Interchange November 2014, Vol. 42, Issue 11
WYO 59 issues explored
Letters
Truck Driver Appreciation Week well received Dear Vicki (Klein), I want to thank you on behalf of the Wyoming Trucking Association’s Council of Safety Supervisors and the nation’s professional truck drivers for your support, interest and work in promoting Truck Driver Appreciation Week in Wyoming during the week of Sept. 14-20. We are very please with the refreshment breaks and barbecues which were provided to drivers across Wyoming at various ports-of-entry and company terminals. We have received good comments and are very pleased with the number of drivers we were able to thank and recognize for their outstanding careers as drivers on our nation’s highways. Thank you for your enthusiasm, help and support of this event. Yours truly,
Kathy Cundall Secretary, WTA Council of Safety Supervisors
Thankful for generous WYDOT family I want to say thank you for all the sick time donated and support through all of this. It is greatly appreciated.
Motor Vehicle Services continues to provide excellent customer service I applied for a VIN on a boat trailer. I sent in the application and did not include the bill of sale. Yesterday, I received a call from the employee processing the application and I needed to get her the required documents. I was able to do that with photos and all was okay. I just wanted to say that dealing with Kelly (Yerdon) was most pleasant. She is a very nice gal. Do not let her leave.
John Burkett
Compliance Program commended for service
Interchange 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
Dear Mr. Stauffacher, I would like to commend the investigative team for going the “Extra Mile.” I purchased an Orange County Chopper in Utah, and the title had some flaws. Your investigative team was able to quickly research the errors and provide me with a Wyoming title and registration. Shane Fox and Kaylee Harmon know their job and do it with professionalism which is hard to find these days. Thank you, Dave Garver Garver Transport, LLC
Staff WYDOT Director: John F. Cox Public Affairs Manager: Doug McGee
Janet Hood
Editor/Art Director: Carlie Van Winkle
Take it slow
Know before you go.
Get travel information by dialing 511, visiting www.wyoroad.info, or by following us on Twitter.
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@WYDOT_I80
@WYDOT_Northeast
@WYDOT_I90
@WYDOT_Northwest
@WYDOT_I25 @WYDOT_Central
@WYDOT
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
@WYDOT_Southeast @WYDOT_Southwest
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DOT publication
Also in this issue:
Contents 8
Letters.....................................2 District briefs.........................4 By the Numbers...................7
9
Training at a Glance............7 Newsworthy........................13 Awards..................................16 Noteworthy..........................17 District news...................... 20
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Extra Mile Awards............. 22 Passings............................... 24
8 Protecting your identity
WTDEA................................. 25 Break Time.......................... 27
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Security tips for you this holiday season
9 NWS - WYDOT partnership
Spreading the word about preparing for winter
10 WYO 59
Issues explored at community meetings
13 Energy conservation project 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.
Phase 2 expected to save $690,000 annually On the cover:
A WYO 59 construction zone south of Gillette, July 2011.
Photo: Rick Carpenter
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District Briefs Transportation Commission awards $42 million in highway contracts
Cheyenne – Contracts totaling $42.1 million for nine highway projects around the state were awarded by the Wyoming Transportation Commission during its October meeting in Cheyenne. The new Casper West Belt Loop Road connecting WYO 220 to US 20-26 west of Casper will be paved under a $16.6 million contract awarded to low bidder Ralph L. Wadsworth Construction of Draper, Utah. Grading and construction of a bridge over the North Platte River for the 7.6mile road were completed last year. The new road will extend from the area where WYO 220 transitions from two lanes to four southwest of Casper to US 20-26 at its intersection with the Shoshoni Bypass from Interstate 25. The contract completion date is Oct. 31, 2016. LeGrand Johnson Construction of Logan, Utah, submitted the low bid of $11 million to widen a 3.3-mile section of WYO 789 south of Riverton from two lanes to five lanes. The section includes a bridge over the Little Wind River. The highway section has been carrying growing traffic volumes since the opening of the Wind River Hotel and Casino. The project is scheduled for completion by June 30, 2016. Reiman Corp. and Subsidiary of Cheyenne was the low bidder at $10 million for a 3-inch asphalt pavement overlay and replacement of three bridges in the westbound lanes of I-80 immediately west of the Nebraska border. The contractor has already begun preliminary work on the project, which has a completion date of June 30, 2016. Three contracts were awarded for crack sealing to preserve the pavement on highway sections around the state. Highway Improvement Inc. of Sioux Falls, S.D., won the largest with a bid of $2.3 million for crack sealing on highways in Big Horn, Fremont, Hot Springs, Natrona,
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Park and Washakie counties by May 31. Hardrives Construction of Billings, Mont., won a $470,000 contract for crack sealing on highways in northeast Wyoming by May 31, and Z&Z Seal Coating, also of Billings, won a $464,000 contract for crack sealing on highways in southeast Wyoming by April 30. Wilson Bros. Construction of Cowley was the winning bidder at $680,000 for slide repair work on the Sheridan Alps Slide on US 14 about 15 miles southeast of Sheridan. The work will include excavating unstable soils, building a shear key and rebuilding the slope using scoria, a lightweight crushed shale. The contract completion date is June 30. Curb and gutter will be extended for about one-fifth of a mile on the north side of US 20-26 to improve storm drainage on the eastern edge of Shoshoni under a $286,000 contract won by Reiman Corp. The work is scheduled for completion by June 30. Advanced Electrical Contracting of Sheridan submitted the low bid of $249,000 for replacing 89 overhead signs in the Evanston, Green River, Rock Springs and Jackson areas. The work is scheduled for completion by Oct. 31, 2015.
Thirteen projects complete, six underway with additional fuel tax revenue Cheyenne – Thirteen pavement preservation projects have been completed using the additional fuel tax revenue WYDOT received during the past year, and work is expected to be complete this fall on four others. Work also is underway on a bridge rehabilitation project, and a contract has been awarded for a resurfacing project, both scheduled to be completed next year. WYDOT’s share of the additional fuel tax revenues raised during the first 12 months the increase was in effect was approximately $46 million. Cities and counties received the remaining $23 million raised during the first year it was in effect. WYDOT had estimated its share of the
additional tax revenue would be about $47.5 million during the first year. The 12 projects already completed with the additional revenue were pavement preservation projects on 89 miles of highway, primarily involving milling off a few inches of deteriorating pavement and replacing it with a new layer of pavement the same thickness. “The increase in the fuel tax was dedicated to be used on non-interstate highways,” WYDOT Director John Cox said. “We’ve been able to do a number of quick-hitting projects that will preserve the life of the existing pavement, consistent with our pavement preservation program. So it will allow us to go further in between restoration projects off of the interstate system.” Looking ahead, the department plans to begin 47 additional projects with the 10-cent fuel tax money during the next three fiscal years. Maps and lists of the completed and planned projects can be found on the WYDOT website at www. dot.state.wy.us. “We have very similar projects already in our program for the next three years running, between 15 and 20 projects per year, where the funds will be used in the same fashion for prolonging the life of the pavement in ways that will be visible and will improve the driving conditions on the highways,” Cox said. The projects being moved ahead in the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) are projects for which the need had previously been identified, but they had to be delayed because of funding constraints. WYDOT uses an asset management system made up of pavement, bridge and safety management components to identify and prioritize necessary work. If the recommended rehabilitation can be completed in time, the need for reconstruction work that costs four to eight times more can be delayed. “The revenues that are generated by the increase in the fuel tax were greatly needed by the department for construction projects,” Cox said, “We’ve been able to demonstrate already in 2014, on the ground and in ways that drivers will be able to see and feel as they drive on highways, that we’re putting those funds to good use quickly.” The additional $46 million in funding from the fuel tax represents an increase of
Cheyenne – Interested members of the public are encouraged to take a short online survey at www.SurveyMonkey. com/s/WYDOT_SFP to help the department implement a broad approach to statewide planning that will integrate freight elements into the larger Statewide Long Range Transportation Plan. Public input is necessary to the development of a plan that accurately reflects the current needs and future opportunities for freight-related economic development in Wyoming. WYDOT has been in communication with a variety of public and private stakeholders throughout the SFP development process and would like to encourage members of the general public to share their opinions. The survey is being conducted to: • Gain a better understanding on how goods are moved across the state transportation system to improve the mobility of freight in and through the state; • Obtain public comments about improvements that could be made to the transportation system in Wyoming; • Obtain information concerning challenges in supply chain logistics; and • Quantify information about movements of goods between regions, including the origins and destinations of products.
Truck fire temporarily closes I-25 north of Casper Casper – The heat from an equipment failure caused a truck and grass fire on Sept. 30 at milepost 194 on I-25 approximately five miles north of Casper. A 2008 Ford F-450
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Photo: WHP
WYDOT is seeking public input to assist in the development of a Statewide Freight Plan (SFP).
truck pulling a utility trailer experienced an equipment failure while traveling northbound. While stopped on the shoulder of the highway, the heat generated by the equipment failure ignited a fire in the truck and grass fire in the adjacent ditch. Fire crews responded and extinguished the truck fire before it could reach the trailer. The response by fire crews saved the contents of the trailer – an estimated 445 pounds of compressed gases. The interstate was temporarily closed for the safety of oncoming traffic. The driver of the truck was uninjured from the fire and was credited by troopers for successfully getting the truck stopped and off the interstate before the situation escalated into something worse.
