July 2017 Interchange by WYDOT

Interchange July 2017

District 3: Wide open spaces, iconic scenery

Letters

Mid-May snowstorm handled well statewide I want to thank all of you for the recent work you did during the late-May recordbreaking spring snowstorm. At WYDOT we are committed to providing the best customer service to the public. You all did that during the May 18 and 19 storm. For those of you who worked tirelessly to reopen Interstate 80 and other sections of road, answered calls from the public, served as a lifeline to our maintenance crews and Highway Patrol troopers and performed other duties to ensure this department provided the best customer service to the public, I am truly grateful. Your hard work and effort hasn’t gone unnoticed. I wanted to share with you all some of the highlights from this past storm so you all know what happened and how you all contributed in making WYDOT one of the best agencies in the state. n The storm caused sections of I-80 and other roads in southeast and central Wyoming to close for up to 36 hours. n Maintenance crews encountered

snowdrifts of up to 4 feet, wind, heavy wet snow and other wintry conditions.

n WYDOT crews from Arlington, Lara-

mie, Saratoga, Elk Mountain, Chug-

water, Torrington and Rawlins all helped with cleanup efforts. WYDOT employees throughout the state helped by providing additional support by fielding calls and reassuring the traveling public that the department is working quickly to reopen the closed roads. n WYDOT also contracted with Simon

Contractors and Knife River to help with cleanup efforts. Both contractors have larger loaders to handle hauling large amounts of snow. The contractors also brought in three motor graders. Although WYDOT has loaders, they’re not as large as the ones the contractors use.

n The storm dumped 32 inches of snow

near Buford, between 20 to 30 inches near Harriman, between 14 to 16 inches in and around Cheyenne, 12 inches in Laramie and 12 inches in east Laramie County to Burns.

n Motorists relied heavily on WYDOT’s

511 Road and Travel Information website, which had 12.7 million hits on May 18 and 13.8 million hits on May 19. On a typical day, the website has about 1.8 million hits.

Again, I want to thank you all for your hard work. You are truly what makes this department wonderful!

Sincerely, Bill Panos

Interchange

Vol. 45, Issue 7

Interchange is published for employees of the Wyoming Department of Transportation by its Public Affairs Office and a number of field correspondents. Interchange invites submissions from all employees. Please send them to either your district correspondents or to: Carlie Van Winkle, Interchange editor, 5300 Bishop Blvd., Cheyenne, Wyoming, 82009-3340. The Public Affairs Office may also be contacted by phoning (307) 777-4165 or sending email to carlie.vanwinkle@wyo.gov

Staff WYDOT Director: William T. Panos

Public Affairs Manager: Doug McGee

Editor: Carlie Van Winkle

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

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

Photography: Rick Carpenter

Public Affairs

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

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July 2017

A WYDOT PUBLICATION

Contents

Features 9 Cooperation leads to benefits WYDOT partners with US Forest Service

10 WYDOT, WHP at annual meeting Agency meets with Wyoming Trucking Association

11 CatchNet system on Teton Pass Jackson resident avoided potentially deadly crash

12 District 3 Wide open spaces, iconic scenery

Also in this issue Letters.........................................................................................2 District briefs.............................................................................4 By the Numbers.......................................................................7 Noteworthy..............................................................................15 Aeronautics..............................................................................18

TechNotes................................................................................19 Training.................................................................................... 20 District news...........................................................................21 Awards..................................................................................... 26 Passings................................................................................... 27 WTDEA..................................................................................... 28 Break Time...............................................................................31

On the cover:

Fossil Butte National Monument near Kemmerer. Photo: Rick Carpenter

Kindly recycle this publication after reading. July 2017

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District Briefs CHEYENNE – Wyoming troopers were busy over the Memorial Day weekend throughout the state. Troopers conducted 2,653 traffic stops May 27-29. From those stops, 26 impaired drivers were arrested. Additionally, 216 motorists received some form of assistance from troopers over the weekend. During the three-day weekend, Patrol investigated 83 crashes. None of them were fatal. Troopers were focused on identifying impaired drivers and other violations that impact highway safety such as non-use of child and occupant restraints, speeding and other moving violations. Troopers issued 102 citations for lack of seat belt usage and 12 citations for no child restraints as required. The WHP dispatch center was also busy dispatching 4,157 events, including 46 REDDI reports and 119 traffic complaints.

Crash causes structural damage to bridge near Laramie LARAMIE – On May 21, a commercial truck left the highway and crashed into a bridge at milepost 314 on I-80 near Laramie. The crash caused significant damage resulting in a closure of the bridge. Brian M. Nelson, 44, of Sacramento, Calif., was operating a red Volvo semi-truck pulling a loaded flatbed trailer in the driving lane of westbound I-80. Near milepost 314, investigators believe Nelson fell asleep while driving. The semi-truck veered to the right side of I-80 and struck a guardrail. There was no evidence of braking or skid marks

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and the semi-truck was estimated to be traveling at 65-70 mph as it drove on top of the guardrail and then struck the main concrete support pillars under the bridge in a head-on collision. WYDOT engineers examined the bridge and determined it was necessary to close the bridge. The road was closed for about 1.5 hours on the night of the crash before local wrecker companies, troopers, Albany County deputies, Laramie Police officers, Albany County firefighters and WYDOT officials reopened a lane of traffic under the bridge. Nelson was charged with operating a commercial motor vehicle over the federal maximum drive time of 11 hours. He was also cited for careless driving, driving while under the influence of a controlled substance and misdemeanor possession of suspected methamphetamine.

Nine DUI arrests made in Sweetwater County over holiday weekend ROCK SPRINGS – In a continuing effort, the Sweetwater County Sheriff ’s office, Wyoming Highway Patrol and the Green River and Rock Springs Police departments joined forces for a traffic safety enforcement campaign during the Memorial Day holiday weekend. As part of a multiagency Click It or Ticket enforcement operation, Sweetwater County law enforcement issued seven seat belt tickets, two child safety-seat tickets and arrested nine drunken drivers. During the four-day operation, area law enforcement made 221 traffic stops and issued 58 speeding tickets, 51 other tickets and issued 141 warnings. Sweetwater County law enforcement agencies have completed three of six multi-agency traffic safety operations for 2017. The next operation will be over the extended 4th of July weekend. According to the Wyoming Highway Patrol, there had been 39 fatalities on Wyoming roads through the Memorial Day weekend as compared to 25 at this time last year. Funding for the impaired driving and seat belt campaigns is possible through a federal grant secured by WYDOT’s Highway Safety Office.

Photo: WYDOT

WHP busy over holiday weekend

On June 7, crews began the reconstruction of the intersection of Wyoming Boulevard (WYO 258) and 12th Street on Casper’s east side. Work replaced water lines through the intersection, closing the east half of the intersection. This project is scheduled to be completed by Aug. 16.

A westbound tractor trailer veered from I-80 and crashed head-on into bridge support pillars. The driver was wearing his seat belt and walked away with only minor injuries, proving how important it is to always buckle up.

Two projects affect Casper area traffic CASPER – Two road projects redirected traffic on Salt Creek Highway and Wyoming Boulevard in Casper. Salt Creek Highway (WYO 254) was closed at its south junction with West Yellowstone Highway on June 5 for the replacement of the railroad crossing. Business access from Salt Creek Highway was not affected. However, access to the highway was from a north onramp via the Shoshoni Bypass for two consecutive days.

Dewar Drive, Elk Street milling and paving ROCK SPRINGS – Milling is underway as WYDOT continues work on Elk Street and Dewar Drive. Crews milled up pavement on half of the roadway width on Elk Street and began milling opera-

Wreckage clean-up on Teton Pass

tions on Dewar Drive in mid-June. The work on Elk Street began just south of the I-80 intersection and continues to the Elk Street/Center Street intersection. Work on Dewar Drive began east of Gateway Boulevard and continues to the east side of the Belt Loop (in front of the Ford dealership). “Lane widths are reduced to 10 feet, which makes it difficult for large hitch trailers and tractor trailers to make turning movements,” WYDOT Public Involvement Specialist Stephanie Harsha said. Business accesses will be maintained throughout the project with exception of when crews are milling or paving directly through the area. These closures will be limited and of short duration. More information will be released and businesses will be contacted prior to paving operations. This project will use a full depth reclamation process in which crews will mill off about 4-inches of asphalt, and then treat the remaining asphalt and base with oil emulsion before placing about 4-inches of new pavement on top. Some isolated ADA improvements and bridge improvements will also be included in the job. Crews hope to have paving completed by late August, early September. WYDOT awarded the job to Kilgore Companies, doing business as Lewis & Lewis, Inc., of Rock Springs for $4.5 million. The work will include grading, milling and full depth reclamation paving, as well as some bridge work repair and other miscellaneous work on about 2 miles of Elk Street and Dewar Drive. The completion date is set for Oct. 31.

WYO 193 from to Story reopened after temporary closure

JACKSON – Crews from WYDOT cleaned up wreckage on Teton Pass from a crash last December. In December 2016, a tractor trailer carrying potatoes was driving eastbound on WYO 22 when it struck and went over the guardrail and slid down the embankment near milepost 8. The driver was transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries and was cited for an overweight vehicle, violating the trailer closure and for not maintaining a single lane of traffic. Due to snow accumulations and weather conditions, crews had been unable to clean up the wreckage. The work required the use of a large wrecker that looks similar to a crane.

