May/June 2015 interchange

Interchange May/June 2015, Vol. 43, Issues 5/6

Taking to the sky

WYDOT’s Aeronautics Program soars

Letters

Thanks to WYDOT family from two employees A special thanks for all the thoughts and prayers from my WYDOT family in the last few months. Cancer is never a good thing, but with friends like you, things got a lot better.

James McLean, South Pass Maintenance technician

Interchange Dear WYDOT, My family and I would like to thank you for all of the kind thoughts, prayers, cards, flowers, emails and visits during my recovery after surgery.

I will be moving from the hospital to a rehabilitation center in Loveland, Colo. to finish my recovery.

Please keep my family and I in your thoughts and prayers during this next chapter in my journey.

Thank you very much.

Aarron Curry Maintenance Staff vocational trainer

Rock Springs WYDOT appreciated

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

Interchange invites submissions from all employees. Please send them to either your district correspondents or to: Carlie Van Winkle, Interchange editor, 5300 Bishop Blvd., Cheyenne, WY, 82009-3340. The Public Affairs Office may also be contacted by phoning (307) 777-4165, faxing (307) 777-4289, or sending email to carlie.vanwinkle@wyo.gov

Staff WYDOT Director: John F. Cox Public Affairs Manager: Doug McGee Editor/Art Director: Carlie Van Winkle Contributors: Bruce Burrows Public Affairs Dave Kingham Public Affairs Carlie Van Winkle Public Affairs Ross Doman District 1 Jeff Goetz District 2 Stephanie Harsha District 3 Ronda Holwell District 4 Cody Beers District 5 Sgt. David Wagener Patrol Photography: Rick Carpenter Public Affairs

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May/June 2015

DOT publication

Also in this issue:

Contents

12

Letters.....................................2 District briefs.........................4 Training................................ 28

17

TechNotes........................... 30 HR Happenings................. 32 Noteworthy......................... 33

19

District news...................... 34 Extra Mile Awards............. 35 By the Numbers................ 36

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Passings............................... 40 WTDEA..................................41 Break Time....................11, 47

12 I-80 crashes recapped

Biggest crashes ever to happen on I-80 in Wyoming

17 FHWA Administrator visits TMC

Nadeau calls the TMC an investment in safety

19 WYDOT mechanic one-of-a-kind

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.

Hutchinson gains Master Mechanic Certification

20 Flight Operations at WYDOT

Taking state employees where they need to go – fast.

On the cover:

One of the state’s Cessna Citation Encore jets ready for takeoff.

Photo: Rick Carpenter

May/June 2015

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Transportation Commission awards $12.2 million in highway contracts

Cheyenne – Contracts totaling $12.2 million for 10 highway projects around the state, including one made possible by increased fuel tax revenue, were awarded by the Wyoming Transportation Commission during its April meeting in Cheyenne.

Sletten Construction Co. of Great Falls, Mont., won the largest of the contracts with the low bid of $4 million to build a new bridge over the Shoshone River near the Willwood Diversion Dam midway between Cody and Powell. The existing bridge passes over the top of the dam and is a single lane. The new bridge will be built about 100 yards downstream and will be wide enough for two lanes.

Work is expected to begin in May, and the contract completion date is Oct. 31, 2016.

Concrete Foundations Inc. of Douglas was the low bidder at $3.3 million to mill off deteriorating pavement and replace it with new pavement on US 20-26-87 (Richards Street) between Fourth Street and Mesa Drive in Douglas. The work will be paid for with revenue from the 10-cent fuel tax increase. A final layer of pavement will follow next year, with a contract completion date of June 30, 2016.

Patching will be completed on highway sections in Lincoln, Sweetwater, Teton and Uinta counties under a $1.5 million contract won by H-K Contractors of Idaho Falls. The contract completion date is Oct. 31, 2015.

S&L Industrial of Cowley submitted the low bid of $1.2 million for upgrading guardrails on highway sections in Campbell, Crook, Johnson and Sheridan counties by Sept. 30, 2016.

Casper’s Oftedal Construction was the low bidder at $1.2 million for guardrail upgrades on nearly 8 miles of WYO 220 between the new four-lane section and Government Bridge south of Casper. The work is scheduled to be done by Oct. 31, 2015.

HQ

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Knife River of Casper was awarded a $345,000 contract for isolated concrete slab replacement and a pavement overlay on Lincolnway between Capitol and House avenues in Cheyenne. Work is not expected to begin until after Frontier Days, and no work will be allowed on Fridays. All the milling and paving work will be done at night. The contract completion date is Oct. 31, 2015.

Also awarded during the meeting were contracts for: n $273,000 to Traffic Safety Service of Bismarck, N.D, for installing thermoplastic pavement markings on highway sections in Big Horn, Fremont, Hot Springs, Park and Washakie counties by Oct. 31, 2015. The thermoplastic markings last longer than standard paint, and are used at intersections and in high traffic areas; n $221,000, to Traffic Safety Service of

Bismarck, N.D, for installing thermoplastic pavement markings on highway sections in the Cheyenne area by Oct. 31, 2015;

n $143,000 to American Pavement

Marking & Products of Layton, Utah, for installing thermoplastic pavement markings on highway sections in Sublette, Sweetwater and Teton counties

by Oct. 31, 2015; and

n $62,000 to A&H Co. of Ironton,

Minn., for installation of signs along highways in Campbell, Crook, Johnson, Sheridan and Weston counties by Oct. 31, 2015.

Cheyenne area pursuit ends successfully Cheyenne – In the early morning hours of May 3, WHP troopers responded to a vehicle pursuit that had originally been initiated by the Cheyenne Police Department. Troopers became involved with the pursuit around 2:45 a.m. on Pershing Boulevard as it headed west towards I-25.

The vehicle, a 2003 Ford Taurus, was exceeding speeds of 100 mph as it was being pursued by members of the Wyoming Highway Patrol, the Cheyenne Police Department and the Laramie County Sheriff ’s Department. WHP took over the pursuit at milepost 21 as the pursuit

Core samples drilled from WYO 230 Laramie – Severe road buckling has prompted WYDOT to inspect a section of WYO 230. Motorists were advised to watch for WYDOT personnel and reduced speeds on the highway roughly 10 miles from the Colorado border and then again five miles from the border in late March.

WYDOT geologists drilled roadway core samples in those areas to determine the cause of high moisture content where the road surface is buckling severely.

There are currently no new weight restrictions in these areas but that may change depending on the geologists’ findings.

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Photo courtesy Ross Doman

District Briefs

headed north on I-25.

At milepost 27, the Ford cut across the median and proceeded south back towards Cheyenne. The Cheyenne Police Department deployed a tire deflating device at milepost 18 and deflated the vehicle’s front driver side tire. After the tire deflation, the driver, a 43 year old from Cheyenne, intentionally crashed into the cable barrier at milepost 15 on I-25 south bringing the pursuit to an end.

The driver did not sustain any serious injury from the crash, but was transported by ground ambulance to Cheyenne Regional Medical Center for treatment.

The driver has been charged with driving while under the influence of alcohol, fleeing or attempting to elude police officers, operating a vehicle recklessly, exceeding the speed limit, failure to drive within a single lane, and driving without a seat belt.

Noticeable buckling damage on WYO 230 at milepost 36.8 eastbound.

South-central Wyoming construction underway

Road work at intersection in Rawlins

Rawlins – Construction on separate projects across south-central Wyoming are underway, each having started in early May. Slab replacement is occurring at various locations in Rawlins on Spruce Street and I-80. There is also work on the Sage Creek separation bridge on I-80 at milepost 213 in both the eastbound and westbound lanes.

The Thayer bridge over I-80 in Rawlins began rehabilitation mid-May. Temporary traffic signals were installed across the structure and vehicle movement is limited to single-lane, alternating traffic.

The width restriction will be 8.5 feet once the structure is down to a single lane.

Oversize loads traveling westbound will use the Spruce Street interchange at Exit 211 as a detour to access the TA Travel Center. Pedestrian use will be disallowed while the bridge is under construction.

This bridge project is scheduled to last approximately two months.

These various projects should be completed by October. The contractor is Simon Contractors of North Platte, Neb. The cost is $1.8 million paid for with 90 percent federal funds and 10 percent state funds.

Another project also underway since the beginning of May is slab repair and the application of a high performance wearing course on I-80 for 32 lane miles.

The wearing course will provide an improved ride with better traction and increased durability.

The project area is just east of the Medicine Bow River bridge between Elk Mountain and Laramie. The work will include milling plant mix, milling concrete, placing crushed base, high performance wearing course, concrete slab replacement, sealing joints and miscellaneous work on 16.39 miles beginning at milepost 258.60.

The project is scheduled to wrap up in October.

The contractor is Simon Contractors of Cheyenne. The cost is $7 million, paid for with 90 percent federal funds and 10 percent state funds.

Rawlins –Work was completed in Rawlins in May at the intersection of Cedar Street and Airport Road (The Walmart intersection).

Flaggers were used in the area and drivers encountered narrowing of lanes and altered turning movements. The westbound turn lane was closed for the duration of the project.

The work included updated sidewalk, ADA ramps and curb and gutter. The contractor was Casper Electric with a total project cost of $235,000, of which Walmart paid $150,000. The remaining amount was paid for with 90 percent federal funds and 10 percent state funds.

Project partners include Reiman Corp. of Cheyenne as the prime contractor.

Aztec Construction of Cheyenne is a sub contractor. Croell Redi Mix, a supplier from Pine Bluffs is providing concrete.

Other subcontractors include S&J Signs, and Knife River Corp.

U.S. 287 construction activity picking up Laramie – Travelers south of Laramie on U.S. 287 will notice that construction activity between Tie Siding and the state line has picked up again.

Last year, crews completed construction of two new northbound lanes on the east side of the roadway.

This year, the southbound lanes in the same area are also being rebuilt, completing a 4-lane divided highway on that stretch of U.S. 287 by the end of the 2015 construction season.

Traffic within the six mile project area will be diverted to the new northbound lanes with single-lane travel in each direction and speed limits lowered to 55 miles per hour.

The contractor is Kirkland Construction out of Rye, Colo. The cost for the project is $17 million and it is 90 percent federally funded.

Obsolete bridges over I-80 replaced Pine Bluffs – One of the largest and most expensive transportation projects in southeast Wyoming this year is underway on I-80 at Pine Bluffs, where WYDOT has begun the removal and replacement of obsolete bridge structures over Beech Street, Parsons Street and Muddy Creek.

The project will include a surface mill and overlay of the highway to improve ride quality for approximately two-thirds of a mile from the state line westward.

Roadway lighting will be updated with new lights and one additional high mast tower light will be placed near Muddy Creek.

The acceleration lane onto the westbound lane from Parsons Street will also be rebuilt to improve sight line and safety.

This will be a two-year project with the work finishing in 2016.

Photo: Rick Carpenter

Bridge rehabilitation near Saratoga

A night-time demolition of the north bridge on westbound I-80.

Cost of the project is $10 million and it is federally funded with about 90 percent federal funds and 10 percent state funds.

Saratoga – Rehabilitation of the North Platte River bridge just north of the town of Saratoga on WYO 130 is underway.

Starting May 4, travel over the structure is restricted to a single lane for the duration of the project and vehicles will be controlled by temporary signals on both ends of the bridge. Occasionally, traffic will be controlled by flaggers. The bridge deck rehabilitation is expected to take approximately 8 weeks for completion.

More work on WYO 130 in the same area, consisting of a roadway mill and overlay between mile posts 8 and 20, followed the beginning of the bridge rehabilitation project.

The prime contractor for both projects is Mountain Construction out of Lovell and the cost is $3.7 million.

Briefs continued on page 6 May/June 2015

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after being involved in a crash southwest of Casper.

On April 16, WHP was dispatched to investigate a crash on WYO 220 approximately 46 miles southwest of Casper.

With the assistance of the Natrona County Sheriff ’s office, the investigating trooper was able to locate varying forms of identification for the driver who had already been transported to Wyoming Medical Center in Casper. Through the course of the trooper’s investigation, the driver was identified as Benigno GalenoNegreros.

A National Crime Information Center check revealed an arrest warrant for Galeno-Negreros for felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in Houston, Texas. The warrant has been active since July 15, 1987. WHP Dispatch verified the warrant was still active and authorities in Texas would extradite Galeno-Negreros from Wyoming.

Galeno-Negreros was arrested by the trooper and taken to the Natrona County Detention Center in Casper after being released from the hospital. Galeno-Negreros had evaded arrest for decades by using different aliases and dates of birth. He was being held on a $100,000 bond awaiting extradition back to Texas.

Briefs continued from page 5

Salt Creek Overpass Closure Update Casper – The Salt Creek Highway (WYO 254) bridge over US 20-26 (Shoshoni Bypass) was closed to all traffic April 6.

The bridge remained closed until May 26. This closure affected the eastbound on- and off-ramps from U.S. 20-26. The ramps were closed until May 8.

Access to Salt Creek Highway from the south ended at Opportunity Boulevard.

Access to and from areas north of the intersection (and bridge) were open until April 20.

Full access through the interchange reopened May 26.

Access to the areas north of the Shoshoni Bypass, including the Port of Entry, was available from I-25 at the Wardwell exit.

This is part of an ongoing project to repave the Shoshoni Bypass and expand Salt Creek Highway to five lanes through the area. The closures will allow work to reconstruct and widen Salt Creek Highway to move more efficiently.

After May 26, work will move northward from the westbound on- and offramp intersection to the Port of Entry.

The project is scheduled for completion by Oct. 31.

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Evanston bridge repairs underway Evanston – Users of the Bear River Pathway were asked to be aware of bridge work taking place in the area during the upcoming construction season.

WYDOT and crews from Cannon Builders, Inc, of Blackfoot, Idaho, are working on the I-80 bridge over the Bear River and the Union Pacific Railroad in Evanston. The work is part of a bridge rehabilitation project including other locations around Evanston.

The nature of the work includes concrete repairs along the columns of the bridge structure on the westbound lanes.

Work will also be performed on the bearing devices adjacent to the pathway.

WYDOT and contractors intend to keep the pathway open as much as possible. However, crews will not hesitate to restrict use at any point in order to allow

Photo: Jeff Goetz

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A view of the new eastbound off ramp onto Salt Creek Highway.

Texas fugitive arrested after 28 years on the lam Casper – After evading arrest for nearly 28 years, 58-year old Benigno L. Galeno-Negreros was held in custody

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the contractor some space to safely work and also to protect users from falling debris or any other safety hazard.

“Traffic control will be placed along the pathway to notify users of the upcoming work and to use caution as they pass through the area,” WYDOT Resident Engineer Damon Newsome said.

WYDOT would like pathway users to be aware that workers and equipment will be on and around the pathway, but restricted to an area that will allow continuous use of the pathway while the work is being performed.

The contract for the work was awarded in the amount of $1.6 million in March 2014 and will include work at other locations. The completion date for this project is set for July 31.

WYDOT will build upper arrestor on Teton Pass Jackson – WYDOT officials have decided to proceed with the construction of an upper truck arrestor located on WYO 22 near milepost 7.4 this fall as scheduled.

This location, on the south side of the highway, will replace an existing runaway truck ramp where vehicles must cross over the opposing lane of oncoming traffic to use the ramp.

“The Department is committed to the safety of all stakeholders within the project corridor, and we are convinced that a vehicle arrestor system – in some form – is an essential component that will enhance the safety of the traveling public and the adjacent residents,” WYDOT Director John Cox said.

Construction of the second, lower arrestor at milepost 6.4 will be deferred pending an evaluation of the effectiveness of the upper arrestor and a reassessment of its need and potential locations.

WYDOT will continue to explore possible safety enhancements on Teton Pass.

The truck arrestor project is scheduled for 2015 in the WYDOT State Transportation Improvement Plan. In addition, WYDOT installed a weigh-in-motion and dynamic message boards in 2014, in order to better enforce current truck restrictions on Teton Pass.

Rock Springs intersection briefly closed to traffic

Trooper uninjured after roadside scuffle

Rock Springs – WYDOT worked on pavement repairs at the intersection of Elk Street, Center Street and Bridger Avenue May 3.

The repairs included some grinding and miscellaneous work to smooth out the pavement where it meets the railroad tracks.

The maintenance was completed on a Sunday to minimize disruption.

WYDOT recommended motorists avoid the work area and detour their routes around the intersection using Ridge Avenue and Railroad Avenue if traveling south on Elk Street, using Grant Street if traveling on Center Street.

Green River – A Wyoming state trooper conducting a traffic stop on westbound I-80 got more than he expected.

He stopped a 2002 Saturn passenger car for speeding 103 mph in a 75 mph zone approximately three miles east of Green River at milepost 93.

During the course of the stop, the trooper had developed reasonable suspicion criminal activity other than speeding was present. The driver of the Saturn was identified as being from Nice, Calif.

