interchange - may 2013

Yellowstone or BustWYDOT plows the way for opening day

May 2013, Vol. 41, Issue 5Interchange

a WYDOT publication

2 Interchange n May 2013

InterchangeInterchange is published for

employees of the Wyoming Depart-ment 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., Chey-enne, WY, 82009-3340. The Public Affairs Office may also be contacted by phoning (307) 777-4165, faxing (307) 777-4289, or sending e-mail to [email protected]

StaffWYDOT Director:

John F. Cox

Public Affairs Manager:Doug McGee

Editor/Art Director:Carlie Van Winkle

Contributors: Bruce Burrows Public AffairsDave Kingham Public AffairsCarlie Van Winkle Public AffairsRoss Doman District 1Jeff Goetz District 2Stephanie Harsha District 3Ronda Holwell District 4Cody Beers District 5Sgt. Stephen Townsend Patrol

Photography: Rick Carpenter Public Affairs

Letters

511 Travel Info a blessing for travelers

My husband and I are traveling from Montana to Cheyenne on this snowy, treacherous travel day. We are so grate-ful for the WYDOT e-mails that we are receiving which allow us to stay informed on the road conditions.

I don’t know if every state has this feature in their transportation system, but they should. Thank you,Keryl and Perry HallfordBillings, Mont.

Thank you WYDOTJust wanted to say “Thank You” to the

WYDOT employees who work diligently to make it as safe as possible to travel throughout Wyoming, and to those who keep us informed about the road condi-tions.

Great job! You are greatly appreciated.Rhonda Cronk

Keeping dreams aliveI want to THANK YOU for plow-

ing Yellowstone! My family and I will be visiting in early June, and I was relieved to find out the park would be opened on time.

With the budget cutbacks, I have to admit I was worried. Thank you!!!!Karey Hathcock

Letters continued on page 20

May 2013 n Interchange 3

Also in this issue

Letters ....................................2

District briefs ........................4

Extra Mile Awards .............15

Training at a Glance..........15

WYDOT by the Numbers ...15

District news ......................18

Noteworthy .........................21

WTDEA ................................ 23

In The Community .......... 25

Passings .............................. 26

Break Time ......................... 27

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 Web site home page.

Contents

8 Patrol’s 84th Class Supreme Court Justices swear in eleven

10 Fuel tax hike New opportunities, responsibilities

12 Yellowstone National Park plowing WYDOT clears way; enables on-time road openings

16 STIP Setting priorities for road construction

On the cover: WYDOT plows help clear the roads from the east and

south gates of Yellowstone National Park. Photo: Carlie Van Winkle

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District Briefs$12 million in highway contracts awarded

Cheyenne – Contracts totaling $12 million for 11 highway projects around the state were awarded by the Wyoming Trans-portation Commis-sion during its April meeting.

Kirkland Construc-tion of Rye, Colo., won the largest of the contracts with a low bid of nearly $3 million for reclamation of the Hakalo Quarry near Glenrock. The limestone quarry, which has provided rock for road base on highway projects throughout central Wyoming, will be reshaped and reseeded. The contract completion date is Nov. 30.

Cheyenne’s Reiman Corp. submitted the low bid of $1.8 million for rehabilita-tion work on five bridges on northwest Wyoming highways by Oct. 31.

Reiman also was the low bidder at $1.5 for deck rehabilitation and other work on 10 Interstate 80 bridges in Sweetwater County. That work is expected to be done by Oct. 31.

Casper’s Knife River was the low bidder at $1.4 million for completing a pavement overlay on WYO 212 (College Drive and Four Mile Road) between Dell Range Boulevard and Yellowstone Road in Cheyenne. The work also will include sidewalk upgrades to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The contract completion date is Sept. 30.

Casper’s Modern Electric submitted the low bid of $1.2 million for lighting upgrades at five locations in western Wy-oming by July 31, 2014. High-mast light-ing will be installed on I-80 at the Lyman, Baxter Road and Superior interchanges, and upgrades also will be completed in the Pinedale and Daniel areas.

Modern Electric also won a $982,000 contract for lighting upgrades at the Pine Bluffs Rest Area and Cheyenne I-80 Port of Entry and installation of new high- mast lighting at the Wagonhound and Ft. Steele interchanges and rest areas. The contract completion date is July 31, 2014.

Swanston Equipment of Fargo, N.D., submitted the low bid of $918,000 for in-

stalling epoxy pavement markings on I-80 in Laramie, Albany, Carbon and Sweetwa-ter counties by Sept. 30.

Casper’s 71 Construction won a $766,000 contract for bridge rehabilita-tion work on Veterans Cemetery Road north of Evansville by Aug. 31. The road provides access to the Oregon Trail State Veterans’ Cemetery.

Also awarded during the teleconfer-ence meeting were contracts for:

• $240,000,toKolbeStripingofCastle Rock, Colo., for install-ing of thermoplastic pave-ment markings on highways in Albany, Carbon and Laramie counties by Sept. 30;

• $127,000toAlexanderCon-struction of Wheatland for con-struction of a concrete bike path along 16th Street between WYO 312 (South Street) and Mariposa Parkway in Wheatland by Sept. 30; and

• $122,000,toWildernessExca-vating of Grand Junction, Colo., for installation of thermoplastic pavement markings on highways in Campbell, Carbon, Converse, Fremont, Goshen, Natrona and Niobrara counties by Sept. 30.

Construction on WYO 210 underway

Laramie – WYDOT advised motorists and cyclists to watch for heavy machinery and reduced speeds near the Curt Gowdy section of Happy Jack Road (WYO 210) be-tween Cheyenne and Laramie.

Construction is un-derway from milepost 20.5 to 27 that will widen the lanes to 12 feet and increase the shoulders to six feet. There will also be an overlay.

Workers will be in the area during daylight hours as will pilot car operations with the accompanying minor delays. The work is projected to be complete by October 31.

The contractor for the project is Oft-edal Construction, of Casper. The project

cost is $7.3 million and it is paid for by state general fund appropriations.

