Interchange October 2021
Vol. 49, Iss. 10
WYDOTs winter travel authorization program Reminder for travelers to sign up for upcoming winter season
W-TAP application available for 2021-2022 winter season CHEYENNE – The Wyoming Department of Transportation reminds residents and travelers about the offerings under the Wyoming Travel Authorization Program (W-TAP) ahead of the 2021-2022 winter season. Through W-TAP, drivers can apply to receive authorization to travel on sections of closed roadways when it is deemed safe enough to do so. The W-TAP includes the Wyoming Authorized Travel (WAT) program and the Rolling Closure Authorization (RCA) program. The WAT application is open to all drivers but requires justification as to why a driver will need to travel on a closed road. Motorists are allowed to select up to seven road segments when applying for
WAT. If a closure goes into effect, yet it is safe to for limited travel, WYDOT will issue an authorization and drivers will receive an authorization code via email or via the website to travel on authorized sections of highway. The RCA program is primarily for those with Wyoming driver’s licenses and allows drivers to drive on roads closed due to a rolling closure. Motorists do not need to provide a travel justification as part of the application process but must agree to the terms of the program. New users can apply for travel authorization on the W-TAP website: https://w-tap.wyoroad.info. Returning users can use the same website to update their selected routes,
contact information or other account information if needed. Please note that if any road segment information is updated, it will submit a new application for review. WYDOT recommends any new users or users updating their account do so before winter arrives; applications may take extra time to be processed during a winter storm. Travel authorizations are not issued during every road closure. Ultimate authority to allow passage beyond highway closure gates lies with the Wyoming Highway Patrol. WATs or RCAs can be canceled at any time due to changing conditions or other hazards. n
Contents
Interchange Vol. 49, Issue 10
Features
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 Boulevard, Cheyenne, Wyoming, 82009-3340 or send an email to carlie.vanwinkle@wyo.gov.
1 WYDOT’s Winter Travel Authorization Program A reminder to sign up for the upcoming winter season
10 Emergency Communications takes flight U.S. Forest Service gives WYDOT a lift to the top of Dome Peak
Programs & Partner Agencies Employee Safety........................................................................................... 13
Staff
Game & Fish..................................................................................................22
WYDOT Director: K. Luke Reiner
Training......................................................................................................... 14
Public Affairs Manager: Doug McGee
Travel & Tourism...........................................................................................24
Editor: Carlie Van Winkle
Also in this issue
Contributors: Jordan Achs Matt Groth Mark Horan Carlie Van Winkle Vacant Jeff Goetz Stephanie Harsha Laura Dalles Cody Beers Sgt. Jeremy Beck
District Briefs..................................................................................................3 By the Numbers..............................................................................................7 Noteworthy.....................................................................................................8 District News................................................................................................ 17 Passings........................................................................................................20
Photography:
Letters...........................................................................................................21
Rick Carpenter
Outdoors/Rides.............................................................................................21
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Photo: Bill Croy
October 2021
Public Affairs
Be sure to check out the online version of Interchange at http://issuu.com/wydot.pao or click on the link found on the employee’s internal website home page.
Break Time....................................................................................................23
Work being done on a project just east of Rock Springs as a U.P. train passes by. WYDOT is in the process of drilling 48-foot shafts at that location.
Public Affairs Public Affairs Public Affairs Public Affairs District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 District 5 Patrol
A WYDOT PUBLICATION
District Briefs Headquarters
Commission awards more than $24 million in contracts in September CHEYENNE – During its Sept. 16 business meeting, the Wyoming Transportation Commission awarded more than $24 million in contracts for seven Wyoming Department of Transportation construction projects. The commission awarded a $10.7 million bid to Cheyenne contractor Knife River to complete milling and paving work on Interstate 25 in Platte County. In Park County, McGarvin-Moberly Construction Co. out of Worland will be grading, paving and chip sealing a six-mile section of Wyoming Highway 120. McGarvin-Moberly was awarded the project with a bid of over $2.6 million. An $890,000 bid for sign replacement and other miscellaneous work along I-25 in Converse and Natrona Counties was awarded to S&L Industrial, LLC out of Cowley. The commission awarded a bid of $680,000 to Casper-based Modern Electric Co. for a project involving upgrading electrical systems and other miscellaneous work in Campbell, Crook, Johnson, Niobrara, Sheridan and Weston Counties. Also in Sheridan County, a project involving grading, paving work, sidewalk replacement, curb and gutter replacement and electrical work on Wyoming Highway 336 in Sheridan was awarded during the meeting. Casper Electric, Inc. out of Casper had the low bid of $483,000 for the project. All of the above projects have a contracted completion date of Oct. 31, 2022. The commission also awarded an $8.5 million bid for milling, paving and bridge rehabilitation work on Interstate 80 in Albany County to Cheyenne contractor Simon Contractors. This project has a contracted completion date of June 30, 2023. All of the above projects are federally-funded projects. A project involving crushing and stockpiling surface material and other
miscellaneous work in Big Horn and Washakie Counties was awarded to Mountain Construction Company out of Lovell, who submitted a bid of about $690,000. The sole state-funded project awarded at the meeting, this work has a contracted completion date of April 30, 2022. Almost all WYDOT projects are awarded to the lowest bidder.
FMCSA Emergency Declaration from Hurricane Ida CHEYENNE – The President of the United States declared an emergency due to the destructive power of Hurricane Ida. The southern and western service center of FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Administration) issued Regional Declaration No. 2021-008 under 49 CFR § 390.23. By execution of this Emergency Declaration, motor carriers and drivers providing direct assistance to the emergency related to Hurricane Ida in the affected states are granted emergency relief from 49 CFR § 395.3, maximum driving time for property-carrying vehicles, and 49 CFR § 395.5, maximum driving time for passenger-carrying vehicles, subject to the restrictions and conditions set forth herein. To ensure continued safety on the nation’s roadways, the emergency declaration stipulates that once a driver has completed their delivery, the driver must receive a minimum of 10 hours off-duty if transporting property and 8 hours if transporting passengers. Upon termination of direct assistance to emergency relief efforts related to Hurricane Ida in the affected states, the motor carrier and driver are subject to all requirements of the FMCSRs, except that a driver may return empty to the motor carrier’s terminal or the driver’s normal work reporting location without complying with 49 CFR §§ 395.3 and 395.5. In accordance with 49 CFR § 390.23, this Emergency Declaration is effective immediately. It shall remain in effect until the end of the emergency (as defined in 49 CFR § 390.5) or until 11:59 P.M. (ET), Sept. 28, 2021, whichever is earlier.
FMCSA intends to review the status of this Emergency Declaration continually and may take action to modify or terminate the Emergency Declaration sooner if conditions warrant. “WYDOT understands the critical importance freight movement has on not just our state but our nation, especially after natural disasters such as Hurricane Ida,” said WYDOT Director Luke Reiner. “We hope this emergency order helps bring important supplies to those affected, but we also encourage freight haulers to not drive drowsy or distracted.” The state of Wyoming fully supports this declaration. It stands ready to help those in need of emergency relief while transporting goods to those affected by Hurricane Ida.
District 1
Epoxy striping work in Cheyenne CHEYENNE – Crews with Harvey Contractors, Inc. and the Wyoming Department of Transportation placed epoxy striping in various locations around Cheyenne starting Sept. 27. Epoxy striping is more durable than traditional striping, especially in high-traffic areas. Work included minor work in intermittent locations around Cheyenne. Crews focused on a portion of Lincolnway between Missile Drive and Morrie Avenue (mileposts 361.5-362.87.) This was a mobile work zone with slow-moving striping equipment. Motorists were encouraged to drive slowly, obey all traffic control and avoid passing the heavy equipment where epoxy is still wet. Cones were in place to help indicate where epoxy was still be wet.
Short I-80 closure in Laramie caused delays LARAMIE – Travelers on Interstate 80 experienced delays as utility work took place on Sept. 28. I-80 was closed in both directions at about milepost 313 (Third Street exit) to Briefs continued on page 4
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facilitate the repair of a damaged overhead power line in the area. Motorists needing to drive into or out of Laramie can use exit 310/Curtis Street or exit 316/Grand Avenue as detours around the closure. Exit on- and offramps were included in the closure.
