September 2015 Interchange by WYDOT

Interchange September 2015, Vol. 43, Issue 9

Employee Satisfaction Survey

Results: WYDOTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a good place to work

Letters

License renewal by mail was prompt; initial call very helpful To Whom It May Concern: During the month of May I was in touch with Cammy (Kidd) of Driver Services in attempts to coordinate the by-mail renewal of my driver license. We are a military family stationed overseas. The only place we have lived together was Cheyenne, and we loved the almost four years we lived there. The prompt response, the kind attention to my requests, and now the receiving of my license in the mail well in time for our next move has warmed my heart to the hopeful eventual return to the great state of Wyoming. Cammy brings great credit to the WYDOT organization and to the state of Wyoming in general. Please pass on my sincere thanks to her supervisors.

Sincerely, Kristy Wells

Big thanks to my WHP and WYDOT Families I wanted to give a big thank you to everyone that has helped me so much the past six months with my medical leaves, surgery and then an unfortunate death in our family. Thank you for your prayers, thoughts, donated sick time, cards, flowers, gifts, food, rides to work and much more. I so greatly appreciate all your kindness and will forever be indebted to you all.

Jaci Gish Casper WHP District 2 Office

Thanks WYDOT family I would like to thank everyone who donated sick leave for my recent back surgery. It took longer than expected and the donated sick leave was greatly appreciated. What is really nice is to work for an organization where this is possible, and for that, I’m very grateful. Thanks again.

Interchange Interchange is published for employees of the Wyoming Department of Transportation by its Public Affairs Office and a number of field correspondents. Interchange invites submissions from all employees. Please send them to either your district correspondents or to: Carlie Van Winkle, Interchange editor, 5300 Bishop Blvd., Cheyenne, WY, 82009-3340. The Public Affairs Office may also be contacted by phoning (307) 777-4165, faxing (307) 777-4289, or sending email to carlie.vanwinkle@wyo.gov

Ray Baird Thermopolis Heavy Mechanic

Staff

Extra Mile

WYDOT Director: John F. Cox

AWARDS

Public Affairs Manager: Doug McGee Editor/Art Director: Carlie Van Winkle

Congratulations to our July recipients! WYDOT salutes the following Director’s Extra Mile Award recipients. The award is presented to individuals who have traveled the “extra mile” in service to WYDOT. Larry Anesi Kevin Brookshire David Burnell Paul Bustos Barry Capron Tim DeVoss

Dennis Goodwin Brian Gorsage Scott Grauberger Molly Johnson David Messman Bill Murphy

Craig Mustard Randy Reynolds Tracey Romero Nate Sainz Lynn Spence Jamie Yount

Contributors: Bruce Burrows Public Affairs Dave Kingham Public Affairs Carlie Van Winkle Public Affairs Ross Doman District 1 Jeff Goetz District 2 Stephanie Harsha District 3 Ronda Holwell District 4 Cody Beers District 5 Sgt. David Wagener Patrol Photography: Rick Carpenter Public Affairs

For more information about the Extra Mile Award or to nominate someone, contact Janet Farrar at janet.farrar@wyo.gov or Mel Anderson at mel.anderson@wyo.gov.

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September 2015

DOT publication

Also in this issue:

Contents

Letters.....................................2 Extra Mile Awards................2 District briefs.........................4

By the Numbers...................7 Noteworthy..........................12 Training at a Glance..........13

District news.......................14 Passings................................18

WTDEA..................................19 Rides..................................... 20 Break Time.......................... 23

8 Employee Satisfaction Survey

Results show improvement in many areas

9 Casper construction update

Projects taking advantage of warm weather

10 Wildlife warning efforts Be sure to check out the online version of Interchange at http://issuu.com/wydot.pao, or click on the link found on the employeeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s internal website home page.

Study finds success with different methods

11 WHP names new colonel

Kebin Haller takes reins of WHP On the cover:

According to the latest survey, WYDOT is a great place to work. Photos: Rick Carpenter

September 2015

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m a go P

District Briefs Cheyenne – Repairs began on U.S. 30 in downtown Cheyenne on Aug. 10. Traffic control was in place to support the project on Lincolnway Avenue between House and Capitol Avenues. The work replaced damaged curb and gutter sections, sidewalk corners, and concrete slabs in sections of the road. The concrete work required single lane closures. The concrete work had a completion date of Sept. 4. The ongoing second phase of the project will place a thin overlay on the road between Capitol and House avenues. The mill and overlay work will be performed at night between the hours of 8 p.m. and 5 a.m. During this time, Lincolnway will be closed to all traffic from Capitol Avenue to House Avenue, including the I-180 overpass. Knife River Corp. of Cheyenne is the prime contractor. The cost is $345,000 and it is federally funded. The full project completion date is Oct. 31.

Road patching operations in Cheyenne and Laramie areas Cheyenne – WYDOT began patching operations at various locations in the Cheyenne area on Aug. 17. The entirety of patching work should be completed by mid-September. Ramp closures included: n I-80 eastbound to I-25 northbound ramp; n I-25 northbound to I-80 westbound

ramp;

n West Lincolnway on-ramp to I-25

southbound;

n I-25 southbound to Missile Drive

eastbound ramp; and

n Horse Creek Interchange, all ramps.

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Ramps were closed for no more than four days. Other non-ramp work included patching on Missile Drive from the I-25 structure to Westland Road and I-25 north- and southbound over the structures at Lake Absarraca. This non-ramp work was completed one lane at a time with minor delays. Patching in the Laramie area included Grand Avenue between 30th and Boulder Drive. This includes curb and gutter upgrade concrete work. This wide-ranging program utilizes diverse methods to upgrade, repair and bolster the preservation of the state roads. The repairs may involve a mill and overlay, concrete repairs, upgrades to modern ADA standards or other necessary work depending on the location. The contractor for the entire road patching contract is Simon Contractors of Cheyenne. The cost is $2.9 million and it is paid for with state funds.

WYO 220 work at Indian Springs Casper - Two turn lanes will be constructed on WYO 220 at Indian Springs Road, on Casper’s southwest side. Work began Aug. 31. A right turn lane will be installed on northbound WYO 220 and a left turn lane will be installed on southbound WYO 220. The turn lanes will allow traffic to move off the traveling lanes when entering Indian Springs. The contract completion date is Oct. 31, but much of the work should be completed by Sept. 30.

Speed limit increase on I-90 east of Sundance Photo: Ross Doman

Lincolnway Avenue in Cheyenne repaired

traffic. The patching work affected those merging into traffic from Curtis Street, as through traffic was diverted to the driving lane. Speeds were reduced within the affected area.

Curb and gutter upgrade in Laramie on Grand Avenue.

Chip sealing on WYO 130-230 Saratoga – Chip sealing operations concluded on WYO 130-230 the last week of July. The project area includes eight miles between mileposts 12 and 20. WYO 130-230 connects Walcott Junction and the town of Saratoga.

I-25 patching work over Walsh Drive Casper - WYDOT crews performed bridge deck patch work on Aug. 25 on the I-25 bridge over Walsh Drive. The work was in the northbound lanes. The driving lane was left open for

Sundance – An 80 mph speed limit is now in effect on a 17-mile section of Interstate 90 in northeast Wyoming. The increase affects I-90 between the east side of Sundance (milepost 190) and the South Dakota border (milepost 207). Motorists should note that a 75 mph speed limit remains in place on an adjoining 20-mile stretch of I-90 (mileposts 170-190) between Sundance and Inyan Kara (about 15 miles east of Moorcroft). Other sections of I-90 already posted at 80 mph include 64 miles between Buffalo and Gillette and 40 miles between Gillette and Inyan Kara. The 80 mph speed limit is in also in effect on 268 miles of I-25 and 116 miles of I-80. The initial interstate highway speed limit increase to 80 mph occurred in July 2014, following action taken by the Wyoming Legislature. Prior to making the increase, WYDOT undertook detailed

engineering and safety analysis. Factors studied included topography, roadway geometry, traffic types and volumes, and crash statistics. At the time, the Sundance-South Dakota section of I-90 was affected by road improvement work, and WYDOT opted to wait for the work to be completed, in order to undertake additional study, before implementing the speed limit increase.