Pershing Boulevard in Cheyenne sees continued construction

Cheyenne – WYDOT’s final construc-tion phase of Cheyenne’s West Pershing Blvd. commenced April 1.

Simon Contractors closed West Per-shing between Dillon Ave. and I-25 to traffic, parking and pedestrians. Detour routes were posted in the affected area.

The project, which began last year, provides utility upgrades, new sidewalks, drainage improvements, and updates to modern ADA standards.

Work is expected to be completed by mid-June.

Construction west of Rawlins on I-80

Rawlins – The I-80 westbound passing lane just outside Rawlins is now closed from Rawlins west to the Carbon County line.

As of April 8, McMurry Ready Mix has routed interstate travel into head-to-head, two-way traffic in the westbound lane of a small section of interstate so they can per-form construction in the eastbound lane.

The head-to-head traffic will last until October 15. There will be a 15 foot width restriction in both directions during that time.

West Pershing Blvd., Cheyenne, continues to see construction through May into mid-June.

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Paving and ADA curb up-dates in Cheyenne com-menced in April

Cheyenne – WYDOT began work on two different projects in Cheyenne at the end of April.

The road surfaces on Central and War-ren Avenues between Pershing and Eighth will receive an overlay and ADA access will be brought up to modern standards the full length of the project. Curb and gutter will also be repaired as necessary.

The existing road surfaces on East Lincolnway between Big Horn Avenue and College Drive will be milled off and replaced with new pavement. ADA access will also be brought up to current stan-dards the for length of the project.

During work on both projects, access to all area businesses will remain open. Single lane closures will create delays through the work zones and side street re-strictions will be necessary. Construction will be suspended during Frontier Days at the end of July. The planned completion time is the end of September.

Simon, out of Cheyenne, is the contractor for both projects. The proj-ect Central Avenue project cost is $1.1 million. It is paid for with federal funds. The East Lincolnway project cost is $1.5 million and it is paid for by state general fund appropriations.

West side of Casper bustling with projects

Casper – Three projects are taking place, all affecting Wyoming Highway 220.

McMurry Ready Mix crews continue to work on the four-lane expansion of the high-way from the western edge of Casper to the Bessemer Bend area, from milepost 102 to milepost 108. Traf-fic was switched to the new lanes last fall and a new roadbed has been laid on the original two lanes. The project is expected to be completed by October 2014.

In addition, slide remediation work has begun just past the west end of the four-lane expansion project area. (See re-lated article “Work progressing on WYO 220 between Casper and Alcova.”)

Malcom Drilling Company, Inc. has begun drilling 196 holes along the highway at milepost 101.60. The 70-foot-deep holes are designed to stop a land slide from undercutting WYO 220 in the “narrows” section. Each of the holes are aligned in groups of two and will be filled with reinforced concrete. Then, each group of two columns will be capped with concrete at the surface, creating a patch-work of columns driven into bedrock that will support the road and prevent future slides. The $6.7 million project is sched-uled to be completed in November.

Meanwhile, Wyoming’s newest high-way, WYO 257, or the West Belt Loop, is well under way. Kelley Trucking, Inc. has been busy throughout the winter and spring grading, hauling and moving earth along the 7-mile-long highway’s route. One of the more dramatic jobs of the project involves excavation of a 110-foot-deep cut as the highway approaches the North Platte River.

Girders are currently being set on the highway’s bridge over the river. When completed, it will span 550-feet over the North Platte River. It’s estimated over 3 million cubic yards of earth will be removed and relocated as part of the project.

Work progressing on WYO 220 between Casper and Alcova

Casper – Work is progressing this spring on a landslide remediation project on WYO 220 at the “Narrows” between Casper and Alcova.

At the Narrows, near milepost 101.6, about 15 miles southwest of downtown Casper, WYO 220 is constrained between the North Platte River and the southwest shoulder of Coal Mountain. Geologic instability at the site has resulted in road maintenance issues for decades.

The project undertaken by Malcolm Drilling, a specialty firm based in San Francisco, impacts a 500-foot section of WYO 220. Current work focuses on drilling nearly 200 shafts and then filling them concrete reinforced by thick steel rebar. The shafts measure four feet in diameter and 70 feet in depth.

The filled shafts, also referred to as “shear piles,” are designed to anchor the hillside by effectively knitting the uncon-solidated slide mass together in hopes of restraining further movement.

Two sets of inclinometers, one within the slide plane, and the other outside the slide area, will be installed to monitoring purposes.

Malcolm Drilling’s contract, valued at $6.9 million, carries a Nov. 30 completion date.

Malcom Drilling Company’s rotary drilling rig makes relatively short work of a 75-foot deep hole.

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Girders being placed over the North Platte River where a two-lane bridge is taking shape.

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Open house in Bar Nunn for future interchange

Bar Nunn – A second public open house was held April 23 at Bar Nunn El-ementary School, to provide information about and take comments on a possible future interchange on I-25 near the town of Bar Nunn.

WYDOT has completed a draft inter-change feasibility study and shared the findings to stakeholders and the residents of Bar Nunn.

At the previous open house held last August, the goal and vision for the study was outlined as: 1) Confirm that a new interchange is justified in Bar Nunn, and 2) Investigate the preferred location of an interchange in the town limits.

Previous planning studies had identi-fied potential justification for an in-terchange between the Wardwell Road interchange and the Ormsby Road interchange.

These studies concluded that as growth in the area continues, increased traffic demands on Salt Creek Highway and local roads would increase and the region’s transportation system may dete-riorate.

Bridge replacement on I-80, U.S. 191

Rock Springs – WYDOT diverted traffic on I-80, closed a section of US 191 and closed exit 99 in April to continue work on the Flaming Gorge Road Project.

The interruption was planned for night-time hours to limit traffic disruption. Both directions of travel on I-80 were diverted. Traffic approaching from east and west were moved onto the on and off ramps at exit 99 where speeds were re-duced to 30 mph. Traffic was not stopped on the interstate.

During the nighttime closures, WYDOT crews and contract crews from Ralph L. Wadsworth Construction Com-pany set the girders on the new bridge over the interstate.

