September 2014 Interchange by WYDOT

Interchange September 2014, Vol. 42, Issue 9

Safety First

Employee Safety looking out for employees

Letters

WYDOT 511 Travel Info, Facebook pages making an impact

DMS making an impact on interstate highways

I don’t drive in Wyoming, but I have a son who drives OTR and often drives I-80. I often monitor road conditions for him. This is how I discovered your Facebook page. First, thank you for your excellent 511 page – it is one of the very best. (I have ALL the 511 pages for the contiguous states bookmarked.) Second, whoever administers your Facebook page has a wonderful sense of humor in addition to providing vital information to those driving Wyoming roads.

To Whom it May Concern, We just returned from our recent motorcycle trip to Sturgis. We also spent time in Wyoming. Just wanted to thank you for the highway warning/amber alert signs stating: Motorcycles are Everywhere, Look Twice save a Life.

Bob Poole

WYDOT runs a ‘smooth’ operation

Motor Vehicle Services employee a great help Melinda (Harmon), I just wanted to say thank you for all your help with information and instructions for revising and completing my company’s IFTA report. It was very nice to find a department that was very helpful throughout this learning curve of a process.

Google Analytics

by t h e nu m b e r s Data from July 2014 Visits to www.dot.state.wy.us

Top keyword searches in visits

65,107

• WYDOT----------------------------1154

Average amount of time on site

• Wyoming Department of Transportation--------------- 780

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Staff WYDOT Director: John F. Cox

Regards, Joshua L. Smith Sheridan Express, LLC

D. McKerwin

Pages viewed per session

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

Penelope Hernandez

Hello. I just read the report on your award for the Togwotee Pass project. Congratulations! I’ve not driven it yet– guess I had better. The reason I opened your website was to comment on the WYO 28 work. I used to drive 28 twice a month, but have cut back. Yesterday was the first time that I made the whole drive from Lander to Farson in awhile. The road is SMOOTH! I forgot where I was it was so smooth. Thank you. You have amazed me. Again, congratulations on lots of hard work. Your public appreciates you all.

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• Wyoming DOT------------------- 337

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

• Wyoming DMV------------------ 308 • Wyoming Drivers License-------152 a

September 2014

DOT publication

Also in this issue:

Contents

Letters.....................................2 District briefs.........................4 Noteworthy..........................13 Extra Mile Awards..............14 Training at a Glance..........15 By the Numbers.................15 District news.......................16 Passings............................... 20

WTDEA..................................21 Break Time.......................... 23

8 Employee Safety

Working to increase department’s awareness

10 Cycling Safety

Keeping safety in mind

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

On the cover:

WYDOT employees safely on board a ‘snooper’ truck for a bridge inspection. The truck’s arm is actually lowered from the opposite side of the bridge. Photo: Rick Carpenter

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District Briefs Cheyenne – An update to WYDOT’s State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) for 2014 has been issued and is available for viewing on the agency’s website, www.dot.state. wy.us. The STIP contains a listing of highway and bridge projects, and also airport improvement work, that WYDOT tentatively expects to let to contract during the current fiscal year. The STIP is published annually and updates are issued quarterly. The document can be found in PDF format within the “Planning/Research/ Projects” section of the website. The most recent update, titled “2014 3rd Quarter STIP Addendum,” is located under the “STIP Project Listing” tab. Printed copies of the 2014 STIP are located at WYDOT offices, libraries, and city and county government offices. In addition to current-year projects, the STIP includes a listing of planned transportation projects slated for future years, as well as a summary of passthrough funding for public transit programs throughout the state. Highway projects are listed as either rural or urban, and are further broken down by functional classification; namely, interstate, arterial, collector or local. The listings also note the general character of work, such as reconstruction, resurfacing, bridge replacement, etc. WYDOT emphasizes that the STIP project listing is tentative and is revised in accordance with changes in funding levels and other issues which may arise during the advance project design phase.

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Slab repair in Cheyenne results in temporary route Cheyenne – A detour was set in place at the I-25 southbound on-ramp from Missile Drive at the beginning of August. This closure is part of an ongoing WYDOT slab repair project this construction season. Although this work happened on I-25, the bulk of the work will occur on I-80 and motorists can anticipate an improved ride and extended pavement life. The work should be completed by Sept. 30. The contractor for the project is B. Jackson Construction Group of Utah. The cost is $874,000 and it is 90 percent paid for with federal funds.

Laramie’s Grand Avenue construction finalized Laramie – With final the spray of curb paint applied in the early morning hours of Aug. 18, WYDOT reopened Laramie’s Grand Avenue between 15th and 21st Streets. The heavily traveled section of road bordering the University of Wyoming campus had been closed since March 3 for a full reconstruction. Motorists and pedestrians in Laramie can look forward to improved traffic flow and increased safety for all, said WYDOT Resident Engineer Steve Cook. “Improvements are many,” Cook said. “And include the widening of Grand Ave on the north side. New, landscaped median islands are installed through the intersections at 16th,18th,19th, and 20th Streets, restricting left turns in those locations.” Pedestrian crossings are installed on 19th Street, making signaled crossings available every two blocks between 15th and 21st Streets. ADA access has also been brought up to modern standards the entire length of the project. The road project came in on budget at

Photo: Ross Doman

Quarterly update to WYDOT’s ‘STIP’ issued

$4.5 million and Cook had praise for Simon Contractors, who finished the work ahead of schedule. “Simon understood that Grand Avenue had to, unequivocally, reopen before the move-in day for the dorms on Aug. 29. They got it done.” Concurrent with the reconstruction of Grand Avenue, the City of Laramie replaced two waterlines beneath the project area roadway. The university also conducted a good deal of lighting, irrigation, and landscaping on campus.

Newly reopened Grand Avenue in Laramie.

Impaired Driver Causes Significant Damage Cheyenne – WHP was dispatched to the intersection of College Drive and U.S. 85 in Cheyenne. A dark colored pickup had collided with a number of vehicles causing injury and significant road blockage. The pickup left the scene heading southbound on U.S. 85. A driver witnessing the crash observed the pickup flee the area and followed the pickup. The witness made cell phone contact with law enforcement giving updates on the direction of travel and location of the suspect vehicle. The suspect’s vehicle left Cheyenne but turned around and headed back into Cheyenne. Troopers intercepted the vehicle as it was headed back towards the scene of the previous accident. The driver of the pickup failed to stop for the troopers and rammed his pickup into one of the patrol vehicles twice before the two vehicles came to a stop. After a short struggle, troopers and deputies were able to restrain the driver and transport him to jail where he faces numerous charges. One trooper was treated and released for injuries sustained during the arrest.