Temporary traffic signals placed in Hulett area during motorcycle rally prove successful for traffic safety Sundance – WYDOT coordinated safety efforts with the South Dakota Department of Transportation, WHP and other law enforcement agencies for the 75th annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. An estimated 1 million people attended this year’s rally – twice as many as in any of the previous 25 years. In the past, WYDOT added digital message signs (DMS) to existing signage to warn motorists of the heavy motorcycle traffic. This year, in addition to the DMS, WYDOT added three temporary traffic signals at major intersections in the Hulett area to alleviate congestion during the Sturgis Rally and Ham-N-Jam. “We had more traffic going into Hulett on Aug. 5 than I have seen in 15 years working the rally,” said WHP Special Services Squad Co-Commander Lt. Jason Green. “All of the signage and traffic signals helped with the traffic flow, lessening the chances of a crash.” Green credited WYDOT for placing temporary traffic signals at three key intersections in Crook County as well as establishing a traffic queue into Hulett’s Ham-N-Jam festivities. WHP sent additional troopers to northeast Wyoming between July 29 and Aug. 10 accounting for 1,090 stopped vehicles (704 passenger cars, 386 motorcycles). The troopers in the area issued 685 citations and 633 warnings while contacting 1,463 individuals. Assistance with a wide variety of needs from directions to disabled vehicles was provided to 145 motorists. During the Ham-N-Jam event, troopers were successful in helping escort

an ambulance with a motorcyclist having cardiac issues to a waiting helicopter ambulance in Hulett. Only 17 crashes were investigated between July 29 and Aug. 10, involving 10 motorcycle crashes and seven passenger vehicle crashes. Three of those crashes were listed as serious injury. Only two impaired driving arrests were recorded. Fatal crashes in Wyoming headed to Sturgis and during the rally were nonexistent. As traffic was departing home at the end of the rally, four fatalities were investigated in three separate crashes involving motorcycles in Wyoming on Aug. 7. The WYDOT temporary traffic signals were located at the following intersections: n WYO 24 and WYO 110 – the entrance to Devil’s Tower National Monument; n U.S. 14 and WYO 24; and n WYO 111 and WYO 24.

The signals were placed and put into a yellow flash sequence on July 27 and became operational July 28. They were removed Aug. 10.

Vehicle pursuit ends successfully in northeast Wyoming Sundance – WHP Troopers in northeast Wyoming arrested two Colorado residents after a 30-mile pursuit. Both the driver, a 40 year old resident of Greeley, and the passenger, a 47 year old from Denver were taken into custody after leading troopers on the pursuit eastbound on I-90. The pursuit began after a trooper attempted to stop a 1996 Cadillac sedan for speeding 90 mph in a 80 mph zone near milepost 168 on I-90 near Moorcroft. The driver failed to stop for the trooper and chose to accelerate. The pursuing trooper requested stop sticks, an agency-issued tire deflating device, be deployed by another trooper approximately 20 miles further east from the pursuit on I-90. The second trooper was able to successfully deploy the stop sticks on the fleeing Cadillac at milepost 190, just east of Sundance. The driver continued to elude troopers after the front left tire of the Cadillac went flat. Approximately 10 miles after

the car’s tire went flat, the tire separated completely from the rim causing the driver to pull off the highway and stop. Both of the Cadillac’s occupants were taken into custody by the troopers without incident. Troopers discovered multiple Colorado arrest warrants for the driver. The driver was arrested for the warrants, eluding officers, reckless driving, speeding, a revoked license and failure to use a seat belt. The passenger was arrested for misdemeanor marijuana possession and failure to use a seat belt. Both were transported to the Crook County Detention Center in Sundance. Speeds in the pursuit reached 120 mph. No injuries or damage to other vehicles resulted from the pursuit.

Sundance area construction Sundance – Public access to Industrial Road from the east Sundance I-90 interchange reopened Aug. 20. The access was limited to local traffic. The rest area is not scheduled to reopen until late September. Construction work continues at the Sundance Port of Entry, and it is anticipated that access to Industrial Road will need to be closed for approximately one additional week in mid-September to allow for final pavement tie-ins.

Wapiti East highway paving Cody – Asphalt paving was underway on the $3.45 million highway improvement project directly east of Wapiti on U.S. 14-16-20. “Paving is scheduled to take 2-3 weeks, weather permitting,” said WYDOT Resident Engineer Todd Frost of Cody. “Traffic will be controlled by pilot vehicles, with maximum delays of 15 minutes.” Prime contractor is Riverside Contracting, Inc., of Missoula, Mont. The Wyoming Transportation Commission awarded the U.S. 14-16-20 contract to Riverside in May. “All work except the chip seal is tentatively scheduled to be completed about Briefs continued on page 6

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Briefs continued from page 5 Aug. 31,” Frost said. “If the chip seal is not done this year, it will be done next June.” Frost said the contractor is currently working on deck repairs on the North Fork of the Shoshone River bridge near Wapiti, and deck and approach slab repairs at the Trout Creek bridge. “There are traffic signals in place at these locations,” Frost said. “Bridge work is scheduled to be completed in September, with final paving at the Trout Creek bridge scheduled in September.” The Wapiti East project consists of one-inch asphalt pavement leveling, a two-inch pavement overlay and a chip seal, with some minor slope flattening and some pipe replacement and bridge rehabilitation, on 4.45 miles of US 14-1620 from milepost 31.98 to milepost 36.43 between Yellowstone National Park and Cody. Contract completion date is Sept. 30, 2016.

Big Wind River bridge concrete pour; bridge repairs continue in Fremont county Riverton – Bridge repairs continue on the Big Wind River bridge at the south edge of Riverton. Silica fume concrete was poured on the west half of the Big Wind River bridge according to WYDOT Resident Engineer Kaia Tharp of Thermopolis. Repairs on the Big Wind River bridge are part of a $2.935 million bridge rehabilitation program on 11 bridges that started last August in the Big Horn Basin and Fremont County. Tharp and her WYDOT Thermopolis engineering crew are supervising the bridge repair project. Prime contractor is Gerber Construction of Lehi, Utah. The same repairs have also occurred on a second smaller bridge south of the Wind River Casino on WYO 789. “Repairs are critical to the long-term health of these bridges, and these bridges are crucial to transportation in Fremont County,” Tharp said. Other Fremont County bridges slated

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for repairs this summer and fall include a bridge on WYO 131 near Sinks Canyon south of Lander, and a bridge on WYO 789 about 10 miles south of Lander.

Montana homicide suspect located in Wyoming Cody – A suspect wanted in connection with a double homicide on the Crow Indian Reservation in Montana was apprehended on County Road 3LE north of Meeteetse by officers from the Park County Sheriff ’s Office and WHP. Wyoming law enforcement received an alert from Montana law enforcement on July 29 in regard to the homicide. A Park County Sheriff ’s deputy located a vehicle matching the description from the alert near milepost 68 on WYO 120 about 15 miles north of Meeteetse. Due to the nature of the alert, the deputy followed the suspect vehicle until additional law enforcement could arrive. The Park County Sheriff deputy and a WHP trooper stopped the vehicle on the Lower Greybull River Road, 12 miles from WYO 120. A suspect was taken into custody without incident and was transported to the Park County Detention Center in Cody.