The Flaming Gorge Road project con-sists of one bridge replacement and two bridge improvements at the intersection of US 191 south and I-80 near

Cruel Jack’s. The first bridge off exit 99 that travels

over I-80 is being replaced. The remain-ing two bridges traveling south on US 191, one over a set of railroad tracks and the other over Bitter Creek, will be wid-ened and rehabilitated.

The three-mile section of US 191 (Flaming Gorge Road) that stretches over the bridges will be widened with ad-ditional lanes, creating a turning lane to accommodate an increase in traffic flows to and from local industrial areas.

Jackson Streets Project underway

Jackson – WYDOT awarded the Jack-son Streets Project to Evans Construction of Jackson. The project was awarded for a bid of $5.8 Million.

Evans met with WYDOT and town of Jackson officials in early March to begin scheduling the urban job.

The project encompasses recon-struction of the five-lane roadway on 0.30 miles of US 89 on West Broadway between the Flat Creek Bridge and the Jackson Streets intersection. Work in-cludes, but is not limited to milling, pav-ing, curb and gutter work. This project also includes water and sewer upgrades for Jackson.

Construction is compressed into a short, one season schedule and will in-clude a short break in July to mid-August in order to limit traffic disruption during the peak tourist season.

During construction, traffic will be reduced to two lanes, one each direc-tion. Left turns will be prohibited in the construction zone.

Construction is scheduled to be bro-ken up into two phases. Phase I started March 18, beginning with mobilization of equipment and traffic control. Phase I focuses on the reconstruction of the road through the five-way intersection, from Flat Creek to MacPhails Restaurant.

Crews should be off the road at the end of Phase I by July 1.

Phase II will begin mid-August and continue through to the end of the project. This phase includes work from MacPhails to the Elks Club. Again, no left turns will be allowed.

A Web site has been created to share information about the project, such as the construction phases, current news

and a work calendar. The address is www.jacksonstreets.com.

The project completion date is Nov. 30.

Work on I-90 in Sheridan continuing

Sheridan – WYDOT along with the contractor Intermountain Construc-tion and Materials of Gillette, continue an overlay project on I-90 in Sheridan between exit 20 at K-Mart and exit 25 at Sheridan College. All traf-fic has been shifted into the northbound lanes of I-90 while the contractor works in the southbound lanes. The contractor has removed the guardrail and is working on the bridges in the southbound lanes.

If the weather worsens, it is possible that WYDOT will close this section of I-90 between the exits as a safety precau-tion. Traffic would be re-routed through Sheridan.

Bridge repair projects begin west of Cody near Yellowstone National Park

Cody – A $388,000 project has been scheduled to repair two bridges near the east gate of Yellow-stone National Park.

One bridge crosses the north fork of the Shoshone River 2.26 miles east of the east gate of Yellowstone at Pahaska. The other is located .28 miles east of the east gate. Both bridges are located along U.S. 14-16-20.

“The repair at Pahaska consists of removal and replacement of a failed expansion joint,” according to Todd Frost, WYDOT resident engineer in Cody. “The repair at Unnamed Draw is a bridge girder damaged in a mud slide in July 2011 during heavy runoff.”

Frost said the contractor’s work sched-ule calls for work to begin May 1 at the

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Pahaska structure, with work scheduled to be complete about May 21. Work is scheduled to start on Unnamed Draw on May 21. All work on the project is cur-rently scheduled to be completed by July 22. Major work should be completed by June 30.

“The contractor’s schedule is weather dependent,” Frost said.

During the bridge repair, half of the structure will be worked on while one-way traffic is carried on the other half of the structure by use of a traffic signal.

A 14-foot width restriction will be in effect during the work.

Prime contractor on the bridge repair projects is Dietzler Construction Co. of Torrington. Completion date for the repair projects is July 31.

Slope stabilization proj-ect begins in Wind River Canyon

Thermopolis – Traffic delays are expected during a $1.88 million slope stabilization project in Wind River Can-yon, underway between Shoshoni and Thermopolis on U.S. 20/WYO 789.

“The contractor will be stabilizing slopes and constructing retaining walls at five locations between the river and high-way,” said Kent Herren, WYDOT project inspector in Riverton. “The first location is about four miles south of Thermopolis.”

Herren said the contractor’s work schedule shows most work on the slope stabilization/retaining wall project ex-pected to be complete in June.

“The progress of work will be depen-dent upon favorable weather,” Herren said. “Within several weeks, it’s the contractor’s goal to provide two-way traf-fic, except for wide loads, through Wind River Canyon and the work zone.”

Expected work on the project includes grading, draining, placing crushed gravel and asphalt paving, and other highway improvements in Wind River Canyon.

Prime contractor for the project is Oftedal Construction, Inc., of Miles City, Mont. Contract completion date is Oct. 31.

Wyoming 120 highway project northwest of Thermopolis

Thermopolis – Old pavement is being removed on the $6.67 million project directly northwest of Thermopolis.

“Traffic will be running on exist-ing crushed gravel base as the surfacing is removed,” according to Todd Frost, Wyoming Department of Transportation resident engineer in Cody.

“We will place temporary surfac-ing consisting of roto-milled asphalt as needed during roadway excavation,” Frost said.

Frost said citizens should continue to expect “temporary detours at vari-ous project locations as the contractor replaces roadway pipes.”

McGarvin-Moberly Construction Co., of Worland is the prime contractor on the 3.28-mile project between mileposts .94 (the northwest edge of Thermopolis) and 4.21.

Frost said “paving is currently sched-uled for around the end of May. Motorists can expect crushed gravel base surfac-ing on the project until we pave the new roadway.”

“Motorists should expect 20-minute delays, reduced speed limits to 45 mph, and pilot car operations during working hours through the paving portion of this project,” Frost said.

The Wyoming Transportation Com-mission awarded the project to Mc-Garvin-Moberly last June.

The scope of work on this project includes grading, draining, milling of asphalt, placing crushed gravel, asphalt paving, chip sealing, installing box cul-vert extensions and guardrail, signing, fencing and other work on 3.28 miles of Wyoming 120 between Thermopolis and Meeteetse.

Contract completion date for the high-way improvements is Sept. 30.