Cheyenne – A Torrington man was arrested Aug. 13 after he became impatient with an Air Force truck convoy traveling northbound on U.S. 85. The incident began 28 miles northeast of Cheyenne. The driver neared the rear of the slow moving convoy in a 2007 International tractor-trailer and became impatient with the convoy’s speed. He attempted to pass the convoy and began endangering oncoming southbound traffic. Air Force personnel attempted to stop him, but he would not yield. At one point during the incident, an Air Force vehicle was able to get in front of the truck and the driver of the tractor-trailer drove into the rear end of the Air Force vehicle. A dispatched Wyoming state trooper was able to get behind the tractor-trailer and get him stopped at mile post 48 on U.S. 85. The driver was taken into custody by the trooper without incident and was taken to the Laramie County Detention Center where the case was referred to the Laramie District Attorney’s Office. No injuries were reported and the convoy was able to proceed without stopping.

Submission deadline for October’s issue of Interchange:

09/19/14 Work on CY and Poplar continues in Casper Casper – Work continues on the reconstruction of CY Avenue and Poplar Street in Casper. Since the beginning of the project in May, traffic has been diverted to the northside lanes of CY. With the first

phase of the project completed, traffic has been switched to the south-side lanes of CY. Additionally, Poplar Street has reopened south of CY. The focus of the project has shifted to reconstructing the north lanes of CY, and Poplar Street, on the north side of the intersection.

Road). From Green Valley Village south to Trevett Lane, a new multiuse pathway will be constructed along Robertson Road. Road work is expected to be completed by mid-December. The project’s length is 1.5 miles of reconstructed roadway and just under .75 miles of pathway.

Couple from Washington arrested for marijuana possession Photo: Jeff Goetz

Impatient truck driver arrested

Work on CY has moved to the north side lanes for the second phase of the project.

Robertson Road reconstruction underway Casper – The reconstruction of a large portion of Robertson Road in western Casper and Natrona County began Aug. 4. Robertson Road, from Poison Spider Road south to the Green Valley Village, will be reconstructed to include a new roadway, curb and gutter, shoulders, a box culvert and improved drainage. The work is expected to last until mid-December and will result in travel restrictions within the project area. During construction, access to Robertson Road will primarily be from WYO 220. Through traffic will not be permitted. Crews with Andreen Hunt Construction Inc. will remove old snow fence west of Robertson Road and will also begin milling and repaving from Poison Spider south about a half mile. Access to this area will be closed and pavement work should last about five weeks. Residents will have access from the south (WYO 220). Another section will be reconstructed after the first section is complete, running south to River’s Gate, then on to Green Valley Village. The new roadway will feature two travel lanes and a center turn lane. Additionally, the new road will have 4-foot shoulders with curb and gutter (from Green Valley Village to Poison Spider

Evanston – Just east of Evanston on July 29, a Trooper observed a Toyota Rav 4 speeding eastbound on I-80. The car was stopped, and when asked questions, the driver and passenger had conflicting stories. In addition, there was an odor of marijuana in the vehicle which led troopers to search the Toyota. During the search, troopers discovered a 9mm hand gun and approximately two pounds of marijuana. The driver, 19 year old Brandi K. Green of University Place, Wash., was arrested and charged for speeding, no valid driver’s license, interference with a peace officer, possession of a controlled substance in plant form greater than three ounces, possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver and conspiring to commit delivery of a controlled substance. Passenger 21 year old Tyrell D. Damper of Seattle, Wash., was also arrested and charged with interference with a peace officer, felon in possession of a firearm, possession of a controlled substance in plant form greater than three ounces, possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver, and conspiring to commit delivery of a controlled substance. Both Green and Damper were taken to the Uinta County Jail in Evanston. The Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation assisted Patrol with the investigation and continues with follow-up of the arrests.

Briefs continued on page 6 September 2014

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County Attorney’s office for pending charges.

Briefs continued from page 5

Ham ‘n’ Jam event a success

Photo: WHP

Sundance – Troopers from Wyoming and South Dakota met up Aug. 5 at the Wyoming-South Dakota state line for an informal get together and lunch. With the Sturgis motorcycle rally the first week in South Dakota and the popular Ham ‘n’ Jam event in Wyoming following, troopers from both states stayed busy with increased motorcycle traffic. The event focused on highway safety and additional troopers were sent to the areas to increase visibility and enforcement.

A stolen Acura met a sudden stop with the help of jersey barriers near road construction on I-90.

Photo courtesy WHP

Bridges to be repaired in Big Horn, Fremont, Hot Springs, Park and Washakie counties

Troopers from Wyoming and South Dakota team to increase visibility during the annual Sturgis bike rally and Ham ‘n’ Jam.

High speed pursuit ends in crash Buffalo – A WHP trooper stopped a car for driving 100 mph in a 75 mph zone. The grey Acura with Montana plates was stopped on I-90 eastbound two miles north of Buffalo. After the driver of the vehicle failed to produce license and registration for the trooper, the trooper asked the driver to exit the vehicle. At that point, the driver sped off and a pursuit began. The pursuit entered a construction zone where the driver of the Acura lost control and crashed in to a concrete jersey barrier and guardrail. The crash disabled the vehicle and ended the 33-year-old driver’s attempt to elude the trooper. The Acura had been reported stolen from Billings, Mont., a few days earlier. The driver of the stolen car was extricated and transported by ambulance to Buffalo and then later air lifted to Billings. The case was turned over to the Johnson

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Riverton – A $2.9 million bridge rehabilitation project is under way between Ten Sleep and Buffalo on U.S. 16 in Washakie County, according to WYDOT Resident Engineer Kaia Tharp in Thermopolis. The project involves 11 bridges throughout Big Horn, Fremont, Hot Springs, Park and Washakie counties. Prime contractor Gerber Construction of Lehi, Utah, began its U.S. 16 work Aug. 11 about 16 miles east of Ten Sleep on the bridge over Ten Sleep Creek. “A width restriction of 15 feet with one-way traffic crossing the bridge with the help of a traffic signal system will remain in place the duration of the work,” Tharp said. Repairs on the U.S. 310 bridge began Aug. 12, eight miles northwest of Greybull. “All work will take about four weeks. Flaggers will be on the bridge while work is occurring, and the bridge will be open to two-way traffic when the contractor isn’t working,” Tharp said. The contractor started work on two U.S. 14 bridges east of Greybull the week of Aug. 20. These bridges are located 4.92 miles and 5.89 miles east of Greybull on

U.S. 14. “The contractor plans working on the remaining structures next year, depending on the weather and the contractor’s schedule,” Tharp added. Scheduled for repairs and improvements in this contract are bridges on: WYO 120 about seven miles south of the WYO 120/U.S. 14-16-20 junction near Cody; U.S. 20 about six miles north of Thermopolis; WYO 789 about four miles north of Riverton; WYO 789 over the Big Wind River on the south edge of Riverton; WYO 789 about nine miles north of Hudson; WYO 131 near Sinks Canyon south of Lander; and WYO 789 about 10 miles south of Lander. Contract completion for the bridge rehabilitation project is Sept. 30, 2015. The Wyoming Transportation Commission awarded the contract to Gerber Construction in April.

