Interchange – June 2023

April storm brings elevated avalanche activity

Snow pack in Hoback Canyon watched closely

By Stephanie Harsha

The Wyoming Department of Transportation avalanche crews were very busy this season.

A deep low-elevation snow pack persisted well into the spring thanks to cold temperatures through the winter.

With spring temperatures rising in April, crews monitored canyons in northwest Wyoming with apprehension.

On Monday morning, April 10, Avalanche Supervisor Don Lawless and Avalanche Technician Ted Stegman were

driving through the canyons, discussing the impact of temperatures on the snow pack, knowing the daytime temperatures could mean a failure of the snow pack in lower elevation avalanche paths. They then made the call to schedule some avalanche mitigation work in the Hoback Canyon on US Highway 191 south of Jackson.

“We discussed the timing to perform mitigation work on the Cow and Calf of the Woods slide paths and settled on Tuesday at 2 p.m., when we thought

we would have minimum strength and hopefully could clean the most snow out,” Lawless said.

However, the warm weather forced their hand earlier with some immediate activity in the Hoback Canyon.

Monday evening, April 10

The evening prior to the scheduled avalanche mission, an avalanche occurred near Granite Creek on US 191 at milepost 152.4. A second slide accompanied it shortly after in the same area, trapping

Photo: District 3/WYDOT

Two vehicles were hit by avalanche snow and debris on US 191 near Granite Creek at milepost 152.4 the evening of April 10. Crews worked into the night freeing the two vehicles; miraculously, no one was injured, and the two vehicles were able to drive themselves out of the canyon.

Interchange is published for employees of the Wyoming Department of Transportation by its Public Affairs Office and a number of field correspondents.

Interchange invites submissions from all employees. Please send them to either your district correspondents or to Carlie Van Winkle, Interchange editor 5300 Bishop Blvd., Cheyenne, Wyoming, 82009-3340 or send an email to carlie.vanwinkle@wyo.gov.

Staff WYDOT Director, interim

Darin J. Westby, P.E.

Public Affairs Manager

Doug McGee

Editor

Carlie Van Winkle

Contributors

Jordan Achs Public Affairs

Matt Groth Public Affairs

Mark Horan Public Affairs

Carlie Van Winkle Public Affairs

Andrea Staley District 1

Jeff Goetz District 2

Stephanie Harsha District 3

Laura Dalles District 4

Cody Beers District 5

Sgt. Jeremy Beck Patrol

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

Avalanche continued from page 1

13 vehicles between them and hitting two vehicles that were stopped behind the initial slide.

WYDOT’s Transportation Management Center immediately notified Lawless and Stegman, along with maintenance forces, including Richard Wilson on the rotary plow, Brett O’Dell on the front loader, and Foreman Troy Jerup to start clearing the debris.

Crews immediately began clearing a passable lane through the north slide, and traffic was cleared out from between the two slides. Crews then began to free the two vehicles that had been hit by the second slide.

Miraculously, no one was injured, and the two vehicles that were struck by the hurdling snow and debris were able to

drive their vehicles out of the canyon.

The official highway closure time lasted from roughly 7-11:20 p.m.

Tuesday, April 11, 2023

Temperatures dipped during the nighttime hours, but continued to warm in the morning hours. The avalanche crew spent the morning preparing the rotary plow and front loader for the planned mitigation work at two well-known slide paths, the Cow of the Wood and the Calf of the Wood.

Lawless and Stegman shuttled the rotary snow plow down to the Stinking Springs pullout and returned to the office to get the loader. Lawless was just getting on the road with the loader when he received a phone call from Wyoming Highway Patrol Lt. Matt Brackin at a little after 1 p.m.

There had been an avalanche at the Cow of the Woods slide area blocking the highway.

Due to the proactive planning of the Jackson maintenance and avalanche teams, equipment and personnel was already staged in anticipation of the scheduled mitigation meeting.

The response was quick. Crews immediately closed the road and made the call to continue with the planned mitigation mission to clear any additional debris out of the slide paths.

Stegman connected to and detonated the O’Bellx in the Cow of the Woods slide path with no additional results. He then connected to the Calf of the Woods O’Bellx and successfully fired it with similar limited results.

Later that evening, at about 7 p.m., Lawless received another call from the TMC informing him of a reported avalanche on Wyoming Highway 22/Teton Pass at milepost 13 that partially covered the westbound lane.

As crews worked to clear the snow debris on Teton Pass, Lawless received news of more avalanche activity. The Snake River Canyon on US Highway 89 was now coming down, as well at milepost 131.7, also known as the Goldmine slide path.

Lawless headed back to the office and grabbed the rotary snowplow from the shop and headed down the Snake River canyon. The Goldmine avalanche was fairly large, and covered most of the roadway with snow 3 feet deep. The Snake River would remain closed from roughly 8-10 p.m.

A WYDOT rotary plow works to clear an avalanche at the Cow of the Woods slide path in the Hoback Canyon south of Jackson on April 11.

Photo: District 3/WYDOT

A view from a WYDOT rotary plow shows avalanche debris from a slide at the Cow of the Woods path in the Hoback Canyon south of Jackson the evening of April 12. Despite mitigation efforts the day before, there was another slide that buried both lanes of travel 10-12 feet deep. Crews worked quickly and were able to clear a single lane through the debris, clearing traffic from the area.

Photo: District 3/WYDOT

Avalanche continued on page 4

Wednesday, April 12, 2023

Temperatures continued to remain warm during the day, but also freezing overnight, except in the high elevations. These weather patterns concerned WYDOT’s avalanche team as they braced for more avalanche activity in the three canyons surrounding Jackson.

At roughly noon on Wednesday, Lt. Brackin again phoned Lawless with information that there had been another slide at milepost 156 in the Hoback Canyon that had blocked both lanes of travel. The avalanche team was currently working on the other side of WYO 22/Teton Pass and immediately headed south on US 191. Jackson maintenance crews also headed in that direction.

Despite mitigation efforts the day before, the Cow of the Woods slide path had come down again, burying both lanes of travel 10-12 feet deep. Crews worked quickly and were able to clear a single lane through the debris, clearing traffic from the area.

Crews immediately fired the O’Bellx again in both the Cow of the Wood and the Calf of the Woods slide paths.

“The Cow had a little more that dribbled out and hit the roadway, while a bit of snow came out of the Calf slide path and triggered a slab on the apron that buried the road about 3 feet

deep,” Lawless said.

The debris was cleared and the roadway was officially opened up at about 3:38 p.m. after being closed for about three hours.

The evening would bring more calls from the TMC. At a little after 6 p.m., Maintenance and avalanche crews were again called to the Hoback Canyon at milepost 155. The slide, smaller than the initial activity earlier that day, was cleared in about two hours.

Over a three-day period, the Hoback Canyon saw two avalanche mitigation missions and had produced four slides that breached the roadway. In addition, crews saw several smaller slides on Teton Pass as well as on US 89 in the Snake River Canyon.

“It’s been a busy winter, with lots of moisture and avalanche activity in the northern part of our district,” District 3 maintenance engineer Tory Thomas said. “Our avalanche team and maintenance forces did a great job protecting the public and our canyon roadways. We are very proud of the work they do and how well they do it.”

Although the bulk of winter is over, WYDOT maintenance is still watching the Hoback Canyon closely.

“We may not be out of the woods yet,” Thomas concluded.

District Briefs

Headquarters Commission awards one $1.41 million contract in May

CHEYENNE – The Wyoming Transportation Commission awarded a nearly $1.41 million contract for a Wyoming Department of Transportation construction project during its May 11 regular business meeting.

Cheyenne-based Simon Contractors was awarded an almost $1.41 million bid for a project involving paving, guardrail work, grading, traffic control, drainage work, fencing, seeding/erosion control and other work on about 0.40 of a mile on Interstate 25 at the US Highway 85 interchange in Laramie County. The contracted completion date is October 31, 2023.

The project is primarily funded with federal dollars. Almost all WYDOT projects are awarded to the lowest bid.

National Police Week

CHEYENNE – National Police Week is an annual observance which honors law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. It also serves as a time to reflect on the challenges facing

police officers every day and how we can support them.

In 1962, President Kennedy proclaimed May 15 as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15 falls as National Police Week. Established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962, National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others.

National Police Week is an important time to reflect on the sacrifices made by law enforcement officers as shown in the statistics of 2022, when 246 officers died in the line of duty in the United States.

In-person events were held May 14-20, 2023, in Washington, DC, to offer respect, honor, remembrance, and community support for National Police Week while allowing law enforcement, survivors, law enforcement families and citizens to gather and pay tribute to those who gave their lives in the line of duty.

In Wyoming, from 1877 to the present, there have been a total of 61 officers who have died in the line of duty. In honor of these officers, the Wyoming Peace Officer Memorial ceremony was held May 19 at the Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy.

The Wyoming Highway Patrol honors

all law enforcement who have made the ultimate sacrifice. We thank all law enforcement members for their dedication and service to the state of Wyoming.

District 1

WYO 70 over Battle Pass opens for the season

SARATOGA – Wyoming Department of Transportation maintenance crews reopened the seasonally-closed section of Wyoming Highway 70 for the summer season.

Crews from Saratoga and Baggs started work on the 23-mile stretch of highway in early May, using multiple rotary plows, snowcats and other heavy equipment to clear large drifts of snow.

The highway is one of several high-elevation mountain roads in Wyoming that closes annually in late autumn when relatively low traffic and deep snow accumulations render plowing operations impractical. This season the route, which tops out at 9,955 feet as it crosses the Continental Divide at Battle Pass, closed Nov. 29.

Motorists driving the scenic highway should use caution; severe weather is still possible at higher elevations in late spring, including heavy, wet, intense snow

storms. Check road conditions before you travel at www.wyoroad.info or on the Wyoming 511 mobile app.

Tim Morton, WYDOT District 1 maintenance engineer, warned drivers to “be aware of melting snow along the roadway. The snow melt can refreeze at night creating isolated hazardous slick spots which may catch drivers off guard.”

WYDOT maintenance crews may be in the area in the coming weeks to make repairs to items like guardrail or sign posts damaged by snow. Stay alert for workers in the area and be prepared to slow down.

WYO 70 typically has a target reopening date of the first week in June. Last year, WYO 70 opened May 23. The highway reopened May 20 in 2021, May 21 in 2020, June 3 in 2019, May 21 in 2018, and June 1 in 2017.

Public meeting held for College Drive traffic study

CHEYENNE – The Wyoming Department of Transportation, along with traffic engineers from Kimley Horn, hosted a public meeting to get public input on a planning and traffic study that was being conducted for the College Drive corridor. The meeting was May 23 from at Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne.

The study focused on College Drive between Interstate 25 and the intersection of Campstool Road and was intended to inform future decisions on improvements and the vision for the corridor. The purpose of this meeting was to present initial findings from the study, go over potential projects, and receive public input that will help shape the future of College Drive.

After a short presentation, WYDOT and Kimley Horn was available to discuss further and field questions about the study.

The public was invited to attend. WYDOT officials and other subject matter experts were on-hand to answer questions and discuss any concerns.

Temporary closure near Laramie between Quealy Dome, Herrick Lane

LARAMIE – Crews with Simon Contractors and the Wyoming Department of Transportation temporarily closed a

portion of Hunt Road between Quealy Dome interchange and Herrick Lane on May 17.

The road closure started at the Quealy Dome interchange and extended a quarter mile south.

Crews put down concrete to accommodate the increased commercial traffic using the additional parking at Quealy Dome. This project is included with the Winter Freight Project where crews have been adding additional truck parking and climbing lanes along I-80 between Rawlins and Laramie.

Travelers wishing to use Hunt Road during the closure were encouraged to seek an alternative route.

The temporary closure reopened May 24.

Work resumes on I-80 Winter Freight project

RAWLINS – Crews with Simon Contractors and the Wyoming Department of Transportation resumed work on the Interstate 80 Winter Freight project between Rawlins and Laramie.

Crews are completing work at the Fort Steele Rest Area at milepost 228 where they have built nearly 100 new semi-truck parking spaces. Work is also continuing at the Quealy Dome truck parking area at milepost 290 where 100 more spaces have been added.

The Fort Steele Rest Area, including parking areas, remained closed during construction. Flaggers may be present to direct local traffic through the area. Please avoid parking on the on- and offramps in the Fort Steele interchange as it will likely impede work at the rest area. Once the project is complete, the rest area will reopen.