U.S. 14A improvement underway east of Powell

Powell – A $1.7 million pavement improvement project began April 22, just east of Powell on U.S. 14A.

The project consists of shoulder flat-tening, milling of existing pavement, leveling, a 2-inch asphalt pavement overlay, and chip seal between milepost 25.20 (just east of Homesteader Park) and milepost 29.39 (intersection of U.S. 14A and Wyoming 114 at Garland) on U.S. 14A.

WYDOT Resident Engineer Todd Frost said the contractor’s work schedule called for work to begin April 22, with work on the highway shoulders, and roto-milling of existing pavement.

“The contractor’s schedule is weather dependent, and motorists should expect traffic control with use of a pilot vehicle and delays of up to 20 minutes,’’ Frost said. “The contractor’s work schedule calls for the start of asphalt paving around May 1.”

Prime contractor is Mountain Con-struction of Lovell. Completion date for the project is Oct. 31.

U.S. 14-16-20 pavement work scheduled

Cody – A $609,900 erosion repair project was scheduled the week of April 29-May 3 to complete removal of existing asphalt and repaving of the turn lane west of the Buffalo Bill Dam Visitor Center parking area.

The erosion repair project includes placement of rock riprap, grading, drain-ing, placing crushed gravel base, and asphalt pavement surfacing, guardrail and other work at mileposts 9.55, 15.73, 25.28 and 44.40 on U.S. 14-16-20 between Yel-lowstone National Park and Cody.

WYDOT Resident Engineer Todd Frost said the contractor’s work schedule calls for work, weather permitting, at milepost 44.40 by Buffalo Bill Reservoir “to complete removal and repaving of the turn lane west of the Buffalo Bill Dam Visitor Center parking lot.”

“Work is estimated to take about a week to complete. Motorists should expect one-way traffic and short delays during working hours,” Frost said. “Traf-fic will be controlled by flaggers.”

Prime contractor of the erosion repair project is Pab Good Trucking of Greybull.


On March 14, the Wyoming Highway Patrol graduated its 84th class of recruits. The eleven graduates of the 84th class were commissioned at the Supreme Court Building in downtown Cheyenne. All five Wyoming justices, Chief Justice Marilyn Kite, Justice William Hill, Justice Barton Voigt, Justice James Burke, and Justice Michael Davis were on hand for the com-missioning.

The recruits had attended 13 weeks of rigorous Wyoming Highway Patrol Acad-emy classes consisting of constitutional law, traffic law, crash investigation, motor carrier enforcement and officer safety training, to name a few.

Those recruits who were not previous-ly law enforcement officers were required

to take 13 weeks of additional training prior to attending the WHP Academy classes.

The Wyoming Highway Patrol is proud to present their newest troopers.

Trooper Anthony Alcon, Gillette, badge number 202, was born and raised in Cheyenne. Alcon began his law enforce-ment career in 2009 as a detention officer with the Platte County Sheriff ’s Office and subsequently given an

opportunity in 2010 to work for the Tor-rington Police Department. Alcon worked with the Torrington PD for four years

and ended his police department career with the rank of sergeant. He spends his off-duty time with his beautiful wife Cas-sandra and their two children, Anthony Jr. and Mariah. Alcon also enjoys going to his son’s sporting events, along with hunt-ing, camping and fishing. He is looking forward to a long and successful career with WHP.

Trooper Forrest Bright, Cheyenne, badge number 64, is a Wyoming native and a graduate of Evanston High School. Bright attended Weber State College in Ogden, Utah as a Police Sci-ence major. Bright

Troopers in their dress uniform prior to their commissioning. (Front row, l to r) Col. John Butler, Capt. Derek Mickelson; (Second row, l to r) Tpr. Brian Kessler, Tpr. Joshua Powell, Tpr. Richard Rhoades, Tpr. Anthony Alcon, Tpr. John Vance; (Third row, l to r) Tpr. Ross Washburn, Tpr. James Rose, Tpr. James Weck, Tpr. Jason Jurca; (Fourth row, l to r) Lt. Klief Guenther, Tpr. Michael Gray, Sgt. Chris Schell, and Tpr. Forrest Bright.

Patrol’s 84th Class




began his law enforcement career in 1976 with the Evanston Police Department where he served 15 years. In November 1990, Bright was elected Uinta County Sheriff where he served for 15 years. In March 2006, he was appointed Director of the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation, where he served six years. In October 2012, Bright joined the ranks of the Wyoming Highway Patrol as-signed to the Executive Protection Detail. Bright is a graduate of the Wyoming Law Enforcement Academy, Wyoming High-way Patrol Academy, National Sheriff ’s Institute, Central States Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar and the National FBI Academy.

Trooper Michael Gray, Laramie, badge number 80, is origi-nally from Houston, Texas. Gray enlisted in the United States Air Force in 2000 where he served as a crew chief on F-16 fighter aircraft and then as a special agent with the

Air Force Office of Special Investigations. Gray has two sons, Dominic and Andrew. He enjoys spending time with his fam-ily, riding motorcycles and enjoying the outdoors.

Trooper Jason Jurca, Baggs, badge number 137, was raised in Washington state. After graduat-ing high school, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and served three years with 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, Alpha Company as

an infantry rifleman and squad leader. After serving in the Marine Corps, Jurca studied chemistry at Saddleback College and Colorado State University before applying for and receiving employment with the Wyoming Highway Patrol. In his free time, Jason enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife Arianna and their two dogs.

Trooper Brian Kessler, Gillette, badge number 225, grew up in Buffalo. Kessler attended the Uni-versity of Wyoming earning a Bachelor of

Arts degree in secondary math educa-tion. After college, he taught for 11 years. Kessler is married to Samantha and they have two daughters and a son. He enjoys spending time with his family, hunting and shooting.