Lincoln County law enforcement agencies partnered with elementary school children to teach them about school bus safety.
Reconstruction of two WYO 132 bridges underway near Ethete
Photo: WYDOT
about 15 percent in WYDOT’s construction budget for fiscal 2014.
The burned out shell of a Ford F-450 after it suffered an equipment failure.
Safety week in Lincoln County highlights school bus safety Afton – Lincoln County law enforcement teamed up for school bus safety last week to help educate school children about the importance of being safe in and around school buses. During the safety week, all of the elementary schools in Lincoln County School District 2 were taken to the Lincoln County Fairgrounds in Afton to learn more about school bus safety. Approximately 3,000 students attended during the week. Troopers from the Wyoming Highway Patrol, deputies from the Lincoln County Sheriff ’s Office and officers from the Afton Police Department were in attendance to spend time with and help educate the kids.
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Ethete – A pair of bridge replacement projects began midOctober on WYO 132 (Blue Sky Highway) between Lander and Ethete, according to WYDOT Resident Engineer Erik Smith in Lander. “Removal of the Mill Creek bridge on Blue Sky Highway is expected to begin Oct. 13,” Smith said. “Two-way traffic will be maintained across the paved detour.” Prime contractor of the $1.73 million project is Patrick Construction, Inc. of Lander. Patrick’s scope of work includes grading, draining, milling of existing asphalt pavement, removal and replacement of the Mill Creek and Coolidge Canal bridges, placing crushed gravel base and asphalt pavement surfacing, signing, fencing and other work on .035 miles of WYO 132 beginning at milepost .09 south of Ethete at Mill Creek and Coolidge Canal. Contract completion date for replacement of the two bridge structures is Oct. 31, 2015.
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Troopers put an end to auto theft string Riverton – Two juvenile runaways from Colorado were arrested Sept. 26 by a Wyoming state trooper for a string of vehicle thefts in Colorado and Wyoming. Briefs continued on page 6 November 2014
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A stolen vehicle report was received from Jackson to look for a stolen GMC pickup. While deputies from the Fremont County Sheriff ’s Office and troopers from WHP were looking for the pickup in the Dubois area, the Fremont County Sheriff ’s Office received another report of a Toyota SUV stolen from Dubois. A trooper located the stolen Toyota and two juveniles at a store in Crowheart. The two juveniles were reported as runaways from Colorado. The trooper arrested one of the juveniles in the store and the other juvenile was located and arrested while sleeping in the stolen vehicle. Shortly after the arrest, the Fremont County Sheriff ’s Office and another trooper found the GMC pickup stolen from Jackson at the location where the Toyota SUV was stolen in Dubois. The suspects are believed to be involved in the theft of approximately 10 vehicles in Colorado and Wyoming. It is believed the vehicles were stolen and driven until they ran short on gasoline or were crashed. According to reports, at least two of the vehicles stolen in Wyoming were crashed by the suspects. The suspects were turned over to the Fremont County Sheriff ’s Office where they are being detained pending charges and a return to Colorado.
U.S. 14-16-20 dirt work begins on Wapiti-area project west of Cody Cody – Construction activities began the first week of October on the $8.77 million highway improvement project on U.S. 14-16-20 west of Cody between Wapiti and near 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). “Motorists can expect up to 20-minute delays and paved road surface beginning next week,” Frost said. “There may be short detours and one-way traffic for this work. Traffic will be controlled by flaggers.” The prime contractor for the project is
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Riverside Contracting, Inc., of Missoula, Mont. The Wyoming Transportation Commission awarded the contract to Riverside in June. 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 will be widened from the existing 12-foot lanes and six-foot shoulders to 12-foot lanes and eight-foot shoulders, and shoulders will be flattened to improve safety,” Frost said. “Existing pipes and box culverts are in poor condition and are being replaced, and drainage will be improved.” Frost said asphalt paving will consist of a one-inch leveling layer, a four-inch overlay, and a chip seal finish. All work, except the chip seal, fencing and reclamation, is required by contract to be complete by June 15, 2015. The final contract completion date is Sept. 30, 2015.
U.S. 14A five-lane highway travel opened on Cody’s east edge Cody – U.S. 14A traffic on the newly completed section of highway on Cody’s east edge is five lanes and the speed limit is 65 mph as of Sept. 20, according to WYDOT Resident Engineer Todd Frost in Cody. About 3.5 miles of U.S. 14A has been being widened to five lanes with a continuous turn lane and eight-foot shoulders. This $12.3 million project is the final section in a long-term series of projects to widen 24 miles of U.S. 14A between Cody and Powell. Oftedal Construction, Inc., with offices in Miles City, Mont. and Casper, is the prime contractor of the Cody East highway improvement project. The Wyoming Transportation Commission awarded the U.S. 14A project to Oftedal in May 2013. Contract completion date is Sept. 30, 2014. Oftedal’s scope of work includes grading, draining, milling of existing asphalt pavement, placing pit run subbase and crushed gravel, asphalt paving and paving of asphalt wearing course, chip sealing, removal and replacement of the Sage Creek bridge, installing concrete pavement, installing roadway lighting and electrical work, and installing guardrail,
fencing and other work on 3.45 miles of U.S. 14A and WYO 114 beginning at milepost 2.20 (West Cooper Lane) between Cody and Powell.
Diversion Dam Junction highway improvement continues The $4.2 million highway improvement project near Diversion Dam Junction continues day and night. Prime contractor Oftedal Construction, Inc., of Casper has day- and nighttime crews to work around the clock. Asphalt paving began Oct. 21 on the 2.32-mile project is on U.S. 26-287 west of Riverton and lasted 6-10 working days. Oftedal Construction, Inc., of Casper plans to complete and pave project this year. “Chip sealing is scheduled to happen next spring,” according to WYDOT Resident Engineer Erik Smith of Lander. Travelers of U.S. 26-287 should expect traffic delays of up to 20 minutes during paving operations, according to Smith. The scope of work for the Diversion Dam Junction project includes grading, milling asphalt, placing crushed gravel base and asphalt pavement surfacing, chip seal, cattle guards, signing, fencing and other work beginning at milepost 97.25 between Dubois and Riverton. Contract completion date is June 30, 2015.
Photo: Cody Beers
Briefs continued from page 5
Night work on the Diversion Dam Junction project.
West River Road highway improvement project to begin north of Worland
School bus crash on Wind River Indian Reservation
Worland – A 3.5-mile highway improvement project is scheduled to begin in early November on West River Road (WYO 433 ) north of Worland. Prime contractor of the $5.74 million project is Oftedal Construction, Inc. of Casper. “There may be some impacts on traffic this fall if the contractor begins removing old pipes under the roadway, and installing new pipes,” according to Dan McAfee, WYDOT resident engineer in Worland. Once highway improvements begin on West River Road, travelers driving through the area will be encouraged to use U.S. 20 between Worland and Manderson to avoid the project work area. 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 milepost 0.66 between Worland and Manderson. Contract completion date is Oct. 31, 2015.
Ethete – A school bus from Shoshone Arapaho Head Start was southbound on WY 132 in Fremont County on the Wind River Indian Reservation when it left the roadway on Oct. 16. The bus left the road on the right side of a left hand curve for an unknown reason. The driver steered the bus back onto the road and over corrected, causing the bus to roll one and a quarter times, coming to rest on it’s side. Four adults and 13 small children, ages one and two years of age, were on the bus at the time. The driver of the bus was seat belted and uninjured during the crash. The other adults were not belted and two were injured. All the children were secured in proper restraints and were transported by another bus to the Lander Hospital. There were no apparent injuries to the children. WYO 132 was closed for approximately two hours. n
Drone used to map rock fall area west of Cody near reservoir Cody – A WYDOT photos and surveys crew worked west of Cody in late October to document future work on a rock fall mitigation project near Buffalo Bill Reservoir. Residents and visitors driving in the area west of the long tunnel on U.S. 1416-20 encountered short traffic delays during the mapping exercise. “For safety purposes, traffic needed to be stopped for 20 minutes throughout the mapping exercise while the drone was flying over the road,” according to WYDOT Resident Engineer Todd Frost in Cody. “The drone started flying at 9 a.m. each day allowing school buses and work commuters to drive through the area without delay.” The work is being designed to enhance driver safety at the west end of the tunnels on U.S. 14-16-20.
Total number of employees: as of Sept. 29, 2014
1,967
One month ago
1,980
One year ago
1,997
Training ata Glance Here are upcoming training opportunities from WYDOT University and the Transportation Learning Network (TLN) Date Class 11/3/2014
Location
New Employee Orientation
WYDOT-U
11/13/2014 SDI N EW !
