Interchange – November 2022

Interchange

$25M Beartooth Highway final reconstruction project complete

Several state and federal agencies collaborated to complete the multi-million dollar Beartooth Highway project, which will improve the safety, environmental impact and overall experience of one of the main roads to Yellowstone National Park

By Andrew Rossi and Caleb Nelson, Big Horn Radio Network

It was a cold and cloudy day as people gathered at a newly constructed scenic pullout for the Sept. 22 ribbon-cutting ceremony of the “final reconstruction project” on the Beartooth Highway. Less than two years ago, the pullout didn’t exist.

This accomplishment is only one of many that brought personnel from WYDOT, Yellowstone National Park, the Central Federal Lands Highway Division, and many other state and federal agencies to U.S. 212. After two quick years and $25 million, the most significant investment in the Beartooth Highway in many years has concluded.

“A road like this would never be built today,” said WYDOT Public Relations Specialist Cody Beers. He was referencing the difficulty of building such a highway at high altitudes and its tremendous environmental impact. Construction of the Beartooth Highway began in 1930 and finished eight years later.

“Taking a drive through the mountains is a commitment,” Beers said. “Just like the Beartooth Highway itself.”

The goal of the Beartooth Highway reconstruction project is improvement – for travelers, maintenance, and wildlife.

WYDOT Director Luke Reiner was the first to speak at

Photo: Rick Carpenter Beartooth continued on

Wyoming Transportation Commission Chair Phil Schmidt, WYDOT Director Luke Reiner, Yellowstone National Park Superintendent Cam Sholly, Federal Lands Highway Division Chief of Engineering Curtis Scott, and other attendees cut the ribbon on the Beartooth Highway reconstruction project.

Programs

Partner Agencies

Interchange

Interchange is published for em ployees of the Wyoming Department of Transportation by its Public Affairs Office and a number of field correspon dents.

Interchange invites submissions from all employees. Please send them to either your district correspondents or to:

Carlie Van Winkle, Interchange editor 5300 Bishop Blvd., Cheyenne, Wyoming, 82009-3340 or send an email to carlie.vanwinkle@wyo.gov.

Staff

WYDOT Director: K. Luke Reiner

Public Affairs Manager: Doug McGee

Editor: Carlie Van Winkle

Contributors: Jordan Achs Public Affairs Matt Groth Public Affairs Mark Horan Public Affairs Carlie Van Winkle Public Affairs Andrea Staley District 1 Jeff Goetz District 2 Stephanie Harsha District 3 Laura Dalles District 4 Cody Beers District 5 Sgt. Jeremy Beck Patrol

Photography: Rick Carpenter Public Affairs

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

District Briefs

Headquarters Commission awards over $56 million in contracts in October

CHEYENNE – The Wyoming Trans portation Commission awarded over $56 million in contracts for eight Wyoming Department of Transportation construc tion projects during its Oct. 20 business meeting.

The commission awarded a $4.95 million bid to Afton-based Avail Valley Construction-WY, LLC, for a project involving paving, milling, bridge reha bilitation, chip seal, sidewalk work, curb and gutter and other work on almost 6 miles of US 26, US 287 and WYO 789 in Fremont County.

Mountain Construction Company, based out of Lovell, was awarded a $5.94 million bid for a project involving paving, grading, milling and other work on more than 5 miles of US 14/16/20 in Park County.

Cheyenne-based Knife River was awarded a $5.02 million bid for a project involving paving, milling, chip seal and other work on almost 10 miles of US 30 in Albany County.

Advanced Electrical Contracting, Inc., based out of Sheridan, was awarded an $186,719 bid for a project involving electrical, guardrail and other work on approximately 0.10 mile of US 191 in Sublette County.

The commission also awarded an $8.76 million bid to Sundance-based Croell, Inc. for a project involving milling, paving, bridge rehabilitation and other work on almost 6 miles of I-90 in Camp bell County.

The contracted completion date for the above projects is Oct. 31, 2023.

Croell was also awarded a $15.17 million bid for a project involving paving, grading, bridge rehabilitation and other work on more than 5 miles of I-90 in Crook County. The contracted comple tion date is October 31, 2024.

Cheyenne-based Reiman Corp. was awarded a $10.61 million bid for a project involving structure replacement, con crete surfacing, grading, paving, sidewalk

work, curb and gutter and other work at the Curtis Street interchange of Interstate 80 in Albany County.

The commission awarded a $5.58 million bid to Worland-based Mc Garvin-Moberly Construction Co. for a project involving paving, sidewalk work, curb and gutter, bridge rehabilitation, grading, milling and other work on approximately 4 miles of WYO 70 and WYO 789 in Carbon County.

The contracted completion date for the two projects above is June 30, 2024.

All of this month’s projects are primar ily funded with federal dollars. Almost all WYDOT projects are awarded to the lowest bidder. October’s meeting saw an average of about 2.5 bids per project.

Striping operations in Jackson area

JACKSON – The Wyoming Depart ment of Transportation, along with con tract crews from S & L Industrial striped roads on WYO 22 during the day and in the town of Jackson, during nighttime hours.

Work took place in various locations throughout the week and drivers were asked to be aware of striping equipment and slower speeds

This project is part of a larger, dis trict-wide epoxy striping contract.

Helicopter operations on Teton Pass

JACKSON – The Wyoming Depart ment of Transportation worked to replace avalanche infrastructure on Teton Pass. Crews used a helicopter to replace and maintain a gas management shelter and related equipment.

Work lasted roughly 1-2 hours and drivers on Teton Pass saw intermittent delays during that time. Drivers were warned to expect delays and plan their travels accordingly.

