, development and technology transfer proposals and problem statements submitted. It also reviews the progress of current research, and innovative research results for possible implementation. The committee is made up of seven members, and rotates among district engineers, district maintenance engineers, the state bridge, field operations, highway development, safety, materials, planning, programming and traffic engineers, the chief engineering geologist and state lands management administrator. “The makeup of the committee changes every year, so you always have somebody new rotating in,” McDowell said. “That gives us a fresh look all the time.” Currently sitting on the committee are Chief Engineering Geologist Jim Coffin, State Planning Engineer Martin Kidner, District 4 Maintenance Engineer Larry Konetzki, Highway Development Engineer Tony Laird, State Materials Engineer Greg Milburn and Lands Management Administrator Mike Miller. A replacement for departed District 3 Engineer John Eddins has yet to be named. “I’m very impressed with our RAC,” McDowell said. “They are topnotch people. As program managers, they know what’s going on in the state or their region, and they have an eye to what areas we are struggling in and where research can really pay off.” Before a proposal reaches the RAC, it is reviewed by McDowell and White to make sure there is proper WYDOT representation for the project, and the research has not already been done elsewhere. Proposals that make it through that review are considered by the RAC, which meets up to four times a year to assess the legitimacy of the research proposals and their value to WYDOT. The proposals are ranked, and funding recommendations made to the Executive
Staff. Those recommendations have been overridden only three consultants, but WYDOT manages and monitors the work. times in the past 15 years. “We require the contractors to be a partner with us in this whole “It’s a vetting process, and the Executive Staff respects that,” process,” White said. “WYDOT manages the timeline and budget. McDowell said. “They know the RAC is looking at how the research The researchers are required not only to submit a report on their fits WYDOT’s mission and goals, which must be included in each findings, but also outline how those findings can be implemented. proposal.” We need to know what we can implement and how it meets our The research topics can involve construction materials and progoals and mission statement.” cesses, road or structure designs, safety, traffic, wildlife movement, WYDOT is a member of the Upper Great Plains Transportaperformance assessments, policies and a host of other subjects. tion Institute, a coalition of five states and five universities that does “The avalanche research we are doing is internationally recogresearch expected to be useful for all the member states. nized as the top in the world,” McDowell said. “Our wildlife research “We did some research with the Safety Office on the Wind River over the last 10 years has produced three award-winning projects.” Reservation to find ways to address safety problems,” McDowell said. An avalanche study currently underway is looking at where and “The results are so good they are being shared now with the Upper when to use the many different technologies available to monitor Great Plains Transportation Institute states, and reservations around and manage avalanche risks and bring down slides in a controlled the country are asking for presentations, because some simple things manner. can have a huge impact.” At the most recent RAC meeting in October, another wildlife Another of WYDOT’s research partners is the Cooperative Fish study was unanimously recommended that could have major stateand Wildlife Research Unit at the University of Wyoming, which is wide significance. It will identify animal-vehicle crash hot spots and currently compiling wildlife research from all reputable sources into wildlife crossings throughout the state, so wherever highway work is a common database that can be accessed to enhance project delivery. planned, the hot spots can be considered and mitigation proposed. Sometimes, instead of new research, the RAC recommends a “This study will show whether curreview of what other states or agencies have rent wildlife crossing signs are in the right done to deal with issues similar to what areas,” White said. “It will look at whether WYDOT is facing. the crossings are part of a seasonal migra“We’ll utilize the successes of others to tion, why animals are crossing where they make ourselves better,” McDowell said. “It’s are crossing, and whether their movement is getting away from the ‘not invented here being impeded.” syndrome.’” Not everything WYDOT researches is The design the Bridge Program has been found to be something that will benefit the using for approach slabs for 20 years still exdepartment, but those findings are valuable periences settling problems at times. Rather too. than undertaking the cost of a full research If research on a new material or process project to find a solution, the RAC approved shows it will not improve WYDOT’s operaa survey of other states and a review of tions or highways, it allows the department research already completed. That effort is to avoid spending money on something about 70 percent complete, and it appears it that’s not going to help it meet its mission will result in recommendations to improve Variable speed limit signs were studied to imand goals. the design. prove safety on Wyoming highways. “The way I look at it, even if we spend If those recommendations don’t fully solve $100,000 to find out that a method doesn’t the settling problems, whatever research is still work, that’s a payoff,” McDowell said. “We didn’t go down a rabbit needed will be narrower in focus and less expensive to complete. hole going the wrong way. We don’t spend any more money on that.” McDowell serves as WYDOT’s representative on the AASHTO The Materials Program currently is sponsoring studies on reacStanding