SHERIDAN – WYDOT officials temporarily closed WYO 193 between the I-90 at the Piney Creek Interchange and the junction of WYO 194 at Story the morning of June 8 due to flooding that caused damage to the temporary bridge that crosses North Piney Creek. The high water has eroded around one of the abutments. The temporary bridge was put in place due to a reconstruction project that was taking place in the area. Reiman Corp. a contractor from Cheyenne began a 6-mile project to widen and place an overlayment with some isolated reconstruction late last summer. The project included replacing the North Piney Creek bridges. The $12.7 million project is scheduled to be complete this fall. WYDOT and the contractor worked to repair the damages to the temporary bridge and reopen the road later in the day on June 8.

Spring cleaning in Green River tunnels

Photo: WYDOT

ROCK SPRINGS – WYDOT cleaned and swept the Green River tunnels the week of May 23. Work began on the eastbound tunnel and moved to the westbound tunnel. Traffic was reduced to a single lane through the work zone. In addition to the lane reductions, the Green River eastbound on-ramp at exit 89 (west side of Green River) was closed. Residents and travelers were able to exit and enter the interstate at that location during the maintenance.

Photo: WYDOT

Cleaning of the Green River tunnels at the end of May reduced traffic to one lane.

Photo: WYDOT

Contract crews from Lewis & Lewis brought in a reclaimer for the full depth reclamation process for the Dewar Drive and Elk Street project. A sinkhole caused by flood water damaged the abutments of the temporary bridge.

Briefs continued on page 6 July 2017

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Department starts full-depth reclamation project on WYO 434, south of Ten Sleep TEN SLEEP – A reduced speed limit of 45 mph is in effect on the Big Trails fulldepth reclamation project south of Ten Sleep on WYO 434. The $995,000 Big Trails project consists of grading, full-depth reclamation, chip sealing and other work on 6.39 miles of WYO 434 and Washakie County Road 82 between Worland and Ten Sleep. Knife River of Cheyenne is the prime contractor on the project. The work includes grading, final grading and fog sealing the reclaimed material. “Wait times will be short, up to 15 minutes, since the contractor will be working in sections and moving traffic control along the roadway with the project’s progress,” said Project Engineer Jordan Erz of Worland. “The contractor will also be hauling in the rock chips for the double chip seal, so there will be increased truck traffic on US 16 between Ten Sleep and Buffalo.” Chip sealing depends upon favorable weather, and it is tentatively scheduled to begin on the Big Trails project after the July 4 holiday.

Summer chip sealing started in northeast Wyoming BASIN – WYDOT chip sealing crews kicked off their summer work season in early June with chip sealing north of Thermopolis and west of Ten Sleep. Beginning June 12, chip sealing was applied on 8.25 miles of US 16-20/WYO 789 north of Worland, according to WYDOT chip sealing foreman Travis Jorgensen of Worland. When the US 16-20/WYO 789 chip sealing was complete, the chip sealing crew is scheduled to move up the road on US 16-20/WYO 789 between Manderson and Basin for two days of chip sealing on

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8.65 miles. WYDOT began sealing 7.94 miles of US 16-20/WYO 789 between Greybull and Basin June 19-20. Other roads scheduled for chip sealing by WYDOT maintenance crews include: n 7.53 miles of US 14 east of Shell on June 21-22;

n Chip sealing pavements is the least

expensive, most cost effective way of preserving asphalt pavements.

n 6.34 miles of WYO 114 between

Deaver and Garland on June 26;

n 4.47 miles of US 14A between Will-

wood and Powell on June 27;

Photo: WYDOT

Briefs continued from page 5

n 1.83 miles of US 14A between Cody

and Powell on June 28;

n 4.98 miles of WYO 120 between Cody

and Meeteetse on June 29;

n 13.41 miles of WYO 296 (Chief Joseph

Scenic Highway) July 10-12.

Beginning July 24, the chip sealing effort moves south of the Wind River Canyon with 11.56 miles of chip sealing scheduled for July 24-25 on WYO 28 between Lander and South Pass. On July 26, chip sealing is scheduled on WYO 139 (Sand Draw Spur Road), southeast of Riverton. And on July 27-31, the chip sealing operation will conclude with 17.10 miles of work on WYO 135 (Sand Draw Road), southeast of Riverton. “Please drive carefully and obey reduced speed limits near chip sealing operations,” said WYDOT Public Involvement Specialist Cody Beers. “Crews will be working during the days and into the nights, and safe driving and safe work operations are very important throughout these projects. Please be patient as this important work is being completed. “The chip seals will be swept at the end of each day, but some loose rock may still be present. Drivers are asked to slow down in these areas in order to prevent windshield damage after operations have ceased for the day,” Beers said. “We appreciate everyone’s patience.” Chip sealing is important:

n To seal the pavement surface and keep

water from penetrating the road structure on paved surfaces.

n To fill and seal cracks and raveled

surfaces of old pavement.

n To provide an anti-glare surface dur-

ing wet weather and an increased reflective surface for night driving.

n To provide a highly skid-resistant sur-

face, particularly on wet pavements.

Summer chip seal crews are out on the road in District 5.

Fremont seat-belt awareness initiative nets traffic stops RIVERTON – As part of the countywide, multi-agency Click it or Ticket enforcement operation over the Memorial Day holiday weekend, Fremont County law enforcement issued 14 seat-belt tickets, 6 child safety seat tickets and arrested 3 drunken drivers. During the four-day operation, area law enforcement made 660 traffic stops and issued 117 speeding tickets, 91 other tickets and issued 254 warnings. Two separate fatal motorcycle crashes occurred over the weekend. One crash took place in Riverton and another near Riverton on Riverview Road. The crashes remain under investigation by their respective agencies. Fremont County law enforcement agencies have completed nine multi-agency traffic safety operations since 2016, and another three are planned for the remainder of the 2017. The next operation will be over the busy July Fourth holiday weekend. The purpose of the Click it or Ticket enforcement operation is to educate drivers about safety belts and to remind people it’s always better to buckle up. Fremont County law enforcement plans to reinforce the importance of wearing seat belts and to enforce the state’s zerotolerance stance toward impaired driving. Agencies staffing the Fremont County operation include the Wyoming Highway Patrol, Lander Police Department, Fremont County Sheriff ’s office, Riverton Police Department, Shoshoni Police Department, Wyoming State Park rangers

Department performs chip sealing on US 26 west of Riverton RIVERTON – A $4.96 million highway improvement project resumed June 6 west of Riverton on US 26. High Country Construction Inc., of Lander is the prime contractor on the project which begins about a mile east of Diversion Dam Junction (milepost 99.62) and extends 5.06 miles (to milepost 104.68) toward Riverton. WYDOT Resident Engineer Robert Scheidemantel of Riverton said chip sealing began the week of June 6. Completion date for the project is June 30.

Chief Joseph Scenic Highway highway improvements resume CODY – Highway improvements resumed the week of May 28 on a $3.84 million highway improvement project north of Cody on WYO 296 (Chief Joseph Scenic Highway). WYDOT Resident Engineer Todd Frost of Cody said Oftedal Construction Inc., of Casper began stockpiling rock chips for the upcoming chip seal throughout the project area. “Other miscellaneous cleanup work will be ongoing, and traffic will be controlled by flaggers. Delays will be minimal,” Frost said. Frost said starting the week of June 12 the contractor began fog sealing the shoulders of the highway and chip sealing. Once the chip seal was completed, the

contractor completed work on the Pat O’Hara Creek bridge near WYO 120. The Chief Joseph Scenic Highway project is between mileposts 33.20 (the top of Dead Indian Pass) and 46.20 (the intersection of WYO 296 and WYO 120). Contract complete date was June 30.

Total number of employees: as of June 5, 2017

Crews start hot-mix patching in Park County CODY – A WYDOT asphalt paving crew began work in Park County at the end of May. The hot-mix asphalt patching was applied to US 14-16-20 about 10 miles east of Cody. The WYDOT paving operation consisted of a paving crew, a roller operator and numerous WYDOT trucks hauling the hot asphalt.

1,923

One month ago

1,915

One year ago

1,916

Photo: WYDOT

and the Wind River Police Department. Partners in the Click it or Ticket campaign include Injury Prevention Resources and Wyoming Department of Transportation. According to the Wyoming Highway Patrol, there had been 39 fatalities on Wyoming roads after the Memorial Day holiday weekend, as compared to 25 at the same time last year. Funding for the impaired driving and seat belt campaigns is possible through a federal grant secured by the Wyoming Department of Transportation’s Highway Safety office.

Springtime patching work is underway near Cody on US 14-16-20.

US 14A opened for spring May 25 LOVELL – The annual spring opening of US 14A between Burgess Junction and Lovell was before Memorial Day weekend this year – precisely, at noon on May 25. “We’re ready to open at noon,” said WYDOT maintenance foreman Jason Fleming of Lovell. “We have a few ongoing maintenance activities to complete, including installing new delineator posts through the slide area. Drivers are encouraged to drive safely and buckle up.” The annual winter closure of US 14A, west of Burgess Junction, is at milepost 76.04 on the Lovell side of the Bighorn Mountains. The seasonal road closure at Burgess Junction is just east of milepost 98.1. WYDOT annually closes this 22mile stretch of scenic mountain road in the Bighorn Mountains of north-central Wyoming about Nov. 30 at the conclusion of the fall hunting season. It usually opens for the summer by Memorial Day weekend. n

WHP Total number of highway fatalities: as of June 21, 2017

one year ago

July 2017

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Photo: WYDOT

Left: WYDOT trucks navigate through flood waters flowing across US 26 west of Riverton. Right: US 26 was closed to traffic due to the continued flooding.