Small plane crash east of Laramie

LARAMIE – On Oct. 14, around 2:40 p.m., Wyoming Highway Patrol troopers were notified of a plane crash in the area of milepost 324 on Interstate 80.

Troopers arrived on the scene to find a small single-engine aircraft that had crashed beside the Interstate. The female pilot was not injured in the crash and was the aircraft’s sole occupant.

The aircraft was flying from British Columbia, Canada and was headed to Florida.

The Federal Aviation Administration was notified of the crash and oversaw the investigation.

Ranchester bridge reconstruction, snow removal plans in place

SHERIDAN – The Wyoming Depart ment of Transportation and its contractor joint venture, Reiman Corp. and High Country Construction, are a month into phase two of the reconstruction of the Ranchester Bridge.

Traffic was switched to the new east bound lane of the bridge after Labor Day weekend.

Paving is being completed from the I-90/US 14 Interchange to Main Street as crews work to complete the second half of the bridge structure. Once structural supporting components are in place,

Briefs continued on page 4

District 1

The small aircraft crashed beside I-80 while en route from British Columbia, Canada to its destination in Florida. The only occupant, the pilot, was uninjured.

Photo: WHP

District

District

steel girders will be installed and the bridge deck will be prepared for paving. Sidewalks and curb/gutter construction throughout the project will also continue in the coming weeks and months.

Work will continue as weather and temperatures allow throughout the winter. Paving of the westbound bridge deck is scheduled for late March, weather permitting, with an anticipated project completion of late spring 2023.

Single lane traffic has been in place and is controlled by timed signals at either end of the project area.

With winter approaching, many have asked what the snow removal plan will be for the bridge. Sheridan’s WYDOT Area Maintenance Supervisor, Dustin Hockett and his crew have discussed how snow removal will be completed and have made the necessary snow removal plan modifi cations for the winter season.

“Depending on the type and kind of snow, operators will make the necessary adjustments for removal. Because of the 14 foot width restriction on the bridge, it will be a tight squeeze and snow will like ly have to be pushed to either end of the bridge and then over to the shoulder from there,” says Hockett. He adds that at times it may be necessary to close the bridge for a few minutes to allow for plows to clear snow obstructing the approaches.

WYDOT will make clearing the bridge a priority this winter, and asks the public for patience and understanding.

I-90 slide repairs underway east of Sheridan

SHERIDAN – The Wyoming Depart ment of Transportation and its contractor High Country Construction have begun work on permanent repairs to two signif icant slides along portions of I-90 east of Sheridan.

A mid-October snow storm in 2021 resulted in the loss of roughly 175 feet of shoulder and guardrail at mile marker 29.31 and another 150 feet of shoulder and guardrail at mile marker 29.7.

In addition to these two slides, two other locations deteriorated over the past year and will be addressed as well.

Remedial repairs were made to both slides utilizing a soil nailing technique which involves drilling holes for steel bars to be inserted into a slope face which are

then grouted in place. Mesh is attached to the bar ends to hold the slope face in position.

Permanent repairs to these slides will involve bringing in soil and other rock materials to rebuild the shoulder by backfilling to create a slope. The remedial repairs will remain in place.

Traffic control will include closing the affected travel lane and reducing speed limits to 65 MPH throughout the project areas.

District 5

Pavement improvement project begins this week west of Riverton

RIVERTON – A $5.85 million pavement improvement project began on US 26 between Riverton and Pilot Butte Reservoir west of Riverton.

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

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

“The contractor’s schedule called for asphalt milling, dirt grading and delinea tor post removal,” said Wyoming Depart ment of Transportation resident engi neer Robert Scheidemantel of Riverton. “Motorists encountered delays of up to 20-minutes with stopped conditions and a milled driving surface.”

Due to the contractor’s October start, the contractor was limited to 2 miles of milled highway at any one time. If winter sets in, and with shorter days, the project may be shut down for the winter.

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

The Wyoming Transportation Com mission awarded the bid to Mountain Construction Co., in March. Contract completion date is Oct. 31.

WORLAND – A 2-year project has started to replace three bridges and reconstruct a small piece of WYO 433 (West River Road) roadway near Wor land.

“The $10.245 million project includes total reconstruction of the three bridges and roadway through the construction zone,” said Wyoming Department of Transportation project engineer Kelly Erickson of Worland.

Prime contractor is Reiman Corp., of Cheyenne.

The start of the 1.4-mile project, locat ed between West River Road mileposts 4.14 and 5.50, includes construction of a narrow detour roadway around the construction area where the bridges will be built.

Besides demolition and construction of the three bridges, other project work includes grading, asphalt pavement surfacing, fencing, chip sealing and other work.

Contract completion date is June 30, 2024.

Construction truck traffic increased in October as material was hauled in to build the narrow detour roadway.

The contractor was required to build the two canal bridges after irrigation flows end this year, with work being com pleted on the canal bridges prior to when irrigation water begins flowing to farm fields in 2023.

Permanent signs and portable dig ital message signs have been placed at both ends of West River Road, advising over-the-road truckers to take the main highway (US 16/20/WYO 789) through Worland. n

Bridge replacement on WYO 433 near Worland; OTR trucks to use US 16/20/WYO 789 through Worland

Quad State winter road service meeting held in Cheyenne

By Andrea Staley

Not since 2019 have the Wyoming Department of Transporta tion, the Colorado Department of Transportation, the Nebraska Department of Transportation and the Kansas Department of Transportation met for the yearly Quad State Meeting.

This year, the four agencies met in Cheyenne on Oct. 11, where each state was able to give an update on their struggles, triumphs and to share new procedures and ideas.

“It is great to meet face to face and have the opportunity to see the person we are usually on the phone with during major weath er events. In addition to getting familiar with our counterparts, we learn about procedures and processes within the maintenance community that might help us improve the way WYDOT is ap proaching maintenance challenges,” said District 1 Maintenance Engineer Tim Morton.