Traffic on I-80 saw minimal impacts as crews completed climbing lanes on I-80. There will be short lane closures in the eastbound lanes over Halleck Ridge (mileposts 250.5-252.5) west of Elk Mountain.

First started in the fall of 2020, the $20 million project is funded by a federal Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant and is expected to be complete in summer 2023.

Paving near Vedauwoo on I-80, delays expected

LARAMIE – Travelers experienced delays as crews with the Wyoming Department of Transportation and Simon Contractors began paving work on Interstate 80 by Vedauwoo on May 10.

Crews set traffic control, including lane closures, between mileposts 324 and 330 on I-80.

The project is a continuation from last year. Bridge rehab has been completed. Pavement and surface work is now being addressed.

Motorists encountered construction zone speed limits and traffic shifts into and out of highway crossovers. Delays were expected due to the traffic configuration. A 15-foot width restriction was in place for interstate traffic during this project.

Work is expected to be complete at the end of June.

Summit Rest Area on I-80 by Laramie to be closed for cleaning and repairs

LARAMIE – The Summit Rest Area near milepost 323 on Interstate 80 east of Laramie was temporarily closed on May 9-10, due to facility repairs and deep cleaning.

The closure began at 6 a.m. on May 9 and remained closed through May 10 while repairs, cleaning and maintenance took place.

Facilities, including restrooms and tourist information areas, remained closed to the public. Truck parking remained available while car and RV parking was closed.

Cheyenne Port of Entry temporarily closed for paving operations

CHEYENNE – Maintenance crews with the Wyoming Department of Transportation temporarily closed the Interstate 25 Port of Entry May 8.

The closure began on May 8 and reopened the next afternoon.

Crews repaved large portions of the parking lot to address problem areas.

Briefs continued on page 6

Briefs continued from page 5

Once the mix cooled and could handle live traffic, the Port of Entry reopened.

WYDOT maintenance crews to start paving in Laramie County

CHEYENNE – Maintenance crews with the Wyoming Department of Transportation started seasonal paving operations in various locations around Laramie County this month.

Work began May 1 near Burns on Wyoming Highway 213 between mileposts 13.3-14.2. After crews wrapped up there, work began on WYO 212 east of Four Mile Road.

Other locations in Laramie County maintenance crews plan to pave this construction season include:

• I25 Port of Entry;

• I80 Service Road starting just east of County Road 135; and

• Various other areas, including the Cheyenne complex maintenance yard.

Motorists should stay alert if driving through any of these areas and expect potential delays.

Road work underway on US 85/South Greeley Highway

CHEYENNE – Crews with Simon Contractors and the Wyoming Department of Transportation continued work on US Highway 85/South Greeley Highway on May 1.

Crews addressed a section of US 85/ South Greeley Highway from mileposts 3.9-7.3. Work includes milling and paving. A 12-foot width restriction was in place for travelers through this project.

The project then moved to Wyoming Highway 216 through the town of Albin, from mileposts 15.7-16.2. The project is a continuation from 2022.

Motorists encountered travel delays through the work zone, including potential lane shifts and lowered speed limits. Travelers should take it slow and stay alert for changing construction patterns.

The work is expected to be completed by the end of June.

Safety

project on US 85 near Chalk Bluff Road in Cheyenne

CHEYENNE – Crews with Simon Contractors and the Wyoming Department of Transportation began work on a safety project along US Highway 85 in Cheyenne.

A southbound left turn lane was installed between mileposts 3.11 and 3.31 for motorists to turn east onto Chalk Bluff Road.

Work includes minor grading to widen US 85, then milling and a hot plant mix overlay. The road surface will then be striped appropriately for the new left turn lane. A 16-foot width restriction is in place during the project.

Motorists should expect possible delays due to single lane shifts through construction zones and lowered speed limits.

Work is scheduled to be completed by fall 2023.

Detours for Curtis Street Bridge replacement in Laramie

LARAMIE – Crews with Reiman Corp. and the Wyoming Department of Transportation began paving Pierce Street May 1 in preparation for the upcoming Curtis Street Bridge replacement detour.

The Curtis Street Bridge will be replaced this summer causing a higher volume of traffic detoured along Pierce Street in Laramie. In preparation for the detour, crews began applying an overlay on the road to accommodate the increased traffic, including commercial traffic.

Along with paving Pierce Street, crews also paved the crossovers in the Interstate 80 marginal. During the bridge demolition, starting May 16, traffic was shifted on I-80 to allow crews to work.

The aging Curtis St. Bridge is roughly 60 years old and will be replaced with a more modern structure able to handle traffic volumes into the future. The new bridge will also accommodate foot and bicycle traffic with an added multi-use path.

Motorists encountered delays due to single lane shifts through construction zones and lowered speed limits.

District 3

New signal at Front Street, I-80 off-ramp now active

EVANSTON – The Wyoming Department of Transportation, along with contract crews from Advanced Electrical Contracting, Inc., turned on the new, permanent signal at the Interstate 80 eastbound off-ramp onto Front Street in Evanston on May 24. The signal will be fully active until Labor Day, Sept. 4.

During the summer season, the signal will be fully actuated with red-yellowgreen operations. In the off season, the signal will remain in flash operations, with a flashing red for the off-ramp interstate traffic and flashing yellow for Front Street traffic.

Although the signal is active, construction work is still underway as crews finish concrete work on the sidewalks and ADA ramps, as well as other miscellaneous work.

In the past, WYDOT had used a temporary signal to address summertime congestion issues at the off-ramp until the permanent signal was construct-

The detour for the Curtis Street bridge replacement in Laramie.

Photo: Google Earth/WYDOT

The new Front Street/I-80 intersection traffic lights will help alleviate long off-ramp queues like this one seen in August 2020.

Photo: WYDOT

ed. Previous investigation by WYDOT showed an issue with summer weekend/ holiday traffic backing up onto the interstate, especially recreational trailers and motorhomes, trying to turn left off the off-ramp.

WYDOT technicians will be on-call and monitoring the intersection all summer. The project completion date is set for Oct. 31, 2023.

Snake River bridge inspection caused delays

JACKSON – The Wyoming Department of Transportation, along with contract crews from Collins Engineering, Inc., inspected the Snake River Bridge on WYO 22 on the nights of May 22-23. Work took place overnight from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. each day.

To perform the work, crews used an under bridge inspection truck, sometimes called a snooper truck, pick-up trucks and other equipment on the bridge deck. Work trucks filled a single lane, reducing traffic to one lane over the bridge. Motorists were flagged across the bridge in alternating directions. Motorists encountered delays of up to 15 minutes.

Even though the bridge is scheduled for removal in the summer of 2024, the federal government requires regular inspections on the bridge until its replacement. This work is not associated with the Snake River Bridge construction project and the contractor is not involved in the inspection.

Sign up for 511 Notify alerts at https://www.wyoroad.info/511/ 511NotifyAnnouncement.html.

nance to the avalanche infrastructure in the Hoback Canyon on May 8. The work caused delays for traffic of up to 15 minutes at a time.

Crews used helicopters in the Stinking Springs area of Hoback Canyon to do maintenance on the avalanche infrastructure O’Bellx units. These units use explosions to trigger smaller, controlled avalanches to prevent dangerous, uncontrolled conditions. The O’Bellx units are remotely operated by computer and are installed and removed by helicopter.

For the safety of the traveling public and the safety of WYDOT crews, the road was briefly closed and free of moving traffic for helicopter operations to collect the equipment for summer maintenance. Motorists only saw brief delays as the helicopter carried the O’Bellx units down the mountain. Roadside flaggers controlled traffic for the operation.

Pothole patching on WYO 22, Snake River bridge

JACKSON – The Wyoming Department of Transportation performed roadway pothole patching operations on the WYO 22 Snake River Bridge May 1011. The patching work is unrelated to the current project underway at the bridge and intersection, but the contractor is aware of the work. Crews are hopeful that the patching efforts will improve conditions on the bridge while the area is under construction this summer.

Drivers encountered isolated, single lane closures with alternating traffic controlled by flaggers during work hours.

Work underway on I-80 near Little America

ROCK SPRINGS – The Wyoming Department of Transportation, along with contract crews from Kilgore Companies, LLC, doing business as Lewis & Lewis, Inc. began paving work on Interstate 80 from mileposts 65-77 in both the eastbound and westbound lanes near Little America. The work encompasses the Granger Junction Interchange to US 30, the Little America Interchange and the Westvaco Interchange to WYO 372.

Work includes adding plant mix pavement on I-80, as well as paving operations on the interchanges and the Westvaco crossroad.

“This work is necessary to provide the structural strength to the road to fully support heavy truck traffic. Our previous

work in the area identified more extensive structural deficiencies that we had to address,” WYDOT resident engineer Clint Lockman said.

Traffic was narrowed to a single lane in each direction.

“Yield signs are there for your safety, please obey the signs so traffic can flow continuously and we can avoid having to put up stop signs instead for ramp traffic,” Lockman added.

The project was awarded last July and is scheduled for completion Oct. 31 this year.

Green River signal work at Riverview will cause delays

GREEN RIVER – The Wyoming Department of Transportation, along with contract crews from Casper Electric, continued work along Uinta Drive near River View Drive as part of the signal and intersection upgrade project. On May 8 access to Uinta Drive from River View Drive was reduced to a single lane in each direction for concrete work.

Traffic wishing to access Uinta Drive from the River View area were encouraged to detour onto Wilkes Drive and then Roosevelt Drive near the Harley Davidson store. Signs were placed along River View to inform drivers of the alternate route. Locals were still be able to access businesses in the area.

Work included sidewalk, curb and gutter reconstruction and drivers were advised to expect periodic daily lane closures and intermittent traffic control during working hours.

Local traffic was advised to avoid the area if possible.

Briefs continued on page 8

The Snake River Bridge on WYO 22.

Photo: WYDOT Avalanche infrastructure maintenance, traffic delays in Hoback Canyon

JACKSON – The Wyoming Department of Transportation crews performed mainte-

The diagram depicts the Uinta and River View/Astle intersection. The River View island will be removed, replaced; there will be a single lane in each direction in and out of River View.

Photo: WYDOT

District 4

US 16 CatchNET runaway truck system retrofit underway

BUFFALO – The Wyoming Department of Transportation Commission awarded S&S Builders, of Cheyenne, a $1.4 million contract to retrofit the runaway truck system on US 16 west of Buffalo at milepost 85.40.

Work began the week of May 29 and is scheduled to be completed by September 30, 2023.

While work is being completed on this project, the truck arrestor, also known as the CatchNET system, will be closed to traffic.

A truck arrester catch-net cable system is a series of 8-10 cable nets that span across a long, narrow ramp adjacent to the highway used to stop runaway vehicles. They are typically installed on mountain passes or highway routes with a steep grade of 6 percent or more.

Due to advancements in the cable system design, a retrofit would increase safety to the traveling public that may have to utilize the system in the future.

Motorists will encounter reduced speed limits, flagging operations, and periodic one-way traffic near and through the work zone.

Summer paving underway in northeast Wyoming

SHERIDAN – Wyoming Department of Transportation northeast Wyoming maintenance crews have begun yearly paving operations on various roads in Crook, Weston, Campbell, Johnson and Sheridan counties.

Paving operations began the week of May 15 in Crook and Weston Counties and will move west to Campbell, Johnson and Sheridan counties throughout the summer. Paving operations are expected to be completed by mid-August.

This particular paving operation is performed by WYDOT Maintenance crews and is meant to repair existing roadways that may have been damaged due to snow removal, winter frost heaving, excessive ruts and cracking. The average lifespan of the top few inches of

a paved highway is ten to fifteen years and depends on the type and volume of traffic.

Summer paving operations are a critical component to fulfilling the mission of WYDOT – to provide a safe and effective transportation system – WYDOT District 4 maintenance dedicates about 20,000 hours each summer maintaining roadway surface conditions.

In order to complete paving operations crews need to close travel lanes, set up detours and employ flagging operations directing traffic out of the work lane as it is being completed. These road sections could be a few hundred feet or up to 1 mile.

WYDOT extends two-way left turn lane to US 14 east of Sheridan

SHERIDAN – Due to the increased number of left turns east of Sheridan on US 14, the Wyoming Department of Transportation extended a two-way center turn lane.

The turn lane was extended for 0.75 mile between Dry Ranch Road and Wilson Lane.

A recent traffic study was completed due to concerns from the traveling public regarding safety in this area. The results indicated a warrant to make the change.