Progress being made on Lovell Streets highway improvement project; all businesses open Lovell – The $4.9 million Lovell Streets highway improvement project is making progress. All businesses remain open on Lovell’s Main Street. Prime contractor Reiman Corp., of Cheyenne and subcontractor Wilson Brothers of Cowley are working on Lovell’s Main Street in a five-block area, according to Ben Steed, WYDOT resident engineer in Basin. A one-block soft closure area between Nevada and Montana is on the east end of the project, and a two-block soft closure between Idaho and Kansas is in place on the west end. A two-block hard closure is in between the soft-closure areas. Traffic can access businesses in the soft-closure blocks on Main Street. Traffic can also park in these soft-closure blocks to access businesses in the two-block hard closures. During the five-block closure, Main Street traffic is being detoured north to Third Street and back to Main Street, Steed said. “All businesses are open during Phase 2 of this project, and accesses to businesses are being maintained as much as possible,” Steed said. “For safety reasons,

Photo: Cody Beers

A section of Lovell’s Main Streets closed for the installation of new city water and sewer lines.

Riverview Road asphalt paving finished in August Riverton – Asphalt paving activities began Aug. 21 on the Riverview Road highway improvement project in Riverton. Paving subcontractor McGarvinMoberly Construction Co., of Worland initially paved a test strip of asphalt the first day, followed by regular paving the following day. Crews with prime contractor Jerry Bornhoft Construction Co. are continuing efforts on the roadway and new pedestrian path.

Photo courtesy WHP

Riverton – A pursuit initiated by deputies with the Fremont County Sheriff ’s Office and officers of the Riverton Police Department ended 163 miles later near Elk Mountain. Fremont County deputies and Riverton police officers attempted to stop a 2013 Dodge Charger in Riverton. They believed the vehicle was possibly stolen. A request was put in for assistance from the Wyoming Highway Patrol. WHP troopers from Lander attempted to deploy stop-sticks on the vehicle at the junction of WYO 135 and WYO 789, but were unsuccessful. The pursuit continued east on WYO 789, where Rawlins troopers entered the pursuit at milepost 6 on WYO 789, where stop-sticks were again deployed unsuccessfully. The chase headed south on U.S. 287 towards Rawlins. While on U.S. 287 south, the vehicle swerved at multiple troopers and a BLM ranger as well as at oncoming northbound traffic. At that point, the pursuit was temporarily discontinued for the safety of oncoming traffic. As the Dodge continued to endanger traffic on U.S. 287 after the pursuit had been discontinued, the pursuit was resumed with another unsuccessful stop-stick deployment approximately 10 miles north of Rawlins on U.S. 287. The Carbon County Sheriff ’s Office and Rawlins Police Department shut down the U.S. 287 bypass into Rawlins to keep traffic away from the pursuit. The pursuit was discontinued again to avoid the pursuit going through Rawlins and endangering more lives. An unmarked Rawlins Police Department officer was able to maintain visual contact with the vehicle while it was in Rawlins. As the vehicle began traveling I-80 eastbound, the pursuit was resumed and more stop-sticks were deployed at milepost 246 on I-80 east. This fourth deployment was successful, causing the right front tire of the Dodge to deflate. The pursuit continued to milepost 253 near Elk Mountain where the vehicle finally stopped. The 25-year old driver from Peyton, Colo., and a juvenile male were taken in to custody without incident. The 2013

Dodge Charger had been reported stolen from Colorado Springs on July 30. Two handguns were in the vehicle within reach of the driver during the pursuit. Speeds reached 140 mph during the near 163 mile-long pursuit. The driver and the juvenile were both transported to detention facilities.

The Charger came to a stop with the use of WHP stop-sticks to deflate the front tires.

Replacement of WYO 170 bridge northwest of Thermopolis Thermopolis – Replacement of the last timber bridge on the Wyoming highway system continues northwest of Thermopolis on WYO 170. The $1.3 million project is in Hot Springs County. The concrete bridge deck pour is tentatively scheduled for midSeptember and completion is expected in October, according to WYDOT project engineer Mike Miller. CC&G, Inc., of Lander is the prime contractor. Contract completion date is Nov. 30.

Photo: Cody Beers

Stolen car takes troopers on 163 mile high-speed chase

we are discouraging pedestrians from walking through equipment and cutting across Main Street inside the work zone,” Steed said. “This includes bicyclists and pedestrians. For safety’s sake, please respect the street closures.” This U.S. 310/WYO 789 project was made possible by revenue from the 10-cent fuel tax increase, passed by the Wyoming Legislature in 2013. The Lovell Streets project is a combined project with WYDOT and the town of Lovell. It includes removal and replacement of concrete pavement, curb and gutter, sidewalks, and asphalt pavement, and installation of new water lines, sewer lines, and one irrigation pipe along Lovell’s Main Street. The contract was awarded to Reiman Corp., by the Wyoming Transportation Commission in March. Contract completion date is Oct. 31.

The last wooden bridge on the Wyoming highway system is replaced by steel and concrete on WYO 170 northwest of Thermopolis.

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Photo: Rick Carpenter

Employee Safety working to increase department’s awareness

by Dave Kingham

No one comes to work thinking they are going to be injured on the job, but Employee Safety Manager Ron Chavez says too few employees come to work thinking about what they can do to prevent injuries so they can get home safely at the end of the day. Chavez, Bryan Baker, Holly Hopwood and Amy Lucero make up WYDOT’s Employee Safety Program, which oversees and cares for the safety of the department’s nearly 2,000 workers. “Our program’s new mantra is, what’s the task, what are the risks, Chavez how do I control the risks, and what does safety excellence look like?” Chavez said. “Every time employees get something from this office, hopefully it will remind them to consider those questions.” Each year about 200 WYDOT employees are injured severely enough to require medical treatment, a number that is unacceptable to Chavez and his staff. “It’s not that we don’t think about safety, it’s just that it may be too far back in our minds,” Chavez said. “Everybody says safety is the top priority, but I think we’re really starting to move that way because we’re being more intentional about it.” Moving away from some of the program’s responsibilities that are not directly related to safety will allow it to do more analysis on the kinds of accidents and injuries that are occurring, and take steps to address those problems and keep safety uppermost