U.S. 287 paving underway southeast of Lander Lander – Asphalt paving is underway on a highway and bridge improvement project about 15 miles southeast of Lander on U.S. 287. The 4.66-mile project is located between mileposts 64.27 and 59.61 on U.S. 287. LeGrand Johnson Construction Co. of Logan, Utah, is the prime contractor on the $4.92 million Beaver Creek West project, the second of two projects between Lander and Jeffrey City on U.S. 287. The Beaver Creek East project was built in 2013. WYDOT and the prime contractor have installed signs warning bicyclists and motorcyclists near Lander at the Rawlins Junction (U.S. 287/WYO 28 intersection) and at Sweetwater Station Rest Area (U.S. 287/WYO 135 intersection) of the U.S. 287 highway construction activities. Motorcyclists and bicyclists heading southeast toward Rawlins are encouraged to detour over South Pass on WYO 28, and to U.S. 191 and Rock Springs, or to

ride north and take WYO 135 near Riverton back to U.S. 287 on top of Beaver Rim. Motorcyclists and bicyclists heading toward Lander on U.S. 287 are encouraged to take WYO 135 at the Sweetwater Station Rest Area, drive to Riverton and then Lander on WYO 789. “The safety of bicyclists and motorcyclists continues to be a top priority through this project,” said WYDOT Resident Engineer Erik Smith of Lander. “WYDOT’s mission charges us with maintaining a safe, high quality and efficient transportation system, and that’s our goal with the Beaver Creek West project.” The scope of work for the Beaver Creek West highway improvements include grading, draining, milling asphalt plant mix, removal of concrete, placing crushed base and asphalt pavement surfacing, chip sealing, bridge rehabilitation, guardrail, fencing and other work on 4.66 miles on U.S. 287 beginning at milepost 59.61 between Muddy Gap and Lander. Contract completion date for the U.S. 287 highway and bridge improvements is June 30, 2016.

County stock pass bridge repairs near Ten Sleep; remainder of project nearing completion Ten Sleep – Highway and bridge improvements are near completion on the $11.14 million project in Ten Sleep and west of the Washakie County town on U.S. 16, and as part of the project, repairs on Washakie County’s stock pass bridge on the west edge of Ten Sleep were completed. Bridge subcontractor CC&G, Inc., of Lander, worked on the Washakie County Road 580A bridge Aug. 10-20, while the bridge was closed to traffic. “Washakie County is paying for the bridge repairs on Washakie County Road 580A, and the repairs will bring the bridge up to a safe standard,” said WYDOT Resident Engineer Dan McAfee of Worland. Washakie County paid $41,247.00 for the repairs on the Washakie County Road 580A bridge. Some “erosion control” concrete pours were also planned during August throughout the Ten Sleep project. Prime contractor for the Ten Sleep

West project is Oftedal Construction, Inc. The Ten Sleep West project is 3.1 miles of U.S. 16 beginning at milepost 23.74 between Worland and Ten Sleep.

Chip sealing pavement improvement project on WYO 296 Cody – Chip sealing of a 6.6-mile asphalt pavement improvement project north of Cody began the week of Aug. 17 on WYO 296 (Chief Joseph Scenic Highway). The project is located between mileposts 26.41 and 33.20 on WYO 296, and it involves the switchbacks on the Sunlight Basin side of the mountain. The project start is at the bottom switchback near Dead Indian Creek and extends to the summit of Dead Indian Pass. Prime contractor of the $2.72 million project is HK Contractors Inc., of Idaho Falls. The project scope of work includes grading, a one-inch asphalt pavement leveling layer and a two-inch pavement overlay, and chip seal on 6.548 miles of WYO 296. The project completion date is Sept. 30. The WYO 296 pavement improvement project was made possible by revenue from the 10-cent fuel tax increase, passed by the Wyoming Legislature in 2013.

Speed limit 30 mph on 16th Street in Cody Cody – The speed limit is now 30 mph on 16th Street (U.S. 14A) in Cody, according to WYDOT Traffic Engineer Randy Merritt of Basin. The new 30 mph speed limit is in effect from the 16th Street/Sheridan Avenue intersection to the intersection of Big Horn Avenue and North Lane. A school-zone speed limit of 20 mph is being left in place during the times when school children are actively coming to and leaving East Side Elementary School. “The city of Cody requested this change,” Merritt said. “A speed study was performed by WYDOT, and the study showed the 85th percentile speed was between 30 mph and 32 mph. Crash rates are very low on this section of roadway.” Merritt said WYDOT and the city of Cody “are dedicated to ensuring the new speed limit is followed, and speed enforcement will be increased in this area.” n

Total number of employees: as of August 5, 2015

2,003

One month ago

2,026

One year ago

1,997

Pavement improvement project between Ethete and Kinnear Riverton – An 8.21-mile pavement improvement project began Aug. 17 on WYO 132 between Ethete and Kinnear. Prime contractor of the $1.63 million project is Mountain Construction Co., of Lovell. The scope of work for the project includes milling asphalt pavement, paving of 1.75-inch asphalt leveling, chip sealing and other work beginning at milepost 6.98. The contract completion date was Aug. 31.

The best defense against a drunk driver is wearing your seat belt.

September 2015

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Survey shows WYDOT is a good place to work

by Carlie Van Winkle

In June, all WYDOT employees were requested to complete an email survey at their earliest convenience to determine how well the department is doing internally as an organization. The survey garnered much positive feedback from the 818 surveys that were returned. Although the overall response rate declined slightly from the previous employee survey in 2013, the 2015 survey yielded a 50.9 percent response rate and an overall average score of 73.4 percent, up 1.2 percent from the last WYDOTwide survey in 2013. “We changed and modified some of the questions and added some questions to this year’s survey,” said Strategic Performance Improvement Program (SPI) Manager Janet Farrar. “We are happy with the response to all 16 of the questions, old and new.” The 2015 survey included nine new questions, five revised questions and three original questions from the 2013 survey. The survey also changed from a five-point to a three-point rating scale of agree, neutral or disagree. In 2010 and 2013 the survey had a five-point rating scale – strongly agree, agree, neutral, disagree and strongly disagree. “We were extremely glad to see the results on the question, ‘Would you

recommend WYDOT as a good place to work?’ at 79 percent favorable,” Mel Anderson with the Strategic Performance Improvement Program said. “That was up from 64 percent in 2013 which is a big bump. That was a plus. Definitely glad to see that.” The year’s survey shows increases in vital areas with small decreases in others. The SPI Program notes that on average, supervisors rate WYDOT higher than those in non-supervisory roles. Some areas that show a need for improvement include supervisory support for employees in their quest for developing their careers and gaining cooperation from other work groups when needed. Farrar and Anderson are grateful to those who submitted feedback on one or more subject, as that effort helps WYDOT continue to be a great place to work. A comparison of the 2015 to the 2013 survey results, as well as a summary of the 2015 comments can be found on the department website under the Strategic Performance tab. n

A condensed comparison of non-supervisor and supervisor responses to 2015 Employee Survey questions

Non-supervisor Supervisor

I know what is expected of me at work.

85% Agree 89% Agree

I can see a connection between my day-to-day duties and the overall goals of my Program or District.

78%

85%

I have a good understanding of the overall goals of WYDOT.

77%

86%

I feel free in talking with my immediate supervisor about job-related issues.

78%

84%

I believe that the work I do is important.

84%

90%

I have the resources I need to do my job well.

60%

I am able to gain cooperation from other work groups when I need it.

62%

71%

My work group is open to new and better ways of doing things.