Committee on Research and the Transportation Research tive aggregate for concrete and mechanistic-empirical pavement Board, and he also attends research peer exchanges around the design, with the hope they will yield results that will make highway country. That experience has left him convinced of the value of pavements last longer. WYDOT’s research program. “The RAC had to decide whether this five-year study is worth “Even though we’re small, we stack up with the best of them, the amount of funding needed,” McDowell said. “If you put a conbased on the results we get,” he said. “Are there things we can imcrete pavement down that’s supposed to last 30 years and 10 years prove? Yeah, but they’re minor tweaks. If, out of an investment of later it’s already busting up, that’s a loss. If this project can help us $600,000 to $700,000 a year, we can realize substantial savings over look ahead and identify sources of problems and mitigate them, that the next five years, that’s a wise investment.” will help maximize our investment over time.” Descriptions of WYDOT research projects currently underway Some research pays off with safety improvements that save lives. can be found at www.dot.state.wy.us/home/planning_projects/ “The Nugget Canyon underpasses and fences have reduced research-center/current-research-projects.html. Reports from wildlife-vehicle crashes by more than 80 percent, and the wildlife completed studies can be found at www.dot.state.wy.us/home/planherds have increased in population since they are not being involved ning_projects/research-center/final-projects-fy2009-to-fy2013.html. in vehicle crashes,” McDowell said. “That’s a major bonus.” WYDOT’s research is done by the University of Wyoming and January 2015
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Noteworthy
A Fremont County rivalry was renewed in November, and students from Lander Valley High School edged students from Riverton High School in the second Battle of the Belts seat-belt competition. The seat-belt champions were crowned during a school assembly in Lander. Student and faculty drivers were surveyed for seat-belt usage in early November as they entered school parking lots in their vehicles. Of 100 vehicles observed at each school, 57 percent of Riverton High School students and staff were wearing their seat belts, while 54 percent of Lander Valley High School students and staff were buckled up while driving. Seat-belt compliance numbers were higher for school staff members at the two schools. Following November school assemblies with each student body with representatives from Injury Prevention Resources, Riverton students and staff increased their seat-belt usage to 77.5 percent and Lander Valley students and staff increased their seat belt usage to 81.5 percent. “Female students were more likely to buckle their seat belts at each school,” according to Tom Cunningham, safety education coordinator for Injury Prevention Resources in Riverton. “At
Bracket design ensures more accurate road data
Photo: WYDOT
Lander Valley High School students are “Battle of the Belts” champions
Lander Valley High School won the “Battle of the Belts.” Student council advisor Mathew Parsons and student council president Lindsay Crane accepted the championship belt from Injury Prevention Resources.
Riverton, 71 percent of staff members wore their seat belts, and at Lander Valley, staff members buckled up at a rate of 88 percent.” “There’s still room for improvement at both schools,” Cunningham said. “We are trying to remind young drivers, and all other drivers too, that buckling your seat belt is the single most important thing you can do to save your life while driving. Please buckle up and safely enjoy the upcoming holiday season.” The Battle of the Belts competition was sponsored by Injury Prevention Resources, Fremont County Sheriff ’s Office, WHP and WYDOT.
JAMAR recorders are for round telephone pole- or sign posts, the recorders could not be used. A majority of the posts found in District 4 are square timber posts. Baumgartner custom-designed a bracket to fit a standard square post. He welded the prototype, tested it and it is working great in the field.
Photo courtesy Ronda Holwell
A road data dilemma in District 4 was remedied when Sign Shop Foreman Mark Baumgartner designed a bracket to fit the new JAMAR radar recorder actuated traffic counters and speed study equipment. To work accurately, each radar recorder needs to be mounted at a 45 degree angle to the traffic it is monitoring. Because the brackets provided with the
A new JAMAR traffic counter and speed study device mounted to a post in District 4.
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Baumgartner with his bracket design.
Training
WYDOT Training Services: SkillSoft at WYDOT – a short Q&A Q. What is Skillsoft and how does it align with the vision for WYDOT? A. WYDOT’s Training Services program’s primary focus has been to help with one of WYDOT’s overall goals to “Develop and Care for our People.” We do that by offering a variety of learning opportunities to WYDOT employees through WYDOTUniversity and the Transportation Learning Network (TLN). Skillsoft is a suite of eLearning courses which can be accessed online via a computer. Skillsoft courses will include six business skills solution areas: Professional Effectiveness; Management and Leadership; Sales and Customer-Facing Skills; Project Effectiveness; Finance; HR and Administration and Business Strategy and Operations. In addition, you will be able to access Skillsoft’s Microsoft Office 2007 KnowledgeCenter to learn and use Office 2007 skills in a real-time environment. Q. Why is SkillSoft necessary? A. “Necessary” is always a tricky word. The short answer is that it improves upon what we have now. Adding a suite of eLearning courses allows employees to access a larger catalogue of learning opportunities than we can offer through WYDOTUniversity and avoid the travel time and costs associated with traveling to Cheyenne or a TLN site to attend a training.