While the trooper was interviewing the driver, a struggle ensued between the two in the ditch next to the interstate. The driver attempted to leave while failing to comply with the trooper’s orders. Multiple witnesses driving by the struggle contacted 911 advising the trooper was in need of assistance.

The driver was taken into custody and was transported to the Sweetwater County Detention Center in Rock Springs. He was charged with speeding and interference with a peace officer.

Three other troopers and deputies from the Sweetwater County Sheriff ’s Office responded to assist.

WHP thanked all of the concerned citizens who notified 911 as a trooper was engaged with this combative suspect.

WHP is happy to report that the trooper and suspect were not injured during the struggle.

Overhead sign work to delay traffic Jackson – WYDOT will be working along multiple state highways over the summer as a part of a district-wide contract for overhead sign upgrades in Lincoln, Sweetwater, Teton and Uinta counties. Work in Teton County began in May. Teton County residents will see roadside work at the U.S. 89-WYO 22 junction, also known as the Y, in Jackson.

During the course of work, motorists may see lane closures, reduced speeds and temporary delays. Crews will do their best to minimize delays and closures and reduce traffic disruption, however, motorists should plan accordingly for up to 20 minute delays. Time spent at this location will vary with the amount of work needed and weather conditions.

“Traffic will be diverted around the work as needed and lane closures are possible to facilitate the overhead work,” WYDOT Engineer David Kaufman said.

The work began in February and will continue throughout the summer, with a completion date set for Oct. 31. Sign upgrades, replacements and removals will take place at about 50 locations throughout western Wyoming. The contract was awarded to Advanced Electrical Contracting, Inc. of Sheridan for $249,000.

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Cracks sealed in Lander at end of April Lander – A $2.3 million highway crack sealing maintenance project continued in Lander the last week of April.

A crew with prime contractor Highway Improvement, Inc., of Sioux Falls, S.D., began work April 28 on WYO 789 beginning at it’s intersection with U.S. 287 across the highway from the WYDOT office in Lander.

The work is between mileposts 81.05 (Lander-Riverton junction) and 82.51 on WYO 789, about 1.5 miles north toward Riverton.

The crews completed ongoing work on WYO 132 near Ethete, and will move to Lander.

Following the work in the Lander area, the crews will move to other Fremont County highways north of Riverton or near Dubois.

WYDOT contracts with private companies for highway crack sealing to restrict surface water penetration into asphalt pavement subbase and base under the asphalt.

“Work time estimates are solely based upon favorable weather,” said Erik Smith, WYDOT resident engineer in Lander.

“Crack sealing is an important part of maintaining our highways in Wyoming.”

When complete this spring, highway cracks will be sealed in Big Horn, Park, Hot Springs, Washakie and Fremont counties, and highways in western Natrona County between Shoshoni and Casper.

Riverton South (WYO 789) project dirt work underway Riverton – Excavation of topsoil and dirt work started on the 3.32-mile highway improvement project directly south of Riverton on WYO 789.

Prime contractor on the $11.04 million project is LeGrand Johnson Construction Co., of Logan, Utah.

“Excavation of topsoil has started, and after topsoil removal is completed, the contractor will begin building slopes for the new five-lane highway that is scheduled for completion this October,” said Robert Scheidemantel, WYDOT resident engineer in Riverton.

Construction of the five-lane highway and widening of the Little Wind River Bridge have an Oct. 31 contract deadline, with the chip sealing and seeding contract deadline being June 30, 2016.

Steel bridge girders were erected over the Little Wind River in early May on the 3.32-mile highway improvement project directly south of Riverton on WYO 789.

Scheidemantel said steel bridge girders were erected on the west side of the current bridge throughout most of the day on May 6. While the girders were unloaded and installed, one-lane traffic was controlled with flaggers across the Little Wind River bridge.

The steel bridge girders on the east Briefs continued on page 8 May/June 2015

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The cracked concrete to be repaired with no additional cost to Wyoming.

Photo: WYDOT

side of the current Little Wind River bridge were erected a week later on May 13.

Cannon is scheduled to continue bridge improvements over the Little Wind River. “The superstructure of the bridge, along with the new bridge deck and approach slabs, will be placed this spring and summer,” Scheidemantel said.

The pedestrian-bicycle pathway along WYO 789 remains closed.

Subcontractor Cannon Builders, Inc., of Blackfoot, Idaho, is scheduled to continue bridge improvements over the Little Wind River. “The superstructure of the bridge, along with the new bridge deck and approach slabs, will be placed this summer,” Scheidemantel said.

The speed limit is 30 mph through the area where the Little Wind Bridge is being widened to five lanes. This lower speed limit may expand as highway improvements progress.

“Please buckle up and please be aware that more workers and equipment are working in the area between 789 Casino and Wind River Casino and beyond,” Scheidemantel said.

“The prime contractor is continuing excavation of the highway shoulders throughout the project, and the contractor is saw-cutting the asphalt shoulders north of the Little Wind River,” said Scheidemantel. “After saw-cutting, the old asphalt roadway shoulders will be removed, and widening of the existing highway will begin between the Big Wind River bridge and the Little Wind River.”

When the Riverton South project is complete, a new five-lane roadway will stretch from the Big Wind River bridge on Riverton’s south edge to south of Wind River Casino on WYO 789.

The scope of work for the Riverton South project includes grading, draining, bridge widening, milling of asphalt pavement, removal and replacement of the existing temporary traffic signal at the WYO 137-WYO 789 intersection, placement of crushed gravel and new asphalt pavement, chip sealing, electrical work, guardrail removal and replacement, fencing and other work on 3.32 miles of WYO 789 beginning at milepost 100.86 between Hudson and Riverton.

Photo courtesy Cody Beers

Briefs continued from page 7

Top: The west side of the Little Wind River bridge on WYO 789 where steel girders were erected May 6.

Bottom: WYDOT engineers Wade Elliott and Ryan Hughes measuring for a bridge pier concrete pour.

Repairs completed on South Federal Boulevard in Riverton Riverton – About four weeks of repairs on South Federal Boulevard began April 7, at the East Adams Avenue-South Federal Boulevard intersection on the $5.04 million highway improvement project in Riverton.

“These repairs carry no additional cost to the state of Wyoming,” said Robert Scheidemantel, WYDOT resident engineer in Riverton.

The crack in the new South Federal Boulevard concrete was removed, and 13 cubic yards of new concrete was poured.

The concrete repair involved removing an eight-foot by 63-foot section of concrete, and replacing it with new concrete.

While working in the area, subcontractor Archer Construction of Riverton will landscaped the project, sealing sidewalks and curb and gutter, and repaired sidewalk.

The begins about 250 feet south of East Monroe Avenue and extends north, ending 0.4 miles north of the Federal-Monroe intersection near Federal Boulevard’s intersection with East Washington Avenue.

Work on Monroe Avenue extends about 250 feet each direction from Federal Boulevard.

Lovell Streets highway improvement project resumes Lovell – Additional work on the Lovell Streets project began April 6 with a $4.9 million price tag. No traffic detours are scheduled this spring while the work is being completed.

Prime contractor Reiman Corp., of Cheyenne and subcontractor Wilson Brothers of Cowley are returning to the project, according to Ben Steed, WYDOT resident engineer in Basin.

The town of Lovell has added installation of 1,250 feet of 15-inch reinforced concrete pipe on the west side of South Jersey Avenue under the existing sidewalk.

Steed said four storm sewer inlets will be installed, and work will include removal and replacement of existing asphalt pavement.

“This work will help the town with a drainage problem in this area,” Steed said.

The South Jersey Avenue improvements, along with more concrete slab removal, replacement and repair and sealing of concrete joints, work along Lovell’s Main Street, will be completed this spring.

Steed said WYDOT is also adding additional concrete to increase width on the west end of town as part of this spring’s work.

The revised contract completion date for work is June 10.

U.S. 14A opened for spring, summer travelers

said.

Prime contractor on the $5.74 million project is Oftedal Construction Inc., of Casper.

The scope of work for the West River Road project includes grading, draining, removal and replacement of box culverts, milling asphalt pavement, placing crushed gravel base and asphalt pavement surfacing on 3.48 miles of WYO 433 beginning at RM 0.66 between Worland and Manderson.

Contract completion date is Oct. 31.

Show us what fun you had!

Photo: Cody Beers

Lovell – The annual spring opening of U.S. 14A between Burgess Junction and Lovell occurred May 18.

“We’ve cleaned up the roadway, fixed the major road slide area on our side of the mountain, and we’ve had some recent spring weather,” said Jason Fleming, WYDOT maintenance foreman in Lovell.

The annual winter closure of U.S. 14A, west of Burgess Junction, is at milepost 76.04 on the Lovell side of the Big Horn Mountains. The seasonal road closure at Burgess Junction is just east of milepost 98.1. WYDOT annually closes this 22-mile stretch of scenic mountain road about Nov. 30 at the conclusion of the fall hunting season. It usually opens for the summer by Memorial Day weekend.

Gone biking? vacation?

Hunt lately?

Top: One of the recently installed signs along U.S. 20 on Worland’s south edge.

Bottom: Pipe installation along WYO 433 in early April being overseen by WYDOT pipe inspector Barry Armstrong of Thermopolis.

Outdoors deadline:

06/17/15

Photo: WYDOT

carlie.vanwinkle@wyo.gov

Maintenance crews from Lovell and Northwest Wyoming cleared snow from U.S. 14A in the Big Horn Mountains between Lovell and Burgess Junction.

Travelers encouraged to use U.S. 20 during improvement project Worland – A pair of recently installed signs on U.S. 20 encourage drivers traveling through Worland to consider avoiding a 3.48-mile highway improvement project on West River Road (WYO 433).

“Pipe installation and some dirt work is progressing throughout the length of the project,” said Dan McAfee, WYDOT resident engineer in Worland. “The work zone is mostly within a narrow state right of way, so traffic is being delayed for up to 20 minutes.”

McAfee said using U.S. 20 during the reconstruction of WYO 433 is “good common sense.”

“We encourage people passing through Washakie County to drive into Worland, use U.S. 20, and avoid delays,” McAfee

Pavement improvement project underway on WYO 432 Worland – A $3.1 million pavement improvement project has started on WYO 432 (South Flat Road) south of Worland.

A crew with prime contractor McGarvin-Moberly Construction of Worland has installed temporary construction signs and hauled gravel to shoulders on this project, according to Dan McAfee, WYDOT resident engineer in Worland.

The Worland-area work starts at the south edge of Worland at milepost 0.54, and the pavement improvements continue for 10.11 miles.

“The contractor’s work schedule will be dependent upon favorable weather, and the tentative start of paving was scheduled for May 18. Drivers of South Flat Road should expect traffic delays of up to 20 minutes,” McAfee said. “We apologize for the inconvenience of this work, but this pavement improvement project will bring a new, safer driving surface to an important rural road in Washakie County. Thank you for your patience.”

McAfee said paving and chip sealing are scheduled to take about six weeks to complete.

Project work includes milling asphalt pavement, placing crushed gravel base, asphalt paving, chip sealing and other work on 10.11 miles of WYO 432 beginning at milepost 0.54 south of Worland.

The WYO 432 pavement improvement project was made possible by revenue from the 10-cent fuel tax increase, passed by the Wyoming Legislature in 2013.

Contract completion date is Oct. 31.

U.S. 16 project work on schedule near Ten Sleep Ten Sleep – Bridge and highway improvements are on schedule on the $11.1 million project in Ten Sleep and west of the Washakie County town on U.S. 16.

The contractor’s work in the town of Ten Sleep is required to be complete by July 1.

Prime contractor for the Ten Sleep West project is Oftedal Construction Inc. “We’re pleased with the progress the contractor is making in the urban section Briefs continued on page 10 May/June 2015

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Prime contractor Riverside Contracting Inc., of Missoula, Mont., finished the slopes on each side of the highway, placed topsoil, finished approaches, and placed the last crushed gravel base.

“By contract, asphalt paving must be complete by June 15,” Frost said. “Chip sealing is tentatively scheduled to start June 15.”

Frost said asphalt paving will consist of a one-inch leveling layer, a four-inch overlay, and a chip seal finish.

The Wyoming Transportation Commission awarded the contract to Riverside last June.

All work, except the chip seal, fencing and reclamation, is required by contract to be complete by June 15. The final contract completion date is Sept. 30.

The project’s scope of work includes widening and overlaying U.S. 14-16-20 with isolated reconstruction, replacement of all existing pipe culverts and box culverts, new fence and new cattle-guards.

“The highway is being widened from the existing 12-foot lanes and six-foot shoulders to 12-foot lanes and eightfoot shoulders, and shoulders are being flattened to improve safety,” Frost said.

“Existing pipes and box culverts are in poor condition and have been replaced, and drainage is being improved.”

Briefs continued from page 9

Photo: WYDOT

of the project inside Ten Sleep,” said Dan McAfee, WYDOT resident engineer in Worland. “It’s impressive what the contractor has accomplished to this point in Ten Sleep and west of town on U.S. 16.”

Work is also continuing on the Nowood River bridge.

“Citizens are beginning to see the huge scale of highway and bridge improvements on this project. We’re pleased with the cooperation of Ten Sleep residents and businesses. We appreciate everyone’s patience,” McAfee said. “This project will serve eastern Washakie County very well for many decades to come.”

The Ten Sleep West project consists of grading, draining, milling asphalt, removal and replacement of sidewalk, curb and gutter in the town of Ten Sleep, placing crushed gravel base and gravel pit run subbase, asphalt paving, a bridge replacement, electrical systems, guardrail, fencing and other work on 3.1 miles of U.S. 16 beginning at milepost 23.74 between Worland and Ten Sleep.

Work zone on the west end of the town of Ten Sleep.

U.S. 14-16-20 paving scheduled on Wapiti-area project west of Cody Cody – Dirt work has reached its final stages and crushed gravel base has been placed in areas of reconstruction on the $8.77 million highway improvement project on U.S. 14-16-20 west of Cody between Wapiti and the east boundary of the Shoshone National Forest, according to WYDOT Resident Engineer Todd Frost in Cody.

The project begins at the Wapiti bridge (milepost 31.98) over the North Fork of the Shoshone River and extends west 4.26 miles to just east of the Shoshone National Forest boundary (milepost 27.72).

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Pavement improvement project underway on Chief Joseph Scenic Highway Cody – A 6.6-mile asphalt pavement improvement project north of Cody is underway on WYO 296 (Chief Joseph Scenic Highway).

The project is located between mileposts 26.41 and 33.20 on WYO 296, and it involves the switchbacks on the Sunlight Basin side of the mountain. The project begins at the bottom switchback near Dead Indian Creek and extends to the summit of Dead Indian Pass.

Prime contractor on the $2.72 million project is HK Contractors, Inc., of Idaho Falls, Idaho.

The project scope of work includes grading, a one-inch asphalt pavement leveling layer and a two-inch pavement overlay, and a chip seal on 6.548 miles of WYO 296.

“The contractor is scheduled to be stripping topsoil from road shoulders, and placing material to flatten oversteepened shoulders, and working on miscellaneous items,” said Wyoming Department of Transportation resident engineer Todd Frost of Cody. “Paving is tentatively scheduled to begin June 1 and is scheduled to be completed in June.

Chip sealing is tentatively scheduled to be completed in August.”

The project completion date is Sept.

30.

The WYO 296 pavement improvement project is made possible by revenue from the 10-cent fuel tax increase, passed by the Wyoming Legislature in 2013.

Guardrail installation on WYO 296 Cody – Prime contractor HL Construction Inc. of Billings, Mont., returns to WYO 296 (Chief Joseph Scenic Highway) to complete improvements on a cattle guard/guardrail project.

The $856,000 project begins 1.11 miles from WYO 120 north of Cody, and it is located between mileposts 1.11 and 20.08 on WYO 296.

The project’s completion date was Sept.

30, 2014, but the contractor was unable to finish the project last fall due to the onset of winter weather. This year’s work on the project will come at no additional cost to WYDOT.

U.S. 287 improvements southeast of Lander Lander – Asphalt milling began May 11, on a highway and bridge improvement project about 15 miles southeast of Lander on U.S. 287.

The 4.66-mile project is located between mileposts 64.27 and 59.61 on U.S. 287, 15-19 miles southeast of Lander.

LeGrand Johnson Construction Co., of Logan, Utah, is the prime contractor on the $4.92 million Beaver Creek West project, the second of two projects between Lander and Jeffrey City on U.S. 287. The Beaver Creek East project was built in 2013.

“The contractor’s plan is to mill asphalt on May 11, and see the start of dirt work as early as May 18,” said WYDOT Resident Engineer Erik Smith of Lander.

“Three areas of reconstruction are part of

this project.”

WYDOT and the prime contractor are installing signs warning bicyclists and motorcyclists near Lander at the Rawlins Junction (U.S. 287-WYO 28 intersection) and at Sweetwater Station Rest Area (U.S. 287-WYO 135 intersection) of the U.S. 287 highway construction activities.