WYDOT-U
11/14/2014
Basic Overview of NEPA
TLN
11/18/2014
Erosion Control Options
TLN
11/19/2014
Transition to Supervision
TLN
11/20/2014
Pipe Repair Options
TLN
11/20/2014
Successful Time Management
WYDOT-U
Coming up in December: 12/4/2014
The Work/Life Balancing Act
WYDOT-U
12/10/2014
Asphalt Pavement Maintenance
TLN
To register, or to find out more details, call the Training Program and talk to Jim Boyd (777-4791), Rhonda DeLeeuw (777-4790) or Kurt Borgaard (777-4792). November 2014
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Protecting Your Identity This Holiday Season It seems every time we look to the news these day there is a story about a major credit and debit card security breach where hundreds of thousands to millions of consumers’ personal and account information has been stolen. Whether the cards are used online or in the store, shopping for everyday items has never seemed more troubling. And with the holidays upon us, many will be using their credit and debit cards more often, which means there are more opportunities for identity theft. But don’t give up on the idea of enjoying the splendor of the holidays, because there are several proactive and simple preventative measures you can take so identity theft doesn’t ruin your holidays – or any day of the year!
Passwords That Protect You
Many of us have a number of devices – smartphones, tablets, and laptops are the most common. Besides ensuring all of your devices are set to autolock, it’s also important to make sure these devices along with your email, bank/credit union, credit card, and other accounts all have strong and unique passwords that only you know. Additionally, when a website asks you if you want the site to remember your login credentials, play it safe and choose “No.” It means taking an extra step when you visit these sites, but knowing you’re taking a safety measure makes the extra step well worth it.
Keep Security Up-To-Date
It’s also important to keep your Internet browser and device’s malware-protection software updated. By continually installing the latest versions, you can ensure you’re getting the most upto-date security to protect your information. If you do not have malware software on all of your devices, there are a number of affordable options for you to choose from at a cost well worth the protection.
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by WyHy Credit Union
Know Where You Are Shopping
To minimize the risk of having your card information stolen, visit and shop only from secure websites such as those verified by TRUSTe and with a URL that is preceded by https://. This helps safeguard your privacy by ensuring only you and the online retailer have access to the data being transferred.
Public WiFi Carries Risks
Additionally, choosing not to conduct financial transactions over a public WiFi connection will help to lower your security risks. Passwords, credit and debit card numbers, and other forms of financial information are less secure on public networks, so waiting to conduct your shopping from a secured connection is best.
Monitor Your Accounts Regularly
With all the spending occurring during the holiday season it can be easy to lose track of what you spent when – hence leaving the door open for fraudulent activity to occur before you’ve realized. So go through your accounts regularly and double check your receipts (paper and online) with your account records. If you have joint accounts, set up a plan with those on the same accounts to ensure you’re aware of all credit and debit transactions made where, when and for how much. This way if you do find something suspicious, you can catch and stop any fraudulent activity immediately. While collectively these steps may seem like a lot, once you’ve put the applicable measures in place and devised a holiday spending plan, you’ll find that you can breathe easy knowing you can enjoy finding just the right gifts while your account and personal identity are safe and secure – and that’s a pretty nice gift within itself.
Highway workers and weather professionals often work together to save lives, and the unique and proactive partnership between the National Weather Service (NWS) and WYDOT is helping to spread the word about the importance of preparing homes and vehicles for winter weather. This partnership is also important in educating businesses, schools, and media outlets about winter preparedness, winter and driving safety, and winter weather communication plans. The NWS plans to host a test of emergency communications with the use of social media this winter. “Social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter are enabling us to quickly reach a wide spectrum of customers,” said Warning Coordination Meteorologist Chris Jones at the Riverton NWS office. “We plan to encourage our friends and followers to share our test message with others, just like they might do with a blizzard warning. When friends and family share this information it often times is more likely to spur people into action.” The month of October usually provides the first taste of winter for most parts of the state, and Jones advises hunters and people traveling across the state for high school sports to always check the weather forecast and be prepared for dramatic weather changes. “A stretch of 70-degree days can change to snow and freezing temperatures when a cold front sweeps south through the state,” he said. Forecasters at the Riverton NWS office are available anytime to answer weather forecast questions by calling 1-800-211-1448. Early indications show a slightly above normal chance for warmer than average temperatures across Wyoming this winter. As for precipitation, the best chance for above normal snowfall will be across the northwest portion of the state. The remainder of Wyoming is trending toward climatological precipitation averages. Global circulation patterns, trends, and climate prediction models all factor into the seasonal forecasts produced by the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center. These weather warnings to Wyoming residents are also delivered through the website wyoroad.info, which includes many web cameras and road updates beginning in October. It’s important for citizens to “know before you go” in the fall, winter and spring across Wyoming, and WYDOT’s road-information website provides the ability to assess real-time road and weather conditions before traveling highways in the state.
by Cody Beers
This year, the Weather Service and WYDOT are jointly highlighting proper preparedness at home and on the road. “Each home should have an emergency supply kit stocked with whatever might be needed to survive An advertisement the NWS published online in for at least 72 hours,” coordination with WYDOT in Riverton. said Jones. “This kit should include food, water, essential medications, blankets, flashlights, and a first aid kit.” Jones added that travelers should stock vehicles with a similar kit or create a mobile kit that can be taken along at a moment’s notice. “There are long stretches of highway in Wyoming, so being prepared to ride out a storm if you become stranded is a must.” Ideally, Jones said, travelers should alter or cancel travel plans to avoid hazardous driving conditions, and travelers should be aware that WYDOT snow plows are on the highways during and after storms to make the roadways safer for travelers. WYDOT employees are on the roads when conditions are the worst, and they’re out there between storms, too. “We want you to drive safely to your destination,” said Cody Beers, WYDOT District 5 public relations specialist in Riverton. Travelers should operate vehicles safely around snowplows, and are asked to exercise patience with slow-moving snowplows and operators of these big trucks. Snowplow professionals need cooperation from drivers so they can do their jobs and keep the road safe for drivers. “Stay well back from operating snowplows,” Beers said. “They are spreading sand, and anti-icing and de-icing chemicals on the roadway.” “Remember, the safest driving surface is behind the plow. If you must pass, don’t pass on the right into the plume of snow being moved,” added Beers. “Be sure on two-lane highways that you have plenty of time to pass.” For more information, visit the National Weather Service website at www.weather.gov. November 2014
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Photo courtesy Cody Beers
NWS - WYDOT partnership
WYO 59 issues explored at community meetings The possibility of adding as many as 19 passing lanes to WYO 59 between Douglas and Wright was a primary topic of interest at dual community meetings conducted in early October. WYDOT staff joined with legislators and other local leaders at the meetings, billed as listening sessions and hosted in Douglas and Wright on consecutive nights, Oct. 8 and 9. The meetings were well-attended, between them attracting an estimated audience of 200.
The section of WYO 59 immediately south of Gillette has long served as the principal route servicing some of the nation’s largest coal mines. In 2005-06, increased traffic and safety concerns led WYDOT to undertake a project to construct nine passing lanes (five northbound and four southbound) between mileposts 75 and 100 Since then, a boom in oil and gas development further south along WYO 59, mostly in the adjoining section of Converse County, has resulted in steady increases in traffic, much of it in the form of heavy trucks. That development has heightened public concerns about mobility and safety issues, similar to what occurred a decade ago in Campbell County. Sen. Michael Von Flatern of Gillette, chairman of the Wyoming Senate’s Transportation, Highways and Military Affairs Committee, and Rep. Eric Barlow, whose district includes much of the impacted portions of Campbell and Converse counties, were instrumental in organizing the October meetings. Sen. Von Flatern described the events as an “opportunity to educate ourselves and build support for improving the driving experience and safety of (WYO 59).”
Photo: Jeff Goetz
Proposed projects outlined
Chief Engineer Del McOmie attended “listening sessions” in Douglas and Wright and received input from concerned community members.