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in employees’ minds, he said. “I think the more attention that we can put on safety, the more attention headquarters and the districts will put on safety, and I think you’ll see our injury numbers fall,” Chavez said. “Whatever gets measured gets results. If you’re really looking at changing something, if you give it attention and start measuring milestones, it can’t help but improve.” An Incident Review Committee evaluates every injury that occurs at WYDOT, and those committees find most of the accidents were preventable. “That means our employees are knowingly or unknowingly making a decision to do something in a way that gets them hurt, which tells me they’ve got total control to do it in a safe manner,” Chavez said. “I can’t tell you why they don’t. That’s what we really have to start looking at. Why are people making choices that get them hurt?” It might be they are in a hurry or think their supervisor is in a hurry for them to get the task completed, or maybe they just don’t know there is a safer way to do it, he said, but whatever the reason, it’s not worth risking an injury. “We need to get to the point where every employee asks the questions, ‘What are we going out there to do? How could we get hurt doing that? Can we eliminate this stuff or engineer out whatever the danger is, or do we really need to be doing it?’” Chavez said. In Wyoming and nationally back injuries are the most common, and are almost always preventable. “Either you’re lifting more than you need to, or you’re lifting incorrectly or you’re not using proper lifting equipment to do it,” Chavez said. “I would tell people, once you get to 50 pounds, you really should have another person with you or have a mechanical

A WYDOT bridge inspection crew safely tethered to “snooper” truck.

Photo: Rick Carpenter

device to do the lifting for you.” Safety awareness at WYDOT seems to follow cycles, he said, ramping up after an employee suffers an injury, but as time passes without any injuries, employees tend to get complacent again. “I would like to see our culture get to a point where I’m looking out for your safety and you’re looking out for mine,” Chavez said. “If you see me doing something unsafe, I would hope you would say something. What we need to tell each other is, you have permission to watch out for my safety, and I’ll watch out for yours. I know it sounds really touchy-feely, but it has to get to that point before it’s going to take hold.” The program is transitioning away from handling public records requests and damage reports, two time-consuming duties not directly related to safety. The records requests now should be routed to the Maintenance Staff, and the damage reports, the process by which WYDOT bills drivers for damage to guardrails, bridges or other state property, will go through Financial Services. “It’ll actually be like hiring a couple new employees, because the tasks that Holly and Amy have done will be gone, so they will be free to do more safety-related tasks,” Chavez said. “We’ll be able to be more proactive, look at the accident numbers and find places where we can make an impact. We can say we need more training over here, we need to wake somebody up over here, or we need to do awareness over there.” The program also provides safety-related training in areas such as first aid and CPR, hazardous materials and electrical awareness, but is beginning a transition to move much of that work to the Training Program. Currently Baker and occasionally Chavez travel the state providing training, but the needs exceed what two people can provide, and it takes them away from other safety responsibilities. “I don’t think we’ll ever get out of training completely, we’ll always be a resource for what safety training is needed and what training meets our requirements,” Chavez said. “But we’ll eliminate Employee Safety as the middleman, and allow programs to budget for whatever training they need just like they do for other types of training. Then the Training Program will steer them to whatever safety classes they need.”

Baker is a licensed electrician and previously worked as captain of a fire department in Utah, and when traveling around the state for training, he also conducts safety inspections at WYDOT facilities. “The site inspections look at all the different categories that would affect the safety of our employees,” Chavez said. “We’re looking at electrical cabinets, plumbing, HVAC functions and housekeeping functions. A cluttered shop could pose a tripping hazard or hazardous materials are not properly labeled or stored.” Employee Safety personnel stay abreast of all state and federal safety regulations that would affect WYDOT, and update employees when there are changes in those regulations, as recently occurred in the requirements for fall protection. The program also oversees drug and alcohol testing for WYDOT employees with commercial driver licenses. The Federal Highway Administration requires at least half of the department’s CDL holders be tested annually. Drug and Alcohol Testing Services is contracted to perform the tests for crews selected randomly through a computer system. Once a crew is randomly selected, all members of the crew, including the supervisor, are tested. Employee Safety also serves as a liaison between WYDOT and the state Department of Workforce Services’ Workers’ Compensation and Occupational Health and Safety programs, helping WYDOT employees file claims and making sure the department is in compliance with all state safety regulations. Another of Employee Safety’s jobs is writing bid specifications for personal protective equipment and other safety-related purchases made by Procurement Services. The program also can help employees who have witnessed traumatic incidents to get any counseling they need. “That is another service that we offer, because our folks do see things that are traumatic,” Chavez said. “Our folks work along highways and sometimes there’s an accident and our people often are the first to roll up on it. Troopers actually go to psychiatrists specifically trained to work with law enforcement.” All the program’s efforts are directed towards making sure WYDOT employees stay safe on the job so they can go home to their families at the end of the day. “When someone makes a choice to do something that’s unsafe, they don’t think about the people that they could be leaving behind and what that would do to their family,” Chavez said. “And I think most people at WYDOT would tell you, ‘I wish we had more employees. We just don’t have enough people to do everything we have to do.’ So injuring a tenth of our employees every year should be something pretty big on our radar to try to knock down.”

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Photo: Rick Carpenter

Crashes stir debate about bicycling safety

by Jeff Goetz

Photo: Rick Carpenter

This year, for the first time since 2009, Wyoming has had a fatalities. But that number still translates to over 700 people dydeath related to a bicycle-vehicle crash. In fact, there have been ing while riding their bikes (in 2012, the total was 726, according four such fatalities. While each crash taking the life of a cyclist to the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center). involved entirely different circumstances, in a state that averages Bicyclists and motorists often share the same space on Wyoonly one death per year, the deaths have stirred debate about ming’s roadways: There are a number of state highways that have bicyclists and vehicles sharing Wyoming’s roadways and how best little to no shoulder. City and county roads are in a similar state. to bring both together safely in areas where the number of each Wyoming is one of the few states that allow cyclists to ride on the has increased. interstates, and one of four that allow bicycle access to all miles A combination of laws, enforcement and education aimed at of interstate. Where a paved shoulder exists, it’s presumed that changing the mindsets of motorists and bicyclists, is being used cyclists will ride in it, but the law isn’t as clear. by half of the states, recognizing the number of bicycles sharing According to Wyoming State Statute 31-5-704, each cyclists the roadways is likely to shall ride “near to the right rise as people seek out side of the roadway as alternative forms of transpracticable exercising due portation and recreation. care when passing a standThe success of these proing vehicle or one proceedgrams is difficult to track ing in the same direction.” – very few studies seem Cyclists are allowed to ride to exist. However, taken two-abreast, but only where together, they do seem to it doesn’t impede the normal increase the awareness of flow of traffic. bicycles by motorists and There are no statutes speprovide a perception of cifically relating to motorists security for the cyclist. passing bicycles. Wyoming Across the United Statue 31-5-203 simply States, bicyclist fatalistates that a vehicle passing ties represent less than another on the left must do 2 percent of all vehicle so “at a safe distance and Wyoming highways are a panoramic mecca for summer bicycling enthusiasts.

