May 2016 Interchange by WYDOT

Interchange May 2016

Wyoming speeds up

Speed limits raised on 2,600 miles of highway

Letters

Outstanding customer service To whom it may concern: I would just like to send out a big thank you to one of your staff! Mr. Jeff Goetz went above and beyond for me during a recent snowstorm. I had called to ask if there might be an ETA on the opening of a certain highway. I had told him that I had booked a hotel room, but if I were to cancel, I had to do it before 2 p.m. Mr. Goetz kept my number and sent me a text message at 1:55 p.m. to let me know they were getting ready to open the road, so I was able to cancel my room and make it home. Just would like to thank Mr. Goetz for going above and beyond and helping a fellow Wyomingite out, it was greatly appreciated!

Sincerely, Travis Sweeney

Chugwater crew to the rescue I would like to drop you all a line and let you know what an awesome group of people you have working for you in Chugwater. Back in January, my friend and I were traveling from Cheyenne to Casper and, of course, we ran into some major winds. The wind grabbed the tonneau cover on her pickup and nearly ripped it off. Well, we managed to get the cover inside the truck, but our items in the back were in danger of being blown out – yikes! Long story short, I know – too late, we pulled off in Chugwater and asked the nice people there if they had some rope to tie down our items so they wouldn’t blow out. They tied it down for us and we were safely on our way again! Again, we thank you so much for your help!

Nina Condos

Way to go, WYDOT! Our roads are our connectors that knit our state together. I am filled with wonderment at the foresight of our forefathers to build these amazing roads in these impossible places. And it is also amazing how well WYDOT crews do in keeping them maintained and most of all open, in present day. Wyoming folks, per capita, drive their cars more miles than people in any other state. We always need to go long distances, and we rely on our roads being kept open and maintained. Well done, crews.

Excerpted from columnist Bill Sniffin’s March 27 column in the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle

WYOLink fits needs of users Larry (Sheridan), Having worked in the field with the State Engineer’s Office for 28 years now, and as a supervisor for 23 of those years, I have seen many good and many not so good changes come along. The conversion to the WYOLink radio system has proven to be one of the better changes I have witnessed over the years. The coverage is so much improved, reliability is excellent, and the response to service requests, etc. are very quick and effective. Having relied upon the old conventional system for many years, there was some hesitation to convert to the new digital radio network when it was proposed, but the benefits have been well worth it. My staff rely heavily upon this system in some of the most remote locations in the state and the safety factor alone, with having the coverage we do, should be enough to sway anyone considering the move to the WYOLink system. So many features are available to us through this system such as private talkgroups, selective scanning and unique code plug setups that this system fits very well with all of our needs.

Interchange

Vol. 44, Issue 5

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

Staff WYDOT Director: William T. Panos

Public Affairs Manager: Doug McGee

Editor: Carlie Van Winkle

Contributors: Aimee Inama Dave Kingham Carlie Van Winkle Ross Doman Jeff Goetz Stephanie Harsha Ronda Holwell Cody Beers Sgt. David Wagener

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

Photography: Rick Carpenter

Public Affairs

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

Loren Smith, Superintendent Water Division III Wyoming State Engineer’s Office

Letters continued on page 4

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a n

May 2016

DOT publication

Contents

Features 7 Higher speed limit on 30 highways More than 2,600 miles of road to see 70 mph limit

8 District 2 construction overview Mild weather springs projects into action

9 Lusk bridge construction New, permanent structure replaces temporary bridge

10 Budget Program Builds, manages departmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual budget

Also in this issue Letters.........................................................................................2 District briefs.............................................................................4 By the Numbers.......................................................................6 Noteworthy..............................................................................12 TechNotes................................................................................14

Training.....................................................................................15 District news...........................................................................16 Passings................................................................................... 20 Awards......................................................................................21 Extra Mile Awards..................................................................21 Break Time.............................................................................. 23 On the cover:

WYDOT District 4 sign technician Jim Adamson installing a 70 mph speed limit sign overlay. Photo: Mark Baumgartner, District 4 sign crew.

Kindly recycle this publication after reading. May 2016

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Letters

Letters continued from page 2

Subject matter expert training helps local first responder agencies Crew 1033 – WYDOT guardrail crew: This letter is to show our sincere appreciation for providing us a unique and vital training opportunity at the hands of WYDOT’s finest team of guardrail experts. We are impressed with the dedication to their skills and professionalism, as they were willing to host an outstanding class for Laramie County Fire District 1, Fire District 2, and Cheyenne City Fire Rescue firefighters on a Saturday so as to align with the best schedulable date for the firefighters possible. Your two-hour course and the photo media provided will enhance our training for years to come. As first responders to I-80 and I-25 accidents, we are extremely grateful for the increased knowledge of risks present when working around the guardrails within our jurisdiction. We are also thankful for the increased knowledge in how to minimize the cost to the Wyoming Department of Transportation in repairing cable barriers when we must de-tension them to operate safely and effectively on the scene of an emergency. We also appreciate the opportunity to further extend our relationship with the Wyoming Department of Transportation. As a majority of our vehicle accidents take place on the interstates within our jurisdictions, we find great comfort in knowing that WYDOT and its professionals are available to provide on-scene control of traffic to protect the emergency responders and victims.

Thank you. Laramie County Fire District 1

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May 2016

District Briefs Transportation Commission awards $24 million in projects at April meeting

Cheyenne – The Wyoming Transportation Commission awarded a total of $24 million in contracts for road reconstruction, bridge rehabilitation, sign replacement and other various work during its meeting in April. The commission awarded contracts for 12 projects throughout the state, including one which will be funded through increased fuel tax revenue. Reiman Corp. of Cheyenne won the largest contract with a low bid of $10.4 million to reconstruct and add shoulders to 6.35 miles of road and replace two bridges along WYO 193 near Story in Johnson and Sheridan counties. For the road work, WYDOT will do grading, draining, milling and paving work. The bridges are being replaced within that section of road because of their age and condition. During construction, WYDOT will be using flaggers and pilot cars. The project is expected to be completed by Oct. 31, 2017. Oftedal Construction Inc. of Casper was the low bidder on a $3.8 million project north of Cody that involves leveling and chip sealing on 13.32 miles of WYO 296 on the Chief Joseph Scenic Highway and repairing the Pat O’Hara bridge on WYO 296. Crews will also do pavement rehabilitation and slide repair work in Paint Creek Canyon on WYO 296. At the Pat O’Hara bridge and the slide area, traffic will be down to one lane. WYDOT will have flaggers and temporary traffic signals in place, and motorists may experience delays of up to 20 minutes when traveling through parts of the construction zone. The project is being paid for with 10-cent fuel-tax revenue, and is expected to be completed by June 30, 2017. Modern Electric of Casper won a $2.6 million contract for the installation of variable message signs, guardrails and

lights. The variable message signs will be installed on I-25 and US 26 between Wheatland and Dwyer Junction. Crews will also install tower lighting at the Orin Junction rest area on I-25 south of Douglas and at the Cheyenne River rest area north of Douglas. The contract completion date is Sept. 30, 2017. Simon Contractors of Cheyenne came in as the low bidder on a $2.4 million project in Laramie. The project will consist of 0.71 miles of new road being installed that will tie in Boulder Street and Bill Nye Avenue. Crews will install curbs, gutters, sidewalks, bicycle paths, median islands and street lights on the new section. The work is part of a city of Laramie project, and is being paid for with federal funds. As a result, WYDOT has oversight over the project and has completed the design work and is doing the contract management. The project is expected to be completed by July 31, 2017. Cannon Builders Inc. of Blackfoot, Idaho, won a $1.7 million contract for bridge work near Lyman before the Bridger Valley Interchange on I-80. The work will include bridge rehabilitation and structure repair stemming from a pothole on the bridge that can’t be fixed. Crews will install a new deck and perform approach slab work. The work will impact the eastbound lanes. Eastbound traffic will be diverted to the westbound lanes, with one lane open for westbound and one for eastbound traffic. The project is expected to be completed Oct. 21, 2016. Streamline Markings Inc. of Billings, Mont., will install epoxy striping on various roads in Albany, Campbell, Laramie, Sheridan, Sublette, Sweetwater, Teton and Uinta counties after winning the contract with a low bid of $1.2 million. Crews will grind off the old epoxy and add the new one. Epoxy striping, which is known for its durability, is combined with reflective beads to make the markings more noticeable. Also awarded by the commission were contracts for: n $982,581 to K’s Construction Inc. of Powell for guardrail replacement work on 4.34 miles of WYO 120 between Meeteetse and Cody by Oct. 31; n $416,180 to Simon Contractors of