Two years ago on the Beaver Creek East project, motorcyclists encountered slippery driving conditions during an extended period of rain and thunderstorms on U.S. 287. “When wet, the soils between Lander and Jeffrey City become quite slick,” Smith said. “Motorcyclists are welcome to drive through this summer’s project, but the signs are an attempt to offer an alternative to driving through the project, which at times may have challenging driving conditions for even the most experienced riders.”

Motorcyclists and bicyclists driving southeast toward Rawlins will be encouraged to detour over South Pass on WYO 28, and to U.S. 191 and Rock Springs, or to ride north and take WYO 135 near Riverton back to U.S. 287 on top of Beaver Rim. Motorcyclists and bicyclists driving toward Lander on U.S. 287 will

Break Time Mini word search

Find the 20 listed words in the puzzle to the right: 1. Alcova 2. Spring 3. Vacation 4. Lost Cabin 5. Bridges 6. Traffic 7. Aeronautics 8. Airports 9. Cessna 10. Yoder 11. Transportation 12. Policy 13. FHWA 14. Trooper 15. Crash 16. Pileup 17. Retiree 18. Flight Operations 19. WeLL 20. Printers 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.

be encouraged to take WYO 135 at the Sweetwater Station Rest Area, drive to Riverton and then Lander on WYO 789.

“The safety of bicyclists and motorcyclists is a top priority through this project,” Smith said. “WYDOT’s mission charges us with maintaining a safe, high quality and efficient transportation system, and that’s our goal with the Beaver Creek West project.”

Contract completion date is June 30, 2016.

replacement material has included a granular material and layers of geo-grid fabric, crushed gravel and asphalt pavement,” Steed said.

Steed said chip sealing of the rebuilt highway is scheduled for mid-June. “Chip sealing will take several days with minimal traffic delays,” Steed said.

Existing asphalt pavement from these two sections of highway was rotomilled and will be spread on the U.S. Forest Service’s Paintrock Road by Forest Service personnel to improve the road.

Completion date for the $6.6 million slide mediation and highway improvement project was Sept. 15, 2014. “The contractor is working in penalty,” Steed said. “Work on the slide mediation part of the project occurred last summer through mid-December below the highway. That work was required to be complete prior to work on the highway, and by the time the slide work was completed in December, it was too late in the year to work on the road.” n

U.S. 14 paving underway east of Greybull Lovell – Asphalt paving is underway on 1,950 feet of U.S. 14 as part of continuing slide mediation work about 29 miles east of Greybull.

The highway improvements involve 900 feet of U.S. 14 beginning 29.1 miles east of Greybull and 1,050 feet of U.S. 14 beginning 29.5 miles east of Greybull, according to Ben Steed, WYDOT resident engineer in Basin.

“Both of these sections of highway have been excavated 50 inches deep, and M A I R P O R T S B I P R C A I N S L E T A J U C A H H G M

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Photo: Rick Carpenter

April pileup crashes – biggest ever on Interstate 80 in Wyoming

by Bruce Burrows

vehicles. Two drivers, Lynn Freeman, 58, of Williford, Ark., and Jenay Breden, 23, of Westminster, Colo., were killed, and another 20 to 25 persons injured; and again, several of the injuries were serious.

In terms of sheer number of vehicles involved, the two events rank as the biggest crashes ever on a Wyoming highway.

Preliminary reports indicated the April 16 event consisted of four crash sequences, two each in the eastbound and westbound lanes. However, most of the wreckage was located in the eastbound lanes. The section of I-80 where the crashes occurred is governed by variable speed limits (VSLs).

All of the crashes in the April 20 event occurred in the westbound lanes. In one section of the wreckage area, which overall extended along more than a half-mile of roadway, a large and tenacious fire broke out, consuming several vehicles entirely and complicating first responders’ efforts to reach and extricate crash victims.

The road and travel conditions along I-80 west of Cheyenne prior to the April 16 crash were reported as “slick road, with snowfall, fog, blowing snow and visibility.” Only minutes before the series of crashes began, staff in WYDOT’s Transportation Management Center (TMC) noticed that automated speed sensors indicated vehicle “pace” speeds dropping to an average of about 45 mph. Based on observed conditions and the speed sensor data, the VSLs were lowered to 45 mph.

“I believe the quick actions by both the TMC operators and plow drivers on scene to implement the slower speed limit helped minimize the impacts of crashes,” WYDOT GIS/ITS Vince Garcia said. “It may have even saved several lives.”

The April 20 crash on westbound I-80 claimed two lives and involved at least 64 I-80 was closed in both directions between Laramie Photo: Tim McGary

Two major multi vehicle crashes on Interstate 80 in southeast Wyoming, occurring just four days apart in mid-April, presented significant challenges to WYDOT and the Wyoming Highway Patrol while making national headlines and bringing renewed interest in highway safety.

The initial pileup crash began about 11:20 a.m., April 16, near the Harriman Road Interchange (exit 342), 17 miles west of Cheyenne. Ultimately, about 54 vehicles were involved, 37 of them tractor-trailer combinations or other types of commercial vehicles. Fortunately, there were no fatalities, but 20 persons were injured, several of them seriously.

The second and even bigger pileup began about 8 a.m., April 20, in the vicinity of milepost 292, about 18 miles west of Laramie. At least 64 vehicles were involved, 50 of them commercial

vehicles.

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Photo: Duane Ellis

Photo: Rick Carpenter

The wreckage from the April 16 crash is so twisted it makes no sense at all. Fortunately, this pileup resulted in zero fatalities.

and Cheyenne within minutes and would not be fully reopened until 10 p.m. the following evening, nearly 36 hours after the pileup began.

Inclement weather was also a factor in the April 20 event.

Earlier that morning, conditions where the crash would later occur were reported as “slick road, with snowfall, fog and reduced visibility.” The crash occurred just outside the Laramie West VSL zone (which for westbound traffic begins at the Quealy Dome Interchange, exit 290). The dynamic message sign for traffic leaving Laramie westbound warned of “reduced visibility and slick road,” and advised drivers to “reduce speed.”

Even though the wreckage was entirely on the westbound side of the highway, I-80 was promptly closed in both directions of travel. The eastbound lanes would end up serving as a staging area for emergency responders, including firefighters and towing companies.

Besides the major fire that required much of the day to extinguish, a further complication was the presence of a tanker containing butyl cellosolve, a cleaning solution rated as hazardous material. Crews had to use extra caution in case the tanker was leaking (which turned out not be the case). The fire damaged about 220 linear feet of pavement in both driving and travel lanes, requiring emergency patching. Thanks to an around-theclock response, the road was reopened by 4 p.m. the following day.

In both cases, WYDOT and WHP employees worked long hours, and were assisted by numerous other first responders, including (and not limited to) Wyoming Office of Homeland Security, Laramie County Sheriff ’s Office, Albany County Sheriff ’s Office, Wyoming National Guard, various professional and volunteer fire departments in Laramie and Albany counties, AMR Ambulance, F.E. Warren First Responders, and multiple tow companies from Cheyenne and Laramie. Joint training between all of these agencies and their dispatchers was credited for the rapid response, extrication, treatment and transport of those injured in the events, according to WHP Sgt. Dave Wagener.

As might be expected, investigation of the two crashes, together involving more than 120 vehicles, has been a huge and time-consuming duty for the Highway Patrol, with several members of the Patrol’s advanced crash reconstruction team called in for assistance. As of the end of May, the investigations continue and no date has been set for issuance of official crash reports. In the immediate aftermath of both crashes, preliminary indications were that speeds too fast for the inclement weather conditions was a causative factor.

News and social media coverage of the crashes was extensive, gaining attention at national and regional levels; for a time following the second event, crash photos and commentary was the number one trending topic on Facebook. In Wyoming, both the Casper Star-Tribune (on April 26) and the Wyoming TribuneEagle (April 27) published in-depth, front cover feature articles, compiled by reporters Laura Hancock and Lillian Schrock, addressing traffic safety and capacity concerns on I-80. Information for the features was supplied by WYDOT’s Public Affairs Office, Highway Patrol spokesman Sgt. Wagener and WYDOT’s Highway Safety Program. The reporters also interviewed, among others, state legislators and Wyoming Trucking Association managing director Sheila Foertsch.

Both crashes provided opportunities to test the functioning of the WyoLink digital radio system, which continues to develop, and overall, the system met expectations. WYDOT Telecommunications records show that thousands of radio calls were initiated and received by responders over the course of the two events, yet the number of busy signals encountered was negligible (0.1 percent or less). In most of those cases, a caller who received a busy signal needed only to wait a few seconds before the call went through.

“Both of these crashes put WyoLink to a good test in our area,” Rob Cleveland, director of Cheyenne-Laramie County Emergency Management, was quoted in the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle.

“That ability to talk between counties and have agencies in the same talk group is not something we had prior to WyoLink.” n

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April pileups draw attention to communications with truckers

Photo: Andy Young

In recent years, WYDOT has implemented numerous ways to inform the traveling public of weather and road conditions, including dynamic message signs and the interactive wyoroad. info website featuring road and travel information. Nevertheless, there are times when these messages go unheard, unseen or ignored, and crashes, injuries and even fatalities are the result.

Such was the case this spring, when wintry weather was a factor in the April 16 and 20 pile-up crashes on Interstate 80 in southeast Wyoming.

A speed limit reduction was in force through the first crash site, and a reduced speed advisory was posted on dynamic message signs ahead of the second crash site, and in both cases, the website showed accurate road conditions. Still, the crashes occurred and the pileups manifested quickly. Despite utilizing some of the best technology out there, the message simply didn’t reach everyone traveling, or they didn’t pay attention to the warnings.

In the case of truckers, warnings by truckers on their citizens band (CB) radios went ignored by some, unheard by others.

During the April 16 crash, a truck driver who shot home video of the scene can be heard commenting that many driv-

Billowing black smoke from burning butyl cellosolve could be seen for miles from the April 20 I-80 pileup.

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by Jeff Goetz

ers didn’t have their CBs on and weren’t paying attention to the conditions.

As it turns out, truck drivers are not using CB radio to communicate with each other as they did in the past.

Invented and licensed in the late-1940s, the popularity of CB radios as a communications device didn’t peak until the 1970s as the oil shortage and safety concerns prompted highway speed limits to be dropped to 55 mph. Truckers adopted them en masse to talk to each other for directions, road conditions, locations of gas stations, and to find out where the police where conducting “speed traps.”

But as cell phone usage increased in the 1980s and 1990s, its popularity waned. Now with GPS navigation, cell phones, and satellite communications, the CB has taken a back seat as a communications device for truckers. It also has a limited range, somewhere between 3-5 miles at most, and less than a mile in certain conditions. It’s arguable that the CB could have played a part in preventing the pileups, if truckers warned each other of what was happening ahead of them. To do so, however, those CBs had to have been turned on.

“You don’t see as many turned on anymore,” said Dave Schofield, chair of Wyoming’s Transportation Safety Coalition.

“As speed limits have increased, truckers aren’t watching out for troopers as much. So, why do you want to listen to all of that jabber?”

That jabber, Schofield says, is nothing more than talk amongst truckers about anything and everything, and often can be vulgar.

It’s always been part of CB culture, but with so many other ways to communicate, it’s something truckers choose not to listen to.

“From a personal standpoint I see a lot of drivers shutting there CB’s completely off or running on channels that no one uses very much to get away from the garbage talk that seems to be out there. It is not as bad as it used to be, but it is still there,” said Warren Terrell, of WLT Trucking in Torrington, who has been driving the roads since 1978.

But it’s not just truckers who are choosing to turn off the CBs.

Photo: WYDOT

According to a 2014 article posted on livetrucking.com, Coconino County, Arizona banned the use of all hand-held communication devices, including the use of CB radios for commercial drivers. Instead, the county encouraged hands-free devices with headsets. The article stated the county’s reasoning was based upon “a statewide study that showed that over 30 percent of incidents on the road were caused by distractions from hand-held devices, whether it be texting, calling, or browsing the Web on a mobile phone.”

In 2010, Alberta, Canada, banned “recreational use of CB radios.” Bill 16 restricts the use of pretty much anything that could distract drivers, including CBs. Though exemptions are allowed, such as for contact with employers or for emergency use.

Interestingly, drinking coffee, eating and smoking while driving is still allowed.

In Wyoming, no law banning the use of CBs exists. Additionally, Wyoming Trucking Association has taken no stance on CB usage.

“The Wyoming Trucking Association does not have a position on the use of CB’s radios, and to my knowledge we’ve never been approached to take a position,” said Sheila D. Foertsch, managing director of the WTA. “Given that, we do not keep track of which of our member companies have policies that prohibit the use of CBs by their drivers. There could also be companies that do not necessarily have policies against the use of CBs by their drivers, but the company does not provide the CBs and the drivers choose not to bear that expense themselves. It’s highly likely that many companies prefer their drivers not use CBs because of the distraction, but don’t necessarily prohibit their use. We are also seeing a generational lack of use of CBs.”

If not CBs, what?

“Most large fleets use electronic dispatch systems that are equipped with Global Positioning Systems (GPS), said Brenda Birkle, director of Sage Truck Driving Schools in Cheyenne.

“These types of systems are designed for instant contact with drivers and can share information from route, delivery dock assignments all the way up to advising that the driver’s DOT physical will expire soon. Some fleets also use driver monitoring software that can track things like shifting, braking and speed variance. These real time reports can be used as a tool for dispatchers and safety managers as part of a broad perspective of road condition.”

An aerial photo taken of the second I-80 pileup in late April. The above crash resulted in two fatalities.

Truckers are also relying on on-road messaging systems, such as the dynamic message signs WYDOT has installed across the state, the alert notification system and the interactive Web site.

However, these too have limitations.

“The bad thing is the lag in time, from what is occurring to what is actually on the sign,” said Terrell.

He said the key is to keep the information accurate and up-todate.

“And local,” added veteran owner-operator Bill Rouse of Powell.

“The signs are effective. But to warn a (trucker) in Evanston about something that’s occurred on Elk Mountain, well, how many miles away are you?” Rouse said.

Rouse said the Wyoming Trucking Association had looked into the possibility of a warning system tied to the PrePass transponder system used at weigh scales and ports of entry.

“But, it would only be effective within a few miles of a port,” he noted.

Of the truckers who were interviewed for this story, each agreed that the warning and message systems implemented by WYDOT are effective and helpful, but each has its limitations and none are effective if people don’t pay attention to them. In the case of the April crashes, no warning system in use now would have warned drivers of the impending crash if it wasn’t witnessed by Highway Patrol, WYDOT workers or a member of the public who called it in. Even the highway cameras would have to been in the right place taking an image at the right time to have been effective.

So then, do CBs still have a place in trucks? Schofield and others think so, but its role has likely changed for good.

“I think CBs still have a place in the trucking world for communication, it’s just not what it once was. I attended the Utah Trucking Convention and there are 15 new trucks on the display floor and they all have CBs installed from the dealers, which tells me there is still a desire from drivers to have them,” Schofield said.

“The (CB) fell out of favor for many reasons, capacity and reach chief among them. However, they still have a place in driver communication, and can provide a critical linkage where satellite or cell service is spotty or limited; oil and gas or logging for example,” Birkle added.

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Highway and transportation executives gather in Cheyenne for AASHTO spring meeting

AASHTO officials provide update on transportation funding future

Photo: Rick Carpenter

More than 350 transportation professionals from across the United States converged on Little America Hotel in Cheyenne May 13-15 for the annual spring meeting of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) It was the first time since 1988 that WYDOT, or its predecessor agency, the Wyoming Highway Department, had hosted a national meeting of AASHTO. WYDOT Director John Cox is serving as this year’s AASHTO president.

The three-day event featured a full slate for attendees, with the first two days focused on meetings of the standing committees on Aviation, Planning, Highways, and Finance and Administration. Also convening were subcommittees and special committees dealing with intermodal transportation and expansion, asset management, and route numbering.

In addition, the spring meeting featured AASHTO’s “TRAC & RIDES” Bridge Building Challenge, a national competition designed to promote interest among secondary school students in science, technology, engineering and math.

During the evening of May 14, the attendees took a break from the busy slate of business activities and headed to the Wyoming Hereford Ranch east of the Capital City for a western style barbecue dinner with accompaniment from a country western band.

Attendees began the final day in breakout sessions for the four AASHTO regions, including the Western Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (WASHTO). Next was a session where speakers addressed the prospects for future federal transportation funding in the wake of expiration of MAP-21, the current federal transportation bill. (See related article at right by John Davis for details.)

During the afternoon on May 15, Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead traveled to the hotel to speak to the group and provide his perspective on highway and transportation funding needs.

Transportation Commission Secretary Sandra Scott and Equipment Program Manager Bernie Kushnir headed up the local organizing team for the spring meeting, with assistance from more than two dozen WYDOT employees drawn from a variety of headquarters programs and sections. n

Gov. Matt Mead joined the AASHTO meeting to speak to the group regarding transportation issues.