The existing pavement width was wide enough to fit a left turn lane. The new configuration will offer an 11-foot travel lane in each direction with a 10-foot center turn lane and 6-foot shoulders on each side. Adding the turn lane provides safer turning movements for left-turning vehicles.

The turn lane was terminated just east of Wilson Lane because the existing pavement width narrows and is not wide enough to extend to Cedar Lane and keep a safe shoulder width.

District Traffic Engineer Michelle Edwards stated the addition of the turn lane and narrower lanes will encourage lower speeds. Vehicle speeds have been a concern in this area for several years.

WYDOT striped this section of US 14 the week of May 1. Motorists were asked to watch for striping operations and to be aware of the new lane configuration.

US 14A between Lovell, Burgess Junction open for season

SHERIDAN – Crews from both Lovell in District 5 and Burgess Junction in District 4 worked to clear the highway for its annual spring opening on May 26.

WYDOT closes this 22-mile stretch of highway annually at the end of November, after fall hunting season, due to heavy snowfall. The high-mountain highway is typically open for the Memorial Day weekend.

District 5

Pavement improvement project starts this week west of Riverton

RIVERTON – A $5.82 million pavement improvement project is underway as of May 24 on US 26/287 near Crowheart.

The project includes asphalt pavement surfacing, milling, chip sealing, traffic control and other work on 12.9 miles of US 26/287 between mileposts 72.13 (about 16 miles southeast of Dubois) and 85.03 (14 miles northwest of Diversion Dam Junction).

Prime contractor on the project is McGarvin-Moberly Construction Co., of Worland.

“The contractor’s schedule calls for asphalt milling with single-lane traffic led through the project by pilot vehicle until about dark,” said Wyoming Department of Transportation Resident Engineer Robert Scheidemantel of Riverton. “Motorists will encounter 20-minute traffic delays with stopped conditions and a milled

Preliminary marking on US 14 east of Sheridan for a new two-way center turn lane.

Photo: Laura Dalles/WYDOT

Total number of employees: As of May 8, 2023

1,770 One month ago 1,782 One year ago 1,781

Total number of highway fatalities: As of May 13, 2023 45 One year ago 32

driving surface.”

More than 36,000 tons of asphalt paving are scheduled to begin June 9, with chip sealing of the highway scheduled after the July 4 holiday.

The Wyoming Transportation Commission awarded the bid to McGarvin-Moberly, in May 2022. Contract completion date is Aug. 31, 202

Guardrail replacement project in Ten Sleep Canyon on US 16

BASIN – A Wyoming Department of Transportation project to remove and replace US Highway 16 guardrail began May 12 east of Ten Sleep.

S&L Industrial of Cowley is the prime contractor on the $648,397 project to remove and replace guardrail between mileposts 34.0 and 35.5 in Ten Sleep Canyon, beginning about eight miles east of Ten Sleep.

“The project’s intent is to upgrade the steel posts and meet guardrail height standards for additional safety,” said WYDOT project engineer Andy Freeman of Basin. “The project is anticipated to take about six weeks to complete. Oneway traffic will be maintained during this period and controlled with flaggers, and motorists should expect delays.”

Freeman said a 12-foot width restriction was in place for the guardrail replacement project.

The Wyoming Transportation Commission awarded the Ten Sleep Canyon guardrail project to S&L Industrial in November 2022. Contract completion date is Sept. 30, 2023.

Hot-mix patching in Hot Springs, Washakie, Big Horn counties

BASIN – A Wyoming Department of Transportation asphalt paving crew began May 15 in Hot Springs County.

The WYDOT hot-mix asphalt patching work began May 15 on Wyoming Highway 120 between Thermopolis and Meeteetse; May 16 inside Wind River Canyon on US 20/WYO 789; May 17 on US 20/WYO 789 between Kirby and Worland; May 18 and May 22 on WYO 434 south of Ten Sleep; and May 23-25 on WYO 32 north of Burlington.

The WYDOT paving operation consists of a paving crew, a roller operator and numerous WYDOT trucks hauling the hot asphalt pavement.

“Please obey posted speed limits during the paving operation, and obey flaggers and traffic control for safety’s sake. Drivers should expect short delays,” said WYDOT North District 5 Paving Foreman Shannon Armstrong of Basin.

Road shoulder sealing underway in Big Horn County

BASIN – Fog sealing of highway shoulders began May 8 in northwest Wyoming.

Fog sealing uses quick-drying oil to seal highway shoulders, and is part of the Wyoming Department of Transportation’s summer chip-sealing maintenance program.

Fog sealing began May 8 between Greybull and Lovell on US 310 (mileposts 225.45 to 230.00), May 8 on US 310 west of Lovell (mileposts 237.42 to 238.28), May 8 on WYO 37 (mileposts 0 to 9.0), May 8 on US 310 east of Lovell (mileposts 235 to 236), May 9 at the junction of US 310 and WYO 114 near Deaver (mileposts 29.5 to 40.6), May 10 on WYO 295 near Powell (mileposts 0 to 12), and May 11-15 on WYO 290 west of Meeteetse (mileposts 0 to 6).

“We’re asking people to avoid driving, running or bicycling on the fog-sealed highway shoulders for 24 hours,” said WYDOT fog sealing foreman Tyd Erickson of Meeteetse. “These roadways will be chip sealed later this summer.”

WYDOT’s summer maintenance chip sealing work, which includes fog sealing, is a cost-effective way of maintaining and extending the life of highways in Wyoming.

Lander public meeting, focuses on 2023 projects

LANDER – A pair of 2023 highway projects were the focus of a May 18 public informational meeting at Lander City Hall.

Lander residents and motorists were encouraged to attend the public meeting.

Avail Valley Construction-WY, LLC, of

Briefs continued on page 10

Afton is the prime contractor on the $2.9 million WYO 789 Lander-Hudson State School Section project on the north edge of Lander, and Avail is also the prime contractor on the $4.95 million US 287/ WYO 789 Muddy Gap-Lander/Lyons Valley Section south of Lander.

Both projects carry contract completion dates of Oct. 31, 2023.

The work north of Lander on WYO 789 includes asphalt pavement surfacing, traffic control, sidewalk, curb and gutter, milling, grading and other work on 1.4 miles of WYO 789 beginning at milepost 80.97 – the traffic signal at the intersection of US 287 and WYO 789.

The work south of Lander includes asphalt pavement surfacing, milling, bridge rehabilitation, chip sealing, sidewalk, curb and gutter, milling, grading and other work on 5.8 miles of US 287/WYO 789 between Lander and Rawlins Junction.

“The prime contractor will be at the meeting to discuss the work schedule for these projects in 2023. There will be disruptions to traffic movements during the highway improvement projects, including some delays,” said Wyoming Department of Transportation Resident Engineer Erik Smith of Lander.

Pavement improvement project resumes west of Riverton

RIVERTON – A $5.85 million pavement improvement project is again underway as of May 8 on US 26 between Riverton and Pilot Butte Reservoir west of Riverton.

The project includes asphalt pavement surfacing, milling, chip sealing, drainage and other work on 12.1 miles of US 26 between mileposts 125.11 (Eight Mile Road) and 112.98 (just east of Pilot Butte Reservoir).

Prime contractor on the project is Mountain Construction Co. of Lovell.

The contractor’s paving crew placed 14,699 tons of asphalt pavement on US 26 last fall, beginning at the highway’s intersection with Eight Mile Road. Another 18,251 tons of asphalt pavement remains to be placed between US 26 milepost 119.5 (five miles east of Kinnear) and milepost 112.98, just east of Pilot Butte Reservoir.

“The contractor’s schedule called for

asphalt milling beginning Monday, May 8, with single-lane traffic led through the project by pilot vehicle until about dark,” said Wyoming Department of Transportation Project Engineer Douglas Etsinger of Riverton. Motorists were advised to expect 20-minute traffic delays with stopped conditions and a milled driving surface.

Paving of approaches, chip sealing, shoulder work, placement of delineator posts and signs, and other work will be completed after paving.

“To pave, the contractor must wait until the temperature meets WYDOT temperature specifications, 40 degrees and rising, so working days may be shorter than typical paving projects that occur during the summer,” Scheidemantel said.

The Wyoming Transportation Commission awarded the bid to Mountain Construction Co., in March. Contract completion date was Oct. 31, 2022.

Delays expected as work resumes on US 14/16/20 west of Cody

CODY – Corrective actions to pavement placed last summer is underway on 10.25 miles of US 14/16/20 directly east of the east entrance to Yellowstone National Park.

The $5.4 million pavement improvement project, west of Cody, is in its final stages, and remaining work prior to the June 30 contract completion date includes installation of asphalt curb in select locations and chip sealing of the newly-paved highway.

“By contract, all work is required to be completed by June 30,” said Wyoming Department of Transportation Resident Engineer Todd Frost of Cody. “Any motorist delays should be short.”

The project is located west of Cody between Yellowstone National Park and

Cody from milepost 0.00 (Yellowstone’s east entrance) and extending east 10.25 miles to milepost 10.25 (Fishhawk Trailhead).

Prime contractor for the project is Mountain Construction Co., of Lovell.

Mid-May start on US 26/287 highway/bridge improvements

RIVERTON – A US 26/287 asphalt pavement overlay and bridge rehabilitation on the Buffalo Fork of the Snake River bridge are the focus of a $5.52 million project west of Togwotee Pass in Teton County.

“Subcontractor Reiman Corp., of Cheyenne planned to start with structure rehabilitation on the Buffalo Fork bridge on May 16,” said Wyoming Department of Transportation Engineer Baylor Beers of Riverton. “Motorists should expect a one-lane closure that will be controlled by portable traffic signals, and delays of up to 10 minutes.”

Prime contractor is Avail Valley Construction-WY, LLC, of Afton.

Rehabilitation of the Buffalo Fork bridge is expected to continue through the end of August.

Avail Valley Construction is scheduled to begin paving the 5.33-mile project in mid-September. Chip sealing is scheduled in June 2024.

The scope of road and bridge improvements include asphalt pavement surfacing, bridge rehabilitation, milling, chip sealing and other work between mileposts 2.2 (Grand Teton National Park boundary) to milepost 7.53.

The Wyoming Transportation Commission awarded the project to Avail Valley Construction-WY, LLC, on Dec. 15, 2022. Contract completion date is June 30, 2024.

Asphalt paving resumes west of Riverton.

Photo: Cody Beers/WYDOT

US 26/287 near Moran Junction and the Buffalo Fork of the Snake River.

Photo: Cody Beers/WYDOT

US 14A safety warning sign replaced east of Lovell

LOVELL – Removal and replacement of a safety warning sign on US Highway 14A took place May 1 east of Lovell.

The $128,000 project replaced the existing, non-functional digital sign with a new, modern sign.

“This project will involve replacing the sign, installing a modern breakaway support, and incorporating revised messaging,” said Wyoming Department of Transportation Project Engineer Andy Freeman of Basin.

The electronic sign warns motorists of sharp curves on US 14A. “The new sign will incorporate speed sensing and display a ‘slow down’ message to drivers exceeding the speed limit,” Freeman said.

The sign is located at milepost 68.50, about 22 miles east of Lovell on US 14A.

Prime contractor on the sign replacement project is Casper Electric of Casper.

from Wyoming Department of Transportation maintenance workers.

The emergency rock-scaling effort is expected to include 12-hour work days, with work happening up to seven days a week. Cleanup of the slide is expected to take at least two to three weeks to complete.

Rocks and mud flowed from the hillside March 26, crossing US 20/WYO 789, and causing a near closure in the hilly area of the highway where it’s difficult to see oncoming traffic from the north or south.

“Expedited work on this slide is necessary because of the danger to the motorists caused by this active slide area,” said WYDOT Maintenance Engineer Lyle Lamb of Basin. “This danger is increasing, especially with ongoing spring storms in the area.”

Under traffic control, Lamb said Geovert employees were performing the rock scaling work to move debris downhill to US 20/WYO 789.

“WYDOT maintenance workers will provide the traffic control, cleanup of scaled rock and other required work,” Lamb said. “We appreciate everyone’s patience as we clean up another slide in Wind River Canyon.”

south of Worland on Wyoming Highway 431.

The pavement overlay on WYO 431, also known as Gooseberry Creek Road, began May 1 at the intersection of WYO 431 and US 20/WYO 789 between Worland and Thermopolis, according to Wyoming Department of Transportation Engineer Lance Schatz of Thermopolis.

McGarvin-Moberly Construction Co., of Worland is the prime contractor.