As WYDOT prepares for winter, coordination and commu nication with other states has become paramount to a successful season. Winter storms, road closures and rolling closures are commonplace for all four states. When I-80 or I-25 experience a closure, it can have a wide ripple effect. In the case of Storm Xylia that hit the spring of 2021, crews from NDOT shifted into Wyoming. Without their help, I-80 would have been closed much longer.

Each state had a hot topic that spurned lots of conversation. Colorado shared new ways to recruit employees to their isolat ed mountainous areas, keeping their heavily tourist mountain towns accessible all winter. Kansas focused on their KanDrive app, which features a commercial vehicle mode, email alert sign up, personalized accounts and more. Nebraska unfortunately was hit hard with wildfires this summer, taking up a large majority of

their presentation.

A common theme throughout each presentation was the focus on recruiting, sharing effective ways to retain employees and new staffing strategies.

Wyoming, as the host, invited some special presenters. Andrew Klingenberg, District 1 surveyor, demonstrated how WYDOT has started implementing drones in many facets of our organization. After a brief video demo and presentation of the drone capabilities, which include stockpile measurements, large scale flood damage (in the case of the Yellowstone flooding), graphing slide damage, and more, each state engaged in an excited discussion regarding the opportunities working with drones provides.

Tim Morton also invited Jordan Striff, Employee Safety program manag er, to give a brief presentation. WY

DOT’s renewed focus on safety in recent years has allowed our employee safety program to spearhead some new policies and procedures to ensure a safe working environment for all.

As staffing changes, equipment shortages and unexpected challenges arrive across all states in different ways, meetings like the Quad State have been invaluable to spotlight how other states mitigate their issues, collaboration and new strategies. WYDOT looks forward to next year’s meeting, hosted by one of our neighboring states. n

KDOT District Maintenance Engineer Mathew Withington presented his organization’s topics, including the new KanDrive app.

Photo: Andrea Staley

WYDOT Employee Safety Program Manager Jordan Striff introduces the new policies and safety pro cedures put into place at WYDOT to the group.

Photo: WYDOT

the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Most of his comments were praise for the National Park Service and the Central Federal Lands Highway Division, among the many other agencies that collaborated to make the project possible.

Reiner emphasized how each agency contributed funds to the reconstruction project – WYDOT itself committed $5 million. Without that collaboration, the improvements would still be ideas on paper.

“To go far, you go together,” Reiner said.

Yellowstone superintendent Cam Sholly also spoke at the ceremony, thanking WYDOT and the Federal Highway Administration, commending the agencies for their finished and ongoing work with Yellowstone.

For Sholly, the ongoing Yellowstone roadwork and the completed Beartooth Highway project are a reminder of the importance of partnership. Specifically, the importance of establishing these essential relationships before one needs them.

WYDOT and the FHWA (of which the Central Federal Lands Highway Division is a part) are committing personnel and resources to Yellowstone reconstructs roads to the North and Northeast Entrance. Without their support, the stunningly quick task of restoring access to both entrances – expected to be finished by October – would be impossible.

As Yellowstone recuperates from “the most devastating natural disaster in the park’s history,” Sholly said, “I sleep well knowing that WYDOT is there.”

The completed “final reconstruction project” includes a 420-foot bridge, new scenic pullouts, and better construction for more reasonable maintenance.

Curtis Scott, Chief of Engineering of the Federal Lands Highway Division, discussed the priorities of the 15-month project. This opening was especially vindicating for him and his staff. Their team first conceptualized the 420-foot Beartooth Ravine Bridge over two decades before construction began.

The entire project was designed to meet several needs at once – improving the highway’s alignment to lessen or eliminate dangerous curves, widening the road across the bridge by adding shoulders and pullouts, and allowing under-structure crossing routes for grizzly bears and other animals.

Costs have been covered through the cooperation of several agencies:

• $16.6 million from a 2017 Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant.

• $9.3 million from WYDOT federal funds.

• $1 million from Yellowstone National Park.

• The rest of the funding was reallocated from closed-out federal lands projects.

Scott said his team was “threading the needle” as they designed and constructed the immense undertaking. He praised Missouri River Contractors of Helena, Montana – the company that spent two years completing the massive undertaking.

The finished project ensures the Beartooth Highway –“America’s Most Beautiful Drive” – will continue to thrill tourists as they enter the wilderness of the Greater Yellowstone region.

There is some minor work to finish. Seeding still needs to occur, and guardrails on either end of the Beartooth Ravine Bridge will be installed in spring 2023. Nevertheless, the bulk of the work has been finished.

By the time ceremonial remarks ended, the clouds parted and sunlight on the completed Beartooth Ravine Bridge. That section of US Highway 212 was closed for thirty minutes so the people who made the project possible could take in the views and admire their hard work.

After two years, the “final reconstruction” of the Beartooth Highway is finished. n

WYDOT Director Luke Reiner speaks to the crowd at the Beartooth High way reconstruction project ribbon cutting in late September.

Photo: Rick Carpenter

Beartooth continued from cover

Photo: Rick Carpenter

The completed reconstruction project includes a 420-foot bridge, new scenic pullouts, and better construction for more reasonable maintenance. The goal of the project was improvement – for travelers, maintenance and wildlife.

Continuous innovation

WYDOT semi-automates some VSL changes

By Jordan Achs

Last month, the Wyoming Department of Transportation announced an innovative pilot program to semi-automate Variable Speed Limit signs in key areas this winter in an effort to increase safety and to accommodate for Wyoming’s quickly-changing weather conditions.

Typically, VSL changes are prompted by WYDOT and Wyoming Highway Patrol personnel driving on that section of highway based on specific criteria like weather conditions.