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by Bruce Burrows
At both meetings, WYDOT Chief Engineer Del McOmie gave the audience an overview of major WYO 59 projects included in the State Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP). Those projects, currently set for 2018 or later, include building WYO 59 out to five lanes in the vicinity of Wright, from just south of the junction with WYO 450 (milepost 72) to a short distance north of Reno Jct. (milepost 77) where WYO 387 ties into WYO 59. Also planned is work to extend, by about 0.5 mile each, three of existing passing lanes built during 2005-06. In addition, McOmie detailed planning studies which have identified locations and lengths of as many as 19 passing lanes which could be added
Photos: Rick Carpenter
WYO 59 is a principal route which has seen a steady increase of traffic. A majority of the traffic is in the form of heavy trucks, as the highway services a number of large coal mines and oil fields.
to the WYO 59 between Douglas and the WYO 450 junction. Fourteen of those potential passing lanes would be in Converse County and the remaining five in Campbell County. A smaller-scale project scheduled to go to contract next spring will add left turn lanes to WYO 59 at several intersections between Douglas and Bill. The work will address traffic congestion caused by truck traffic slowing and/or waiting to turn from WYO 59 on to local roads. Another 2015 project will involve grinding shoulder and center-line rumble strips at various locations along the entire Douglas-Gillette corridor of WYO 59. “It was a good meeting in the sense that it reaffirms what we are seeing: increased traffic and the need to alleviate some con-
gestion and potential accident areas,” District 2 Engineer Lowell Fleenor said of the Douglas meeting. “The meetings where a great opportunity for the people to voice their opinions on what they think will make WYO 59 safer,” District 4 Engineer Mark Gillett added. “WYDOT listened and noted their concerns and plans to take immediate action on some of the items brought to our attention. However the larger, more long-lasting improvements are dependent upon additional funding.”
Funding options explained
In addressing the funding issue, McOmie went over rough cost estimates for the project to add the passing lanes and other proposed improvements, and what possibilities might exist for WYDOT to find the needed revenue, including: o State legislative supplemental request; and
Photo: Rick Carpenter
WYO 59 has seen upgrades in recent years. This is a section just south of Gillette.
o
Federal special highway project funding.
McOmie outlined how last summer, the Wyoming Transportation Commission requested that he, Fleenor, Gillett and the three other district engineers compile a list of locations around the state where passing lanes are most needed; a prioritized version of that list would then form the basis of a budget request, to be considered for funding by the Legislature, possibly as soon as fiscal year 2016. Routes on the list include WYO 59, US 20-26 between Shoshoni and Casper and US 30 near Sage Junction in Lincoln County. Of those routes, WYO 59 was identified as the top priority for passing lanes. The other funding opportunity he described is based on a Federal Highway Administration request for states to submit projects of “national and regional significance.” In response, WYDOT submitted an application for $80 million in federal funds to be used to add capacity to the Douglas-Gillette portion of WYO 59.
WYO 59 issues continued on page 12 November 2014
n
Interchange
11
Speed limits and enforcement discussed
The discussion at the meetings went beyond possible road improvements, with two other prominent topics being speed limits and the challenges faced by law enforcement. Many in the audience expressed their opinion that too many drivers exceed the speed limit on a consistent basis, and they asked about lowering the speed limit. McOmie said the most likely locations for speed limit reductions on WYO 59 are just north of Douglas, through the rural community of Bill and in the Wright area. Highway Patrol Administrator Col. John Butler told those at the meetings that although the Highway Patrol is cognizant the highway is in need of a greater law enforcement presence for safety’s sake, the Patrol does not at present have enough staff to focus on that stretch of WYO 59 as much as he would like. He also described his viewpoint that driver behavior, evidenced by impatience and a lack of courtesy, is a big part of the problem on WYO 59. Col. Butler said troopers are committed to curbing aggressive driving, speeding and other unsafe behaviors. Butler said that as new WHP recruits are commissioned, there will be a greater likelihood they will be assigned to Converse County due to the increased law enforcement needs there brought about by the booming energy industry. He is also exploring other options, such as rotating troopers in and out from nearby duty stations to beef up enforcement efforts on the route. n
90 Three existing passing lanes to be extended
Proposed five-lane section (FY 2018)
Photo: Rick Carpenter
Locations for as many as 19 new passing lanes (14 in Converse County and five in Campbell County) being studied.
Heavy truck traffic is a regular sight on WYO 59.
12
Interchange
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November 2014
25
Second phase of energy conservation project expected to yield $690,000 in annual savings
Work is underway on a statewide project to convert all of WYDOT’s roadway lighting to LED, an upgrade expected to save the department about $690,000 a year in energy costs. The project also includes energy efficiency upgrades to WYDOT buildings, and is the second phase of an energy savings program that already provided $215,000 in savings following completion of the first phase in April. The roadway lighting upgrades began in the Casper area in October, and are being completed by Casper’s Modern Electric Co. The project will upgrade 5,267 light fixtures, including high mast tower lighting at interchanges and rest areas, roadside and area lighting, parking area fixtures and lighting at road closure gates. The total cost for the second phase is $10.7 million, and it is being funded by a 15-year bond that will be paid off with the money saved on utility bills. The bonding is made possible through the Wyoming Energy Conservation Improvement Program managed by the Wyoming Business Council. The department expects the savings on utility costs over the life of the upgrades completed during both phases of the program to reach $16.5 million. “That’s money that won’t be going to utility companies, and that will be available for other uses,” State Field Operations Engineer Mark Eisenhart said. “The beauty of this program is that it allows 90 Sheridan Lovell us to make these upgrades and reduce Powell Yellowstone National our energy needs without having to STREET LIGHTSundance Park use money that could be used on the Greybull RETROFIT Cody Buffalo Gillette Basin Jan. - Feb. 2015 90 highways.” Moorcroft 90 Meeteetse Work on the LED upgrades is STREET LIGHT expected to take four to six weeks to Worland Newcastle RETROFIT Grand Teton complete in each district. Nov. - Dec. 2014 N. P. 25 Work will continue through NoThermopolis Dubois vember on lighting in central WyoSTREET LIGHT Jackson ming, and then move to the western RETROFIT Shoshoni portion of the state. Upgrades are Oct. - Nov. 2014 Riverton scheduled to begin in the northeast Casper Lusk 25 Pinedale Lander in January and in the southeast in Douglas Afton March. The final phase of the project will be upgrading the lighting in the STREET LIGHT Green River Tunnels on I-80 someRETROFIT Wheatland time next summer. Nov. 2014 - Jan. 2015Farson Torrington Medicine Bow The LED lights are expected to cut STREET LIGHT Rawlins WYDOT’s costs for lighting highways Kemmerer RETROFIT Green 80 River by nearly 40 percent, and the longer25 Mar. - May 2015 Rock Springs 80 lasting LED bulbs will also significantLaramie Pine Bluffs 80 80 ly reduce maintenance costs. Evanston Cheyenne “Our maintenance of that roadway lighting is going to be dramatically 212
789
212
112
114
296
120
14
310
ALT
14
14
16
24
16
111
14
14
32
14
16 20
14
ALT
14
59
16
20
14
116
20
89
16
16
120
16
116
50
431
191
585
85
287
89
450
26
191
85
59
387
22
26
26
89
189
18
20
287
191
26
26
789
135
18
259
20
85
26
270
287
18
287
351
89
487
220
28
189
20
270
85
26
77
191
20
311
287
487
28
30
287
189
30
30
189
34
30
372
313
85
130
412
230
789
410
530
414
191
85
130
430
70
230
November 2014
230
287
210
85
n
Interchange
13
Photo: OpTerra Energy Services
Newsworthy
less, because now, instead of someone having to get up there and change out those bulbs maybe every year or every other year, we’ll only have to do that every 10 to 15 years, depending on how the LED bulbs hold up,” Eisenhart said. In addition to the savings on utility bills and maintenance costs, the upgrades also result in rebate payments from utility companies for the reduced demand on their infrastructure. WYDOT received The new LED lighting along highways will provide a safer, brighter driving environment $145,000 in rebates while also being more energy efficient. from Rocky Mountain Power Co. and Cheyenne, Light Fuel and Power Co. for the reduction in demand that resulted from the first phase of upgrades. Eisenhart said completion of the second phase is expected to bring $180,000 in rebates from power companies. WYDOT’s partner on the project is OpTerra Energy Services, a company that focuses on energy-saving projects for public agencies. OpTerra completed the energy audit that identified the potential energy savings the upgrades will produce, and it guarantees those projected savings will be realized. n
Newsworthy IT rolls out FTP site upgrade
WYDOT’s Information Technology (IT) staff recently installed a new File Transfer Protocol (FTP) site that offers greater ease of use than its predecessor, as well as enhanced security. An FTP application is most commonly used to exchange files (typically large ones) over the Internet. Older FTP versions suffered numerous security risks; the WYDOT site was constantly under attack by hackers, many of them located outside the U.S. Although more than one option for accessing FTP exists, WYDOT IT recommends that most agency employees should do so via the website interface. Further, IT reports that new FTP site works best when used in conjunction with Google’s Chrome web browser. Another advantage of the new site for WYDOT users is the capability to easily and conveniently undertake file sharing with “guests” located outside the agency. Previously, IT staff had to be contacted to set up an account for guest. New users should type in https:// wydot-filestore.dot.state.wy.us to bring up the new FTP web interface, which can then be bookmarked for future use. To sign in,
Chromebox for Meetings converts a traditional television or projector into a video conferencing access point. You can use the room system to make video calls to other rooms, but it is not dependent on room-to-room communication. For example, this video unit can connect with users at a computer as well. This video system is no longer dependent on another video system being available to create live connections. You can also use one of these rooms to make calls to others rooms in the list. From a laptop or mobile device, you can use Google+ Hangouts to join video calls with these rooms. WYDOT has three trial Chromebox for Meetings locations available for state business. They The device is centrally located in a meetare located in Cheyenne, ing room allowing all attendees equal Rock Springs and Basin. participation. Employees in remote areas are able to participate from their computer The Cheyenne locaworkstation.