61%

74%

My supervisor holds me accountable for what I am supposed to do.

88%

91%

My supervisor acknowledges it when I do good work.

65%

72%

My supervisor and I have talked about ways I can develop in my career.

56%

58%

Would you recommend WYDOT as a good place to work? 76% Yes

Average Rating:

71%

85% Yes

78%

89%

87%

86%

81%

80%

79%

72%

60%

My supervisor holds me accountable for what I am supposed to do.

I know what is expected of me at work.

I believe that the work I do is important.

I feel free in talking with my supervisor about job-related issues.

I see a connection between my duties and overall goals of my Program or District.

I would recommend WYDOT as a good place to work.

I get satisfaction from the work that I do.

I have the resources I need to do my job well.

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September 2015

Graphic: Carlie Van Winkle

2015 Percent Favorable Responses

Casper area construction

by Jeff Goetz

From top left to bottom right: Salt Creek Highway looking south; Salt Creek bridge; Shoshoni Bypass bridge; West Belt Loop Junction looking north; Shoshoni Bypass bridge looking west; and an underpass with greenbelt walkway. Photos: Jeff Goetz

It’s been a busy construction season around Casper and District 2. Several highly visible projects are nearing completion, including the new WYO 257 (West Belt Loop) and the Salt Creek Highway/Shoshoni Bypass project, both in Casper. The West Belt Loop will connect U.S. 20-26 on the northwest side of Casper and Mills to WYO 220 on the city’s southwest side. Initially a two-lane road, the 7.1-mile long highway is being constructed to accommodate a future four-lane divided roadway. In April, work began to pave the highway as well as to improve its junction with U.S. 20-26. Over the summer, crews were finishing that intersection along with completing a new intersection at Robertson Road. The highway is expected to be open for traffic by this winter. Work on WYO 254 (Salt Creek Highway) is nearly finished. The twoseason expansion and rehabilitation of 1.5 miles of the highway and bridge over the Shoshoni Bypass (U.S. 20-26) will accommodate increased commercial traffic in the area, expanding from two lanes to five, and improving access to the Casper Port of Entry. Improvements on the Shoshoni Bypass include new ramps and new surfacing from I-25 to west of Salt Creek. Paving work on a section of southbound I-25 from near Wardwell Interchange (exit 191) to near Poplar Street (exit 188B) will also be finished this season. In 2016, crews will resurface the northbound lanes of the same section of I-25.

The improvements on I-25 aren’t just limited to Casper. A job is under way between Inez Road and La Prele interchanges (exits 146 and 150) northwest of Douglas. The La Prele Interchange is being reconstructed, along with the reclamation and repaving of the northbound lanes and bridges. The project is on-schedule with a contractual completion date of Oct. 31. On WYO 59, turn lanes are being installed at various locations. The work, scheduled for completion by Oct. 31, is occurring at the following locations (Mileposts run northward beginning in Douglas.): n Milepost 5.8 – Left-turn lane southbound and northbound right decelerate/turn lane at Bill Hall Road; n Milepost 8.8 – Left-turn lane south-

bound onto Flat Top Road;

n Milepost 10.8 – Left-turn lane south-

bound; right-turn lane northbound at Walker Creek Road;

n Milepost 15.7 – Left-turn lane south-

bound onto Robinson Road;

n Milepost 22 – Approach work at

Highland Loop. Widening approach (entrance) to 40-feet with new cattle guard;

n Milepost 29.3 – Left-turn lane south-

bound and northbound right-turn lane onto Esau Road; and

n Milepost 35.1 – Continuous left-turn

lane through Bill.

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Photos: WYDOT

Red wildlife warning reflectors dot the sides of the road on more than 20 miles of highway in District 5.

The inexpensive white bags covering the delineator posts are 33 percent more effective than the red reflectors.

Wildlife warning efforts reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions

by District 5 Public Involvement Specialist Cody Beers

Wildlife warning reflectors and canvas bags have proven effective in reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions during a three-year study in three Wyoming counties. WYDOT and the Conservation Research Center of Teton Science Schools conducted the study, which concluded this spring, to evaluate the effectiveness of wildlife warning reflectors on wildlifevehicle collisions in Big Horn, Hot Springs and Fremont counties. WYDOT installed reflectors in several of the worst hot spots for deer-vehicle collisions in the state. The area north of Thermopolis includes the worst single mile in Wyoming for deer-vehicle collisions, with an average of 18 per year for the last six years. Between 2007 and 2010, WYDOT installed wildlife warning reflectors west of Riverton on 4.7 miles of U.S. 26 between Kinnear and Riverton, and just north of Kinnear; on six miles of U.S. 16-20 between Greybull and Basin; on 3.3 miles of U.S. 20 between Wind River Canyon and Thermopolis; and on 8.9 miles of U.S. 20 between Thermopolis and Lucerne. Part of the study involved covering wildlife warning reflectors with bags to evaluate deer behavior and carcass numbers with and without the reflectors working as they are intended. Teton Science Schools researchers Corinna Riginos and Morgan Graham found there were 65 percent fewer deer carcasses to pick up in areas where a white canvas bag was placed over the wildlife warning reflectors, compared to areas where non-reflective black bags were places over the posts. The wildlife warning reflectors were 32 percent more effective than black bags, but white bags were 33 percent more effective than reflectors. “We certainly didn’t expect to find something as simple as a white bag to be even more effective,” said Riginos. Riginos and Graham, in their study summary, “suggest that the white bags are more visible or reflective to deer than the red wildlife warning reflectors and are thus substantially more effective than reflectors.” Riginos said the researchers aren’t exactly sure why the lowcost white bags proved more effective than the higher-cost wildlife warning reflectors. “Obviously, it’s really difficult to get inside a deer’s head and know exactly what they’re thinking.” The red wildlife warning reflectors cost about $23.50 each, while

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the white bags cost about $1.50 each. “Although we recognize that white canvas bags are not a permanent mitigation solution, this price difference illustrates that a cheaper technology may exist that is more effective than the reflectors,” Graham and Riginos wrote in their study summary. They believe the white bags may look like deer tails, which deer move around in “flips of white” in times of danger. “I think it’s something about the moving light, the brightness of it,” Riginos said. “Even where we were doing this, the deer ultimately did cross the road when there were no cars. It just made them more aware of the vehicles and less likely to run into the road in front of a vehicle and get hit.” WYDOT plans to use the study results as a basis for continuing to improve safety on Wyoming highways for drivers and wildlife. “Deer-vehicle collisions are also strongly associated with moderate to high traffic volumes and high speed limits of 65 mph and higher,” Graham and Riginos wrote. “As traffic volumes continue to rise, deer-vehicle collisions are likely to increase as well. Limiting vehicle speeds, especially at night, may be another way to reduce collisions. On average, areas with a speed limit of 55 mph have 36 percent fewer deer-vehicle collisions than areas with a speed limit of 65 mph. This is comparable to the reductions in deer-vehicle collisions we observed in the reflector treatment areas in Thermopolis. Reducing speed limits to 55 mph at night, dawn and dusk may be an effective and much less expensive way to reduce collisions.” Riginos and Graham, in their study summary, wrote that “reducing deer-vehicle collisions in District 5 (northwest Wyoming) and around Wyoming will likely require a suite of different strategies, some of which may be more or less suitable in different areas. These might include fencing, under- and over passes, animal detection systems, deer vigilance-enhancing technologies, managing vehicle speed, managing roadside vegetation, and managing driver visibility and awareness. In some cases, more than one of these strategies could be combined to achieve greater effectiveness in reducing deer-vehicle collisions.” The complete study can be downloaded online from: https:// www.dot.state.wy.us/home/planning_projects/research-center/finalprojects-fy2009-to-fy2013.html n

