Interchange – October 2022

Casper Airport lights it up

WYDOT Aeronautics helps fund unique firefighter training program

More than 100 emergency responders have been trained or re-certified in 2022

By Mark Horan

A specialized training facility housed and hosted by the Casper/Natrona Coun ty International Airport (CPR) conducts live fire burns on a plane fuselage as a way to provide Aircraft Rescue and Fire fighting (ARFF) personnel with realistic, hands-on experience.

The Wyoming Regional ARFF Train ing Center allows emergency responders from the Rocky Mountain region and be yond to acquire and practice firefighting skills and earn or maintain their FAA-re quired certifications.

Per federal regulations, ARFF team members must go through a 40-hour course for their initial training and must take part in a live fire burn every year to be re-certified.

The training center offers anywhere from 12 to 16 sessions a year. Two of

those trainings are the 40-hour courses. The remaining sessions consist of either hand-line or fire truck live burn scenar ios.

More than 100 emergency responders were trained or re-certified in 2022, a re cord high for the facility. Trainees includ ed in that statistic are ARFF responders from Wyoming airports and states such as Colorado, Nebraska, Oregon and Kansas.

Originally built in 1995, the training center was reconstructed and expanded in 2020. It is the only one of its kind in Wyoming. The next closest facility with similar capabilities is in Helena, Montana.

Over 25 years, more than 2,700 fire fighters from about 75 departments have trained at this airport.

WYDOT Aeronautics provides annual grant funding to help with the operations and maintenance of the training center.

The grant also helps keep fees lower for in-state attendees.

The fuselage mock-up was pur pose-built for ARFF training. Similar in size to a regional aircraft that might be used in Wyoming, it has a broken wing on one side which firefighters are able to walk on and enter the fuselage of the aircraft.

Burner boxes can be ignited inside the aircraft itself, so firefighters can enter the aircraft and fight either a rear galley fire or cockpit fire.

“It adds a tremendous value to the experience of the firefighters,” said Dan Kittinger, deputy director of operations and public safety for CPR.

“We’re able to keep a petroleum based fuel, so we actually burn diesel fuel that

ARFF

Live-burn scenarios give emergency responders realistic fire-fighting experiences.

Photo: WYDOT

Features

1 Casper Airport lights it up

District 2 wrapping up construction projects

Veteran healthcare fliers now posted in rest areas

Looks like

got ourselves a

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

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

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

Staff

WYDOT

Programs & Partner Agencies

Director:

K. Luke Reiner

Public Affairs Manager: Doug McGee

Editor:

Carlie Van Winkle

Contributors:

Jordan Achs Public Affairs

Matt Groth Public Affairs

Mark Horan Public Affairs

Carlie Van Winkle Public Affairs

Andrea Staley District 1

Jeff Goetz District 2

Stephanie Harsha District 3

Laura Dalles District 4

Cody Beers District 5 Sgt. Jeremy Beck Patrol

Photography:

Rick Carpenter Public Affairs

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

gives a realistic type of event for an actual aircraft emergency. A lot of other facilities use propane but that doesn’t have the realis tic burning capabilities like diesel fuel does,” Kittinger said.

“With this training, the firefighters are going to see the jet fuel spilling out on the ground. They’re going to see a lot of flames and a lot of black smoke that we’re able to produce here,” he added.

“We’re giving them a realistic fire to fight.”

Casper/Natrona County International Airport owns three trucks that participants can use to demonstrate their skills: two 1,500 gallon rigs and one 3,000 gallon rig. Some responders bring a truck from their home airport to train with. Individuals only need to qualify on one truck in order to stay certified.

Inside the ARFF control tower, instructors operate a touch screen television to select which burners they want to ignite and how much fuel to dispense to simulate different types of emer gency response scenarios. A normal fire will release about 100 gallons of fuel for the firefighters to extinguish.

Water from inside the pit, along with any leftover diesel fuel, is reclaimed, recycled and reused.

Both substances are collected by a double set of plastic liners, gravity drained into a pit about 40 feet deep in the ground, and then sump-pumped back out.

“All that diesel fuel goes through two or three stages of settling off from the water getting pumped out, and then we actually reuse that unburned diesel fuel for the next training,” Kittinger said.

Firefighters reinforce their skills to quickly control an aircraft fire by effec tively maneuvering an ARFF vehicle while using a mounted turret.

The water is reclaimed for multiple trainings as well, and then at the end of the year it’s tested to make sure it contains no con taminants so it can be put down the sewer.

Although actual wrecks on Wyoming Airfields are infrequent, it’s important for ARFF teams to be ready for different types of emergency situations.

“You never know when something might happen,” Kittinger said.

“In the event of an aircraft fire, we want to be prepared to save as many lives as we can. That’s our number one priority.” n

District Briefs

Headquarters

Commission awards over $15 million in contracts in September

CHEYENNE – The Wyoming Trans portation Commission awarded over $15 million in contracts for five Wyoming Department of Transportation construc tion projects during its September 15 business meeting.

A $5.18 million bid was awarded to Casper-based Casper Electric Inc. for a project involving electrical, structure, and other work on a 1-mile section of US Highway 14/16/20 in Park County.

The commission awarded a $2.96 million bid to Afton-based Avail Valley Construction-WY, LLC, for a project involving milling, paving, grading, guard rail and other work on almost 9.5 miles of Wyoming Highway 414 in Uinta County.

Avail was also awarded a $2.93 million bid for a project involving milling, paving, sidewalk work, curb and gutter work, and other work on almost 1.5 miles of Wyo ming Highway 789 in Fremont County.

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

Lander-based C C & G, Inc. was awarded a $1.75 million bid for a project involving structure replacement, grading, paving and other work on approximately 0.20 mile of County Road CN20-86 over Cottonwood Creek in Washakie County. The contracted completion date is June 30, 2024.

The commission awarded a $1.95 mil lion bid to Mills-based King Enterprises for a project involving fencing, grading and other work on just more than 5 miles of US Highway 189/191 in Sublette County. The contracted completion date is September 30, 2024.

All of the above projects are funded primarily by federal dollars. The only

project funded primarily with state dol lars was awarded to Casper-based Mod ern Electric Co. with a bid of $291,756. The project involves electrical, sidewalk, curb and gutter and other work on US Highway 26/287 in Fremont County. The contracted completion date is October 31, 2023.

Almost all WYDOT projects are awarded to the lowest bidder. September’s meeting saw an average of about 2.5 bids per project.

Feds approve Wyoming’s National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Plan

CHEYENNE – The Federal Highway Administration announced Sept. 27 that Wyoming’s National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure plan has been approved and Fiscal Year 2022 funding has been

Briefs continued on page 4

Photo: WYDOT

released.

The state will now begin the process as outlined in the plan for year one of the program, which will involve a request for proposal process for the installation of charging stations within the towns of Pine Bluffs, Laramie, Wheatland, Doug las, Buffalo, Sheridan, and Sundance. The exact locations of these chargers will be determined as part of the RFP process.

While the overall plan was approved, the FHWA denied eight of the state’s key exception requests. Wyoming was seeking a series of 11 exceptions to federal requirements that the stations be placed every 50 miles and a maximum of one mile from an interstate exit.