Q. Why now? A. It has always been a goal of Training Services to reach as many WYDOT employees as possible through quality learning opportunities. The “perfect storm” took place when several smaller shifts helped to push this change forward, from a new Training Services manager, to upgrade efforts to centralize WYDOT’s HR data, to the ongoing effort to increase network bandwidth across the state. Q. How will this impact you and WYDOT? A. With the recent renewed emphasis on training and development, Skillsoft will be another tool for WYDOT employees to use for their development goals. Like WYDOT-U and TLN classes, supervisors will need to work with their employees on the type of courses they see as beneficial and coordinate when, where, and how long an employee should spend going through a Skillsoft course. Each course includes an estimated duration, so supervisors can refer to that for scheduling purposes. Q. What’s next? A. We’re currently working with Skillsoft to get everything up and running at the beginning of the New Year. Be on the lookout for more information from Training Services about accessing and using Skillsoft for your professional development growth.
Training ata Glance
Here are upcoming training opportunities from WYDOT-U and the Transportation Learning Network (TLN)
Coming in February: Date Class Feb. 3-5 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Feb. 4 ADA - Designing, Constructing, Maintaining Pedestrian Facilities Feb. 5 Pavement Markings for Maintenance Employees Feb. 10 ATSSA Traffic Control Technician Feb. 18-19 ATSSA Urban Work Zone Design Feb. 19 Core Leadership NEW! Feb. 25-26 Leading at the Speed of Trust Feb. 26 Construction Project Management/Contract Administration
PMI Competency Addressed Personal Effectiveness Vocational Vocational Vocational Vocational Leadership Developing Others Vocational
Location WYDOT-U TLN TLN TLN TLN WYDOT-U WYDOT-U TLN
Coming in March: Date Class Mar. 4 Highway Pipe Installation: Construction and Inspection Mar. 5 MBTI & Change Mar. 6 Landslides-Slope Stability, Hydrology, Analysis, Repair & Inspection Mar. 9-11 New Employee Orientation Mar. 10 Legal Aspects of Traffic Control on Construction Projects (Tort Liability) Mar. 18 Bridging the Generation Gap / Generations in the Workplace Mar. 19 Guardrail - Installation & Inspection Mar. 25 Decision Making & Problem Solving
PMI Competency Addressed Vocational Developing Others Vocational Communication Vocational Team Player Vocational Judgment & Decision Making
Location TLN WYDOT-U TLN WYDOT-U Webinar WYDOT-U TLN WYDOT-U
To register, or to find out more details, call the Training Program and talk to Jim Boyd (777-4791) or Kurt Borgaard (777-4792).
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District News
District 1
Welcome
Headquarters
Welcome Ernestine DeHaven, Driver ServicesPolicy and Records; Jason Gillott, Port Of Entry-Cheyenne I-80; Carrol Machan, Facilities ManagementBuilding Maintainance; Ginni Melton, Environmental Services; Jose Sanchez Romero, PatrolSafety and Training; and Jared Williams, Patrol-Safety and Training.
Promotions and Transfers
Brandin Eckdahl, Laramie Maintenance; Gary Martinez, Elk Mountain Maintenance; Jordan Patterson, Laramie Construction; and Billy Zeiger, Saratoga Maintenance.
way Safety, but returned to the Geology Program in September 1997 to manage the Geology Lab. He retired in December.
31 years of dispatching comes to an end Gribble
Mordahl
Matthew Gribble, Facilities Management-Grounds; Nicole Klassen, BudgetFederal Aid; John Mahoney, PlanningSystem Planning; Justin Mordahl, Geology; David Shepard, Telecommunications-District 1 Radio Shop; and Christine Yaffa, Planning-System Planning.
Promotions and Transfers Jordan Patterson, Laramie Construction; and Michael Simmons, Laramie Patrol.
After 31 years of dispatching for the Wyoming Highway Patrol, Dispatcher Missy Moellenberg has hung up her headset. Moellenberg began her career on Oct. 17, 1983, and officially retired on Dec. 1. Moellenberg was the last of her dispatch class from 1983, and achieved the level of Dispatcher II before her retirement. Moellenberg received her retirement plaque from Capt. Troy McLees at her retirement celebration at the WHP dispatch center on Dec. 16. Moellenberg recollected her most memorable moment dispatching was being on the other end of the radio as a suspect attempted to fatally assault a trooper in 1993. Moellenberg’s future plans are either furthering her education or starting on her next career.