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by John Davis, WYDOT Management Services Issues involved in the extension and reauthorization of the federal surface transportation funding program were the focus when the MAP-21 Implementation and Reauthorization Steering Committee gathered the morning of May 15 at the annual AASHTO Spring Meeting in Cheyenne AASHTO Executive Director Bud Wright outlined prospects for a short-term extension of the program versus a multi-year reauthorization to replace the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act, MAP-21. This law expired Sept. 30, 2014, but had been extended until the end of May and has since been extended through July. With inadequate time to pass a full reauthorization bill, Wright indicated that a short-term extension would be required. He said that since Congress is having difficulty finding the $10 billion or so for the rest of the calendar year, it will be a “non-revenue” extension, perhaps through the end of July.

AASHTO Policy Director Joung Lee updated the group on the dire status of the federal Highway Trust Fund, which is expected to run short of funds to reimburse states for projects sometime this summer. At that point, reimbursements would be limited to amounts flowing into the trust fund from federal fuel and related taxes, drastically reducing funds available to states.

Lee then detailed current proposals for addressing the solvency of the highway trust fund. A variety of “repatriation” proposals, which would tax corporate profits held oversees and brought back to the US, are currently being vetted and might be included in broader tax reform legislation, with the proceeds used for the trust fund. Other ideas being considered include revenue from selling bandwidth within the electromagnetic spectrum and increasing fees on certain types of visas. A bill in the U.S. House of Representatives to increase the federal fuel tax by 15 cents has not generated much support.

Lee also reported on AASHTO’s legislative agenda and indicated that staff members on Capitol Hill are listening to AASHTO’s input, especially concerning environmental process streamlining, planning, and research.

Jim Tymon, AASHTO director of policy and management, lead a discussion of issues with current transportation proposals.

Freight transportation is a key area, with a pair of current bills before Congress directing funds specifically to freight transportation. Tymon indicated that AASHTO members prefer to fund freight through the core surface transportation program and that AASHTO will monitor these bills. Another current issue Tymon identified is local government desire for increased access to and control of federal highway funding. Tymon indicated that AASHTO members strongly support the current system in which most funds are directed to states to maintain a nationwide network of highways. This issue will likely persist.

Greg Nadeau, acting administrator of the Federal Highway Administration, also provided an overview of current FHWA rulemakings and discussed the administration’s priorities for the next surface transportation bill. n

Photos: Dave Kingham

Acting Administrator of the FHWA Greg Nadeau toured WYDOT’s TMC May 14 while in Cheyenne attending the AASHTO spring meeting.

FHWA head tours WYDOT’s Transportation Management Center The head of the Federal Highway Administration toured WYDOT’s Transportation Management Center (TMC ) in Cheyenne on May 14, calling it is the kind of investment in safety the federal government and states need to continue making.

Greg Nadeau became the acting administrator of the FHWA on May 11 after serving as deputy administrator since 2009. He was in Cheyenne for the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials spring meeting.

“This is a great example of an investment in safety,” Nadeau said of the TMC, which monitors highway and traffic conditions around the state, updates WYDOT’s 511 Travel Information Service, controls electronic message and variable speed limit signs and sends out alerts to travelers. “The fact that we can give travelers this kind of information, you can’t calculate how many incidents you’re preventing, but you’re absolutely preventing crashes from happening.”

TMC Supervisor Kevin Cox explained the center’s operations to Nadeau, and Dallas Ortiz, one of the TMC’s lead operators, showed him all the information the operators get and what they do to get that information to the public to help make their trips safer.

“The information you can give to travelers, almost in real time, could really save lives,” Nadeau said.

Safety is the top priority of the U.S. Department of Transportation, and a significant amount of the resources it provides to states is directed toward safety, he said.

“States evaluate where the most important and challenging locations exist, and then they get to determine where those dollars are invested, because what may be a problem here in Wyoming, might not necessarily be a problem in my home state of Maine,” Nadeau said. “States get to determine through a data-driven approach, where the data suggests the problems really lie and direct the investment of safety dollars to those problems.”

However, he noted the FHWA’s authorization to operate the federal transportation program that includes that safety funding

Local television stations interview Nadeau in front of the TMC’s webcam monitoring wall.

was set to expire at the end of May. (On May 23 Congress approved a two-month extension of the program.)

“The president and Transportation Secretary Anthony Fox have put a proposal forward, it’s called the Grow America Act, and the president’s budget would significantly increase funding long term over the next six years, basically to rebuild America’s transportation infrastructure, which is sorely in need of attention,” Nadeau said. “We have basically deferred serious investment in our transportation infrastructure far too long.”

Calling it a pivotal point in the effort to get states and communities the resources they need to maintain their transportation infrastructure, he said the Grow America Act would provide a 30 percent increase in transportation funding over six years, and pay for it with tax reform measures.

“Essentially that’s the debate that’s going on in Congress now,” Nadeau said. “We have to get by this Highway Trust Fund fiscal cliff that we’re facing at the end of this month, before we can get back to talking about the long-term solutions.”

The system of paying for highway construction and maintenance with revenue from the federal fuel tax of 18 cents per gallon worked well during first the 40 to 50 years of the highway system, Nadeau said, but the advent of more fuel-efficient vehicles, along with rising construction costs, has resulted in the fuel tax no longer providing enough revenue to maintain the system.

“The federal budget has essentially supplemented the difference between revenues and what the Congress has established as spending levels,” Nadeau said. “You’re essentially supplementing the Highway Trust Fund with general fund dollars at current levels of investment, so it’s very difficult to significantly increase those levels of investment.”

State transportation departments need a dependable source of funding that will allow them to adequately plan their safety, maintenance and construction programs, he said.

“Your investment in safety depends on your knowledge and the predictability of what resources you’re going to have year in and year out,” Nadeau said. “A lot of members of Congress get this. The administration has put a proposal on the table that we think will address it very directly and long term, and we’re looking forward to working with Congress to finally address this.” n May/June 2015

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Col. John Butler retires after three decades with Highway Patrol Col. John Butler, Wyoming Highway Patrol administrator and commanding officer, retired June 1, capping a nearly 30-year career with the Patrol.

He joined the Patrol in 1985, beginning recruit training in September of that year. His WHP recruit class was the first to undergo training at the then-new Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy in Douglas.

Butler and 11 fellow recruits, including Division C Lt. Casey Goodman of Sheridan and now retired District 3 Capt. Dave Cunningham, were commissioned Dec. 11, 1985 in Cheyenne by U.S. District Court Judge Ewing Kerr.

Butler’s first duty station was Lander, where he remained until 1998 when he was promoted to supervise Division A based in Cheyenne. Two more promotions followed in 2003; first to captain, with duties as commander of the Patrol district encompassing Albany, Laramie and Carbon counties, and then to major, taking charge of field operations for the entire state. In 2010, he became second-in-command of the Patrol with the rank of lieutenant colonel. His final promotion, to colonel, came in 2012, following the retirement of former Patrol Administrator Col. Jess Oyler.

Butler was the 12th person to lead the Patrol since its organization in 1933.

Butler, who was born in Douglas, is a 1978 graduate of Sheridan High School, and he subsequently studied at the University of Wyoming.

“John’s leadership has been proven, and he brought a focused, progressive mindset to the job,” WYDOT Director John Cox said. “He will be missed and leaves big shoes for the next colonel to fill.”

As promised when he took the job, the Patrol under Butler continued to emphasize highway safety, using education and enforcement to accomplish that goal, and also continued its effort to interdict drug trafficking and other criminal activity occurring on or along the state’s highways.

“It’s not easy to walk away from something that has played such a significant role in my life, but the time has come to start the next chapter,” Butler said in an email to Highway Patrol personnel. “What I will miss the most is the people who work here and those contacts you make along the way. It is comforting to know that the citizens of Wyoming have you to continue to serve and watch over them.”

Butler was honored by WHP and WYDOT co-workers during a retirement reception conducted May 27 in the Highway Cafe at headquarters in Cheyenne.

Director Cox expects to announce the timeline for selecting Butler’s replacement soon. n Left: The WHP Color Guard was present at the pinning ceremony. Below: Col. John Butler at his pinning ceremony June 2012. Butler was pinned by family members during the ceremony.

Photos courtesy District 3/Stephanie Harsha

Rock Springs mechanic one of a kind

by Stephanie Harsha

Thomas Jefferson once said, “I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.”

Angela Hutchinson is no stranger to either luck or hard work.

Hutchinson, WYDOT’s only currently working female mechanic in the state, feels lucky to be employed with District 3 Shop.

“I love my job. I’m so lucky. I love the hours, the pay, and the people I work with. There is not much I don’t like about it. It’s all good,” she said with a smile.

Hutchinson was recently honored for her hard work when she was awarded the State Master Mechanic Certification this year – the first female mechanic at WYDOT ever to achieve the status.

However, it wasn’t luck that brought her here “Most of the guys I work with have already done this. All I did was pass a test,” Hutchinson said.

For Hutchinson, and female mechanics in general, it’s much more than that. Currently, about 60 percent of WYDOT’s mechanics have their Master Certification – all men. The certification encompasses eight exams that cover several critical areas, such as: general shop, power train, engines, electric, hydraulics, rigging and administration. The eighth test, which is generally considered the most difficult, is the welding exam.

“It is an actual welding test which must be passed visually by the district equipment supervisor, then sent on to Cheyenne’s lab for different bend tests that check for cracks. There are two tests Angela could have taken: Stick or wire feed. If you pass the test with wire feed you are not certified on stick, but if you pass the test with stick, you are certified on both. Angela passed with stick – the hardest,” District Equipment Supervisor Dave Chapman explained.

Hutchinson has achieved notable success at WYDOT, and has broken down barriers separating female mechanics, becoming the first woman master mechanic. Although she is happy with her work at WYDOT, she doesn’t consider it her greatest achievement. Hutchinson’s hard work and determination extends far beyond just WYDOT. Hutchinson moved to Rock Springs as a young child, watching her stepdad and brother work on motors.

“I would watch them, and that’s when I knew I wanted to get into automotive stuff,” Hutchinson said.

However, her love of auto mechanics would soon be overshadowed by a dark power that overtook her life. Hutchinson began

to struggle in school and at home. She became addicted to drugs.

Her life fell into disrepair.

“It was really a mess. Such a dark part of my life,” Hutchinson said.

After many years of struggle, Hutchinson knew she and her family deserved a better life. She also knew that only she could make that a reality. That change would be one of the most difficult challenges she would ever face.

She cleaned up her life, became sober, and enrolled at Western Wyoming Community College, earning her GED and then an automotive degree.

“I’ve worked very hard to pull my life together,” Hutchinson said.

After graduating, she immediately applied at WYDOT. “I was told by people I wouldn’t get hired anywhere because I was a girl,” Hutchinson said with a laugh. “But they gave me a shot, and I am thankful.”

Hutchinson has become an asset in the District 3 Shop. Her determination and resolve have molded her into a hard working, modest and supportive co-worker within the crew.

“We have been very happy to have Angela in our Rock Springs shop. She came to us very green with an associate’s degree in automotive mechanics, but no real on-the-job experience. Angela has grown a lot as a mechanic in her time at WYDOT. One of her best traits is she is never afraid to ask a question. Mechanics are afraid to ask a question or ask for help and that can lead to big mistakes,” Chapman added.

Hutchinson believes her greatest accomplishment has, and will always be, building a better life for her and her children.

“It has really motivated me to do well, work hard and appreciate what I have,” she said.

“And I really do,” She added.

Hutchinson is much more than just a role model to her children. She has broken down barriers and proved the critics wrong, in both her private and professional life. She has set a strong example of what resolve and fortitude can accomplish.

“I hope that other women, especially moms out there, look at me and say, ‘She did it, maybe I can do that too’,” Hutchinson said with a smile.

At least for that next female mechanic, the door is open now – thanks to Hutchinson. n May/June 2015

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Flight Operations gets state employees where they need to go – fast

by Dave Kingham

Photo: Rick Carpenter

May/June 2015

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Photo: Rick Carpenter

The Aeronautics Division’s Flight Operations Program tions, the jets averaged 400 hours of flying a year to complete operates two Cessna Citation Encore jets to fly state officials 650 to 700 flight legs to various destinations. The study and employees where ever they need to go to conduct official showed it would have taken 533 hours to complete those state business. flight legs in turboprop aircraft, and those 133 additional Tory Meisel serves as the program manager and one of its hours would negate the lower hourly cost of operation. seven pilots. The other pilots are Chuck Davidson, Kory Fogg, In addition, the jets provide safety advantages for flying Kevin Gosar, Pete Gosar, Bryan Stirzinger and Bruce Witt. in Wyoming’s high elevations and over its mountains and All have at least five years of experience in the program, and thunderstorms. some more than 10 years.

Those benefits are particularly useful when taking off from George Jones serves as the maintenance manager for the an airport with mountains nearby, such as Jackson. If it were aircraft, Travis Posthumus is the hangar coordinator, and Tess to lose an engine, an Encore can still climb at a rate of 1,500 to Smith is the flight scheduler and business coordinator.

1,800 feet per minute on one engine, something other aircraft Together, they make it possible for the aircraft to fly an of similar size struggle to do with both engines operating. average of 400 hours a year, safely transporting 3,400 passenThe jets are on a progressive maintenance program to gers on 650 to 700 flight legs to get where they need to go to ensure they are always airworthy, and that entails taking them do their jobs. to a factory service center for inspections after every 50 hours “The airplanes allow people to get around the state of flight. quickly,” Meisel said. “We can take a group out of Cheyenne The jet engines are overhauled every 5,000 hours, a mileto Jackson for a meeting during the day and have them back stone they will reach in the next 12 to 18 months. within an eight-hour day.”

Flight Operations’ monthly budget includes payments into To attend the same meeting using ground transportation programs that cover the cost of the engine overhauls and any would require three days: a travel day to get to Jackson, a day other components that need to be replaced. for the meeting and another travel day to return to Cheyenne, Jones handles line maintenance, including inspections, and plus two nights lodging in Jackson. changing tires and other easily replaced components.

“Clearly driving is going to be cheaper, but when you His primary day-to-day job is tracking how much the factor in the employees’ time and the extra cost associated airplanes are flying, the number of takeoffs and landings they because the drive time takes longer, we get it back down to complete, and that required maintenance is either being done a rate where, for the average employee within the state who’s by him or scheduled to be done at a service center. using it, it’s pretty close to a break even point,” Meisel said.

Jones also tracks the flight hours and maintenance of “With that you get the production from that employee in the WYDOT’s Cessna Caravan aerial photography plane, but the time they’re not in the car, so when you factor that in, it really Photogrammetry and Survey Program provides its own pilot becomes a much more efficient tool.” and schedules the flights.

The two Encore jets were purchased in 2002 and are Posthumus is responsible for operating the WYDOT capable of providing at least another 20 years of service to the hangar and fuel farm. He takes the aircraft out of the hangar state. The planes are identical, except for their seating capacities of eight and 11.

Studies the department has done show they are the right aircraft for the mission, due to their range, fuel efficiency and ability to handle flying in Wyoming’s high elevations even during summer, when increased heat can cause performance problems for some aircraft.

“I think we’re positioned well,” The state Cessna Citation Encore jets flown by Aeronautics Division’s Flight Operation Program.

Meisel said. “It is a very good airplane for the environment it’s flying in. The service ceiling is in the morning and fuels them, and puts them back in the capable of getting above most of the thunderstorms, and can hanger in the evening. do it pretty quickly.”

“He’s a key part of the operation,” Meisel said. “He handles The advantage the jets have over turboprop aircraft is they getting the aircraft in and out so the pilots can concentrate on require fewer hours of flying to get people to their destinathe flight planning and preflight and postflight inspections.” tions.

The pilots evaluate conditions at the airports they will be “A turboprop is cheaper to operate than a jet on a per hour flying into before every flight, and each airport presents its basis,” Meisel said. “What most people fail to realize is that, own challenges. because the jet is faster, the number of miles you cover in one “Some it’s the wind, some the runway is a little bit narhour is significantly more.” rower or shorter, some there are mountains around it,” Meisel In the most recent study completed on WYDOT’s operasaid. “Each is unique and that’s good because it keeps you on

Photos: Rick Carpenter

WYDOT’s Cessna Caravan aerial photography plane is used by the Photogrammetry and Survey Program which provides its own pilot and schedules the flights.

your toes. With the wind in Wyoming, any airport can be tricky on any given day.”

The jets fly anywhere from 39 to 75 hours a month.

“The average has come down a little bit in the last year or two,” Meisel said. “That may have a little bit to do with the budget, but also, as a program, we’ve tried to combine trips. Rather than two flights, we try to look at it and, if the departments or agencies are a little bit flexible, we’ll try to put them on the same airplane.”

The Flight Operations section of WYDOT’s website include links to the aircrafts’ daily schedules.

“We tell the agencies or programs that use the aircraft to look at that so, if they are flexible in their travel, they can combine their flights with other agencies to make it less expensive for everybody,” Meisel said.