Rising flood water flowing across US 26 about 30 miles west of Riverton forced WYDOT personnel to close the highway until the water receded. WYDOT personnel were stationed at the road-closed gates on each end of the closure, and they were available to assist drivers with information regarding detours. A signed traffic detour for westbound traffic was opened at US 26’s junction with WYO 132, about 20 miles west of Riverton. A signed traffic detour was opened for eastbound traffic at Diversion Dam junction (US 26 and US 287), about 35 miles west of Riverton. Westbound drivers on US 26 leaving Riverton were asked to drive south to WYO 132’s intersection with US 287, then north through Fort Washakie to the Diversion Dam junction (US 26 and US 287), where drivers could then resume their westbound trip toward Dubois, Yellowstone National Park and Jackson. Eastbound drivers on US 287 leaving Dubois were asked to turn south on US 287 toward Lander at the Diversion Dam Junction, and then to turn north on WYO 132 and drive to US 26 near Kinnear, where they could resume their eastbound trip toward Riverton and Casper. “We were the last drivers through the water on US 26 this afternoon (June 7),” according to WYDOT District Engineer Pete Hallsten of Basin. “The water flowing across the highway had risen to about a foot deep, and our vehicle wanted to float. That’s when the decision was made to close the roadway until water recedes and the highway is safe for vehicles to pass through.” Flood waters from the Wind River had been rising since June 3, and water nearly started flowing across US 26 on June 6. A second round of rising flood water flowed across US 26 on June 17 forcing WYDOT personnel to close the highway until water receded. WYDOT personnel were stationed at the road-closed gates on each end of the closure, and were available to assist drivers with information regarding detours. The road-closed gates were manned as water continued to flow across US 26. “The water started flowing across the highway again sometime during the night on June 16,” according to WYDOT Maintenance Foreman Robin Clapp of Riverton. On June 19, WYDOT closed WYO 132 which is 20 miles west

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of Riverton because of flooding, but a detour through Lander on US 287 kept traffic moving through the area. Earlier, on June 17, US 26 near Morton was closed. “The river is moving a lot in that area,” said Hallsten. “There was an intense, long-duration rainstorm that started Friday night (June 16) and lasted around 10 hours in the area of Pinedale, Union Pass and Dubois that may be impacting the river.” WYDOT had barricaded near the impacted areas, preventing drivers from entering. WYDOT employees were also on site to help direct traffic to the detour. Travelers heading east from Jackson to the Riverton area will use US 26-287 into Lander where they then took WYO 789 north toward Riverton. Motorists heading west toward Jackson from Jeffrey City and Sweetwater Station Junction on US 287/WYO 789 remained on that road and drove through Lander. WYDOT used dynamic message signs and AM radio broadcasts near the closure to advise motorists driving near Shoshoni on US 26/WYO 789 to avoid WYO 134 and instead head south toward Lander. The roads were opened again the afternoon of June 19 after the flood waters had receded. “We believe we’re in pretty good shape with the receding flood waters,” said Hallsten. “We are seeing several areas on each highway, near bridges, where this spring’s flood waters seem to be wanting to flow in new areas and create new channels which may have long-term impacts on a handful of highway bridges.” “WYDOT appreciates everyone’s patience during this situation,” Hallsten said. “People will still be able to get to their destinations through the detours WYDOT has in place.” n

Photo: WYDOT

Flood waters flowed across US 26 west of Riverton; closed the highway

The articulated rip-rap that was installed along US 26 last summer is paying off this spring run-off season. The rip-rap keeps the soil from eroding.

Cooperation leads to benefits for WYDOT, US Forest Service

Fullman said Carver and Kinniburgh “clearly” recognize the importance and value of communication between the agencies. For example, if WYDOT crews notice something they think may need attention by the Forest Service, they’ll notify proper personnel and vice versa. The issues could be something like a missing sign or noticing sinkholes near the roadway. At other times, the agencies share resources like last year, when WYDOT used message signs to keep motorists informed of wildfires, which were within the National Forest boundaries. In May, Fullman recognized both foremen at a supervisor training in Laramie. “I look at Merna and Scott as folks that keep the greater good in mind,” Fullman said. “It’s so refreshing to have a partner and not an adversary.” Carver and Kinniburgh both said they were shocked when Fullman recognized their work earlier this year, and both had complimentary words for their relationship with the Forest Service. “[Fullman] is so fantastic. She listens,” Carver said. “She’s somebody that I can call her and she will pick up the phone. When Fullman started her job in Saratoga, Carver said the two spent a day together, showing one another about their jobs and what they look for. Now, “we kind of look at things through each other’s eyes,” Carver said of Fullman. “We’ve got each other’s back.” Kinniburgh, who retired at the beginning of June, also described the “great relationship” between WYDOT and the Forest Service. “I think we just respected each other’s position and tried to help where we could,” he said. “Anything we noticed up in the forest that looked out of place, I’d notify Melanie and she had people that were authorized to do something about that.” Those efforts have paid dividends for the public as well, as WYDOT and the Forest Service can provide consistent messaging to the public, regardless of whether they call the Forest Service office in Saratoga or the WYDOT shop in Baggs. District 1 Engineer Tom DeHoff said creating a strong working relationship helps both agencies accomplish their respective goals. “That’s what we try to encourage our people to do,” he said. “Not just with the Forest Service, but with everyone.” Fullman said she noticed that trait since working with WYDOT. “I get the sense [WYDOT]’s culture is like that,” she said. “It seems to embrace the idea of helping each other rather than fighting other agencies.” n

Photo courtesy of Matt Murphy

By Matt Murphy, District 1 Public Involvement Specialist Sometimes just taking the extra step to communicate can make or break relationships between government agencies. In District 1, the actions and communication of two foremen have led to a solid working relationship between WYDOT and the U.S. Forest Service. Over the years, the Baggs shop, led by foreman Merna Carver, and the Saratoga shop, led by foreman Scott Kinniburgh until his recent retirement, have built a strong working relationship with Melanie Fullman, the district ranger for the Brush Creek/Hayden Ranger District in Medicine Bow National Forest. “Words on paper don’t make an effective agreement,” Fullman said. “At the end of the day that’s not what makes it actually happen. It’s having someone like Merna and Scott make the big picture. It comes down to having people that care.” In southern Carbon County, the jobs of WYDOT and the Forest Service can be intertwined. Both WYO 130 and WYO 70 cross the National Forest and close seasonally. Those roads provide access to the forest for Forest Service personnel and recreation users and are also important transportation links for residents in the area.

Baggs Maintenance Foreman Merna Carver (left) and now retired Saratoga Maintenance Foreman Scott Kinniburgh were honored by the US Forest Service and District Ranger Melanie Fullman (center) at a supervisor training in Laramie.

July 2017

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WYDOT, Highway Patrol update truckers association at annual meeting

step in moving away general fund reliance, and touted the department’s influence at the federal level, helping ensure states like Wyoming receive an appropriate share of federal highway dollars. Patrol is also striving to become more efficient and responsive too, Haller said. For example, Haller explained changes at the ports of entry; grouping the ports into zones and creating a port manager for each one and adjusting port hours to meet demand. “We’ll be able to manage our ports in a more consistent way,” Haller said, noting that ports that used to be open 24 hours per day could still be open on “special nights,” or at other times to keep commercial carriers honest. Haller said the Patrol continues to deal with the same issues as it has historically, including forms of distracted driving and winter road restrictions. This past winter, Teton Pass (WYO 22) had numerous violators of the state’s law restricting trailer traffic from Nov. 15 through April 1. “We really ramped up enforcement, education and awareness efforts this season,” Haller said, which resulted in 628 contacts with potential violators. Of those, there were more than 400 violations of the law.

By Jeff Goetz, District 2 Public Involvement Specialist The Wyoming Trucking Association has served the needs of the state’s trucking industry for 78 years, and WYDOT has served the state for 100 years. Each has worked tirelessly toward improvements in safety, efficiency and education; improving the experience of both commercial drivers and the motoring public. The overlapping nature of the two organizations has led to a good standing relationship over the years. It was that relationship WYDOT Director Bill Panos noted during his opening remarks as part of a panel discussion at the Wyoming Trucking Association annual conference May 18. “We’re here today out of the importance and respect for this group,” Panos said. Panos joined Wyoming Highway Patrol Col. Kebin Haller and Juel Leuis, investigator with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, in updating members on the state of transportation, changes in WYDOT and an new project that may help to change trucking forever. A recent restructure at the top of WYDOT was designed to increase the department’s efficiency, Panos said, and bring consistency to its customers. The restructure included the creation of a chief financial officer (Dennis Byrne) and a chief technology officer (Pat Lewis). “We brought together into one group, what was in about a dozen different groups,” Panos said. Additionally, the department is looking at its policies to find ways to streamline doing business with WYDOT, thus increasing efficiency. “We looked through our policies and found some dated back to the 1960s, so we’re updating them,” Panos said. “This year we (WYDOT) will be 100 years old and some of our policies reflect that.” On the financial front, Panos explained the movement away from state general funds and the department’s continued effort to keep federal highway dollars coming to rural states such as Wyoming. He cited the recent increase in the percentage of driver’s license and license plate fees that remain with WYDOT as one

Photo: Jeff Goetz

Connected Vehicles

The Wyoming Trucking Association panel included Director Bill Panos, second from left, and Col. Kebin Haller, second from right.