Cheyenne for repairs to a bridge on

n $238,523 to B & F Enterprises of Hud-

son for the installation of new fence along 7.75 miles of US 191 south of Rock Springs by Oct. 31;

n $217,820 to S & L Industrial of Cowley

for the replacement of about 96 logo traffic signs, which tell travelers where food, gas and lodging is, in various locations in Campbell, Converse, Crook, Johnson, Laramie, Natrona, Platte and Sheridan counties by Oct. 31;

n $187,255 to A & H Co. of Ironton,

Minn., for the installation of delineators, which are guides that tell motorists where the road ends, on about 75 miles of highway in various sections of southeast Wyoming by Oct. 31.

n $151,015 to Modern Electric Co. of

Casper for the installation of a pedestrian walkway on Coffeen Avenue (US 87 Business), and lighting at the US 14 interchange off I-90 in Sheridan by Oct. 15.

Repairs on Rock Springs bridge underway; bridge closed for safety Rock Springs – Work on the bridge over the Union Pacific Railroad tracks next to Rock Springs High School on the WYO 376 Belt Loop is underway. In an effort to maintain access and mobility, WYDOT and contract crews had set up two, narrow 9-foot lanes for two-way traffic over the bridge. However, this traffic control configuration created some issues for roadside workers and larger vehicles, such as buses and trucks. “Larger vehicles, like tractor trailers, buses and even some pickup trucks, were finding it difficult to drive through the project with the narrow lane width,” WYDOT Public Involvement Specialist Stephanie Harsha said. The area restrictions needed to safely complete the construction work did not allow any expansion on the lane widths.

So, due to the protections of the roadside construction workers and the safety of the vehicles traveling through the project, the decision was made to close the bridge for the duration of the work. The closure began April 12. Variable message signs were placed on popular routes near the work to notify motorists and commuters of the closures. WYDOT is asking that commuters to Rock Springs High School and the surrounding businesses plan accordingly for the closure and remember to detour around the bridge. Work on the bridge was originally scheduled to taper off in June as crews geared up for work on the other two bridges on WYO 376 Belt Loop, but with the closure, the work may be completed sooner. Work on the two other bridges will not begin until traffic is moving on the Rock Springs High School bridge. Work on the two bridges that connect Dewar Drive and Blair Avenue near Chopstix and AutoZone will follow the completion of the high school bridge. Due to the nature of the work on these two bridges, both bridges will be completely closed to traffic during the course of work. WYDOT has set a 60-calendarday window for the closure. The contract was awarded to Reiman Corp., in September 2015, for $1.5 million. WYDOT has set a completion date for the project at the end of October this year.

Green River streets project underway Green River – WYDOT and contract crews from Lewis & Lewis Inc. began work on the Green River Streets Project April 25. Work has started on East Teton Boulevard and West Teton simultaneously and will continue through May. Contract crews are scheduled to begin work on Hitching Post at the beginning of June. Crews hope to have traffic moving on West Teton Boulevard before beginning work on Hitching Post. The work includes milling of the old pavement and replacing it with new pavement, as well as constructing new curb and gutter, meeting federal Americans with Disabilities Act standards. The new streets will remain in their existing alignment throughout the project.

As work begins on each of the streets, the work area will be closed to through traffic. Local traffic and residents will still have access to the area. The contract was awarded to Lewis & Lewis Inc. of Rock Springs for $2.7 million dollars. The completion date for this work is June 30, 2017.

Graphic: Carlie Van Winkle

I-90 over WYO 59 near Gillette that includes girder and other minor repairs by July 31;

Vehicle Pursuit in Weston County Newcastle – A vehicle pursuit in northeast Wyoming on April 11 resulted in the arrest of a Bismarck, N.D., man. The pursuit began after a Wyoming state trooper attempted to stop a northbound red 2004 Toyota passenger car for speeding 84 mph in a 70 mph zone on US 85, south of Newcastle. The Toyota failed to stop for the trooper with speeds increasing up to 105 mph. Four miles into the pursuit near mile post 225 on US 85, the driver of the Toyota intentionally swerved off the highway causing the Toyota to roll multiple times. The 22-year-old driver was taken by ambulance to Weston County Health Services in Newcastle and treated for injuries sustained from the crash. Through the course of the investigation it was discovered that the driver had been listed as a missing person on April 8 by the Bismarck Police Department. After treatment, the driver was booked into the Weston County Detention Center and was charged with speeding, eluding and reckless driving.

Briefs continued on page 6 May 2016

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WYO 32 highway and bridge improvements underway Lovell – A 7.3-mile highway and bridge improvement project is underway on WYO 32 near Lovell. The $2.4 million project begins at WYO 32’s intersection with WYO 295 southeast of Powell, and continues 7.3 miles toward Lovell. It includes bridge work at Whistle Creek and Lovell Canal. Traffic impacts will be minimal, with up to five-minute delays expected, according to WYDOT Resident Engineer Michael Miller of Basin. During bridge work, a 10-foot width restriction will be in effect across the Whistle Creek and Lovell Canal bridges. Project work includes slope flattening, pipe extensions, bridge rehabilitation, frost-heave repair, an asphalt overlay and a chip seal finish. Prime contractor is H-K Contractors Inc. of Idaho Falls, Idaho. The Wyoming Transportation Commission awarded H-K the contract in January. Contract completion date is June 30, 2017.

Improvements underway on US 310/WYO 789

Interchange

May 2016

Lander – WHP troopers who work on the Wind River Reservation completed the “Criminal Justice in Indian Country” course this spring. The course is designed to certify law enforcement officers through the Bureau of Indian Affairs, allowing them to enforce tribal and federal laws using special law enforcement commissions and a deputation agreement. The course was the last piece of a large commitment of time and money for the Wyoming Highway Patrol, according to Lt. Lee Pence of Lander. “This underscores the importance the Wyoming Highway Patrol places as a partner in safety on the Wind River Reservation. “Our main goals are to remove impaired drivers from the road, improve occupant restraint use, work on public safety events and assist the Wind River Police Department,” Pence said. “This will help us build on the great relationship we have with the Wind River Police Department and members of the tribal community.” Two of the public safety tools the agencies want to partner on in the near future are an Alive at 25 class and child passenger seat training. “It’s really about getting our youth on the right path and keeping them safe,” Pence said. “There are too many serious injury and fatal vehicle crashes on the reservation, and we hope to help change that.” n

le Afte c y

ading! Re

Highway troopers complete ‘Indian Country’ training

Greybull – A $1.43 million highway improvement project has started on five miles of US 310/WYO 789 between Greybull and Lovell. The Dry Creek project includes grading, pipe extensions, asphalt milling and an asphalt overlay and chip seal, according to Michael Miller, WYDOT resident engineer in Basin. The project is between mileposts 211 and 216 on US 310/WYO 789. The project begins about 2 miles north of the US 310/WYO 789 and US 14-16-20 intersection, west of Greybull. Prime contractor Mountain Construction Co., of Lovell is currently extending pipes and removing delineator posts. Mountain Construction Co., was awarded the Dry Creek project on Feb. 18

by the Wyoming Transportation Commission. Contract completion date is Oct. 31.