“Milling and base work began May 1. The work is on WYO 431, but will impact US 20/WYO 789 since we will be working at the intersection,” Schatz said. “Work is scheduled for a couple of weeks, and then work will pause until the contractor returns to chip seal the new pavement.”

The project’s scope of work includes asphalt pavement surfacing, seeding/erosion control, traffic control, chip sealing and other on about five miles of Gooseberry Creek Road beginning at milepost 0.00.

The Wyoming Transportation Commission awarded the WYO 431 pavement improvement work to McGarvin-Moberly and contract completion date is June 30, 2024.

Bridge work on Little Popo Agie River bridge in Hudson; Cody bridge work to begin in June

CODY – A pair of bridges are the focus of more than $2.7 million in repairs and rehabilitation during the coming months in Hudson and Cody.

The

WYDOT, Colorado company set to clean up rock slide in Wind River Canyon

BASIN – A $71,880 emergency project with a Colorado rock-scaling company began May 2 to stabilize an active slide just inside the south end of Wind River Canyon near Boysen Dam.

Traffic delays of up to 20 minutes are expected.

Rock scaling and cleanup are part of the effort being undertaken by Geovert of Broomfield, Colorado, with assistance

WYO 431/Gooseberry

Creek Road pavement improvements

WORLAND – More than $2 million in pavement improvements are underway

Work on the Little Popo Agie River bridge in Hudson began May 1, with placement of traffic control. Milling and curb removal on half of the bridge deck occurred May 2.

The Hudson bridge is located at milepost 90.59 on Wyoming Highway 789 in Hudson.

Motorists encountered delays of up to 10 minutes; traffic movements were controlled with the use of portable traffic signals on each end of the Hudson bridge.

The work schedule issued by prime contractor S&S Builders, LLC, showed completion of work on the Hudson bridge by mid-July.

Work on the Shoshone River bridge in

Briefs continued on page 12

current nonfunctional sign on US 14A east of Lovell. The sign was removed and replaced in May.

Photo: Cody Beers/WYDOT

An active landslide adjacent to US 20/ WYO 789 inside the south end of Wind River Canyon. The initial slide occurred March 26, and has been moving debris toward the highway. An emergency cleanup effort began May 2.

Photo: Cody Beers/WYDOT

Cody is slated to begin in early June; the bridge work is expected to continue into October. Delays are expected.

The Cody bridge is located at milepost 100.53 on Wyoming Highway 120 on the north edge of Cody.

The scope of work on each bridge includes improvements and repairs, such as grading, milling asphalt and concrete, asphalt and concrete surfacing, bridge rehabilitation, guardrail installation and other work.

The Wyoming Department of Transportation awarded the bridge rehabilitation project to S&S Builders, LLC, of Gillette, on Dec. 15, 2022. Contract completion date is Nov. 30, 2023.

Tunnel lighting project underway west of Cody

CODY – Removal and replacement of the existing lighting system inside the big tunnel west of Cody on US14/16/20 is underway.

Casper Electric is the prime contractor on the $5.184 million lighting replacement project inside the big tunnel west of Cody. Casper Electric’s work includes removal and replacement of the existing tunnel lighting system.

“The new system will consist of LED lighting that is more energy efficient.

There will also be a tunnel warning system installed to notify motorists of pedestrians and/or bicyclists in the tunnels,” said Wyoming Department of Transportation Resident Engineer Todd Frost of Cody.

Project work began May 1 with night work six days a week, in a 153-calendar-day window. During the 153-day project, motorists encounter one-way traffic movements with a pilot vehicle and flaggers during working hours and cumulative delays of up to 10 minutes. Traffic was returned to two-way traffic with no delay during non-working hours.

The lighting project begins at milepost 45 (west end of the big tunnel), extending 1 mile (east end of the short tunnels) toward Cody at milepost 46.

Contract completion date is Oct. 31.

“WYDOT’s decision to upgrade the big tunnel’s lighting system is based on the need to upgrade a deteriorating system that is 20-plus years old,” Frost said. “The existing fixtures have not been available for replacement for a number of years, and decreasing levels of light are contributing to an unsafe driving environment.”

Spring burning? Plan ahead, avoid burning in state rights-of-way

RIVERTON – As temperatures begin to warm and the winter snows melt, many ranchers and farmers head outside to begin their annual agricultural burns.

Each year, as the spring burning season gets into full swing, at least a few of these burns get out of control. This year, the National Weather Service and WYDOT are encouraging people to stay safe and “Learn Before You Burn!”

“Frequently our calm mornings turn windy during the afternoon,” said Lance

VandenBoogart of the Riverton NWS office. “Having an up-to-date wind speed and direction forecast can help you know where any fire is likely to move, and assess any nearby risks.”

VandenBoogart said federal and state land management agencies routinely obtain weather forecasts from the NWS, and citizens should do the same. The Riverton NWS office can be contacted 24 hours a day by phone at 1-800-211-1448. Area-specific forecasts are also available online at weather.gov/forecastpoints or at mobile.weather.gov

Highway conditions and remote weather information are available at wyoroad.info.

Citizens conducting a field burn are not only responsible for what happens on their own property, they may also be held criminally and civilly liable from damages to federal and state property. This includes, but is not limited to, right-of-way fencing, according to WYDOT District 5 Engineer Pete Hallsten of Basin.

“From WYDOT’s perspective, the safety of the traveling public, workers and volunteers in the rights-of-way is first and foremost in decisions made regarding activity on or along the state highway system,” said Hallsten. “The situation of burning highway rights-of-way generates safety concerns for the traveling public by the potential of limited visibility caused by low-hanging smoke and damage to fences, signs, sign posts, guardrail and permitted utilities. Damage to any of these items may increase the potential for a crash or otherwise jeopardize the safety of the highway user.”

Landowners, conservation districts, and others who plan to conduct prescribed burning activities are strongly encouraged to check the latest weather forecast and informing local government officials of burn plans as well.

A silver coupe drives over the Little Popo Agie River bridge near Hudson.

Photo: Cody Beers/WYDOT

The Cody bridge over the Shoshone River will be seeing work in June.

Photo: Cody/Beers/WYDOT

The tunnel west of Cody to receive lighting upgrades this summer.

Photo: Cody Beers/WYDOT

Workers’ Memorial Day event held in Cheyenne

Officials honor lost lives, strive to make Wyoming a safer place to work

By Mark Horan

A ceremony to commemorate Wyoming workers who were injured or killed in the workplace was held at the Capitol rotunda on April 28, which is nationally recognized as Workers’ Memorial Day.

The event included speeches from the Wyoming State AFLCIO and the Wyoming Trial Lawyers Association, the organizations which sponsored the ceremony. Several other community leaders provided remarks, including Wyoming Department of Transportation Interim Director Darin Westby.

A letter from Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon was read at the beginning of the ceremony.

“On this Workers’ Memorial Day remembrance, let us honor the fallen and continue to advocate for justice, awareness and compassion for all workers,” Gordon wrote.

Westby then took the podium for some brief remarks focusing on work zone safety, noting that it’s critical to ensure our work environments are safe for not just our employees but everyone in those work zones.

“Safety is everybody’s business, because we all share in the same roads,” Westby said. “So let’s work together to make sure that all travelers in Wyoming, whether crew members, patrol, commercial vehicles, residents or tourists all can reach their destination safely.”

Westby noted that in the last 100 years, there have been 38 state employees who have died while building, maintaining and protecting Wyoming’s transportation system. The most recent employee fatality was Shirley Samuelson, a highway maintenance technician from Teton County who lost her life in 2020.

According to a report from the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services, the state had 27 occupational fatalities in 2021 – two and a half times the national average. That number is down from 35 fatalities in 2020.

“Certainly this is a trend in the right direction,” said DWS Occupational Safety and Health Administration Program Manager

WYDOT Interim Director Darin Westby speaking at a Workers’ Memorial Day event held on April 28 at the Cheyenne Capitol rotunda. Individuals next to him include representatives from the Wyoming Governor’s Office, Trial Lawyers Association, AFL-CIO and Department of Workforce Services.

Karen Bebensee, “but there’s more work to be done by all of us to help workers safely return home every night.”

Tammy Johnson, executive director of Wyoming AFL-CIO echoed Bebensee’s comments.

“Every worker deserves to come home at the end of the day in their own vehicles, not in a hearse or an ambulance,” she said.

At the memorial gathering, personal stories were shared about two individuals: Mark Alan Cummings, a construction worker in Laramie who died in 2016, and Tyeler Harris, an EMT from Saratoga who was killed when a semitrailer struck his ambulance while responding to a crash on Interstate 80 last December.

Marsha Shanor, executive director for the Wyoming Trial Lawyers Association told attendees that her organization and Wyoming AFL-CIO are sponsoring a scholarship through Kids’ Chance of Wyoming in an effort to support the families and friends of Wyomingites who have been killed or injured on the job. Scholarship information can be found under the public resources section of their website: wytla.org.

JUST DRIVE

Photo: Jordan Achs/WYDOT

WHP commissions Academy Class 104

Eight new Troopers joining the ranks

By Jordan Achs

Eight Highway Patrol cadets graduated the Highway Patrol Academy Class 104 and received their badges during a ceremony May 26 at the Wyoming Supreme Court in Cheyenne.

Members of the commissioned class include Evan Deneke and Logan Sainsbury, who will both be stationed at Elk Mountain; Thomas Gamblin II, stationed in Thermopolis; Timothy Howell, assigned to Rawlins; Kraig McInally, stationed in Cody; Crosby Ralston, assigned to Lovell; and Valerie Patmore and Kyle O’Malley, who will both be stationed in Casper.

To get to graduation, the cadets underwent a training academy together. Some underwent the typical academy for brand new recruits, while others were part of a new WHP academy specifically designed for those who already have law enforcement certifications but are wanting to become Troopers.

“I have no doubts given the excellence of this class that you will prove to be Troopers of the highest caliber,” WHP Colonel Tim Cameron said during the ceremony. “Remember, we are the guardians of the Cowboy State; we are the standard.”

The ceremony included the presentation of colors by the

WHP Honor Guard, an invocation from WHP Chaplain John Byerly, remarks from Cameron and Safety and Training Manager Capt. David Wagener, and remarks from Chief Justice Kate Fox and Justice Lynne Boomgaarden of the Wyoming Supreme Court.

“Thank you for stepping up to fill this critical role in our justice system,” Boomgaarden said during her speech. “What a proud, 90-year tradition the Patrol has had, thank you for continuing to share that history with the public.”

When it came time for the oath, every trooper in the room raised their hand and recited along with the eight graduating cadets, signifying the everlasting and special commitment every Trooper makes.

The pinning of the badges was done by family members in a nod to their role in the cadets’ journey to becoming a Trooper.

These newest Troopers will continue their training in the field with other officers in their jurisdictions. During his remarks, Wagener told the Troopers that their learning would never stop as they continued to train and grow in their profession.

“Of the 89 applications for this class, you eight are the exceptional few who made it through,” Wagener said. “I hope you take pride in that, because I do.”

Photo: Carlie Van Winkle/WYDOT

The Wyoming Highway Patrol Academy Class of 104 at commissioning May 26 at the Wyoming Supreme Court building. Front row from left: Col. Tim Cameron; Tprs. Thomas Gamblin II, Valerie Patmore and Crosby Ralston; and Lt. Col. Joshua Walther. Second row from left: Tprs. Kraig McInally, Logan Sainsbury and Timothy Howell. Third row from left: Tprs. Evan Deneke and Kyle O’Malley; and Maj. Karl Germain. Back row from left: Sgt. Tyler Matheney; Sgt. Jeremy Beck; and Capt. David Wagener.

Trooper Evan Deneke is assigned to the Elk Mountain area division. Deneke lived in Kansas prior to joining the Wyoming Highway Patrol. He enjoys hunting and fishing in his spare time.

Deneke is looking forward to serving the motoring public that use the highways of the state of Wyoming. He is also excited to work and live with his family in the beautiful state of Wyoming.

Trooper Thomas Gamblin II is assigned to District 5, Troop G – Thermopolis. Gamblin was born in California before his family moved to the great state of Wyoming when he was young. He enjoys fishing, hunting, mountain biking and anything outdoors.

Gamblin is a pre-certified law enforcement officer having begun his career with the city of Rawlins where he grew up. He looks forward to continuing his law enforcement career as a “Guardian of the Cowboy State,” while interacting with the community and assisting the citizens of the state of Wyoming.

Trooper Timothy Howell is assigned to the Rawlins area troop. He grew up in Rawlins, Wyoming.