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Photo: Rick Carpenter

shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken vehicle.” In essence, a bicycle should be treated as any slow moving vehicle. While it’s one thing for a car to overtake another car at a close distance, the effects on a bicyclist by a passing vehicle can be unpredictable and potentially severe depending on the distance between the two. Any vehicle’s slipstream, or the turbulent area of air behind Road bikes are a common sight during the a moving vehicle, summer months on Wyoming highways. can cause a rider to lose control. Large vehicles can create a vacuum-effect, pulling a cyclist toward the vehicle. Semis at close distance and highway speeds are the biggest concern. In a 1995 study by A.M. Khan and A. Bacchus entitled Bicycle Use of Highway Shoulders, the authors formulated that a large vehicle, passing a bicyclist at a distance of 3 feet and a speed of 40 mph would exert 3 pounds of lateral force upon the cyclist. That can be enough to cause them to lose control. Many states have now enacted laws regarding the passing of bicyclists. Some have passed “vulnerable user” laws that include pedestrians, highway or emergency workers, a person riding an animal, wheelchairs, horse drawn carriages, and the like. Twentytwo states, plus the District of Columbia, have laws requiring ve-

Biking in construction zones has inherent dangers.

hicles to pass bicycles at no less than 3 feet away, while one state, Pennsylvania, has enacted a law requiring at least four feet to pass “The chief benefits of implementing the ‘3 Foot Law’ are an increased level of safety for bicyclists and increased awareness that bicyclists are legitimate road users,” noted the findings of a 2013 Rutgers University study entitled, The 3 ft. Law: Lessons Learned from a National Analysis of State Policies and Expert Interviews. In one of the few recent studies, researchers with Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future found that cyclists in Baltimore, M.D., were passed routinely by motorists at a distance of 3 feet or less which seemed to indicate it’s 3-foot law “is not being followed and cyclist safety may be compromised.” It’s also not being enforced, according to critics. In the Rutgers report, the main complaint about the 3-foot law is exactly how to enforce it. In 2011, The Florida SunSentinel published a story about that state’s 3-foot law. At that time, even local law enforcement officers questioned the law, one traffic officer stating the obvious: “How do I show a car was less than 3 feet away? What’s my response to a defendant who says, ‘I was 3.1 feet away’?” Locally, Wyoming Highway Patrol (WHP) District 2 Commander Capt. Shawn Dickerson agreed such a law would be Continued on page 12

Photo: Rick Carpenter

Cyclists are allowed to ride two-abreast, only when it does not impede the flow of traffic.

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Photo: Rick Carpenter

difficult to enforce. “Unless we happen to be behind it and see it, we would run into the same issues,” he said. Florida passed its 3-foot law in 2006. Between its passage and 2010, 337 tickets had been issued statewide. In Texas, local law enforcement officers ride undercover to check passing cars, using their outstretched arms to judge distance. In 2013, the City of Austin Police Department issued 104 citations for passing too closely. There may be a bonus for the states that have passed the law, and that’s its effect on how drivers and cyclists interact. “Many drivers currently are unaware of what they’re supposed to do when forced to share a road with a cyclist. If a 3-foot law is passed and publicized, it gives drivers an idea of how they’re supposed to handle the situation,” noted Active. com editor Ryan Wood. The Rutgers University study agreed, “Setting the concrete standard of 3 feet establishes a bicyclist’s right to space and potentially improves their interactions with motorists.” WYDOT Director John Cox, an experienced road cyclist, favors an approach to Wyoming statute that would better define passing duties for motorists, including a clearer definition, if needed, of “bicyclist” and perhaps other vulnerable users. WHP Director Col. John Butler emphasizes that no matter what is written into statute, it’s important for everyone, drivers and cyclists alike, to know their rights and responsibilities and also to be mindful of the variety of traffic they will encounter. “Whenever we can, we promote the concept of safely sharing the road, as a matter of courtesy, respect and common sense,” Butler said. “Granted, in some parts of Wyoming, it maybe uncommon to have to pass a bicyclist, and yes, any law enacted to boost bicycle safety could present some challenges to law enforcement,” says Tim Young, executive director of Wyoming Pathways, a non-profit group which promotes non-motorized travel and recreation. “Nonetheless, giving drivers a basic guideline of what to do when encountering a bicycle upon the roadway could be worthwhile as a safety reminder and a deterrent. “No matter how a state chooses to deal with bicycles and vehicles sharing the roadways, there is little doubt more people are riding, whether commuting or for recreation,” Young added. “Growth in Wyoming brings more people, vehicles and bicycles, and tragedies involving bikes and cars will continue to happen. Setting a basic parameter such as a vulnerable user law, even short of a concrete measurement standard, may well be a better way to inform motor vehicle drivers and increase the margin of safety.”

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September 2014

Bicyclists find many highways to traverse with very narrow or no shoulder areas to ride on.

The Wyoming Highway Patrol Mobile Education and Enforcement Team (MEET) is composed of specialized commercial vehicle inspectors whose primary responsibilities are to help educate commercial carriers and drivers in size and weight regulations and federal motor carrier rules and laws, while enforcing violations as well. Outdated inspection vehicles were recently replaced and new trucks sent out to the field in Cheyenne and Torrington. The new inspection trucks are technological upgrades from the old vehicles with wireless internet and new computers. Up to four inspectors can work out of one truck at once, conducting inspections, issuing permits and checking truck weights and measurements. These vehicles will be utilized state-

wide in remote areas that are experiencing increased commercial truck traffic that do not have a port of entry nearby to help increase commercial vehicle highway safety. Additional upgraded inspection vehicles are planned to be sent out to other parts of the state in the near future. n

Cheyenne I-25 Port of Entry supervisor Rick Joyner (right) and Cheyenne I-80 Port of Entry supervisor Ed Winans conduct business from the new mobile carrier enforcement pickup truck.

Photo: WHP

Mobile inspections “MEET” high tech with new truck

Photo: WHP

Noteworthy

Officers and troopers from various law enforcement agencies gathered for a meeting in Lovell in July. In attendance were WHP troopers from Division N, Montana Highway Patrol troopers, Carbon County sheriff officers and police officers from Red Lodge, Bridger and Fromberg, Mont.