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Wyoming is working to revolutionize travel across the nation as part of a federal pilot project aimed at electronically “connecting” vehicles to share up-to-date information with each other and with the department’s Transportation Management Center (TMC). “Wyoming is one of three places the United States Department of Transportation has invested in this technology,” Panos said. “And we’re proud to be a part of this with our USDOT partners.” Wyoming makes up the rural portion of the pilot project, with New York City selected to test urban feasibility and Tampa, Florida, chosen for its freeway express lanes in which traffic flow can be reversed depending upon demand. In Wyoming, the pilot project focuses on freight movement along Interstate 80. The connected vehicle pilot project uses short-range transmitters to “connect” one vehicle traveling on a highway to the one in front, behind and one coming from the opposite direction. These vehicles relay information to and from, in Wyoming’s case, the TMC via receivers permanently installed along the highway. The information can range from general safety messages and road construction advisories to crash information and closures. Connected vehicles could even send road condition reports back to the TMC. Vince Garcia, WYDOT’s GIS/ITS manager, and Ali Ragan, GIS/ITS project manager, gave a presentation to the Trucking Association members during the meeting’s third day, explaining how connected vehicles work and what WYDOT is doing as part of its pilot project involvement. They said the project can make travel safer for everyone by getting hazard and travel information to a driver as it happens – potentially reducing crashes. “Drivers will get alerts and warnings inside the cab,” said Ragan. “We realize we won’t stop every crash – that’s unrealistic – but we want to be able to lessen or stop secondary crashes; keep the two-vehicle crash from becoming a 60-vehicle crash.” While many of the details of the pilot project have yet to be worked out, Panos said WYDOT is currently working to install the devices along I-80 and will begin testing the system this fall. n

Photos: WYDOT

CatchNet system on Teton Pass saving lives By Stephanie Harsha, District 3 Public Involvement Specialist “It saved my life.” Local Jackson resident Andrew Williams was heading back to Jackson after picking his 1992 Ford Econoline bus that had been at a shop in Idaho, when every Teton Pass commuter’s nightmare became a reality. Around 5 p.m. on June 2, Williams lost control of his brakes on the pass. Williams, displaying some quick thinking, used the newly opened truck arrestor system on the pass and avoided a potentially deadly crash. WYDOT truck arrestor system, near milepost 7 on the south side of the roadway, was constructed to replace the previous runaway truck ramp where vehicles had to cross over the opposing lane of oncoming traffic to use the ramp. Williams said he was following two dump trucks over the pass when he lost his brakes. “They were already going pretty slow, so I was on the brakes a lot. Then, I pushed on the brake, and they just go to the floor,” Williams recalled. Williams then tried to pull the emergency brake, which immediately just snapped. That is when Williams knew he was in trouble. “I was already shaking violently. In my head, I had a few options. I could try and drive into the mountain to stop myself, but there was no break in the oncoming traffic, and I was risking hurting someone else. Or I could ride the guardrail and use the friction to stop,” Williams recalled. Williams chose to ride the guardrail, until the truck arrestor came into site. Williams said he approached the arrestor on the guardrail traveling at about 30 miles per hour when he chose to take it.

Of the eight cable catch nets, only one was used to stop the vehicle. The vehicle sustained very little damage, mostly cosmetic to the headlight casing, and the vehicle was able to back out of the arrestor on its own. Williams was uninjured. “I can’t believe I was okay. The system worked phenomenally,” Williams said. Williams sat in the arrestor for some time before someone that knew him stopped to check on the situation. At that time, he used their phone to call for help. The Teton truck arrestor system was opened in March of this year. “This is the first time it’s been used. I was pretty impressed with the small amount of damage and the ease in which the arrestor stopped the vehicle,” Bruce Daigle said. The WYDOT crews were able to replace the catchnet in a few hours, and the whole system was operational the next day. Williams, like others, had some questions about what happens after a vehicle uses the arrestor and what costs are incurred to repair the system and put it back in working order. Just like when a driver strikes the guardrail or box beam on the interstate, or has a fender bender with a state vehicle, claims are processed through one’s insurance and the state’s financial department. More than likely, the insurance will cover the costs of the collision. WYDOT crews would like to remind all Teton Pass motorists who may lose control of their brakes – in any type of vehicle – that the arrestor system is effective and a safe way to stop a moving vehicle. n

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iconic scenery

By Stephanie Harsha, District 3 Public Involvement Specialist

The Wyoming Department of Transportation’s District 3 covers some of Wyoming’s most dramatic and extraordinary landscapes. Stretching from the vast, Red Desert to the majestic and frequently photographed Teton Mountain Range, District 3 does not disappoint on its powerful views. “Especially here in Sweetwater County, its wide open spaces – it’s got a freedom to it unlike anywhere else. You can see for miles in each direction,” said District Construction Technician Bar Flor.

In the southern counties of Uinta and Sweetwater, some of the fiercest winds in Wyoming dominate the landscape; while in the northern counties of Lincoln, Sublette and Teton, snow and ice reign supreme. It takes an experienced and innovative team of transportation experts to work and find success in these remarkable conditions, and that is exactly what the District 3 family exhibits—experience, innovation and collaboration. “What I like about working in District 3 is the variety of work we get to do here. There are different types of highways, different types of communities and environments—from a construction and geologic

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standpoint, its always interesting,” said District Engineer Keith Compton. District 3 has a history of innovative work, from the construction of the Interstate 80 tunnels in the 1960’s, to the Trapper’s Point Connectivity Project in recent years. District 3 always finds a way to address transportation issues in Western Wyoming.

Experience

District 3 draws on experience for leadership and direction. The district staff alone contributes more than 100 years of total combined experience and the Rock Springs office is home to the longest running employee for not only WYDOT, but the state of Wyoming itself—David Fedrizzi. Fedrizzi, nearing 60 years of service, he can still be found typing on his typewriter or assisting coworkers with historical data. Many of WYDOT’s central leadership in Cheyenne have come through the District 3 ranks, such as former directors

winter conditions here in Wyoming are unlike any other state; strikingly different from bordering states. This adds the element of adverse weather to providing a safe and efficient transportation system for its users in Wyoming. District 3 is responsible for the western half of I-80 as it dissects the state, roughly 187 miles. “It (I-80) is the preferred route for transcontinental goods transport making it critical to not only Wyoming but every state from Chicago to the West Coast,” District Maintenance Engineer Tory Thomas said. Much of District 3’s resources are Innovation devoted to keeping this critical route District 3 has quite a resumé for inmoving efficiently. Small, isolated crews novative and cutting edge work in the across the district provide snow removal state. District 3 is the only district with and maintenance services for miles and an avalanche program. These maintemiles of remote desert. These crews are a nance technicians not only plow snow, critical part of District 3’s commitment to but predict and monitor weather patterns. service. This same crew managed an internal “This extreme environment makes upgrade in 2014 on the avalanche system maintenance activities, particularly duron Teton Pass, installing new Gazex and a ing winter months, very challenging. The ObellX exploder in the Hoback Canyon, remote locations can be difficult to keep saving the state close to $50,000. Just this staffed,” Thomas added. past year, the Teton As technolCounty Maintenance ogy grows, so does crew battled the District 3’s ambition most active avato use technology for lanche season in its traffic safety. District history, protecting 3 continues to work the public from more with other departthan 60 avalanches. ments to install The crew worked weather sensors more than 1,187 man and warning signs, hours in one week, like the overhead with no injuries or dynamic message accidents. boards and variable In the south, speed limit signs to transportation help warn the public challenges are not of adverse conditions quite as glamorous, District 3 crews cleared avalanche snow from and delays. US 189-191 this past winter season. but just as deadly. “The technology Interstate 80 is the we use on I-80 is life blood of interstate commerce, with critical to our traffic, maintenance and a traffic count of about 13,000 vehicles a patrol operations. Technology helps us day, with heavy trucks making up about minimize crashes and informs motorists, half of the traffic. Traffic is projected to as well as helps us as a district respond to continue increasing, with heavy truck weather-related incidents,” District Traffic volume alone approaching nearly 16,000 Darin Kaufman said. a day by 2037. Not only is I-80 carrying Another great example of District 3’s heavy traffic, it is essentially a 400-mile innovative spirit is the current nighttime mountain pass. Wyoming’s average elevaspeed studies that are underway in several tion is around 6,700 above sea level and areas of Western Wyoming. To seek a cost-effective solution to combat these Above: A wild horse overlooks the sage and mesas of southwestern Wyoming. wildlife collisions, District 3 is conducting Left: A wildlife crossing bridge at Trapper’s Point on a study on specific stretches of state highUS 191 west of Pinedale has reduced collisions with ways that have been statistically noted for animals.

Photo: Rick Carpenter

Photo: WYDOT

Photo: Rick Carpenter

Gene Roccabruna and Leno Menghini, as well as former Chief Engineer Delbert McOmie. Some other notable alumni that moved up the ranks of WYDOT are Dale Vandenburg, Kent Ketterling, Ken Shultz, Tim Hibbard and Mark Ayen. The average years of service for a District 3 employee is currently 12 years. Experience and leadership are key components to the District 3 way of life. “And of course the District 3 people are top notch in their professionalism and experience – and how they respond to the people of Wyoming,” Compton said.