He loves to do anything outdoors, working out and, most importantly, spending time with his wife and little girl. He is looking forward to future endeavors and friendship.

Howell is excited to help the citizens of Wyoming.

Trooper Kraig McInally is assigned to Troop N in the Cody area. He was a Rapid City, South Dakota police officer prior to joining the Wyoming Highway Patrol.

McInally is also a U.S. Army veteran, having served as an infantry paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division. He enjoys hunting, fly fishing, traveling and spending time with his family. He is looking forward to interacting with the community.

Kyle P. O’Malley

Trooper Kyle O’Malley is assigned to the Casper area Troop. He grew up in Illinois and graduated from the University of Iowa in May 2022 with a degree in criminology. He moved to Wyoming for the Highway Patrol and looks forward to serving the citizens of this state. While on his time off, he enjoys hunting, fly fishing and exploring new parts of beautiful Wyoming.

Trooper Valerie Patmore is assigned to the Casper area Troop. She has lived in Wyoming for more than two years.

Patmore enjoys spending time with her family, traveling and spending time outdoors. She is looking forward to interacting with the community as well as the rest of the “Guardians of the Cowboy State.”

This agency offers an abundance of opportunities, all of which she is excited to participate in.

Trooper Crosby Ralston is assigned to Lovell in District 5. He is originally from Southern California but has spent the last few years in Boise, Idaho, after having served in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Ralston loves spending time with his family, working out and going to the mountains. He enjoys serving his community where he can educate and help the citizens in the great state of Wyoming.

He is very excited to be working for this agency as he starts his law enforcement career.

Logan

Trooper Logan Sainsbury is assigned to the Elk Mountain Area Troop.

He grew up in Colorado and is excited to explore Wyoming. He loves cars, being outdoors and hunting. He is looking forward to helping better Wyoming, and creating new friendships.

Sainsbury is excited for all the amazing opportunities Wyoming has to offer.

Evan J. Deneke

Thomas W. Gamblin II

Timothy W. Howell

Kraig R. McInally

Valerie L. Patmore

Crosby S. Ralston

D. Sainsbury

Deneke

Gamblin II

McInally

O’Malley

Patmore

Ralston

Sainsbury

Howell

After commissioning, the new Troopers were presented to family, friends and other WHP family who had congregated.

Photo: Carlie Van Winkle/WYDOT

WYDOT retires old rotary plows

New Larues are more powerful, reliable

By Jordan Achs

The Wyoming Department of Transportation is celebrating a few extra retirements this year as the agency began replacing some of its older rotary plows.

Rotary plows are large pieces of equipment capable of cutting through deep snowdrifts using rotating circular blades. WYDOT uses rotaries every winter, not just to clean up after large blizzards but also to help reopen seasonally closed roads throughout the state.

WYDOT’s eight new rotary plows are major upgrade from some of the plows the agency had been relying on; the 12 rotaries being replaced were purchased in the early 1980s and 1990s and were starting to show their age, especially after such a recent harsh winter.

“The older machines had parts that are obsolete,” said Bryan Wenger, equipment program manager. “We were having to get parts special-made to try to keep those machines running.”

The new rotaries were purchased through a request for proposal process. The RFP was issued in summer 2021 and in December 2021, Larue’s proposal was selected. The Transportation Commission approved the purchase at their January 2022 business meeting, and the machines started arriving at the shops in April 2023.

The cost per machine was more than $700,000, but they were well worth the price tag.

“These machines are the best overall value when you consider reliability, consistency, capabilities and customer service,” Wenger said.

Rotary plows are able to move a lot of snow very quickly; the Larues can move nearly 5,000 tons per hour. On a good day, the older machines were capable of up to 4,000 tons per hour.

“We’re all definitely impressed with the new rotaries so far,” said Marty Mayfield, District 1 area maintenance supervisor. “They have a larger cutting head so they’re more powerful, plus it’s nice to have something dependable.”

Beyond more power and bigger machinery, Wenger explained that the new rotaries are more reliable and are easier to maintain. All eight are identical and take the exact same parts, so mechanic

crews statewide can share or stockpile parts as needed. WYDOT’s mechanics were also given extensive training by Larue on how to maintain the new machines.

Last but certainly not least, the Larues also have robust safety features. Wenger explained that the equipment has multiple built-in safeguards to protect the rotary operators and settings to protect the equipment itself from potential damage.

Although the new Larue machines weren’t available much of this winter season, they have already made a big difference to the crews using them since the first two arrived in Rawlins and Sundance in April. They’ve been put to work on the seasonal closures in Districts 1 and 4, with great results.

“The Larue walks right through the snow and throws it out like water,” Mayfield said.

The remaining six rotaries will be arriving at the shops in the coming months, with the Lander and Jackson crews each expecting two and the Laramie and Casper crews each expecting one.

One of WYDOT’s new Larue rotary plows makes headway on the seasonally closed section of US 14A in District 4. Two of the eight new rotaries are out in the field so far, one in District 4 and the other in District 1.

Photo: District 4/WYDOT

One of WYDOT’s new rotary plows, the Larue (right), compared to the older plows WYDOT had been using (left). Before the Larues, many of WYDOT’s rotaries were purchased in the 1980s and 1990s.

Photo: WYDOT

Both new and old rotary plows work on the seasonally closed section of Wyoming Highway 130 through the Snowy Range. The new rotaries can move up to 5,000 tons of snow per hour, compared to about 4,000 tons per hour with the older rotaries.

Photo: District 1/WYDOT

Materials Program tours asphalt emulsion plant in Cheyenne

By Mark Horan

On April 18, around 25 WYDOT staff spent a snowy afternoon touring the Ergon Asphalt and Emulsions Plant in Cheyenne. The majority of the group were from the Materials Program. They were joined by Assistant Chief Engineer for Engineering and Planning Keith Fulton and several Cheyenne resident engineers and their crews.

According to the Asphalt Institute, asphalt emulsion is “liquid asphalt cement emulsified in water.” It is a combination of three basic ingredients: asphalt, water and a small amount of emulsifying agent.

At the Ergon plant, the components are introduced into a colloid mill that shears the asphalt into very small droplets. The emulsifier keeps the asphalt droplets in a stable suspension. The result is an asphalt-based binding agent with a consistency ranging from that of milk to that of heavy cream, which can be used in cold processes for road construction and maintenance, such as chip sealing and slurry surfacing.

“WYDOT specifies multiple grades and types of asphalt binder on WYDOT projects” said State Materials Engineer Greg Milburn. “Understanding the difference in chemistry and how that affects performance is important.”

According to Milburn, it’s valuable for WYDOT field inspectors to be aware of best practices for handling binder so they know when a binder’s quality can be compromised.

“It was definitely a worthwhile experience for us to go out and tour the plant,” Milburn said. “We learned a lot and it was a great team-building opportunity.”

Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions is one of seven companies approved to supply asphalt-derived products on WYDOT projects. WYDOT has used Ergon’s products for over a decade.

In fiscal year 2022, WYDOT had nearly 50 projects that contained asphalt products such as the kind produced at Ergon. The approximate value of these products was well over $90 million.

WYDOT’s Materials and Testing group and resident engineers gather with employees from the Ergon Asphalt and Emulsions plant in Cheyenne. WYDOT toured the plant on April 18.

Photo: WYDOT

Tim Folwell (left), regional operations manager for Ergon Asphalt and Emulsions, points out colloidal mill technology to WYDOT staff touring the facility. The mill is used to produce asphalt emulsions.

Photo: WYDOT

WYDOT supports historic military exercise

State now boasts ‘longest runway in the world’

By Andrea Staley and Jordan Achs

On April 30 and May 2, the Wyoming Department of Transportation closed US Highway 287 north out of Rawlins and Wyoming Highway 789 near Lander, respectively. The reason for the closure: Exercise Agile Chariot.

“Exercise Agile Chariot was an Air Force Special Operations Command-led event focused on agile combat deployment and involving personnel and assets with the Total Force,” said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Cody Ramirez in a press release after the exercise.

Participating units landed an MC-130J Commando II, an MQ-9 Reaper, and two A-10 Warthogs on US 287 while conducting a Forward Arming and Refueling Point, Integrated Combat Turnarounds and taking off from the highway. This was the first time in history a MQ-9 Reaper has landed on a U.S. highway.

The 15th Special Operations Squadron also landed an MC-130J Commando II with two MH-6 Little Birds onto WYO 789, conducting a time-sensitive, personnel recovery mission with Airmen from the 123rd Special Tactics Squadron. The exercise involved securing landing zones and operating the highways as usable runways during both of the exercise’s major events.

Lt. Col. David Meyer, Air Force Special Operation Command, said the exercise demonstrated “how special operations can support the combat air forces and fighter aircraft for a more overt operation.”

“It is one thing to defend a runway or a military base,” he explained. “It is a nearly impossible task for an adversary to defend every mile of highway in a given region. … We are exploring different ways we can leverage using things like highways to give us access and placement so we can execute our mission anytime, anyplace.”

A C-130J taxis on its makeshift runway, WYO 789 outside of Lander, as part of exercise Agile Chariot. WYDOT worked closely with the Air Force to ensure the road was strong enough to support the aircraft’s landing.

Photo: Cody Beers/WYDOT

A helicopter unloads Air Force personnel onto WYDOT’s right-of-way on WYO 789 near Lander during training exercise Agile Chariot. The helicopters were part of a portion of the exercise focused on a simulated personnel recovery mission.

Photo: Cody Beers/WYDOT

Before we could give the go-ahead, WYDOT needed to confirm that our highways would be able to handle the new type of traffic. Pavement strength testing from Rally in the Rockies – a smaller-scale military training exercise that also involved landing aircraft on US 287 north of Rawlins in 2021 – showed the road was strong. However, WYDOT crews did go out ahead of this second operation and drilled the highway so the Air Force could take some core samples for testing to be sure that the highway

was still strong enough to withstand the aircrafts.

“The Air Force was impressed with the way we built our highways, the strength,” said WYDOT Chief Engineer Mark Gillett. “I think that is the reason why they have chosen Wyoming for this exercise. Other than a few skid marks, the highway remains in great shape.”

Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon, WYDOT Interim Director Darin Westby, Gillett and other local and state leaders and officials were among the select few to witness parts of the twoday exercise.

“Wyoming has a strong military community with service members and families rooted through F.E. Warren Air Force Base, the Wyoming Army National Guard and the Wyoming Air National Guard,” said Gordon in an Air Force press release. “Our state is well-positioned to support Total Force training exercises.”

Gillett added that this is the second time WYDOT has supported a training exercise involving its highways, both of which were very successful.

“Our partnerships with the state allowed us to come here and execute our tactics, techniques and procedures that we couldn’t do otherwise and for that we are extremely grateful,” said Col. Allison Black, 1st Special Operations Wing commander, in a

At 30,000 feet long, Meyer said, “Wyoming now has the longest runway in the world!”

And it is right in our backyard!

press release.

Interim Director Darin Westby (left) and Chief Engineer Mark Gillett smile in front of an A-10 Warthog that had just landed on its makeshift runway, US 287 north of Rawlins, as part of the military exercise code named Agile Chariot.

Photo: Cody Beers/WYDOT

As part of exercise Agile Chariot, a MQ-9 Reaper (a military drone aircraft) turns around as it prepares to take off again on US 287 north of Rawlins. This was the first time in history a MQ-9 Reaper has landed on a US highway.

Photo: Cody Beers/WYDOT

Enzi cookie party – Wyoming style

A group of Wyoming notables teamed up to thank WYDOT for going the extra mile

By Mark Horan

While they were in office, Diana Enzi and her late husband, retired Sen. Mike Enzi, held a standing tradition of baking cookies with their staff and giving them away as gifts. They did so as a way to express their gratitude to “the real workers” behind the scenes at the U.S. Capitol who kept things running smoothly.

After her husband passed away, Enzi wanted to keep the spirit of baking and giving going strong, so she organized a team to put on the first annual “Enzi Cookie Party – Wyoming Style.”

The lucky beneficiaries? Every employee within the Wyoming Department of Transportation.

Helping Enzi in the undertaking was Wyoming First Lady Jennie Gordon and Tate Bauman, the governor’s executive chef. The 28-hour process took place at the Governor’s Residence in early May.

Members of the Wyoming Congressional Council as well as several high-school-aged Congressional Award recipients partnered in the endeavor. The Enzi family has been a strong supporter of the Congressional Award program over the years, and Wyoming leads the nation in the number of program delegates.