14
Interchange
n
November 2014
Photo: ETS
A new way to connect to meetings from remote locales now available
tion is on the WYDOT campus in the Geology Conference Room; the Rock Springs location is the large conference room at the District 3 office (room 226); and the Basin location is in the District 5 conference room. At the end of the year-long trial, WYDOT will evaluate the effectiveness of these devices. Other Chromebox for Meetings locations available for state business inChromebox for Meetings is currently being clude: Wyoming Medium tested for effectiveness within WYDOT Correctional Institution, and other state entities. There are three WYDOT-specific locations and 14 other Torrington; Wyoming locations for Chromebox statewide. State Penitentiary, Rawlins; 10 locations in Cheyenne; Afton Department of Family Services; and Casper Oil and Gas. An online tutorial is available at this link on YouTube: https:// www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuditSy3WmOO3JQWdkJZTP YD2Wwh8zQEi. n
Photo: ETS
users need only enter their active directory login ID and password (the same as they use each day to sign into their computers). For some users, their WYDOT program shared folder will appear; double clicking the folder icon will display any shared files, to which all users (in that program) have rights. Files uploaded outside a folder can be seen only by the user. File sharing (sending or receiving) can be initiating via use of the “Jump to” drop box located at the upper right of the web page. File sharing permissions extended to guests are time limited, with a maximum of 30 days. n
Newsworthy
Transportation commissioners visit TMC dispatch center in Cheyenne
Photo: Rick Carpenter
Following October’s commission meeting, the transportation commissioners visited the Transportation Management Center in Cheyenne. The commissioners toured both the TMC and the
Wyoming Highway Patrol dispatch rooms. GIS/ITS Program Manager Vince Garcia introduced the TMC to the commissioners with a slide presentation highlighting statistics and innovations of his group. “I-80 is a major corridor for commercial truck travel. It is also an interstate that can see more than 60 inches of snowfall and up to 800 hours of blowing snow annually,” said Garcia. “With the help of webcams, roadside weather information systems, overhead dynamic message signs and variable speed limit signage, this group is able to promote safety and mobility on state highways and get timely information out to the public.” Garcia spoke about the recently released road condition reporting mobile app produced by his team which will allow WYDOT maintenance workers in Districts 1 and 3 to communicate with the TMC via tablets installed in their trucks. TMC staff has made strides in preventing wind blowovers for the state’s highway system, keeping both truck traffic and passenger traffic safe during high wind events through the use of webcams, weather stations and dynamic message signs. Capt. Troy McLees gave the commissioners an in-depth look at the WHP dispatch side of the TMC. n
Kevin Cox (standing right) and Dallas Ortiz (seated) with the GIS/ITS Program in Cheyenne explain how the TMC monitors road conditions and weather patterns in order to push the information to the public. (from left) Commissioners Milt Coulter, Chairman Bruce McCormack, Todd Seeton and Clair Anderson look on.
Initial ERP software upgrade requests explored September’s issue of Interchange included a special supplement regarding the upcoming ERP upgrade. WYDOT’s ERP system includes Agile Assets and PeopleSoft, two pieces of software in need of an upgrade. The current versions are no longer going to be supported by the manufacturer so an update is needed. During the planning and discovery phase, suggestions were brought to the attention of the change management representatives statewide. Suggestions were taken until Oct. 31. A majority of input received prior to the deadline request ERP
to be more user friendly and accessible from anywhere on the internet. Across all software systems, a streamlined interface with easier navigation is called for. Employees would like to see more intelligent fill options and an easier way to generate reports without leaving one screen and navigating to another. The change management representatives continue to discuss the upgrade opportunities which may be available with the new version. More in-depth communications about the ERP upgrade will begin in January. Training and practice environments will be made available after that. The new version of ERP is to go live June 2015. n
ERP Change Management Representatives District 1
Joe Gillespie - Maintenance Eric Anderson - Maintenance Mike Ginther - Traffic Cindy Petty - District Administration
District 2
Rick Underwood - Traffic Paul Fehyl - Construction
District 3
Lon Richardson - Maintenance Beck Hager - Construction Staci Erker - District Administration
District 4
Dave Schwabauer - Traffic Marty Bach - Maintenance Mike Kuzara - Maintenance
District 5
Alesha Dern - Maintenance Steve Paumer - Maintenance Bob Perkins - Equipment Brandon Blakesly - Equipment
Wyoming Highway Patrol
Headquarters
Janet Farrar - Strategic Performance Improvement Doug McGee - Public Affairs Kent Ketterling - Maintenance David Stearns - Financial Services Mike Bush - Enterprise Technology Cori Hastings - Equipment Marc Anderson - Maintenance Dan Prickett - Maintenance Lisa Ayers - Maintenance Cheryl Packard McGee - Maintenance
Capt. Josh Walther Tiffanie Young
November 2014
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Interchange
15
Official State Highway Map of Wyoming For Free Distribution Only
Awards Public Affairs work earns
E X P L O R E W
YOMING
title
H-1
F-9
Big Horn Scenic Byway
G. Clyde Larson Award bestowed on trooper
Photo: WYDOT
Trooper Kent Hutchinson is the 50th recipient of the G. Clyde Larson Award. In July, Hutchinson heroically responded to a 911 call placed by a commercial trucker along I-80 near Evanston, a story which was featured in the Noteworthy section of October’s Interchange.
Trooper Kent Hutchinson being presented the G. Clyde Larson Award at the October commission luncheon by Transportation Commission Chairman Bruce McCormack.
November 2014
A-3, B-3 B-6, C-6
Byway
Cheyenne
C-1/E-2
G-1, F-1
Cody
D-6, E-7
Cloud Peak Skyway Scenic Byway
Thermopolis
Wall Scenic Backway
Prison Museum
Museum of the Mountain Man Old Frontier Prison
Carbon County Museum Trail End/Bradford Brinton Memorial Crook County Museum
Sheridan Sundance
Hot Springs County
Museum
The Wyoming Dinosaur Center Worland The Washakie Museum and Cultural Center In addition to this listing, there are numerous other more information, museums in Wyoming. contact the Wyoming For to www.wyomuseum State Museum at (307)777-7022 or .org go
title
Legend Rock Petroglyph Site Medicine Lodge Archaeological
gy
Museum
Ivinson Mansion Wyoming Territorial
Pinedale Rawlins
South Big Horn/Red
D-4 B-5
Wyoming Pioneer Museum Chinese Joss House Museum Uinta County Museum National Museum of Wildlife Art
J.C. Penney House Fine Arts Center
Geological Museum/Anthropolo Wyoming’s Children’s
Wyoming archaeological sites locatioN
Old Trail Town
Douglas
Jackson Kemmerer Laramie
Big Spring Scenic Backway Muddy Creek Historic Backway Red Gulch/Alkali Scenic Backway Seminoe-Alcova Backway
H-1 B-5 G-6, F-7
Historic Governors’
Evanston
Mirror Lake Scenic Byway Oregon Trail Historic Byway Snowy Range Scenic Byway Star Valley Scenic Byway Wind River Canyon Scenic Byway Wyoming Black Hills Scenic Byway Wyoming Centennial Scenic Byway
Sites
title Jim Gatchell Museum of the West Nicolaysen Art Museum National Historic Trails Interpretive Center Wyoming Veterans’ Memorial Museum Wyoming State Museum Cheyenne Frontier Days™ Old West Museum Mansion Buffalo Bill Historical Center
Casper
Byway
Wyoming backways
Wind River Canyon Scenic Byway
Wyoming Territorial Prison the Division of State Parks & Historic
Buffalo Casper
Cloud Peak Skyway Scenic Byway Flaming Gorge-Green River Scenic Byway Medicine Wheel Passage
A-5 H-1 F-10 H-7 E-1 D-5
NATIONAL RECREA TION SITES a
Site
DOT publication
Photos by Rick Carpenter;
NatioNal sites are locatioN
Fort Laramie National
locatioN
locatioN A-1/B-2 C-1, D-1
D-1 G-2
Forest
Targhee National
Forest
Wasatch National
Forest
locatioN H-3 A-5
Seedskadee National
Wildlife Refuge
title
Flaming Gorge Reservoir Bighorn Canyon
National monuments locatioN B-9 G-1
title
Yellowstone National Park Grand Teton National Park
title National Elk Refuge
National recreation areas
Big Horn National Forest Black Hills National Forest Bridger-Teton National Forest Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest
Shoshone National
C-1/D-1 H-1
National parks
Snowy Range Scenic Byway
locatioN
Historic Site
title
A,B 5,6 A-9/ B-10 C-1/E-3, F-1 F-6/H-8 A-3/D-3, E-3/F-4
Flaming GorgeGreen River Scenic Byway
Winkle
National refuges
title
F-10
Design by Carlie Van
located oN the state highway map (opposite side) iN the grid sectioNs listed below.