Concrete slab work in downtown Cheyenne CHEYENNE – Sept. 20, crews with S&S Builders and the Wyoming Department of Transportation began concrete slab repair on Central Avenue in Cheyenne. Crews began near 22nd Street, replacing failed concrete slabs and repairing sections of curb and gutter as they move south to Lincolnway. They completed similar work on Lincolnway between Pioneer and Capitol Avenues. Traffic was reduced to one lane during slab repair operations, delays to traveling public was expected. Parking spaces along Central Avenue and Lincolnway were temporarily closed as repair work took place. Sidewalk access to all businesses remained open throughout the project. This project has an expected completion date of November 2021 for the Central Avenue portion, and June 2022 for the Lincolnway portion. Traffic control will be removed during the winter season.
WYDOT paving work on I-80
CHEYENNE – Maintenance crews with the Wyoming Department of Transportation paved a small section of I-80 starting on Sept. 20. Work began in the passing lane (left lane) of the eastbound lanes at about milepost 359.3. Motorists encountered lane closures, reduced speed limits and other potential delays through this work zone. On Sept. 21, crews paved the right lane of the same section. A detour was in place for motorists wanting to take exit 359A to Interstate 25 south (Fort Collins) using exit 358 to West Lincolnway. This work was completed Sept. 24.
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Sinkhole near Rock River closes US 30/287 LARAMIE – U.S. Highway 30/287 between Medicine Bow and Bosler was open to local traffic only after a 4-foot sinkhole was discovered at about milepost 290 on Sept. 14. A detour was in place in Rock River for all traffic around the affected area. Motorists were asked to use caution and obey all posted speed limits and other traffic control. The estimated reopening time is unknown.
Pavement work on WYO 212/College Drive CHEYENNE – Crews with Knife River Corp. and the Wyoming Department of Transportation began pavement patching work on WYO 212/College Drive on Sept. 7 that were expected to cause delays. Work is focused between Pershing Boulevard and Campstool Road and includes milling, paving, concrete work, curb and gutter repairs, sidewalk repairs and other miscellaneous work. Motorists should expect potential delays from lane closures, reduced speed limits, flaggers and other traffic control as the work is taking place. In any work zone, avoid distractions like cell phones and buckle up. This work is scheduled to be complete at the end of October.
restrictions placed on the structure earlier this spring that limited logging operations and other traffic on the highway. Once this work is complete, no weight restrictions for legal loads will be in place for the structure. This work is expected to take about six weeks.
Bridge damage prompts lane closure on Parsley Bridge over I-80 CHEYENNE – Travelers on the Parsley Boulevard bridge over Interstate 80 experienced delays due to lane closures prompted by recent bridge damage. On Aug. 30 an oversized load collided with the Parsley structure over I-80, bending part of the outside girder. Due to the bridge damage, the northbound lane of Parsley Boulevard is closed. Traffic currently alternates in the southbound lane. No oversized or overweight loads are permitted to use the Parsley structure. The same vehicle also damaged the WYO 212/College Drive structure over I-80, causing both shoulders of the structure to close to traffic. WYDOT is still assessing whether lane closures are needed in that instance. The Wyoming Department of Transportation has scheduled the Parsley structure over I-80 for replacement in 2022.
Bridge work east of Saratoga SARATOGA – Travelers on the Snowy Range Scenic Byway experienced delays as crews with Reiman Corp. and the Wyoming Department of Transportation began bridge work east of Saratoga on Sept. 7. Work focused on a structure located at milepost 57 on WYO 130. Crews constructed a detour and began replacing the timber structure with a culvert. Motorists can expect delays from this work, including lane closures and flaggers as the detour was built followed by a traffic light directing motorists across the single-lane detour. This project is in response to weight
Photo: WYDOT
Briefs continued from page 3
Bridge damage is apparent from under the Parsley Boulevard bridge.
Seasonal paving operations in Baggs BAGGS – Maintenance crews with the Wyoming Department of Transportation began seasonal paving operations in Baggs on Sept. 7. Work began on WYO 789 between mile-
posts 30.4-31.7. This operation took about three days. Once crews wrap up there, they moved to another section of WYO 789 closer to Baggs, between mileposts 46.8-47.2. Motorists through any of the above areas encountered delays due to lane closures, reduced speed limits and other traffic control.
Pokes encounter minor construction delays during travels to UW games LARAMIE – Fans traveling to Laramie for University of Wyoming home football games can expect to encounter construction delays along their routes: In Laramie: • Crews continue work on Interstate 80 between the Curtis Street and Third Street interchanges (mileposts 310313). Expect lane closures, reduced speed limits and other potential delays through this area. Game day traffic may want to exit at 310 or 316 and travel through town to avoid some of these delays. • U.S. 30/Grand Avenue between 21st and 30th Streets, traffic control removed for game day. • The city of Laramie and University of Wyoming have ongoing construction projects in various locations in town, stay alert for construction activity and add some extra time to reach War Memorial Stadium. Between Rawlins and Laramie: • Work on I-80 in various areas between mileposts 221-291, or between Sinclair east of Rawlins and the Quealy Dome area west of Laramie. Expect areas with reduced speed limits, lane closures and other potential delays.
ry about heavy construction along their routes to War Memorial Stadium, drivers should always stay alert for changing conditions and avoid driving distracted or impaired.
Paving operations on I-90 at the Acme Interchange west of Sheridan
District 4
SHERIDAN – Westbound travelers on I-90 west of the Sheridan/Dietz Port of Entry encountered a short detour between the Tongue River Bridge and Acme Interchange Bridge starting Sept. 7. The Wyoming Department of Transportation Commission awarded Simon Contractors the contract to reconstruct, mill and overlay the east and westbound lanes of I-90 between mileposts 19 and 15. This project will be completed in two phases – phase one starting Sept. 7 and phase two in May 2022. Due to the late letting and awarding of this contract, Simon and its subcontractors performed the reconstruction component of the westbound lane this fall and will return in May to complete the entirety of the project. In phase one, Simon began reconstruction of a portion of the westbound lane of I-90 between the Tongue River Bridge and Acme Interchange Bridge. Once the westbound reconstruction is complete, traffic will resume its normal pattern. This portion of the project is scheduled to be completed by Oct. 31. To accommodate construction, WYDOT closed the travel lanes between these structures and detoured traffic to the Acme Interchange on and off ramps. Traffic control began at the top of the hill just west of the Port of Entry. Traffic was reduced to one westbound travel lane with reduced speed limits and flagging operations. This project is scheduled to be completed by July 31, 2022.
Mill, overlay and bridge repair on US 14/16 near Ucross SHERIDAN – The Wyoming Department of Transportation Commission recently awarded a 10.42-mile mill and overlay with bridge repairs project to Croell Inc. The project area is located between Clearmont and the Ucross U.S. 14/16 Junction between mileposts 27.64 and 38.1. Bridge repairs began the first week of September. Croell, Inc. subcontracted the bridge work to S&S Builders who began replacing isolated bridge barriers and guardrail on the Piney Creek and Coal Creek bridges. Piney Creek Bridge is located at milepost 27.87, and the Coal Creek Bridge is located at milepost 28.32. Prior to paving, contractors performed minor reconstruction of the road base at the bridge approaches, mitigating the soft spots and potholing that currently exist. Traffic was reduced to one lane over the structures with a traffic signal at either end of each bridge at their respective mileposts. Additional measures will be taken to route school bus traffic through the construction in a timely manner. This project is scheduled to be completed by July 31, 2022.
• Other construction work in various locations along Interstate 25 south of Casper. Potential lane closures, reduced speeds and other delays.
Photo: WYDOT
Between Casper and Laramie: • Bridge rehab work on WYO 487 near Medicine Bow as well as on U.S. 30/287 near Bosler and the WYO 34 interchange. Expect potential delays.
Photo: WYDOT
• The Fort Steele Rest Area east of Sinclair remains closed due to ongoing construction in the area.
US 14/16 Junction near Ucross.