Photo: WHP

WHP’s Division N met with a couple of agencies from Montana in Lovell on July 9. The groups gathered in Lovell to share information and best practices. A major topic of discussion regarded the upcoming motorcycle rallies held in their areas. Red Lodge, Mont. was hosting the Bone Daddy Rally and Poker Run July 18-20, while Cody hosted the Hell’s Angels July 29-Aug. 3. The increased number of motorcycles posed many discussion points. Another topic focused on the lack of a memorandum of understanding with our northern neighbor, and what steps could be taken to move that process forward. Currently, the WHP is not able to respond out of state to assist Montana law enforcement. n

Photo: WHP

Meeting connects law enforcement agencies from Montana, Wyoming

Members of Division N receiving the 2013 Occupant Restraint Award. Division N issued the most occupant restraints for a division in 2013. (L to r) Laurie Crocker, Rodney Miears, Todd Hardesty, Blain Mollett, Brad McConnell, Scott Hall and Dan Walker. Not pictured is Rich Scovel.

September 2014

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Noteworthy Freier newly appointed budget manager

Rodney Freier has been chosen as the new WYDOT budget officer for the Budget Program in Cheyenne. Freier replaces longtime budget officer Kevin Hibbard. Freier has been with the WYDOT budget office for eight years and upon Freier Hibbard’s departure in June was named interim budget manager until his appointment last month. The Budget Program reports to Operations, under the leadership of Assistant

Chief Engineer-Operations Ken Shultz and assists all other WYDOT programs and districts in building their annual budgets. Through the fiscal year, the office monitors project budgets and manages reporting of funds to state and federal officials. “I’m looking forward to the challenge that this job presents,” said Freier. “I have learned much in my previous position and I know it will help in the months and years ahead. I have a good group of employees working with me and together we will be successful.” After graduating from the University of Wyoming with an accounting degree, Freier landed a job with the state auditor’s office, but quickly made a lateral move to WYDOT. The Wyoming native has currently been with WYDOT for more than 12 years. Freier assumed his duties as the new budget officer on Aug. 25.

Extra Mile

share share the the road road

It’s next month!

AWARDS Congratulations to our July recipients!

Get those photos in!

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.

Richard Bailey

Brian O’Connor

Dustin Gabel

Regina Schulmeister

Mike Hitshew

Carlie Van Winkle

Dave Kingham 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 2014

October WYDOT Outdoors submission deadline:

09/19/14 carlie.vanwinkle@wyo.gov

Training ata Glance Total number of employees: as of July 29, 2014

1,997

One month ago

1,998

One year ago

2,038

Here are upcoming training opportunities from WYDOT University and the Transportation Learning Network (TLN) Date Class

Location

Sept. 2, 4, 6

PE Exam Review

Webinar

Sept. 4

Bridging the Generation Gap

Sept. 8-11

New Employee Orientation #6 (NEO)

Cheyenne

Sept. 17

Relationships and Teams

Cheyenne

Sept. 18

Goal Setting

Cheyenne

Sept. 23-25

7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Cheyenne

WYDOT Only TLN

Coming up in October:

Oct. 2

Taking Care of the Customer: People Retention

Cheyenne

To register, or to find out more details, call the Training Program and talk to Jim Boyd (777-4791), Rhonda DeLeeuw (777-4790) or Kurt Borgaard (777-4792).

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District News

Charles Teasley of the Traffic Program retired with 38 years of service. He began his career at WYDOT as a sign fabricator and departs as a senior design specialist. Teasley Teasley has also retired from the Wyoming Air National Guard.

Headquarters

Welcome

Congratulations Hammer

Loftin

Bale

Kushnir

Promotions and Transfers

Lee

Lucero

James Farrell, Geology; Ashley Lee, Driver Services-Policy and Records; Stephanie Lucero, Highway Safety; Heidi Martin, Right Of Way-Administration; Meadow Rid- Wagener ley, Highway Development-Project Development; and David Wagener, Patrol-Safety and Training.

Service Awards Karen Obermeier, Administration-Director – 40 years; Lorraine Sopko, Cheyenne Port Of Entry – 35 years; Kevin Deaver, Bridge-Operations Design – 30 years; Thomas Hammer, Bridge-Operations Inspection – 25 years; Thomas Loftin, Support Services Administrator – 25 years; Michael Woodworth, Materials-Bituminous – 25 years;

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O’Connor

Hass

Amy Bale, Enterprise Technology – 20 years; Bernard Kushnir, Equipment-Administration – 20 years; Heather O’Connor, Patrol Dispatch Manager – 20 years; Michael Spilker, Materials-Bituminous – 15 years; Shane Haas, Patrol-Capitol Services Protection – 10 years; and Dallas Ortiz, GIS/ITS – 5 years.

Retirements Obermeier

Deaver

September 2014

Kathleen Kuno recently retired from Human Resources with 39 years of service to the state. Kuno began her career with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. She moved to the Human Resources office at WYDOT as a Kuno personnel specialist in 1993. She is a Cheyenne Central graduate and attended the University of Wyoming.

Katherine Castaneda has been selected as the new Human Resource Coordinator for the Support Services/Human Resources Section in Cheyenne. Katherine Castaneda has replaced Kathy Kuno, and assumed her duties as the Human Resource Coordinator at the beginning of August. Two new Wyoming Highway Patrol dispatchers started their classroom training on Aug. 18. Dennis Zezas and Rebecca Boyd will join the dispatch center after their training. Zezas was raised in and has recently relocated from Buffalo. He has had a long-time interest in dispatching, resulting in visits to dispatch centers in Buffalo, Casper and Colorado. He also visited the WHP dispatch center before undertaking the WHP testing process. Zezas enjoys working with computers and discovering new ways to utilize them. Boyd has recently relocated from Kansas. She has a background in criminal justice. She is a single mother with two sons. Boyd enjoys watching football and baseball as well as being outdoors, rock climbing, hiking and camping.

Photo courtesy Ellen Teigen

Jimmy Archer, Facilities ManagementBuilding Maintenance; Jacque Crawford, Driver Services-Cheyenne; Katherine Wisdom, Bridge-Engineering Design; Joshua Carris, Patrol-Safety and Training; Taylor Hanssen, Patrol-Safety and Training; Geetha Murugesu, Patrol-Records; and John Williams, Patrol-Safety and Training.

Jake Lonn, Rawlins resident engineer receiving his 20-year service award from District Construction Engineer Tom DeHoff.

District 1

Welcome Lee Williams, Laramie Maintenance; and Alexander Antonacci, Highway Development-Project Development-Laramie Design Squad. Photo courtesy Ed Daniels

Promotions and Transfers Dusting Gabel, Arlington Maintenance; Clyde Harnden, District 1 Traffic-Electrical; Michael Petruso Jr, Laramie Patrol; and August Trabing, Laramie TrafficStriping.