National historic site
National forests
clicks to emphasize just how quick and easy it is to protect yourself by buckling up. The spot ran during the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s May Mobilization, and was directed towards teens and young adults whose attitudes and behaviors are still open to influence. n
The trucker had been doing CPR compressions on his wife after calling 911 and was exhausted by the time Hutchinson arrived. Hutchinson immediately took over and with the help of a local off-duty firefighter, who later arrived on scene, continued CPR until an ambulance arrived. Hutchinson’s concern for the couple led him to follow up days later with the trucker and his wife, who were at a hospital in Utah. The wife was responsive, but unable to speak at the time. “Trooper Hutchinson displayed outstanding professional ability, courage, discipline, humility and conviction in all aspects of this event,” supervisor Lt. Timothy Boumeester said. “The performance, sound judgment and devotion to duty demonstrated by Hutchinson contributed immeasurably to the successful revival and recovery.” Last month, Hutchinson was awarded the Colonel’s Commendation Award and the Wyoming Peace Officer Association Award for Valor for his heroic actions in saving a life. “Trooper Hutchinson’s conduct reflects great credit upon himself and the Wyo-
F-9 F-3 A-6 H-8 * Not managed by
locatioN
Big Horn Scenic Byway Bridger Valley Historic Byway Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway Chief Joseph Scenic Byway
C-9, C-10
Wherever you decide to roam in Wyoming, have a safe, enjoyable please trip, see and do as much as time allows, and plan your next visit too. We are glad you’re here! Governor Matthew H. Mead, First Lady Carol Mead, Mary and Pete Mead
Battle Pass Scenic Beartooth Scenic
H-3
Oregon Trail Historic Byway
This year the highway map focuses on our state’s scenic and historic byways. Are you interested ghost towns or pioneer trails? Are you interested in picture-perfect canyons and gorges, mountains in valleys? Well, we and have scenic byways for all that and more. Our four most recent scenic byway are in Weston, Carbon, additions Platte and Lincoln They are well worth counties. seeing, as are the other 12 they joined. The photograph s featured on this map give a glimpse of our scenic byways and visually whet one’s appetite for road trips.
Bridger Valley Historic Byway
H-6 A-3 B-5, B-6
Connor Battlefield H istoric Site Fort Bridger State Historic Site Fort Fetterman Historic Site Fort Fred Steele Historic Site Fort Phil Kearny Historic Site Fort Caspar Historic Site Historic Governors’ Mansion Independence Rock Historic Site Martin’s Cove Historic Site * Register Cliff * South Pass City Historic Site Trail End State Historic Site
Wyoming museums
title
H-1, H-2
If you are looking at this message and this map, it means your journey in Wyoming has begun. My family and I welcome you, thank you for coming, and wish you a safe and pleasant visit.
Outdoors, you will experience plains in and mountains in the center and western the east part of the state. Working ranches and farms dot the landscape, and Wyoming history and hospitality are evident everywhere. Each of our 99 municipalitie 23 counties is a s and gem to be sampled. Each outdoor recreational activity is an adventure to be savored. Let our roads be your guide to Wyoming’s fascinating places. many
Seminoe State Park E-4 Sinks Canyon State Park Parks and recreation areas have a variety picnic and rest room of amenities. They facilities. Campsites typically include are often available.
locatioN
title
A-6 H-2 E-8 G-6 B-6 E-7 H-9 F-6 F-6
On the map, refer to the grid sections listed below to locate byways (shown as red dashed lines) Wyoming scenic and scenic backways Some scenic backway (dotted red lines). sections in remote suitable for use during areas are gravel-surfaced inclement weather. www.dot.state.wy. For more information, and are not us/home/travel/sce go to: nic_byways.html
B-2, B-3
Your trip is sure to be memorable because offers so many choices our state - all of them excellent. you travel our highways Whether or explore our byways, can expect to see you unique natural features, terrain, and amazing beautiful wildlife. And that’s view from inside just the your vehicle!
locatioN
Wyoming byways
Chief Joseph Scenic Byway Battle Pass Scenic Byway
Welcome to Wyoming!
Hot Springs State Park Keyhole State Park
B-9 F-6
Area
WWW.WYOMING
title Devils Tower National Monument Fossil Butte National Monument
For a vacatioN packet coNtact the wyomiNg oFFice oF tourism toll Free: 800-225-5996 Fax: 307-777-2877
TOURISM.ORG
Photo courtesy AASHTO/TransComm Arizona
Mirror Lake Scenic Byway
Guernsey State Park Hawk Springs Recreation
D-4
Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway
Wyoming historic sites
Boysen State Park Buffalo Bill State Park Curt Gowdy State Park Edness K. Wilkins State Park
Glendo State Park
G-10
Star Valley Scenic Byway
areas
Bear River State Park
D-5 B-3 H-9
Wyoming Centennial Scenic Byway
are located oN the state highway map (opposite side) iN the grid sectioNs listed below .
Wyoming parks & recreation
E-7
WYDOT’s Public Affairs staff was honored with two awards at the American Association of Highway and Transportation Officials Subcommittee on Transportation Communications annual meeting in Arizona in September. The department’s 2014 state highway map designed by Art Director Carlie Van Winkle and featuring photographs by Rick Carpenter won the “Best of the Rest” category for print publications. The map features photos of the state’s scenic byways intended to get travelers interested in exploring some of the Wyoming’s lesser-known attractions. The design relies on photos rather than text to take visitors on a journey reminiscent of a vacationer’s scrapbook. More than 750,000 of the maps were printed for distribution around the state, nation and globe as part of the Wyoming Office of Tourism’s vacation information packets. Video Producer Matt Groth’s “One Click” public service announcement encouraging seat-belt use received honorable mention in the TV commercial or PSA produced without a consultant category. The 30-second spot combined graphics, text and
n
wyomiNg’s state sites
F-9
Official State Highway Map of Wyoming For Free Distribution Only
Interchange
Wyoming Black Hills Scenic Byway
STATE RECREATION SITES locatioN
AASHTO awards
16
Medicine Wheel Passage
Beartooth Scenic Byway
Public Affairs Officer Doug McGee accepted the award for the “Best of the Rest” category won by the 2014 Wyoming State Highway Map entry.
ming Highway Patrol,” said Boumeester. The G. Clyde Larson Award was created in 1969 to recognize acts of heroism by Highway Department employees. The award acknowledges an employee who has saved a life or prevented great property damage, thus saving personal and governmental expense. To be eligible, an employee must be distinguished through action above and beyond the call of duty, including rendering first aid to save a life; saving a life through immediate action without regard for personal safety or subsequent results; preventing further bodily harm to others through individual action, if peril was imminent, alleviating danger through immediate preventive action at personal risk. The award program was established to honor the late G. Clyde Larson, who was appointed to a six-year term on the Transportation Commission in 1965 by Gov. Clifford Hansen. Larson died in July 1968, and his son, Grant, was appointed to fill the unexpired term. n
Noteworthy
s
S tate E mployee
SERG
U.S. DOT Secretary visits Wyoming
Anderson named Wyoming Trucking Association president Clair Anderson, one of seven current Wyoming Transportation Commission members, was elected the 2014-15 Wyoming Trucking Association (WTA) president at the 75th anniversary convention held in Laramie in May. WTA represents the trucking industry in Wyoming. In electing a local businessperson as leader, that leader steps into a role which could affect the entire trucking
up
Retirement Gro
Gather with other state retirees monthly.
Photo: Rick Carpenter
It’s not often that the nation’s top transportation official visits Wyoming, but that’s exactly what happened Oct. 2 when U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx came to the Cheyenne Regional Airport. The primary reason for Sec. Foxx’s Wyoming trip was to announce $7 million in grants from the Small Community Air Service Development Program. Cheyenne and Sheridan were among the 16 communities selected to receive such grants during the 2014 cycle. Foxx also sat down with state and local leaders for discussions about a range of air service and transportation-related topics. Among the participants were WYDOT Director John Cox and Aeronautics Division Administrator Dennis Byrne. Cox told Foxx that his visit to Wyoming comes at a critical time in the effort to maintain air service in the state, and that to his knowledge, Wyoming is the only state that has a state-funded, state-
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx with Director John Cox at a roundtable event held at the Cheyenne Regional Airport.
administered air service enhancement program. Byrne related how Wyoming’s small population makes it difficult to compete in the passenger air service arena. Other challenges he described included relatively new safety regulations that make it more difficult for newer pilots who want to work their way into the passenger air industry. n
industry. Anderson will lend expertise from both his own transportation company as well as his time as a transportation commissioner. Prior to his appointment as WTA president, he Anderson served as second vice president on the WTA board of directors. Anderson currently represents Commission District 7, which includes Converse, Fremont and Natrona counties. Anderson heads up Bonneville Transloaders, Inc. (BTI), a diversified
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
transportation company that specializes in supporting the mineral and petroleum industries. Anderson started with BTI in 1986 as a truck driver and earned a series of promotions until becoming president in 2008. In total, he counts 44 years of experience in the trucking industry. Anderson is a native of Utah, where he graduated from high school and attended technical school. He is a U.S. Army veteran and a graduate of the Rocky Mountain Employers’ Council. He has earned certification from Wyoming Business Leadership Institute and is a long-term member of the WTA. n
Get smart!