Each plane is crewed by two pilots at all times. Flight Operations tries to limit pilots to no more than eight hours of flying and eight flight legs a day, with no more than 14 hours on duty.

“Those are pretty standard rules if you look at how other flight departments or airlines schedule,” Meisel said. “On average, Monday through Friday one of the aircraft flies about 65 percent to 70 percent of the time, and another 40 percent of the time both aircraft are out. We are utilizing the aircraft pretty much on the same level as a business would.”

Meisel came to WYDOT at the end of 2013 from Great Lakes Airlines, where he worked for 21 years in a variety of capacities including pilot, director of safety, head of the flight department and liaison to the Federal Aviation Administration.

“For me this is a great job,” Meisel said. “It doesn’t take me

out for a week or 10 days at a time, which you would have with a United or Delta. You’re home pretty much every night, some time of the night. There is ample office time, but definitely the days flying are more fun than the office days.”

Three of the other pilots also have experience flying for airlines, two flew for freight-hauling companies and one flew for a Denver-based charter company.

“The stability of having a small group where you’re flying with the same six pilots gives you a pretty good idea of who they are,” Meisel said. “You train standardization so you’re always doing the same thing, but you recognize each person is an individual, and with a small group you know how each one is going to react.”

Every six months the pilots travel to Wichita, Kan., for 15 hours of classroom training and 12 hours in a simulator.

“We go to Flight Safety, which is the industry standard and the largest training facility in the country for these types of aircraft,” Meisel said. “We try to send them in groups of three and four, and schedule maintenance on one of the aircraft for the week the group of four is gone, because there won’t be enough pilots in Cheyenne to fly both planes.”

Scheduling a flight on one of the aircraft begins with a call or email to Smith, who can provide information on the planes’ availability and the cost of the flight.

If the agency decides it wants to use the aircraft, a flight request form must be filled out and signed by the agency head to verify that the flight is for official state business. The flight is then scheduled, a crew assigned, and a passenger list compiled so the crew knows who will be on the aircraft.

The cost to the department or agency that uses the aircraft is based on the flight time at a rate of $1,425 an hour. Any downtime while the aircraft is on the ground waiting for the return trip is not factored into the cost.

“There are a certain fixed costs associated with having the airplane,” Meisel said. “We need pilots to fly them, a hangar and somebody taking flight requests. Those are fixed costs, and they’re not going to change whether you fly 100 hours or 500 hours.”

Variable costs including maintenance and fuel are considered when setting the rate to recoup the cost of flying the aircraft.

Flights on the state aircraft aren’t restricted to Wyoming, although about 95 percent of them stay within the state.

“The real benefit to using the airplanes within the state is when you have a group of people using it, and typically your out-of-state travel is maybe one or two people,” Meisel said. “So, economically it’s usually better to do out-of-state flights commercially.” n

Photos: Rick Carpenter

One of the state jets being prepared for a flight. The jet is wheeled out of the WYDOT hangar at Jerry Olson Field at the Cheyenne Regional Airport.

A cockpit view from inside one of the Encore jets. The Aeronautics Flight Operations Program employs seven pilots with at least five years flight experience.

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May/June 2015

Air Service Development Program faces major challenges

by Dave Kingham

Photo: Rick Carpenter

Photo: Rick Carpenter

The Aeronautics Division’s Air Service required for pilots between flights. This, Sheridan experienced drastic reducDevelopment Program assists the state’s along with a wave of pending pilot retiretions in their passenger numbers in 2014. airports in getting and retaining comments, has added to the staffing problems.

Meanwhile, the number of enplanements mercial air service, a task that has become Great Lakes Airlines in Wyoming lost required to get federal Airport Improvemore difficult recently due to changes in two-thirds of its pilots, and was forced to ment Program (AIP) funding remains at federal rules and regulations.

10,000 a year, a level those airports “Air service in Wyoming is can no longer achieve. This equates facing some potentially devastatto an annual loss of $850,000 in AIP ing effects due to the unintended funding for each of those airports. consequences of new rules and “I think the ramifications for regulations imposed by the Federal Wyoming, if some sort of solution Aviation Administration (FAA) and can’t be found to this problem, USDOT,” Air Service Development are significant, because nine out Program Manager Sheri Taylor said. of 10 of our airports are served by “Without some sort of relief, the airregional carriers,” Taylor said. “If line industry, as we know it, is going those regional carriers can’t find to completely change.” some sort of relief, they’ll have to In August 2013 the FAA began keep pulling routes, and going to requiring co-pilots to have an bigger airplanes with less frequency airline transport pilot certificate in order to utilize fewer crew (ATP) to fly planes carrying 10 or resources. Eventually those planes more passengers. Getting an ATP are going to outgrow the size of our Great Lakes is a regional carrier for many Wyoming airports and requires at least 1,500 hours of fly- new FAA regulations are making it tough for them to operate here. communities.” ing experience. Before the change, Great Lakes ended its service to airlines could hire co-pilots with a pilot’s drop more than half its flights. On other Sheridan on March 31, and businesses in license, which requires 250 hours of flying flights they had to reduce the number of the community that relied on air service experience. seats in the planes from 19 to nine in order are already feeling the impacts,” she said.

Regional carriers, such as Great Lakes to continue to fly with co-pilots who don’t The Aeronautics Division completed a and SkyWest Airlines, could hire co-pilots yet have their ATP. That means, regardless study in 2013 that estimated Wyoming’s with 500-600 hours of experience, and of demand, far fewer people are able to fly commercial airline functions at the 10 then give them all the flying time and in and out of Wyoming’s airports. commercial airports support about 10,000 instruction they need to get their ATP. “If you take Cheyenne, for example, jobs, $413 million in annual payroll asWhen the new rule took effect, it cut two years ago they had six round trips in sociated with those jobs and $1 billion in off that opportunity for development, and and out of Cheyenne, so that was upwards annual economic activity or output. regional airlines were left without enough of 136 seats a day back and forth to DenHow much of that economic activity co-pilots to cover their flight schedules. ver,” Taylor said. “You pull 10 of those seats would be lost if more Wyoming airports In January 2014, another new fedout and they go down to two round trips lose their commercial air service is eral regulation took effect reducing the a day, and now we’re down to 36 seats in uncertain, but there is no doubt it would number of hours a pilot can be on duty and out.” significantly reduce those benefits, Taylor and increasing the number of hours of rest Airports in Cheyenne, Riverton and said. Added to the losses would be businesses that decide not to come into the state because of inadequate air service.

“We have many examples over the last several years of businesses that would have located in certain areas of the state, but could not do so because of the lack of what they consider to be adequate air service,” she said. “Some businesses require jets or larger aircraft, and all businesses require reliable air service.”

Aeronautics staff has been working The Sheridan County Airport is one of a handful of Wyoming airports noticing drastic reductions with officials in other affected states, inin passenger numbers since 2014

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cluding Alaska, Michigan, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota, along with Wyoming’s congressional delegation to try to find some relief from the new rules and regulations.

“Really you need more of a groundswell to find a solution that’s going to help states like Wyoming, perhaps in the form of scholarships for pilots, or more credit hours for going to a four-year college and being hired by an airline that has an accredited training program,” Taylor said. “It probably won’t happen overnight, but we have a good chance with reauthorization coming up this year to get some discussion going.”

Taylor came to WYDOT from Great Lakes Airlines in late 2013, and Shawn Burke, the program’s air service development analyst, came from Frontier Airlines. Burke tracks airline schedules, fares, capacity levels, on-time performance and reliability and the state of air service in Wyoming in general, in addition to overseeing the program’s current funding projects and performing daily tasks.

The team uses education and promotion to encourage people to use Wyoming airports, because when residents fly from airports outside of the state, Wyoming loses all the taxes and revenues associated with passengers flying in and out of Wyoming.

“We also work very closely with the airlines that serve Wyoming, and provide some assistance to them to serve routes in Wyoming that otherwise would be too risky for them to operate due to potential profit losses, Taylor said.

The program gets $2.8 million state appropriation every two years, which it in turn grants to communities to allow them to offer minimum revenue guarantees (MRG) to airlines.

“If you take, for example, Rock Springs, SkyWest says it’s going to cost us this much to operate Rock Springs to Denver, and this is what we forecast as the profit, so here’s what we’re missing in between,” Taylor said. “Between us and the funding match provided by the community, we provide them an MRG which says, if your costs are here and your revenues are here, we’ll pay this much to make up the potential difference, plus an agreed upon profit margin for the airline.”

The guarantee is a maximum, so if the service generates more revenue than projected during the contract period, the state and the communities would provide less funding to the airline.

The state provides up to 72 percent of the total MRG, and the

community must provide a minimum of a 28 percent funding match.

Cody, Gillette, Jackson and Rock Springs are currently participating in the program. Sheridan and Riverton hope to participate in the future, but so far have not been able to find an airline willing to commit to serve their airports, because they don’t have the crew resources that would be required to operate there.

“We’re extremely grateful and appreciative for the amount of money that we get and are able to utilize for the communities that are currently participating, but there are more communities wanting and needing to participate in this program now, Taylor said.

“So we’re currently working to be able to bring that service in, and also working toward the appropriate amount of funding to be able to sustain that.”

Wyoming airports also are eligible for assistance through the Essential Air Service Program, a federal subsidy program created to ensure that communities with air service when the airline industry was deregulated in 1978 could keep that service.

Currently the Cody, Laramie and Worland airports are receiving federal subsidies through the EAS program.

Federal grants also are available through the Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASD). Sheridan was granted $500,000 through the program in 2013, and Cheyenne received $250,000. Airports across the nation compete for the SCASD grants, only a handful are awarded each year and it’s onetime funding.

No local or state funding match is required for assistance through the EAS and SCASD programs The Air Service Development Program staff makes communities aware of the grant funding available, encourages them to apply for it, and assists them with the process. They also speak to groups and officials around the state about the importance of air service and the effects of losing that service.

“When a community is trying to bring in new air service, or keep existing service, we work quite extensively with them, contacting the airlines, facilitating those relationships and helping negotiate the type of service that they want,” Taylor said. “Anything that any of the 10 airports need, as far as air service development and air service promotion and education, we’re here to provide them with assistance.” n

Aeronautics Division promotes air service, infrastructure, safety at Wyoming airports

Currently Pete Schoonmaker of Sheridan is the commission chairman, and Jerry Dilts of Riverton is vice chairman. The other commissioners are Charlie Ksir of Laramie, Chuck Wilkie of Worland, Doyle Vaughan of Jackson, William DeVore of Casper and John Newton of Cody.

Dennis Byrne serves as administrator of the Aeronautics Division, which is divided into four separate programs to address the full spectrum of aviation needs in Wyoming.

WYDOT’s Aeronautics Division is governed by the Wyoming Aeronautics Commission, which is made up of seven members appointed by the governor for six-year terms.

The commission approves grants and loans of state and federal money for airport construction, maintenance, improvements, marketing and air service enhancements during quarterly meetings and teleconferences conducted in each of the other eight months.

Aeronautics Commissioners left to right: Jerry Dilts, Doyle Vaughn, Charlie Ksir, Chuck Wilkie, Pete Schoonmaker, William DeVore and John Newton.

Planning and Programming helps plan future of Wyoming’s airports

Photo: Rick Carpenter

Aeronautics’ Planning and Programming works with the Federal Aviation Administration and Wyoming’s 40 public airports to develop master plans for those airports, and also creates a State System Plan for aviation in Wyoming.

“The division is a funding agency, and so we approve plans and make sure that state goals are being met by all these airports,” said Planning and Programming Manager Christy Yaffa. “We also are project managers for the environmental projects, such as environmental assessments, and land acquisition projects.”

The program also maintains the Wyoming Aviation Capital Improvement Program, which is a five-year plan for airport projects.

“We work very closely with the FAA and the airport sponsors to plan out how airport development is going to be funded, and then present that to the Aeronautics Commission and make recommendations for which projects to fund,” said Yaffa, who has been with the division for 21 years.

Joining Yaffa in the program are John Mahoney, a senior planner who handles project management, and Merri Burkett, who is the grants specialist and handles most of the programming and grants processing.

The State System Plan they help develop is a strategic plan for airport development in Wyoming. It sets goals and objectives, and helps monitor performance towards meeting those goals and objectives.

“Everybody wants to make sure that we’re putting our money in the areas that make the most sense, so that’s what the State System Plan helps us do, and it explains why we do what we do,” Yaffa said. “Do we really need a paved runway in Lander? We do, because they have a lot of air ambulance activity, among other uses going on there, and those aircraft need a paved runway. That’s the kind of thing the plan explains.”

The funding available has been focused on maintaining existing airport facilities for the past decade, and as a result the overall condition of the state’s airports is good, especially when compared to other states.

“I think we’re sitting pretty well, as far as the infrastructure that we have, where it’s at and the condition of it,” Yaffa said. “The highest priority projects are the ones being funded. If we had more funding we could reach deeper, and do more of the development shown on the airport master plans.”

The Aeronautics staff does some of the system planning, such as the inventory of air ambulance activity at Wyoming airports, but much of the planning is done by consultants.

Consultants hired by the airports also do much of the work on the individual master plans developed for those airports. The plans include surveying, looking at the activity at the airport, the types of aircraft using it and what kind of hangar, terminal and runway facilities are provided.

“They forecast what kind of activity an airport will need for 20 years, how many commercial passengers they’ll see, and then they

by Dave Kingham look at the existing facility and say, this will or won’t facilitate all of that activity,” Yaffa said.

The FAA sets standards on what must be included in a master plan, and to be eligible to receive state funds, a current airport layout plan with proposed future development must be included.

The master plans are updated at least every 10 years, and more frequently if an airport is experiencing activity not anticipated previously, such as more demand for flights due to an energy boom.

The program is conservative in its planning, so now that the recent oil and gas boom is tapering off, the airports in the affected areas don’t have a lot of new capacity needs.

“I don’t think there’s going to be a lot of building of new infrastructure, because the runways we have are pretty sufficient for the activity that we have,” Yaffa said.

Uncertainty about the level of federal funding that will be available in the future is causing the same problems for the state’s airport planners as it does for highway planners. Those uncertainties include changes in federal rules and regulations that have caused regional airlines to cut flights in Wyoming, and the lack of a longterm federal transportation funding program.

“The challenges on the air service side and trying to maintain that makes it tough on the facilities side, because we don’t know what to build,” Yaffa said. “The federal dollars that are coming into the state for airport development are pretty stagnant, but costs have continued to go up, so more of the responsibility is falling to the state to develop these airports, and especially the smaller airports.”

Federal funding for airport development in Wyoming has been around $35 million annually in recent years, but that is expected to drop as a result of the regulations that have led to fewer flights and passengers using Wyoming airports.

Wyoming’s aviation system, including 10 small commercial service airports spread out across a big state with very little population to support each one, presents challenges of its own. The costs of building and maintaining runways at Wyoming’s small airports is not much different than the costs for runways at much larger airports, Yaffa said.

Regional air carriers are moving to more jet aircraft, because the smaller turboprop aircraft they are flying currently are no longer being built. That could have an impact on infrastructure needs, because jets require longer runways, and because they carry more passengers, bigger terminal buildings.

“On that side of things, we’ll continue to need to improve our facilities just because technology is changing and the industry is changing,” Yaffa said. “Our aviation system is a very mature system. It’s a pretty delicate balance between the public and private side of things with the airlines. They’re private businesses, but they are highly regulated. Any little tweak made to the regulations can have a significant, and sometimes unintended, impact.” n May/June 2015

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Photo: Rick Carpenter

The renovated Jackson Airport exterior; it celebrated it’s grand reopening December 2010.

Engineering and Construction oversees state airport improvement projects

by Dave Kingham

The Aeronautics Division’s Engineering and Construction Program oversees maintenance and improvement projects at 40 airports around Wyoming.

Engineering and Construction Manager Cheryl Bean leads a staff that includes Project Engineer Brian Olsen, Airports Engineer Tim Dolan and Aeronautics Analyst Greg Hampshire.

Olsen handles project management on most airport construction projects, Dolan handles the pavement management program and group maintenance projects such as crack sealing and seal coating, and Hampshire handles equipment projects, marketing and aviation encouragement grants and safety data inspections.

“We oversee funding to airports, approved through the Aeronautics Commission,” Bean said. “We provide grants for all kinds of infrastructure projects and then we oversee that work from a funding agency perspective. We do scope and plan reviews, and we go out on site and perform inspections. We’re part of the project from start to finish.”

Funding for the infrastructure grants comes from both the Federal Aviation Administration and the state, with an average of $28 million in federal money and $9 million in state money available annually. Some of the state money is used to help satisfy the matching funds requirements on the federal grants, and some is used for projects funded only with state and local money.

“We administer a statewide crack seal project each year for the airports, and we facilitate group seal coating and marking projects,” Bean said. “We’re trying to get the best bang for the buck by putting all the airports together in projects, so we can get a lot more done with the funds available.”