Additional assistance was provided by Kate Barlow, Trista Ostrom, and Jen Thomson from the Governor’s Office, and many former Team Enzi staff.

All funding was donated by Mary Meyer, whose late husband Joe held some of the highest positions in Wyoming government for many years: state treasurer, secretary of state and state attorney general. According to his wife, when Meyer was in office he cared a lot about emergency workers and maintenance crews

who took care Wyoming’s roads and people. Funding the cookie project was something he would have wanted to do.

All in all, the group went through 600 pounds of cookie dough to make 1,978 cookies, with the hope that everyone within WYDOT would get a treat.

“The initial plan was to make enough cookies just for [employees in] Cheyenne,” Ostrom said. “But Mrs. Enzi insisted it should be statewide, even if she had to deliver the cookies herself.”

Enzi recognized how hard WYDOT staff worked this past year.

“I prayed for the snow plow drivers this winter,” she said. “I wouldn’t have wanted to be in a plow.”

A sticker on the back if each cookie read, “…In the spirit of the Enzi’s original intentions and legacy, thank you for everything you do for the State of Wyoming.”

Enzi, Gordon and their team hand delivered the cookies to members of the Wyoming Highway Patrol, who were gathered for a statewide meeting. WHP then began distributing the treats to WYDOT shops around the state.

After receiving a cookie, many WYDOT staff sent in thank you messages and photos of their offices/crews enjoying their treat.

“That cookie was awesome,” said Tom McLain from the Rock Springs Construction Office. “I would like to thank First Lady Jennie Gordon, Diana Enzi and all the rest of the people that helped make the cookies. It was very much appreciated.”

Enzi and her team plan to hold future cookie parties to benefit other state agencies.

Members of the “Enzi Cookie Party-Wyoming Style” at the Governor’s residence in Cheyenne. The group made nearly 2,000 cookies as a way to thank WYDOT employees.

Photo: Governor’s Residence Staff

WYDOT Area Maintenance Supervisor Eric Anderson, right, and Laramie maintenance Heavy Equipment Operator Edwin Leyba shake hands with a cookie on the Snowy Range (WYO 130) as crews work to reopen the seasonal closure.

After the cookies were presented to WYDOT and the WHP in Cheyenne, troopers helped distribute them to employees around the state – a logistical feat!

Photo: WYDOT

Tag Plant manager Steven Lund (left) and Heather Dungan hold up their cookies at WYDOT’s license plate manufacturing facility.

Photo: WYDOT

The procurement office in Cheyenne poses with their cookies.

Photo: WYDOT

The Rawlins maintenance crew with their cookies in front of a plow.

Photo: WYDOT

The Motor Vehicle Services department in Cheyenne poses together with their cookies.

Photo: WYDOT

Alisha Barton (left) and Chris Munoz with the Materials Lab “cheers” with their cookies.

Photo: WYDOT

Supervisor at the Kemmerer Port of Entry, Dakota Housley, smiles as she eats her cookie.

Photo: WYDOT

Barb Archibald, Basin custodial staff, takes a big chomp out of her cookie.

Photo: WYDOT

One of the Rawlins construction crews poses together with their cookies in the Rawlins office.

Photo: WYDOT

Photo: WYDOT

Highway Safety

Wildlife-Involved Crashes

By Kari Fictum, Highway Safety

Wyoming’s roadways allow people and products to travel through the state. Due to the mostly rural nature of Wyoming, these roadways often cross through the habitat of many native wildlife species. This shared use of space can lead to an increased risk of motor vehicle collisions with wildlife, presenting a danger to human safety as well as wildlife survival.

In Wyoming, during the most recent five-year period (20172021), 13,746 traffic crashes involved wildlife, which accounts for nearly 20 percent of all traffic crashes. These wildlife-involved crashes included 56 critical crashes (2.6 percent of all critical crashes), 283 serious crashes (2.7 percent of all serious crashes), and 13,407 damage crashes (23.4 percent of all damage crashes). Wildlife involved crashes resulted in five fatal injuries, 55 suspected serious injuries, 216 suspected minor injuries, and 129 possible injuries.

Wildlife-involved crashes are likely underreported due to the majority of wildlife collisions resulting in property damage only or no damage to the vehicle at all. For the years 2017-2021, 27,470 wildlife carcasses were reported within the WYDOT maintained right of way, which is likely only a fraction of the total vehicle-collision wildlife fatality count.

Of the wild animals involved in a traffic crash for the years

Awards

Trooper recognized for outstanding work in crash investigations

Event recognizes National Crime Victims’ Rights Week each April

By Jordan Achs

Wyoming Highway Patrol Lt. Tyler Chapman was recognized April 29 during the 2023 Run with the Badges event in Green River hosted by the Sweetwater County YWCA.

The annual event includes 5K and 10K races and is part of a larger observation of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, which takes place annually the last week of April. It’s a chance to honor crime victims, promote victim rights, and recognize victim advocates, including local law enforcement officers in their efforts to bring justice to victims.

Sweetwater County attorney Dan Erramouspe presented the 2023 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week recognition plaques to local law enforcement officers and victim advocates, including Chapman for his outstanding work in recent crash investigations.

Chapman is based in Rawlins but his jurisdiction covers both Carbon and Sweetwater counties, responding to calls along parts of Interstate 80 that see some of the worst weather and road conditions.

“I’m very appreciative of the recognition,” Chapman said. “A crash is such a tragic event, I feel like I owe it to the family to do the

2017-2021, the top five types of wild animals included deer (84 percent), pronghorn (8.4 percent), elk (4.6 percent), moose (1.4 percent), and other wild animal (1.5 percent).

In 2017-2021, most wildlife collisions occurred in dark and unlighted conditions (59 percent), followed by daylight (25 percent), dawn (8 percent), dusk (5 percent), and then dark and lighted (3 percent) conditions. Approximately half (51 percent) of all wildlife collisions occurred between the hours of 5 p.m. and 11 p.m., and nearly 20 percent occurred between the hours of 5 a.m. and 8 a.m.

Most wildlife-involved crashes in 2017-2021 occurred during the summer and fall months (68 percent), with November having the highest number of collisions with wildlife (14.8 percent).

For the most recent five-year period (2017-2021), the top five counties with the highest number of wildlife-involved crashes included Fremont (10.8 percent), Park (7.2 percent), Campbell (7.1 percent), Sheridan (6.9 percent), and Natrona (6.4 percent).

best job I can with crash reconstruction. It’s the families, they’re the reason we do what we do.”

Other local law enforcement agencies were also recognized during the event, including Sweetwater County Sheriff’s Office, Green River Police Department and the Rock Springs Police Department.

From left: Melinda Bass, executive director for YWCA of Sweetwater County, WHP Lt. Tyler Chapman and Dan Erramouspe, Sweetwater County attorney, pose after Chapman was recognized as part of National Crime Victims’ Week in late-April.

Photo: WHP

Fremont County had the highest number of deer (11.2 percent) and other wild animal (11.2 percent) collisions. Campbell County had the highest number of pronghorn collisions (14.6 percent). Teton County had the highest number of elk (17.9 percent) and bison (45.5 percent) collisions. Sublette County had the highest number of moose collisions (29 percent).

State and local transportation agencies look for ways to meet

the needs of the traveling public, maintain human safety, and conserve wildlife. WYDOT continues to collaborate with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, nonprofit organizations, and other interested parties in implementing solutions to wildlife-vehicle crashes and remain consistent with the Governor’s Wyoming Mule Deer and Antelope Migration Corridor Protection Executive Order 2020-1.

Large Truck-Involved Crashes

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration classifies trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating greater than 10,000 pounds as a “large vehicle.” Large truck traffic is commonplace on Wyoming roadways. Interstate 80 through southern Wyoming is one of the busiest commercial motor vehicle corridors in the United States. The varied terrain in Wyoming includes mountain passes that can reduce truck speeds to a crawl in addition to challenging weather conditions that often include winds that can topple light trucks. This means large trucks, such as tractor-trailer combinations, on Wyoming roadways can present a hazard for motorists.

In Wyoming, during the most recent five-year period (20172021), 7,599 traffic crashes involved large trucks, which accounts for nearly 11 percent of all traffic crashes. These large truck-involved crashes included 336 critical crashes (15.5 percent of all critical crashes), 1,136 serious crashes (10.7 percent of all serious crashes), and 6,127 damage crashes (10.7 percent of all damage crashes). Large truck-involved crashes resulted in 117 fatal injuries, 303 suspected serious injuries, 937 suspected minor injuries, and 686 possible injuries. When looking at fatal crashes specifically, large truck-involved crashes account for 18.5 percent of fatal crashes and 18.9 percent of fatalities.

The majority of large-truck involved crashes involved a commercial motor vehicle (95.6 percent). Most large trucks involved in traffic crashes were classified as “heavy” with a GVWR of greater than 26,000 pounds (89.4 percent), while 10.6 percent of large trucks were classified as “medium” with a GVWR of 10,001 – 26,000 pounds.

Most large truck-involved crashes were collisions with a non-fixed object (50 percent), with another motor vehicle on

Seat Belt Safety

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, one of the safest choices drivers and passengers can make is to buckle up. No matter the type of vehicle, or the type of road being traveled on, the easiest way to try to stay safe in case of a motor vehicle crash is to wear a seat belt. Buckling up is the simplest thing to limit injury or save a life during a crash and seat belt use should be an automatic habit for drivers and passengers alike. Using a seat belt is not just a safe, easy, simple choice to make – it’s the law.

In Wyoming, during the most recent five-year period (20172021), there were 474 motor vehicle occupant fatalities and over half (247; 52 percent) were not using a seat belt at the time of the crash. An additional three percent (14) were not using a seat belt correctly at the time of the crash. Men make up the majority of those killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes. Of the motor vehicle occupant fatalities from 2017-2021, 69 percent were male. Men also wear seat belts at a lower rate than women do. More than half (54 percent) of all male motor vehicle occupant fatalities

the roadway accounting for 87.5 percent of these crashes. Non-collision crashes accounted for 37 percent of large truck-involved crashes, with 45 percent of these classified as jackknife crashes and 38.7 percent classified as overturn/rollover crashes (30.5 percent of these being blow-over crashes). Only 13 percent of large truck-involved crashes had a collision with a fixed object as the first harmful event, with 19.3 percent striking a guardrail, 13.2 percent striking a cable barrier, and 13.2 percent striking a fence.

The majority of large truck-involved crashes occurred on Wyoming interstates, which accounted for 61.1 percent of all large truck-involved crashes. Interstate 80 experienced the largest number of large-truck involved interstate crashes at 81.6 percent of all large truck-involved interstate crashes.

Nearly half (46.7 percent) of all Interstate 80 crashes involved a large truck, compared to 15.4 percent of all Interstate 25 crashes and 6.9 percent of all Interstate 90 crashes.

Wyoming is always exploring new ways to ensure commerce can move freely within and through the state while maintaining a safe environment for motorists, including education campaigns to raise awareness of the difficulties and hazards posed by commercial motor vehicles on the roadways.

were not using a seat belt at the time of the crash. For all female motor vehicle occupant fatalities, 48 percent were not using a seat belt at the time of the crash.

The majority of all 2017-2021 motor vehicle occupant fatalities for all age groups under 65 years old were unbelted at the time of the crash. Among young motor vehicle occupant fatalities younger than 26 years old, 54 percent were unrestrained, while 59 percent of 26 to 44 year old fatalities were unbuckled, and 54 percent of 45 to 64 year old fatalities were not using a seat belt.

Employee Safety

Safety snapshot

By Jordan Striff, Employee Safety Employee Safety,

including the district safety representatives, have been hard at work developing new training (confined space, fall protection, and trenching/excavation), delivering training to hundreds of employees statewide, and receiving training to further their professional knowledge.

In early April, Alexander Barrett, Colter Bame, Erik Brannigan and Jordan Striff attended a Department of Homeland Security sponsored training at the Nevada Nuclear Security Site in Mercury, Nevada. The NNSS is where atomic bombs were tested above and below ground until the early 1990s. Training was conducted at the Apple-2 Nuke Detonation Site where residual radioactive material still exists today. This training introduced the team to radiological/nuclear incidents and threats Wyoming roadways are subject to on a daily basis.

In mid-April, the safety team conducted trench and excavation training in Sheridan. This training focused on the new trench boxes Employee Safety purchased for use in the field to protect employees from trench cave-in and collapse hazards.