The only approved exception request for the 50 mile requirement was the sec tion of Interstate 90 between Gillette and Buffalo, while two 1-mile exceptions were granted for existing charging stations in Rawlins and Cheyenne.

“The decision to make these exception requests was not made lightly, but was instead in response to public feedback, limited EV adoption rates, increasing EV range capabilities and the long distances between Wyoming’s population centers,” said Luke Reiner, Wyoming Department of Transportation director. “Wyoming will continue to work with the FHWA and other partners to try to find a common sense solution for the denied excep tion requests to ensure the stations are economically viable and a good use of taxpayer resources.”

The exception requests were part of an overall strategy to use NEVI funding to facilitate travel to popular tourist destina tions. Tourism is the state’s second-largest industry, and major tourism destinations like Yellowstone National Park are not close to an interstate.

The state will compile and release a NEVI Plan annually, with additional opportunities to make exception requests to the station spacing requirements.

The federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) allocated funding through the NEVI program for electric vehicle charging infrastructure along key corridors throughout the nation. Wyo ming is allocated almost $24 million over five years for EV charging infrastructure along its federally-designated alternative fuel corridors: I-80, I-25 and I-90.

Once the Federal Government has certified the EV infrastructure build-out along the interstates, any remaining fund ing can be spent in areas outside of the interstates. No state funding will be used to install, operate or maintain the NEVI EV chargers.

For more information or to view the plan, visit: https://www.dot.state.wy.us/ home/planning_projects/zeroemission-vehicles/national-electricvehicle-infrastructure-(nevi)-program. html

District 1

Paving work on WYO 72 in Hanna

HANNA – Crews with the Depart ment of Transportation and Simon Contractors began work on Wyoming Highway 72 through Hanna.

The work began at milepost 0 and ends at milepost 3.

The project includes milling, paving, chip seal, and ADA ramp upgrades. Traf fic in town was temporarily on a milled surface and pilot car operations were used to navigate milling and paving times.

Motorists encountered delays.

The expedited schedule has an expect ed completion date of this fall.

Rest Areas along I-80 closed for cleaning, repairs

LARAMIE – The Pine Bluffs Rest Area near milepost 401 on I-80 was temporarily closed Sept. 20-21 for deep cleaning and parking lot repairs.

The Summit Rest Area near milepost 323 on I-80 east of Laramie was also tem porarily closed. The closure occurred on Sept. 22-23 for facility repairs, parking lot repairs and deep cleaning.

The closures began at 6 a.m. on the first day and remained closed throughout the second day while repairs to the facil ities and parking lots, deep cleaning and maintenance took place.

Facilities, including restrooms and tourist information areas, were closed to the public. Truck parking remained available while car and RV parking was closed. Both rest areas were back up and open to the public after all work had been

finished.

Road work on WYO 216 in Albin

CHEYENNE – Crews with Simon Contractors and the Wyoming Depart ment of Transportation began road work along Wyoming Highway 216 on Aug. 29.

The project consisted of milling and paving a section of the highway that runs through Albin, from milepost 15.7 to 16.2.

Crews also addressed a section of US Highway 85/South Greeley Highway be tween mileposts 3.9-7.3 in September. A 12-foot width restriction was in place for travelers through this project.

Motorists encountered delays through the work zones, including potential lane shifts and lowered speed limits.

The work is expected to be completed in October.

District 2

Salt Creek Highway bridge crash

CASPER – A one-vehicle crash the night of Sept. 8 delayed work on the south Salt Creek Highway bridge in Casper.

According to the Mills Police Depart ment, a driver of a Dodge pick-up headed south on Salt Creek Highway (WYO 254), drove around the road closure barri cades and tried to drive over the recently installed in-place forms atop the bridge, located near the junction with West Yel lowstone Highway (US 20).

An initial inspection on Sept. 9 re vealed damage to one of the structure’s diaphragms. The diaphragms are laterally placed beams that join girders together, providing stiffness and strength to the bridge. Damage was also done to many of the in-place metal forms.

WYDOT’s bridge department inspect ed the bridge to determine if there was any structural damage.

At this time, there has been no dollar amount given to the damage nor has there been any estimation of how long these repairs will delay the overall project. Original completion date was end of November.

The driver of the pickup escaped un injured. Please obey posted closures and other hazard warning signs and don’t try

Paving operations in Snake River Canyon cause delays

JACKSON – The Wyoming Depart ment of Transportation and contract crews from Avail Valley Construction paved a wearing course on US 89 through the Snake River Canyon from mileposts 127 to 132.

Traffic during the day and evenings was reduced to a single, alternating lane with a pilot car, under the direction of flaggers and traffic control devices. No work took place over the Labor Day holi day weekend.

Following the completion of the pav ing operations, the road was striped.

Crews worked to accommodate drivers during morning commuter hours, but drivers were advised to expect delays up to 20 minutes and to plan accordingly.

District 4

Paving operations from Burgess Junction to Cutler Hill on US 14

SHERIDAN – The Wyoming Depart ment of Transportation and its contractor Mountain Construction began milling an 8-mile section of US 14 between Burgess Junction and Cutler Hill on Sept. 19.

Milling began on the west end of the project at milepost 57.27 and proceed east to milepost 65.01.

Motorists encountered delays with flagging operations, a pilot car, reduced speed limits and one lane of travel.

Both lanes of travel were open after work hours with areas of milled surface.

Milling operations were expected to take approximately a week to complete with paving to follow.

This project has a completion date of Oct. 31.

I-90/US 16 interchange bridge repair, short term road closure

BUFFALO – The Wyoming Depart ment of Transportation and its contractor, S&S Builders, LLC, repaired damages to a bridge on I-90 in Buffalo.

The bridge was damaged in July 2021 when a high-profile truck traveling southbound on US 14/16 struck a portion of the I-90 bridge, causing damage to the structure. The damage resulted in the closure the driving lane of the eastbound lane of I-90 at milepost 58.65.

The extent of the damage included a portion of the bent cap being broken off, and severe damage to the outside girder, a primary support system of the bridge. Upon inspection, it was determined the passing lane of the bridge structure was sound and allowed for traffic to be de toured to the passing lane.

S&S Builders, LLC did preliminary work at the end of August in preparation for repairing the bent cap and replacing the girder. Removal of the girder required the contractor to temporarily close US 14/16 on Sept. 1 to remove the girder. The new girder was replaced with another short-term road closure. A detour was put

in place.

The bridge repairs are scheduled to be complete by Oct. 31.

US 14 Ranchester bridge to switch to one-way traffic with signal

SHERIDAN – The Wyoming Depart ment of Transportation and its Contrac tors, Reiman Corp. and High Country Construction, have completed work on the eastbound lane of the new Ranchester bridge on US 14 and switched traffic onto the new bridge section on Sept. 6.

All traffic is now using the new east bound lane. Vehicles are encountering a traffic signal at both the east and west ends of the project area which, directing one-way traffic over the bridge. The post ed speed limit is 20 mph.

Wait times at the signals will be ap proximately 2 minutes but adjusts accord ingly depending on traffic volume.

Once traffic is switched over to the new bridge, the joint venture will demol ish the existing bridge and begin work on the westbound lane.

Work is behind schedule but expected to be completed by spring 2023.