The new automated program uses data from traffic and weather sensors in a complex mathematical algorithm, originally developed by researchers at the University of Wyo ming, to adjust the speed indicated on the VSLs when employees may not be in the area to initiate the changes themselves. This results in quicker speed adjustments, which can match how quickly conditions change on Wyoming highways.

“The automation still has a human component,” said Vince Garcia, WYDOT Intel ligent Transportation Systems program manager. “Speed limit changes prompted by the program can be adjusted or even vetoed by a boots on the ground employee like a Trooper or highway maintainer.”

For example, if sensors indicate traffic can resume normal interstate speeds, but there is an active crash investigation and cleanup in the area, Troopers can hold the lower speed limit to protect first responders and keep the traveling public safe.

Likewise if a snow squall has passed, but WYDOT employees have moved with the storm, the VSLs in areas no longer affected by the weather can be adjusted back toward normal speeds.

The program will start with two sections of VSLs, one located along Interstate 80 be tween Laramie and Rawlins and another on Wyoming Highway 28 over South Pass. The program will be evaluated and adjusted based on lessons learned. The intent is to expand the semi-automation to all other VSLs around the state by early 2023.

Drivers are reminded that the speed indicated on the VSLs is the legal speed limit. Motorists should always drive according to current conditions and be ready to adjust speeds in case of changing road and weather conditions.

Road conditions, VSL information and more can be found on the Wyoming 511 tools, including the website www.wyoroad.info and the Wyoming 511 app. n

United Way fundraising efforts now in full swing throughout Wyoming

By Mark Horan

Information for the Laramie County campaign has gone out to WYDOT employees in Cheyenne. As a reminder to those staff who are wanting and able to donate, please turn in your pledges to Mark Horan in the Public Affairs office no later than November 11. Every dollar counts, and no donation is too small.

There are also campaigns going on in Natrona, Sweetwater and Albany Counties. WYDOT employees in those parts of the state are encouraged to contact their county United Way agency if they’d like to contribute. You can also contact Mark Horan for a pledge packet, and note on your pledge form to have your donation be directed to any of the four Wyoming counties where United Way operates.

United Way identifies challenges within their county commu nity, with the goal of creating long-term solutions in the areas of

health, education and financial stability. They are uniquely posi tioned to bring government, non-profit and private organizations together to solve those challenges.

Your contributions stay in your county and help support a va riety of programs such as Meals on Wheels, Boys and Girls Club, Habitat for Humanity, American Red Cross to name just a few. Many United Way program partners provide emergency assis tance to those in immediate need. United Way program partners are held accountable to ensure that donor money is being used as intended.

Please consider supporting this worthy organization. You can visit unitedway.org to learn more. n

The Wyoming Highway Patrol announces selection of new colonel

By Sgt. Jeremy Beck and Jordan Achs

Sheriff Timothy K. Cameron, Sheriff of St. Mary’s County, Maryland, has been selected as the next Colonel and administrator of the Wyoming Highway Patrol, effective early January 2023.

Cameron’s appointment was announced October 13 by WYDOT and Director Luke Reiner.

Cameron brings over 40 years of policing experience to the Wyoming Highway Patrol.

“Cameron’s commitment to training and education are attributes that will help him succeed in his service to Wyoming,” Reiner said in the news release. “He has the demonstrated skillset, experience, and character to lead the best highway patrol organization in the nation.”

Cameron is a proven leader who brings a wealth of experience, certifications, and knowledge to his new post as Wyoming Highway Patrol Colonel. Cameron served an unprecedented four terms as the Sheriff of St. Mary’s County, Maryland, which officially ends this December.

He earned an undergraduate degree at Johns Hopkins University and a postgraduate degree from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD. In addition to his degrees, Cameron is a graduate of the National Sheriff’s Institute, the FBI’s Law Enforcement Executive Development course, the Maryland Police and Corrections Training Commissions Leadership Challenge, the Executive Leaders Program at Naval Postgraduate School’s Center for Homeland Defense and Security in California, and the Police Executive Research Forum’s Senior Management in Policing Course at Boston University.

Wyoming and be part of such an exemplary, storied agency.”

The new Colonel will officially assume his post with the WHP in early January 2023. Retired Lt. Col. Ratliff will continue to proudly serve the WHP and Wyoming in the interim.

“I cannot thank him enough for his willingness to assist the Patrol through this transition,” Reiner said in an email to employees with the announcement.

The selection of Cameron as the new WHP Colonel was an extensive process over the last seven months that involved key stakeholders, including the Wyoming Governor, the Wyoming Association of Sheriffs and Chiefs of Police, the

Cameron

brings Filipino engineer to WYDOT

By Jordan Achs

The State of Wyoming is 7,479 miles away from the Philip pines, where Mark Fredelben Gomez Gravillo calls home. He is spending six weeks across the United States to gain first-hand exposure and relevant professional experience working at a state agency; in his case, WYDOT. He will learn about the state gov ernment’s operations so he can gain new additional knowledge, innovative ideas, schematic approaches, and advanced strategies as well as foster global professional network and new colleagues.

Mark is part of the Fall 2022 Cycle of Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative Professional Fellows Program. Launched in 2013 as a federal initiative of former U.S. President Barack Obama, the YSEALI program helps to strengthen leadership development among young professionals, ages 25 to 35 years old, through a variety of U.S. based-exchange programs including cultural, educational, and professional exchanges like Mark’s. YSEALI builds leadership capabilities of young emerging leaders, strengthens ties between the U.S. and Southeast Asian countries, and “promotes cross-border cooperation to solve regional and global challenges.”