Trooper Joshua Powell, Wamsutter, badge number 95, grew up in the Ap-palachian mountains of east Tennessee, where he graduated from Johnson County High School. He joined the U.S. Air Force in July 2002 as

an Aircraft Maintenance Technician on the F-16 Fighting Falcon. In 2008, Powell was recruited into the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, at which time he attended the Federal Law Enforcement Academy (FLETC) in Georgia. After graduating FLETC, he served as a special agent with AFOSI until 2012. Powell served both stateside and in deployed en-vironments during this time. Powell has a wonderful girlfriend of three years, Stacey Whitaker, and two sons. He enjoys spend-ing time with his family, riding his Harley, watching college football and NASCAR.

Trooper Richard Rhoades, Rock Springs, badge num-ber 149, was born in Atlanta, Ga. and raised in nearby Conyers. Rhoades graduated cum laude from Geor-gia Southern Univer-sity with a Bachelor of Science degree in

Justice Studies. He spent the last five years in the United States Marine Corps, ascending to the rank of captain. Rhoades served as an air intelligence officer with 2nd Marine Air Wing G-2 Cherry Point, N.C., and as an instructor and curriculum officer at Marine Corps Officer Candi-dates School in Quantico, Va.

Trooper James Rose, Newcastle, badge number 116, is a Wyoming na-tive born in Lingle. His family moved to southern Texas where he attended high school at Hanna High in Brownsville. After graduating, Rose

attended Texas Southmost College, then transferred to Calvary Bible College in Kansas City, Mo., where he received a Bachelor of Science in organizational leadership. Rose has spent the past three years as a correctional officer with the Wyoming Department of Corrections in Torrington. Rose is married to Tara and has six kids ages 13 to 4. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family.

Trooper John Vance, Rawlins, badge number 158, is origi-nally from Nebraska. He has spent the last six years working for Union Pacific Railroad as a conductor. Vance is married to Amanda, and has one daughter and one child due in

October. He enjoys spending time with his family, hunting and fishing.

Trooper Ross Washburn, Newcastle, badge number 181, grew up in Cheyenne and graduated from Cheyenne East High School. He obtained a general studies degree from Laramie County Community College. Washburn has spent

the last 10 years in various retail manage-ment positions. Washburn is engaged to Ashlie. He enjoys playing softball, basketball, shooting and hunting. Wash-burn is excited to start his career with the Wyoming Highway Patrol in Newcsatle.

Trooper James Weck, Riverton, badge number 112, is from Ohio. After graduating high school, Weck en-tered the Army where he served four years with the 1st 87th In-fantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division. While in the Army, he

deployed twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. After leaving the military in 2009, Weck returned to Ohio where he enrolled at Tiffin University and gradu-ated in 2012 with a Bachelor’s degree in Homeland Security and Terrorism. Weck is looking forward to his new career with the Wyoming Highway Patrol.

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The fuel tax increase approved by the 2013 Legislature is the first increase in predictable long-term funding for highway construction in Wyoming since 1998, but it has brought with it a higher level of scrutiny of WYDOT’s operations.

Director John Cox told the annual WYDOT Engineers and Supervisors Conference March 26 that the additional attention can be an opportunity to improve understanding of WYDOT’s budget and operations.

“The level of scrutiny on the Department of Transportation is now, in my opinion, at a high water mark, and I believe it’s going to stay there and we’re going to have to get used to that,” Cox said in his remarks to the opening general session. “I don’t think scrutiny is bad, it makes us better at our job.”

He noted that WYDOT didn’t ask for the fuel tax increase. Over the past eight years, the department consistently conveyed to lawmakers and the governor the need for additional funding to maintain the highway system. The Legislature and governor decided a fuel tax increase was the best mechanism to provide additional funding.

“Now that the fund-ing has been set in place, I am absolutely and posi-tively committed that it will be used in the best way possible and I’m completely confident that you folks will carry that out,” Cox said. “We are going to prove that we know what to do to spend it in the best way possible, and not just the fuel tax. We’re going to make all our money buy more as we deliver the services of this agency.”

The estimated $47.5 million in additional funding the fuel tax increase will generate annually will be used in the pavement preservation effort the department adopted in the face of higher construction prices and flat funding.

“This fuel tax increase will be used only for highway contracts, not for administration, preliminary engineering or internal costs,” Cox said “That $47 million and change is going to get highway work done. We’re going to take the money that we have and our considerable expertise and stretch it as far as it can pos-sibly be stretched.”

However, he acknowledged the funding increase is less than half of the additional funding WYDOT needs to maintain the highway system in it’s current condition.

“Like many of you, I’m deeply concerned about the future of

Fuel tax hike brings new opportunities, responsibilities

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Comments from the Engineers and Supervisors Conference general sessionChief Engineer Del McOmie:

“Highway fatalities continue to go down, and I think that speaks volumes for everyone in this room. From our Planning and Safety offices, our Construction and designers, to the Maintenance folks and the Highway Patrol, everybody had a hand in making that hap-pen.

“Our accidents and safety issues have declined and that takes everyone of you in here, particularly supervisors talking with your crews to let them know to be safe on the job. We’ve got a dangerous job out there in many areas. Thanks to everybody for your safety recognition.

“We on the executive staff and the governor’s staff appreciate the work that you do. I think the fact that we got a gas tax shows that overall the folks in the state of Wyoming, the silent majority, our legislators and our governor think that, what we do, we do well, we don’t waste money and we try to get every last ounce out of that dollar we spend and they trust us with their gas tax.

“I think we have a great agency, and I want to thank every one of you because we wouldn’t have a great agency without great people. It is a WYDOT family. I know we use that term quite often, but I really believe that. I’ve seen how we pull together all the time.”

Assistant Chief Engineer Gregg Fredrick:“Thanks for the work that you all have done to help the depart-

ment meet its missions and goals. There’s been an awful lot asked of each one of you. You’ve risen to those challenges that have been placed in front of you.

“There are good reasons to do some things the way we’ve always done them. The first thing that comes to mind is safety. You can’t compromise on safety. But let’s not hide behind doing something the way we’ve always done it. We need to be quicker as a depart-ment to react to change.

“Innovation and ideas best come from those who are closest to the work. We need to work together to identify these changes and implement these changes. I’m going to challenge you to ask why have we always done it that way? Can we change the process to be more efficient?”