Sing along! “I wish I were an Oscar Mayer...” you know the rest... The Oscar Mayer Weiner-mobile was spotted at the Laramie Port of Entry. Port officer, Ed Daniels, was lucky enough to get his photo snapped next to it.

Service Awards

Retirements

and Division A. In addition to his regular duties, Trooper Hess was a leader in the Wyoming Highway Patrol Honor Guard.

Hammond

Photo courtesy Ralph Tarango

Sherwood retires after 36 years at WYDOT Haug

Larry Geldien, Laramie Construction – 30 years; David Hammond, District 1 Construction Staff-Surveying – 25 years; Jake Lonn, Rawlins Construction – 20 years; Robert Westbrook, District 1 Maintenance Staff – 20 years; Kory Cramer, Laramie Construction – 15 years; and Carl Haug, Pine Bluffs Maintenance – 10 years.

Willie Boggs retirement party in Rawlins. Boggs is retiring to Hawaii – hence the Hawaiian shirt and lei.

Photo courtesy Ralph Tarango

Photo courtesy Ellen Teigen

William Boggs retired from Rawlins Construction as senior construction and field survey employee after 34 years of service. Boggs, originally from Riverside, Calif., attended Rawlins High School. Wyoming native Daniel Bromley, with Laramie traffic striping, retired in July with more than 30 years of service.

Larry Geldien receiving his 30-year service award from District Engineer Pat Persson and District Construction Engineer Tom DeHoff.

Photo courtesy Ellen Teigen

Trooper Hess being awarded an appreciation plaque for his support of national defense from OSI Agent Beall.

Laramie Resident Engineer Kory Cramer receiving his 15-year award from District Engineer Pat Persson and District Construction Engineer Tom DeHoff.

Trooper Jim Hess retired from Patrol, serving since 2001. Hess has also retired from the United States Air Force. Trooper Hess received an appreciation plaque upon his retirement for his support of national defense from OSI Agent Beall on July 29. Hess was stationed in Cheyenne his entire career and served in Division O

Elk Mountain Maintenance Foreman Bill Sherwood retired on Aug. 4 after a 36-year career with the department. The Wheatland native joined the Wyoming Highway Department in 1976 as a maintenance worker in Arlington. He then moved to Elk Mountain, where he became a heavy equipment operator. In 1993 he moved to Medicine Bow to become a crew leader, and then returned to Elk Mountain in 2006 to become the foreman. His co-workers gathered on Aug. 4 to send Sherwood off with cake, coffee and stories about his decades of service to the department and state. “I want to thank everyone who I have dealt with over the past 35 plus years for their help in making this organization run as well as it has,” Sherwood said. “I will miss working with you all, and hope to see you all in the years to come.” Among the many changes he saw during his time with the department were the transformation from the Wyoming Highway Department to WYDOT, upgrades to more powerful equipment that helps maintenance crews do their jobs more quickly and a staff that consults with field personnel to find how equipment is working and what can be done to improve performance. “I believe the ‘new WYDOT’ has a great bunch of people keeping it running and many great crews out in the field Continued on page 18

September 2014

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District 1, cont. environment WYDOT crews work in, he said. “The old equipment needed a new hose or belt to make it work again,” he said. “But now you have to have a mechanic hook up a IV line to another computer to read the problem and order a new sensor or part to make them work.” Sherwood serves as chief of the Elk Mountain Volunteer Fire Department, and his retirement plans include working to develop the department into a county fire district, along with getting in as much hunting as possible. “Maybe I’ll even make another trip north to find a new creature to match wits with,” he said.

Photo courtesy Dave Hammond

making the ones in the offices look good,” Sherwood said. The new equipment is more powerful, but it is also more complex and difficult to maintain, and the computer systems controlling it are not designed for Bill Sherwood celebrating his retirement from Elk Mountain the harsh maintenance.

Cradle Call Congratulations to Laramie Resident Engineer Steve Cook on the birth of his granddaughter, Hadley Marie Magee in Casper. Hadley entered the world on July 22 weighing in at 6 pounds, 10 ounces and measuring 19 inches. Hadley’s parents are Cindy and Dave Magee of Casper.

Condolences Condolences to Medicine Bow maintenance worker Jim Hopkins on the recent passing of his father George Hopkins. Mr. Hopkins was 78-years old and passed away in Laramie on July 30.

District 2

Promotions and Transfers

Retirements

Spike Smith, Casper Maintenance; Myron Witt, Chugwater Maintenance; and Susan Wilson, Torrington Patrol.

Barbara Brooks retired in July from the Lusk Port of Entry. Brooks began as a temporary summer employee in 2002, Brooks 2003 and 2005. She started full time at the port in March 2006. Brooks is looking forward to helping her husband with their pilot car service to escort oversized loads across Wyoming.

Service Awards Ted Stienmetz, Casper Traffic-Striping – 35 years; Carl Walsh, Casper Construction – 20 years; Douglas Beran, Casper Patrol – 5 years; Jason Sawdon, Casper Patrol – 5 years; and Michael Kyte Jr, Casper Patrol – 5 years.

Walsh

Beran

Sawdon

Kyte

District 3

Welcome

Moudy, Patrick Draw Maintenance.

Promotions and Transfers Samuel Bailey, Rock Springs Maintenance; Clinton Weitzel Davis, Kemmerer Maintenance; Jean Dyjak, Jackson-Afton Driver Service; Mark Gray, Afton Maintenance; Kim Jorgensen, Pinedale Maintenance; Hoby Knowles, Cokeville Maintenance; Gary Lance, Granger Maintenance; and Jerry

Service Awards Jon Weitzel, Rock Springs Patrol – 5 years.

Retirements

Reed

Frank Burckhardt, Jackson-Afton Driver Service; District 3 Human Resources employee Mary Jacobs retires with 28 years with the

Photo courtesy Shad Welling

Stephen Johnson, Kemmerer Port Of Entry.

Lance

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September 2014

department; Mike Lance retires from Telecom in District with 23 years; and Cokeville maintenance employee John Reed retired in July with 36 years of service to the state.

Frank Burckhardt at his retirement celebration in July. Burckhardt retired with nearly 15 years of service to WYDOT.

District 4

Welcome

James Adamson, Traffic-Signing – 25 years; and Ronda Brunz, Sheridan-Buffalo Driver Services – 5 years.

Christopher Orchard, Gillette Mechanics; and William Scott, Gillette Maintenance.

Promotions and Transfers

Vance Pruss, District 4 Shop.

Cradle Call Scott and Linda Renkly welcome another granddaughter into their lives. Alexandria Elise Troncozo, born on July 24, lives at Lemoore Naval Air Station, Calif., with her parents Frank and Melissa Troncozo III, along with her brothers Frank IV, Elisha and sister Avani. Scott works on the guardrail crew in District 4.