ease Re c Pl

Briefs continued from page 5

Total number of employees: as of April 12, 2016

1,951

One month ago

1,977

One year ago

1,979

WHP Total number of highway fatalities: as of April 22, 2016

one year ago

Move to 70 mph speed limit proceeding ahead of schedule

n US 191 between Rock Springs and the Bridger-Teton National

Installing 70 mph overlays on speed limit signs progressed faster than expected in April, and Chief Engineer Gregg Fredrick said he expects the total mileage moved to the higher limit to reach about 3,500 miles by the end of May. As of April 22, WYDOT crews had signed more that 2,600 miles of highway for the new statutory speed limit set by the 2016 Legislature. WYDOT’s 511 Travel Information Service map is being updated to show the new 70 mph highways as sign installation is completed on each new section. During the transition to the new limit, WYDOT sign technician Larry Stanger installdrivers were cauing a 70 mph speed limit sign overlay on US 20-26 between Shoshoni and Casper. tioned to continue to comply with the posted speed limit on all highways. Exempted from the new limit are highways through urban and residential areas, school zones and anywhere special hazards exist. Director Bill Panos emphasized that WYDOT is keeping safety in mind as it complies with the new law. “We’re confident that the segments that we are posting from 65 to 70 are safe, but we need to keep a close eye on those,” Panos said. “If we find that for some reason that it needs to be lowered back down we would do that. We will make sure that it’s as safe as possible for the driving public.” Highway sections moved to the 70 mph limit since the new law took effect include: n US 20-26 between Casper and Shoshoni;

n WYO 789 from Creston Junction to Baggs;

n WYO 59 between Douglas and the Montana border; n US 287 from south of Laramie to the Colorado border; n US 85 from north of Cheyenne to Newcastle; n US 30-287 between Laramie and Walcott Junction; n US 287/WYO 789 from Rawlins to WYO 28 south of Lander; n US 287 from Fort Washakie to southeast of Dubois; n US 26 between Riverton and Diversion Dam Junction; n WYO 220 from Muddy Gap to its junction with WYO 487; n US 189 from I-80 to Daniel Junction;

Forest boundary;

n WYO 450 between Newcastle and Wright; n WYO 789 between Lander and Riverton; n US 16/14-16 between Buffalo and Gillette; n WYO 50 from Gillette to Pine Tree Junction; n WYO 120 from Thermopolis to the Montana border; n US 14-16-20 from about 4 miles east of Cody to Greybull; n US 14-16-20 between Cody and the Shoshone National Forest

boundary;

n WYO 130-230 from Walcott Junction to the Colorado border; n WYO 487 from Medicine Bow to WYO 220 southwest of

Casper;

n WYO 89 from US 30 to the Idaho border; n US 30 from I-80 at Granger Junction to the Idaho border; n WYO 28 from WYO 372 to US 287; n WYO 530 from Green River to the Utah border; n WYO 372 from the I-80 La Barge Interchange to Fontenelle; Photo: WYDOT

n WYO 387 from Wright to I-25 west of Midwest; n WYO 259 from I-25 to Midwest; n WYO 135 from Riverton to Sweetwater Station; n WYO 112 from Hulett to the Montana border; n WYO 114 from Garland to US 316; n WYO 37 northeast of Lovell n WYO 431 between WYO 433 and WYO 120; n WYO 290 southwest of Meeteetse; n WYO 32 from US 14 to WYO 295; n US 310-789 from US 14A to the Montana border; n WYO 34 northeast of Bosler; n WYO 136 in Fremont County n WYO 133 from US 26-287 to Pavillion; n WYO 134 from WYO 133 to US 26; n US 16-20 between Worland and Basin; n WYO 294 between US 14A and WYO 120 in Park County; n WYO 585 between Four Corners and Sundance; n I-90 frontage road from Sundance to South Dakota border; n WYO 111 between I-90 and Aladdin; n WYO 51 between Moorcroft and American Road; n US 18 from Mule Creek Junction to the South Dakota border; n US 16 between Moorcroft and Newcastle; n WYO 116 from Upton to WYO 450; n WYO 213 from Burns to US 85; and n WYO 434 between Ten Sleep and Big Trails. n

May 2016

Interchange

Mild weather springs District 2 projects into action by Jeff Goetz, District 2 Public Involvement Specialist The mild weather of first few months of 2016 has allowed several projects to get underway around Casper and District 2. There are notable projects affecting the district this season. High-profile projects such as the WYO 59 and US 20-26 passing lane additions, and the replacement of the washed-out US 85 bridge in Lusk join the repaving of a portion of Interstate 25 through Casper as three of the most visible projects within District 2. Each of this year’s projects keeps the focus on investment preservation addressing maintenance of the district’s roads and bridges. I-25 through Casper will continue to see improvement as the northbound lanes from roughly Poplar Street to Wardwell Interchange are reconstructed. Additionally, there is project to replace expansion joints on the bridge over the North Platte River and crews will be replacing a bridge girder on the Poplar Street bridge damaged by a crash last summer. Coupled with a project to resurface a portion of the US 20-26 Spur (Shoshoni Bypass) near its southwestern terminus, once completed, drivers will see essentially new pavement from downtown Casper through the bypass west to US 20-26 at its junction with WYO 257. Farther west on US 20-26, crews will chip seal approximately 30 miles of the highway between Casper and Shoshoni. This work carries into District 5, which will chip seal areas between Shoshoni and Riverton, and WYO 789 between Riverton and Lander.

Douglas

Work to add passing lanes to WYO 59 will commence this season in both Converse and Campbell counties. This first phase of adding passing lanes begins about 6 miles north of Bill, at milepost 42.9 and end in Campbell County at milepost 70.3. The passing lanes average just over 1.5 miles each. They will be located northbound beginning near the Cheyenne River Rest area at milepost 44.5. Passing lanes will be added at mileposts 51.5, 58.5 and 65.6 for northbound traffic and at 50.2, 63.2 and 70.3 for southbound traffic. The passing lanes are scheduled to be open by the end of October. Crews will also apply a microsurface application to 6.8 miles of the highway just south of Bill. Last summer, five turn lanes were added to WYO 59 from Douglas north and a center turn lane was added in Bill.

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May 2016

Photos: Jeff Goetz

Casper area

Top: View of bridge rehabilitation work on I-25 in Casper over the Shoshoni Bypass. Above: I-25 northbound. Traffic control at the convergence of I-25 and Poplar Street at the Shoshoni Bypass.