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Photo: Rick Carpenter

Collaboration

However, some of District 3’s greatest achievements have come from collaborating with other districts and/or other government agencies. Collaboration is a key part of the culture in District 3. From the cooperative working relationships between construction crews and Patrol, to large scale partnerships with other agencies to accomplish multi-million dollar projects, District 3 champions them all. “Everyone here is very good at pitching in and doing extra work to help each other out and get things done. This attitude even extends past the workplace and into our personal lives. We reach out and help each other,” District Construction Technician Becky Hager said. The Trapper’s Point Connectivity Project and the Jackson South Project are clear examples of collaboration between District 3, WYDOT departments in Cheyenne and numerous other agencies and non-profit groups. The end result was an award-winning project that consisted of six underpasses and two overpasses to help wildlife safely negotiate the highway traffic. The overpasses are the first of its kind in Wyoming and the first ever built specifically for pronghorn anywhere. The project also includes an 8-foot-tall wildlife fence on both sides of the highway

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for the entire 12-mile-long corridor to funnel animals through the crossings. In 2013, WYDOT District 3 and District 5’s assistance was enlisted in helping open the Yellowstone roads that were closed over the winter after National Park Service officials announced they would begin their plowing efforts two weeks later than originally scheduled due to federal budget cuts, delaying the opening of the park. Local businesses, organizations and government agencies in Jackson and Cody raised money to pay for the use of WYDOT’s equipment to help clear the roads so the park could open on schedule and tourism, critical to the Jackson and Cody local economies, would not be adversely affected. The District 3 crews even came in under the projected budget amount. “They are very driven and they have been very accommodating, helping us clear areas that otherwise would have been landlocked. We are truly appreciative,” Snake River District Ranger Angela Boyers said at the time. District 3 strives to serve western Wyoming as best they can, whether that is maintaining the highways that take our local trona miners to work in Sweetwater County, helping anglers get to the beautiful Greys River in Star Valley or clearing snow so snowmobilers can get to Horse Creek near Pinedale for some winter sledding. “I love it here. Everyone is very welcoming and you are never far away from your favorite outdoor activities,” Compton said. n Photo: WYDOT

their higher rate of wildlife vehicle collisions with deer. Researchers will be taking into account seasonal migration patterns, driver behaviors and driver compliance with speeds. The study will take place over a period of three years, and began last fall with a segment south of Pinedale. “WYDOT is committed to doing this study correctly so that the results show the level to which the treatment was successful. The benefit here is that, if shown to be effective, this will be another tool in our toolbox to use to decrease wildlife-vehicle collisions and improve overall safety for the driver and animal,” Compton said.

Noteworthy

Patrol’s ‘Slow Down/Move Over’ campaign promotes statewide awareness by Lt. David Wagener The Wyoming Highway Patrol participated in a national safety campaign on May 26 to bring awareness to the dangers first responders face in the performance of their duties roadside. Since 2008, 1,970 crashes have occurred in Wyoming involving first responder and roadway service vehicles (law enforcement, fire trucks, ambulances, tow trucks and snow plows).

The Move Over safety campaign initiative was put in motion by the Virginia State Police in advance of the Memorial Day holiday weekend. WHP Col. Kebin Haller said he wanted Patrol to join in the campaign as 12 WHP vehicles have been struck while stopped roadside since 2016. This number does not include WHP vehicles that were intentionally struck in events such as a vehicle pursuit. Wyoming Statute 31-5-224 states when an authorized emergency vehicle making use of any visual signals is parked, the driver of every other vehicle, as soon as it is safe, should do one of the following: • When driving on an interstate highway or other highway with two or more lanes traveling in the direction of the emergency vehicle, shall merge into the lane farthest from the emergency vehicle, except when otherwise directed by a police officer. • When driving on a two lane road, shall slow to a speed that is 20 miles per hour less than the posted speed limit, except when otherwise directed by a police officer. A violation of this law can result in a $220 citation. Wyoming has had a Slow Down/Move Over law in place since 2001. To bring awareness to the campaign, WYDOT used variable message signs on state highways and the WHP posted about the campaign on social media using the hashtag #MoveOver17. n

The Wyoming Highway Patrol participated in a national safety campaign on June 6 to bring awareness to the dangers of unsecured loads on Wyoming highways. Since 2008, 1,833 crashes in Wyoming have been attributed to an unsecure load. From those crashes, 14 fatalities and 287 injuries have resulted. The ‘Secure Your Load’ safety campaign initiative was originally started by a Washington resident named Robin Abel after Abel’s daughter was blinded from a piece of an unsecured load back in February of 2004 (http://www.cnn.com/2016/08/11/ health/road-debris-deadly-hazard/index.html). Abel reached out to WYDOT Director Bill Panos in February to inform WYDOT of the campaign and asked if Wyoming would be willing to participate. Wyoming Statute 31-5-228 states “No vehicle shall be driven or moved on any highway unless the vehicle is so constructed or loaded as to prevent any of its load from dropping, sifting, leaking or otherwise escaping therefrom.” This state law carries a $70 fine. Under Federal Commercial Carrier Regulations, the driver of a commercial truck can be fined $170 for an unsecured load violation and placed out of service until the load is properly secured. The campaign recommends: n Securing loads down with rope, netting or straps; n Securing large objects directly to your vehicle or trailer; n Consider covering the entire load with a sturdy tarp or

netting; and

n Making sure you don’t overload your vehicle or trailer.

Photo: Rick Carpenter

‘Secure Your Load’ safety campaign

The campaign also recommends: n Is there any chance of debris or cargo falling or blowing

out of my vehicle?

n Is my load secured at the back, sides and top? n What would happen to my load if I had to brake sud-

denly, hit a bump or if another vehicle hit me?

n Would I want my loaded vehicle driving through my

neighborhood?

n Would I feel safe driving behind my vehicle?

To bring awareness to the campaign and the dangers of unsecured loads, WYDOT and Patrol used variable message signs on state highways and posted about the campaign on social media. n

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Noteworthy

Day one of the training covered ethics, the State of Wyoming Board Handbook and anti-discrimination and workplace violation prevention. During the ethics portion of the training, the commissioners learned about various Wyoming statutes pertaining to the commissions; Executive Order 1981-12, Ex Parte Communications and Biased Decision Making; and Executive Order 1997-4, Executive Branch Code of Ethics. By Aimee Inama The State of Wyoming Board Members of three Wyoming DeHandbook review included topics partment of Transportation commissuch as commissioners’ duties and sions learned more about their duties obligations, legal and ethical duties, and how they can help the departstrategic direction, financial stewardment. ship, board development and succesDuring a recent orientation, new sion, maintaining a meaningful board and current members learned about structure, advocacy for the agency, commission roles and responsibilities, conflicts of interest, lobbying, public parliamentary procedure, ethics, antimeetings and the Public Records Act. discrimination policies, workplace During day two of training, Cheyviolation prevention and running Central High School FFA students, their instructor Ty Berry (far right, back row), and a few of the Aeronautics commisenne Central High School’s Future efficient meetings to help them in (left side, back row), and Amy Surdam attended the Farmers of America (FFA) chapter their roles. Those who attended serve sioners Commissions’ training. The FFA students provided several provided a mock demonstration on on the Wyoming Transportation, mock demonstrations on proper Parliamentary procedure. proper parliamentary procedure, Aeronautics and Public Safety Comincluding making motions, tabling munications commissions. motions and voting, so the commissioners could gain a better WYDOT Director Bill Panos, Chief Engineer Gregg Fredrick, understanding of good meeting practice. Aeronautics Administrator Amy Surdam and Chief Technology Other topics covered during day two included information Officer Pat Lewis also attended the orientation. about commission roles and responsibilities, holding effective Trainers Julie Daniels and Kimberly Chapman went over the meetings, decision making, meeting preparation and member different topics, creating an interactive session for each topic. The involvement. n other trainers during the event were Mike Kahler, senior assistant attorney general, and Brian Foster and Katherine Castaneda, WYDOT Human Resources. The training was held at Laramie County Community College. Photo: WYDOT

Commissioners learn more about their role with WYDOT

Spring hail storm brings community together Severe weather hit Laramie County and other parts of the southeast Wyoming the evening of June 12. There were confirmed reports of baseball-sized hail along with several tornados. Homes from Cheyenne to Carpenter suffered damage from the storm. Troopers from the Wyoming Highway Patrol, along with Laramie County Fire Districts, Wyoming Emergency Management and several community members were able to assist homeowners with boarding up their homes. Tpr. Joshua Hardee, Tpr. Momen Elazizi, Tpr. Jeramy Pittsley, Tpr. Jonathan Russell and Sgt. Kyle McKay assisted in search and rescue and securing many homes. n

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Girls State members learn more about state transportation

Photo: WYDOT

While at WYDOT, the girls met with Panos, Walther, Aeronautics Administrator Amy Surdam and Chief Financial Officer Dennis Byrne to learn about WYDOT’s executive staff members and what they do. By Aimee Inama “We are proud of our agency and what we do for our state,” WYDOT Director Bill Panos told the girls. “We’ve Panos scanned the draft bill been around 100 years and Kennedy Despain handed to we’re one of the oldest agencies him and nodded his head apin the state. We have around provingly. 2,000 employees who are at 60 “This is exactly how we locations around the state. write bills so this is fantastic,” Panos asked the girls to Panos said to the Cowley area explain more about Girls State high school student. and what they’re doing during After Panos and WHP Maj. the week. Buss said they’re Josh Walther reviewed the bill leaning about the different that would make it illegal for parts of state government, someone to smoke in a vehicle including what it’s like to with anyone under the age of have a minority and majority 18, the two asked Despain and party. The Girls State delegathe other five from Girls State tion elected a governor, placed This year, six Girls State participants came to WYDOT to learn more what they felt the next step members in a mock House and about the agency and met with executive staff before heading out on a would be. Senate and created majority tour of the Headquarters campus. From left: Madison Evans, Kennedy Each girl quickly replied and minority parties. Despain, Morgan Kenneda, Olivia Buss, Laura Walters and Serenity with her thoughts on the bill. Kinswoman. “What you’re learning is “I think it would be better vital,” Panos said. “Different as a secondary law,” Serenity points of view are important. Kinswoman of Greybull said. This is true for political par“We need to really think ties and us as a department. about this some more and disAt WYDOT, we engage each cuss how it would work best,” other and get different points Olivia Buss, of Laramie, added. of view. It helps us make better The visit to WYDOT and decisions.” the mock legislative docuAfter learning more about ment the girls showed Panos Aeronautics. Patrol and the and Walther was part of Girls financial side of WYDOT, WalState, a summer leadership ther swore the girls in as honand citizenship program for orary troopers. Public Affairs high school juniors sponsored Photographer Rick Carpenter The Boys State group met with WYDOT staff members to give them a by the American Legion and took their photos inside a Pabroader insight of what happens within these walls. From left: Chief American Legion Auxiliary. trol car to commemorate their Financial Officer Dennis Byrne, Maj. Keith Groeneweg, Ian Siegismund, During Girls State, they Chief Technology Officer Pat Lewis, Sean Dougherty, Trevor Knapp, John visit before they headed back Edwards, Aeronautics Administrator Amy Surdam and Assistant Chief learned more about the govfor the rest of their Girls State Engineer Operations Mark Gillett. ernmental process and visited activities at the Jonah building state agencies like WYDOT. in Cheyenne. The girls were part of an Besides the Girls State group, a Boys State group toured 88-member delegation that came to Cheyenne during the week WYDOT on June 9. The boys were given titles during their visit. of June 12. The boys who visited were John Edwards, of Laramie, AeroBesides Despain, Kinswoman and Buss, the other girls who nautics director; Trevor Knapp, of Gillette, chief engineer; Ian visited WYDOT were Madison Evans, of Guernsey; Morgan Siegismund, of Evanston, Patrol colonel; and Sean Dougherty, of Kenneda, of Elk Mountain; and Laura Walters, of Ranchester. Laramie, director. n