“I’ve asked program managers to work with their staff to identify new technologies and opportunities to reduce redundancies, in-crease efficiencies and improve processes within their programs. I don’t think this is just the program managers’ responsibility. I think it’s the responsibility of each one of you.”

the highway system and our ability to do the big things that are needed,” Cox said. “But today we have a fresh funding stream, a shortfall in needed funding and an absolutely enormous job on our hands. Let’s concern ourselves with getting done what we can do, and not with what we can’t do.”

WYDOT has emerged from the heightened scrutiny and questions created by the fuel tax debate as a stron-ger department, and it must continue to improve and become more efficient, the director said.

“I know that many of you and your programs have been efficiency minded for a considerable amount of time,” he said. “I will tell you that is very much appreci-ated. Now, efficiency and effectiveness becomes a part of who we are and what we do in a very formal sense as part of our balanced scorecard. That will include look-ing at every program, every practice in every corner to see what business practices of this department can be improved and made more efficient.”

Gov. Matt Mead is serious about improving account-ability and efficiency in state government and, because he took the lead in seeking the fuel tax increase, he wants to see WYDOT operate as transparently and ef-ficiently as possible, Cox said

The governor also is committed to advocating for appropriate pay for state employees, and, although his request for funding for raises was rejected by the Legis-lature this year, he will continue to request it, Cox said.

Another result of the recently completed legislative session is the portion of WYDOT’s budget for highway planning, construction and maintenance that has been solely under the purview of the Wyoming Transporta-tion Commission, will now be reviewed by the Legis-lature’s Joint Appropriations Committee as well as the Joint Transportation and Military Affairs Committee.

“We anticipate that process will be intense,” Cox said. “We anticipate that there will be hard questions asked. But we view the budget review as an opportunity rather than something to be dreaded. We’ve been asking for years for the Joint Appropriations Committee and some of the others to develop a wider understanding of the WYDOT budget.”

The director concluded his remarks by expressing his gratitude to all the department employees contribut-ing to WYDOT’s success.

“I want you to know how impressed and how proud I am to have the privilege to work with you all and be part of this agency,” Cox said. “Taken as a whole, my time with WYDOT and the Wyoming Highway Patrol this past 15 years has been the opportunity to work with absolutely the finest group I’ve ever been associ-ated with in my professional career. I want to thank you for that.”

– Dave Kingham


Public agencies collaborate to help tourism in Wyoming.

Wyoming is setting a national example of what western ethics, good old hard work and collaboration can accomplish when it comes to overcoming an unexpected obstacle.

The federal budget sequestration put Wyoming front and center in the media when word got out that Yellowstone National Park was planning to open its gates about two weeks later than expected. Due to these federal budget cuts, worry spread that Wyoming tourism, especially in the towns of Cody and Jackson, would take a hit with the delayed opening.

The sequestration led to expired budgets and then to bud-get cuts for federal agencies such as the National Park Service. Wyoming’s Yellowstone National Park, felt the sting of the axe more than most. Asked to cut $1.8 million from their budget, Yellowstone Park officials took a hard look at their options. They trimmed their budgets where they could, freezing permanent hires, reducing seasonal employees and eventually delaying plow-ing efforts in the park.

“We didn’t say we’re going to shut the park down for the sea-son,” Park Superintendent Dan Wenk told The Washington Post. “But it will have real impacts.”

An uneasiness began to grow in Cody and Jackson, two towns that depend on tourism that generated from visitors to and from Yellowstone. Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead organized an emergency

conference call. Local leaders, tourism and business leaders and state transportation officials dialed in to discuss solutions.

“(The delay) would have been very confusing for potential visitors, and possibly deter visits for the entire summer. We felt we could not allow our tourism economy to suffer and risk our businesses’ prosperity,” Jackson Chamber of Commerce CEO Jeff Golightly said.

Local officials decided to take action. WYDOT would provide snow removal services with the cost being carried locally by the communities of Jackson and Cody.

Fundraising for the $170,600 operation began immediately. East entrance operational costs were estimated at about $100,000, while south entrance operational costs were estimated at $70,600. Park County Commissioners kicked in $10,000 to the east en-

Crews inside the east entrance of Yellowstone National Park near Sylvan Lake.

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Lending a helping hand (and a plow or two)


trance fund, followed shortly by Cody City Council. The Jackson Chamber of Commerce pledged to cover the costs for the south entrance. Soon, even local residents were making donations to the cause.

District Engineers Shelby Carlson and John Eddins, along with District Maintenance Engineers Ron Huff and Tory Thom-as, worked swiftly to lay out a plan of attack for this unprecedent-ed opportunity, making use of seasoned and experienced crews

drawn from many difference stations.“This was a chance for our guys to do something different,

something more challenging than their everyday routes,” Thomas said.

Amid considerable media attention, WYDOT plows and crews arrived at the east entrance, 52 miles east of Cody, to com-mence operations on April 1. Assembled at the seasonal closure gate were six maintenance personnel managing two rotary plows,

2 bulldozers, a grader and an 8-yard truck. By the end of the day they had plowed two miles in and were chipping away at the ice pack.

Cody Beers, public relations specialist for District 5, reported the crews were selected for their experience and exper-tise, much need traits for this innovative adventure.

“They are doing great work and they are WYDOT’s superheroes. Their talents are obvious and very valuable,” said Beers.

The following Monday, April 8, marked the initiation of plowing from the South Entrance, 59 miles north of Jackson.

Working with the same zest and for-titude as their counterparts on the Cody side, District 3 crews began operations with two rotary plows, a grader and a D4 Cat dozer.

“These guys always put out their best. They love what they do and they

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(Left) The Yellowstone plowing project was coined “Yellowstone or Bust” by Wyoming Office of Tourism and banners were supplied to adorn WYDOT machinery. (Center) A straight shot of plowed road shows the depth of the snow inside Yellowstone Park boundaries. (Right) Crews meeting Yellow-stone Park crews the morning of April 17 about 15 miles inside the east entrance of Yellowstone National Park.

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WYDOT crews plowed from the east and south entrances of the park. WYDOT crews were able to plow an estimated one mile per day.


are definitely snow removal experts,” Thomas said.