Wheatland

In the Wheatland area the second phase of the reconstruction of 3.32 miles of I-25 near El Rancho Road in Platte County is well underway. The job encompasses the southbound lanes between milepost 94 and 97.5. It’s the partner project to the rebuilding of the northbound lanes completed in 2015. Traffic control was set in early April. Much of the grading for the project has been completed. Currently, the contractor is working around Spring Creek in preparation for the replacement of that bridge; one of two that will be replaced. The old road surface is also being removed. This project is set to be completed in June 2017. A microsurface application will take place on I-25 between mileposts 30.8 – 47.84 in Platte County. And farther south, resurfacing work will take place on the interstate from milepost 16.4 northward for 7.5 miles. This job includes bridge rehabilitation work and is expected to be completed the end of October. n

Photos courtesy of Jeff Goetz

Temporary gives way to permanent as Lusk bridge construction begins by Jeff Goetz, District 2 Public Involvement Specialist For those traveling US 85 from Cheyenne to Newcastle and beyond, a trip through Lusk during the fall and winter involved driving across a temporary bridge over railroad tracks and the Niobrara River. As winter turns to spring, a new span is emerging, replacing the permanent structure washed away during a 2015 flood. A June 4, 2015 storm sent a torrent of water down the river flooding houses and buildings from Manville to Lusk, taking the bridge with it. A detour was quickly established and WYDOT crews went to work erecting its Acrow Corporation of America portable bridge. Through the summer, the bridge grew to span the nearly 200 feet needed to cross the tracks. The temporary bridge opened to traffic July 31. Last year, Cheyenne’s Reiman Corp. won the contract to repair the approaches and build a new bridge. Work began mid-February. The first objective was to remove the Acrow bridge and dismantle it. That portion has been completed. The approaches to the bridge use mechanically stabilized earth walls, stabilized by prefabricated concrete wall panels. New panels were cast and are currently being installed replacing ones destroyed by the flood. The panels are bound together by steel bands, one on either side of the bridge. The area in between the wall is then filled with dirt. When filled and compacted, this combination comprises the bridge’s walls, giving the structure strength while allowing an approach at the grade necessary for the bridge to clear the railroad tracks. Wyoming Transportation Commissioner for District 6 Mike Larson noted the swiftness of the project from start to finish and its impact. “It’s been impressive. Once Reiman won the contract, they got in there right away, and have really made tremendous progress,” Larson, who is also a resident of Lusk, said. “Getting this done in a timely manner; that really makes the community feel better. They can see the progress and our commitment to opening the new bridge as soon as possible.” The new US 85 bridge at Lusk is set to open to traffic by the end of July. n Counter-clockwise from top right: 1) Bridge wall panels on south side of bridge abutment. The panels are banded together with ones on the opposite wall then packed with dirt giving the walls strength. 2) The panels are lifted by a crane and set into place on the wall. 3) Southeast side of the bridge abutment. 4) Lowering bridge panels into place on the bridge’s north side.

May 2016

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Budget Program builds, manages department’s annual budget

by Dave Kingham

WYDOT’s Budget Program helps put together and manage the department’s operating budget, which totals $610.7 million for the current fiscal year that runs through Sept. 30, 2017. Budget Officer Rodney Freier Jr. and his 10-member team strive to have the budget completed by the end of August each year in preparation for presenting it to the Wyoming Transportation Commission for approval in September. Freier has been with WYDOT for 14 years and Freier became the budget officer in 2014. Assisting him in building the budget are Troy Loos, Caryn Erickson and Joe Mikesell. Loos is the senior budget analyst for the portion of the department’s budget that is funded through the Legislature. “Troy does the legislative budgets every two years,” Freier said. “He also puts together the supplemental budget requests that go to the Legislature on the odd numbered years, so those will go down in February 2017.” Erickson is the senior budget analyst for the portion of the budget overseen by the Transportation Commission. She also runs the “build your own budget” sessions the program conducts in each of the five operating districts and for the Headquarters programs every year.

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May 2016

Photo: Rick Carpenter

Mikesell works with the Project Development and Project salary. If you have vacancies you have to budget for them.” Delivery programs to determine where the funding will come The five-year federal transportation funding bill approved in from for each of the department’s construction projects. December has made the Budget Program’s job easier, because for About $505 million of the current budget falls under the comthe first time in six years federal funding levels will be known for mission budget, including all the federal construction funding. more than just a few months at a time. The remaining $105 million falls under the legislative budget, in“The federal government gives us our apportionments every cluding funding for the Highway Patrol, and the Driver Services year, and then they give us limited obligation authority,” Freier and Motor Vehicle Services programs. explained. “The continuing resolutions only gave us a little bit of Federal funding of nearly $273 million accounts for about 45 the obligation authority, so it’s hard to plan exactly what projpercent of the department’s revenue for the current budget. In ects you’re going to put the obligations on. When we get our full addition to construction projects, it funds airport improvements, apportionment and our full obligation authority for the year, we transit programs, highway safety campaigns and other grant can manage the process better from beginning to end throughout programs. the entire year.” About 20 percent of the department’s revPredicting how much revenue the enues come from state fuel tax collections, department will have available from vari11 percent from vehicle registration fees, ous sources in the future also is part of the 11 percent from federal mineral royalties, 6 Budget Program’s job. percent from state general funds, 2 percent “This is the time of the year that we do from vehicle fees such as overweight load the revenue estimates, and we are in the propermits, 1 percent from mineral severance cess of doing that,” Freier said. “It looks like taxes and 0.7 percent from driver license revenues are going to be flat, or if anything, fees. down a little.” The process of developing budgets for WYDOT’s share of the federal mineral Headquarters programs begins with meet- Each year, the Operating Budget is assembled royalties the state receives is capped at $200 ings with the program managers and staff. into a bound edition by Rhonda Deleeuw in million, so even if the total amount of royalManagement Services. “We schedule time over in the Qwest ties the state receives goes down, WYDOT’s Building and everybody comes over and share could remain consistent. sits down and we help them get started on building their budget, “There are reports out there, the Consensus Revenue Estimatanswer their questions and give them a feel for the system,” Freier ing Group is out there, and we can look at what they are projectsaid. “Once they get going and are happy, they go back to their ing, but the formula is $200 million and I would expect that we office and finish building their budget.” will continue to get that amount,” Freier said. Budget Program staff under Projects Supervisor Kim Lamb The Legislature cut WYDOT’s standard general fund budget set up all of the project budgets for the department. Nicole Klasby $10 million this year to $36 million. sen sets up the construction projects and Chelsey Lindsay works “What we understand is when the budget talks start for 2019 with other programs on the grants WYDOT administers, includand 2020, our standard budget will be $36 million, so we did lose ing airport improvement, highway safety and federal transit. $10 million this year in what they did,” Freier said. “Anything The staff also processes all payments for contractors and other could change between now and budgeting time for 2019 and vendors. 2020, we don’t know.” “They come through Mary Ann Furtney’s desk,” Freier said. The program also estimates fuel tax revenues for a decade or “She makes sure everything looks good, the charges are correct, more into the future, and provides estimates for collections durthe dollars are correct, and then she hands it off to Jamie Romo ing the upcoming four budget years to cities and counties to give to process that payment. The resident engineers say here’s the them an idea of what their share of the collections will be. invoice, get these people paid. We do the data entry to get the “The estimates for motor fuel usage are largely made from hischeck out the door.” tory and the coded method, which is a statistical analysis repreMaintenance project budgets also are set up every year, based sentation,” Freier said. “It’s a model that uses a weighted average on amounts approved in the operating budget, along with budof historical consumption and forecasts the future use.” gets for training, engineering work and damage repair projects. Similar models are used to forecast revenue from driver liRegular maintenance, such as snow plowing, striping and cense and vehicle registration fees, and those projections are used mowing, is paid for with state funds, at a rate of about $100 milto help build the department’s budget. lion a year. The money can come from the state fuel tax, state Because the Legislature swapped some of WYDOT’s state mineral severance taxes or the department’s share of federal funding for the next two fiscal years with Abandoned Mine Land mineral royalties. funds the state has received, the department will have to invoice When it comes to building a budget, Freier said his office’s the state Department of Environmental Quality to get that money guidance to the districts and programs is to budget for whatever to pay for regular maintenance and construction projects. their needs are. Mikesell will be in charge of making sure all the AML money “Then we’ll do our revenue estimates and we’ll balance the is accounted for and obligated on projects. budget, which is going to mean those things that can’t be apThe Budget Program works closely with Executive Staff and proved are going to get cut to balance the budget,” he said. “They all the WYDOT programs to efficiently manage the agency’s restart with labor, and then they build whatever else their need is. sources, and works hard to address funding and other challenges We say this is how many positions are in your group, here’s their as they arise throughout the year. n May 2016