AVOID THE
DUI LIFE
Download and use the free Drive Sober Wyoming smartphone app. drivesoberwy.com November 2014
n
Interchange
17
Saturday, December 6
You’re invited to the 2014 WTDEA Christmas Party! Holiday Inn Shoshone & Laramie rooms 204 W Fox Farm Rd, Cheyenne, WY
Join us for cocktail hour, a buffet style dinner and entertainment by Another Perfect Circus.
$25
for members
(limit 2 member tickets)
on sale Monday, November 3 $30 for non members on sale Monday, November 10
Ticket price includes free beer and wine - FCFS (cash bar also available), Meal, Cash Envelopes of $10, $20, $50, and a chance at Grand Prizes like a TV and a trip to the VeeBar Ranch located outside of Laramie Ticket sales end Monday, December 1. Only 150 tickets will be sold! Photography done by Dana Gage
Take the Elevator Home - Hotel rooms available for $83.00 plus taxes. Call Holiday Inn direct at 307-638-4466 for reservations by December 1 at 3pm.
See your WTDEA Representative for tickets today! Contact Heidi Martin (777-4125) or Rebecca Savastano (777-3947) for more information. 18
Interchange
n
November 2014
Retirees and their guests are invited to the
Thursday, December 11 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. Cheyenne Airport Golf Club Bring a potluck dish to share (don’t forget the serving utensil!) Meat, place settings, coffee, tea and iced water will be provided. Cash bar available. Please RSVP prior to December 8: Rick Eccli - 634-3231; John Lane - 638-6348; Pat Collins - 635-2344; Pam Hendricks - 632-9151; or Ron Kisicki - 632-8413
November 2014
n
Interchange
19
District News
Congratulations
Headquarters Peggy Kennedy-Fulk, Port Of EntryCheyenne I-80; George Pitt, Budget.
Promotions and Transfers Elena Alvarado Mondragon, Facilities Management-Custodial; Richard Amen, Traffic; Andrew Freeman, MaterialsPavement Management Systems; Jonathan Goehring, Bridge-Engineering Design; Scott Grauberger, Highway Development-Photogrammetry/Survey; Alison Helgoth Ragan, GIS/ITS; Debbie Russi, Human Resources; and Susan Talkington, Port Of Entry-Cheyenne U.S. 85. Alvarado Mondragon
Goehring
Grauberger
Service Awards Bruce Burrows, Public Affairs – 35 years; Mike DeLeeuw, Procurement-Buying – 30 years; Roxie Lopez, Driver Services-Policy and DeLeeuw Records – 30 years; Patrick Martinez, Materials-Bituminous – 30 years; Sandra Pecenka, Highway Development-Project Development – 30 years; Craig Walker, Geology-Drillers – 30 Pecenka years; Laura Whalen-Steege, Driver Services-Cheyenne – 30 years;
20
Interchange
n
November 2014
Retirements
Koehn
Henderson
Anderson
Rick Amen of WYDOT’s Traffic Program at headquarters was promoted last month to become the new team leader for the Electrical Design Section. He now oversees electrical design for lighting, traffic signals, and ITS systems. Amen is a 20-year-plus veteran of WYDOT, starting with the agency in early 1994 at Casper as an electrical technician. In 1997, he moved to Cheyenne as an electrical engineer in the Traffic Program. Prior to joining WYDOT, Amen, who was raised in Casper, earned an associate’s degree in engineering from Casper College and subsequently a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Wyoming. Caryn Erickson of the Budget program was promoted last month to senior budget analyst. Erickson has worked for WYDOT for eight years. She began as a budget specialist in Nov. 2006. Erickson is a Cheyenne native and graduated from the University of Wyoming with a bachelor’s degree in business administration/economics. She assumed her new duties Oct. 9.
Cradle Call Erickson
Stevie Marsh, Information Technology and husband Regan, former Project Development Assistant Squad Leader, welcomed their second child, Mia Marie into the world on June 25. Their son Leo is happy to be a big brother.
Trujillo
James Buyske, Aeronautics-Flight Operations.
Photo: Val Rothwell
Welcome
Kenneth Bixler, Driver Services-Regional 4 – 25 years; Richard Carpenter, Public Affairs –25 years; Marianne HakaBixler, Driver Services-Administration – 25 years; Ronald Koehn, Equipment-Administration – 25 years; Barbara Thomasee, Office ServicesFiles – 25 years; Lance Atkinson, Highway Development-Project Development – 15 years; Scott Henderson, Right Of Way-Appraisals – 15 years; Jennifer Anderson, Geology – 10 years; Shelly Erickson, Financial ServicesPayroll – 10 years; Travis Saner, Highway Development-Project Development – 10 years; Dorthy Trujillo, Facilities Management-Custodial – 10 years; Leanna Humble, Highway Development-Engineering Services – 5 years; and Kristi Pomeroy, Motor Vehicle Services-Registration/ Title – 5 years.
Buyske
District 1
Promotions and Transfers Amy Brooks, Laramie Driver Services; Aaron Harper, Laramie Maintenance; Tyler Jones, Elk Mountain Maintenance; and Donna Olivares-Braisted, GIS/ITS.
Brooks
Congratulations Dustin Gabel, Richard Bailey and Brian O’Connor received extra mile awards for administering CPR to a person who had stopped at a District 1 rest area. District Engineer Pat Persson and District Maintenance Engineer Tim McGary presented the awards.
Harper
Service Awards Michael Paine, Cheyenne Mechanics – 25 years,
Thomas Markos, GIS/ITS; and Joe McGuire Jr, Casper Maintenance.
Service Awards Jay Stuck, Torrington Maintenance – 5 years.
Retirements Allen Hebert, Casper Mechanics; Gary Kahler, Wheatland Maintenance; and Margaret Teevens, District 2 Maintenance Staff.
Nov. 14
District 3
Welcome
Service Awards
Larry Bryant Jr, Rock Springs Maintenance; Shawn Cain, Pinedale Construction; Thomas Covert, Rock Springs Mechanics; Brian Gorsage, Jackson Maintenance; Mitch Gray, Patrick Draw Maintenance; and Jennifer Maze, District 3 Administration.
Michael Gunyan, District 3 Maintenance Staff – 15 years; and Clay Seals, Jackson Maintenance – 10 years.
Promotions and Transfers Weston
Seals
le Afte yc
ading! Re
Staci Erker, District 3 Maintenance Staff; James O’Connor, Pinedale Maintenance; Bobby Schwab, Afton Maintenance; William Vegors, GIS/ITS; Erker and Kevin Weston, Cokeville Maintenance.
r
Hebert
Submission deadline
carlie.vanwinkle@wyo.gov
Welcome Promotions and Transfers
Introducing a new quarterly section – Rides. Submit images of your tricked out or classic transportation.
From left: District Engineer Pat Persson, Dustin Gabel, Brian O’Connor, Richard Bailey and District Maintenance Engineer Tim McGary.
District 2 April Young, Torrington Construction.
WYDOT Rides
ease Re c Pl
Trevor Ballinger, Arlington Maintenance; Colter Bame, Laramie Maintenance; Ryan Byers, Rawlins Construction; and Christopher Montgomery, Laramie Maintenance.
Coming Soon!
Kyle McKay, Cheyenne Patrol – 15 years; and John Poelma, Cheyenne Construction – 5 years.
Photo courtesy Gary May
Welcome
Kahler
November 2014
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District 4
Extra Mile
Welcome
AWARDS
Bobbie Jo Ballard, Sundance Port Of Entry.
Promotions and Transfers Douglas Swaney, GIS/ITS.
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.
Service Awards Scott Hamilton, Traffic-Signing – 20 years; Wesley Bybee, Buffalo Construction – 5 years; and Paul Miller, Sheridan Maintenance – 5 years.
Miller
Retirements Joann Safford, Sundance Construction.
Congratulations to our September recipients!
Hamilton
Safford
Lacey Bruckner
Kaylee Harmon
Tegan Carter
Melinda Harmon
JoAnn Edwards
Candace Herrera
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.
District 5
Welcome
Nolting
Promotions and Transfers Richard Hart, Thermopolis Construction; Scott Nolting, Riverton Construction; and Thomas Scott, GIS/ITS.
Service Awards David Harrenga, Lander Maintenance – 20 years; and John Hoffman, Worland Patrol – 5 years.
Retirements David Cooper, District 5 Traffic Staff; and Donald Detimore, Lander Maintenance.