K LIC

click it or ticket. no excuses.

T IC K

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Photo courtesy of WYDOT

Aeronautics

An artist’s rendering of what the aviation terminal and hangar in Rock Springs will look like when completed.

Work starts on Sweetwater airport

Photo: WYDOT

By J O’Brien Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead and WYDOT Director Bill Panos were on hand June 13 for the groundbreaking for a new general aviation terminal and hangar for the Rock Springs-Sweetwater County Airport. The Wyoming Department of Transportation will contribute $480,000 to the $5.48 million project. The Wyoming Business Council is contributing $3 million, and the Federal Aviation Administration has dedicated $2 million to the project. “WYDOT’s aviation division isn’t just about airplanes and runways,” Panos said. “It’s about partnering with our communities to extend our pro-business platform to the next level to enhance the state’s economy.” The 24,750-squarefoot hanger will be the largest single community hangar in Wyoming and will open in December. The 5,000-square-foot terminal will open shortly after.

“Gov. Matt Mead is a strong believer in the benefits of having a multi-model transportation system in Wyoming,” Panos added. “He knows that state-of-the-art, leading edge air service is a ‘must have’ for Wyoming’s transportation system, our business community and our citizens.” These new structures replace a hanger originally built in the 1920s and a terminal originally built in the 1940s. A 2013 economic impact study estimated the Rock SpringsSweetwater County Airport contributes more than $31 million to the state annually, including nearly $14 million in local economic impact directly from airport administration, airport tenants and capital investments. The airport also generates nearly $1 million annual in local and state aviation tax revenue. n

Many state and local dignitaries attended the groundbreaking at the new general aviation terminal and hangar at the Rock Springs-Sweetwater County Airport including Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead.

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Aeronautics The first 90 days

By Amy Surdam, Aeronautics Aeronautics has been a new world to me. It’s been enjoyable to learn a new field and meet the people who are so passionate about it. In the first 90 days, I’ve learned acronyms, programs, policies and budgets. I’ve learned there are many layers to Aeronautics with different thoughts and views about the future. Most importantly, I’ve learned I have more to learn. I have met people from all over the state and nation from pilots, educators and government servants to airport managers, elected officials and community members. I have many more to meet and get to know – especially in my own backyard. While I have had the privilege of traveling the state with some colleagues, there are many in WYDOT and the Aeronautics Division I haven’t had the opportunity to know in more depth. It’s a busy place with crazy schedules and an entire state to cover. The people who work at WYDOT Aeronautics are the best in the nation. These professionals are experts, passionate and second to none. I look forward to cultivating more relationships in the state, WYDOT and in my own division. Telling our story has been one of my focuses and will continue to take a front seat. We have started a newsletter, Facebook page, Twitter account and are working on a video and presentation that we will be able to use with upcoming outreach events. This fall we will host an aeronautics update for stakeholders and interested parties. From there we will engage with communities, schools and others to share our message: Aviation is important for Wyoming. Wyoming is not immune to the 1,500-hour rule and pilot shortage. We have started conversations with Northwest College,

TechNotes

WYDOT IT to Increase Patching By Brandon Patton, IT Due to the increasing threats to WYDOT’s network and computing systems, WYDOT IT will be working harder to ensure computers are receiving patches on a regular basis. WYDOT IT is in the process of migrating all computers to an upgraded LanDesk patching system. The new system, while still LanDesk, is now called Ivanti. This system is used to push Windows updates and security patches that Microsoft releases, as well as updates and security patches to other software that may be installed. Ivanti will automatically inventory computers to see what patches are installed and what patches are required. Once it determines the needs of the computer, Ivanti will push the required patches for installation. Some patches may require a reboot after being installed, however there will be the ability to defer the reboot when more convenient. To facilitate efficient patching, WYDOT IT will be implementing a new maintenance window during the following time frame: Monday-Sunday: 7 p.m. - 5 a.m. Computers that require a reboot will do so automatically during this maintenance window unless a user is logged in and can

Casper College and the University of Wyoming. Questions we ponder include: how we can grow our own pilots, partner more and inspire our youth to become pilots and support staff for aviation? At the forefront of my mind, and likely many of yours, has been identifying an independent funding source for air service. After many conversations, brain storming sessions and research, I reached out to stakeholders to organize a group to help identify and educate others on potential solutions. Some of the parties involved are the Wyoming Business Council, ENDOW (Economically Needed Diversity Options for Wyoming), the Wyoming Business Alliance, members of the legislature, JHAir and WAOA (Wyoming Airport Operators Association). I look forward to reporting our discussions and progress. Finally, I’ve been touring our commercial and general aviation airports. So far, I’ve visited 18 of the 40. It’s been enlightening to visit each airport and community. Every airport has a different personality, different goals and different uses. For example, Cody’s terminal is filled with local goods and wildlife, while Laramie’s terminal is full of the bucking bronco and brown and gold. Perhaps the most surprising to date has been the airplane museum in Greybull where there are rows and rows of retired aircraft on a massive runway. I look forward to my visits to the remaining airports. There’s more: Participating as executive staff, working with the Transportation and Aeronautics Commissions, and in exploring options for efficiencies have been wonderful opportunities I am excited to continue. I’d like to thank everyone for all of their support and encouragement in these first 90 days. It’s truly been an honor to serve the State of Wyoming, and I look forward to working with each and every one of you! n select the option to defer. WYDOT IT strongly suggests saving all work each day so nothing is lost due to a potential maintenance window reboot. WYDOT IT will also be working with programs/departments running extensive processes that may require extra time to complete. Should your program/department need to run processes overnight, WYDOT IT will work with you to accommodate this requirement. Once patches are installed and a reboot is required you may receive the below message:

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Training

WELL on its way

By Kurt Borgaard, Training Services WYDOT Training Services is making active progress with various WYDOT programs to update the WYDOT Employee Learning Library (WELL). In June’s edition of Interchange, we highlighted the WELL and once updated it will become WYDOT’s new Learning Management System (LMS). This transition allows WYDOT programs to centralize learning resources for all of WYDOT’s training and will simplify the way in which your training opportunities are accessed, delivered, and tracked. One of the overall goals of the updated WELL is to increase the ‘ease of use’ within the system. As the user, you will be able to search the training catalog by category, as well as register for both live and online training classes. In some cases the approval process of the registration will be streamlined by automatically sending an email to the registrant’s supervisor, with a description of the course along with a return link to the class registration for supervisory authorization. The LMS will be able to send out email reminders and also populate your Google calendar with the appointment. Another feature of the updated WELL is the ability to send, in advance, reminders of recurring classes or certifications, both to the employee and the supervisor. Additionally, in the upgraded WELL, you will be able to access your own training records. Just as important will be the ability for supervisors to immediately access the training records of their employees. These are a few of the features that highlight the increased functionality and ease of use, which are anticipated with the updated WELL. Expect more information in upcoming editions of Interchange. n Check out these upcoming training opportunities from WYDOT-U, the Transportation Learning Network (TLN) and WeLL.

Coming in July: Date Class

PMI Competency

Location

Coming in August and September: Date Class

PMI Competency

Location

7/13/17 7/17/17

8/1/17 8/2/17 8/7/17 8/15/17 8/16/17 8/28/17 9/13/17

Successful Performance Management New Employee Orientation

Franklin Covey’s Writing Advantage Franklin Covey’s Meeting Advantage New Supervisors Orientation Effective Telephone Skills Franklin Covey’s Presentation Advantage New Employee Orientation Franklin Covey’s 5 Choices to Extraordinary Productivity

Developing Others Communication

Personal Effectiveness Leadership Leadership Customer Service Communication Communication Judgment & Decision Making

To register, or to find out more details, visit the Training Program intranet page.

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WYDOT-U WYDOT-U

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

District News Headquarters

Welcome James Espy, Transportation Commission; and Thomas Slack, Driver ServicesCDL.