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Noteworthy

Wyoming creates web-based job pipeline to help displaced energy workers Wyoming has created a job pipeline to help energy sector workers who have lost their jobs connect with employers. The web application will let workers complete an online form that connects them with employers. The service is available on the Wyoming Department of Transportation, University of Wyoming, Wyoming School Facilities Department, Wyoming Department of Workforce Services, Wyoming Capitol Square Project or Department of Administration and Information websites. Employers can access the information through the Wyoming Contractors Association, Wyoming Truckers Association or Wyoming Construction Coalition. “This is an excellent way for employees to link up with jobs in the construction community,” said WYDOT Director Bill Panos. The service is an additional way to help the more than 2,400 displaced workers. It is one of several ways the private employers and state agencies are working to help those who have been laid off. Private companies and more than a dozen state agencies are offering other services including resource centers, direct recruitment opportunities, small business support and other job-placement efforts. The electronic form submits basic contact information – name, address, phone number and email address – for workers. Employees can enter their experience in heavy equipment operation, truck driving, mechanic, maintenance/labor, carpenter, electrician, ironworker, mason, mobile crane operator, pipefitter, plumber, sheet metal worker, welder, insulator, concrete finisher, HVAC, truck driving – CDL or other. “It takes about five minutes to complete, and your information will be available to employers across the state,” Panos said. Employers can search for a worker based on knowledge and experience, by city or they can view all results. Currently, more than 200 contractors and trucking companies may be hiring. Employers that find a match will have access to worker contact information and can make a direct contact. n

Construction Jobs Fact Sheet

n Wyoming created a jobs pipeline to match displaced energy sector workers with potential employers. n The web-based service lets job seekers fill out basic contact and skill information that employers can search for a match. n The new service can help the more than 2,400 displaced Wyoming workers. n Workers and employers have access. The links are provided on several websites. n Workers can access the service through the Wyoming Department of Transportation, University of Wyoming, Wyoming School Facilities Department, Wyoming Department of Workforce Services, Wyoming Capitol Square Project or Department of Administration and Information websites. n Employers can access the service through the Wyoming Contractors Association, Wyoming Truckers Association or the Wyoming Construction Coalition websites. n

click it or ticket. no excuses. 12

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May 2016

Noteworthy 2016 National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week

by Sgt. David Wagener, WHP As National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (April 10th – 16th) drew to an end, the Wyoming Highway Patrol recognized the critical role public safety dispatchers play in protecting and serving the citizens and guests of Wyoming. WHP dispatchers not only keep troopers safe, but also handle dispatching duties for Wyoming Game and Fish, State Parks, Brand Inspectors, Wyoming Outfitter’s Board as well the Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service. WHP dispatchers work 24 / 7, 365 days a year and are the first line to providing emergency response to any situation. In 2015, the WHP Dispatch Center handled 207,399 events. The number of events pale in comparison to the actual number of phone calls

Fremont County participates in “Zero Deaths, Zero DUIs” by Cody Beers, District 5 Public Involvement Specialist As part of the county-wide, multi-agency seat belt and DWUI enforcement operation “Zero Deaths, Zero DUIs” over the St. Patrick’s Day weekend, Fremont County law enforcement arrested four drunk drivers March 17-19. During the three-day operation, area law enforcement made 325 traffic stops, issued 80 speeding citations, eight seat-belt citations, one child restraint citation, 80 other citations and issued 213 warnings. There were no traffic fatalities or injury crashes reported over the weekend. The purpose of the enhanced enforcement operation was to educate drivers about DUI laws and to remind people it’s never safe to drive impaired. Law enforcement looks to reinforce the importance of wearing seat belts and to enforce the state’s zerotolerance stance toward impaired driving. Agencies staffing the Fremont County operation included the

that came in to the dispatch center. Capt. Troy McLees, WHP communications officer, recognized the agency dispatchers by stating, “The Wyoming Highway Patrol dispatchers are the most hardworking folks that you will find in the Wyoming Highway Patrol behind a microphone or telephone. They handle several calls a day with people needing assistance or help. This year has been special. Our dispatchers have endured several back to back winter storms and they handled every call for service with diligence and empathy. “The key to highway safety starts with the unseen dispatcher and it is my pleasure to recognize the WHP dispatchers and know that I am very proud of the job they do and the lives they save.” The WHP Communication Center thanks all of the fellow communication centers around the state and those in states that border Wyoming. The partnership with all of these dispatch centers is very important and the WHP is thankful for the all of the help and teamwork they provide to increase public safety in Wyoming. n

Wyoming Highway Patrol, Lander Police Department, Fremont County Sheriff ’s Office, Riverton Police Department, Shoshoni Police Department, Wyoming State park rangers and the Wind River Police Department. Partners in the “Zero Deaths, Zero DUIs” campaign include Injury Prevention Resources and the WYDOT. According to the Wyoming Highway Patrol, there had been 10 fatalities on Wyoming roads as of March 23. (The number has since increased to 13 as of April 21.) At least seven of the 10 people who died in 2016 on Wyoming roads were not wearing their seat belts. At least four people who died this year were involved in alcohol/drug related crashes, and five died due to speed-related crashes. Five of the 10 people who died were men, while five were women. Three of the deaths in 2016 have involved drivers under age 21. Funding for the impaired driving, seat-belt campaign was made possible through a federal grant secured by WYDOT’s Highway Safety Office. n

May 2016

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TechNotes

WYDOT upgrades to IE 11; plans upgrade to Windows 10 WYDOT employees will soon see some enhancements to their computers. The state’s Enterprise Technology Services program already upgraded employees’ computers from Internet Explorer 8 to 11 and will work on upgrading computers to Windows 10 over the next few years. ETS switched from IE 8 to 11 through an automatic update that applied to employees’ computers after several restarts. WYDOT decided to go with IE 11 after migrating the ERP system to a new version. ERP previously only supported IE 8, but the new version can now be supported on Firefox, said A.J. Myers, applications support manager. “There really isn’t much of a difference between IE 8 and 11 in terms of usability,” Myers said. IE 11, however, addresses security issues, which is why the state decided to upgrade to the new browser. For Windows 10, WYDOT will be pushing out the new operating system when employees from a program are scheduled for a computer replacement. Currently, employees use Windows 7. “We’re going to select one person from each program to test their applications on Windows 10 to see if there are any issues,” Myers said. If there aren’t, then WYDOT will get computers with the new Windows 10 operating system for every person in that program scheduled for a replacement. ETS doesn’t anticipate there being many compatibility issues with a program’s applications, but wants to do testing to make sure. If there are issues, some employees may need to stay with Windows 7 until those issues are resolved. That means some employees may be on Windows 10

while others remain on Windows 7. “Over the next four to five replacement cycles we’re hoping to have everyone at WYDOT on Windows 10,” Myers said. WYDOT is being proactive in updating the operating systems on the computers to Windows 10 because Microsoft will no longer support Windows 7 after January 2020. Employees will notice some differences in the operating system but the standards still remain. The start button will still be in the bottom left corner of the screen, the pin functionality will still be available so people can pin their favorite programs to the taskbar and the personalization settings remain. Some new features include Cortana, a digital personal assistant; Internet Edge browser, which replaces IE 11; and a multitasking feature that creates virtual desktops where a user can see open tasks in one view, Microsoft’s website indicated. Employees will still have access to IE 11 as well in case they need to use that browser. Employees can visit http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/ windows-10/getstarted-whatsnew-cortana to learn more about Windows 10. Employees also can contact ETS at WYDOT by calling (307) 777-3995 if they have any questions about the process. n

WHEN YOU’RE TEXTING WHILE

DRIVING, YOU’RE NOT REALLY

DR VING.