Service Awards Robert Robidoux, Rawlins Mechanics – 30 years; Craig Barthelmes, Laramie Mechanics – 20 years; and Joshua Blanchard, Laramie Port Of Entry – 10 years.
Robidoux
Photo: WHP
David Kingham, Public Affairs – 15 years; Linda Shiers, Right Of Way-Administration – 15 years; and Laurie Stewart, Financial ServicesDisbursements – 10 years.
Photo: WYDOT
Service Awards
Dispatcher Moellenberg and Troopers Kidgell, Davis and Hoffman. Shiers
Retirements Ed Kunkel started with WYDOT in August 1982 as a Geology drill worker. He was later promoted and moved to the Geology Lab as a technician for the Geology Program in August 1987. In 1992, Kunkel Kunkel transferred to High-
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Craig Barthelmes receiving his 20-year service award from District 1 Equipment Supervisor Gary Curry.
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Due to a clerical error, September’s Retirements were listed incorrectly in the November 2014 issue of Interchange. The September Retirements were superceded by a re-listing of January 2014 Retirements. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused. The following are the September 2014 Retirement listings.
Karen Hall who had worked with Laramie Driver Services retired from WYDOT in Sept. 2014 with more than 32 years of service to the state, including service at Hall UW. Gilbert Sandoval, Headquarters Facilities ManagementBuilding Maintenance.
District 2
District 3
Welcome
Welcome
Cradle Call
Kevin Hedstrom, Casper Maintenance.
Travis Bluemel, Granger Maintenance; Jack Herman, Telecommunications-District 3 Radio Shop; John Mansir, Granger Maintenance; and Jesse Vincent, Afton Maintenance.
Dylan Jensen with District 3 Telecommunications and his wife, Sarah, welcome the birth of their son, Liam. Liam Jensen entered the world Dec. 21 at 6 pounds, 7 ounces and measuring 18 inches. Congratulations to the Jensen family!
Promotions and Transfers Shane Carraher, Torrington Patrol; Matthew Goetz, Wheatland Maintenance; Taylor Hanssen, Torrington Patrol; Christopher Schell, Casper Patrol; Jaime Wingard, Douglas Patrol; and Myron Witt, Chugwater Maintenance.
Promotions and Transfers Reed Brandvik, Wamsutter Maintenance; Joshua Carris, Rock Springs Patrol; Remington Roberts, Evanston Patrol; Benjamin Schlosser, Rock Springs Patrol; and John Williams, Rock Springs Patrol.
Service Awards Witt
Service Awards Kurt Miller, Casper Maintenance – 35 years; and Calvin Goddard, District 2 Maintenance Staff – 30 years.
Photo courtesy Dylan Jensen
Goetz
Dennis Hinton, Evanston Maintenance – 20 years; and Dale Wolaver, Pinedale Maintenance – 5 years. Hinton
Proud papa Dylan Jensen with his new son Liam.
Extra Mile
Miller
Goddard
District 4
Welcome Larry Baumgartner, Sheridan TrafficStriping.
Service Awards Roger Heaton, Sundance Maintenance – 10 years; Douglas Swaney, District 4 GIS/ITS – 10 years; and Nocona Toth, Newcastle Construction – 5 years.
Toth
AWARDS Congratulations to our November 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. Rex Markley Alliek Tomlin Christopher Orchard Terrie Hockin Rich Stanger Stacey De Croo Laura Whalen Steege Deb Cain Janet Fridline Lori Davis Milton Gibbs Autumn Smith Terry Arguello Loretta (Kathleen) Winger Karmen Warrington For more information about the Extra Mile Award or to nominate someone, contact Janet Farrar at janet.farrar@wyo.gov or Mel Anderson at mel.anderson@wyo.gov.
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District 5
Promotions and Transfers Basin man promoted to Peter Cross, Landlead district traffic crews er Patrol; Steven Otto, Traffic-Electrical; and Chad Schlager, Riverton Construction.
Service Awards
Schlager
Shane Wilson, Thermopolis Maintenance –15 years; Rebecca Hernandez, Thermopolis/ Worland/Basin Driver Services – 10 years; and Michael Flores, Lovell Maintenance – 5 years.
Wilson
Flores
Edington opts for retirement, ending lengthy and varied WYDOT career Don Edington, program manager of Driver Services, will retire Jan. 7, capping a career with the State of Wyoming that has stretched close to four decades and encompassed a variety of roles Edington signed on with the Wyoming Highway Patrol Edington in September 1975 and was commissioned as a patrolman that November. He was stationed in Cheyenne and remained with the Patrol until 1996, serving the bulk of that time with the Motor Carrier Program. In 1995, he was named the nation’s top hazardous materials inspector during a competition sponsored by the American Trucking Association.