Thermoplastic marking operation in northeast Wyoming

SHERIDAN – The Wyoming Depart ment of Transportation and its contractor, Traffic Safety Services, placed thermo plastic markings at various locations around northeast Wyoming.

Work began on Aug. 29, in Sheridan, on I-90 at the Piney Creek Interchange.

This mobile operation moved quick ly through Sheridan and moved east to

Briefs continued on page 6

to drive around or through construction areas.

A pick-up driver ignored road closure signs, driving into a construction zone, causing ex tensive damage to recently placed deck forms and one of the structure’s diaphragms.

Photo: Jeff Goetz

District 3

A pilot car waiting to guide a line of cars through the construction zone.

Photo: Stephanie Harsha

A view of the westbound traffic signal at the new US 14 Ranchester bridge detour.

Photo: Laura Dalles

Newcastle. Highway portions included I-90, in Sheridan and Gillette; WYO 59; WYO 50; WYO 51; WYO 387, near Wright; US 14 and WYO 585, near Sun dance; US 85; US 16; and US 16 BUS near Newcastle.

During the week of Aug. 30-Sept. 6, the contractor moved operations to Gil lette on WYO 59 at night. Closures were from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.

The project completion date was Sept. 12.

District 5

Signs, other items not allowed on state-owned right-of-way fences

RIVERTON – The Wyoming Depart ment of Transportation reminds citizens that all items, including signs and lights, cannot be placed in the state right-of-way, or on state right-of-way fences.

The state right-of-way is the strip of land next to the roadway that is either owned by the government, or held by the government through a permanent easement so the highway can legally pass through an area. This includes the state right-of-way fence, which in Wyoming is placed a foot inside the private property line to allow the state to perform main tenance on the state-owned fence. State right-of-ways are the property of the state of Wyoming, and are maintained by WYDOT.

“There is a good reason why signs, lights and other items are not allowed in side state right of ways or on state right of way fences,” said Wyoming Department of Transportation maintenance foreman Shane Pugh of Riverton. “Motorists be come distracted by these little signs, lights and illegally-placed reflectors, when in fact, their eyes should be focused on the road.”

Wyoming law and WYDOT policy prohibits placement of signs and other items inside the state right-of-way or on fences. WYDOT maintenance crews pick up signs, lights and other items and take them to the area maintenance office. Whomever owns the sign or other items has two weeks to claim the items, or they will be taken to the nearest landfill.

This procedure also applies to people

who erect private memorials within the state right of way, or decorate an existing roadside memorial sign.

Business people and citizens who be lieve their items may have been removed by WYDOT crews may contact the near est WYDOT maintenance office to make arrangements to pick up the items.

“Our concern is for the safety of mo torists,” Pugh said.

The WYDOT hot-mix asphalt patch ing work took about two days to com plete.

The WYDOT paving operation con sists of a paving crew, a roller operator and numerous WYDOT trucks hauling hot asphalt.

Passing lane pavement improvement project east of Shoshoni underway

THERMOPOLIS – Work is under way on passing lane paving improvements between Moneta and Waltman east of Shoshoni on US 20/26.

The $4.64 million project includes asphalt pavement surfacing, chip sealing, traffic control and other work on the entire width of the highway at seven sets of passing lanes and inside the Waltman Rest Area.

Prime contractor Knife River of Casper began work Sept. 6.

“Motorists should expect traffic delays of up to 20 minutes. Traffic will be moved through the work zones with pilot vehicles,” said Wyoming Department of Transportation resident engineer Kaia Tharp of Thermopolis.

Project completion date is June 30, 2023.

Pavement improvement/ culvert install between Kinnear, Ethete

LANDER – A $1.683 million pave ment improvement/culvert installa tion project is underway on WYO 132 between Kinnear and Ethete through Johnstown Valley.

The project includes replacement of a 36-inch culvert and installation of three additional 36-inch culverts to handle future spring water flows along WYO 132. Other work includes asphalt pavement surfacing, milling, chip sealing, drainage and other work on 2.1 miles of highway between Kinnear and Ethete.

Prime contractor on the project is 71 Construction, of Casper.

“The contractor’s schedule calls for culvert replacement and installation at milepost 15.80, including dirt grading and placement of crushed gravel base,” said Wyoming Department of Transpor tation resident engineer Erik Smith of Lander.

Contract completion date is Aug. 31, 2023. n

CODY – A Wyoming Department of Transportation asphalt paving crew patched sections of US 212 between US 212’s junction with WYO 296 and the Wyoming-Montana state line.

Illegally-placed lights, reflectors and other items placed on the state-owned right-of-way fencing west of Riverton.

Photo: Cody Beers

Paving crew applies hotmix patching on US 212/ Beartooth highway

WYDOT hot-mix paving crew.

Photo: Cody Beers

Employee Safety Chain safety

By Eric Garris, District 2 Safety Representative

There is a great deal of information to unpack when discussing chains and the intentional effort to use them safely. Recently, a chain was selected for a task it was not designed, or rated for, and result ed in damage to a light on a loader when it broke. Had a worker been anywhere near the chain when it broke, they would have been severely injured or killed.

Chains are commonly used because of their strength, simplicity, and ability to adapt to the shape of the load being used. Focused attention, and proactive care should be taken when using chains because sudden shocks will damage them. Misuse of chain slings could damage the chain, resulting in failure and possible severe injury to an em ployee and damage to equipment.

All sling types must be physically and visually inspected prior to use. When inspecting steel chain slings, pay special attention to any stretching, excessive wear, discoloration, deformities, nicks and gouges. These signs indicate that the sling may be unsafe and must be removed from service.

Here are a few fun words from OSHA about chains and their use:

1910.184(d) – Inspections. Each day before being used, the sling and all fastenings and attachments shall be inspected for damage or defects by a competent person designated by the employer. Additional inspections shall be performed during sling use, where service conditions warrant. Damaged or defective slings shall be immediately removed from service.

1910.184(e)(3)(i) – In addition to the inspection required by paragraph (d) of this section, a thorough periodic inspection of alloy steel chain slings in use shall be made on a regular basis, to be determined on the basis of (A) frequency of sling use; (B) severity of service conditions; (C) nature of lifts being made; and (D) expe rience gained on the service life of slings used in similar circumstances. Such in spections shall in no event be at intervals greater than once every 12 months.

1910.184(e)(3)(iii) – The thorough inspection of alloy steel chain slings shall be performed by a competent person designated by the employer, and shall include a thorough inspection for wear, defective welds, deformation and increase in length. Where such defects or dete rioration are present, the sling shall be immediately removed from service.

1910.184(c)(4) – Slings shall not be loaded in excess of their rated capacities.

Use the correct chain and attachments for the task you are doing. Lifting chains are intended only for lifting and will be inspected before use, monthly, and re-certified annually. If there is a question about the condition of the chain or which chain to use, ask your supervisor. Never use a lifting chain to secure a load for transport. This will compromise the load being transported, endanger the workers handling the load, and expose the traveling public to the hazard during transport.

When storing chains, always hang them in a dry place so air can circulate around them to help keep them dry, clean, and from being a hazard otherwise. Lifting chains will be kept separate from other chains and easily distinguished from other chains. Consider other options such as nylon straps and slings, which are in most cases significantly lighter, easier to inspect, and identify defects.