Funded by U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, YSEALI offers exchange opportunities such as the Academic Fellows Program with university partners and Professional Fellows Program, which focuses on work place ments within the Fellows’ areas of professional expertise. Other engagements include regional workshops, a mentorship program, and grants through seed funding.

A civil engineer by trade, this is Mark’s first time in America. The program started with a stay in Washington, D.C. for a week

attending various tourist attractions, tours and institutional visits hosted by the American Council of Young Political Leaders. He then made his way to Cheyenne for his four-week professional fellowship program with WYDOT.

“The people of Cheyenne and Wyoming are truly the kindest, humblest, and most hospitable people I’ve ever met,” Mark said.

Mark was with WYDOT for a month-long intensive fellow ship learning all the different tasks, programs, and projects the agency accomplishes, with a specific focus on: infrastructure pro grams, transportation improvement plans, technical engineering designs, materials quality testing and specifications, road and bridge construction, pavement maintenance, freight operations and truck load regulations, fleet management, fiscal manage ment, and highway safety.

He made visits to the Planning Program, Traffic Design Au diting Program, Materials Testing Laboratory, Highway Develop ment Program, Right-of-Way Program, Wyoming Motor Vehicle License Plate Plant, Sign Shop, Cheyenne I-80 Port of Entry, Budget Office, and a meeting with the executive staff, to name just a few. n

Employee Safety Equipment trailers – slips, trips and falls

By Jerry Fritz, District 5 Safety Representative

Recently an employee was exiting a flatbed equipment trailer after removing chains. He was preparing to load equip ment on the trailer. When exiting the trailer, he stepped from the deck onto the 8" wide frame. His foot slipped into the opening near the jack stand, causing him to try and catch his balance with his other leg. Unfortunately, his leg buckled under the pressure and bent sideways, tearing multiple ligaments in his knee.

This employee will require major knee surgery and will miss an undetermined amount of work.

There have been multiple falls from trailers over the last few years. In an attempt to help mitigate future falls from trailers, the equipment team has devel oped removable steps with a handrail for trailers. When not in use, they are stored on the tongue of the trailer.

• Between 1992 and 2003, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 63 deaths of workers involved in loading and unloading construction equip ment from flatbed trailers. Approxi mately 1 in 6 of all injuries requiring time off are the results of a fall.

• Performing any task repetitiously causes many people to “zone out” over time, which is when you’re at the

highest risk for an accident to occur. Take your time when you’re working around your truck or flatbed trailer, paying attention to the task at hand. Simply being mentally present will significantly reduce your risk of an accident.

• Wear non-slip footwear. Many injuries occur when a driver or employee loses their footing and falls from a flatbed trailer. It may come as a surprise to you that you’re not as agile as you once were, so awareness of your footing should be a priority. WYDOT policy pays a footwear allowance.

• Don’t skip a step! There’s nothing worse than a busted shin so prevent it from happening by hitting every step. This will reduce your risk of slipping off a step and keep your shins intact.

• Never jump from your flatbed trailer, when steps are available. Jumping off your trailer is an easy way to sprain an ankle, break a bone, or worse. Always try and dismount your trailer by using steps.

• Avoid stepping onto any narrow ledges. Creeping along the very edge of your flatbed could lead to you los ing your footing and falling. n

FAST FACTS

Wyoming crash data from 2017-2021 report that:

Approximately 24% of pedestrian-in volved crashes involved a school-aged pedestrian, with 30% commuting to or from school at the time of the crash.

• The majority of crashes involving a school-aged pedestrian commuting to or from school were serious crashes (81.5%).

• Approximately 39% of bicycleinvolved crashes involved a school-aged bicyclist, with 24.5% commuting to or from school at the time of the crash.

• The majority of crashes involving a school-aged bicyclist commuting to or from school were serious crashes (92%).

• Around 81% of school bus related crashes directly involved the school bus as a contact vehicle.

• The majority of school bus related crashes were damage crashes (81%).

BY THE NUMBERS

Wyoming crash data

October 2022 vs. (October 2021):

Fatalities: 84 (90)

Serious Injuries: 332 (394)

Alcohol-Involved Fatalities: 24 (30)

Bicycle-Involved Fatalities: 1 (0)

CMV-Involved Fatalities: 18 (9)

Drug-Involved Fatalities: 8 (14)

Motorcycle-Involved Fatalities: 15 (17)

Pedestrian-Involved Fatalities: 7 (9)

Speed-Related Fatalities: 35 (40)

Data current as of 10/05/2022

On the right, pins are placed on the trailer tongue to hold the steps when not in use. The left image shows the step in use. The trailer has pin holes to attach the step to the deck, keeping the steps from moving while being used.

Highway Safety

Back to school: traffic safety

By Kari Fictum, Highway Safety

Keeping young people safe as they travel to and from school should be a top priority for all communities, and both motorists and non-motorists alike are responsible for accomplishing this goal. Non-motorists, particularly young pedestrians and bicy clists, are vulnerable road users due to their lack of protection and the high risk of injury if struck by a motor vehicle. Keeping them safe requires both parties to adhere to safe commuting practices.

Below are some safety tips from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to help get school-aged children (18 years and younger) to their destination safely:

Walking

Children under 10 years old should be accompanied by an adult or by someone who will make sure they walk safely. While walking always watch the road, not your phone; walk on the sidewalk or, if there is none, walk on the edge of the road facing traffic; when crossing the street cross at a corner or marked crosswalk, push the pedestrian button and wait for the pedestrian crossing signals (if available), or stop and look left-right-left for vehicles and bicyclists then cross after traffic has passed. Never play, push or shove others when walking around traffic.

Of the 375 pedestrian-involved crashes in Wyoming from 2017-2021, 24% (89) involved a school-aged pedestrian with 30% (27) commuting to or from school at the time of the crash. Around 18.5% (5) of crashes involving school-aged pedestrians commuting to or from school were critical crashes, with the majority 81.5% (22) being serious crashes.