Goodman

Tenney

Hansen

Kelly

Gardner

Belving

Bogstie

Groth

Ferree

Rawlinson

Promotions and Transfers Wesley Bybee, Materials-Design and Roadway; Bobbie Helvig, PurchasingAdministration; Vicki Klein, Fuel TaxAdministration; Chad Legerski, Highway Development-Project Development; Brandt Pickett, Highway DevelopmentProject Development; Shane Poteet, Highway Development-Photogrammetry/ Survey; Blaine Smith, Geology; Joshua Walther, Patrol-Support Services Commander; James Wasson, Right of Way-Property Management; and Matthew Watts, MaterialsSurfacing. Legerski

Reyes

Schaefer

Haller

Poteet

Walther

Smith

Wasson

Service Awards Michael Janicek, Highway Safety – 40 years; Thomas Adkins, Planning-Programming – 40 years; Michael Reyes, Materials-Surfacing – 35 years;

Adkins

Brown

Nuhn

Ringstmeyer

Jeffrey Brown, Highway Development-Administration – 30 years; Brenden Schaefer, Bridge-Operations Design – 20 years; Jared Nuhn, Geology-Drilling – 20 years; Kebin Haller, Patrol-Administration – 20 years; Dennis Johnson, Materials-Surfacing – 15 years; James Zuniga, Facilities ManagementCustodial – 15 years; Randy Ringstmeyer, Bridge-Operations Inspection – 15 years; Therese Goodman, Highway Project Management Oversight – 15 years; Troy Tenney, Highway DevelopmentPhotogrammetry/Survey – 15 years; Blaise Hansen, Geology – 10 years; Diana Gorman, Patrol-Administration – 10 years; Leslie Jones, Driver Services-Administration – 10 years; Mark Kelly, Telecom-Administration – 10 years; Shannon Sandoval, Equipment-Mechanics – 10 years;

Andrew Gardner, Patrol-Dispatch – 5 years; Elois Belving, IT-Development – 5 years; Jason Bogstie, Environmental Services – 5 years; Matthew Groth, Public Affairs – 5 years; Shannon Ferree, Compliance Investigation – 5 years; Trenton Rawlinson, GIS/ITS – 5 years; and Troy Grandpre, Contracts and Estimates – 5 years. Headquarters continued on page 22 July 2017

Interchange

Headquarters, cont.

Retirements

Before WYDOT, he worked for the Wyoming Insurance Department for two years and the Wyoming Department of Administration and Information’s Motor Pool section for eight years. Kushnir, who was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, received his bachelor’s degree from West Virginia University in 1976. Susan Palmer retired from WYDOT on May 2 after 39 years of service to the department. She worked as a senior design specialist in Highway Development-Project Development. Debbie Smith retired from WYDOT Palmer on May 2 after 35 years of service to the department. She worked as a senior photogrammetry and surveys specialist in Highway Development-Photogrammetry and Surveys.

Julia Francis retired from WYDOT on May 2 after 30 years of service with the state. She worked in Environmental Services as an archaeologist, a position she held since 1992. Before WYDOT, Francis worked in the Francis Office of the Wyoming State Archaeologist. Francis, who’s originally from El Paso, Texas, received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Wyoming in 1973. She then received a master’s and her doctorate from Arizona State University in 1983. Bernard Kushnir retired from WYDOT on May 2 after 25 years of service with the state. Kushnir worked as the state equipment engineer in Cheyenne, a position he held for 13 years. Kushnir also worked as the assistant state equipment engineer for WYDOT. Kushnir

Congratulations Raquel Christensen has been selected as the HR Coordinator for the Human Resources Office in Cheyenne. She assumed her position June 1. She replaces Katherine Castaneda who promoted to Deputy HR Manager in February. Christensen Christensen has worked for WYDOT HR since April 2015. She has more than 10 years experience with the state of Wyoming. n

Smith

District 1

Welcome

Photo: Merna Carver

Dustin Macy, Cheyenne Construction; Kord Newkirk, Medicine Bow Maintenance; and Gabrianna Ruskowsky, Rawlins Construction.

The Baggs crew was happy to have Saratoga come with the rotaries. Maintenance Foreman Merna Carver took this picture with the wall of snow behind her pickup. The Baggs crew tried for 1.5 weeks to get through it before the rotaries came on May 25. WYO 70 opened at 6:00 a.m. on June 1.

Interchange

July 2017

Perkins

Varland

Birkle

Breazeale

Paine

Sandoval

Promotions and Transfers Christopher Perkins, Telecom-Microwave; Darwin Sandoval, Cheyenne Traffic-Striping; and Brian Seslar, Cheyenne Maintenance.

Service Awards Chad Varland, Cheyenne Maintenance – 10 years;

Joey Christensen, Laramie TrafficStriping – 10 years; Vincent Birkle, Cheyenne Maintenance – 10 years; and Mervin Breazeale Jr., Cheyenne Mechanics – 5 years.

District 1, cont.

Retirements

Scott Kinniburgh retired from Saratoga Maintenance as the maintenance foreman on June 3 with more than 27 years of service to the state. Kinniburgh, a Rawlins native, is also a U.S. Kinniburgh Army veteran and was stationed in Germany. n

service. Renae Livermore retired on May 1 from Driver Services-District 1 with more than 23 years of service to the state.

Michael Paine retired from Cheyenne Mechanics on May 6 with more than 27 years of service to the state.

Photo: WYDOT

Paine

H. Christian Jensen III retired on June 2 from Laramie Maintenance with more than 14 years of service to the state. Jensen is a U.S. Navy veteran, having served for seven years prior to enrolling at the University of Wyoming. He also worked for and has retired from the Laramie Fire Department with 23 years of

Renae Livermore was celebrated by her coworkers at her retirement party in May.

District 2

Promotions and Transfers

David Vossler, Chugwater Maintenance.

Van Frazier, District 2 Maintenance Staff; Adam Kennedy, District 2 Construction Staff; Gary Mellor, Casper Construction; and Sterling Richardson, Midwest Maintenance.

Service Awards Frazier

Kennedy

Keith Lengkeek, Douglas Construction – 35 years; Kevin Hoff, Casper Construction – 15 years; and William Burt, Lusk Maintenance – 10 years.

Richardson

THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE

WHO THINK

THEY HAVE THEIR CHILD IN THE RIGHT SEAT.

James Williamson retired May 31 from Casper Mechanics with 29 years of service to the state. The U.S. Army veteran began his career with WYDOT as a mechanic in Gillette, but then moved to the Casper shop.

Lengkeek

Retirements Mellor

entirety of her career at WYDOT with the construction crew.

Photo: WYDOT

Welcome

Gail Lawson retired from Casper Construction with 39 years of service to the state. Lawson, a Casper native, spent the

James Williamson’s retirement party was on May 31. He served as a heavy mechanic in Casper. Williamson retired with 29 years of service to WYDOT. He is pictured with Terry Uhrich, District 2 equipment supervisor.

THE ONES

WHO ACTUALLY DO.

July 2017

Interchange

Promotions and Transfers

Retirements

Mitchell Kannier, Pinedale Patrol; and Dorothy Kizzire, District 3 Administration.

Curtis Melson retired on May 2 from Rock Springs Construction with more than 40 years of service to the state and 37 years of service to WYDOT. Melson began as a temporary summer employee in Rawlins Melson and later was hired full-time in Laramie. Melson, a Hanna native, attended both the University of Wyoming where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics and the University of Utah where he attained a Master of Arts in English.

Kannier

Kizzire

Service Awards Lanae Wynn, Evanston Port of Entry – 30 years; Carol Perkins, Alpine Port of Entry – 10 years; Chancey Duncan, Rock Springs Patrol – 10 years; and Ken Jimenez, Rock Springs Maintenance – 10 years. Wynn

Jungle adventure? Beach vacation? (Make us jealous!)

Photo: Bruce Daigle

District 3

WYDOT crews from Jackson show off their trucks in the annual Touch-a-Truck Event in Jackson. Local crews educated children and parents alike on the job they do and their experiences working on the road.

Perkins

Duncan

District 4

Promotions and Transfers

Cradle Call

Jeremey Frisbie, Sheridan Maintenance-Guardrail; Brigitte Funk, Sheridan/Buffalo Driver Services; Randall Okray, Moorcroft Maintenance; Travis Schlager, Gillette Mechanics; and Russell Stewart, Sheridan Maintenance-Guardrail.

Newcastle Construction Project Engineer John Leahy and his wife, Susie, welcomed a baby boy into their lives. James Harold was born on May 16 and weighed 7 pounds, 15 ounces.

Leahy Condon

ea Pl

Sept. 15 24

Interchange

July 2017

Melneck

Sweeney

ading !

Deadline is

se Re

le Afte yc

Next Outdoors is in the October issue.

Michael Condon, Buffalo Construction – 10 years; Jerry Melneck, Sheridan Maintenance – 5 years; and Kevin Sweeney, Hulett Maintenance – 5 years.

Photo courtesy of John Leahy

Service Awards

District 5

Welcome

Congratulations

Dustin Harvey, Thermopolis Mechanics.

J.T. Hoffman has been selected as the District 5 Traffic Engineer in Basin. He started in this position June 1st. J.T. has worked for the State of Wyoming and WYDOT HR since Hoffman May 2002, and most recently as Project Engineer for the Laramie Design Squad.

Service Awards Mike Hitshew, South Pass Maintenance – 30 years; Carole Blakeman, District 5 Administration – 10 years; Joseph Keele, Basin Traffic-Striping – 10 years; Kevin Maynard, South Pass Maintenance – 10 years; Lawrence Griffin, Basin Mechanics – 10 years; and John Farr, Lander Maintenance – 5 years.