Contact Employee Safety or your District Safety Representa tive for more information and guidance. n

This chain was chosen for a task that it wasn’t meant to be used for – it failed.

Photo: WYDOT

District 2 wrapping up construction projects by end of season

As we near the end of the 2022 construction season, there are several active contract jobs within District 2. Most are on sched ule and will be completed by the end of the season. The season has been successful despite some challenges.

“In general we are happy with the amount of work completed,” said District Construction Engineer Mark Williams. “Also happy with the material and supply issues and labor shortages that have been overcome or mitigated by the (road construction) industry.”

Material shortages did affect some of the work, although delayed, all deliveries were eventually made.

The projects are listed by their location, project name and project number.

• I-25 Glendo Marginal (I252169 NHPPI 2): Paving south bound lanes began mid-September. Expected to reopen to traffic in October.

• I-25 Douglas Marginal Bridge and Girders (B222012, B222016, B222034): Southbound lane bridge work nearly complete and grading/sloping guardrail replacement contin ues. Expected to reopen to traffic in November. Minor work off the roadway will be ongoing over the winter. Northbound lanes bridge work begins spring 2023.

• I-25 Horse Ranch Creek section (I254159 NHPPI): Approach slab work and Class II repair finishing at bridges. Asphalt milling and paving is nearing complete. Major work should be completed by the end of September.

• I-25 over Walsh Drive (I254150): Bridge replacement on schedule. Concrete deck work mostly complete. Concrete pavement work has begun approaching the bridge. Work will continue over winter. Anticipate opening to traffic by end of 2022.

• I-25 Sign Replacement Various Locations (B222029): Loca tions between Douglas and Casper completed.

• WYO 254 Salt Creek Highway Bridge Rehabilitation (B222001): In-place bridge forms installed. One vehicle crash Sept. 8 has damaged forms and other components. Bridge De partment to inspect second week of September. Completion delayed indefinitely. Other bridges under Project Number B22002 completed or work ending for winter season.

• District 2 Contract Patching Various Locations (B212014): All paving in the northern portion of the district has been completed. This includes locations on WYO 487, WYO 220, US 20/26, and I-25. In the southern portion, US 85 patching has been completed in Niobrara County. The Wheatland I-25 Business Loop job will begin later but is planned for comple tion by the end of October.

• US 20 Orin Jct. to Lost Springs Rehabilitation (N401018): Remaining work to be completed 2023.

• US 26 Guernsey to Ft. Laramie Bridge Rehabilitation (N271037): Paving complete. Other major road work com pleted. Return to traffic by the end of September.

• US 287/WYO 789 Jeffrey City West Overlay and Chip Seal (N202074 NHPP 2): Aggregate crushing under way. Milling scheduled for mid-September with pavement overlay in Octo ber. Chip seal work scheduled for spring 2023.

• WYO 34 Bosler to Wheatland Overlay and Chip Seal (0109027): Aggregate processing and paving in October with chip seal work scheduled in 2023.

• WYO 59 Highland Loop Turn Lane (N431038 NHPP 2): Roadwork complete. Cleanup work and fencing nearing com pletion.

• Natrona County CR 106 Bridge Rehabilitation (CN01064): Completing final details. n

Photo: Jeff Goetz

The I-25 bridge over Walsh Drive in Casper is making headway toward completion.

Part of the I-25 job north of Casper (Horse Ranch Creek section). The interchange is called the Horse Ranch Creek interchange, or the junction with WYO 259.

Photo: Jeff Goetz

Veteran healthcare fliers now in WY rest areas

VA partners with WYDOT to increase awareness

By Jordan Achs

Over Labor Day Weekend, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the State of Wyoming announced the launch of a new pilot program to connect veterans in rural areas with telehealth and mental health resources.

The Wyoming Department of Transportation and Wyoming State Parks posted fliers at rest areas across Wyoming. The fliers include information about veterans’ telehealth options, the clos est VA location, and the Veterans Crisis Line – showing veterans how to access care for both physical and mental health needs.

“Thank you so much for your partnership and enthusiasm to support the rest area campaign!” said Sara Alder, Communi ty Telehealth Access Coordinator for the VA Rocky Mountain Network, in a thank-you letter to WYDOT. “I know this will have a positive impact on our veterans.”

The campaign involved the state of Wyoming as an early adopter because of its smaller, rural population, which can make options like telehealth critical for meeting healthcare needs. Ad ditionally, Wyoming sees high-levels of commercial and tourist traffic, making the rest areas a great location to increase exposure to offerings for veterans nationwide.

VA worked closely with WYDOT to provide the information at 33 rest areas across the state.

“WYDOT is happy to take part in any initiative that helps support and take care of our veterans,” said WYDOT Director

Wyoming does not shy away when it comes to honoring or helping our nation’s veterans. I-25 is designated the Wyoming Vietnam Veterans Welcome Home Highway.

Luke Reiner in an Aug. 30 VA news release.

He added that both tourist and local drivers “could benefit from these services, and this is a great way to ensure they know what options are available.”

VA also worked closely with State Parks to place fliers at rest areas within their jurisdiction as a way to “promote the mental health benefits of spending time outdoors,” according to the same news release.

After rolling out the project in Wyoming, VA plans to contin ue the initiative in other rural states. n

Veterans: Do you need care?

Access your VA team through Video Telehealth with the VA Video Connect app, you can conduct real-time video appointments with your VA provider. Quickly and easily meet with your VA care team over a secure and private video connection using your smartphone, computer, or tablet.

Find

Smartphone Users:

1. Open the Camera app from the Home Screen, Control Center, or Lock Screen.

2. Select the rear facing camera. Hold your device so that the QR code appears in the viewfinder in the Camera app. Your device recognizes the QR code and shows a notification.

3. Tap the notification to open the link associated with the QR code.

How do I get started with VA Video Connect?

1. Talk with your VA provider to see if telehealth is a good fit for your care.

2. Learn more at: mobile.va.gov/app/va-video-connect.

3. For help setting up VA Video connect on your device, call the office of Connected Care Help Desk at 866-651-3180.

4. To test your mobile device with VVC Chatbot, text ‘V’ to 83293 or 323-621-3589.

VA Telehealth

If you are having a Medical OR Mental Health Emergency, please dial 911 or the Veterans Crisis Line for immediate assistance.

Photo: WYDOT

Looks like we got ourselves a convoy

By Mark Horan

Law enforcement and truck drivers joined forces on Sept. 24 in Cheyenne for an annual truck convoy fundraiser for Special Olympics Wyoming.

This year’s convoy was comprised of 72 semi-trucks partici pating, which ran a roughly 25-mile route along portions of I-25, US 85/South Greeley Highway, College Drive and Four-Mile Road.

The event began and ended at the WYDOT Headquarters complex.

A team from the Wyoming Highway Patrol led the event, with assistance from several local law enforcement and emergency agencies.

Cathy Bisiar, Wyoming Special Olympics Director of Law Enforcement Torch Run, expressed her gratitude to the team for their generosity and willingness to volunteer.

“All the planning and organizing the team did over the past couple of months made this event extremely successful in many different ways,” Bisiar told WHP in an email.

“A big thank you to you all – you did it with the heart and passion for Special Olympics Wyoming athletes and that is why this fundraising event was so awesome,” Bisiar said.