Haller named to head Wyoming Highway Patrol

by Bruce Burrows

Kebin W. Haller, deputy director of the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), is set to become the next colonel and administrator of the Wyoming Highway Patrol, effective Sept. 21. Haller’s appointment was announced Aug. 21 by WYDOT Director John Cox. Haller, 48, brings a total of 24 years of policing experience to his new job. He began his law enforcement career as a police officer in Rawlins and has been with DCI in Cheyenne since 1997. “Haller’s appointment was preceded by a rigorous applicant screening and interview process. Among those represented in the process were the office of Gov. Matt Mead, the Wyoming Transportation Commission, Wyoming Trucking Association and WYDOT Executive Staff and Human Resources. “Kebin has a long and accomplished career in law enforcement,” Mead said. “He grew up in Rawlins and knows Wyoming well. His dedication to public safety and law enforcement makes him a great choice to lead the Highway Patrol.” “Kebin is well-known to the Highway Patrol and the Wyoming law enforcement community,” Cox added. “He brings a clearly-articulated perspective of accountable leadership and administration and has a proven philosophy and track record of partnerships and shared responsibility, relationship building, leadership development, and recognition of employees,” Cox said. Haller holds a bachelor’s degree in administration of justice from the University of Wyoming, and is a graduate of the FBI ning of his junior year. He was also National Academy. He is also an “Kebin has a long and accomplished career influenced by the fact that one of executive board member of the in law enforcement. He grew up in Rawlins and his grandfathers was a police ofRocky Mountain High Intensity ficer in rural Oklahoma. Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA), knows Wyoming well. His dedication to public He started with the Rawlins a past president of the Wyoming safety and law enforcement makes him a great Police Department in 1991 and Peace Officers Association and has choice to lead the Highway Patrol.” after four years, was promoted to served on the Wyoming Public detective and assigned to the DCI Safety Communications Commis– Gov. Matt Mead Southwest Wyoming Enforcement sion. Team, which is tasked with target“I’m honored and humbled to ing and apprehending mid- to high-level drug traffickers, with become a member of the Wyoming Highway Patrol,” Haller an emphasis on methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, marijuana said. “My priority will be the employees of the Highway Patrol. and other drugs, as well as violent crimes. His experience with I have a strong belief in teamwork and cooperation, both the enforcement team was a factor in his decision to join DCI, internally as well as externally with our law enforcement and with which he went on to serve in Green River and Riverton, criminal justice partners. The WHP is the front line of defense before being promoted to deputy director and moving to Cheyfor highway safety on Wyoming roadways. This is why I am enne in 2003. dedicated to serving Wyoming citizens in this capacity.” Haller has worked with many law enforcement agencies Haller, a graduate of Rawlins High School, received an throughout the state, including the WHP. He fills the vacancy associates of science degree in business from Casper College. at the top of the Patrol ranks created when Col. John Butler He then transferred to UW and through friends, he began to opted for retirement this past June, concluding a 30-year WHP develop an interest in law enforcement and criminal justice, career. n changing his major to administration of justice at the beginSeptember 2015

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Noteworthy

vehicle crash,” Miears continued. Miears was able to contact Wyoming Highway Patrol dispatch on his radio and request help, and he called his wife by cell phone. “My pregnant wife, Marian, knew something was wrong, but I was able to calm her down and she agreed to meet me at the hospital. Once I was extricated from my vehicle, I was able to get the feeling back in my legs which was an incredible feeling,” by District 5 Public Involvement Specialist Cody Beers Miears said. Rodney Miears of Cody is a seat belt survivor. The six-year Miears escaped the crash without any broken bones. He conWHP veteran was involved in a two-vehicle crash June 15 on U.S. tinues to recover from the crash and offers life-saving advice to all 14-16-20 west of Cody. drivers. Miears and Montana resident James “I am fortunate to be alive. The wreck has Friede, the uninjured driver of the 2003 Incertainly made me a more defensive driver ternational truck, both made good decisions than I was prior to the crash,” he said. to wear seat belts, and both men survived the “If you are driving, make sure to wear your crash. seat belt, because seat belts truly do save lives, Miears was traveling east on U.S. 14-16-20 and please, don’t drive distracted,” Miears said. near Wapiti when he noticed a semi-truck Miears said “there is no way I would have traveling west with its left-turn signal on. been able to survive the crash without my seat “As I continued driving east, I noticed the belt. I am certainly an advocate of wearing seat semi-truck started to make its left-hand turn. Trooper Rodney Miears of Cody with an In- belts – always was and always will be.” I thought to myself, ‘surely he has to see me jury Prevention Resources seat-belt survivor “I have always worn a seat belt since I can and will stop,’” Miears said. “As I got close to award. remember when I was little, and my dad conthe business entrance, I realized the driver of stantly reminded me to wear my seat belt. Dad the semi-truck did not see me coming, and that is when I decided told me my seat belt would keep me safe in a crash,” Miears said. it was time to slam on the brakes and prepare for what I thought “I have followed that passion for safety by continuing to wear my could be the worst thing that could ever happen to me and my seat belt day in and day out.” family.” Northwest Wyoming’s seat-belt survivor recognition program Miears was able to steer toward the right side of the highway, is sponsored by Injury Prevention Resources, WHP and WYDOT. and his patrol vehicle collided with the front of the semi-truck. Other seat-belt survivor stories are welcomed by emailing or “As I woke up to my head pounding and women screaming, I calling Tom Cunningham at Injury Prevention Resources at tcunrealized a nightmare was truly reality. I was involved in a serious ningham@wyoming.com or (307) 856-2821. n Photo courtesy Cody Beers

Wyoming Highway Patrol trooper Rodney Miears: Seat Belt Survivor

Ford safe driving program visits capitol city on six state tour

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September 2015

Photo: Ford Motor Company

The Ford Motor Co. held its award-winning Driving Skills for Life safe driving event in Cheyenne Aug. 6-7. The free hands-on driving clinic provided four half-day courses for teens and young adults designed to help them improve their skills in the areas of hazard recognition, vehicle An area teen drives with goggles which simulate imhandling, paired driving. speed and space management, braking and stopping distances, reaction time and how to avoid the dangers of distracted and impaired driving. The half-day course was intended for newly licensed drivers, or those with learner’s permits, to practice the key skills in a safe,

controlled environment with the help of professional instructors in the car with them. The teens practiced maneuvering the vehicles with and without specialized goggles to simulate the effects of nighttime and impaired driving. The vehicles were specially equipped Ford Mustang, Fusion and Focus models, which were able to simulate reduced traction and other hazardous environments. Driving Skills for Life was held at the Army National Guard Base helicopter ramp area in Cheyenne. Ford also held events this summer in Des Moines, Iowa; Fargo, N.D.; Sioux Falls, S.D.; Omaha, Neb.; and Madison, Wis. For more information about the Ford Driving Skills for Life program, visit www.drivingskillsforlife.com n

The Army National Guard Base helicopter ramp at Cheyenne Regional Airport was used for the driving skills event.

TechNotes Watch for suspicious emails requesting users read important documents

Submitted by ETS Phishing scams continue to be a problem for our Google email users. Phishing is the practice of sending phony email messages that are disguised as legitimate, and often include company logos that look real and appear to come from known or legitimate sources. How can you avoid phishing scams? Here are some of the characteristics of a phishing email and things for you to be aware of so you can avoid becoming the subject of a phishing scam. Requests for Personal Information Q Many phishing emails request personal

information such as credit card or account information, social security numbers, passwords, etc. Legitimate emails will never request you perform security-related changes to your account or send emails to collect user

names, passwords, email addresses or other personal information through email or over the phone.

site. Never click on these links as the URL (Web page address) may appear to be legitimate (wyo.gov), but may actually display a different URL when you hover over the link with your mouse.