Hitshew

Blakeman

Keele

Maynard

Griffin

Farr

Merritt is District 5’s new construction engineer The Wyoming Department of Transportation’s former district traffic engineer in Basin is the new leader of WYDOT’s construction program in northwest Wyoming. Randy Merritt, 34, is several weeks into leading his district construction team, Merritt which has offices in Basin, Cody, Worland, Thermopolis, Riverton and Lander. “I am here, definitely, because of WYDOT people,” Merritt said. “WYDOT has an incredible family atmosphere, and I enjoy the friendships I have created both in WYDOT and with the public that I have worked alongside.” Merritt is a second-generation WYDOT employee. His dad, Von, served as WYDOT’s District 3 highway striping foreman in southwest Wyoming for 28 years and on the Afton engineering crew for 14 years.

The younger Merritt grew up in Grover, in Star Valley. He is a graduate of Star Valley High School in Afton in 2000. He graduated from the University of Wyoming with a bachelor’s of science degree in civil engineering in 2006. Merritt’s first WYDOT job was as a temporary summer construction employee in Afton (2000 and 2001). He was hired as a member of WYDOT’s Laramie Design Squad in 2004-06, was an engineer on the Cody engineering crew from 2006-15, and was promoted to District 5 traffic engineer and served from 2015 to February 2017. Merritt’s construction experience with WYDOT includes working on the mammoth-sized Snake River Canyon highway reconstruction effort on US 26-89, the multi-year, five-lane construction project on US 14A between Cody and Powell, several US 14-16-20 projects between Cody and Yellowstone National Park, and the reconstruction of WYO 120 directly northwest of Thermopolis. “Randy Merritt is an energetic young engineer and a man of integrity. He is skilled in working with people, and his common sense approach and youthful enthusiasm will be an asset to District 5’s engineering crews,” said WYDOT District Engineer Pete Hallsten. Merritt replaces Lyle Lamb, who recently transferred to lead District 5’s northwest Wyoming maintenance team in Basin. Merritt and his wife, Sunny Hoopes Merritt, live in Cody, and they have four children – Kash, Kali, Kori and Kolt. In his spare time, Merritt enjoys family activities, being outdoors, camping, hunting, fishing, and “spending time with my four kids and beautiful wife.”

Retirements

Photo: WYDOT

Ray Todd retired on May 6 from Riverton Construction with eight years, six months of service to the state. Todd New ‘Welcome to Wyoming’ signs were installed near Frannie and Clark, in Park County, by District 5 sign crew in Basin. Larry Stanger, pictured, and Dan Flores installed the new signs near Frannie on US 310/WYO 789 and near Clark on WYO 120 near the Wyoming-Montana border.

July 2017

Interchange

Awards

Photo: Rick Carpenter

Service Award Recipients

Service award luncheons are held by the Transportation Commission for employees celebrating milestones of 25 years of service or greater. Service award recipients at this month’s luncheon: (From left) Chad Matthews (30), Debbie Lopez (25), William Stevenson (25) and Jeff Brown (30).

Congratulations to our May 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.

Kurt Borgaard Todd DePorter Tony Morris Craig O’Dell For more information about the Extra Mile Award or to nominate someone, contact Katherine Castaneda at Katherine.Castaneda@wyo.gov. 26

Interchange

July 2017

A W A R D S

Passings Ronald A. Duncan

Ronald Anderson Duncan, 70, of Lander passed away on June 16 at his home. Duncan served the Wyoming Highway Patrol as a trooper from June 1, 1972 until his retirement 27 years later in 1999. Visitations were held June 19 in the Chapel of Mount Hope at Hudson’s Funeral Home & Crematory in Lander and on June 20 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Funeral service followed at the Otto Cemetery Duncan in Otto.

William P. Hibbard William (Bill) Hibbard, 89, died June 1 at Crook County Memorial Hospital in Sundance, surrounded by loved ones. Hibbard began his career with the Wyoming Highway Department, WYDOT’s predecessor agency, in April 1956. He retired as a Sundance resident engineer in April 1988 with 32 years of service to the department. Hibbard was born June 26, 1927 in Hot Springs, S.D. and attended schools there. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He served in the final years of World War II in the South Pacific and was part of the 509th Atomic Bomb group. Hibbard Upon discharge, Bill returned to Hot Springs and enrolled in the School of Mines in Rapid City, S.D. He did semesters at Peru State in Nebraska and a final semester at Chadron State.

Hibbard met his future wife, Ruth, while attending Chadron State and later married her in 1953. They moved to Sundance in 1956. He enjoyed traveling, hunting, fishing and the outdoors with his wife, children and friends. Hibbard’s sons also worked for WYDOT. Tim Hibbard retired as Assistant Chief Engineer, Operations and Kevin Hibbard was the WYDOT Budget officer until June 2014 when he accepted duties as Administrator of Budget and Economic Analysis with the Wyoming Department of Administration and Information. Our deepest sympathy to his family and friends. Funeral services were held June 5 at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in Sundance. Burial with military honors took place at Mount Moriah Cemetery.

Dorothy A. Jones Dorothy Ann Jones, 86, of Casper, passed away on May 18 at the Wyoming Medical Center in Casper. Dorothy was born Jan. 22, 1931 in Casper to Herman and Libby (Jezick) Fisher. She worked for the Wyoming Department of Transportation as a data entry specialist in Casper before retiring in February 1996. She worked for the department for 27 years. Her granddaughter, Elois Belving, works for WYDOT in Cheyenne as an Oracle database administrator in the IT Application Jones Development. “I am extremely honored to carry on the WYDOT tradition that my grandmother had started within our own family,” Belving said. Dorothy was also a member of First Christian Church. A memorial service was held in her honor. n

Procurement Supply Catalog Check i t out. July 2017

Interchange

WTDEA

State Board awards scholarships for 2017-2018 school year The WTDEA State Board of Directors awarded a one-year cash award in the amount of $600 to six qualified applicants to use toward their full-time undergraduate studies. This year’s recipients are: n Lauren Elliott is beginning her senior year at the University of Wyoming where her major is kinesiology and

physical therapy. Ross Elliott will be attending Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, Colo. with a major in construction management. Their mom, Susan Elliott, works in Administration at the Headquarters building in Cheyenne. n Hunter Galluzzo

is studying agricultural education and animal reproduction beginning in the fall. He will be starting at LCCC. His mom, Dani Galluzzo, works Galluzzo in the Cheyenne Driver Services Program.

n Joshua McLees is

attending LCCC and will be taking general studies classes with a focus on meteorology and astronomy. His parents are Troy and Kim McLees,

Ross and Lauren Elliott

WTDEA

State Board Photography Contest

both with Patrol in Cheyenne. Capt. McLees retired from WHP in August 2016. n Brianna Santora

will be attending her second year at Eastern Wyoming College in Torrington. Her major is veterinary medicine. Santora’s father is Dennis Santora with Cheyenne Mechanics.

Santora

n Robert Wenger is

beginning his studies in mechanical engineering at the University of Wyoming. His parents, Bryan and Kathy Wenger both work at the Headquarters campus. n

Wenger

McLees

WTDEA State Board is seeking submissions for the 6th annual WTDEA Photography Contest –

Life in Wyoming.

The 12 winning photographs will be displayed in the 2018 WTDEA Cash Calendar. The contest and online voting is open to all active WYDOT employees. Your “Life in Wyoming” photos must be taken in Wyoming. Winners will receive a 2018 WTDEA Cash Calendar featuring a $100 monthy bonus drawing.

Give us your BEST SHOT! Submit your “Life in Wyoming” photos to DOT-WTDEA-Stateboard@wyo.gov Deadline for submissions is July 31, 2017. Voting will be open from August 7-11, 2017.

Sunsets from two different perspectives in Hawaii: Carlie Van Winkle, with the Public Affairs Office, traveled to Hawaii and snapped these two sunset images on two different islands with an elevation change of 13,803 feet. Top image is sunset on Waikiki Beach, Honolulu, Oahu. Above is 15 minutes from sunset on top of Mauna Kea at the Mauna Kea Observatory, on the big island of Hawaii. The sunâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reflection off the water made the ocean look like liquid gold.

Photo courtesy of Curtis Clabaugh

yees at Patrol anie Young, both emplo Deborah Bowring and Tiff rovement imp lth hea ir the of r anothe Headquarters, completed ement Meorc Enf Law ing t 5k: The Wyom goals. They ran their firs morial on May 21.

Photos: Carlie Van Winkle

Photo courtesy of Tiffanie Young

Outdoors

Photogrammetry and Survey Program Manager Curtis Clabaugh was visited by a curious moose while he was completely unaware of the animalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s presence during the Memorial Day weekend near Vedauwoo.

July 2017

Interchange

July 2017

Break Time Time to take five!

Sudoku is easy to play and the rules are simple. Fill in the blanks so that each row, each column, and each of the nine 3-by-3 grids contain one instance of each of the numbers 1 through 9. Check your answers online at: employees.dot.state.wy.us, or if not able to access the employee site: www.dot. state.wy.us/home/engineering_technical_programs/manuals_publications/interchange.html.

Novice Sudoku Puzzles, Volume 1, Book

Novice Sudoku #7 4 2

9 7 1 6 4 7 8 3 1 8 9 7 9 4 8 7 6 2 9 3 1 7 4 8 3 9 7 3 2 4

ÂŠ 2013 KrazyDad.com

Fill in the blank squares so that each row, each column and each 3-by-3 block contain all of the digits 1 thru 9. If you use logic you can solve the puzzle without guesswork. Need a little help? The hints page shows a logical order to solve the puzzle. Use it to identify the next square you should solve.address: Or use the answers page Interchange subscription issue? Update your if you really get stuck. 1) Complete and return this slip to WYDOT Public Affairs Office, 5300 Bishop Blvd., Cheyenne, WY 82009, or 2) Send an email to Carlie Van Winkle at carlie.vanwinkle@wyo.gov. Add me to the mailing list

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July 2017

Interchange

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

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