More than $13,000 in registration money was raised. Proceeds will help support more than 1,600 youth and adults with intellec tual disabilities competing in Special Olympics Wyoming sports.

Thirty-two states and two Canadian provinces in hold similar convoys each year.

The event has taken place in Wyoming since 2005. n

After looping around Cheyenne, convoy participants returned to the WY DOT complex and enjoyed socializing at an awards ceremony lunch. Pictured to the right is WHP Sgt. Jason Sawdon making an acquain tance.

Photo: Mark Horan

Photo: WHP

Photo: Mark Horan

Awards

WYDOT, University of Wyoming receive 2022 High Value Research Award

By Mark Horan

The American Association of State Highway and Transpor tation Officials (AASHTO) has selected a team from WYDOT and the University of Wyoming to receive a 2022 High Value Research Award.

The team received a supplemental award in the Safety, Secu rity and Emergencies category for their research project entitled Human Machine Interface for Connected Vehicle: Requirements, Development and Assessment.

Members for the project were WYDOT’s GIS/IT Program Manager Vince Garcia and his team, along with UW Researchers Dr. Mohamed Ahmed, Dr. Sherif Gaweesh, Biraj Subedi, Omar Raddaoui, and Guangchuan Yang.

One of the key components of the project is the Human Ma chine Interface (HMI) that delivers real-time geo-specific basic safety and traveler information messages to drivers participating in Wyoming’s Connected Vehicle Pilot Project.

The study aimed to develop a well-designed HMI that has the

New FHWA Wyoming Division Administrator

Carlos Machado is the new Wyoming Division Administrator for the Federal Highway Adminis tration (FHWA) effective Oct. 9.

He has served as Division Administrator at the FHWA Rhode Island Division since June 2, 2013. As a member of the Agency’s Leadership Team, he led a multi-level disciplinary professional staff and was responsible for advancing national goals and directing the delivery of the challenging Federal-aid program for the state of Rhode Island.

He graduated in 1985 from Gama Filho University, Rio de Janei ro-Brazil, with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. He has worked 20 years in the private sector in various roles, including civil/trans portation/structural engineer, project manager, and vice-president of operations. In 1998, he graduated with a master’s degree in business administration (MBA) in leadership and management from Brigham Young University.

Machado joined the FHWA Eastern Federal Land Division in Ster ling, Virginia, in July 2000, where he served two years. The following seven years he held various progressive positions, including major project manager in the Utah Division, chief operations officer in the California Division, and deputy division administrator in the Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands Division.

He has been the recipient of numerous performance and honor awards, including four consecutive years of FHWA Administrator’s Award Excellence in Teamwork Award. Machado and his wife, Lia, are both originally from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and have three adult children, two granddaughters and one grandson. n

potential to provide drivers with proac tive decision-making supports by mini mizing distraction.

In order to achieve this, the stakeholders of the Wyoming CV Pilot were interviewed, E-training modules were developed, and driving simulator testbeds were designed keeping in mind the needs, preferences and regulations of the stakeholders. Twenty professional truck drivers, as well as ten highway troopers from the Wyoming Highway Patrol participated in this study.

Recommendations from the study were implemented by WYDOT.

Congratulations to everyone involved in this project. n

The acting FHWA Wyoming Division Administrator Monica Gourdine presented WYDOT a plaque for Environmental Excellence to Executive Staff at the September Transportation Commission meeting. (From left: Director Luke Reiner; Chief Engineer Mark Gillett; Gourdine; and Assistant Chief Engineer, Engineering and Planning Keith Fulton.)

The physical award follows news of the award for the Snake River Bridge Reconstruction and Wildlife Crossing Integration project on WYO 22 and WYO 390 in District 3. The Snake River Bridge project write-up was featured in the June 2022 issue of Interchange.

Photo: Doug McGee

Machado

HR Happenings

Open Enrollment begins this month

It is the most wonderful time of year: Open Enrollment!

Open Enrollment runs from Oct. 1 through Nov. 30. Your benefit elections will be effective Jan. 1, 2023.

Keep in mind, your elections will be binding unless you experience a “quali fying event.” Please go to the HR page on the intranet (https://employees.dot.state. wy.us/home/hr/hr-toolbox.html) or reach out to your HR rep for more information.

The HR team has some new faces, please feel free to stop by your HR office to meet the team that supports WYDOT.

HQ: Cristina Taylor-HR Manager

Stacie West-Deputy HR Manager

Kevin Jackson-Sr. HR Coordinator

Liz Guille-Sr. HR Associate

Tina Borgaard-Sr. HR Associate

Dallas Vossler-Sr. HR Associate

Courtney Herceg-Sr. HR Associate

Training

WYDOT’s Employee Development

By Jim Boyd, Training Services

The new fiscal year is upon us and it’s a good time to write about the upcoming development opportunities scheduled through WYDOT University.

Why take the time to attend a formal development opportu nity, you ask? 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, but even if it doesn’t, it still matters.

Our WYDOT University workshops are meant to help you develop your personal and leadership potential. They are based on the development stages of Leading Self, Leading Others and Leading the Agency.

This upcoming year, we’ve focused on the following:

Trust, Teamwork and Relationships in the Leading Self catego ry; Team building, Motivating Others and Managing Conflict in the Leading Others category; and Leadership, Decision Making and Training Others in the Leading the Agency category.

D1: Ellen Tiegen-Sr. HR Associate

D2: Keri Long-Sr. HR Associate

D3: VACANT

D4: Jenny Sullivan-Sr. HR Associate

D5: Kari Davis-Sr. HR Associate n

There are also formal learning opportunities related to the above topics in the form of:

Learning Tracks or Learning Themes (curated on-line con tent), Wishlist courses (courses that can be scheduled if enough employees enroll), and RoadShow opportunities (courses we can bring to any Wyoming location).

Vocational or Technical courses are available now through the Transportation Curriculum Coordination Council (TC3) and LinkedIn Learning Library, plus new Transportation Learning Network (TLN) webinars will be added monthly.

All of the above development opportunities, whether online or in-person, can be found in WYDOT’s Learning Management System, the WELL. Online content can be accessed anytime, while employees can enroll in any of the scheduled or wishlist classes.

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

If you have additional questions, please contact Training Ser vices at dot-training@wyo.gov or give any of our team members a call. n

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

8:30 am-11:30 am VILT

8:30 am-4:30 pm Cheyenne

8:30 am-4:30 pm Rock Springs

8:30 am-4:30 pm Cheyenne

8:30 am-11:30 am VILT

Travel & Tourism

Top media placements garner attention for Wyoming attractions and places of interest

True West Magazine ranked Casper’s National Historic Trails Interpretive Center third among its list of Top Western Museums of 2022, mentioning the museum’s 20th anniversary this year and calling out the new “The Battle of Red Buttes” exhibit. Other Wyoming museums mentioned in this article include Museum of the Mountain Man (Pinedale), Little Snake River Museum (Sav ery), Campbell County Rockpile Museum (Gillette), Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum (Cheyenne), Nelson Museum of Western Art (Cheyenne), and Cody Firearms Museum (Cody).

Lovell was among the destinations featured in Tribune News Services’ syndicated article “Can’t decide on your next family va cation? Start here,” The article was syndicated in 28 news outlets, including MSN.com.