Official-Looking Sender’s Email Address

Attachments

Q The “From” line may include an email

Q Never click on attachments as they

address that appears legitimate.

Generic Email Greeting or pop-up Q Many phishing emails or pop-ups be-

gin with something generic like “Dear User” or “Dear Customer”. They often appear very official.

False Claims Q Many phishing emails make false

claims about the status of your account and ask you to update or validate your account by clicking on an embedded link in the email. Some may also include a false sense of urgency and state that your account may be in jeopardy if it is not updated immediately.

Fake Links Q Many phishing emails include links

that look valid, but send you to a spoof

may cause you to download spyware or a virus.

Typos and Poor Grammar Q Many phishing emails contain typos

and poor grammar in the content.

If you feel you have either been targeted by a phishing scam or have visited a suspicious website, it is recommended that you change your Google email password immediately. To reset your Google password: Click the gear from your Inbox, select Settings, click the Accounts tab, click Google Account Settings, Click the Security tab, Click the Change Password hyperlink then follow the instructions provided. If you would like assistance changing your Google email password or have questions related to phishing scams or any other security issues, please contact the ETS help desk at 777-5000. n Check out these upcoming training opportunities from WYDOT-U, the Transportation Learning Network (TLN) and WeLL.

Coming in September: Date Class PMI Competency Location 9/1-9/2 Process Improvement Training (Drivers Services Only) Judgement & Decision Making Roadshow 9/2-9/3 Leading at the Speed of Trust Developing Others WYDOT-U 9/10 Core Leadership Leadership WYDOT-U 9/15-10/30 PE Exam Review PE Exam Prep Webinar 9/15 Dealing with Difficult People Personal Effectiveness WYDOT-U 9/21-9/23 New Employee Orientation Communication WYDOT-U 9/24 Presenting the Story of Your Data Communication Webinar 9/30 Person of Influence Leadership TLN Coming in October: Date Class PMI Competency Location 10/6 The Professional Edge: Building a Reputation for Dependability and Accountability Leadership WYDOT-U 10/8 Leaders Building and Maintaining Effective Relations Customer Service WYDOT-U 10/14 MBTI & Teams (D3 Roadshow – Rock Springs) Developing Others Roadshow Learning at the WeLL in September: Type Length Course Title PMI Competency Course Series 4.5 hrs total Microsoft Windows 7: End User Vocational Course 1.5 hr *Getting Started with Windows 7 Vocational Course 2 hr *Setting up and Securing Windows 7 Vocational Course 1 hr *Customizing Windows 7 Vocational To register, or to find out more details, call the Training Program and talk to Jim Boyd (777-4791), Kurt Borgaard (777-4792) or Todd DePorter (777-4790).

September 2015

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District News Headquarters

Welcome Nisha Bishop, Financial Services-Payroll; Stephanie Bruhnke, Planning-Statistics/Inventory; and Thomas Eckhardt, Driver Services.

Promotions and Transfers Deborah Bowring, Patrol-Commercial Carrier; Lyndy Guenther, Driver Services-CDL; Christopher Kwilinski, Highway Safety; Troy McAlpine, Cheyenne U.S. 85 Port Of Entry; Eli McIrvin, Highway Development-Project Development; Sarah Meyer, Bridge-Engineering Design; Alan Moore, Highway Development-Project Development; James Olsen, Cheyenne U.S. 85 Port Of Entry;

Bowring

McAlpine

Kwilinski

McIrvin

Shewmaker

Vine

Rentner

McMillion

Boyd

Hines

Lahnert

Mordahl

Still

Willmarth

Cheryl Porter, Airplane Billing; Ronald Shewmaker, Highway DevelopmentEngineering Services; Laurie Stewart, Financial Services-Payroll; Douglass Still, Cheyenne I-80 Port Of Entry; Corey Vine, Cheyenne I-80 Port Of Entry; and Tracy Willmarth, Budget-Federal Aid.

Service Awards James Coffin, Geology-Administration – 35 years; Jeffrey Sauter, Traffic – 35 years; Kenneth Keel, Construction Staff – 25 years; Crystal McGuire, Patrol-Dispatch – 25 years; Brian Rentner, Bridge-Engineering

Design – 15 years; Bud Hough, Traffic – 10 years; William McMillion, Facilities Management-Custodial – 10 years; James Boyd, TrainNemeth ing – 5 years; Nicholas Hines, Environmental Services – 5 years; Brian Lahnert, Facilities Management-Custodial – 5 years; Margaret Mordahl, Planning-Programming – 5 years; and Istvan Nemeth, Facilities Management-Building Maintenance – 5 years.

Retirements Meyer

Moore

Coffin

Sauter

Dawn Farris retired Aug. 13 after 25 years of service to WHP as the commercial carrier administrative assistant.

Olsen

Porter

Keel

McGuire

Robbins

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September 2015

Shiers

Cheyenne U.S. 85 Port Of Entry Officer Richard Robbins retires after a 21-year career with WHP. The Ohio native also served in the U.S. Air Force in England and at F.E. Warren in Cheyenne. Right-Of-Way employee Linda Shiers retired with more than 15 years of service. A retirement celebration was held for Shiers July 9.

Carpenter retires from Highway Safety Tom Carpenter retired from the Highway Safety Program on July 2, capping a 32-year career with WYDOT. Known around headquarters for

Carpenter

his sense of humor and hearty laugh, Carpenter was the Wyoming Transportation Department Employees Association member of the year in 2007, and served terms as the association’s secretary. He began his WYDOT career in 1983 as a mapping technician in Photogrammetry and Surveys, and later that year became a drafter in Project Development. He moved to bridge in 1989, where he first served as an off-system bridge inspector and then as a structural fabrication inspector. He transferred to Highway Safety in 2005, where he ended his career as a senior data analyst. Carpenter also served in the Wyoming Air National Guard for 23 years, working as a turboprop mechanic and reaching the rank of master sergeant. He was called to active duty during Operation Enduring Freedom in 2002.

He was away from WYDOT for about nine months during his activation, and said the department was very supportive, and did anything it could to accommodate his service. His co-workers turned out to wish him well at a retirement party in the headquarters cafeteria on June 30.

Congratulations Port of Entry Officer Troy McAlpine was appointed by Capt. Scot Montgomery as the Cheyenne U.S. 85 Port of Entry supervisor on July 10. McAlpine is approaching her third year with Patrol and had been working at the Cheyenne I-80 Port before her promotion.

District 1

Welcome Lance Jenkins, Cheyenne Maintenance; and Derek Ransom, Rawlins Construction.

Maintenance; and Chad Johnson, Laramie Patrol.

Service Awards

enne Patrol – 10 years; Dustin Gabel, Arlington Maintenance – 5 years; and Erik Shoden, Laramie Patrol – 5 years.

Retirements

William Arnett, Elk Mountain Maintenance; Joshua Baker, Laramie Maintenance; Robert Beck Jr, Rawlins Maintenance; Alan Branscom, Laramie

Robert Russell, Rawlins Construction – 30 years; Joshua Gebauer, Cheyenne Patrol – 10 years; Robert Nulle, Rawlins Maintenance – 10 years; Gabriel Testerman, Chey-

Beck

Gebauer

Shoden

Promotions and Transfers

Russell

Testerman

Steve Murray, Cheyenne Shop Foreman retired after 41 years of service to the state.

Murray

District 2

Promotions and Transfers Paul Penny, Casper Maintenance.