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May 2016

Training

by Jim Boyd, Training Services A few weeks back, I received a call from a colleague inquiring whether we had any rooms in the WYDOT University Conference Center that could accommodate a group of 45 or more. “Soon, we’ll be able to book the WYDOT Auditorium,” I replied after specifying the occupancy limits of the rooms at the conference center. I had visited the auditorium recently and had seen Director Panos’ vision and the progress they were making. My colleague paused, and then responded, “Well, I’m really looking to have tables and chairs because it will be a pretty intensive topic with lots of notes, and people will need the space to write.” I must have cut him off mid-sentence, “Have you seen the new WYDOT Auditorium?” The newly revamped WYDOT Auditorium has been converted from theatre-style seating with pull out table tops to a large lecture hall with tiered seating and tables, HDTV monitors throughout the room – including front facing monitors for the speakers, access ports so speakers can present from anywhere in the room, and a built-in sound system. It’s really quite impressive to say the least! The auditorium is the newest addition to WYDOT University. It’s been built with an educational purpose in mind, and

Photo: Rick Carpenter

The WYDOT Auditorium – WYDOT University’s Newest Educational Facility

The auditorium at the headquarters building has been given new life as a classroom and meeting space.

the space can be used for large trainings (think Chad Hymas “Developing the Leader Within You”), meetings, or other events. I encourage you to stop by if you haven’t yet and see the changes. My bet is you’ll be pretty impressed! Priority for booking the WYDOT Auditorium will still be for commission meetings as well as the Aeronautic Commission meetings, but the space is open to anyone after those events are scheduled. To book the auditorium, please contact any one of us in Training Services (Jim Boyd, Kurt Borgaard or Todd DePorter) and we’ll get you scheduled. n

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

Coming in June: Date Class 6/2/16 6/8/16 6/15/16 6/22/16 6/23/16 6/27/16 6/30/16

Coming in July: Date Class 7/6/16

PMI Competency

Location

Hiring Smart: Staffing for Optimum Performance Judgment & Decision Making Train the Trainer Communication District 1 Roadshow – Speed of Trust Foundations Leadership Effective Communication and Team Building Team Player Decision Making and Problem Solving Judgment & Decision Making New Employee Orientation Communication Negotiation Strategies and Techniques to Improve Construction Project Management Follow-on Webinar Vocational

TLN WYDOT-U Laramie WYDOT-U WYDOT-U WYDOT-U Webinar

PMI Competency

Location

WYDOT “Developing The Leader Within You!” Session 5 – Performance Leadership

TBD

This quarter’s themes are Aspiration, Conversation and Complexity. The courses have been pre-loaded into your learning plan. To register, or to find out more details, call the Training Program and talk to Jim Boyd (777-4791), Kurt Borgaard (777-4792) or Todd DePorter (777-4790).

May 2016

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District News Headquarters

Welcome Christopher Perkins, Telecom-District 1 Radio Shop; and Benjamin Phelps, Aeronautics-Flight Operations.

Promotions and Transfers

Kevin McCoy, Planning-System Planning – 25 years; Brian Mertz, Materials-Bituminous – 20 years; Edith Reed, Driver Services-CDL – 20 years;

William Ernst, GIS/ITS; Gabriel Gutierrez, GIS/ITS; and Michael Menghini, Bridge-Engineering Administration.

Retirements Aiden Martinez, IT-Financial Systems; and Cheryl McGee, Maintenance Staff.

Congratulations

Service Awards Sandra Padilla, Patrol-Records – 35 years;

Kurtis Briggs, Materials-Bituminous – 15 years; Michael Kelley, Facilities Management-Building Maintenance – 10 years; Shane Fox, Compliance Investigation – 10 years; and Estevan Trujillo, Materials-Bituminous – 5 years.

McCoy

Kelley

Doug Jensen has been selected as the state contracts and estimates engineer and began his duties April 15. Jensen replaces Ken Spear, who retired at the beginning of April. Jensen

Gutierrez

Menghini

Fox

McGee

District 1 Andrew Millemon, Laramie Maintenance; Adam Pinder, Laramie Maintenance; and Robert Roland, Cheyenne Mechanics.

Promotions and Transfers Brandin Eckdahl, Laramie Maintenance.

Service Awards

Eckdahl

Craig Cox, Cheyenne Construction – 25 years; James Ecker, Rawlins Mechanics – 20 years; and

Cox

Packard

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May 2016

Lawrence Packard, Rawlins Construction – 15 years.

Retirements Kerry Olson with the Cheyenne striping crew retired April 5 with more than 27 years of service to the state. Olson, a Douglas native, attended Eastern Wyoming College in Douglas before beginning her career in 1988 with the department in Cheyenne as a highway maintenance worker. Just shy of a year later, she transferred to a highway maintenance labor position and worked in that capacity for five years. In 1994, she moved to District 1 traffic striping crew where she remained until retirement.

traffic engineer and remained in that position for 10 years. In subsequent promotions, Persson was named resident engineer in Laramie (1990), maintenance staff engineer in Cheyenne (1992), district construction engineer in Laramie (1993) and finally in 2011 he was named district engineer in Laramie. Persson is a graduate of Montana State University with a bachelor of science in civil engineering. He also attended classes at the University of Wyoming while working in Laramie. He is an avid fisherman and will hopefully find time to fish quiet lakes and streams and spend quality time with his wife, Carol, and three grown children, David, Derek and Jenny. n

District Engineer Patrick Persson retired April 5 with 40 years of service to the state. Persson began his career with the department in 1976 as a survey crew leader in Lovell. Prior to 1980, Persson had been promoted to both highway engineering associate and highway construction engineer project supervisor in Laramie. In 1980, Persson became the district

Photo: WYDOT

Welcome

On April 4, Director Bill Panos congratulated Pat Persson on his retirement.

Longtime executive staff members, headquarters program managers retire WYDOT Headquarters is losing a combined 140 years of experience with the retirement of Assistant Chief Engineer for Operations Ken Shultz, Support Services Administrator Tom Loftin, Human Resources Manager Lon Pfau, Contracts and Estimates Engineer Ken Spear and Environmental Services Engineer Timothy Stark.

Ken Shultz

Shultz, who was promoted to the assistant chief engineer position in 2011, ended his career on May 2 after more than 34 years of service to the department and state. As assistant chief engineer he oversaw the department’s Enterprise Technology, Financial Services, Shultz Geographic Information Systems/Intelligent Transportation Systems, Highway Safety, Information Technology, Management Services, Procurement Services, Telecommunications and Traffic programs. “I’ll miss the people most of all,” Shultz said. “It’s the people in this organization that make it world class. WYDOT’s been part of my family, and it will continue to be so in my retirement, albeit in a different family role.” The Rawlins native first signed on with the Wyoming Highway Department in 1978 as a temporary summer worker, and joined the department full time after earning his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Wyoming in 1983. He served the department in a variety of positions including resident engineer in Cheyenne, District 3 maintenance engineer in Rock Springs and staff engineer in the Construction and Maintenance Program at headquarters. Shultz became state maintenance engineer in 1999, when the Construction and Maintenance Program was divided into two separate entities. Prior to enrolling at UW, the Rawlins High School graduate earned an associate degree from Central Wyoming College in Riverton, where he played on the basket-

ball team and was known as a master of the finger roll.