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November 2014
Harrenga
Hoffman
Congratulations Capt. Tom Pritchard, former Laramie area WHP division supervisor, was recently named the new District 5 captain by Col. John Butler. He will be replacing recently retired Capt. Len DeClercq. Pritchard began his career with patrol Pritchard in June 2004 and was initially stationed in Casper. Pritchard promoted to the rank of lieutenant in March 2011, becoming the supervising lieutenant of Division “J” in Laramie. On top of his division supervisorial duties, Pritchard has been instrumental in the
Cooper
Detimore
continued development of WHP’s Crash Investigation Team, including acting as the supervising team member. Pritchard’s experience and knowledge will continue to benefit patrol as he assumes his new duties as the District 5 commander.
Cradle Call Will and Erica Hensel welcomed their new daughter Katelyn Renee Hensel to their family Oct. 1. Katelyn weighed in at 8 pounds, 11 ounces and measured 21 inches. Hensel is an engineer in Basin. Congratulations to the happy family.
Photo courtesy Will and Erica Hensel
Jason Aldridge, Thermopolis Construction; Tyd Erickson, Meeteetse Maintenance; and Kyle Jorgensen, Lander Traffic-Striping.
Service Award Recipients
What have YOU done this fall?
Photo: Rick Carpenter
Get those photos in!
Service award luncheons are held by the Transportation Commission for employees celebrating milestones of 25 years of service or greater. Award recipients at this month’s luncheon: (Back row from left) Barbara Thomasee, Marianne Haka-Bixler, Ken Bixler, Clyde G. Larson Award winner – Kent Hutchinson, Mike Paine, Laura Whalen-Steege and Rick Carpenter. (Front row from left) Joni Kachelhoffer, Bruce Burrows, Craig Walker and Steve Kant.
January Outdoors submission deadline:
12/12/14
carlie.vanwinkle@wyo.gov
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Passings Bill Brewer
Bill Brewer, who was a member of the Wyoming Highway Patrol during the 1960s, died Oct. 24 in a Billings, Mont., hospital. He was 76. Brewer, of Cody, was well known for serving 25 years as Park County Sheriff. He began his law enforcement career in 1960 with the Powell Police Department. In 1964, he signed on with the Highway Patrol, with an initial posting in Cheyenne. Brewer Brewer transferred to Thermopolis in 1968 and then resigned the following year to accept a position with the Park County Sheriff ’s Office. He went on to serve two stints (1972-1986 and 1991-2003) as sheriff. A memorial service for Brewer was conducted Oct. 31 in Cody.
Ludwig “Luddie” Centa, Jr. Retiree Luddie Centa, Jr. died Aug. 22 in Baggs. He was 74. Centa joined the old Wyoming Highway Department, WYDOT’s predecessor agency, as a maintenance worker in Baggs in 1967. He remained in Baggs for 24 years before a promotion to Saratoga maintenance foreman in 1991. Prior to his service with WYDOT, Centa, a Pueblo, Colo. native, served in the U.S. Army from 1962-1964. Centa retired on Nov. 1, 2000 with 33 years of service to the state. A family memorial is scheduled for a later date.
Michael E. Corso Mike Corso, 51, who served as WYDOT’s first full-time webmaster beginning in the early 2000s, died Oct. 9 in a Denver hospital. Corso, an information technology specialist, died after compiling 18 years of service with the State of Wyoming. That total include a stint at WYDOT between 2001 and 2007. He was working for the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources at the time of his Corso death Corso, a native of Cheyenne, served in the U.S. Navy from 1984 to 1993 as a submarine missile technician and was veteran of Operation Desert Storm. He was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Holy Trinity Men’s Association, and Knights of Columbus. Corso also served as a board member of Cheyenne Little Theatre, Laramie County Shooting Complex, and an instructor for the National Rifle Association. Two of Corso’s uncles, Bob Corso and Don Corso (now deceased) were both long-term WYDOT employees. Bob served in the Materials Program and Don in Contracts and Estimates. Funeral services for Mike Corso were conducted Oct. 17 in Cheyenne.
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Keith Emerson Keith Emerson, a Wyoming Highway Patrol retiree, died Oct. 15 in Athol, Idaho. He was 66. Emerson was commissioned as a patrolman on July 12, 1973, and was initially posted to duty in Rock Springs. He following year, he transferred to Laramie, where he remained until his retirement on Sept. 14, 1998. While in Laramie, he served with both Division J and the Motor Carrier Division. Emerson Emerson was born in Laramie and graduated high school in his hometown of Rock River. After high school, he served a four-year hitch in the U.S. Navy, spending much of that time aboard the U.S.S. Ticonderoga where he was attached to an anti-submarine air group. Immediately prior to signing on with the Patrol, Emerson worked for nearly two years in Medicine Bow as a maintainer for the old Wyoming Highway Department, WYDOT’s predecessor agency. He also attended Wyoming Technical Institute and Laramie County Community College. Funeral services for Emerson are scheduled for Nov. 8 in Rock River, with participation by the Wyoming Highway Patrol honor guard.
Ron Nading, Sr. WYDOT retiree Ron Nading of Cody died Sept. 27 in a Red Lodge, Mont., nursing home. He was 67. Nading was a member of the Cody maintenance crew from 1985 until his retirement in 2006. He was born in Iowa and a 1965 graduate of Cody High School. Prior to joining the department, his occupations included being a self-employed contractor and a supervisor for Nading Cody Lumber. Nading was a decorated U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War. Funeral services were conducted Oct. 3 in Cody.
Kent Walton Retiree Kent Walton, 64, died Oct. 1 in Cheyenne. A native of Idaho, Walton had originally relocated to Saratoga in the late 1960s, but moved to Hawaii in 1992. He returned to Wyoming in May 1993. Upon his return to Saratoga, he joined WYDOT maintenance. He retired as a heavy equipment operator after 19 years of service in October 2011. Walton enjoyed hunting, fishing, trapping Walton and hunting for shed antlers. Memorial services were held in Saratoga Oct. 18.
2015 WTDEA Relief Fund calendar winners chosen The 2015 WTDEA calendar photo contest has come to a close and WYDOT voters have selected photographs for the upcoming Relief Fund calendar. Once calendars are available they will be $20 each and include a new $100 bonus drawing every month, in addition to the $10 weekday, $20 weekend and $50 holiday prizes. As in past years, the numbers get placed back in the pot for more chances to win. Calendar purchases are open to the public. The WTDEA Relief Fund provides crisis assistance for WYDOT employees. WTDEA administers the relief fund
Name
WYDOT Work Location
Photo Name
Kevin Hoff Doug Hatch Vickie Hintze Roni Stott Heather O’Connor Wayne Hassinger Brenda Luegering Amy Lambert Jerry Jowett Jordan Patton Michael Kelley Nick Hines
Construction - Casper Traffic - Cheyenne Facility Maintenance - Cheyenne Cody Highway Patrol - Cheyenne Fuel Tax - Cheyenne Office Services - Cheyenne Right of Way - Cheyenne Traffic - Sheridan IT - Cheyenne Facilities Management - Cheyenne Environmental Services - Cheyenne
Baby Owl Above a sea of clouds on US 14 Humming Bird Carter Mt. in the Spring WY Law Enforcement Memorial Mother and Me Shay’s Rainbow Glendo Sunset Never Forgotten Pelton Creek Camping on the Green, Sunset Phelps Lake
WTDEA members hit milestone
Photo Location Casper, Wyoming Burgess Jct and Dayton Snowy Range Carter Mountain, Near Cody Wapiti, Wyoming Terry Bison Ranch Glendo, Wyoming East Fork Campground, Big Horns Pelton Creek,Medicine Bow National Forest Green River Lakes Near Moose, Wyoming
With their 20 years of consecutive membership in WTDEA, the gentlemen are considered lifetime members of the employee’s association and will no longer pay annual dues, yet have all the rights and privileges of a dues paying member. All dues are paid by their district chapter. n
Photo: Rick Carpenter
Photo: Rick Carpenter
Three WYDOT headquarters and District 1 employees have reached a milestone of serving 20 consecutive years as WTDEA members. The most recent recipients of the WTDEA bronze buckle are Steve Murray, Rigging Shop; Milt Poteet, Maintenance Shop; and Brian Wenger, Field Operations-Equipment.
Photo: Rick Carpenter
WTDEA
program and can apply up to $1,000 to any active department employees, contingent upon board approval. An employee must complete a WYDOT Relief Fund Form and send it to the WTDEA state board president or state board treasurer to be eligible for the benefit. Congratulations to the winners of the contest. n
Poteet and Wenger Murray
November 2014
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Break Time Find the six differences in the images. There is a bonus change this month...can you find it? 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.
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1) Complete and return this slip to WYDOT Public Affairs Office, 5300 Bishop Blvd., Cheyenne, WY 82009, or 2) E-mail Carlie Van Winkle at carlie.vanwinkle@wyo.gov. Add me to the mailing list
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