Projects eligible for Aeronautics Commission funding include safety, security maintenance, airport enhancement, planning, marketing and aviation encouragement. The program purchases

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windsocks in bulk and provides them to airports at no cost.

The Engineering and Construction staff works jointly with the Planning and Programming staff to evaluate projects presented for Aeronautics Commission approval. The Wyoming Aviation Capital Improvement Program is for airports, what the State Transportation Improvement Program is for highways. The evaluation process utilizes information including pavement management plans, design standards, staff expertise and knowledge of the airports to ensure prudent expenditure of public funds.

The program also conducts safety data inspections at general aviation airports on behalf of the FAA. The results are published in the FAA’s Airport/Facility Directory, which is used by pilots for flight planning. Any deviation from federal standards that would be considered a safety issue is brought to the attention of the airport for correction.

A substantial portion of the program’s capital improvement budget goes to maintaining pavement in one way or another. Runway pavement, especially if the airport is used by jets, must be smoother and cleaner than highway pavement.

“We can’t tolerate any FOD, which is foreign object debris,” Bean said.

“We use the same

Photos: Rick Carpenter

Photo: Rick Carpenter

pavement condition index scale runways at the Lander and of 0-100, but what is considered Wheatland airports, and adequate for a road wouldn’t be a new terminal building considered adequate for a runway.” for the Cheyenne Regional While heavy traffic takes a toll Airport. on highway pavement, a lack of The FAA, local airport traffic contributes to deterioration sponsors and WYDOT of airport pavement. collaborate on the improve“Asphalt bakes in the sun, and ment projects beginning there’s less traffic loading to keep with an environmental the asphalt alive, so to speak,” Bean assessment, site selection said. “That’s why we do seal coating and the public comment to keep pavement from deterioratprocess. ing from oxidation. So that’s a wise Then the design process way to spend our money.” begins, and for a new To be eligible for funding from airport it can take a couple The exterior of the Cheyenne Regional Airport. the Aeronautics Commission, an years to complete, folairport must be publicly owned lowed by multiple years of and used. Of the 40 airports eligible for funding, five are considconstruction. ered turf, which means their runways are dirt, gravel or grass, “At any given time, just on the engineering side, we probably and they very seldom ask for funding. have about 140 projects going,” Bean said. “They’re not all under “We have a priority rating model that weighs what kind of construction, but they’re in some phase. We might just be waiting airport they are and what classification they are within our state, on some closeout reports, or we might be starting the design. and they get points based on that,” Bean said. “A commercial This number also includes equipment, marketing and aviation service airport has greater needs and more projects they have to encouragement grants.” do, but they also have more money of their own, and they also The size of the local funding match required for projects receive more money from the feds. So we provide a lot of money depends on the type of work being done. For state-funded work, to the general aviation airports.” the Aeronautics Commission funds safety projects at 90 percent, Wyoming’s newest airport will be the Hot Springs County maintenance or rehabilitation at 80 percent and expansion or Airport under construction about 13 miles northwest of Therenhancement at 60 percent. Snow removal equipment is funded mopolis. It’s scheduled to open in November. at 90 percent.

The $16 million project is being completed with nearly $13 On federal projects, the grants are for 90 percent to 93.75 million in federal money and $2.7 million in state money. percent of the cost. The remaining portion is the airport spon“The existing Thermopolis airport doesn’t meet FAA stansor’s responsibility. The Aeronautics Commission then provides dards,” Bean said. “The timing of the project was very fortunate 60 percent of the remaining match, and the local airports provide for them because the local match required was only 2 percent.

40 percent.

It’s very difficult for the local government to come up with a 4 “With the federal funding and $9 million from the state, right percent match on that size project.” now, to me, it feels like we’re keeping up and doing pretty well,” Major construction has begun in Riverton to correct a grade Bean said. “If either of those funding levels goes down it will problem at one end of the primary runway. Pavement overlays hurt. We have been very focused on just maintaining what we are scheduled this year at the Newcastle and Torrington airports. have for many, many years, because our budget never has been The runway relocation project at Dubois will continue this really high.” n year, and there are apron reconstruction projects at Douglas and Left: The finishing touches being put on the newly built Cody Airport in Evanston airports. late 2010.

Other major projects on the horizon are reconstruction of the Right: A runway marker at the Riverton Airport.

Training

Strong Start for eLearning at WYDOT

by James Boyd, Training Services On March 16, WYDOT employees had their first chance to visit and use the WYDOT eLearning Library (WeLL). Since that time, the WeLL has had over 600 distinct user logins with 95 course completions. Employees have also accessed other resources that the WeLL offers, including books, knowledge centers, challenges, learning sparks, practice labs and skillbriefs all totaling more than 165 hours of use. Considering this has all happened in less than a month, we believe the WeLL is off to a great start!

Training Services had the opportunity to attend and talk about the WeLL at the Annual Supervisors and Engineer’s Conference in Cheyenne held at the beginning of April. Several questions about eLearning and the WeLL came up during the conference.

Here’s the gist: 1. What is the difference between courses and resources in the WeLL? The learning options in the WeLL are called “assets.” Assets can be courses, books, videos or resources such as Business Impacts, Learning Sparks, etc. Each unique asset is actually part of a larger picture called a course series. Employees are welcome to take only one asset or find the course series that includes all related assets. One can easily find the course series by selecting the detail of an asset and clicking the “Related Library Topics” link underneath that asset. The link brings the user to the course series that may include multiple courses and multiple resources – for example, business challenges, learning sparks and more.

2. What does the WeLL cost and am I suppose to charge my time to it?

The content from the WeLL has already been paid for by WYDOT, so these learning assets are free for WYDOT em-

ployees. Taking time at work to learn from the WeLL is really the same as if you were attending a WYDOT-University or TLN course. To attend any learning opportunity (be it classroom based or eLearning) you should first check with your supervisor. Then, if you are completing a course on the WeLL during work time, you should track your time spent and charge your time as you would for any WYDOT-University course. Time codes for WYDOT-U courses have been simplified to help with this coding. They are: • WYOUTRNCOM – Communication.

• WYOUTRNCUS – Customer Service • WYOUTRNTEA – Team Player • WYOUTRNJUD – Judgment and Decision Making • WYOUTRNPER – Personal Effectiveness • WYOUTRNDEV – Developing Others • WYOUTRNLDR – Leadership It is up to your supervisor’s discretion as to which time code works best for the training you are taking.

3. I’m a supervisor. How can I check to see if my employees are accessing the WeLL and for how long?

Supervisors have access to what their employees have viewed and what they’ve accessed in the WeLL and for how long.

Under the Quick Links drop down link in the WeLL, supervisors should see an option called “Admin.” This is the area where you can see direct reports and generate usage data. If an “Admin” link is not showing, simply give Training Services a call and we’ll be happy to change your access level. For more information on the “Admin” section, refer to the Help or Support sections in the WeLL. Access the WeLL today by going to: https://wydot-training. skillport.com/skillportfe/login.action n

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Photo: Carlie Van Winkle

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Assistant Chief Engineer-Operations Ken Shultz and Support Services Administrator Tom Loftin assist Training Services with the WeLL giveaway by drawing two names from the WYDOT helmet.

The prizes offered in the most recent WeLL giveaway drawing.

r

The winners of the WeLL giveaway are Roger Kindsfater and Janet Farrar. Congratulations to them, and thanks to everyone who participated by completing a course, reading a book synopsis, or watching a video!

Have you been to the WeLL yet? To date, Training Services have had nearly 700 WYDOT employees log in and complete nearly 175 courses. A total of 74 employees have looked at books and/or videos and employees have spent more than 265 hours learning at the WeLL! For those of you who have and are using this resource, thank you! If you haven’t yet explored it, Training Services encourages you to give it a try. The WeLL has 840 online courses that not only cover topics related to the state of Wyoming’s Behavioral Competencies, but also include Learning Portals for Microsoft Office 2007. n

Photo: Carlie Van Winkle

Winners of the WeLL Giveaway

Training ata Glance

Here are upcoming training opportunities from WYDOT-U and the Transportation Learning Network (TLN)

This month: Date Class 6/2/15 7 Habits of Highly Effective People 6/9/15 Relationships & Teams 6/11/15 Listen Up: Improving Your Ability to Listen Effectively 6/17/15 Train the Trainer 6/25/15 Intentional Leadership Conversations

PMI Competency Addressed Personal Effectiveness Team Player Communication Communication Leadership

Location WYDOT-U WYDOT-U WYDOT-U WYDOT-U WYDOT-U

Coming in July: Date Class 7/13/15 New Employee Orientation 7/29/15 Crucial Conversations

PMI Competency Addressed Communication Communication

Location WYDOT-U WYDOT-U

Coming in Date 8/6/15 8/11/15 8/19/15 NEW! 8/20/15 NEW!

PMI Competency Addressed Team Player Leadership Communication Judgement & Decision Making

Location WYDOT-U WYDOT-U WYDOT-U WYDOT-U

August: Class MBTI & Teams New Supervisors Orientation The Art of Negotiation Building Teams Through Problem Solving

Don’t forget that there are many more learning opportunities at the WeLL! 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).

s

S tate E mployee

SERG

up

Retirement Gro

Buzzed Driving IS Drunk Driving Always use a designated driver HIGHWAY SAFETY PROGRAM

Gather with other state retirees monthly.

SERG meets at noon the second Monday of each month at the Cheyenne Holiday Inn. The gatherings include a brief business meeting, social luncheon and an educational program.

Contacts for further information:

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

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TechNotes IT recommendations for network printers

Recent changes in the server room at headquarters IT has brought about a need for compatible printers on the Cheyenne network (Cheyenne-print). New servers have been purchased and IT is streamlining processes for all the ‘behind the scenes’ action.

Since network printers require server based drivers to operate, similar products are the standard for all new printer purchases to help IT staff maintain the servers and troubleshoot any problems for the drivers to perform at their optimum. HP printers, with the exception of Xerox and Kyocera copiers, will be the only products supported on the network from this point forward.

“HP was chosen for their great customer service,” said IT Support Specialist Stevie Marsh. “Their product is easy to work with and printer drivers are easy to install and uninstall.”

Due to reliability issues with other brands of printers, IT recommends all printers purchased need to be from the often-updated approved printer list.

Recently, Marsh placed a listing of these approved printers on the intranet. The page can be found on the IT page of the intranet under the “Currently Approved Network Printers” tab on the right hand side. If you are unsure of the printer to purchase, Marsh can help select one that suits your program’s needs and will get you a quote.

When viewing the approved printer page, be aware that the printer you are researching may not be there next month.

Marsh warns, “The list is dynamic and we try our best to make sure it is up to date.”

Since printers are not on a replacement cycle and should your printer fail or need replacing, please consult the approved list for a replacement. After that, seek a quote from Marsh in IT and then send it on to your program manager, executive staff and budget. After approval, IT Support Specialist Ann Myers can help you get the HP printer purchased.

All network printer exception requests should be taken to the program manager first, then to IT Program Manager Rusty England. n

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All in One (Scan/Copy/Fax/Print) HP LaserJet Pro MFP M127fn HP LaserJet Pro MFP M225dn HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M476dn HP LaserJet Enterprise 500 color MFP M575f - Color Low Volume Black and White HP LaserJet Pro M201dw HP LaserJet Pro 400 M401dne Low Volume Color HP LaserJet Pro 400 Color M451dn HP LaserJet Enterprise 500 Color M551dn Mid/High Volume Color HP Color LaserJet Enterprise CP4025n HP Color LaserJet Enterprise M651dn Mid Volume Black and White HP LaserJet Enterprise P3015x HP LaserJet Enterprise 600 Printer M601dn High Volume Black and White HP LaserJet Enterprise 600 Printer M602n HP LaserJet Enterprise 600 Printer M603dn Black and White (capable of 11x17) HP LaserJet Enterprise 700 Printer M712dn HP LaserJet Enterprise M806dn Color (capable of 11x17) HP Color LaserJet Professional CP5225dn HP Color LaserJet Enterprise M750n HP Color LaserJet Enterprise M855n Scanners HP Scanjet Enterprise Flow 5000 s2 Sheet-feed Scanner HP Scanjet Enterprise Flow 7000 s2 Sheet-feed Scanner HP Scanjet N6310 document flatbed scanner HP Scanjet N6350 networked document flatbed scanner HP Scanjet Enterprise Flow N9120 Flatbed Scanner

Postini replaced with Google Vault ETS has transitioned from the Postini spam filter to Google Vault. WYDOT users will no longer receive a daily quarantine email notification and will not be able to access the Postini portal. Spam will be managed through the spam label in your wyo.gov GMail account. Here are some additional steps you can take to view your Spam label, create approved senders and block senders.

These are optional items. To turn on the optional items, follow the steps below.

How to turn on your Spam label. The GMail Spam label will contain quarantined messages. By default, GMail hides the Spam label, but you may wish to display the label to see quarantined items.

To show your Spam label: 1. In GMail, click the Gear button, then choose Settings.

2. Click the Labels tab.

3. Under System Labels, click Show next to Spam.

Blocked senders. The new mail features will block senders if you mark messages from them as Spam. For future ease of use:

Legitimate mail. If you’re missing a message and think it might have been quarantined, please try: 1. First, check in your Spam label in GMail. If you find your message there, mark it as Not Spam by clicking the “Not Spam” button. This will train GMail to allow messages like it through in the future.

2. If the message wasn’t in your Spam label, contact the Help Desk at (307) 777-3995 or put in a Grouplink Ticket and ask IT to check your quarantine for the message. If the message is found and delivered to GMail, it may end up in your Spam label. If this happens, follow the same instructions from Step 1 above to mark it as “Not Spam”. This step is only necessary for two weeks after we complete the process.

Spam. If you find a message in your Inbox that should have been filtered as spam, mark it as Spam by clicking the “Report Spam” button.

This will train GMail to filter this message in the future.

4. The Spam label should now be visible on the left hand side list under your Inbox.

To add approved senders to your Contact list. The GMail Spam engine uses your Contact list as a signal that you trust the sender. If there are email senders you receive legitimate mail from that often gets quarantined as spam, add them as a contact. To do this: 1. Find a message from the sender.

2. Click the down arrow next to the Reply or Reply All button and choose Add (Sender Name) to Contacts list.

Get smart!

AVOID THE

DUI LIFE

Download and use the free Drive Sober Wyoming smartphone app. drivesoberwy.com May/June 2015

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When a PMI question comes to your attention, who do you call? If you have a life changing event or need insurance forms do you know who to contact?

With new additions and changes to the HR Program’s ranks, you may be unsure of who to contact, especially since each HR representative handles a different district or program.

Meet the HR team:

Lon Pfau, longtime HR manager, first came to WYDOT in 1994. He oversees the program and guides the group to develop and care for WYDOT employees.

Brian Foster joined the HR Program as deputy manager January 2013. Foster has worked for the state in several different agencies, most recently the Game and Fish Department.

Katherine Castaneda joined WYDOT in February 2013. As the HR coordinator, she coordinates appeals, reclassification requests and provides guidance related to compensation, PMI and HR policies and procedures. Castaneda is also the HR headquarters contact for District 2. She can be reached at 777-4362.

Pfau

Foster

Castaneda

Lorrie Abeyta, a Senior HR associate worked for Administration and Information transferring to WYDOT in December 2007 to join the Human Resources team. Lorrie is the HR representative for District 5, Support Services Program which consists of Civil Rights, Compliance and Investigations, Driver Services, Employee Safety, Fuel Tax Admin- Abeyta istration, Human Resources, Motor Vehicle Services, Office Services and Training Services; also Director Administration, Internal Review Service, Strategic Performance Improvement, Management Services and Public Affairs. Abeyta can be reached at 777-4104.

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Who do I contact?

Raquel Christensen, a Senior HR associate joined the WYDOT Human Resources team in April 2015. Prior to coming to WYDOT, she worked for the Wyoming Department of Corrections for eight years and one year with the Wyoming Department of Health. Raquel represents District 1; Aeronautics; Field Operations which includes Equipment Office, Maintenance Office, Construction Office and Facilities Management; and Operations which includes Budget, Enterprise Technology, Financial Services, GIS/ITS, Highway Safety, Information Technology, Purchasing, Telecommunications and Traffic. Christensen can be reached at 777-4467.

Hilary Wasserburger, a Senior HR associate began her employment with the state of Wyoming in June 2012 with Highway Patrol before she joined WYDOT in March 2015.

Hilary represents District 3 and all districts of the Highway Patrol. Wasserburger can be reached at 777-4377.

Stacie West, a Senior HR associate joined the WYDOT Human Resources Office in December 2014. She previously represented District 4 as the Senior Human Resources associate in Sheridan. Stacie now represents District 4, Bridge, Contracts and Estimates, Geology, Highway Development, Highway Project Delivery, Materials, Planning and Right-of-Way in Cheyenne. West can be reached at 777-4356.