Lonely Planet included a treasure trove of Wyoming gems in its July 3rd “Pack up and set out on these wild Wyoming Road Trips” article including: Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, Jackson (National Elk Refuge, Guided Sleigh Ride Tours), Dubois (National Bighorn Sheep Center), Pilot Butte Wild Horse Scenic Tour, Fort Laramie-Fort Bridger State Historic Site, Casper (National Historic Trails Interpretive Center), Besse

mer Bend National Historic Site, Independence Rock, Fort Bridg er State Historic Site, Astoria Hot Springs, Thermopolis (Hot Springs State Park, Star Plunge, Wyoming Dinosaur Center), Saratoga (Hot Springs Resort), Kemmerer (Fossil Butte National Monument, Fossil Lake, American Fossil, Greybull (Bighorn Basin Geoscience Center), Red Gulch Dinosaur Tracksite, and more.

July also showcased a robust proactive media relations effort to stent cancellations within and around Yellowstone as a result of the torrent of flood-related media coverage. Results from that campaign included among others: an Outside Magazine article “If you want to see Yellowstone Without the Crowds This is the Summer To Do It,” National Parks Traveler feature “Lodges, Campgrounds Reopening in Yellowstone National Park,” Father ly’s “Yellowstone is now open. Time to Book a Last-Minute Get away,” and a video news release that was picked up throughout the month by 31 broadcast news stations throughout the country in markets such as Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta, Houston, Phoenix, Seattle, Denver, Portland, San Diego, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Austin, Omaha and Salt Lake City. n

Domestic trade familiarization tour of Bighorn Basin

“Wow, I had no idea there was so much in this area.” Those words seemed to be the overwhelming sentiment as nine tour operators representing seven different group travel companies spent the week of Aug. 21 touring much of the Bighorn basin.

The familiarization tour was able to highlight Cody as a great gateway to Yellowstone National Park, offering access to two entrances. They were able to spend time at the Heart Moun tain Interpretive Center, learn about the agriculture tours, malt industry and try local craft beer in Powell before exploring the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area and the town of Lovell and Cowley.

Next up was the scenic drive of both US 14 and US 14A before visiting Shell and Greybull. From there they were immersed in the history of the area by visiting Medicine Lodge Archaeological Site, the Washakie Museum and Cultural Center, Hot Springs

State Park, the Wyoming Dinosaur Center and Legend Rock State Petroglyph Site, along with taking a float through the Wind River Canyon. Of course, they experienced many great local meals, treats and surprises along the way. It was a jam packed week, but the fruits of it are already paying off as two companies are already working on Mystery Tour itiner aries for 2023 in the area and the others are looking at new options to existing itineraries.

Global Partnerships team explores state with representatives

The Global Partnerships team hosted the international repre sentatives through The Great American West during the week of Sept. 12. Overall, there were seven international representatives and two members from the Rocky Mountain International team, who explored the destinations of Laramie, Saratoga, Lander, Thermopolis, Lovell, Sheridan, Casper and Cheyenne, with many pit stops and pictures along the way. The representatives left the FAM feeling inspired and eager to showcase Wyoming to their

in-market tour oper ators and to increase Wyoming product offerings. n

Photo: Wyoming Office of Tourism

Photo: Wyoming Office of Tourism

Game & Fish

Game and Fish gears up for more CWD monitoring

For 2022, samples are requested across Wyoming in key deer and elk hunt areas, and six deer hunt areas are mandatory for samples.

By Sara DiRienzo, Wyoming Game and Fish CHEYENNE – The Wyoming Game and Fish Department needs help from hunters again this fall to collect lymph node samples from deer and elk for chronic wasting disease testing. For 2022, samples are requested across Wyoming in key deer and elk hunt areas, and six deer hunt areas are mandatory for samples.

The department has tracked the distribution and prevalence of CWD since 1997 to better understand how it affects the health of Wyoming’s deer and elk populations. Hunter-submitted sam ples are crucial to managing the disease in wildlife herds.

“Game and Fish is requesting samples from herds we’ve not addressed in a while, where we are trying to get a significant sample size so we can accurately determine what the CWD prevalence is in these herds,” said Hank Edwards, Game and Fish Wildlife Health Laboratory supervisor.

“Mandatory areas are geared to places where it is difficult to get an adequate number of samples,” Edwards said. “Last year’s mandatory areas went very well. We had great compliance by the public and we were able to meet our surveillance goals. We couldn’t have done that without the public’s support.”

Hunters outside of this year’s focused surveillance areas can still submit a sample for testing. 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. The department can take a sample at any open game check station, the Game and Fish Headquarters or regional offices from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

As thanks for their efforts, hunters who sub mit testable lymph node samples are entered into a raffle to win top-notch prizes

Results from CWD testing are available online within three weeks. The only way for hunters to get results of their deer or elk’s CWD test will be to check online through the Game and Fish website. 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.

give the department information to inform future management actions — such as license types offered, license quotas, seasons and future disease monitoring protocols. CWD has been detected in most deer hunt areas throughout the state.

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 Laborato ry with testing.

Hunters also need to be aware of Wyoming carcass transport and disposal rules to prevent the spread of CWD within Wyo ming 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.

• Cut and wrapped meat; edible portions with no portion of the spinal column or head attached.

• Cleaned hide without the head attached; finished taxidermy mounts; skull, skull plate or antlers that have been cleaned of all meat and brain tissue; and/or teeth.

For 2022, Game and Fish is asking hunters to submit samples from within deer (mule and white-tail) hunt areas as well as elk hunt areas. Deer hunt areas 59, 60, 64, 65, 157 and 171 are mandatory testing areas for CWD.

Continued monitoring of CWD over time is important to help Game and Fish under stand the impacts of the disease on deer and elk. Samples also

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 taxider my mounts. All hunters need to check with their home states for the rules about importing deer, elk or moose from Wyoming. Evidence of sex, species and horn or antler devel opment retention is still required as per regula tions.

Photo: WYDOT

More information and resources for hunters on CWD are available on the Game and Fish CWD webpage.

Game and Fish Commission invests more dollars for wildlife crossings

By Sara DiRienzo, Wyoming Game and Fish

CHEYENNE – The Wyoming Game and Fish Commission met in Buffalo for its September meeting. The Commission once again invested in wildlife crossings to help prevent vehicle collisions with big game, voting to put $500,000 toward the Kem merer wildlife crossing project on US Highway 189. The project

– consisting of underpasses, an overpass and game fencing – will help prevent collisions with mule deer and pronghorn and create a safer road for drivers.

“This is a good start from the Commission. I encourage others to step up with their contributions to support this important project for wildlife,” Commissioner Pete Dube said. n

Whether he’s on the mountain highways of northwest Wyoming Game & Fish Warden Jordan Winter Clicks It — Every Time, Every Ride!

“Don’t be that guy that doesn’t wear one. Be smart. Be cool. Be safe.”

Wyoming Game & Fish Warden Jordan Winter of Powell

Ever

Ever

Buckle Up!