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Steven Otto of Basin has been promoted to District 5 area traffic supervisor. Otto, 30, was born in Neenah, Wis., and he is a graduate of Arvada-Clearmont High School in Clearmont. Otto has a bachelor’s degree in history from Black Hills State University in Spearfish, Otto S.D. Otto was hired by WYDOT in February 2011 as a traffic signal technician based in Basin. Since then, he’s maintained every lighting system from Cody to Lovell and from Lander to Riverton. His previous work experience included time as an electrician with Action Electric, and Colorado’s National Electrical Construction. Otto replaces Don Riley of Basin, who retired this month after 33 years of WYDOT service. Upon retirement from the Patrol, he became manager of WYDOT’s Employee Safety Program and went on to serve as program manager of Motor Vehicle Services and then training and compliance manager for Driver Services. He was promoted to head Driver Services in November 2008. Edington, a native of Bloomington, Ind., served four years in the U.S. Navy and another 19 years in the Naval Reserve. In the early 1970s, after mustering out of active duty with the Navy, he attended Casper College. He subsequently transferred to Utah State University where he earned his bachelor of science in wildlife management. In the 1980s, he returned to school, this time at the University of Wyoming, earning a master of public administration degree. In the wake of the 9-11 attacks, Edington was mobilized by the Reserve for Operation Noble Eagle, a military anti-terror initiative linked with homeland security efforts. He served first as anti-terrorism officer for the U.S.S. Enterprise Battle Group Staff at Naval Station Mayport in Florida, then as base security section chief at the Naval Air Station Whidbey Island
in Washington state. Edington was called up again in 2006 to serve as lead NCO for the Emergency Command Center at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado. A retirement reception for Edington is scheduled to run from 2 to 4 p.m., Jan. 6, in the cafeteria at WYDOT Headquarters.
Valerius retires after 22 years with WYDOT Dan Valerius retired on Dec. 16 after serving 22 years in WYDOT’s Materials and Planning programs, including handling statewide road inventories and vertical clearance measurements for the department. “I’d go out and inventory all the roads whether they are state, county, city, BLM,” Valerius said. “Whenever they’d put in a new subdivision I went out and found the streets and measured how wide and how long they are and whether they are paved or dirt. Then I’d do the vertical clearances statewide, and that’s for all the bridges and overpasses.” The clearances are measured annually because any paving work on the highway underneath or work on the bridge itself can change the clearance. Valerius would be on the road from May through August taking the inventory and vertical clearance measurements. Once back in the office, the information gathered was entered into the inventory and vertical clearance databases and the GIS system. Ports of entry use the vertical clearance data to help route vehicles. The clearance measurements are taken with a laser instrument, but the only way to get an accurate measurement is to stand in the middle of the highway. “You’re out there on the interstate with live traffic,” Valerius said. “It’s one of the most dangerous jobs out there. I’ve had some very close calls.” One other WYDOT employee accompanied Valerius on the jobs to watch his back and warn him of approaching traffic. A WYDOT truck with flashing lights and an arrow board would be parked on the shoulder of the highway to alert drivers to the work ahead. Often they started work at 5 a.m. to avoid heavy traffic in urban areas. Valerius said drivers who apparently felt inconvenienced by the work have thrown bottles and other objects at him
“In the wintertime, when I’m here, I’m doing my artwork and my carvings,” Valerius said. “I’ve got a big shop in my basement and I just dearly love to do my wood carvings. We also do a lot of snowmobiling and four-wheeling, and go back and forth to the cabin in the winter on the snow machines.”
Photo: WYDOT
and his co-worker, along with a variety of profanity and obscene gestures. “It’s been pretty nasty, and it’s gotten worse,” he said. “When you’re out there running in live traffic trying to do that and you’re 65 years old it’s time to get out.” A system for taking the measurements from the back of a moving truck has been developed, but it’s not accurate enough for WYDOT’s purposes yet, Valerius said. Speeding traffic is not the only challenge he encountered on the job. He’s also been accosted by homeless people living under the bridges he was measuring. “I’ve had people come after me screaming and yelling,” Valerius said. “We’re not allowed to carry anything to defend ourselves, so you smile and tell them you have a job to do and you’ll be gone in a few minutes.” Before moving to Planning, Valerius spent 10 years doing field tests for the Materials Lab. He also served as radiation safety officer for the lab, where the density gauges used contain radioactive material. Before coming to WYDOT, he worked as a rodeo clown from 1965 to 1973, a job he said provided some valuable experience for dealing with live traffic. “If you say you’re not scared, you’re stupid,” he said of his time working around bulls in arenas from California to New York and from Montana to New Mexico. “Everybody’s scared. It’s just how much can you tolerate it and stay under control.” He worked with legendary rodeo announcers Rex Allen and Hadley Barrett, and performed at Madison Square Garden. “That was with Montie Montana’s second go-round of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show,” Valerius recalled. “We went bankrupt. We had to call home for money to get home. That one wasn’t good.” His years as a rodeo clown gave him an opportunity to see a lot of the country and meet a lot of interesting people, but he gave it up when his son, John, was born. “My wife told me I had to get a real job because I had a son,” Valerius said. His retirement plans include spending more time at the three-bedroom cabin he built for his wife, Terry, in the mountains south of Encampment, and in his woodworking shop in Cheyenne.