Service Awards

William Morvee, Douglas Maintenance – 15 years; Michael Boughton, Wheatland Maintenance – 5 years; and

Casey Gallinger, Casper Patrol – 5 years.

Erdahl

Morvee

Jeff Erdahl, Casper Maintenance – 30 years; James Barnes, Douglas Construction – 25 years; Steven Farrington, Douglas Maintenance – 20 years; Barnes

September 2015

Gallinger n

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District 3

Welcome

Service Awards

Lorrie Wentz, Kemmerer/Big Piney/ Pinedale Driver Services.

Donna Earl, District 3 Maintenance Staff – 35 years; Kim Jorgensen, Pinedale Maintenance – 35 years; Kasey King, Kemmerer Construction – 25 years; Rodney Paul, District 3 Traffic-Signing – 25 years; Travis Hansen, Evanston Maintenance – 20 years; Jason Moller, Pinedale Patrol – 10 years; Jared Reilly, Jackson Patrol – 10 years; and Mitchell Kannier, Rock Springs Patrol – 5 years.

Promotions and Transfers Shaneal Miller, District 3 Maintenance Staff; and Peter Stinchcomb, Rock Springs Construction.

Earl

Hansen

Retirements Wood Hulen, Pinedale Maintenance.

Congratulations Moller

Kelly retires from WHP After more than 23 years of service to Wyoming, Lt. Tom Kelly retired. Kelly oversaw Division K, supervising in the areas of Jackson and Star Valley. Kelly received his commission with WHP on Nov. 27, 1991. His initial duty station was in Rock Springs before being stationed in Lovell, Kelly Evanston and finally Jackson. Kelly was promoted to Division K supervisor Sept. 2005. Kelly was born in Biloxi, Miss. at Keesler AFB and is a 1983 graduate from Borah High School in Boise, Idaho. He has also served in the U.S. Marine Corps (1983-1987) and was a member of the Air National Guard (1987-2013).

Reilly

Kannier

ading! Re

King

le Afte yc

ease Re c Pl

Jorgensen

Congratulations to Peter Stinchcomb. Stinchcomb has been selected as the new principal engineer for District 3, Con-

struction in Rock Springs. He has replaced Leslie Ranta and assumed his new duties Aug. 1.

Stinchcomb

District 4

Welcome

Service Awards

William Hatch, Sheridan Port of Entry; Dale White, Hulett Maintenance; and Christopher Willson, Sheridan Port of Entry.

Thomas Michelena, Sheridan Maintenance – 35 years; Jacob Cheser, Sheridan Patrol – 10 years; Carl Carmichael, District 4 Support – 5 years; James Evensen, District 4 Traffic

Promotions and Transfers Kevin McMaster, Sundance Patrol.

Michelena

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Cheser

Carmichael

September 2015

Evensen

Staff – 5 years; and Jonathan Struebing, Gillette Maintenance – 5 years.

Retirements Lynden Mills, Sheridan Traffic-Striping.

Struebing

Mills

District 5

Welcome

Promotions and Transfers

Congratulations

Fredrick Sherburne, Basin Maintenance; and Richard Smith, South Pass Maintenance.

Kyle Alexander, Lander Patrol; Peter Cross, Lander Patrol; Guy Grant, Cody Construction; Robert Henry, Lander Patrol; Cody Johler, Riverton Construction; Michael Miller, Basin Construction; and Lance Purdy, Cody Construction.

Congratulations to Michael E. Miller. Miller has been selected as the new principal engineer for District 5, Construction Staff in Basin. Miller replaced Benjamin Steed and assumed his new duties Aug. 1.

Service Awards

Retirements

James Berry, Cody Maintenance – 15 years; and Karl Germain, Worland Patrol – 10 years.

Ray Baird, Thermopolis Mechanics.

Cross

Grant

Baird

Prickly position Henry

Johler

Berry

Germain

Photo: Gary Curry

Service Award Recipients

A North American porcupine crawled into the front wheel well and catch a ride on a truck at the Cheyenne shop Aug. 12. The quill-loaded creature was humanely captured and released away from WYDOT Headquarters.

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 row from left) Pete Hallsten, Capt. Tom Stoker, Mark Gillett, Ken Keel, and Jeff Sauter. (front row from left) Jim Coffin, Debbie Trojovsky, Donna Earl, and Chuck Kakalecik

Photo: Tony Avila

Photo: Rick Carpenter

Annual Cream Can Cooker

Tony Avila and Vince Birkle with Cheyenne Maintenance Crew 1035 spearheaded the annual Cream Can Cooker for 70 people in the Cheyenne round house mid-August. The event served lunch to nine crews. “We appreciate what our employees do and like to show them,” said Avila. “In addition, we invite other work groups we share day-to-day business with. We appreciate working with them as well.”

September 2015

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Passings Jake Cook

Dennis J. “Jake” Cook, who spent 14 years with the Wyoming Highway Patrol, died Aug. 15. He was 75. Cook joined the Highway Patrol in November 1972 and served until December 1986. Cook Cook was born in Billings, Mont., and attended school in Cowley. He joined the Wyoming Highway Department, predecessor agency to the Wyoming Department of Transportation, in 1962 as a maintainer based in Lovell. After six years with the department, he left to own and operate a service station in Lovell. In 1971, Cook moved to Laramie, where he was employed at the port of entry. After joining the Highway Patrol the following year, he was posted to Laramie, where he maintained his residence throughout his time with the Patrol. In 1976, Cook and the late Brent Taylor became the first two highway patrolmen assigned duty with the newly established Motor Carrier Division. Cook continued in Motor Carrier for the remainder of his WHP career. After leaving the Patrol, he moved to Greeley, Colo., to work as a safety supervisor for Yellow Freight, and he subsequently transferred to the Kansas City area, where he had resided for the last 15 years. Funeral services for Cook were conducted Aug. 22 in Cowley.

Edward Fry Retiree Edward “Curtis” Fry, 84, died Aug. 1 after an extended illness. Fry, originally from Fredericksburg, Texas, started with the old Wyoming Highway Department, WYDOT’s predecessor agency, in 1961 Fry

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September 2015

as a draftsman in Highway Development at headquarters. He was later promoted to squad leader. Fry left state service in 1976 when he established his own civil engineering and land surveying business in Cheyenne. He returned to the Highway Department in 1989 and retired in 1993. Fry moved back to Texas the following year and resided there until his death. Fry served a term as president of the Wyoming Highway Department Employees Association (now WTDEA) and as president of the Laramie County Engineers Club. Fry was a graduate of high school in his native Fredericksburg. After high school, he served as an electrician’s mater in the U.S. Navy and then studied at Schreiner Institute in Kerrville, Tex. Prior to joining the Highway Department, he worked as a surveyor and draftsman for Plymouth Oil Co. Funeral services were conducted Aug. 14 in Fredericksburg.