While some fans may not need to wor-
Briefs continued on page 6
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Briefs continued from page 5
District 5
Concrete slab replacement/ repair project moves to US 14A in Powell POWELL – A $683,000 concrete slab/ repair project moved to the Powell area, and work began Sept. 27. “The contractor was scheduled to be in Powell for about two weeks with single-lane traffic limited to the north lanes of US 14A from about Blair’s Market to Bent Street,” said Project Engineer Andy Freeman, of Basin. Prime contractor on the concrete slab replacement project is Riverside Contracting, Inc., of Billings, Montana. Freeman said the contractor has completed four months of slab replacement work in Lovell. The Lovell work involved removing and replacing more than 1,600 square yards of concrete slabs, and the contractor also made more than 350 concrete spall repairs on Lovell’s main street. Repairs on the US 14A concrete in Powell involved about 150 square yards of concrete. Riverside Contracting, Inc., was awarded the concrete slab improvement project in February by the Wyoming Transportation Commission. Project completion date is Oct. 31, 2021.
Paving on each end of Lander’s Main Street project LANDER – Completion of the $6.89 million Lander concrete rehabilitation project on US 287 project is near, and paving on each end of the Main Street project began Sept. 20. Milling was completed Sept. 17 south of the Middle Fork of the Popo Agie River bridge, and 5,325 tons of asphalt paving and 1,921 tons of pavement wearing course applied beginning on Sept. 20 in Lander. One section of the paving is between Buena Vista Drive and the Middle Fork bridge, and the second section is between 9th Street in Lander and milepost 2.07 (just north of Baldwin Creek). Traffic was moved in one-lane each
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direction during the paving operation and delays were minimal, Smith said. A 2-inch layer of asphalt pavement was applied to the road surface, and later was topped by a 3/4-inch layer of pavement wearing course. The US 287 (Lander Main Street Americans with Disabilities Act improvements and concrete rehabilitation, and US 287 pavement overlay) project is 16.2 miles in length, between the Main Street/Buena Vista intersection in Lander and Ft. Washakie. The project includes concrete grinding, concrete joint sealing, asphalt paving, chip sealing, and curb, gutter and ADA ramp repairs. Prime contractor is Mountain Construction Co., of Lovell. Contract completion date is Nov. 30.
WYO 296 slide repairs in Paint Creek Canyon CODY – A 300-foot work zone was in place in Paint Creek Canyon for $130,000 slide repairs on WYO 296 (Chief Joseph Scenic Highway). The work zone is located about 11 miles west of WYO 296’s junction with WYO 120, northwest of Cody. Single-lane traffic around the short work zone is being handled with the use of portable traffic signals. “Motorists encountered short traffic delays,” said District Maintenance Engineer Lyle Lamb, of Basin. Repairs involve placing grouted hollow bar anchors and a concrete gravity retaining wall into a section of canyon wall for permanent support below Chief Joseph Scenic Highway. Lamb expected the soil nailing repairs to take several weeks to complete. Contractor on the slide repair project is Geological Stabilization, Inc., (GSI) of Grand Junction, Colorado, who will work with WYDOT maintenance to complete the repairs. “Several of the existing gabion baskets were washed out this spring during a runoff event,” Lamb said. “Maintenance workers installed new asphalt pavement curb in the area this summer to mitigate future water flows, but our goal with this small project is to repair the wall and prevent future issues.”
Fremont County DUI Task Force focused on Labor Day impaired driving enforcement RIVERTON – Over the Labor Day holiday weekend last month, the newly formed Fremont County DUI Task Force implemented impaired driving enforcement operations. The task force made 858 traffic stops, arrested 20 impaired drivers, and made 14 controlled substance arrests. “Law enforcement was out enforcing traffic laws to ensure motorists can safely make it to their destinations. Our law enforcement took immediate action on distracted and impaired drivers. Be responsible, don’t drink and drive, or you will be held accountable,” said Col. Kebin Haller with the Wyoming Highway Patrol. While the focus was on impaired driving, the task force also issued 62 citations for no seatbelt, 22 citations for the lack of child safety restraints, 151 citations for speeding, 130 citations for other offenses and made 37 other arrests. The task force also issued 475 warnings during the 4-day operation. The Fremont County DUI Task Force includes the Wyoming Highway Patrol, Fremont County Sheriff ’s Office, and the Lander, Riverton, Shoshoni and BIA Wind River police departments. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 10,142 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2019 that involved an alcohol-impaired driver. During 2019 in Wyoming, 26% of traffic fatalities involved an alcohol-impaired driver. “We want Wyoming to understand that it’s our first priority to keep people safe, so we’re asking everyone to plan ahead if they know they’ll be out drinking,” said Haller. “We need commitment from our communities that they’ll keep the roads free of drunk drivers so that everyone has a safe holiday. This is a campaign to get the message out that drunk driving is illegal, and it takes lives. Let’s also make this a partnership between law enforcement and drivers: Help us protect our state and put an end to this senseless behavior.”
Through the end of August 2021, there have been seven fatal crashes (eight fatalities) in Fremont County, and five of the seven fatal crashes have involved alcohol use. Additionally, three of the seven fatal crashes involved a lack of seatbelt use. Through the end of August, there were 41 alcohol-related crashes in Fremont County. The Fremont County DUI Task Force recommends these safe alternatives to drinking and driving: • Remember that it is never okay to drink and drive. Even if you’ve had only one alcoholic beverage, designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation, taxi or a ride sharing service to get home safely. • If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact Fremont County law enforcement or dial 911. • Have a friend who is about to drink and drive? Take the keys away and plan to get your friend home safely. n
WHP Total number of employees: As of Sept. 8, 2021
Total number of highway fatalities:
One month ago
84
1,837
1,846
One year ago
1,942
As of Sept. 23, 2021 One year ago
99
Travel & Tourism ESTO awards WOT a Mercury Award The Wyoming Office of Tourism won a Mercury Award for its “2019: Year of the Wyoming Woman” Public Relations Campaign. WOT won the award during the annual Educational Seminar for Tourism Organizations (ESTO) conference in Los Angeles, California, held by the U.S. Travel Association. The Mercury Awards recognize members for excellence and creative accomplishment in state destination marketing and promotion; and inspire, through showcasing outstanding work, continued development of imaginative marketing programs. Though lovingly referred to as the “Cowboy State,” Wyoming’s true nickname is the “Equality State.” And for good reason. On Dec. 10, 1869, Wyoming passed the first unconditional law in the U.S. permanently guaranteeing women their inherent right to vote and hold office. On Sept. 6, 1870, in Laramie, Louisa Swain made history by becoming the first woman in the world to cast an electoral ballot under laws giving women full civil and political equality with men. These same laws were never changed even as Wyoming was
admitted to the Union in 1890. And those weren’t the only female firsts that took place in Wyoming. The first female governor was elected in Wyoming and the nation’s first woman to be appointed to public office was done so in South Pass City. In addition, the Equality State is home to the first female jurors, the world’s first female bailiff and the first town that was governed entirely by women. When invited to join the Union only if women’s suffrage was revoked, Wyoming’s legislature said, “We will remain out of the Union one hundred years rather than come in without the women.” In 1890, Wyoming became the 44th state… with the women. To read more about the entry and campaign strategy go to: https://ustravel.secure-platform.com/a/gallery/rounds/18/ details/5167 n
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Noteworthy
WYDOT, WHP and Ports of Entry got a big thumbs up from this grateful trucker.
The grill master making sure the hot dogs and burgers keep the truckers fed.