Retirements Kekich

Devin Glantz, Sheridan TrafficStriping; and Timothy Winslow, District 4 Shop.

Service Awards Adamson Rado Kekich, Sheridan MaintenanceGuardrail – 30 years;

Minear

Pruss

Loren Minear, a Sheridan construction engineer, retires with 25 years of service. Minear is originally from Missoula, Mont., and attended Montana State at Bozeman; and

Alexandria Elise Troncozo

District 5 Sarah Ball, Worland Construction.

Promotions and Transfers Brian Martin, Lander Construction; and Jamie Welch, Lander Construction.

Service Awards Jeffrey Mumm, Basin Mechanics – 25 years; Brandon Kidgell, Worland Patrol – 10 years; and Rodney Miears, Cody Patrol – 5 years.

being able to work on the Togwotee Pass projects,” he said. “It was a great experience.” Co-workers, friends and family honored Herren during retirement parties conducted Aug. 7 (at the WYDOT shop) and Aug. 9 (Riverton Elks Lodge). Subsequent to his departure from WYDOT, Herren accepted a position as surveyor and project manager with Lander-based Patrick Construction.

Senior technician Kent Herren of the Riverton engineering crew retired from WYDOT Aug. 8 after chalking up 32.5 years of service with the agency. Herren first worked for the old Wyoming Highway Department, WYDOT’s predecessor agency, in 1979 as a survey helper in Lovell. He joined the department full time in 1985 in Cheyenne as a quality control worker in the Materials Lab. He moved to Riverton in 1989, and was promoted to transportation technician 20 years ago. One of the highlights of Herren’s career was working as a nighttime project supervisor on the Togwotee Trail highway improvement project. “I’m grateful for

Photo: Cody Beers

Herren retires after three-plus decades

enne for six months during the startup of the off-system bridge inspection crew, before moving to Lander where he spent 21 years on the engineering crew. Zwemer subsequently transferred to Dubois to help complete construction of the Togwotee Pass highway improvement project, with a final move just last year back to Thermopolis when WYDOT opened its engineering office there. “Yes, I made the famous full circle in my career, started in Thermopolis and retired in Thermopolis,” Zwemer said. Zwemer also holds a commercial driver’s license, which enabled him to plow snow during the winter for WYDOT in Lander and Dubois. He was also trained to drive and operate the state’s bridge inspection crane. A cake and coffee reception for Zwemer was conducted at the Thermopolis shop on his last day at work.

Kent Herren celebrated his well-earned retirement with Robert Scheidemantel and the rest of the crew.

Zwemer retires from WYDOT after 30 years Zan Zwemer of the Thermopolis engineering crew retired Aug. 15, capping more than 30 years of service to the agency. Zwemer, a senior engineering technician, began his department career in 1984 as a survey helper and materials tester in Thermopolis. He later worked in Chey-

Photo courtesy Cody Beers

Welcome

Zan Zwemer of the Thermopolis engineering crew celebrated his 30-year retirement. District Construction Engineer Keith Compton was on hand to present Zwemer with his plaque.

September 2014

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Passings Ralph Gill

Former Wyoming Transportation Commissioner Ralph Gill died Aug. 3 at his home in Jackson. He was 84. Gill served on the Commission from 1989 to 1995, representing Lincoln, Sublette, Teton and Uinta counties. Gill was a lifelong Jackson resident and a graduate of the University of Wyoming. In addition to his term on the Transportation Commission, his public Gill service included five years on the Teton County School District Board of Trustees, eight years on Teton County Commission, five years on the local hospital board and four years as mayor of Jackson. He was an accountant by trade, was manager of Jackson Drug for many years, and he was also involved in cattle ranching south of Jackson. In addition, he was a co-founder of the Jackson Hole News newspaper (now combined with the Jackson Hole Guide). Funeral services were conducted Aug. 15 in Jackson.

Wayne Wood Retiree Wayne Wood, 83, of Jackson died July 17. Wood worked on the Jackson maintenance crew from May 1959 until his retirement in April 1993. He was born in Jackson and raised in Driggs, Idaho, where he graduated from Teton Valley High School. Wood subsequently served with the Idaho National Guard, and he also worked in various jobs for the Wood state of Idaho. He continued his residence in Jackson following his retirement. Funeral services were conducted July 24 in Jackson.

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September 2014

Jim McKinnon 8.

Jim McKinnon, 66, died Aug.

McKinnon started with the old Wyoming Highway Department (WHD; WYDOTâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s predecessor agency) in 1975 as a field tester on a Cheyennebased resident engineering crew. He later worked in Laramie as district construction technician and then as district maintenance technician. McKinnon subsequently returned to Cheyenne as McKinnon a Construction Staff technician, retiring in that position at the end of 2011 after compiling more than 35 years of service with the department. McKinnon was born in Albuquerque, N.M., and was raised in Cheyenne, where he graduated from Central High School. He attended Phillips University in Enid, Okla., as well as the University of Wyoming, and he was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. Prior to joining WHD, McKinnon worked in lumber yards and for a paving contractor. Funeral services were conducted Aug. 13 in Cheyenne.

Dolf Scholz Dolf Scholz, 78, died Aug. 16. Scholz started with WHD in 1973 as an accountant. He subsequently held positions as a fiscal control officer and financial systems analyst before being promoted to Internal Audit (now Internal Review) manager in 1986. He retired in September 1995 with 22 years of service. Scholz was a Casper native and graduate of Natrona County High School. He earned his bach- Scholz elors degree in economics from the University of Wyoming and earned graduate school credits from UW and the University of Detroit. Scholz also served in the U.S. Army as a cryptographer. Prior to joining the Highway Department, he was director of accounting at Memorial Hospital, now Cheyenne Regional Medical Center. He also worked as a cost analyst for Ford Motor Co. in Michigan. A celebration of life for Scholz was held Aug. 24 in Cheyenne.

Help give school supplies to students in need. For more information:

771-2192 Needs Inc.

632-4132 • Rulers • Pencil Bag • Erasers • Glue Sticks • Index Cards • Crayons • Bottled Glue • Kleenex • Highlighters • Jump Drives • Backpack • Post-It Notes

Bulk Items Needed

• Ballpoint Pens • Colored Pencils • Pocket Folders • Tabbed Dividers Supplies will help elementary, junior high, • 3-Ring Notebooks • Scissors (right & left) high school and college students • Calculator (basic, TI-84) • Pencils (#2 & mechanical) in Laramie County • Loose Leaf Paper (wide/college) • Spiral Notebooks (wide/college) • Composition Notebooks (wide/college) • Markers (regular/washable) (thin/wide)

Distribution will continue at Needs Inc. throughout the year