Rip Hawkins Former Transportation Commissioner Ross C. “Rip” Hawkins, 76, died July 28 in Cheyenne after suffering from Lewy body dementia. Hawkins was appointed to the Commission by Gov. Dave Hawkins Freudenthal in January 2004 and served until his term expired in March 2009, representing Commission District 6, comprised of Crook, Niobrara and Weston counties. Hawkins was a native of Tennessee who earned his bachelor’s degree in industrial relations from the University of North Carolina and later his law degree from Emory University of Atlanta. In 1961, after completing a standout college football career with the North Carolina Tarheels, Hawkins became only the second player ever drafted by the Minnesota Vikings (at the time an National Football League expansion team). Over the next five years, he started every game at middle linebacker for the Vikings, earning All-Pro honors during the 1963 season. Hawkins also was the first recipient of

the Vikings coveted Terry Dillon Award, and he still holds the Vikings record for most tackles in a single game. After football, he worked as an assistant district attorney for Fulton County, Ga., as an attorney in private practice; as a chief financial officer for a metallurgical company in Minneapolis; as president of an exporting company, also in Minneapolis; and president of a metallurgical lab in Kansas City. Hawkins and his wife Mary moved to Crook County in the 1990s to build a log home and operate a ranch near Devils Tower. The couple moved to Cheyenne two years ago due to Hawkins’ health concerns. A celebration of life ceremony for Hawkins was conducted Aug. 1 at Curt Gowdy State Park Visitor Center between Cheyenne and Laramie. “(Lewy body dementia) is a disease, not a disgrace. . . . It’s something we need to find a cure for. Rip is donating his brain to the Sports Legacy Institute and Boston University in order to look at diagnostics and hope that some of that information may contribute one day to a cure.” – Mary Hawkins

Paul Marron WYDOT Retiree Paul Marron, 70, died July 22 in Cheyenne. Marron worked as a senior plumber for Facilities Maintenance at Cheyenne headquarters from June 2000 until July 2011. He was born in Ponca, Neb., Marron and lived most of his life in Cheyenne, where he graduated in 1964 from Cheyenne Central High School. Marron served with the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Ajax during the Vietnam War. Prior to joining WYDOT, he worked as a pipefitter through Local 192. In addition, he was a member of the Moose Lodge, VFW, American Legion and AMVETS. Funeral services for Marron were conducted July 28 in Cheyenne.

WTDEA

Get those photos in!

Outdoors submission deadline:

09/11/15

District 2 Annual Poker Run Much fun was had on the annual District 2 Poker Run benefitting the WTDEA Relief Fund. Six motorcycles participated in the event with Debbie Herbold of the Casper WTDEA chapter following the group on four wheels. The group started at the Casper WYDOT complex and headed out on WYO 220 toward the Alcova Marina for the first hand. From Alcova, the next stop was the Freemont Bridge on Freemont Canyon Road. After the third stop at the Sunset Bar and Grill, the group headed to the last and final stop at Nancy English Park in Casper. After the final hand was played, a WTDEA sponsored barbecue was enjoyed by all participants. Prizes were awarded for the best poker hand, the second best hand and the worst hand. First place of best hand went to Keri Jenkins and she donated $20 back to the

Six participants rode along WYO 220 during the District 2 Annual Poker Run

WTDEA Relief Fund. Second place went to Jamie Underwood. The winner of the worst hand went to Clay Markos and he donated all his winnings back to the Relief Fund. We would like to thank everyone who donated. District 2 raised $245 for the Relief Fund. n

Photo: Debbie Herbold

carlie.vanwinkle@wyo.gov

Steve Murray receiving his WTDEA retirement belt buckle from District 1 State Board member Dennis Santora.

Photo: Debbie Herbold

Spring skiing? Beach vacation? Hunt lately?

Two WYDOT employees and WTDEA members recently retired with 78 combined years of service to the state. The most recent recipients of the coveted WTDEA retirement buckle were retired Rigging Shop Lead Mechanic Gail Cassel and now retired Cheyenne Maintenance Shop Foreman Steve Murray. Cassel retired June 2 and Murray followed in retirement July 7. n

The bikers enjoy one of the stops on the poker run.

Photo: Debbie Herbold

Gail Cassel was presented his WTDEA retirement belt buckle from Headquarters WTDEA Treasurer Heidi Martin.

Photo: Rick Carpenter

Longtime WTDEA members retire

Ready to head to the next stop.

September 2015

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Photo: Rick Carpenter

This sunshine-yellow beauty belongs to Shelly Greenamyre. It is a 1967 GTO. Shelly is wife of Torrington mechanic Todd Greenamyre.

Photo: Audrey Hobbs

Volkswan bought his 1987 gineer Mark Nelso Vanagon e Th e. Or , Douglas Project En nd rtla 13 from a guy in Po n gen Vanagon in 20 r-wheel drive. Nelso ge with Syncro fou cka pa d lize purchased it, cia he ce is a spe sin es tim of ing a handful d, over the country an has only been camp plans on taking it all he s, ire ret he er aft but t looks nice.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Camp anywhere tha

Photo: Todd Greenamyre

Photo: Mark Nelson

Rides

is and 355 Chevy This 2003 Monte Carlo with a left-hander chass Gary started racing engine belongs to Gary and Audrey Hobbs. years ago. In 2013, at Big Country Speedway in Cheyenne five racer follow her he took a break for a few years to help a fellow y works at the Audre year. this again racing d starte He . dream Construction Staff. Headquarters building with Field Operations

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Photo: Rick Carpenter

Debbie Eccli and her 1963 Volkswagen Beetle. The car has been lowered and has smaller wheels on the front. Doc Holliday loves to go for spins in it, too.

Facilities Management employee Joe Trujillo jet black 1976 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray.

September 2015

loves to show off his

Ray Neal from Office Services likes to motor around town on his 2008 Harley Davidson chopper.

e Shop shows off his

Herm Mellem with Headquarte rs Maintenance Shop pampers this beauty. His penny-colored 195 9 Chevrolet Biscayne looks new ly minted.

Photo: Rick Carpenter

Mark Briggs with IT at the Hea dquarters building likes to rum ble around downtown Cheyenne on his 2008 Harley Davidson Dyna.

Photo: Rick Carpenter

Photo: Carla Brown

Joe Barnes with the Headquarters Maintenanc 2016 Subaru WRX.

Carla Brown and her husban d, Jim, have owned this 1954 Buick Century for 33 years. The eng ine is an original 322 with Dyn a Flow transmission. The car is in orig inal condition with minor upd ating – seats were re-upholstered in 1980; bumpers were re-chrom ed and it’s been painted a couple of times. Carla works in the Che yenne Resident Engineer’s office.

Photo: Rick Carpenter

Photo: Scott Steiner

Former Cody mechanic Scott Steiner retired from WYDOT in 2009 and as a hobby now builds stre et rods. His latest car is a 201 1 Dodge Challenger SRT8. Stei ner enjoys showing at car show s and typically attends 5-10 shows each summer.

Retiree Don Moench has spent time on his polished up 1932 Ford Roadster convertible.

September 2015

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September 2015

Break Time Check your answers online at: employees.dot.state.wy.us, or if not able to access the employee site: www.dot. state.wy.us/home/engineering_technical_programs/manuals_publications/interchange.html. See if you can find the following 25 words hidden in the grid to the right: Phishing Classics Roadster Century Chopper Beetle Race car Biscayne Harley Stingray Poker run Porcupine Driving Skills Suspicious Wildlife Satisfaction Construction Lonetree Upton Recluse Canyon Bill Kirby Farson

S S O E I A V I U K I F I U E C I S B E O E G N L L C A U L T O D W X E H

C K C X B C H O P P E R T C L T F B S H R E N A E O I P O F R A A L E D R

S S V E C R C N E I S E G C A A R H E N N P R G A S N T R O B N O I R R Q

L E K Y I Q E V U G O A I H R I F Y R E B O E R D N L E N R E E R B C U I

O T E I O L U G E L A S H S N A D I L T A K A R R S O I T N L B E L E S W

A S H L L N E E N H U N O E T S A T O I E E H N R D D P S R C S S T A I V

C I E T X L A R S L N N S T D I S N I U L R M A L U M S S E E I G D L K D

S T O C O N S T R U C T I O N A N B A N E R A M I I L L T I L E O D N E I

B N M L V E T A K S T A C P T N O G A R B U A Y K S C F E T F L L L D I R

I E P O S A U E D T S I O H L T R I R T T N R U V N L I R E U I N C Y E X

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