Christensen

Wasserburger

West

As always, you can find more information on the Human Resources intranet page including email addresses and various forms.

Noteworthy

DeVore, Newton join Aeronautics Commission William DeVore of Casper and John Newton of Cody are the newest members of the Wyoming Aeronautics Commission.

They were appointed by Gov. Matt Mead to replace John Vincent and Vince Tomassi, whose terms on the commission expired in recent months.

Newton is serving as an atlarge commissioner for a term that will end on Newton March 1, 2021.

He is a retired FBI special agent and a private pilot, owning a single-engine aircraft. Since moving to Cody with his wife following his retirement, he served

Sheridan Masonic Lodge. He has assumed leadership roles with the Wyoming High School Activities Association, Buffalo Golf Club, Buffalo YMCA, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Buffalo, Wyoming Senior Golfers’ Association and Fort Phil Kearny/Bozeman Trail Association.

Newton is a self-described history buff, with focus on pioneer life, westward expansion and Native American culture.

Among hobbies and interests, he lists skiing, golfing, reading, UW athletics, travel and training dogs for hunting waterfowl and upland birds. He and his wife, Mary Jo, have raised three sons and a daughter, and they have seven grandchildren.

several terms on the Joint Powers Board at Yellowstone Regional Airport, including a year as board chairman and two years as secretary.

During his tenure on the board, he assisted in the planning, construction, and development of the new terminal at the airport in Cody.

He holds college and graduate degrees in science.

DeVore represents Fremont, Natrona, Converse and Niobrara counties on the commission and his term extends until March 1, 2019.

He is a LaraDeVore mie native, and has lived in Casper most of his life, serving 10 years on the board of the CasperNatrona County International Airport, including two years as president.

He earned his pilot credentials at Big

Bend Community College in 1980, and started his aviation career at Sun Valley Aviation as an aviation lineman, flight instructor, and charter pilot. He then became a pilot for Sinclair Oil, and later for Columbia Pictures and Sony Corp. in Los Angeles, flying executive jet aircraft.

He is presently flying a Beech Baron and a Beech Duke for business use. He holds an Airline Transport Pilot certificate, a CFII rating, and holds type ratings in the following turbojet aircraft: Lear Jet, Israeli Aircraft Jet, Cessna Citation 500 series, and Dassault Falcon 50/900.

DeVore and his brother own Peterbilt of Wyoming, a medium and heavy-duty truck and trailer dealership with four locations in the state.

He is an active member of the Casper Rotary Club and the Casper Nordic Ski Club board.

The commission approves grants and loans of state and federal money for airport construction, maintenance, improvements, marketing and air service enhancements.

IT

K LIC

OR

click it or ticket. no excuses.

ET

Rick Newton of Buffalo is the newest member of the Wyoming Transportation Commission.

He was sworn in

by Judge Steven Sharpe on April 16 at the beginning of the commission’s monthly meeting. Newton represents Commission District 4, covering Newton Campbell, Johnson and Sheridan counties. He replaced Milt Coulter of Gillette, whose term on

the commission expired earlier this year.

Newton enjoyed a lengthy career as an educator, retiring in 2009 after compiling 35 years in the profession. He served as a classroom teacher in Buffalo and Big Horn, and as a principal in Baggs, Buffalo and Kaycee. Newton also spent seven years in Venezuela, where he was a principal and administrator at two different schools.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics education from the University of Wyoming, and subsequently, a master’s degree in educational administration at UW. In addition, he served two years with the U.S. Army.

Newton has chalked up an extensive record of community and volunteer service, including memberships in the Buffalo Kiwanis Club, Kaycee Lions Club and

C

Newton new to Transportation Commission

T IC K

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District News Headquarters

Welcome March Jessica Frazier, Cheyenne I-80 Port Of Entry; Roger Grant Jr., Facilities Management-Building Maintenance; and Robert Richardson, ComplianceInvestigation.

April Austin Bluemel, Patrol-Safety and Training; Corbin Brown, Patrol-Safety and Training; Raquel Christensen, Human Resources; Momen Elazizi, PatrolSafety and Training; Sabrina Ernst, Motor Vehicle Services-Registration/Title; Cory Everett, Traffic-Sign Shop; Leo Ferguson, Patrol-Safety and Training; Talia Fowler, Patrol-Safety and Training; Alyssa Green, Port of Entry-Cheyenne I-80; Moses Gunn, Materials-Bituminous; Larry Moniz Jr., Patrol-Safety and Training; Ricki Newton, Commission; Aren Peter, Patrol-Safety and Training; Curtis Robinson, Port of Entry-Cheyenne I-25; William Vandenberg, Patrol-Safety and Training; and Misty Zimmerman, Driver Services-Administration-Cheyenne.

Development; and Estevan Trujillo, Materials-Bituminous.

Service Awards March Ronald Kaiser, Geology – 30 years; Janetta Bowey, Driver Services-Policy and Records – 15 years; Christopher Irwin, Materials-Bituminous – 15 years; Chad Legerski, Highway Development-Photogrammetry/Survey – 15 years; David Vanderveen, Geology – 15 years; Steven Oakley, Planning-Counter Shop – 10 years; and Paris Edeburn, Information Technology-Development – 5 years.

Kaiser

April James Bruckner, Equipment-Administration; Joseph Compston, Telecommunications-District 2 Radio Shop; Robert Jones, Geology; Diane Land, Patrol-Dispatch; Chelsey Lindsay, Budget; Brandt Pickett, Highway Development-Project

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Cortez

Schaich

Edwards

Joseph Compston, Telecommunications-District 2 Radio Shop – 10 years; Karson James, Highway Safety – 10 years; Daniel Schaich, Cheyenne I-80 Port of Entry – 10 years; Marvin Tackett, Cheyenne I-80 Port of Entry – 10 years; Carol DeWitt, GIS/ITS – 5 years; Joann Edwards, Office Services-Files – 5 years; Brandt Pickett, Highway Development-Project Development – 5 years; Anthony Savastano, GIS/ITS – 5 years; and Scott Swallow, GIS/ITS – 5 years.

Legerski

Promotions and Transfers

Retirements Photo courtesy Bill Gribble

March Travis Allen, Traffic; Shannon Ferree, Compliance and Investigations; Kelli Kolkman, Fuel TaxAdministration; and Hilary Wasserburger, Human Resources.

Janicek

Ferree

Bill Gribble (right) presenting Steve Oakley with his 10 year service award.

Kolkman

Jones

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April Mark Janicek, Contracts and Estimates – 35 years; Benjamin Adkison, Planning-Traffic Data Analysis – 25 years; Paul Cortez, Bridge-Operations Administration – 25 years; Gregory Hampshire, Construction Staff – 25 years; James Stout Jr., Highway Safety – 20 years; Stephen Nelson, Internal Review – 15 years;

April Jess Fresquez, Cheyenne I-80 Port of Entry; and Janis Kotlark with the Engineering Services division of Highway Development retired April 24 with nearly 15 years of Kotlark service.

Prior to coming to WYDOT in December 2000, she had worked for the Arizona Department of Transportation as a transportation technician for 10 years.

A native of Long Beach, Calif., Kotlark spent time in the 1970s in Italy and Arizona serving in the U.S. Air Force.

a new baby girl into their home. Beautiful Cassidy Ann was born April 2. Chelsey works as a grants analyst in the Budget Office.

James Bruckner has been selected as the new Equipment Program coordinator in Cheyenne.

Bruckner assumed his new duties April 6.

Cradle Call

Bruckner

Baseball fans Shannon and Cliff Ferree welcomed a son to their family.

Waylon Clifford Ferree was born March 18 weighing in at 6 pounds, 7.9 ounces and measured 19.5 inches. Waylon joins big sister Bailey at home.

Shannon works as an investigator with Compliance and Investigations.

Photo: Shannon Ferree

Gail Cassel, lead mechanic in the Rigging Shop at WYDOT headquarters retired June 1, concluding a 37-year career with the agency.

He started with the old Wyoming Highway Department, predecessor to WYDOT, Cassel in April 1978 as a maintenance worker based in Cheyenne. He subsequently worked as an equipment operator and truck driver before moving to the rigging shop 25 years ago.

Cassel is a Cheyenne native and graduate of Cheyenne Central High School. He worked as a framing carpenter prior to joining WHD. A retirement celebration in his honor was held May 28 in the Highway Cafe at headquarters.

Congratulations

Photo: Chelsey Lindsay

Retirement looms for rigging fabricator

Chelsey and Jason Lindsay welcomed

Photo: Serendipity Photogenics

Extra Mile

Sarah and Robert Rickgauer welcomed their second child in February.

Karlie Marie was born Feb. 9 weighing 5 pounds, 10 ounces and measured 18 inches. Karlie joins big brother, Nolan, at home. Sarah works in the Materials Program as a Pavement Management Engineer.

AWARDS Congratulations to our March and April recipients!

WYDOT salutes the following Director’s Extra Mile Award recipients.

The award is presented to individuals who have traveled the “extra mile” in service to WYDOT.

April: Rick Ackerman Robert Nulle Natalie Crawford Photo: Denice Olson

March: Brent Kindsvater Kurt Miller Keith Tupper

Proud parents Kevin and Laura Schei and big brother, Landon, welcome little Logan James to their family.

Logan was born Jan. 24 weighing 8 pounds, 8 ounces and measuring 20.75 inches long. Laura works in Field Operations-Maintenance.

For more information about the Extra Mile Award or to nominate someone, contact Janet Farrar at janet.farrar@wyo.gov or Mel Anderson at mel.anderson@wyo.gov.

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District 1

Welcome

Cradle Call

Condolences

March Paul Hays, Elk Mountain Maintenance.

Ken and Robin O’Leary welcome the newest addition to their family.

Sloan Robert was born Feb. 18 weighing 8 pounds, 13 ounces and measuring 21 inches long.

Sloan is welcomed home by siblings Joe, Galloway and Sierra.

Ken O’Leary works in Saratoga maintenance.

Deepest sympathies to the following District 1 employees and their families.

Whitney Wise on the passing of her mother Constance Wise, 63, in Cheyenne May 3.

Ricky Wilcox on the passing of his wife Linda Wilcox, 61, in Cheyenne on April 25.

Retiree Milt Poteet on the May 4 passing of his mother Polly Poteet, 79, in Cheyenne.

April Chadd Heggie, Traffic-Electrical.

Promotions and Transfers April Rick Ackerman Jr, Rawlins Maintenance; Donald Bridges, Cheyenne Maintenance; and Lloyd Thomas, Cheyenne Construction.

Photo courtesy Ken O’Leary

Ackerman

Bridges

Thomas

Big brother Galloway holding new sibling Sloan.

1,979

Service Awards March Thomas Stoker, Cheyenne Patrol – 25 years.

March 2015

April Ricky Wilcox, Cheyenne ConstrucStoker tion – 30 years; Thomas DeHoff, District 1 Construction Staff – 25 years; Kevin Diethrich, Cheyenne Construction – 20 years; John Page VI, Elk Mountain Patrol – 15 Diethrich years; Karen Schilz, Laramie Port of Entry – 10 years; Wayne Shenefelt, Cheyenne Construction – 10 years; Elliott Bauder, Laramie Construction – 5 years; and Mark Papke, Cheyenne Maintenance – 5 years.

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Total number of employees: as of April 5, 2015

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1,975

Wilcox

Page

DeHoff

April 2014

Schilz

and as of May 4, 2015

1,983

1,974

One year ago Shenefelt

Bauder

1,988

District 2

Welcome

Service Awards

March Jeromy Greene, Torrington Port Of Entry; Michael Mackey, Torrington Traffic-Striping; Andrew Schirmer, Chugwater Maintenance; Lee Sterner, Casper Maintenance; and William Strahan, Chugwater Maintenance.

March Ryan Sorenson, Casper Construction – 15 years; Shawn Wagner, Casper Construction Casper – 15 years; and Gregory Kearns, Casper Construction – 10 years.

April Benjamin Cox, Douglas Maintenance; Jessy Killion, Wheatland Construction; Russell Kirlin, Chugwater Maintenance; Douglas Speece, Douglas Maintenance; and Donald Swisher, Douglas Maintenance.

Promotions and Transfers March Darren Allbright, Wheatland Maintenance; Shane Carraher, Douglas Patrol; Taylor Hanssen, Douglas Patrol; Shawn Stroud, Douglas Patrol Field; Robert Towns, Douglas Construction; and Jaime Wingard, Torrington Patrol.

April Nathan Evans, Wheatland Construction.

Sorenson

Goff

Wyatt

April René Brindle, Wheatland Construction – 20 years.

Retirements April Charles Goff Jr., Casper Mechanics; and Marshall Wyatt, Casper Patrol.

Congratulations

Goodman

Whitt

Darren Allbright has been chosen as the new Highway Maintenance specialist II for District 2 in Wheatland. He assumed his duties March 10.

Three District 2 technicians passed their FOS testing recently. Mark Goodman, Douglas Shop – Passed Power Trains; JD Mathis, Douglas Shop – Passed General Shop and Power Trains; and Tucker Whitt, Casper Shop – Passed Engines.

Mathis

District 3

Welcome

Service Awards

April Eric Hammond, Wamsutter Maintenance; Dakota Housley, Kemmerer Port of Entry; and Brian Stacey, Granger Maintenance.

March Anna Erickson, Alpine Junction Port Of Entry – 25 years; and Wayne Severson, Traffic-Electrical – 25 years.

Promotions and Transfers March Hillary Guzman, Afton Construction.

April Aaron Dockstader, Afton Construction; Joshua Ferguson, Pinedale Maintenance; and Marvin Hutchinson, Evanston Port of Entry.

Guzman

Erickson

Severson

April Annie Jetkoski, Rock Springs PatrolDistrict Office – 40 years; Barry Flom, Rock Springs Construction – 35 years; Clinton Davis, Kemmerer Maintenance – 15 years; Brad McCullough, Rock Springs Construction – 15 years; and Robert Olsen, Kemmerer Construction – 10 years.

Jetkoski

May/June 2015

Flom

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Welcome

New and Improved

District 4

March Marcia Harber, District 4 Administration; and Cassandra Kaul, Newcastle Construction.

April Daniel Duff Jr.., Traffic-Electrical; and Jason Smelser, Gillette Maintenance.

Ostler

Gillett

Jundt

Hall

Taylor

Speidel

Anderson

Miller

On April 1, the new Gillette Port of Entry reopened after replacing a more than 30-year -old trailer that had been in previous use.

The new Port building offers a larger work area for the officers, more customer stations for better customer service, improved commercial vehicle inspection areas and greater room for future growth.

Promotions and Transfers March Kirwin Ostler, Sheridan Maintenance.

March Richard Hall, Sheridan Maintenance – 35 years; Dutcher Paul Jolovich Jr., Sheridan Construction – 35 years; Craig Reichert, Sheridan Construction – 30 years; Kenneth Dutcher, Newcastle Construction – 10 years; and While Mary While, Sheridan Port of Entry – 10 years.

Photos: WHP

Service Awards Above: The interior of the new Port building.

From left: WHP Capt. Carl Clements, Gillette WYDOT Maintenance Supervisor Max Morbeto, Gillette Port Supervisor Rachelle Degen, Facilities Coordinator Kirby Goodvin, Port Officer Nicki Wilson, WYDOT Telecommunications Supervisor Nate Smolinski, and WYDOT Telecommunications employee Bill Torrance.

Service Award Recipients

Photo: Rick Carpenter

April Mark Gillett, District 4 Administration – 35 years; Michael Taylor, Sundance Construction – 25 years; Tom Anderson, Burgess Junction Maintenance – 20 years; Joshua Jundt, Gillette Construction – 20 years; Rusty Speidel, Sundance Maintenance – 15 years; and Barbara Miller, Sheridan Port of Entry – 10 years.

Retirements April Malcolm Shepard Jr., Gillette Maintenance.

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Service award luncheons are held by the Transportation Commission for employees celebrating milestones of 25 years of service or greater.

Service award recipients at this month’s luncheon (from left): Ronald Kaiser, Paul Jolovich and Craig Reichert.

District 5

Welcome

Congratulations

March Byron Cogdill, Ten Sleep Maintenance; and Franklin Pogue, Lander Mechanics.

Congratulations to Randy Merritt, who has been selected as the new staff engineer for the District 5 Traffic Staff in Basin.

Merritt replaces Lyle Lamb, and assumed his new duties May 1.

Service Awards March Scott Nolting, Riverton Construction – 30 years; and Chase Hood, Shoshoni Maintenance – 20 years.

Nolting

Hood

Merritt

Lt. Adams ‘pulls the plug’ Lt. Tom Adams, supervisor of the WHP’s Division I based in Lander, retired May 1, ending a 31-year Patrol career.

Adams joined WHP with recruit class of 1984. He was commissioned on May 4 of that year and was initially posted in Farson. He transferred to Lander in 1990 and was promoted to lieutenant. He assumed supervision of Adams Elk Mountain-based

Division P in 2007. His final move came in June 2011 when he transferred back to Lander.