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Photo: Mark Horan
12-18 and takes on a special significance considering the crucial role truck drivers have played during the COVID-19 pandemic. Americans in all fifty states have taken extraordinary steps to show their appreciation for the important work that professional truck drivers have done as we navigate our way through the coronavirus pandemic. From children passing out lunches, to “I ♥ Truckers” signs across America’s highways, the public has taken notice of the essential role truck drivers play in their lives. This week is a way to show appreciation to the 3.6 million professional men and women who not only deliver our goods safely, securely, and on time, but also keep our highways safe.” n
Photo: Mark Horan
By Mark Horan As part of the national Truck Driver Appreciation Week campaign, the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) helped to provide more than 500 commercial vehicle drivers with a free lunch on Sept. 15-16 Lunches were available at the I-80 Port of Entry on Wednesday, and at the I-25 and US 85 Ports of Entry on Thursday. Some truckers went for the full meal deal – a freshly grilled hamburger or hot dog, chips, cookies and bottled water. Other truckers just stopped by for a snack. Small giveaway items were also handed out. The event was led up by volunteers from WYDOT’s Division of Motor Vehicle Services and the Commercial Carrier section within the Wyoming Highway Patrol. Other volunteers and all supplies came from the following organizations: Wyoming Trucking Association, Western Distributing Company, North Park Transportation Co, Bar S services Inc., TransPro Inc., Tri-State Generation & Transmission Assoc. Inc. WYDOT has taken part in this initiative for more than 20 years and looks forward to participating next year. It’s a small way to say “Thanks” to the tens of thousands of men and women who drive commercial trucks throughout the state every day. According to the American Trucking Association’s website: “This year’s National Truck Driver Appreciation Week is Sept.
Photo: Mark Horan
Ports of Entry serve up lunch for commercial drivers during Truck Driver Appreciation Week
Commercial drivers filled their bellies as well as goodie bags during Trucker Appreciation Week.
Photo: WYDOT
Wildlife is on the move and travelers are reminded to stay alert while on the roads.
Watch for deer and wildlife on highways; they’re on the move By Cody Beers, District 5 The Wyoming Department of Transportation cautions drivers about an increase in wildlife/vehicle collisions and other wildlife crossing highways. An increase in Wyoming wildlife/vehicle collisions normally occurs in the fall and winter months, partially due to migration and shorter daylight hours. This wet spring, the extremely hot and dry summer, and green grass in the state right-of-way seems to be encouraging deer and other wildlife to move toward and across highways, according to WYDOT District Engineer Pete Hallsten, of Basin. “Our maintenance personnel are seeing an increase in dead deer. Be extra careful,” Hallsten said. “Hitting a deer can also be a very costly expense, and sometimes it can be a life-threatening incident.” WYDOT offers tips for avoiding wildlife/vehicle crashes: • Avoid swerving your vehicle; swerving may cause drivers to lose control of their vehicle, which may result in a more serious incident; • Pay attention to changes in habitat types along roadways. Creek bottoms and where agricultural fields meet trees are prime areas for wildlife to cross roadways; • Deer are herd animals; if you see one, watch for more; • Deer crossing signs show where high levels of deer/vehicle crashes have occurred in the past; • Pay extra attention when driving at dawn and dusk when animals are most active; • When you see deer, activate your vehicle’s horn several times and flick your headlights (if no oncoming traffic is present), and reduce your speed. The horn and flicking lights may
spook the deer into running across the road, so remember to reduce your speed;
• Wear your seat belt, use appropriate child safety seats and drive at a safe speed; driving slower at dawn and dusk may help you avoid a collision; • If possible, use your high-beam headlights as much as possible; watch for the shining eyes. If you hit a deer or other species of wildlife: • Slow down, pull to the highway shoulder and turn on the emergency flashers; • Don’t worry about the animal. Law enforcement and WYDOT will arrange to have the animal removed from the roadway or shoulder. Tell the dispatcher if the animal is still in the roadway when you’re calling for help; • If possible, remain buckled up in your vehicle, protecting yourself and your passengers in the event there is a secondary crash involving another vehicle; • If you and/or your passengers must exit your vehicle, stand as far off the roadway as possible; • To report a crash, call the Wyoming Highway Patrol at 1-800442-9090. “It doesn’t matter if you, the driver, are traveling on rural roads or busy highways, the threat of hitting a deer or other wild animal is very real,” Hallsten said. “All drivers should take extra precautions this time of the year to enhance safety while traveling on our highways.” n
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The passive reflector on top of Dome Peak bounces a microwave signal from Sheridan to the Duncan Lake/Burgess Junction area in the Bighorns.
Photos: WYDOT
Emergency Communications goes airborne with the U.S. Forest Service
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By Mark Horan If you were to ask Daniel Spencer and Chris Perkins what they did last summer, you’d get a unique and interesting response – they rode a helicopter to the top of Dome Peak in the Bighorn Mountains. Spencer and Perkins are technicians for WYDOT’s Emergency Communications Program. Over the summer, the pair was tasked with providing service maintenance to a passive reflector on the top of Dome Peak, elevation 10,828 feet. The reflector is an approx-
imately 30ʹ x 50ʹ foot metallic wall that bounces a microwave signal from Sheridan down to the Duncan Lake/ Burgess Junction area in the Bighorns. Although there are no electrical parts, the reflector was installed more than eight years ago and in need of an inspection and general maintenance. But getting to the top of the peak is no easy task because it’s a roughly 2-mile aggressive trail that’s not accessible by road – so trucks or ATVs aren’t an option. On foot, the hike takes around two hours each way and requires more
than 90 pounds of maintenance equipment and climbing gear for techs to get the job done. That’s where the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) came in. The USFS maintains radio systems in the Big Horn Mountains and contracts with the Wyoming Forestry Division (WFD) to use their helicopter when the need arises. District 2 Supervisor/Microwave Systems Manager Troy Berg had planted seeds with USFS several months ago to see if they’d be willing to give WYDOT techs a ride the next time a helicopter was sent up the mountain. On June 29, a small window of opportunity opened for the USFS to conduct their communications maintenance when they were notified that a WFD helicopter normally used for fighting forest fires would be available the next day. Because they had already established a relationship, the USFS then contacted Berg to see if any WYDOT techs wanted a ride up in order to complete their project on Dome Peak. Despite the short notice, Spencer and Perkins assembled their gear and prepared for the mission the next day. “It was a natural choice to employ the expertise of the USFS Flight Crew, since high altitude landings and remote landings are their specialty, and they’ve flown in that area before,” said Nate Smolinski, WYDOT’s Emergency Communications Program manager. Piloting the helicopter were Ryan Morgan and Chris Fallbeck out of the USFS Big Horn National Forest. After a 15-minute ride up, the helicopter was brought down on a landing area not much wider than the chopper itself. Spencer and Perkins proceeded with the reflector inspection, which took about two and a half hours. The helicopter then came back to pick up the tech team, and everyone returned home safe. All in all, it was an enjoyable experience for both technicians. “Even though it was a short flight, it was a beautiful scenery,” said Spencer. “I was surprised I was actually getting paid to do this.” Perkins and Spencer commended everyone on the flight crew and ground crew for doing an excellent job. “I can’t say enough good things about them,” Spencer said. The opportunity to get up the mountain by helicopter not only saved WYDOT time, it also made the operation safer according to Spencer. “It would have been tough for us to make that
Piloted by a U.S. Forest Service flight crew, a helicopter lands on the top of Dome Peak in the Bighorn Mountain Range.
hike and then turn around and climb a tower,” he said. “From a safety perspective, going up by helicopter made it a lot easier for Chris and me because we weren’t drained of energy before the maintenance even started.” Smolinski pointed out that the success of the mission was due to having formed a good partnership with outside agencies. “As a government agency, anytime we can work with another state, federal or local government agency is a win-win,” he said. “We can accomplish a lot of great things, and often times save the state some money when we work together.” Smolinski noted that future situations could arise where WYDOT and the USFS would help each other out now that a positive working relationship has been established. For example, the USFS might be in need of a snowcat in the winter, or the Forest Service might be called upon to assist with an aerial drop or to slush a WyoLink communication site during fire season. And in all likelihood, the USFS will get a call in a couple of years when it comes time for WYDOT techs to head back to the top of Dome Peak. “The more friends that we have in this type of business, the more we can get accomplished,” Smolinski said. n
Emergency Communications Program technicians Chris Perkins (left) and Daniel Spencer after their flight to the top of Dome Peak on June 30, 2021.