Put out their best is exactly what they did. The crew reached the park boundary from Flagg Ranch in a half day’s work, although it had been estimated to take them almost two working days to do so. WYDOT seemed to be making an im-pression on Yellowstone Park officials.

“Working with them (WYDOT) has been a pleasure. I can tell they are very excited to be here and in this new envi-ronment,” Snake River District Ranger Angela Boyers said. “They are very driven and they have been very accommodat-ing, helping us clear areas that otherwise would have been landlocked. We are truly appreciative.”

The road-clearing effort reached a milestone of sorts the late morning of April 17 when the WYDOT and NPS crews, which had been working toward each other on the east entrance road linked up about 15 miles inside the park. The rendezvous concluded 11 days of special duty by the WYDOT District 5 personnel.

Meanwhile, the District 3 crew con-tinued opening a path northward from the south entrance. By April 24, they had reached Lewis Lake area, 16 miles north of where they started. From there, the plan called for the crew to turn around and begin another week’s worth of wid-ening work on the way back to the south entrance.

The upshot: Due to the efforts of local, state and federal agencies, Yellow-stone is scheduled to open on schedule; the east entrance on May 3 and the south entrance on May 10, thanks in large part to the hard work of WYDOT mainte-nance crews.

Gov. Mead has followed the situation closely and has openly expressed his ap-proval and gratitude for the efforts of all agencies involved.

“When we thought the federal sequestration was go-ing to shut the public out of Yellowstone and slow down tourism in our gateway communities, Wyoming came together and solved the problem,” Gov. Mead said. “The two crews have had great support in Park and Teton counties. I thank them and everyone in Cody and Jackson who have rallied to make it possible for Wyo-ming to welcome the world to America’s first national park again this spring.

“This is an example of what this coun-try needs right now – people working together. The beneficiaries are all of the visitors who want access to America’s first national park who will now have it,” he said.

– Stephanie Harsha

Elk spotted between Cody and the east en-trance of Yellowstone.

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Rotary plows running in tandem.

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Yellowstone plowing statistics and notesWYDOT details:24 crew members (9 south entrance, 17 east entrance)4 snow blowers (2 south entrance, 2 east entrance)3 dozers (2 east entrance, 1 south entrance)2 graders (1 east entrance, 1 south entrance)1 8-yard (east entrance)

Loaders (as needed)

Cost per mile: $440016 miles plowed from south entrance15 miles plowed from east entranceYellowstone Park plowing details:* Average depth of snow 4.5 feet * 200 miles of primary road

* 125 miles of secondary roads* 125 acres of parking lots* Plowing started April 1 from the east entrance.* Plowing started April 8 from the south entrance.* District 5 has equipment stationed at the east entrance. A dozer has been sent from District 2 (Casper).* All entities working together (state officials, Yellowstone Park, area communities). * We are partners in this effort – this is Wyoming at its best.

* Wyoming state flag proudly flying from snowblowers and plows.* Celebration with fireworks second week of May.


Extra MileAWARDS

Congratulations March 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.

Barry Capron

Natalie Crawford

Kevin Hibbard

Bill Murphy

For more information about the Extra Mile Award or to nominate someone, contact Janet Farrar at [email protected] or

Mel Anderson at [email protected].

Date Class LocationMay 1 FiSH! for Customer Service CheyenneMay 2 Generations in the Workplace CheyenneMay 7-10 New Supervisor Orientation #3 (NSO) CheyenneMay 9 Preserving Bridge Decks–Materials Options TLN May 14 Good Judgment WYDOT-only TLN May 15 ABC’s of Employee Engagement CheyenneMay 21 Ethics in the Workplace TLNMay 21 Coaching and Mentoring Your Employees CheyenneMay 22 Building Fun, Productive and Safe Teams CheyenneMay 23 Dealing with Difficult People CheyenneMay 29-30 Leading at the Speed of Trust Cheyenne

Coming up in June 2013:Jun 5 Creating Buy-In: Becoming an Idea Advocate CheyenneJun 6 Legal Aspects of Supervision Cheyenne

To register, or to find out more details, call the Training Program and talk to David Talley (777-4792),

Jim Boyd (777-4791) or Rhonda DeLeeuw (777-4790).

Glanceat aTraining

Here are upcoming training opportunities from WYDOT University and the

Transportation Learning Network (TLN)

DoubleHeader

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Total number of employees:

as of Mar. 29, 2013

2,060One month ago

2,050One year ago

2,057

Get those spring skiing, hiking,

camping & biking photos

in Interchange! Submissions deadline for

WYDOT Outdoors:

06/14/13carlie.vanwinkle

@wyo.gov


Construction, as many of us already know, is not the beginning of the road improvement process for WYDOT engineering crews; in fact, it is more accurately described as the final step in that process.

Preceding construction typically is a lengthy period of planning and design, a phase which may take several years and in some cases, closer to a decade. Right-of-way acquisitions may hit a snag, environmental issues may crop up, and even a new focus for the type of work to match available funding may change priorities. A key component for dealing with these snags and delays, as well as establishing a path forward, is the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP).

Printed and posted electronically on an annual basis, and then updated quarterly, the STIP is a dynamic docu-ment used to outline project-planning priorities over a span of six years. Some highways may not have needed preserva-tion or improvement work for decades, but when the time comes, the STIP is the mechanism for setting road construc-tion, bridge repair, airport improve-ments and other transportation related activities into motion. The STIP outlines project priorities in each of the seven Transportation Commission districts.

Incorporating input gathered via a collaborative process involving subject matter experts in various fields, it is the staff in WYDOT’s Programming Program that bears responsibility for compiling the STIP. The contributions from the experts, combined with asset management data, is used to determine a list of infrastructure needs. These needs are then matched with revenue that is anticipated to become available for reha-bilitating and improving highways and other infrastructure.

The next step is the actual “program-ming” of projects into the STIP. The

intent of the STIP is to provide a means for WYDOT to outline project priori-ties and establish a calendar for letting those projects to contract. Of course, like for any plan or schedule, unforeseen events occur, requiring flexibility in the process. It is not unusual for a project to be pushed back or forward. For example, emergency road repairs may trump some planned work, resulting in other projects being delayed.