Training@aGlance

In early May, the team conducted confined space entry and rescue training at the Midwest shop. This included lowering the

Check out the upcoming training opportunities from WYDOT-U and the Transportation Learning Network. Don’t forget to check out the calendar on NEOGOV to see upcoming training events!

“dummy,” Jordan Striff, into a confined space to test our equipment, rescue procedures, and to ensure the team stays up to date on the hazards WYDOT employees face.

If you think safety training is expensive and boring, try the cost of an injury and rehabilitation!

Training@aGlance

Check out the upcoming training opportunities from WYDOT-U and the Transportation Learning Network. Don’t forget to check out the calendar on NEOGOV to see upcoming training events!

Training at the Nevada Nuclear Security Site in Mercury, Nevada.

Photo: NNSS/CTOS

Photo: NNSS/CTOS

Employee Safety Program Manager Jordan Striff lowered into a confined space during the confined space training in Midwest.

Photo: WYDOT

Training NEOGOV for Training

By Jim Boyd, Training Services

Maybe you realized it, maybe you didn’t. Perhaps you got an email about that “Active Shooter” training, saw that it was close to your location and went ahead, clicked the link, and enrolled. If so, welcome to the WELL’s replacement learning management system, NEOGOV.

As of now, WYDOT’s training can be found in the new NEOGOV system instead of the WELL. We’re still working on historical training records and vocational learning plans, and plan on adding them later. Plus, like the WELL, we will still provide some administrative support and will work with existing program and district trainers and coordinators to help them with the new system.

From indications thus far, the new system is much simpler and more intuitive. You can access training through the same NEOGOV Dashboard you used when doing your PMIs. Simply click on the Training link and you’ll get to a Training page where you can see assigned training, your course transcript, upcoming classes you’ve enrolled in, and more. Supervisors can also see their team’s training activity on that page as well.

Scrolling through the other headers on the Training page will take you to My Courses, the Course Catalog, Training Activity Report, and Learning Plans. It’s pretty straightforward to search for a class and enrolling in a course is as simple as clicking a but-

ton. There’s even a calendar view if you’d rather see what classes are coming up instead of looking through a catalog.

As an enterprise system, classroom classes as well as web based or e-learning from other Wyoming agencies will continue to be added. We’re excited about the new system and are looking forward to continuing to explore its capabilities.

If you have any questions or concerns about either the WELL or NEOGOV Learn, please contact dot-training@wyo.gov, or reach out to one of our team members. We’ll be happy to answer any questions.

Game and Fish

Twin Buttes Reservoir angler survey – Game and Fish needs your help!

If you have been fishing at Twin Buttes Reservoir lately, you may have noticed signs posted about an ongoing Wyoming Game and Fish Department survey project. The Game and Fish is working to evaluate the success of stocked Rainbow Trout, with the goal of improving this popular fishery over time. If you go fishing at Twin Buttes, you can help with this effort by filling out a quick survey at the end of your fishing trip.

Before you rush to fill out the survey, there are a couple of things you will need to pay attention to while you are fishing. The most important of these is if any of the Rainbow Trout you catch have a removed adipose fin. The adipose fin is the small, fleshy fin on the fish’s back, just in front of the tail.

In 2020, Game and Fish began stocking two strains of Rainbow Trout into Twin Buttes Reservoir. The Eagle Lake strain spawns in the spring, while the Fall strain spawns in (you guessed it) the fall. All of the Fall strain fish had their adipose fin removed before they were stocked, while the Eagle Lake strain fish did not. This allows fish biologists to now see if one strain is surviving and being caught by anglers more than the other. This is where anglers can help.

If you go fishing at Twin Buttes and catch any Rainbow Trout,

keep count of how many fish had an adipose fin, and how many had their adipose fin removed. When you are done fishing for the day, you can fill out the survey and support this research effort. Please submit a survey every time you fish at Twin Buttes, even if you do not catch any fish. Knowing if anglers are catching fish helps Game and Fish evaluate the success of this fishery. Finally, anglers are reminded to double check their fish species identification before submitting surveys. In addition to Brown and Rainbow Trout, there are Cutthroat Trout in Twin Buttes Reservoir. Please be sure of your fish identifications before submitting a survey response.

Image: Wyoming Game and Fish

District News

Headquarters

Welcome

Justin Boling, Fuel Tax-Uniformity; Taryn Cline, Driver Services-Policy and Records; James Deines, Right of Way-Appraisals; Maria Henschel, Driver Services-Policy and Records; Justyn Hoadley, Equipment-Mechanics; Randy McCormack, Facilities Management-Building Maintenance; Andrew Nash, Office Services-Mailroom; Luke Rerucha, Motor Vehicle Services-Registration/Title; Willie Rhyne II, Motor Vehicle Services-Registration/Title; Cheryl Spagnol, Facilities Management-Custodial; Tracey Walker, Fuel Tax-Administration; Robert Wenger, Traffic; and Seth Wilkinson, Office Services-Mailroom.

Promotions and Transfers

Katherine Bradfield, Traffic-Administration; Hannah Jankovsky, Right of Way-Property Management; Tyler Matheney, Patrol-Safety and Training; Tiffany Romero, Aeronautics-Airports; Jordan Walla, Right of Way-Property Management.

Service Awards

Charles Bauer, Construction Staff –30 years;

Joshua Walther, Patrol-Operations – 20 years;

Duard Dilday III, Maintenance Staff – 15 years;

James Olsen, Port of Entry-Cheyenne US 85 – 10 years;

Brian Wyza, Emergency Communications-District 1 Radio Shop – 10 years;

Meghan Hecht, Driver Services-Policy and Records – 5 years;

Ming Jiang, Bridge-Engineering Design – 5 years; and

Tyson Rein, Patrol-Commercial Carrier – 5 years.

Retirements

Dennis Johnson, field data collection and lab analysis specialist in the bituminous section of the Materials Lab in Cheyenne, retired in April with 20 years of service to the state.

A few years after graduating from East High School in Cheyenne, Johnson spent eight years with the U.S. Navy. Johnson started with WYDOT in 2002, and spent his entire career with the Materials lab.

Debbie Jones, supervisor at the Driver Services policy and Records department in Cheyenne, retired in April with a little more than 25 years of service to the state.

Jones is from Greeley originally, but graduated from Central High School in Cheyenne. Through her career at WYDOT, she worked as a hearing and record review specialist, a trainer analyst, a help desk supervisor, and in the renewals department, among others.

Trooper Craig O’Dell, based out of Cheyenne, retired in April after 14 years of service to the state. O’Dell served with Troop O, which oversees security at the Capitol building and Governor’s mansion, among other tasks.

Luke Reiner retired as director of WYDOT in April after four years of service to the agency. As director, Reiner spent time prioritizing employee safety, recruitment and retention, and overall agency operational responsiveness and support. During his time as director, he also served as chair of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials Special Committee on Freight.

Before starting with WYDOT, Reiner retired as the Adjutant General for Wyoming. He was responsible for the Wyoming Military Department, the Wyoming Air and Army National Guard, the Wyoming Veterans’ Affairs Commission and the Oregon Trail State Veterans’ Cemetery.

Dale Roberts, equipment fabricator and mechanic based in Cheyenne, retired in April with 19 years of service to the state. Roberts first started with WYDOT in 2004 with the radio shop in Cheyenne, and also spent part of his career as a mechanic and in the rigging shop.

Walther

Jiang

Matheney

Olsen

Roberts

Reiner

O’Dell

Bauer

Hecht

Bradfield

Dilday

Rein

District 1

Welcome

Travis Casner, Cheyenne Traffic-Striping; and Jaxon Penfield, Traffic-Signing.

Promotions and Transfers

Timothy Arthur, Cheyenne Mechanics; Chad Bracken, Rawlins Patrol; Freddy Crosier, Arlington Maintenance; and Kyle Diffenbaugh, Cheyenne Construction.

Service Awards

Steven Cook, Laramie Construction –35 years; and Austin Barker, Patrol-Cheyenne – 5 years.

Noreen Schirmer, D1 District Clerk, is presented her one year medallion by DE Ralph Tarango.

Retirements

Frederick J. Dappen, a highway maintenance technician based out of Wheatland, retired in April after seven years of service to the state.

Congratulations

Recently, two Casper shop technicians passed their Fundamentals of Service tests. Logan Mason passed welding and administrative procedures. Andrew Mathison passed his rigging test to achieve master technician status.

Mike Chesnut, Medicine Bow Maintenance Foreman, 20 year service award, presented to him by D1 District Engineer Ralph Tarango, District Maintenance Engineer Tim Morton, and WYDOT interim Director Darin Westby.

Charles ‘Chuck’ Dunlap, Laramie Mechanics Shop Foreman, retired after 22 years. Dunlap was presented a metal sign for his service.

District 2 Welcome

Kjell Elisson, District 2 Administration; Emma Scott, Casper Construction; and Kevin Slone, Shirley Rim Maintenance.

Service Awards

Alan Cormier, District 2 Construction Staff – 40 years; Richard Underwood, District 2 Traffic Staff – 35 years;

Jeff Goetz, District 2 Administration – 15 years; and Lexi Bath, Port of Entry-Lusk – 5 years.

Shop technicians in Casper received their FOS certificates. Logan Mason on the left and Andrew Mathison on the right.

Mechanic Sam Keck, of Wheatland, was also awarded an FOS certificate for his accomplishment in administrative procedures to attain the level of master technician.

Briefs continued on page 26

Photo: WYDOT

Photo: WYDOT

Photo:

WYDOT

Photo: Terry Uhrich/WYDOT

Mechanic Sam Keck, of Wheatland, with his FOS certificates and master technician ball cap.

Photo: Terry Uhrich/WYDOT

Crosier

Penfield

Barker

Bracken

Casner

Cook

Underwood

Bath

Goetz

Dappen

Technician Zach Freouf with the Torrington WYDOT shop has passed four of the Fundamentals of Service tests –Engines, Electrical, Hydraulics and Power Trains.

District 3

Welcome

Michael Hines, Labarge Maintenance; Natasha Jensen, Driver Services-Rock Springs; and Indiana Rosewood, Patrick Draw Maintenance.

Promotions

and Transfers

Shawn Dunn, Traffic Afton-Striping; Brandon Deckert, Evanston Patrol.

Service Awards

Carl Eggleston, Afton Maintenance –20 years; Jennifer Hoffman, Kemmerer Construction – 20 years;

Zachary Keetch, Cokeville Maintenance – 10 years; and Timothy Johnson, Rock Springs Construction – 5 years.

Promotions and Transfers

Brian Blakeman, Sheridan Maintenance-Guardrail; Seth McKee, Sundance Mechanics; Nicholas Shoemaker, Newcastle Construction; and Louis Tegdesch, Sheridan Patrol.

Service Awards

Scott Keyworth, Sundance Mechanics –5 years.

District 4

Welcome

Kevin Ashton, Buffalo Construction; Gavin Bailey, Sheridan Traffic-Striping; Bram Harper, Sheridan Traffic-Striping; and Renee Schilling, Sundance Maintenance.

District 5

Welcome

Kevin Culp, Worland Maintenance.

Promotions and Transfers

Clinton Brower, Lander Maintenance;

Shop Technician Zach Freouf with four of his FOS test certificates.

Photo: Terry Uhrich/WYDOT

“A Little Wyoming History,” an informative frame found in the hallway of the Sundance shop.

Keetch Johnson

Dunn

Eggleston

Deckert

Rosewood Hoffman

Ashton

Harper

Blakeman

Shoemaker

Keyworth

Bailey

Schilling

McKee Tegdesch

Wiener

Carris

Kurasz

Joshua Carris, Worland Patrol; Kim Kurasz, Dubois Maintenance; Austin Nolan, Riverton Maintenance; Mark Wiener, Dubois Maintenance.

Service Awards

Thomas Scott, District 5 GIS/ITS – 25 years;

Kyle Heinrich, South Pass Maintenance – 5 years;

Christopher Hieb, Cody Mechanics –5 years; and

Ronda Nolting, Driver Services-Lander/Dubois/Riverton – 5 years.

Career Fair at Central Wyoming College in Riverton

District 5 put in effort at a career fair at Central Wyoming College in Riverton in May. Kari Davis, A&I Human Resources, and WYDOT Area Maintenance Supervisor Mike Hitshew put the event at the college together.

Hieb Scott

WYDOT vehicles – a striping truck, a light-duty pickup, and a plow truck made appearances at Central Wyoming College for their career fair.