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Aeronautics
Photo: Wyoming Aviation Hall of Fame
By Mark Horan The Wyoming Aviation Hall of Fame (WAHF) is pleased to announce that Bob Hawkins has been selected as its inductee for 2021. For more than 50 years, Hawkins operated many types of fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters across Wyoming and the West. Most of his flying was in highly specialized applications, including high-altitude mountain flying, heavy-lift hauling, firefighting, long line, surveying, and wildlife management. He was co-owner of Hawkins & Powers Aviation, Inc., in Greybull, from 1992-2005 and was general manager and director of operations of Sky Aviation, in Worland, from 2005-2018. He also flew with Bighorn Airways in Sheridan. Growing up in an aviation family, Hawkins quickly took to the skies. As a high school student, he first soloed after 11 hours of flight time in 1967, and his first helicopter solo occurred in 1975. He attended Casper College before joining the Air Force, where he served his country from 1970 to 1974. He was trained in corrosion control and spent most of his time with the 366th Field Maintenance Squadron at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho. After his honorable discharge, he returned home to Greybull and became a pilot with the family business Hawkins & Powers. While at Sky Aviation, he was instrumental in the purchase of four ex-military, twin-rotor, Boeing CH46E helicopters. In 2015, two of the helicopters were converted for firefighting and heavy hauling operations. These have the distinction of being the first CH-46 helicopters to be converted from U.S. Military to civilian use. Hawkins hauled firefighters and assisted with firefighting in Yellowstone during the 1988 fires. He had many other opportunities to fly in Yellowstone, including the wolf reintroduction program that began in the late 1990s. In 1989, Hawkins was part of a National Parks Service project to make measurements of the faces of Mount Rushmore. The dimensions of the popular national memorial were previously unknown. With a special camera mounted to his helicopter, he made several passes to take a set of photographs that were used to determine the actual measurements of the memorial. He also hauled construction equipment and fireworks to the top of the memorial. He has been part of wild horse and buffalo roundups. He frequently flew
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Photo: Wyoming Aviation Hall of Fame
2021 Wyoming Aviation Hall of Fame induction
for the Wyoming Game & Fish Department conducting aerial surveys, planting fish in high mountain lakes, and net gunning and darting, and he hauled equipment to highway projects for the Wyoming Department of Transportation. Hawkins also served the industry as president of the American Helicopter Services and Aerial Firefighting Association, and he continued a fun tradition of his father, Dan, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2020, by flying Santa Clause to several Big Horn Basin communities to greet children during the holiday season. During his flying career, Hawkins operated 19 different helicopters and 34 different airplanes. Before retiring from commercial flying on October 1, 2018, and before offering his last Part 135 check ride for Sky Aviation in April 2019, he had logged nearly 21,000 hours of flight time – about 17,000 of those in a helicopter. Hawkins was born on June 4, 1950, in Rapid City, South Dakota, and moved to Wyoming in 1964 when his father took employment with Avery Aviation in Greybull. He and wife Becky raised four children – Erik, Aaron, Daniel, and Nicole. In his retirement, Bob has been president of the board and director of the Museum of Flight and Aerial Firefighting in Greybull and is restoring a 1949 Cessna 190. The WAHF was founded in 1995 as a non-profit, publicly supported, tax-exempt organization dedicated to honoring individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the establishment, development, and/or advancement of aviation in Wyoming. The organization comprises a board of directors and operates in conjunction with the Wyoming Aeronautics Commission. Board members include Kent Nelson, retired USAF colonel and former Wyoming Aeronautics Commissioner; Dean McClain, who operates an aerial spraying business in Torrington; and John Waggener, a University of Wyoming archivist and Wyoming transportation historian. For more information about the WAHF, to nominate an individual, or to make a donation, please contact WAHF President John Waggener, in Laramie, at 307-7662563, or by email at waggener@uwyo.edu. Biographies of all of the inductees can be found on the WYDOT website at: https://www.dot.state.wy.us/home/aeronautics/aviation_hall_of_ fame.html/ n
Employee Safety Culvert causes injury
Jeff Tugman, Employee Safety, District 2 Recently, a WYDOT Maintenance Tech was assisting two other employees who were unloading several 24-inch culvert drain pipes. During the unloading process, the culvert rotated and the employee’s arm made contact with the inside of the culvert, causing a laceration to their forearm, which required 20 stitches. Takeaways: 1. Use the JSA and Tailgate briefings as tools to spot and correct potential hazards.
5. Remember that ALL employees have the authority to stop work when the situation is unsafe or may become unsafe.
2. Wear protective clothing and gloves when working with metal or sharp objects.
4. Make sure that employees that are assisting with projects outside of their normal work areas understand the potential hazards of the projects by utilizing tailgate briefings and JSA’s. Provide training before beginning the work if the employee is unfamiliar with the work to be performed.
Photo: WYDOT
3. Whenever possible, use mechanical means to handle large objects to reduce the potential of injuries.
Edges of culvert piping can be very sharp.
Bolt slips, cuts through glove of employee By Colter Bame, Employee Safety, District 1 On September 13th, 2021, a WYDOT employee was injured while changing cutting edges on a loader. The employee was using an impact wrench to loosen the bolts holding the cutting edge on the bucket of the loader. They were using their hand to hold the bolt in place as they were loosening the nut. After loosening part way, the bolt slipped out of the blade and spun, cutting through the glove and into the palm of the employee, which required eight stitches to repair. Use Best Work Practices: 1. Utilize JSA’s and “Tailgate Talks” to identify potential hazards and proper PPE. 2. Use the “Hierarchy of Controls Pyramid” to mitigate risks.
4. Maintain situational awareness, and seek assistance if necessary. n
Photo: WYDOT
3. Use mechanical means whenever possible, e.g. using a block of wood or a metal object to hold bottom of bolt in place, cut the nuts off instead of loosening, etc. While being loosened, a bolt slipped out of the blade of a loader’s bucket, cutting through the glove of an employee.
Make the call. Save a life. WYOMING SUPPORTS TRUCKERS AGAINST TRAFFICKING October 2021
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Training
By Jim Boyd, Training Services As we start a new fiscal year, my sense is that it’s a good time to write about and review the development opportunities afforded to employees through WYDOT University. First however, I want to discuss the reasons why employees should care about employee development. As the manager of the training program, I’ve heard many comments about employee development over the years. One of the most common perceptions I’ve run into has to do with the disconnect between engaging in a development opportunity and advancing into higher level positions. Essentially, why should one spend time on employee development when they see little to no advancement opportunities? To be honest, it’s a fair question. Employee development, like attending a workshop or program, completing an online class, or even going back to school, takes time, may or may not be specifically related to one’s occupation, and may end up not being what was expected. Plus, this doesn’t even cover whether the effort ended in anything tangible. My short answer is this; development is ultimately not about advancement. Instead, it’s about improvement. A by-product of development might be to advance in a career, either at WYDOT or elsewhere. However, even if it doesn’t go that route, it still matters. For example, taking a course about productivity might not help increase your salary, but it might give you some techniques to better manage your workload so that you can handle those days when things seem unbearable. Attending a webinar on the latest design techniques might help you bring back some innovative ideas to your work team, and going through our new supervisor program, WY Supervise, may end up giving you the tools and techniques you need to have the most difficult conversations with employees turn into the most productive ones. My belief is that employee development matters. At WYDOT, if you’re looking for employee development opportunities, you should start by accessing the WYDOT Employee Learning Library, or WELL. Employees are automatically assigned an account in the WELL upon hire and should receive a message with your username and password. Once in the WELL system, you can find all types of training. A good place to start is by clicking on the “Find Training” button. There, you have 3 catalogs, Internal, External, and Additional Training. The Internal Training catalog contains training you can register for and/or complete IN THE WELL. Here are a few to look for: Workshops: filter by “Enrollments” to find workshops that have been scheduled throughout the year as well as find workshops that can be offered as soon as we have enough interest (these are called “Wish list” classes). eLearning: filter by “Course” to find training you can take at your computer. Start one and stop it at your own pace. When you come back, look in the “My Learning” section to find it and resume where you left off. Programs: filter by “Learning Plan” to find a collection of
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Photo: Rick Carpenter
WYDOT’s employee development
A WYDOT U classroom filled with employees attending a new supervisor’s training.