District News Headquarters

Welcome

Graham Bernosky, Financial Services-Disbursements; Samuel Brackett, Planning-Local Government Coordination; Danny Cox Jr., PatrolSafety and Training; Clancy Gines, Patrol-Safety and Training; Hector Lopez-Lucero, Highway DevelopmentProject Development; Valerie Patmore, Patrol-Safety and Training; Jesse Serna, Materials-Bituminous; Shelbie Sherard, Highway Project Management Oversight; Shaylin Stein, Right of Way-Property Management; Dominique Thomas, Patrol-Support Services; and Anthony Wallace, IT-Development.

Promotions and Transfers

Melissa Alton-Brunk, BridgeEngineering Design; Chandler Bohnen, Highway Development-Project Development; John Perkins, MaterialsSurfacing; Christopher Schell, PatrolSupport Services Operation; Karmen Warrington, Driver Services-Regional #4; and Emily Worthan, Right of WayAppraisals.

Service

Awards

Lacey Bruckner, ComplianceInvestigation – 25 years;

Kirk Hood, Planning-System Planning – 25 years;

Jennifer Marshall, Patrol-Dispatch –25 years;

Dawn Pratz, Facilities ManagementCustodial – 25 years;

Daniel Sutton, Materials-Surfacing –25 years;

Timothy Devoss, Maintenance Staff – 20 years;

Doug Jensen, Contracts and Estimates – 20 years;

Bret Lamblin, Grants and ContractsAdministration – 10 years; Troy McAlpine, Port of EntryCheyenne – 10 years;

Jacob Smith, Highway DevelopmentProject Development – 10 years; and

Rocky Meyer, Planning-Counter Shop – 5 years.

Retirements

Jonathan Russell retired on Aug. 6 with 14 years of service from the Wyoming Highway Patrol’s Capitol Services Protection section.

Jeff Brown retired on Oct. 4 with 35 years of service to the state. Brown began his career with the old Wyoming Highway Department, WYDOT’s predecessor agency, in June 1987 as a technician on the Laramie Design Squad.

He became the State Highway Development Program Engineer in Cheyenne in July 2016.

Brown, a 1991 University of Wyoming graduate, holds a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering.

Retirement will allow Brown to enjoy more of the outdoors that he enjoys –cycling, kayaking and canoeing.

Congratulations

Christina Spindler has been selected as WYDOT’s Highway Development Program Engineer effective Sept. 26.

She replaces Jeff Brown who retired on Oct. 4.

Spindler was most recently Assistant State Traffic Engineer. n

Scott Prettyman, Emergency Communications-District 1 Radio Shop – 15 years;

Bohnen

Hood

McAlpine

Worthan

Pratz

Jensen Meyer

Schell

Marshall Devoss Smith

16 Interchange n October 2022 Bruckner Sutton Lamblin

Russell Brown Spindler

Safety snapshot

Welcome

Mark Cookson, Laramie Maintenance; Megan Cornia, Highway DevelopmentProject Development-Laramie Design Squad; Lucas Edwards, Highway Development-Project DevelopmentLaramie Design Squad; Keegan Harrison, Highway Development-Project Development-Laramie Design Squad; Kevin Reynolds, Rawlins Maintenance; Caleb Sells, Highway DevelopmentProject Development-Laramie Design Squad; and Silas Wadel, Cheyenne Traffic-Striping.

Promotions and Transfers

Liam Aldridge, Laramie Construction; Reily Engdahl, Laramie Maintenance-Guardrail; and Issac Whitaker, Rawlins Mechanics.

Service Awards

Aaron Spenny, Rawlins Construction – 20 years. n

Employee Safety, all five District Safety Representatives, District 2 maintenance staff and Guardrail crews from D1, D2, and D4 recently conducted fall protection drop training on Tisdale Road near Midwest. This training demonstrated failures of old fall protection equipment found in the field and positive results for the new DBI Sala equipment that is currently being issued. Heaving a 200-pound mannequin off of a bridge deck makes for an exciting workday!

Promotions and Transfers

Todd Greenamyre, Torrington Mechanics.

Service Awards

Shawn Stroud, Patrol-Wheatland – 25 years; and Landon Schaff, Casper Construction – 20 years. n

Photo: WYDOT

District 2

Stroud Schaff

Reynolds Aldridge Whitaker

Wadel

Cookson Engdahl Spenny

Zach Armstrong (left) and Andrew Mathison, technicians with the Casper Mechanic Shop, recently passed several of their Fundamental of Service certifications. Armstrong passed his Welding certification, while Mathison passed General Shop, Electrical, Administration, Pow er Trains, Hydraulics and Welding.

Photo: Terry Uhrich

Sam Keck, technician with the Wheatland Me chanic Shop, passed seven of his Fundamental of Service certifications. Keck completed General Shop, Rigging, Engines, Power Trains, Electrical, Hydraulic and Welding.

October 2022 n Interchange 17 District 1 Photo: Terry Uhrich Brian Parnell (left) and Chris Jepson, techni cians with the Douglas Shop, passed several of their Fundamental of Service certifications. Parnell completed General Shop and Electri cal. Jepson completed General Shop, Engines, Electrical, Power Trains, Rigging and Hydrau lics.

Photo: Terry Uhrich

District 3

Welcome

Luann Chambers, Port of EntryEvanston; Donna Eggleston, Afton Construction; Mary Johnson, Port Of Entry-Evanston; Rocky Nugent, Evanston Mechanics; and Jackie Slaten Jr., Port of Entry-Kemmerer.

Promotions and Transfers

Brandon Shriver, Pinedale Maintenance.

Welcome

Chad Dollick, Patrol-Gillette; Wyatt Larson, Sheridan Traffic-

District 4

Striping; and Pete Prado Jr., Sheridan Maintenance.

Promotions and Transfers

Jeremy Kehrer, Traffic-Signing; and

Welcome

Stephen Cofske, Basin Mechanics; and Laef McCall, Meeteetse Maintenance. n

District 5

A handful of District 5 employees received service awards at the annual employee recognition barbecue in Riverton. In front of the smiling photo bomber were, from left, Thomas Sparks, 5 years; Bruce Thompson, 15 years; Keith Poston, 15 years; Doug Etsinger, 5 years; and Cody Beers (30 years).

Photo: WYDOT

Cody Shop Foreman Chris Hieb (left) presents Cody Mechanic Corey Bozell with his welding certificate and master technician hat. Bozell has passed all of his FOS testing and has his welding certificate to earn continue on to mas ter technician status.

Photo: WYDOT

Larson PhillipsKehrer

18 Interchange n October 2022 Prado Jr. Donahue

Passings

Kenneth J. Collis

Kenneth J. Collis, 92, of Cheyenne, passed away peacefully on Sept. 18, at Davis Hospice.

Collis was born April 1, 1930, in Copperhill, Tennes see. After graduation he joined the U. S. Air Force. He was stationed in Califor nia when he met and married the love of his life, Marilyn R. Miller, on Sept. 1, 1951, at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, California.

They traveled to France, Germany, England, California, New Mexico until he was transferred to F. E. Warren Air Force Base in 1962. The Vietnam veteran retired from the service in 1967.

Collis began his career with the old Wyoming Highway Department in June 1969, as a photographer. He retired in September 1987 with more than 18 years of service.

He was a member of the American Legion Post 6, a lifetime member of BPOE 660 and a 12-year volunteer for the Cheyenne Frontier Days Concessions Committee. Hobbies were photography, golfing, fishing, bowling, boating and dancing with his beautiful wife. Family was always the most important to him.