Photo: District 5/WYDOT

Photo: District 5/WYDOT

A table with fun giveaways to those who stopped by to see what WYDOT had to offer.

Photo: District 5/WYDOT

Thanks, Driver Services!

There is a lady who works for WYDOT in Gillette and her name is Kayla. She is always so pleasent [sic] and nice and should be recognized for her hard work.

Lizzy via email

Wyoming Rest Areas are the tops

While driving from Laramie to Cheyenne via the long way, I stopped in Chugwater to use the rest stop. As I pulled my car into the lot, I had flashbacks to the last time I had visited a state run rest stop on the Nevada Utah border. That place was filthy and disgusting.

As I walked into your Chugwater facility, I was greeted by a very nice woman, Deb Lovett. The interior was immaculate and Mrs. Lovett is the epitome of the polished professional. The restroom was equally well maintained and I could tell that a lot of hard work has gone into making the Chugwater rest stop a shining example of Wyoming hospitality. I talked to a few other men while washing my hands and we all agreed that the Chugwater rest area is the best that any of us has seen. I congratulated Mrs. Lovett on the way out and asked if it was OK for me to send you a note so that you could perhaps formally recognize the good work that is being done at the Chugwater rest area. The great work being done by Mrs. Lovett and her associates reflects great credit upon her, her associates and the State of Wyoming. A hearty, Well done to all associated with the Chugwater rest stop!

Warm regards,

J. Tyler Ballance via email

Pothole concerns answered

I just wanted to follow up to an inquiry/concern from 4 weeks ago, on the I-80 Wyoming corridor. We have lived in Wyoming 40 years and have driven the roads many times, but had never experienced the road damage to I-80 like this year.

I had expressed concern for the coming summer travelers, including motorcycles, and smaller car safety, noting the size of some of the holes. We just traveled again across the state (Laramie to Utah and back) with a trailer. HUGE kudos to you and your team for getting I-80 in safe driving condition following this unforgiving winter!

I am sure you are always on top of road conditions, but it is amazing how much work has been done in such a short time to address these safety issues.

THANK YOU!

Chanda Ziegler via email

Steps Challenge

Passings

Arvid D. Myers

Arvid D. “Buz” Myers, 80, of Torrington, Wyoming passed away on April 26, 2023.

Myers was born in Alliance, Nebraska on Dec. 3, 1942 to Orval L. and Mildred Arletta (Dinkel) Myers. He grew up in the Hay Springs, Nebraska area on a farm about 10 miles from town. He was the middle child and he attended Sandridge Country School where a teacher nicknamed him “Buz” for talking all the time. Meyer graduated from Hay Springs High School in 1961 where he was active in FFA, as well as the basketball, track and baseball teams.

After high school, he attended the Rapid City Business School in Rapid City, South Dakota.

He married Marjorie Thorvaldson

Joseph F. Yovich

Joseph “Joe” Fred Yovich, 85, died peacefully at home surrounded by his wife and children on April 19 after a courageous battle with cancer.

Yovich was born the youngest of nine children in Rock Springs, Wyoming to Matt and Anna (Kralj) Yovich who had both emigrated from what is now known as Yugoslavia to the U.S. After his father’s passing when he was twelve, Yovich quit school sports and after-school activities to work at Ben’s Foodliner and support his family.

After high school, he fulfilled his dream of attending the University of Notre Dame and earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. He was active in the Army ROTC, and he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army.

on Feb. 14, 1974 in Rawlins. He was the father of four children: Kimberly, Jeffrey, Arvid Jr., and Mikala who were the joy of his life.

He began working at the Hay Springs Gambles store and eventually transferred to Rawlins, Wyoming in 1966. In 1967, he hired on with the Wyoming Highway Department, WYDOT’s predecessor agency, in the engineering section. Later, the WHD began downsizing so Meyer transferred to Maintenance and began working on the highways. He advanced through various classes and was certified to drive the state’s heavy equipment. In the fall of 1976, he was promoted to Maintenance foreman and moved to the Baggs area where he worked for 22 years.

In December 1999, Meyer moved to Sundance as the area maintenance supervisor overseeing Sundance, Moorcroft, and Hulett. He retired on Oct. 9, 2009, after 42 years of service with WYDOT.

After retiring from WYDOT, he was hired at the Sundance Golf Course as a grounds keeper where he worked for

three summers. Later, he hired on with the Croell Ranch outside of Sundance where he was able to do the farming for the ranch.

In 2016 while doing what he loved, working with livestock, and helping others on the ranch, through a series of normal yet unpredictable events, he sustained a traumatic brain injury that would change the course of his life forever.

He was an avid outdoors man who loved hunting, fishing, boating and camping. He always had a fishing trip planned and in the makings with his family, kids and friends.

Memorial Services will be held later this summer. Meyer’s wish was to have some of his ashes spread at the Little Snake River area where he enjoyed fishing. Final graveside services and inurnment will be at the Hay Springs, Nebraska cemetery.

His son and daughter-in-law, AJ and Ann Myers, currently work in IT. Our deepest sympathies to AJ and Ann and to all of his family and friends.

He served in Europe as a lieutenant in a combat engineering division during the depth of the Cold War. He was honorably discharged as a captain from the Army Corps of Engineers. He later attained a master’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Wyoming.

As professional engineer and professional land surveyor, he spent 37 years with the Wyoming Highway Department, WYDOT’s predecessor agency.

He began his career with the Agency as an engineer helper in 1959. Professional positions included resident engineer, district engineer, and leading of the University of Wyoming Design Squad, retiring in 1995. He returned for a short time as a temporary employee from May 1999-March 2000.

Joseph married his wife of 58 years, Sharon Waters Yovich, on August 22, 1964. The couple have six children and nine grandchildren.

The 28 years of his retirement were

the greatest years of his life. He traveled several times to visit relatives in Croatia, spent time traveling with friends and family and enjoyed golfing all over the country. During the winter months, he was known as “Alpine Joe” on the ski slopes, and in the summer, he was branded “Fairway Fred” on the golf course. He loved his family and delighted in visiting his children and spending time with his grandchildren, and a couple of adopted grandchildren.

The last few years of his life were spent battling cancer and the effects of the cancer treatments.

Yovich’s life was celebrated with a vigil service April 28 with a funeral Mass on April 29 at St. Paul’s Newman Center, Laramie. A private burial took place at the Cathedral of St. Mary columbarium in Cheyenne. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Meredith and Jeannie Ray Cancer Center or Laramie Hospice.

Myers Yovich

Food Truck Thursdays return to Headquarters

The Headquarters chapter of WTDEA has brought back the wildly popular Food Truck Thursday this summer. Beginning June 1, trucks will populate the WYDOT HQ parking lot between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.

June, July and August dates have been secured and the following vendors will be on campus with their tasty offerings:

June 1: Barrett Creek Coffee; G-Licious; Graffiti Cuisine; Jessie’s Trailer; Twisted Mad Cow; and WyoPhilly Wagon.

June 15: Barrett Creek Coffee; G-Licious; Graffiti Cuisine; and Ranch Eats.

June 29: Barrett Creek Coffee; G-Licious; Graffiti Cuisine; Jessie’s Trailer; Ranch Eats; and Stacy Cakes.

July 6: Barrett Creek Coffee; G-Licious; Graffiti Cuisine; and Ranch Eats.

July 27: Barrett Creek Coffee; G-Licious; Graffiti Cuisine; Sprosty’s Frostys; and Stacy Cakes.

WTDEA District Contacts

Headquarters

Justin Mordahl, President

Chelsey Lindsay, Vice President

Pam Fredrick, Treasurer

Audrey Hobbs, Secretary

District 1

Rich Barber, President; Laramie

Brandon Strannigan, Vice President; Saratoga

District 2

David Cullison, President; Casper

Zach Miller, Vice President; Douglas

Debbie Herbold, Secretary/Treasurer; Casper

District 3

Ty Jereb, President; Rock Springs

Michael Kennedy, Vice President; Afton

Christina Kindler, Treasurer; Rock Springs

District 4

Erik Brannigan, President; Sheridan

Laura Dalles, Vice President; Sheridan

Keri Griffith, Secretary; Sheridan

Paul Miller, Treasurer; Sheridan

District 5

Christa Hauser, President; South Pass

John Farr, Vice President; Lander

Cole Mosegard, Secretary/Treasurer; Basin

Aug. 10: Barrett Creek Coffee; G-Licious; Jessie’s Trailer; and Sprosty’s Frostys.

Aug. 24: Barrett Creek Coffee; G-Licious; and Twisted Mad Cow.

August 24 will be the final week and vendors are still being secured for this last week and all weeks throughout the summer. Vendors may change.

WTDEA would love to see you all out “picnicking” on campus on the Materials Lab lawn this summer with delicious food truck eats.

District 3 WTDEA Chapter invites you!

D3 WTDEA has worked with Lagoon, a family friendly amusement park, in Farmington, Utah, to offer special rates and discounts for WYDOT employees.

Please contact any of the District 3 WTDEA representatives for the special discount code from Lagoon. The discount cannot be sold, purchased or offered to anyone outside WYDOT. Those purchasing tickets may be asked to show proof of employment with WYDOT upon entering the park.

Check out the Lagoon website for more park details.

http://www.lagoonpark.com/what-to-do/rides-attractions

District 2 W TDEA GUN RAFFLE

2023 Winner!

The District 2 gun raffle was held March through May 18, the day of the drawing. Casper Construction’s Ed Reish was the winner of the Springfield Armory 10mm pistol with five magazines and a range bag.

All proceeds of the raffle went toward the District 2 Scholarship fund.

Go to Elitch Gardens with the Headquarters Chapter

A new season has arrived and Elitch Gardens in Denver is open once again. Headquarters Chapter has worked with the park to offer discount tickets for WYDOT employees and WTDEA members.

Please contact your WTDEA representative for more information and a web link to get you to the discount ticket page to purchase tickets and parking.

Please do not sell, or offer the discount to anyone outside WYDOT.

Check out the Elitch Gardens website for more park details. https://www.elitchgardens.com/

WTDEA State Board

June 7

VIRTUAL MEETING OPEN TO ALL EMPLOYEES

We believe deeply in the benefits that the WTDEA provides and are striving to keep this association relevant to our employee’s needs today. We need feedback and ideas from all levels of WYDOT employees to make this happen. Please join this virtual meeting to help WTDEA continue it’s mission.

WYOMING TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION

We are looking for employees to join us in our fellowship

You can become involved by signing up with your local District chapter, attending meetings, joining the board of officers and participating in planning events and fundraisers that can help keep all of our employees connected. The more members we have that are willing to step up – the further our mission can spread.

The WTDEA was founded in 1956 with a primary purpose of encouraging harmony, promoting employee morale and serving as a liaison between employees and staff.

From WYDOT employees’ ideas and suggestions, WTDEA has facilitated department policies and changes such as:

• Sick Leave Donations

• Military Leave

• Employee recognition programs

• Changes to hardhat policy

• WYDOT Employee Relief Fund

• Maintenance equipment safety upgrades

9 a.m. - 11 a.m.

There will be a random drawing held for a $50 gift card for attendees following the meeting

What WTDEA does:

• Coordinate with representatives across the state to plan events and programs that encourage teamwork and raise the morale for the employees of WYDOT.

• Manages the WYDOT Relief Fund. Processing applications and running fundraisers to keep the program going –including the WTDEA Calendars.

• Manages and holds fundraisers for the annual State Board scholarships available to WTDEA members statewide.

• AM/FM radios in equipment

• Mechanic tool allowance

• Employee’s Memorial

• Clothing allowance

We strive to maintain and improve morale in the department by hosting events to create an atmosphere of harmony and friendship among employees. We also promote fundraisers to maintain the WYDOT Employee Relief Fund, helping our employees in times of unexpected circumstances. We also hold fundraisers to fund WTDEA Scholarships awarded to undergraduate students throughout the state.

Contact Your District Chapter to Join Today

Are you paying too much for your auto loan? Refinance with WyHy Credit Union and enjoy a lower rate, lower payments, and more savings! For a limited time, we'll beat your rate by 1.00% APR* and give you 45 days without payments!

Why Refinance with WyHy Credit Union?

• Lower your monthly payments and save money

• Reduce your interest rate and pay off your loan faster

• Enjoy the friendly and personalized service of a local credit union that cares about you and your financial success

Don't miss out on this opportunity to save money on your auto loan. Apply now and start driving towards a better financial future with WyHy!

www.wyhy.org/NewRate

Answer

to