Dan Valerius with his wife, Terry, at his recent retirement party.
Busskohl retiring after 42 years of service After 42 years of service to WYDOT, Pat Busskohl retired Dec. 15 as the area maintenance supervisor for Midwest. It was a long career spanning decades, jobs, maintenance engineers and district engineers, but only one move for his family. Busskohl began his career at WYDOT on July 20, 1972 at Shirley Basin. Starting as a maintenance worker 2, he moved up to heavy equipment operator within three years. That was about the time WYO 487 was being completed, so the crew spent its winter keeping the older WYO 77 open with a Sno-Go rotary plow. There were only three crew members when Busskohl began, he said, working 14-to-16 hour shifts trying to keep the highway open during the winter. He persevered, even working with two cousins at the Rim: Tom Stoner and Tommy Goodwin. After 6.5 years came the opportunity to transfer to Midwest and he’s never left. “When we moved to Midwest, my wife (Joan) and I both agreed this would be fine for now. My son (the Busskohl’s have a son and daughter) was five or six. He was going to preschool at the town site near Shirley Basin. And when we moved, we said this will work out, it’s a nice-sized school,” Busskohl said. “We planned on being there for awhile. The kids enjoyed it. We had opportunities to possibly transfer, but the kids liked the school. Then when they were out, I was comfortable. I did some zoning and
planning work with the city. I got hired in 1992 as a judge (Busskohl served as a municipal judge in both Midwest and Edgerton).” Juggling his work for WYDOT with his service as a judge was a challenge for Busskohl, but one he said made him better-equipped for both. “I did a lot of stop signs, speeding tickets, dog issues. No drunks, because that’s a county court issue,” Busskohl said. “When I was dealing with the public, I would tell them while personally I may not care if your sign is posted in our right of way, but there is a rule against that. And I’m held by my job to do what (WYDOT) deems as in its best interest,” he said, adding most found that as being honest, and they would comply. Among the highlights of his career, Busskohl noted working with the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City in 2002. He was one of four chosen to help plow Interstate 80. “We plowed for (state of) Utah. We plowed from Evanston to their camp (in Echo Canyon, Utah). So, we learned a lot. They were plowing strictly with salt, so we learned how that works from what we were doing. “It was ironic, we joined up with their crew, Crew 236, and Midwest was 236,” he said. “It was an interesting trip. I made some long-term friends.” Busskohl was also involved with the planning and design of the current Midwest shop, built around 1984. He told his employees that it’s important to be involved with projects such as a new building, or whatever project that can affect their jobs. “Get involved. You’re the one who is going to have to live with it when it’s done. For instance, someone who doesn’t have to make brine isn’t going to know the issues you’re going to have down the road.” Busskohl said he’s always tried to make his job and his crews’ more interesting. “I talked with the (Transportation) Commissioners when I had my 40th (anniversary), and they asked what it takes to work for so long for the state, and I said, number one, you’ve got to like the job. Number two, you’ve got to have good, positive people around you. You’ve got to be happy and make the best out of what you’ve got,” he said. Continued on page 20 January 2015
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Photo: Jeff Goetz
Pat Busskohl at his recent retirement celebration.