learning based on a subject. For example, you can find learning themes, tracks, and pathways like WY Supervise here. If you return to the “Find Training” button, you can select the External Course Catalog which contains training that’s hosted by our partners and that is EXTERNAL TO THE WELL. Once you find a course, you will be redirected to a different site where you will need to register and enroll. Think of this like a SMART TV. It’ll take you to Netflix, Disney+ and Hulu, but you’ll need an account for each one to access the content. However, once you’ve signed up, you’ll have full access to everything our partners offer! Here again, are a few to look for: Transportation Learning Network (TLN): filter by “TLN” to find current transportation related (and some soft skills) webinars you can watch on your computer. Transportation Curriculum Coordination Council (TC3): filter where you see “TC3” to find eLearning transportation related curriculum you can take anytime. Lastly, return to the “Find Training” button one more time, and you can select the Additional Training Resources section. This is where you can find other sources for safety, technical, and vocational training. Here finally, are a few to look for: Google Apps: Click the Google link to find self paced training guides for everything Google. LinkedIn Learning State Library: As a state employee, you have access to LinkedIn Learning’s suite of online classes. You’ll need your library card and password to enter. Readitfor.me: WYDOT employees have access to hundreds of non-fiction employee and leadership development book summaries. This is a great way to learn a little bit about all sorts of topics in only a little bit of time. Job aids are available on the WELL to help you set up accounts for any development opportunity that’s external to the WELL. As always, please contact any team member with Training Services, or through dot-training@wyo.gov if you have additional questions. We’re here to support you. n
Game & Fish Draft roadkill collection regulation, public comments taken By Sara DiRienzo, Wyoming Game and Fish The Wyoming Game and Fish Department took public comments on the recently released draft of Chapter 70 – the regulation that will govern the collection of road-killed wildlife. The draft rules outline the proposed requirements and permission system for picking up big game that have been killed on select roadways in Wyoming to be put toward beneficial use. The draft regulations were written in close coordination with the Wyoming Department of Transportation for collecting roadkilled deer, elk, antelope, moose, bison or wild turkey. “Safety is a main concern,” said Mike Choma, law enforcement supervisor. “It can be dangerous to stop on a busy highway, so the drafted regulation includes a series of safety requirements that Game and Fish and WYDOT feel are essential.” As drafted, safety considerations bar people from picking up carcasses from extremely busy roadways, such as interstates 25, 80 and 90. It also disallows collection in active construction areas and within national parks in Wyoming. Other rules outline where to park for collection and the use of emergency flashers, as well as banning field dressing on the roadway. Limiting the spread of disease is another concern. For wildlife managers, preventing the spread of chronic wasting disease is
the foundation for requirements such as taking the whole animal – both edible and inedible portions – and following all carcass transport and disposal procedures – same as a hunter. In the draft rules, Game and Fish also addressed the concern that people may attempt to cover-up illegal taking of wildlife by passing it off as roadkill. Choma said the rules help deter that. “The proposed regulation addresses illegal taking of wildlife right up front. The permission to collect roadkill is only valid for unintentional motor vehicle collisions and no one is authorized to euthanize an injured animal under these regulations,” Choma said. “People who submit false information will be in violation.” Game and Fish is working closely with WYDOT to develop a mobile application to authorize people to collect roadkill. An electronic authorization will be required for anyone who wants to collect a carcass. The full draft of Chap. 70 is available online and was open for comments on the Game and Fish website until Sept. 24. A public meeting was held in Casper at the Game and Fish office Aug. 26. The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission was asked to approve the regulation at their November meeting in Riverton. Until approved and effective, no one is permitted to collect road-killed big game.
By Sara DiRienzo, Wyoming Game and Fish The Wyoming Game and Fish Department needs help from hunters this fall to collect lymph node samples from deer and elk for chronic wasting disease (CWD) testing in focused monitoring hunt areas across Wyoming. Hunters are an important component in helping Game and Fish understand the disease and achieve CWD monitoring goals. Game and Fish is targeting Deer Hunt Areas 1-6, 19, 24, 25, 27-33, 41, 46, 47, 50-53, 61, 66, 74-77, 124, 130, 131, 134, 135, 138-146, 150-157, 163, 165, 169 and 171. New this year; Deer Hunt Areas 96 and 97 require mandatory lymph nodes submissions for testing. Elk focus hunt areas include 13, 15, 21, 41, 45, 67-71, 75, 7785, 88-91, 97, 98, 102-105, 108, 127 and 130. “We are asking hunters in these hunt areas to please submit a lymph node sample from their harvested deer or elk for testing,” said Hank Edwards, Wildlife Health Laboratory supervisor. “The samples hunters submit are critical to monitoring CWD within
Wyoming’s deer and elk populations.” A collected lymph node for testing. Hunters outside of this year’s focused surveillance areas can still submit a sample for testing. Hunters can learn how to take a sample by watching a how-to video on the Game and Fish website and submit it alongside the CWD data sheet. Hunters can also have animals sampled at any game check station this season or by stopping at the Game and Fish Headquarters or regional offices from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Results from CWD testing are available online within three weeks. Hunters can expedite results within 10 working days for a $30 fee; contact the Wyoming State Veterinary Lab in Laramie at (307) 766-9925 for more information. Continued monitoring of CWD over time is important to help Game and Fish understand the potential impacts of the disease as
Photo: Wyoming Game and Fish
Hunters an important component in helping understand CWD and achieve monitoring goals
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well as evaluate future management actions for deer and elk. Game and Fish has a rotational sampling program designed to monitor CWD throughout the state by targeting specific hunt areas. The method provides the long-term data collection needed for CWD while not overwhelming the Wildlife Health Laboratory with testing. Hunters also need to be aware of Wyoming carcass transport and disposal rules to prevent the spread of CWD within Wyoming and other states. Wyoming’s regulations require deer, elk and moose hunters transport only the following items within Wyoming: • Deer, elk and moose can be transported to a camp, private residence for processing, a taxidermist, a processor or a CWD sample collection site in Wyoming provided the head and all portions of the spinal column remain at the site of kill or such parts are disposed in any approved landfill or approved incinerator in Wyoming. A listing of landfills that will accept waste from processed game animals and whole carcasses is available on the Game and Fish website. • Cut and wrapped meat • Edible portions with no portion of the spinal column or head attached • Cleaned hide without the head attached • Skull, skull plate or antlers that have been cleaned of all meat and brain tissue
• Teeth • Finished taxidermy mounts • Whole deer, elk and moose carcasses cannot be transported out of Wyoming. The only parts approved to leave the state are edible portions with no part of the spinal column or head; cleaned hide without the head; skull, skull plate or antlers that have been cleaned of all meat and brain tissue; teeth; or finished taxidermy mounts. All hunters need to check with their home states for the rules about importing deer, elk or moose from Wyoming. Hunters are reminded they must abide by the evidence of sex, species and horn or antler development retention requirements as per regulations. Since 1997, the Wyoming Game and Fish has been monitoring the distribution and prevalence of CWD to better understand how this disease may affect the health of Wyoming’s deer and elk populations. Initial surveillance goals focused on the detection of CWD in new areas of the state along with monitoring the disease. This disease has now been identified in most deer hunt areas across Wyoming and necessitates a shift in focus of the program from detection to monitoring. More information and resources for hunters on CWD is available on the Game and Fish CWD webpage.