Tom Loftin

Loftin became WYDOT’s support services administrator in 2008, overseeing the department’s Civil Rights, Compliance and Investigation, Driver Services, Employee Safety, Fuel Tax Administration, Human Resources, Motor Vehicle Services, Office Services and Training Services programs. He will retire on May 15 after nearly 27 years of service to the state. “It’s a good departLoftin ment, as far as I’m concerned, one of the best,” Loftin said of WYDOT. “I think the people are what made it what it is. I will miss the people. I won’t miss some of the headaches.” Loftin began his WYDOT career in 1991 as a regional supervisor in the Driver Services Program. During his 17 years in that program he served as records and policy manager, internal operations manager and program manager. The Troy, N.C., native first came to Wyoming when he was stationed at F.E. Warren Air Force Base during a four-year tour in the Air Force from 1974-1978. After leaving the service, he returned to North Carolina and earned associate degrees in business and criminal justice at Montgomery Technical Institute. He came back to Wyoming in 1982 to work full time for the Air National Guard, where he attained the rank of chief master sergeant and served as command chief of the 153rd Airlift Wing. In the aftermath of 9-11, he was deployed to the Middle East twice during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He retired from the Guard in 2014. Before coming to WYDOT, Loftin helped the Department of Revenue create its Commercial Driver License Program. When driver license functions were transferred to the new Department of Transportation created by the reorganization of state government in 1991, Loftin joined the Driver Services Program.

Lon Pfau

Pfau will have served 19 years as WYDOT’s Human Resources manager when he retires on May 31. “This is the best job and the best people

I’ve ever worked for and with,” Pfau said. “That’s the way I feel about WYDOT. These people really take care of the state. There are a lot of people who are so dedicated to this organization, and I liked being a part of that.” The Sidney, Mont., native came to WYDOT in 1997 from the Department Pfau of Revenue, where he had served as personnel officer and personnel field manager beginning in 1995. Prior to that he spent two years in state government with the Department of Administration and Information and the Department of Employment’s Workers’ Compensation Division. Pfau served 22 years in the Air Force beginning in 1972, working as an information systems manager and human resources manager. He earned an associate degree in resource management and administration from the Community College of the Air Force, a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Chapman University and a master’s degree in management and human resources from Lesley College. He spent his last eight years in the Air Force as a first sergeant, and six of them as an associate professor of aerospace studies and ROTC at Montana State University, New Mexico State University and the University of Texas El Paso. Pfau plans to stay in Cheyenne after his retirement, do some traveling and photography, and take advantage of new opportunities for fishing and other outdoor recreation.

Ken Spear

Spear retired on April 2 after nearly 24 years of service to WYDOT and the state. He started his career at WYDOT as an engineer in Project Development in 1992, and later worked as a survey engineer. He moved to Contracts and Estimates in 2001 as a principal engiSpear neer, and was named contracts and estimates engineer in 2002. Prior to coming to WYDOT he spent 20 Retirements continued on page 18 May 2016

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Retirements continued from page 17 years in the highway construction business, first with Teton Construction in Cheyenne, and then managing his own company, Spear Construction, for seven years. The Hill City, S.D., native started college in the late ‘60s, but quit to get into the logging business, spending four years felling trees. “From a pure exercise aspect, it was one of the best jobs ever, but it could be quite dangerous,” Spear said. “Realizing that wasn’t my career of choice, I moved to Wyoming and got into the road construction business.” Once in Wyoming, the opportunity to complete a college degree arose again, and Spear earned his associate of applied science degree from Laramie County Community College, and a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Wyoming. “I got my degree on the 25-year program,” he said. “I do not recommend that as a prescribed plan for anyone, and I especially don’t encourage my daughters to take that route.”

Timothy Stark

Stark’s retirement on May 3 capped 35 years at the department beginning as a project engineer in Project Development in 1981. He also served as a principal engineer before becoming Stark environmental services engineer in 1995. “It was a great place to spend a 35-year career,” Stark said. “The people mean a lot to me, and I wish the best for them.” He said being part of Environmental Services for 20 years changed his outlook as an engineer. “It’s the only place where you can actually see how transportation influences the quality of life,” Stark said. “It means more than a schedule or a PMI rating. It’s where the real genuine reputation and testimony of a transportation agency resides. WYDOT has been good!” The Pierre, S.D., native graduated from Rapid City Stevens High School in 1977, and earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in 1981. n (Stark’s farewell to WYDOT appears on page 20.)

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May 2016

Welcome

District 3

District 2

Welcome

Travis Lowry, Wheatland Maintenance.

Promotions and Transfers Donald Swisher, Douglas Maintenance.

Service Awards Kenneth Pantier, Traffic-Signing – 10 years.

Retirements Kristi Desch, Casper Construction; and Kenneth Young, Casper Construction.

Chase Cimburek, Rock Springs Construction; John Cloo, Telecom-District 3 Radio Shop; and Brandon Turner, Labarge Maintenance.

Cimburek

Promotions and Transfers Brad McCullough, Rock Springs Construction; William McGuire, Rock Springs Maintenance; and Allen Wallace, Jackson Patrol.

McCullough

McGuire

Service Awards Desch

Young

S tate E mployee

SERG

Retirement Gro

Mark McCracken, Farson Maintenance – 20 years; Tory Thomas, District 3 Maintenance Staff – 15 years; and Marvin Hutchinson, Evanston Port Of Entry – 5 years.

Gather with other state retirees monthly.

SERG meets at noon the second Monday of each month at the Cheyenne Radisson (formerly the Holiday Inn).

McCracken

Retirements Terry Guyette with Labarge Maintenance retired with more than 31 years of service to the state. n

The gatherings include a brief business meeting, social luncheon and an educational program. Contacts for further information:

Roger Nelson – 634-1881 Ron Labreque – 632-8240 Donella Marrs – 635-5858

Thomas

Guyette

District 4

Promotions and Transfers Matthew Thyfault, Sheridan TrafficStriping.

Service Awards Dana McInerney, Sundance Construction – 25 years; Bradley Marchant, Sundance Maintenance – 15 years; Franklin Peck, Buffalo Maintenance – 15 years; William Quade, Sundance Patrol – 15 years; and Colton Lenz, Sundance Patrol – 5 years.

McInerney

Photo: WYDOT

Thyfault

WHP District 4 Commander Capt. Carl Clements retired April 8 after more than 33 years of service with the Wyoming Highway Patrol and 36 years total in law enforcement. Clements began his career as a summer compliance officer with the Forest Service while in college, then as a police

Retiree Larry Herzog and Buffalo Resident Engineer Issac Finkle with a very thoughtful and “well-constructed” retirement cake. Marchant

Peck

Quade

Lenz

officer for the city of Alliance, Neb., in 1980. After two years with the Alliance Police Department, he joined the Wyoming Highway Patrol September 1982. He transferred to Sheridan in 1988. He was promoted to lieutenant of DiviClements sion M in Douglas in 2002, and was able to return to Sheridan in 2005, when he was promoted to captain of District 4. Clements was involved in numerous high profile arrests and was also featured in the 1997 Readers Digest story Nightmare Ride Through Wyoming in which he helped rescue an elderly South Dakota couple that had been car-jacked near Gillette. He was also known in the region as a basketball referee for 23 years. “I would like to thank my family first and foremost. I have great respect for and want to thank everyone in this community whom I was able to serve and who helped me have a very rewarding career. I have enjoyed it all and want to continue to be involved in this community,” Clements said. He has been an academy instructor, range officer, firearms instructor, Special Services Squad member and squad commander, patrol association representative and a member of the crash reconstruction team. He has been active in the community as a member of the Sheridan Sport Officials Association, Wyoming Highway Patrol Association, FBI National Academy Associates, Holy Name Catholic Church, RMEF and NRA. His future plans are to stay in Sheridan, attend some annual family functions that he missed over the years and then get back to work. n

Retirements

Larry Herzog and his father, retired Basin DE Bob Herzog, enjoying Larry’s retirement party in Buffalo on March 10. Bob retired Nov. 1992.

