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Commission awards over $56 million in contracts in October

CHEYENNE – The Wyoming Transportation Commission awarded over $56 million in contracts for eight Wyoming Department of Transportation construction 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 rehabilitation, 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 Campbell 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 completion date is October 31, 2024.

Cheyenne-based Reiman Corp. was awarded a $10.61 million bid for a project involving structure replacement, concrete 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 McGarvin-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 primarily 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.

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

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.

District 3

Striping operations in Jackson area

JACKSON – The Wyoming Department of Transportation, along with contract 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, district-wide epoxy striping contract. Helicopter operations on Teton Pass

JACKSON – The Wyoming Department 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.

District 4

Ranchester bridge reconstruction, snow removal plans in place

SHERIDAN – The Wyoming Department 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 eastbound 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

Briefs continued from page 3 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 modifications 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 likely 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 Department of Transportation and its contractor High Country Construction have begun work on permanent repairs to two significant 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 delineator post removal,” said Wyoming Department of Transportation resident engineer 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 Commission awarded the bid to Mountain Construction Co., in March. Contract completion date is Oct. 31.

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

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

“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, located 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 completed on the canal bridges prior to when irrigation water begins flowing to farm fields in 2023.

Permanent signs and portable digital 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

Quad State winter road service meeting held in Cheyenne

By Andrea Staley

Not since 2019 have the Wyoming Department of Transportation, 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 weather 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 approaching maintenance challenges,” said District 1 Maintenance Engineer Tim Morton.

As WYDOT prepares for winter, coordination and communication 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 isolated 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 manager, to give a brief presentation. WYDOT’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: WYDOT

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

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.

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

Photo: Rick Carpenter

Beartooth continued from cover 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 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 Wyoming, 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 Intelligent 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 between 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 community, with the goal of creating long-term solutions in the areas of health, education and financial stability. They are uniquely positioned to bring government, non-profit and private organizations together to solve those challenges.

Your contributions stay in your county and help support a variety 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 assistance 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.

Cameron is also a member of various stakeholder groups and associations, working on crucial issues and committees like the Heroin and Opioid Emergency Task Force and the Emergency Management Advisory Council, among others.

“I am honored to have been selected as the Colonel of the Wyoming Highway Patrol and am eager to assume the Administrator’s duties,” said Cameron. “My appreciation to Governor Gordon, Director Reiner, and all those involved in the selection process for the opportunity to live and work in 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 Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation, the Transportation Commission, Wyoming Department of Transportation senior leadership, the Wyoming Highway Patrol Association and insight from prior and currently serving Wyoming Troopers.

“I know he is eager to meet each of you soon and serve with you in the Wyoming Highway Patrol,” Reiner said. “Thank you for your patience during this process, and please join me in welcoming Timothy Cameron to Wyoming.” n

Cameron

By Jordan Achs

The State of Wyoming is 7,479 miles away from the Philippines, 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 government’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 placements 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 fellowship learning all the different tasks, programs, and projects the agency accomplishes, with a specific focus on: infrastructure programs, 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 management, and highway safety.

He made visits to the Planning Program, Traffic Design Auditing Program, Materials Testing Laboratory, Highway Development 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