Biking

When biking always (1) wear a properly fitted helmet and fasten the chinstrap; (2) ride in the same direction as traffic and follow all traffic signs and signals; (3) use routes that offer bike lanes or that have less traffic and lower speeds. Never use elec tronics while riding – they are distracting.

Of the 260 bicycle-involved crashes in Wyoming from 20172021, 39% (102) involved a school-aged bicyclist with 24.5% (25) commuting to or from school at the time of the crash. Approx imately 8% (2) of crashes involving school-aged bicyclists com muting to or from school were critical crashes, with the majority 92% (23) being serious crashes.

Riding a school bus

According to NHTSA, the school bus is the safest vehicle on the road. Students are about 70 times more likely to get to school safely when taking a school bus instead of traveling by car. When it comes to school bus safety children should arrive at the bus stop at least 5 minutes before the bus is scheduled to arrive and play it SAFE: Stay five steps away from the curb; Always wait until the bus comes to a complete stop and the bus driver signals it’s time to board; Face forward after finding a seat on the bus; Exit the bus after it stops and look left-right-left for cars before crossing a street.

Around 0.5% (298) of crashes in Wyoming were school bus related from 2017-2021. Of the 298 school bus related crashes, 81% (242) were directly involved in the crash (contact vehicle), and 19% (56) were indirectly involved in the crash (non-contact vehicle). For all school bus related crashes, 3% (8) were critical crashes, 16% (48) were serious crashes, and 81% (242) were dam age crashes. The majority of injuries recorded in school bus relat ed crashes were suffered by occupants of other motor vehicles or non-motorists and not by the school bus occupants.

All drivers

When driving along a school route, and especially within a school zone, slow down and drive extra cautiously. Avoid all distractions and keep your eyes on the road. Keep eyes peeled for young pedestrians and bicyclists crossing the road, walking or riding in the road, and appearing from between parked cars.

It’s also important to practice safe driving habits around school buses by maintaining a safe following distance, avoid “cutting” in front of a bus, and by never passing a stopped school bus from either direction while the bus is loading or unloading children. Yellow flashing lights mean slow down, the bus is pre paring to stop. Red flashing lights mean stop because children are getting on or off the bus. Stop more than 20 feet from the bus to allow passengers a safe space for entering and exiting the bus. It takes everyone

Encouraging safer choices for non-motorists (such as plan ning the safest route and utilizing safety tips along the way) and motorists who are legally required to share the road with them is essential to reducing injuries on our roads and protecting young people on their way to and from school. By adhering to safe com muting practices we can help everyone get to their destination safely.

n

Photo: Rick Carpenter

Photo: Rick Carpenter

Training Succession planning training at WYDOT

By Amy Bale, Training Services

In the past couple of years, WYDOT, like all state agencies, has seen a significant increase in position vacancies. While it’s always a challenge to fill positions in state government, finding people to fill the vacant positions isn’t the only problem. What does a program, department, or agency use to replace the lost knowledge, skills and experience? Succession planning is the most familiar and used solution. But how do you start?

Training Services decided to find out if there was interest in learning more about the topic. We started with a quick “pulsecheck” survey to more than 400 supervisors. We had about a 30% response rate where almost half our respondents expressed in terest in attending a webinar on it. We scheduled a webinar Aug. 10-11, and based on the feedback from evaluations, the class was well received.

Then, we decided to take it a step further. We scheduled a follow-up session with the instructor, which would allow the participants to review their succession planning action plan and get additional feedback and guidance.

That session was held on Sept. 13, and the discussion involved not only the succession planning process, but ways to support existing staff and develop habits to help their departments work more efficiently. One participant commented that the additional time with the instructor was very beneficial, and they liked that there were additional resource suggestions from the discussion regarding developing habits and managing change.

Have you considered succession planning in your section or program? Do you want to learn more about it? The recordings of the “Succession Planning” class can be found on the Training Services intranet page, under the Supervisor Resource Page.

Want to know more about developing habits and managing change? Below are a few additional resources suggested by the instructor (which can also be found on readitfor.me/wyoming):

“The Power of Habit” – by Charles Duhigg

“Atomic Habits” – by James Clear

“Switch” – by Chip Heath and Dan Heath n

Training@aGlance

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

Training@aGlance

Coming in November:

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

Date Development Stage Class Description Class Hours Location

11/3/2022 Leading Self Myers Briggs (MBTI) & Communication

8:30 am-4:30 pm Rock Springs 11/9/2022 Leading Others How to Develop and Exceptional Team 8:30 am-4:30 pm Cheyenne 11/14/2022 New Employee One to One Training: Google and WELL (Know WY*) 8:30 am-11:30 am VILT *All new employees are assigned the Know WY Learning Plan and should register for one of these Know WY workshops in the WELL

Coming in December and January 2023:

Date Development Stage Class Description Class Hours Location

12/19/2022 New Employee Google and WELL Training

8:30 am-4:30 pm Cheyenne

8:30 am-11:30 am Various 1/17/2023 New Employee Google and WELL Training 8:30 am-11:30 am Various 1/24/2023 Leading Self Myers Briggs (MBTI) and Teams

Visit the Training Services intranet page f m e inf mation.

Awards Extra Mile Award given to employees outside agency

By Lt. Lee Pence, WHP, and Mark Horan

Several officials with the Montana Department of Transpor tation and Yellowstone National Park are receiving the Wyoming Department of Transportation’s Extra Mile award for their efforts in the northern part of the state after last spring’s historic flood.

The following information was submitted by Lt. Lee Pence with the Wyoming Highway Patrol in Cody. It has been lightly edited for clarity.