Photo: WHP

Photo: WYDOT

Larry Herzog, with Buffalo Construction, retired on March 10 after 28 years of service to WYDOT. His coworkers treated him to a retirement party in which his father, retired Basin DE, Bob Herzog, was in attendance.

Capt. Carl Clements standing next to his patrol car a few decades ago.

May 2016

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District 5

Promotions and Transfers Clay Johnson, Lander Maintenance.

Johnson

Service Awards Todd Hardesty, Cody Patrol – 15 years; Erin Devries, Worland Patrol – 5 years; Jerry Fritz, Cody Maintenance – 5 years; and Robert Henry, Lander Patrol – 5 years.

Spring skiing? Beach vacation? Hunt lately? Get those photos in!

Thank you WYDOT family

Hardesty

Devries

District 5 Construction Engineer Lyle Lamb and his family would like to offer their thanks for all the kind wishes, words, thoughts and prayers during the tough time following the early April death of his dad, Lloyd, in Belfry, Mont. “When you go through something like this, you really find out that WYDOT is a family,” Lamb said. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart.” n

Outdoors deadline: 06/10/16

carlie.vanwinkle@wyo.gov Fritz

Henry

Passings George F. Abernathy

Retired Lander maintenance employee George “Fred” Abernathy, 61, died at his home on March 26. Abernathy was born on Sept. 27, 1954 in Lander. He was a lifelong resident of Lander, graduating from Lander Valley Abernathy High School. He worked for the old Wyoming Highway Department as the foreman on the Lander striping crew. He retired after 32 years of service to the state. After retirement, he opened and ran Abernathy’s Greenhouse. He enjoyed working in his greenhouse and hunting. A memorial service was held on April 10 at the Chapel of Mount Home, Hudson Funeral Home in Lander. n

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May 2016

Passing the Torch

Genesis 17:1-27

As I was walking, I came to a cottonwood canopy. I stood amazed how it came together so beautifully. Though this creation was without insightful word, I couldn’t help being drawn by the packing birds. For it was fall, as nature made its call from the south. Words now leaped from my heart into my receiving mouth. The birds quickly made their exit for their journey. The winds made their presence known with prosecuting attorney. I bundled my coat tighter to receive the rest of the story. I knew that God would reveal himself in splendid glory. For it was unusual in these parts to see what I did see, A canopy of trees with leaves of dual fall degree. For the trees to my left were exploding in rich gold. A color so magnificent, it defeats the creeping cold. For it conveyed a victory as it praised God in heaven.

It was like a small seed that would grow and grow again. For it was obvious that the torch had now been passed to me. I was lit and all aglow from this fantastic blessing of a tree. I could now see to pass the torch to the trees of youthful green. I too, must follow this example, and glorify God in this scene. Don’t hold on to life of today, for it is fleeting. Embrace the chapters of tomorrow with God’s greeting. For the beauty of life continues to unfold. This defeats death and nothing ever grows old. - Timothy Lee Stark

Awards

Service Award Recipients

Photo: Rick Carpenter

The following are safety awards presented at this year’s WYDOT Supervisors’ Meeting.

Photo: Rick Carpenter

Employee Safety Program Manager Ron Chavez awarding District 3 Traffic Engineer Darin Kaufman with the Director’s Award of Excellence for Traffic Operations Safety.

Service award luncheons are held by the Transportation Commission for employees celebrating milestones of 25 years of service or greater. Service award recipients at this month’s luncheon: Craig Cox and Kevin McCoy

Employee Safety Program Manager Ron Chavez awarding District 5 Traffic Engineer Randy Merritt with the Director’s Award of Excellence for Traffic Operations Safety.

Photo: Rick Carpenter

Congratulations to our March recipients!

Chief Engineer Gregg Fredrick presenting District 3 Construction Engineer Ted Wells with the Director’s Award of Excellence in Construction Safety.

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

Keri Bohlmann

Photo: Rick Carpenter

Darrel Seifert

Chief Engineer Gregg Fredrick presenting District 3 Maintenance Engineer Tory Thomas with the Director’s Award of Excellence in Maintenance Safety.

For more information about the Extra Mile Award or to nominate someone, contact Janet Farrar or Cassandra Sanderson in the Strategic Improvement Performance Program May 2016

Interchange

Did you hear? WyHy now offers our members a variety of insurance options through UProsper Insurance Services.

We partner with First Line Insurance which is a full service, independent licensed insurance agency that provides a variety of commercial and personal products to fit the varying insurance needs of our members. They work with the Nation’s largest and best rated carriers to provide excellent options, along with 24/7 claims support, 365 days a year. First Line can also mediate disputes between the insured and the carrier.

They also offer special member options such as: • Packaging home/auto • Multi-car discounts • Adding umbrellas and recreational vehicles

• Reviewing young drivers for extra discounts • Special rate and other discounts where available

Call 307.638.4200 or come into a WyHy branch today!

*UProsper Insurance Services is a wholly owned subsidiary of UProsper Services Group, a credit union service organization owned by WyHy Federal Credit Union and Western Vista Federal Credit Union. 22

Interchange

May 2016

Break Time Check your answers online at: employees.dot.state.wy.us, or if not able to access the employee site: www.dot. state.wy.us/home/engineering_technical_programs/manuals_publications/ interchange.html. See if you can find the following 25 words hidden in the grid to the right: ACROW BRIDGE ASPHALT AUDITORIUM BOSLER BOXELDER BUDGET CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION CROWHEART CURB DIXON EVANSTON GUTTER IMPROVEMENTS KELLY MAY MONEY MULE CREEK JUNCTION OUTDOORS SARATOGA SNOW SPRING TABLE ROCK TELECOMMUNICATIONS WINDOWS

R I V E R S A N D R O A D S N E E D G R A V E L A N D B R I C D G E S G O T

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T E N P O S N O E A B E V L S F R U E R L U T I Y E E G A P O R L G R N L K

D A A U P M D Y D A M L S E E O C R O W H E A R T B L H A X R R D O R E I E

O R C U T L P O O R N O J I V R S S R S L O C Z E A L O H J E Y T D I A T A

N E A T D S E U N U I D L E D O U O F O T A B R N L Y S W Y M T E A A S M E

T S T H L M W E I X I V F T H O T O T E B B N E M K Y D V E E O T N D E C B A C A P Y T C E O R E Y L E WH T S O R N X I R U R L E H O U N MG S E C H

I N G E R A B R L L U O O N C E O Y C L S O C K R R S M T I N E O F S R G S I O R N R S A B I R O E V L D O R W B R S M E A B N R I A C G H C S O F O U S U K C S O J A C C U S C K R O R A C A C OM D U R S A S H T E L I A E E T

T H E WO R I N S W X E B S Z Q S V U U S UW A A N D E O N K D C G N S O L WH I T E U E O T O B A R S R N A E T A M K U D L L O E R M I T N X N I K M E O M C O R Y C O P A N D S Y W S R A E O I G O S R E F N O C R O I H T A O U E A R E T L D C E M R C I G O N O U T T E R M H O R T T O Y A T U D N S X O E D I R L T D L I E E E Z Y E N S E I MO N T N S O B E C D D T W O Y T A T E MU N I C A O E Y WO E K S J T WN R L D H A A MU F F S N O S S U T U

D F R Z R M A Z S I G R V P H M V U P N O C A I G A R R R N O M T A C V O F

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K L I N D E S T L S F B O X E L D E R E R K C E D O I D M E T E I U Q F D L

S M E A A Y T I B S E A L Y T S S O T M L E S T F H L I I N V G E N S O S W W E S B A M I F L X A E T E G E O D E N A O I R R A U N B G E R A U D N A P

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May 2016

Interchange

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