Adams, a native of Cortland, N.Y., graduated from high school in Sturgis, Mich. He subsequently served a hitch in the U.S. Army, including duty as a military policeman at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.

Adams was a long-serving member of the Wyoming Highway Patrol Association, serving in numerous positions, including president. He was also the Patrol’s leading expert on strategies for dealing with outlaw motorcycle gangs and interdicting criminal activity associated with those gangs.

Col. John Butler said, “Tom has served the people of Wyoming admirably over the past 31 years. His commitment, loyalty, dedication and leadership will be greatly missed by all. Please join me in wishing him all the best in his retirement!”

Adams plans on taking it easy for awhile, and putting some miles on his motorcycle. n

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Passings Donald Loveland

Retiree Donald V. Loveland, 91, died May 3 in Cheyenne after suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease.

Loveland started with the old Wyoming Highway Department, WYDOT’s predecessor agency, in April 1948 as a maintenance helper. He was promoted to crew leader at Pine Bluffs in 1962 and remained in that position until his retirement in December 1985.

He was a native of rural western Nebraska, and was a World War II veteran, serving in the China-Burma-India Theater between 1943 to 1945.

Loveland and his wife Margie, who survives him, spent their retirement years traveling and spending time at their cabin in the Fox Park area.

Military grave site services will be held at a later date.

Darwin Jones WYDOT retiree Darwin Jones, who spent nearly 35 years with the agency, died May 3 in Casper. He was 77.

Jones started with the old Wyoming Highway Department, WYDOT’s predecessor agency, in December 1960 as an engineering technician. He subsequently worked as a project special- Jones

ist and engineering officer before retiring in June 1995. He was based in Casper throughout his career.

He was born in Lusk and moved to Casper during his school years. Following his graduation from Natrona County High School, Jones earned an associates degree in civil engineering from Casper College. He also attended the University of Wyoming.

Prior to joining WHD, Jones worked for Worthington and Lenhart Surveyors and Paradise Valley Development Company.

Jones was an avid bowler and placed second in the 2000 ABC National Championship.

Funeral services were conducted May 6 in Casper.

Frank Schrater Frank Rea Schrater, 68, passed away April 26 at his home in Buffalo surrounded by his family.

Schrater started with the old Wyoming Highway Department, WYDOT’s predecessor agency, in Sept.

1988 working in Sheridan on the guardrail crew.

He transferred Schrater to Buffalo Maintenance where he retired as an equipment operator. Schrater retired with 23 years of service to the state.

Schrater was born May 3, 1946, to Tolbert “Tuck” and Lila Schrater in Sheridan.

He was the second of four children. He

grew up in Big Horn and graduated from Big Horn High School in 1966.

He married Roberta Muller on Aug. 5, 1967, in Sheridan. They made their home in Sheridan, where he worked as a carpenter for 12 years. He also worked for Peter Kiewit and various ranch jobs. They moved to Buffalo in 1997.

Frank enjoyed the outdoors, hunting and fishing, but found no greater joy than spending time with his kids and grandkids.

Lynn Swofford Retired Highway Patrolman Lynn “Mike” Swofford, 75, died May 2 in Dubois.

Swofford joined the Patrol in 1971. He served four years in Laramie before moving to Dubois, where he retired in 1989.

He was a native of Normal, Ill., and studied at both Beloit College (Wisconsin) and Southern Illinois Swofford University.

Swofford was also a veteran of the U.S. Army and Illinois Army National Guard.

He had lived in Wyoming since the 1960s, and worked as a culturist at the Wyoming Game and Fish hatchery in Daniel prior to joining the Patrol.

Funeral services were conducted May 30 in Dubois. n

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WTDEA

Sullivan is working on being up front more during the busy hours. n For those looking for a change of pace, the cafe will offer

The people have spoken – the Highway Cafe survey shows favorable ratings among employees

alternatives (e.g. cole slaw, macaroni salad, etc.) to french fries this summer.

n Breakfast specials are on the horizon. The cafe is looking into

offering a monthly breakfast special. French Toast, anyone?

In the March issue of Interchange, WTDEA reintroduced readers to the Highway Cafe and it’s current owners Julio Reyes and Britney Sullivan. The Highway Cafe has been under the ownership of the duo for more than five years now.

Also in March, the WTDEA invited employees to take a Highway Cafe email survey rating various aspects of the cafe operation.

The survey results were tallied with 328 respondents giving feedback. More than 96 percent of the respondents rated the food at the cafe as very good, good or fair. Nearly 39 percent of that 96 percent rated the food as “very good.”

As for service at the cafe, more than 92 percent of the respondents rated the service at the cafe as very good, good or fair, 36.5 percent of that rating being in the “very good” category.

Since more than a few of us live day to day with a budget, costs are on our minds. More than 90 percent of employees rate the prices very good, good or fair, with 23.5 percent stating the prices are reasonable, landing a “very good” rating. Most respondents stated they frequently purchase from the cafe between 10 a.m. and noon on Wednesdays.

Of the responses, only 7.8 percent of the respondents had never purchased from the cafe. Reasons given for not visiting the cafe were due to dietary restrictions, personal budget limitations, or the employee is just not close to the cafe at mealtimes.

A big thank you to all who participated in the 2015 Highway Cafe survey.

n Please remember, specials are limited and are on a first come,

first served basis, so please order early.

The 2015 survey was shared with Reyes during a meeting with the WTDEA Cafeteria Committee. The committee and Reyes expect to address all concerns and thank each respondent for the constructive feedback. n

Fair

“The food is always good.”

“Good breakfast.”

What employees liked least about the cafe:

“Limited menu.”

“Running out of some specials.”

“Lack of staff friendliness.”

“Understaffed during busy times of day.”

A highlight of other comments or suggestions:

“The salad bar has been a nice addition.”

“Please keep up the good work and DO NOT GO AWAY. I think it is totally cool that we have a cafeteria here on campus and a real convenience over going home or some other place for breakfast and/or lunch.”

n Reyes will try to get the specials announced on Mondays and

Poor

“Quality of food and service.”

“Julio does a good job.”

sold at a cost of $25, good for any purchase; and a burrito punch card to buy 10 burritos and get one free.

Very good 38.6% Good 44.4% Fair 13.7% Poor 2.3% Very poor 1.0%

“The friendliness of the staff.”

“A punch card or other discounts.”

n The cafe has two punch cards available. A $30 punch card

Very poor

“Love the salad bar.”

“The food is always yummy. Thank you!”

As a result of the survey, WTDEA would like to share and remind employees of what the Highway Cafe has to offer: n The cafe accepts cash, checks and credit/debit cards as payment options, and all taxes are included in the food prices.

Highway Cafe Food Rating

What employees liked most about the cafe:

“Combination of convenience and value.”

Highway Cafe Service Rating Very poor

Very good 36.5% Good 38.6% Fair 17.7% Poor 5.8% Very poor 1.4%

Poor

Highway Cafe Value Rating Very poor

Very good 23.5% Good 39.6% Fair 27.0% Poor 7.5% Very poor 2.4%

Poor

Very good

Very good

Very good Fair

Fair

Good

Good

Good

May/June 2015

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Recent Spring Festival dished out barbecue and prizes; aids GAP funding

The third Annual Spring Festival was a success raising $5,200 – equalling 69 $75.00 grants. With the help of many WYDOT and WyHy volunteers, attendees enjoyed a home-cooked pulled pork or grilled chicken breast dinner with all the fixin’s.

Children who came to the event were happy to find many games and events, including a bounce house and a pint-sized temporary tattoo parlor.

Generosity abounded as there were 21 silent auction items, 11 live auction items and more than 31 raffle items. Attendees could also purchase raffle tickets for the “Take Your Pick Super Raffle,” which offered winners a prize of their choice out of six prizes – including a Clockwise from top left: Tables were television or a grill. filled with silent auction items for atThe winners were tendees to bid on; There was a good also drawn for the Lt. Klief Guenther at the Take Your Pick turnout for the event. There was even Spring Festival Raffle, Super Raffle table with the television a bounce house for the kids; Volunand other super prizes. teers in the serving line filling plates. in which tickets had WTDEA could not have held such a wonderful event without the help of the following sponsors: 2015 Platinum Sponsors WyHy Federal Credit Union First Education Federal Credit Union

2015 Supporting Sponsors

Cheyenne-Laramie County Employees Federal Credit Union Frontier Arms Sportsman’s Warehouse

2015 Corporate Sponsors

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Advance Auto Parts on Dell Range Advance Auto Parts on Lincolnway All That Jazz Salon and Spa Auto Zone Bread Basket Bakery Bullseye Archery, LLC Capital Lumber Cheyenne Beverage Cheyenne Brewing Company Chick-Fil-A Comfort Inn & Suites Cowboy Dodge Days Inn Hot Springs Convention Center in Thermopolis Denver Zoological Foundation, Inc. Deselm’s Fine Art & Custom Framing Dickey’s Barbecue Pit Dogwood Shadow Jewelry GLOCK, Inc. Great Clips – Vandehei Plaza Holiday Inn Holiday Inn Express Jo-Ed Produce Kauffman, P.C. DBA Heather R. Kauffman D.C. Kentucky Fried Chicken Laramie County Shooting Sports Complex Little America Hotel & Resort Murdoch’s Ranch & Home Supply Napa Auto Parts

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Northview Chiropractic – Drs. Savanna & Kyle Lorenz Old Chicago Olive Garden Otto Road Shooting Range Outback Steakhouse Panosonic System Communications Co. Penny’s Diner Picture it in Stone Polaris & Suzuki of Cheyenne Rib & Chop House Sam’s Club Sara Lee Distributor Subway on South Greeley Highway Sutherlands The Hairitage – Hair, Nails, Waxing The Jersey Guy The Lynn Peavey Company Top Notch Carvings Twin Cactus Ranch Creations Underwood Flowers & Gifts Wal-Mart Warren Federal Credit Union Water World Wyoming Department of State Parks & Cultural Resources – Division of State Parks, Historic Sites & Trails Wyoming Game & Fish Wyoming Highway Patrol Association WYOMOVIES.com

2015 Individual Sponsors Merri Burkett Donnie Ellis Duane Ellis Pam Fredrick Nick Hines Annie Jetkoski Brenda Luegering Carl Moody Janet Vossler Hilary Wasserburger Jeremy & Jeri Yearout

Photos courtesy Janet Vossler

WTDEA

been sold by WTDEA members for weeks preceding the event.

Ellis Concrete of Lander won the $500 Sportsman Warehouse gift card; Mark Briggs, with WYDOT IT, won the night’s stay at the Saratoga Inn and $200 getaway cash, and Dawn Farris, with Patrol, won the $100 Sutherlands gift card.

All proceeds from the event help fund the Headquarter Chapter’s Grant Assistance Program. GAP is available to all Headquarter Chapter WTDEA members upon their second consecutive year of membership for anything that enriches their lives.

Thank you to everyone who bought Raffle tickets and to those who attended the 2015 Spring Festival.

State board awards 2015 scholarships The WTDEA State Board of Directors presented a one-year cash award in the amount of $600 to four qualified applicants to use toward their full-time undergraduate study.

This year’s four recipients are: n Lauren Elliott will be a sophomore at the University of Wyoming. She is majoring in Kinesiology with minors in Nutrition and Spanish;

in mechanical engineering. This summer Ketterling will be participating in a design internship with Caterpillar in their tracked equipment division, in Peoria, Ill.; n Michelle Stuck will be attending

Eastern Wyoming College majoring in graphic design; and

n Brianna Santora will attend Eastern

Wyoming College with a final goal of attending the Colorado State University Veterinary School majoring in large animal veterinary studies.

n Chase Ketterling is enrolled for his

fourth year at South Dakota School of Mines and continues to pursue a degree

Elliott

Ketterling

Stuck

First quarter Grant Assistance Program applicants awarded The Headquarters WTDEA Chapter Grant Assistance Program (GAP) granted 14 applications totaling $1,050 for the first quarter of 2015.

What is the GAP you ask? Are you, your children, spouse, or grandchildren in school events, sports camp, 4H, FFA, scouts or activities that cost money? If so, you may apply and have the chance to be granted up to $75 to reimburse you for those activities!

Activities on first quarter 2015 applications included ice skating lessons, tuition, school books, an educational trip for college, baseball, T-ball and softball registrations, dance classes, water aerobics, taekwondo, entry fees for a national convention, 4H supplies, membership fees for pistol, rifle and archery range and kayaking supplies.

If you would like to be considered for free money, be sure to turn in a completed application with attached receipts to Heidi Martin in Right-of-Way by June 30 to be eligible for the second quarter. WTDEA members are eligible after the second year of paid membership dues.

All rules and applications for the GAP can be found on the intranet on the WTDEA Headquarters page. n

Santora

Headquarters chapter awards 2015 scholarships WTDEA Headquarters chapter also awarded scholarships to qualified applicants. The recipients of this award will receive $500 for college expenses.

This year’s recipients are: n Carlos Garcia attends the University of Wyoming. Garcia is studying at the UW School of Pharmacy; and n Justine Johnson will be a junior at the

University of Wyoming this fall. She is getting a degree in elementary education with a concentration in early childhood education.

Garcia

Johnson

WTDEA 2015 Walleye Roundup Join us for some fishing fun in the sun!

The tournament will take place at Grayrocks Reservoir with a start time of 5:00 a.m.

Winners of the Roundup will be determined by fish weight; if a tie, by length (walleyes only).

All contestants must register by June 11 at 3:00 p.m.

Contact Mike Calaway at 777-4172 for more information.

A BIG thanks to the WTDEA for sponsoring door prizes for the tournament!

All 2015 Game & Fish Rules apply.

Ages 13 & under - no entry fee required.

Grayrocks Reservoir June 13

5am - 2pm May/June 2015

$10 Entry

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Photo: Rick Carpenter

Rides

the skies in his Right-of-Way retiree, Michael McCabe, cruises in 1983, earned flying began e 1965 Beechcraft Bonanza. McCab ort license in transp airline and 1987 in license ercial comm his 2001.

Photo: Austin Christopherson

Photo: Shane Fox

Sign Shop, poses next to his Kevin B. Powell, with the headquarters Traffic 2011 Ford Mustang GT 450 HP.

g belongs to This snow white, super-charged 1995 Ford Cobra Mustan Austin Christopherson, a mechanic in Rawlins.

Photo courtesy Debbie Smith

Fox and his wife, Compliance and Investigation employee Shane Plymouth Business Coupe.

Minden, are in the process of restoring 1937 who had started reThe Foxs’ obtained the car from Minden’s father uth has a Mopar 360 Plymo The s.

1980’ storing the vehicle in the early et.

Coron e Dodg 1974 a from V8

n have each had a turn owning this 1980 Chevy Debbie Smith, Autum Smith and Rae Dillma is in the process of restoring the cherry red who , Camaro. The car now belongs to Autum r, Rae, have owned this Camaro – Debbie’s mothe beauty with a 305 engine. Three generations orn in it and then Rae newb a as tal hospi the from home came bought it brand new, Autum she turned 17. sold it to Debbie. Debbie gave it to Autum when

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Photo: Rick Carpenter

Photo courtesy Michael McCabe

Photo: Mike Pukash

Photo: Rick Carpenter

Steve Murray, with Field Ope rations-Equipment Repair, pose s next to his vintage 1955 Ford derbird.

Thun-

District 2 Public Involvement Specialist Jeff Goetz with his 1969 Oldsmobile Toronado with a 455 engine. He is not the original owner, but is slowly restoring it to it’s former glory.

This red 1930 Model A belongs to Rocky Shuler of Douglas, his wife Deb works for Driver Serv ices in Douglas. Shuler rebuilt the 1930 car from frame to finished product. He is currently rebuilding a 1946 Ford (left) which should be finished by fall 201 5.

Photo: Fred and Judy Williams

Photo courtesy Deb Shuler

Mike Pukash, with headquarters Telecommunications, owns this beautiful 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air. In his own words, “This little grocery getter has a 123 horsepower flat tappet 6 cylinder and 3 on the tree. ” Pukash is currently restoring this car and hopes to have it road worthy by September. The engine only has 67,000 miles on it.

Retiree Fred Williams and his wife, Judy, own this 1934 Che vrolet sedan. They finished restorin g the car in August 1975. The Chevy has 250,000+ miles on it and it has been driven to both coasts and back, seeing 35 states in the process.

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Visit WyHy.org/VISA

for full details or to design yours today!

Don’t have a WyHy VISA? No problem!

Go online to learn more or apply.

800.442.2392 307.638.4200 Cheyenne 307.234.2373 Casper 46

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May/June 2015

Break Time Super Tough Mazes by KrazyDad, Book 50

KRAZYDAD.COM/PUZZLES

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May/June 2015

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Interchange

Wyoming Department of Transportation 5300 Bishop Blvd.

Cheyenne, Wyoming 82009-3340 Address Service Requested

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