Super Tag raises $1.46 million for wildlife conservation in 2021 The Wyoming Super Tag raffle raised $1.46 million dollars for conservation in 2021. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s program saw another record-breaking year of ticket sales, bolstered by hunters vying for 11 chances to get a license for the state’s premier big and trophy game. Created by Gov. Matt Mead and the Wyoming Legislature in 2013, the Super Tag raffle provides hunters opportunity and raises money for wildlife management in Wyoming. This year, 111,606 tickets were sold, nearly a 9% increase from last year. The program has raised more than $7.6 million for top conservation issues since its inception. “Thank you hunters for the ongoing and enthusiastic support for Wyoming’s wildlife,” said Glenn Pauley, who coordinates the Super Tag raffle for Game and Fish. “Super Tag revenue goes to support Game and Fish programs that address Wyoming’s most pressing topics— like the Wyoming Mule Deer Initiative, chronic wasting disease, reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions and inspiring the next generation of conservationists.” This fall, hunters will pursue bighorn sheep, moose, mountain goat, elk, bison, deer, pronghorn, black bear, gray wolf and mountain lion or a combination of three species of their choice with the Trifecta. A 12th winner was awarded a gear package with top-of-the-line hunting equipment and apparel. The 2021 winners, determined through a random draw, are: • Super Tag Trifecta: Wyatt Phillips, California • Pronghorn: Billy Luke, Texas • Deer: Michael Hansen, Utah
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• Elk: Augustine Gallo, California • Bighorn sheep: David Marko, Kansas • Black bear: Tyrel Faber, Colorado • Gray wolf: Caleb Masters, Texas • Moose: Adam Flod, Pennsylvania • Mountain goat: Mark Maki, North Dakota • Mountain lion: Kevin Ciavarra, California • Wild bison: Hayes Mire, Louisiana • Ultimate Gear Package: Cody Arbuckle, California The Super Tag Trifecta, pronghorn, elk and black bear hunters only purchased one ticket each to win. Winning the Super Tag allows hunters to choose any open hunt area in the state, with some limitations depending on license availability for moose, sheep and bison. Furthermore, lifetime limits do not apply and hunters keep their preference points Thirteen outdoor companies donated $32,301 worth of gear to support the Super Tag. These companies include: Gunwerks, First Lite, goHUNT, Weatherby, Swarovski Optik, Worldwide Trophy Adventures, Maven, HuntWise, Mathews Archery, Prime Archery, Stone Glacier, Meindl USA and Sig Sauer. Donated gear provided incentives for hunters to purchase tickets in monthly raffles and the Ultimate Gear Package raffle. Tickets for the 2022 Super Tag raffle are on sale now; the tentative deadline to purchase is Jan. 31, 2022. n
District News Headquarters
Cradle Call
Welcome
Achs
Grant
Cordoba
Sutton
Service Awards Keith Fulton, Executive Staff-Planning and Engineering-Division Administrator – 35 years; Ann Heath, IT-Administration – 35 years;
DeGrazio
Bennett
Photo: WYDOT
Menghini
Michael Menghini, Bridge-Engineering Administration – 30 years; Kiana Zimmerman, IT-Development – 30 years; Shannon DeGrazio, Motor Vehicle Services-Registration/Title – 20 years; and Patricia Bennett, Materials-Administration – 15 years.
Retirements
Photo: WYDOT
Jordan Achs, Public Affairs Office; Benoit Cordoba, Bridge-Operations Design; George Dale, Right of Way-Administration; Gareld Daniels, Highway Development-Engineering Services; Nicolas Delach, Bridge-Operations Design; Christine Grant, Budget; Vincent Martini, Driver Services-Policy and Records; Guy Olson, Geology; James Rawley, Equipment-Mechanics; Daniel Sutton, Materials-Surfacing; and Jordan Walla, Right of Way-Appraisals.
Fulton
Director Luke Reiner presenting Civil Rights Office Program Manager Lisa Fresquez her 20year service award.
Mark Corbridge retired with seven years of service to WYDOT as a Right of Way land surveyor. He began his service in Corbridge May 2014. He is a member of Professional Land Surveyors of Wyoming, the National Society of Professional Surveyors, the Wyoming delegate to the Western Federation of Professional Surveyors and the Wyoming Geodetic Coordinate for National Geodetic Service. Robert Rothwell retired from the Materials program with 34 years of service to the state. Rothwell, a Sheridan native and University of Wyoming graduate, began his career with the old Wyoming Highway Department, WYRothwell DOT’s predecessor
Photo: WYDOT
Promotions and Transfers
Menemsha Zotstein and her husband, Vince (Department of Workforce Services), gave birth to their first child. Cullen DeHart was born on July 15. n
Photo: WYDOT
Jarred Bigg, Patrol-Safety and Training; Caitlin Casner, Transportation Commission Secretary; Shawncey Day, Patrol-Safety and Training; Mark Horan, Public Affairs Office; Mark Kittelson, Patrol-Safety and Training; Andrew Lemon, Patrol-Safety and Training; Rickey Long, Patrol-Safety and Training; Alex Martin, Motor Vehicle Services-Registration/ Title; Sergio Ramos, Bridge-Engineering Design; Brandon Todd, Patrol-Safety and Training; and Tiffanie Williams, Civil Rights Office.
agency, in January 1987 in the Bridge program. He later moved to the Materials program as a staff engineer.
Staff in District 1 hosted employee appreciation barbecues in Albany, Carbon and Laramie counties in late August. The barbecues were a way to get together and show appreciation for the crews, especially after the COVID-19 cancellations of the 2020 barbecues. (Bottom photo) At the grill were (from left) Colter Bame, Tim Morton, Travis King, Wes Bybee and Ryan Shields.
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District 1
Welcome Jared Hylander, Highway Development-Project Development-Laramie Design Squad; and Paul Roseberry, Cheyenne Maintenance.
Edwin Leyba, Laramie Maintenance; Chad Sanderson, Laramie Maintenance; Michael Simmons, Cheyenne Patrol-District Office.
Promotions and Transfers Graham Cox, Laramie Maintenance-Guardrail; Kenneth Lennon, Laramie Maintenance;
Sanderson
Service Awards Don Bridges, District 1 Maintenance – 40 years; Rick Ackerman, Rawlins Maintenance – 20 years; James Farrell, Cheyenne Construction – 10 years; and John Vance, Rawlins Patrol – 10 years.
Oops! Bridges
Ackerman
Farrell
Vance
Leyba
An incorrect photo was used in last month’s District News for Trooper Adam Powell. We are sorry for the mistake. n
Simmons
District 2
Welcome Alysha Ferguson, Driver Services-Casper; Georgia Myron, Driver
Hokanson
Kennedy
Services-Casper; Adam Peterson, Midwest Maintenance; Cody Simshauser, Midwest Maintenance.
Holkan
Service Awards Scott Hokanson, Kaycee Maintenance – 25 years; Timothy Kennedy, Muddy Gap Maintenance – 20 years; Jeremy Holkan, Douglas Maintenance – 10 years; Geoffery Morgheim, Casper Mechanics – 10 years. n
Morgheim
District 3
Welcome
Service Awards
James McJunkin, Jackson Maintenance.
Tanya Geiselhofer, Afton Construction – 10 years; Tyler Mullen, Traffic-Signing – 10 years; and Jacob Kroupa, Rock Springs Construction – 5 years.
Promotions and Transfers Thomas Randall, Driver Services-Jackson/Afton; Douglas Roberts, Kemmerer Maintenance.
Owen Hensrud retired from Kemmerer Maintenance. n Roberts
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Photo: WYDOT
Retirements
October 2021
Bob Hammond with Jackson Construction was presented his 25-year service award by Interim District Engineer Tory Thomas.
District 4
Welcome Michael Vigil, Sheridan Construction.
Promotions and Transfers
District 5
Service Awards
Welcome
Shawna Holwell, Construction - Newcastle – 5 years. n
Derek Bush, Riverton Maintenance; Justin Holaday, Lovell Maintenance; Kyle Schrawyer, Thermopolis Construction; Dennis Wyant, Dubois Maintenance.
Dwayne Hunt, Gillette Patrol; Carter Matheny, Sheridan Traffic-Striping.
Promotions and Transfers n
Hunt
Matheny
Holwell Photo: WYDOT
Vigil
Jacob Small, South Pass Maintenance.
Service Award Recipients Randy Merritt (left) and Pete Hallsten at the grill during the annual district cookout. A good time was had by all who attended. Barbecues in D5 were held in Lander, Thermopolis and Basin.
RIDES
Classic? Hot rod? Late model? Bicycle?
Photo: Rick Carpenter
submission deadline:
Service award luncheons are held by the Transportation Commission for employees celebrating milestones of 25 years of service or greater. Service award recipients at this month’s luncheon: (back) Paul Cortez, 30 years; and Keith Fulton, 35 years. (front) Don Bridges, 40 years; and Mark Janicek, 40 years.