Services were Sept. 29 in the Lakeview Chapel at Schrader, Aragon and Jacoby Funeral Home with interment in Moun tain View Memorial Park.

Kirk E. Koch

Kirk Edward “Tater” Koch, 64, of Lander, passed away Sept. 3, at the Morn ing Star Manor, Fort Washakie. He was born July 31, 1958 in Ann Arbor, Michigan to Keith Eugene and Barbara Jean Bernice (Bender) Koch.

Koch grew up in Pinckney, Michigan and graduated from Howell High School. He later moved to South Carolina, where he enlisted and served in the U.S. Army

and was honorably discharged his years of service.

Following his discharge from the mili tary he moved to Lander to be close to his dad and remained a Lander resident the rest of his life.

He married Linda Rudd of Lander and had four children. The couple later divorced but remained lifelong friends.

Koch began working for WYDOT in 2012 and was on the Riverton Mainte nance crew until his retirement in March 2020.

Koch also enjoyed carpentry work, and had been a Fremont County Firefight er for more than 30 years, having been deployed to the Yellowstone Fire of 1988 and many others. He also served as fire chief many times.

Koch was passionate about hunting and enjoyed his guns. He was a proud member of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and a lifelong patriot.

A fireman’s memorial service was held Sept. 18. A private family inurnment took place.

Jimmy D. Shapple

Jimmy Dale Shapple, 88, passed away on Aug. 1, due to complications from Covid-19 and demen tia, surrounded by family.

He was born on Jan. 28, 1934, in Gil lette, to Meryl B. Haas and Emmet Shapple.

He was a veteran of the Korean War and had many vivid memories during those years of his life, spending four years on the USS Kearsarge 33 CVA. He enjoyed seeing the world from the top of the car rier and had many experiences he loved to share. Returning home from the Navy, Shapple made Cody his lifelong home near his mother and siblings, working for the city of Cody as a meter reader.

Eventually, he made his way to the old Wyoming Highway Department, WY DOT’s predecessor agency, and began his career in Cody Construction in January 1956. He worked on the Buffalo Bill Cody Scenic Byway (US 14/16/20), including blasting the amazing tunnels. He enjoyed

the camaraderie with his fellow buddies that took him all over the state of Wy oming, creating the current Wyoming infrastructure. During his last years at WYDOT, he oversaw the Chief Joseph Scenic Highway and bridge project. Shapple retired in July 1992 after 36 ac tion-packed years.

He was the Past Exalted Ruler of the Cody BPOE, which rewarded him with the resources to see many beautiful places and meet others that shared the same interests.

Shapple was an avid relic collector, taking in many miles around northern Wyoming scouring the hills for fabulous dusty finds – a passion shared with his brother Roy always trying to outdo the other with their discoveries. He fished the North Fork, Clark and Crandall in the summer every chance he got. Being outside was his passion.

In his retirement, he loved the out doors, walking, cutting wood and experiencing all the Wyoming wilds have to offer. He loved playing poker and was also known for his dry unforgiving wit. He had a very soft heart that truly beat beneath the surface. He lived a very full and fun life that he totally enjoyed.

Merl D. Sorensen

Merl Dean Sorensen, 84, died peace fully July 17, at Spirit Mountain Hospice in Cody, surrounded by family and caregivers.

Sorensen was born to Vilas and Lucille Sorensen Dec. 18, 1937, in Irene, South Dakota, a small, rural community not far from the borders of Nebraska, Minnesota and Iowa. He was the oldest of four children. After the fami ly had lived in Sidney, Montana, through his primary school days, they moved back to South Dakota where he graduated from Ravinia High School in 1955. He went on to attend Huron College in Huron, South Dakota.

He and Thelma Hron were married on Nov. 9, 1957. They had four children, later divorcing in 1978. Sorensen met his second wife, Marilee, in Dubois and

Collis

Koch

Sorensen

Shapple

Outdoors

the two were married on April 29, 1989 and her two children were added to his four children for a nice blended family of eight.

Sorensen relocated to Wyoming in 1979, and in February of that year began his career at the old Wyoming Highway Department in Dubois. He worked for WHD’s Construction and Engineering section, overseeing and running various highway construction projects on US 26/287, from the Shoshone National For est boundary to the Diversion Dam junc tion some 30 miles away. In the spring of 1995, the Dubois office temporarily closed due to lack of construction in the area, so Sorensen transfered to Cody. As a senior construction field and survey specialist, he rounded out his career with WYDOT overseeing and running several state and federal reconstruction and reha bilitation highway projects in and around the Cody area. He retired from WYDOT on March 1, 2003 with 24 years of service to the state.

Sorenson and his family made their home on a beautiful ranch property southwest of Cody near the South Fork of the Shoshone River where he raised the best horse hay in the valley.

Though remembered especially for his integrity, it was his smile, his strong hand shake and his terrific hugs which were

treasured most by friends and loved ones. He loved everything in life: the moun tains, all animals, his dogs and horses, deer, elk, birds and even clouds – he loved absolutely everything. In that way, and with a quiet love of the Lord, Merl con stantly revealed his beautiful heart. It was this selfless, fundamental kindness that filled Merl, and flowed from Merl, every day of his life.

Merl was interred in the Memorial Garden of Christ Episcopal Church in Cody in September, followed by a celebra tion of life at his home.

Clifford R. Willson

Clifford Ray Willson, 80, passed away Friday, Aug. 19, at Ft. Meade VA Medical Center, in Fort Meade, South Dakota.

Willson was born in Des Moines, Iowa on Aug. 18, 1942, to Grant and Margaret (German) Willson.

He married Linda Thompson before being drafted in 1967 to serve in the U.S. Army. He proudly served for two years during the Vietnam War. Upon his return from Vietnam, the couple welcomed a son, Lance in 1969.

He worked as a surveyor for the state of Iowa for many years before he relocat ed to Newcastle. There he worked as a mechanic for the Ford garage for 18 years before going to work for the Wyoming Department of Transportation in Septem ber 1985 as a mechanic. He retired after 18 years due to health reasons.

In 1994, Willson married second wife, Cheryl Varrick, in Newcastle. They re sided in Newcastle until September 2021 when they moved to Box Elder, South Dakota.

He had a passion for golfing and fishing. He spent many hours doing both. In his younger years, he enjoyed hunting and snowmobiling. He had many stories to share about all of them.

Graveside services were held Aug. 26, at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis. n

Willson

Chelsey Lindsay, with the Budget Office, visited Guernsey State Park with her family and snapped this picture-perfect landscape shot.

Photo: WYDOT

Break

Answer to the September 2022 Break Time word search:

KRAZYDAD.COM/PUZZLES

© 2010 KrazyDad.comNeed the answer? http://krazydad.com/mazes/answers

Interchange subscription issue? Update your address:

1)

Add me to

Change my address

Name

Current address City, State,

Previous address City, State, Zip

5300 Bishop Blvd., Cheyenne, WY 82009, or

.

Remove this address; person no longer lives here or is deceased.

Name change, I am a family member of a deceased employee, but I would like to continue receiving Interchange.

Tough

Interchange

Wyoming Department of Transportation

5300 Bishop Blvd. Cheyenne, Wyoming 82009-3340

Address Service Requested

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