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Ron Huff of Greybull worked at WYDOT outposts in Newcastle and Rawlins early in his 36-year career. Then, he moved to northwest Wyoming, his self-proclaimed God’s country. “District 5 (northwest Wyoming) is God’s country,” Huff says. “One of the neat things that happened to me was being the new guy coming to District 5 in December of 1999. I went to Cody and (then-Cody maintenance foreman) Gale Beers took me up on Chief Joe (Scenic Highway). We saw a grizzly bear browsing off the side of the road. I hadn’t ever seen that coming from Newcastle or Rawlins. It helped me appreciate this place.” Come Dec. 31, Huff plans to enjoy God’s country and the rest of the world when he retires as the District 5 maintenance engineer, a position he’s held since 2001. District 5 includes maintenance offices in Dubois, South Pass, Lander, Riverton, Shoshoni, Thermopolis, Ten Sleep, Worland, Cody, Lovell, Meeteetse, and Basin. Friends, family and co-workers gathered Dec. 16 for a cake and coffee reception in honor of Huff ’s retirement. District 5 has it all, Huff believes. “You have the mountains, the camping, the fishing — just the beauty of it all. Most districts have their spot that’s really nice. There are so many spots in District 5 that are so nice. You can see the Tetons, Togwotee Pass, the Big Horns, and the Big Horn Basin. There’s just so much.” Huff, 62, started his career September 1978, as an engineer’s associate engineer in Newcastle. “They needed help, so I went to work,” he remembers. From there, Huff was promoted to resident engineer in Rawlins where he spent five years working on I-80. “It was a big, good learning experience,” he says. Like many organizations, Huff has watched WYDOT go through wholesale changes in the past 36 years. “On the engineering side, we used to have fourman survey crews. Now, they’re two-man survey crews. We did a lot more inspection back then on our projects,” he says. “Maintenance wise, our equipment is better, it’s bigger. When I started, most of our trucks were four-yards, and you
were lucky to have an eight-yard. Now, it’s the opposite. Everything is computerized now, even the trucks. Today, the delivery system of the salt and sand is done by ground-speed controls. If you speed up, it comes out faster. If you slow down, it slows down. Then there’s the use of chemicals. The only tool you had in the past was some salt-sand. Now we’ve got salt brine, geobrine, magnesium-chloride, and Ice Slicer. We have a lot of options now.” With his familiar laugh following the question, Huff says he plans to do “nothing” in retirement. “I’ll be doing the usual — camping, fishing, playing golf and traveling a little around the state, visiting his six grandkids, and watching them play baseball in Kansas,” he says. “I like to do some woodworking, and maybe I’ll get better at it.”
Photo courtesy Cody Beers
District 5 Maintenance Engineer Ron Huff, retires in December
Busskohl was raised in Custer, S.D., learning ranching at an early age. He never considered a move across the border prior to landing a job at Shirley Rim. “When I was younger, they said you ought to go over there (to Wyoming) and work the oil fields. I said it was too windy, too dusty and full of sagebrush. I had no interest in Wyoming, and I never even dreamed I’d work for WYDOT let alone live here,” he said. Now that he’s retired, Busskohl said he and Joan will travel, see family and hopefully he can keep working on two vintage Mustangs. As for those who continue on, he offers some sage advice. “One thing, you have to be patient,” he said. “Get rid of your negative attitude. If you don’t like the job, move on. With state government, sometimes you’re not fully aware of the full scope of the issues. You have to be patient because the gears of state government move ever-true and firm, but sometimes a lot slower than you would like. “If you put yourself with the right attitude, the right frame of mind; volunteer when they ask for volunteers and step up to the plate, eventually the light will shine on you. Younger guys, you know, they want it now. I think I can teach everybody the basics of driving a truck or operating a piece of equipment, but sometimes it can take a lifetime to get good at it.”
At his retirement party, Ron Huff was presented with a customized jade golf putter.
Riley retires from district traffic crew in Basin A 33-year traffic supervisor retired Dec. 8, from WYDOT. His retirement party was Dec. 4 in Basin. With help from his family, the barbecue at the celebration was provided by Riley and his family. “Everybody has been putting up with me all these years, so I’m cooking barbecue (hamburgers, hot dogs and potato salad) as my way of saying ‘thanks,’” Riley said.
Photo: WYDOT
WTDEA Adult Christmas Party - 2014
le Afte c y
r
ading! Re
ease Re c Pl
District 5 Traffic Engineer Lyle Lamb (left) presents retiring Area Traffic Supervisor Don Riley with a few retirement comments and gifts at his retirement luncheon on Dec. 4, in Basin.
With a venue having the name “Holiday” Inn, the WTDEA Adult Christmas Party was bound to be an extraordinary event held December 6. “Ho-Ho-Ho” Heidi Martin and “Reindeer” Rebecca Savastano were the happy hostesses (hopefully not too full of “holiday spirits”), with “Antler-less” Adam Martin acting as emcee. Tickets to the event totalled 134 sold, and by-gosh, by-golly the turnout was fantastic! The meal consisted of Bacon Chicken Dijon (combining two of the other white meats), Caramel Apple Pork Chop, and Beef Tenderloin Tips with Potato Medley (the spuds played a medley of “I’m dreaming of a White Tater Christmas,” “All I want for Christmas Dinner is to NOT be Mashed,” and “Spencer – The Many Red Eyed Spud-Deer”) and asparagus, salads plus a plethora of cakes, pies, and yummy cheesecakes. The WTDEA 2014 Member of the Year is Nick Hines, photographed complete with crown and sash. Unlike past male recipients, he wore these accoutrements for the entire night. Someone should check to see if he STILL has them on. Congratulations to him for wearing them so well! The lucky-ducky 50/50 winner was Janice Burlew. Congratulations! A Christmas Party tradition started some time back was continued with everyone receiving Cash Envelopes! The envelopments had anything from a crisp $10 bill up to an even crisper $50 bill. One certainly likes Uly Grant better than Al Hamilton. The band Another Perfect Circus had us dancing the night away using an interesting jazz/blues twist on popular songs! There were many rockin’ reindeer for sure. Picture perfect was Dana Gage of Dana Gage Photography, who snapped portraits of happy holiday humans attending this event.