The MDT has greatly assisted the WHP since the spring flood. The flood kept YNP from being able to maintain their highway.

On the morning of the spring flood, MDT closed the WY gates before I got there. We were very fortunate that they did because there were motorcycles waiting to cross into MT at the Top of the World store. When I went over the top, I was pushing snow drifts with my bumper.

I have little doubt [MDT] prevented crashes in both states that morning. Since then, MDT has plowed and sanded the Wyoming section, up to Beartooth Lake.

MDT Red Lodge Supervisor Duane Reisig, along with maintain ers Dan McJunkin and Tom Williams, deserve to be recognized for assisting our agency and providing a safe highway for the motoring public.

In addition, YNP Superintendent Cam Sholly has done an amazing job keeping our communities up-to-date since day one, working hard to get everything open for the public we serve. He has displayed outstanding leadership during a critical event inside

Extra Mile AWARDS

and outside the park. His decision making during and after the flood made a positive impact for WHP as well as the travelling public.

Also, North District Facility Manager Everett Munson worked hard before the spring flood to ensure the best service to the public on Beartooth Pass. We have semi-annual meetings to ensure all stakeholders have a voice in the closure/opening process. Everett’s work has streamlined the closure process, getting notifications out to the public, and enacted a procedure to notify backcountry users of how to get out.

The cooperation between YNP, WYDOT, MDT, WHP, Montana Highway Patrol, the counties, and numerous other civilian entities is the best it has ever been.

For going the extra mile, Reisig, McJunkin, Williams, Sholly and Munson will receive an award coin and card from WYDOT Director Luke Reiner. n

Game & Fish Game and Fish releases 18 black-footed ferrets on historic recovery site

The small mammal that was once thought to be extinct was rediscovered in Wyoming 41 years ago.

By Sara DiRienzo, Wyoming Game and Fish

Eighteen black-footed ferrets were released on the histor ic recovery site near Meeteetse. Twelve male and six female captive-born ferrets were coaxed into burrows in their new wildlands home. The small mammal that was once thought to be extinct was rediscovered in Wyoming 41 years ago and the Wyoming Game and Fish has been working on their recovery since then.

Game and Fish and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released the black-footed ferrets on private land. Partnerships with landown ers in Wyoming have been key to the species recovery efforts.

Game and Fish works to maintain at least 35 individuals at the Meeteetse recovery site, a baseline set by the USFWS. The new ferrets were released to help maintain populations.

The department routinely looks for ferrets in the late sum

mer with spotlight surveys. During the nighttime surveys, biologists search the ground around known burrows with high-powered spotlights, looking for the green glow of a ferret’s distinctive eyeshine.

Black-footed ferret being released and coaxed into a burrow.

“We saw an increased number of female ferrets on the land scape this year which is why more males were released,” Walker said.

Walker said Game and Fish will continue to carefully moni tor the population. One concern is plague – a common disease that impacts prairie dogs, the main food source for black-footed ferrets, as well as the ferrets themselves. Any wildborn ferrets captured are vaccinated against the disease, as well as distemper.

To learn more about the remarkable recovery story of black-footed ferrets, visit the Game and Fish website. n

Photo: Wyoming Game and Fish

District News Headquarters

Welcome

Sarah McDonald, Highway Development-Administration; and Dominick Ragan, Highway Project Management Oversight.

Promotions and Transfers

Charles Detheridge IV, GIS/ITS; James Farrell, Geology; Jason Gilmor, Emergency CommunicationsWYOLINK; Matthew Hooten, BridgeOperations Design; Curtis Robinson, Port of Entry - Cheyenne I-25; Jeramiah Young, Patrol-Dispatch; and Tika Zipp, Financial Services-General Ledger.

Service Awards

James Bruckner, EquipmentAdministration – 25 years; John Davis, Management Services –25 years; Christopher Sanchez, Highway Development-Project Development – 20 years; Lawrence Emery, Motor Vehicle Services-Plate Production – 15 years; William Ostrander, BridgeOperations Inspection – 15 years; Jamie Romo, Budget – 15 years.

career with WHP Dispatch in May 1983 as a communications technician.

Scott Carey retired on Sept. 30 from the Wyoming Highway Patrol with 18 years of service to the state. He began his career with WHP in June 2004.

Tracy Romero retired Sept. 10 with 10 years of service from Highway Safety as a data analyst with Records and Data.

A Cheyenne native, Romero graduated from East High and owned his own business before joining the WYDOT family. He began his career at WYDOT as a Port of Entry officer in July 2012. He later moved to Driver Services positions as a CDL examiner and trainer/analyst in Cheyenne.

Romero has also been an active member of the Headquarters Chapter of WTDEA.

Congratulations n

Welcome

Nathan Mecikalski, Laramie Maintenance. Promotions and Transfers

Stephen Stockdale, Cheyenne Construction.

Service Awards

Mark Garcia, Laramie Mainte nance-Guardrail – 15 years; Brian Lashley, Elk Mountain Mainte nance – 5 years; and Jason Willoughby, Pine Bluffs Mainte nance – 5 years.

Retirements

Patricia Bauer retired on Sept. 2 from Wyoming Highway Patrol Dispatch with 39 years of service to the state.

Bauer, a graduate of the University of Wyoming, began her

Congratulations

Brian Pennock, Engineer Tech on crew 1004 Laramie Construction, received his 15-year service award from Resident Engineer Kory Cramer.

Photo: WYDOT

Equipment Program Manager Bryan Wenger (right) presented DJ Sandoval with his 15-year service award.

Photo: WYDOT

Equipment Program Manager Bryan Wenger (right) presented Vance Lucero with his 10-year service award.