Nov. 15
carlie.vanwinkle@w yo.gov
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Passings Michael D. Ahern Michael D. Ahern, 79, passed away Aug. 26, in Longmont, Colorado. He was born March 24, 1942, in Norwalk, Connecticut to Walter and Elizabeth Ahern. His father’s work relocated them to the Denver area when he was a small child and then to Casper in 1952. Ahern They liked Casper so much, they decided to make it their permanent home. He graduated from Natrona County High School in 1960. He married his high school sweetheart, Kathleen K. Mayo, on Aug. 15, 1964. He was employed by the old Wyoming Highway Department, WYDOT’s predecessor agency, for 35 years. He retired in 1995 as an engineering technical supervisor. Upon retirement from the state, he worked for Mobile Concrete, in Casper, for another decade and loved his second career. Mike was an easy-going guy who made friends easily. He enjoyed watching his sons’ school and sports activities while they were growing up and continued that with his grandchildren later in life. He spent his Sundays in the fall cheering on the Broncos and was thrilled when they finally won a Super Bowl. Per his wishes, no service were held. The family asks that, if you are so moved, you make a donation to the American Cancer Society in his memory.
Kenneth C. Glover Kenneth Charles Glover, 83, died on Sept. 1. Glover was born on a rural homestead south of Sundance. He was delivered by a midwife on Dec. 6, 1937, to Theodore K. Glover Glover and Bonnie Thelma (Etheridge) Glover. He was the oldest of seven children. His parents later moved to Moorcroft and Glover started his grade school
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there. They moved to Sunny Divide in the later grade school years, while Glover’s father was building the Keyhole Reservoir; his mom worked at the Krause Store. When the family moved to Sundance, they lived in a home owned by the Kipp family. Glover’s father went to work for the old Wyoming Highway Department, WYDOT’s predecessor agency, while his mother was a homemaker. When Glover was a freshman in high school, he decided he was “smart enough” and refused to go back to school for a year. Then he decided he should go back. This is where he met his late wife, Karen Hegge. They were married on Oct. 12, 1957. He followed in his father’s footsteps and began work at Wyoming Highway Department as an engineer while his wife worked as assistant county treasurer and later county treasurer. He retired from the Department and worked at the city of Sundance as a maintenance director. Upon retirement from the city, he and his wife went to the Hegge Ranch, where they assumed management of the ranch. They continued to live on the ranch until Karen passed in January of 2013. Glover then married Janice (Knapp) Bush on July 15, 2017. They lived at the ranch and also built a home in Sundance where they lived until his passing. He was a fun-loving, easy-going man. He loved horses, cattle and woodworking, and was an avid reader. He made sure that the deer and birds at the ranch were fed and loved to sit on the deck and watch them. Glover was full of mischief, and had a smile that didn’t quit. He made time for anyone that wanted to stop and talk. He was always game to set up a friend for a prank, he was a pro at being a prankster, yet there wasn’t a person in the world that he wouldn’t help. A celebration of life was held Sept. 9, 2021, at the United Methodist Church in Sundance. Private family burial took place at Mt. Moriah Cemetery.
Kenneth W. Rosser Kenneth Willam Rosser, 64, died Aug. 18. Rosser was born on Jan. 18, 1957, in Evanston, to Henry
Rosser
and Blanche Rosser. He loved being outdoors and he especially loved winter. He loved being with his animals and taking them sledding – that was one of the highlights of his life. He could drive anything with a steering wheel. He worked for Ellingford Brothers for more than half of his life and he loved that job. He knew that batch plant inside and out. He considered some there as family members. At the time of his death, he was working for the Wyoming Department of Transportation. He worked on the Maintenance crew out of Evanston and had nearly 18 years of service to the state of Wyoming. Rosser was a special person who was hard working and dedicated to the mission every day. He would give you the shirt off his back and if you needed anything he would try to make it happen. He was a kind and considerate soul and he saw the world through a different lens than most. Rosser is survived by his three children, five grandchildren and four siblings. He did not want funeral service but did want to have a celebration of life, which was held Sept. 10 at the Beeman-Cashin building in Evanston.
Cecil E. Strick Cecil Eugene Strick, 57, of Elk Mountain, died on Aug. 29, 2021, in Rawlins, due to COVID. Heavy mechanic out of the Elk Mountain shop in District 1, passed away over the weekend. Strick joined the WYDOT family in November 2020 as Strick a mechanic, and although it was a short time with us, his coworkers remember him as a funny, great guy and a hard-working and thorough mechanic. His work was trustworthy and reliable, and he always had a cheery demeanor at the shop. Even when not at work, he was tinkering away at something in his shop at home. Strick was an avid motorcyclist. A passion he shared with his wife of 35 years. They started riding later in life as a promise they made to wait until the kids
were grown and had left home. Both kids follow in their parents’ footsteps when it comes to riding. Strick and his son, Scott, enjoyed many motorcycle trips together. Strick was known to many as an opinionated straight shooter with a clear set of beliefs that he never compromised. He always had a smile and made everyone around him feel important. He would do anything for those he cared about with no questions asked. A celebration of life will be held in the spring when everyone is ready to ride and can gather outdoors.
Theodore C. Vredenburg Theodore Charles Vredenburg, 80, of Cheyenne, Wyoming passed into eternal life on Sept. 11, 2021. He was born in San Bernardino, California, to Hugh L. Vredenburg and Dorothy Lane. Vredenburg served in the U.S. Vredenburg
Letters
Navy from 1960-1966. Vredenburg met and married Maria Martha Fogassy in 1962, and she was forever by his side. While in the Naval Reserves after his active duty, he became a Long Beach city police officer, retiring in 1972. He and Maria moved to Wyoming in 1978 where he found a job at the old Wyoming Highway Department, WYDOT’s predecessor agency. He worked in the Geology program as a geotechnical engineer until his retirement in 2002. He also served as an usher at the Cathedral of St. Mary, in Cheyenne, for 20 years. A vigil for the deceased was held on Sept. 20, a funeral mass celebrated on Sept. 21 at the Cathedral of St. Mary with interment at Olivet Cemetery. Donations in Vredenburg’s memory may be made to Tunnels 2 Towers Foundation by going to www.t2t.org. n
Thank you to my WYDOT family A couple months ago I got really sick and was hospitalized for 10 days, had to have surgery and could not work for a month. I truly want to say thank you to each and every one of you who donated time to me. Thank you again – and God bless you and your families.
Sincerely, Bruce McCullough Douglas Maintenance
Wyoming Highway Patrol are the best We would just like to recognize and also thank Trooper Micah Burke, badge 136, for being there with us when our fifth-wheel had a major breakdown. He stayed with us a long time, got us off the road so we were safe AND found a tow service that could get us in to Rock Springs. (AAA was useless.) When he did have to leave, he gave us his personal cell phone and asked that we call him if the tow service did not get there. He was so nice and very polite. Officers like Micah are the very reason we have always supported law enforcement. We hope in some way his superiors will recognize his over-and-above service. We were scared and had come close to having a major accident. The McGrew’s from Klamath Falls, Oregon, are so blessed that it was Trooper Burke that came to our rescue!
Outdoors
Please R e
cle After y c
ading! Re
Photo: Mark Redland
Grateful beyond measure, Troy and Joyce McGrew with Toby, Judy, Molly, TJ, Tavia and Cinder Paw
After 26 years of applying, Mark Redland, of Ten Sleep Maintenance, finally got his tag and a moose on the first morning in the Big Horn Mountains. Mark sends his thanks to Chuck and Bruce.
October 2021
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Interchange 21
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October 2021
Break Time
Challenging Mazes by KrazyDad, Book 9
Maze #3
Take five and try to solve this maze. Good luck. The answers will be posted on the employee’s website as well as in next month’s issue.
Answer to the September 2021 Break Time word search:
KRAZYDAD.COM/PUZZLES
Need the answer? http://krazydad.com/mazes/answers
© 2010 KrazyDad.com
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October 2021
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Interchange 23
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