Great thanks for the prizes donated by the following WYDOT programs: Information Technology, Project Development, Contracts and Estimates, Traffic, Procurement Services, Right of Way, Geology, Motor Vehicle Services, Office Services, Fuel Tax Administration, Driver Services and Patrol. Though all prizes were cherished, Fuel Tax Administration had the most creative gift basket. Just think “gas” and “tax.” Many thanks to these local area merchants who donated: All That Jazz Salon and Spa, Olive Garden, Buffalo Wild Wings, Bloedorn Lumber, The Cavvietta – Western Tack and Accessories, The Holiday Inn, Town and Country Supermarket Liquors. Three grand prizes were given away, with Gregg Fredrick of Executive Staff winning the VeeBar Guest Ranch gift certificate, Nick Hines of Environmental Services winning the 40” Samsung TV, and Justin Mordahl of Geology making waffles with his new KitchenAid Stand Mixer. WyHy very graciously donated a $500 Visa Gift Card – Amy Lambert of Right of Way ecstatically won!
Photo: Dana Gage Photography
WTDEA
Riley, who turns 62 Dec. 7, started his WYDOT career in 1977-78. He left for a while, then resumed his WYDOT work in 1983. He retires with 33 years of service and a lot of memories, including work from Lander and Riverton to Lovell and Powell, and nearly every point in between. “I started on the guardrail crew, then went to striping. I was promoted to striping heavy equipment operator, then was promoted to urban striping foreman for 10 years,” Riley says. “And I’ve been doing this (area supervisor all of the District 5 traffic crews) for 10 years.” “For the most part, I have had a good time,” Riley says. “Everything has changed. The paints have changed, the signing and materials have changed … for the most part, for the better.” Riley says he’ll take the memories of the people and his co-workers with him. “The people I have worked with have made my career. The people have been the best part of my career.” Riley doesn’t have any specific plans in retirement. “I’m going to do whatever I want. I want to kick back and enjoy life and do what I want to do. That might be nothing some days.” He does plan to hunt and fish. Riley’s successor is Steven Otto, who has been promoted and is on the job in Basin.
Nick Hines with Environmental Services is the 2014 WTDEA Member of the Year.
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Photo courtesy Brandon Blakesley
Outdoors
d rainbow trout at 9 Carson DeLeeuw caught a 4.5 poun ar old son of Mike and 9-ye the is on Cars mie. Lara Mile near ent Services and urem Proc in work Rhonda DeLeeuw who ely. ectiv resp ices, Serv ent agem Man
Brandon Blakesley with Thermopolis mechanics and 3-year old son, Colton, on Colton’s first hunting trip. A great time was had antelope hunting near Thermopolis.
as Photo courtesy Tory Thom
Photo: WYDOT
District 1 employe es Mike Ginther (traffic staff), AJ striping foreman Trabing (rural ) and Eric Anderso n (facility coordin competed in the ator), recently Wyoming Best of the Best Coyote Callin tion which was he g Competild in Rock Springs . The hunt was on qualifying tournam e of seven en ts which are held thr team harvested oughout the state. four coyotes durin The g the one-day tourn heavy snow and ament despite wind, landing the m a first place fin ish and a spot in the state champio nships to be held Feb. 7.
s gigantic elk in
Photo: Mack Miller
as took thi ce Engineer Tory Thom District 3 Maintenan . a’s Unit 3A/3C September in Arizon
Mack Miller with Saratoga maintenance snapp ed this picture of storm clouds moving in over Battle Pass while drivin g WYO 70. Brrrrr.
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Photo: Christina Fisher
Photo: Kevin Maynard
Photo: Mike DeLeeuw
Mia Mayna rd, 14-year old daughter with South of Kevin May Pass mainten nard ance, proudl bow kill. y shows off her first
lby Photo courtesy She
Photo courtesy Tony Warburton
Carlson
Brandon Fisher, 12 years old, shot his first antelope ever near Arlington
on with her er Shelby Carls District 5 Engine le. da ne Pi near vested this fall
moose har-
Retiree Tony Warburton and sons Brandon and Clint with the deer he harvested last October. Wartburton retired last Decem ber after 33 years with WYDOT.
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