Photo: WYDOT

Robinson

Romero Bauer

Davis

Stockdale Lashley

Mecikalski

Garcia Willoughby

Carey

Bruckner

Retirements

Richard Colling retired on Sept. 2 from the Wyoming Highway Patrol with 15 years of service to the state. He was stationed in Laramie.

Kraig Crawford retired on Sept. 7 from Cheyenne Maintenance with 32 years of service to the state. He began his career with WYDOT in June 1990.

Michael Freytag retired Sept. 6 with 4.5 years of service from Medicine Bow Maintenance. n

First Town Hall meeting kicked off in Laramie

Welcome

Carmen Boussu, Port of EntryLusk; and Kael Schreiner, Wheatland Maintenance.

Promotions and Transfers

Alyshia “Brooke” Allen, District 2 Traf fic Staff; Jeramiah At kinson, Casper Traf fic-Striping; Geoffery Morgheim, District 2 Maintenance Staff; and Richard Shaw, Douglas Maintenance.

Shawn Haglund, Midwest Mainte nance – 10 years; Thomas Markos, District 2 GIS/ITS –10 years; Joseph Burridge, Casper Construction –5 years; and Alan Graves, Casper Mechanics – 5 years.

Service Awards

Todd Greenamyre, Torrington Me chanics – 40 years;

Welcome

Duane Crowder, Port of Entry-Alpine Junction; and David States, Lyman Maintenance.

Service Awards

David Neilson, Kemmerer Construc tion – 25 years; Donald Lawless, Jackson Construc tion – 15 years; Bryce Clements, Traffic-Electrical –10 years; Larry Bryant, Rock Springs Mainte nance – 5 years;

Retirements

Richard Riley retired Sept. 20 from Douglas Highway Maintenance with 13 years of service to the state. He began his career with WYDOT in November 2008. n

Retirements

Eric Loveland retired Sept. 7 with 11 years of service to the state. He retires from Afton Mechanics as a senior heavy mechanic.

Loveland began working for WYDOT in December 2010. n

District 2

District 3

Kevin Dubry, Farson Maintenance – 5 years; and Tanner Passey, Port of Entry-Alpine Junction – 5 years.

Colling

Crawford Freytag

Director Reiner addressed District 1 employees in Laramie during an October Town Hall.

Photo: Jordan Achs

Rich Barber, Laramie Maintenance foreman, talks about the perks of WTDEA membership during the District 1 Town Hall in Laramie.

Photo: Jordan Achs

Atkinson

Graves

Haglund

Allen Burridge

Morgheim Riley

Neilson

Clements

Lawless

Dubry

Service Awards

Rachelle Degen, Port of Entry-Gillette – 35 years.

Retirements

Roger Heaton retired on Sept. 4 from Sundance Maintenance with 17 years, 9 months of service to the state.

Heaton lives off of WYO 585 – the route he maintained all of those years. He may have retired in September, but has recently signed up to be a temporary snow plow operator for the Sundance crew this winter.

Rides

Teresa SuttonTenke retired Sept. 15 with 17 years of service to the state. She retired from the Sundance Port of Entry. n District 5

Welcome

Service Awards

4

Welcome Michael Borner, Sheridan Maintenance; and Charles Russell III, Reno Junction Maintenance. Promotions and Transfers

Reese Apland, Hulett Maintenance; Stephan Charles II, Buffalo Construction; Leslie Moore, Reno Junction Maintenance; Jacob Williamson, Sheridan Construction.

James Stevens, Riverton Construction; and Austen Wright, Meeteetse Mainte nance.

Donald Jackman, Thermopolis Mainte nance – 15 years.

Moore

Borner

Williamson

Sutton-Tenke

Recent retiree Roger Heaton at his retirement party showing off his cake.

Photo: WYDOT

Charles

Degen Apland

Jackman

The Sunlight Landowners Association, of Sunlight Basin, cleaned their section of WYO 296 (mile posts 22-24) on Sept. 17 for the statewide Adopt A Highway program and snapped some photos while they were out.

Photos: Henry Heasler

WTDEA Headquarters 10th annual Relief Fund Chili Cook-off

Thank you to those who attended the WTDEA Relief Fund Chili Cook-Off on Oct. 6. The event was attended by 91 people and raised $743 for the group’s Relief Fund.

The 2022 Best-In-Show was a tie between the green chilis made by Heidi Martin with Right of Way (chili number

6) and Tina Erikson with Highway Safety (chili number 9). Congratulations Heidi and Tina!

The cook-off wouldn’t be possible without the volunteers from the WTDEA State Board and Headquarters Chapter and the assistance of the Facilities Mainte nance team.

50/50 raffles net money for Relief Fund, State Board Scholarship

A 50/50 raffle was also held at the Chili Cook-off on Oct. 6 and Hank Doering, with Engineering Services, won. He requested the prize be donated to the Relief Fund. Thank you, Hank!

The winner of the 50/50 Inflation Adjustment Raffle for the WTDEA State

Board Scholarship Fund was Dea Koch, in Buffalo.

Thank you all for your support and participation! WTDEA was able to raise $140 for the State Board Scholarship Fund. n

Letters

Pinedale Driver Services

To Whom It May Concern

The ladies in Pinedale are far and away the best DMV staff I have ever met. I called this morning and they answered all my questions quickly and efficiently. Their computer system was down, and they took my number and actually called me back when the sys tem was back up! Then when I was there, they were super fast and friendly, didn’t mind that I was doing emails as I waited, and put my address on my driver’s license even after I goofed and asked for it too late.

If there is any way to recognize these nice ladies, please do so. I know I’m going to tell everyone I know (and where I can fit it into the conversation) how great they are.

Matt Scanlon Pinedale, WY

Break Time

Interchange

Wyoming