Tough ChoicesEach year, WYDOT’s Planning Pro-

gram reviews a large number sections. Myriad factors are considered during the review of a road section in order to identify deficiencies. (See related story for more details.)

During and after the planning and design phase, public meetings are held to encourage public participation and garner input on individual projects. This is an important step in the process in determining need for funding a project. Field investigations and surveying moves forward, right of ways are reviewed and utilities are verified following the public meetings. Designers in Highway Development integrate all the data and information into a set of project plans.

Projects in the STIP cover the upcom-ing 12 months of actual construction and an additional five-year design period. When a particular project will be let is influenced by the anticipated benefit and available funding, required design schedules, geographical distribution and additional public input.

Asset ManagementExtensive testing is done on roads

to measure pavement conditions and it’s structural stability. These roads are assessed, modeled and compared to performance measures set by WYDOT. What is referred to as asset management is the tool for WYDOT to program the most cost effective projects for preserv-

ing Wyoming’s transportation system.Once a road is identified as deficient,

a deeper analysis is done on the section to determine the extent of the deficiency. A road rating of excellent indicates the road is smooth, free of wear and tear and provides an enjoyable ride for motorist. Roads categorized with good ratings are smooth stretches providing a satisfactory ride, but are beginning to show minimal wear and tear. Roads with ratings of fair and poor have pavement that is notice-ably inferior to new asphalt. Cracking and/or rutting in pavements is visible, in addition to potholes and crumbling joints are visible. Many of these fair and poor roads have been patched to stave off major repair. Applying one of these four rating categories to roadways, planners can tally costs and a rough estimation to correct the deficiency can be given.

WYDOT engineers and planners take all of the gathered information into ac-count when compiling the annual STIP along with the quarterly updates. At the local level, maintenance crew leaders, resident engineers and district super-visors all provide important input in determining project priorities.

The STIP is a necessary tool when analyzing transportation needs and weighing them against available fund-ing for the fiscal year for highway and airport improvements. Other improve-ments are sometimes added to the STIP. Bike paths, transit and rail projects are all included.

Projects involving the construction of new roads, bridges and runways are rare, but if needed are placed in the STIP and get the same treatment as do roads, bridges and runways which already exist.

– Carlie Van Winkle

STIP outlines priorities and sets a

path for construction


WYDOT uses ‘performance management’ to prioritize projects

In recent years, the Wyoming Department of Transportation has overseen work on hundreds of transportation preservation and improvement contracts. As a result, hundreds of miles of state highways have been preserved and maintained, with the scope of work ranging from simple pavement overlays to com-plete reconstruction work in some cases.

Since needs of the 6,800 mile network of state roadways con-tinue to exceed the amount of available funding, the department is faced with some tough choices. To enable objective decision making as to which projects have the greatest need and thus let to contract first, the department relies on its performance management process, combined with a ro-bust asset management process. The asset management process includes pavement management, bridge management and safety management.

Each year, hundreds of road sections throughout the state are reviewed by per-sonnel in Transportation Programming, a unit of the department’s Transportation Planning Program. During their review, information such as roadway width, pave-ment conditions, traffic load, crash data, shoulder condition, alignment and bridge sufficiency are considered for each section of roadway. Data sources include “as-constructed” plan sheets, results of pavement texture and friction resistance testing, and data from other specialized tests which gauge pavements’ structural stability. Also figured into the review are safety issues, maintenance concerns and bridge inspection results.

The information considered during the analysis is compared to driver expectations for each road section. When a section is determined to be deficient, it is further analyzed to assess the relative state of deficiency, as well as the value that could be added to Wyoming’s transportation system by reducing the deficiency.

The use of performance management helps WYDOT in being transparent to the Wyoming Legislature, allowing agency personnel to better explain not just what projects are scheduled, but also what deficiencies will be addressed. This philosophy also translates to the federal level, as the transportation bill passed last summer requires WYDOT to begin reporting its performance in reference to national goals and measures.

In-depth analysis of data derived from the asset manage-ment system is a major factor in determining the type of improvement needed. For example, a road section might need only to be resurfaced, rather than being widened before being resurfaced. From this analysis, a rough estimate of the cost to correct the deficiency can be determined.

Programming then compiles the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), after gaining input from the public and asset management data, and then matching those

needs with projected revenues available for rehabilitation and improvement of existing highways.

Projects in the STIP cover the upcoming 12 months of actual construction and an additional five-year design period. When a particular project will be let is influenced by the anticipated benefit and available fund-ing, required design schedules, geographical distribution and public input.

Even when a potential road project is listed in the STIP, that is not a guarantee it will go to contract when scheduled or go to contract at all. The STIP is a constantly evolving document. Project priorities can

easily shift, initially hidden problems may arise during design, right-of-way acquisition issues may develop, or a reduction in construction funding may occur that can delay a project contract.

Almost all STIP-listed projects eventually wind up being constructed. The improved road sections are then ready to serve the public for many years before deficiencies increase enough to bring those sections back into the process.

– Bruce Burrows

The STIP prioritizes construction projects statewide, as many as seven years before any dirt is moved.

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WYDOT reviews each stretch of pavement. Some roads are tested with the high speed inertial profiler van.

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District NewsHeadquarters

District 1

WelcomeSamantha Cheshire, Patrol Dispatch

Manager; Duncan Cornell, Bridge Operations Design; Andrew Dluhos, Patrol Dispatch Manager; Nicole Gates, Highway Project Management Oversight; Amy Lambert, Right of Way-Appraisals; Joseph Macaluso, Planning-Program-ming; LaVonne Sase, Patrol Dispatch Manager; and Amber Whitlock, Patrol Dispatch Manager.

Promotions and TransfersJennifer Christensen, Highway

Development-Project Development; Zachary Gutierrez, Highway Develop-ment-Project Development; Laura Schei, Maintenance Staff; and Joshua Walther, Patrol-Support Services-Operation.

Service AwardsGail Cassel, Equipment Mechanics –

35 years;Thomas Carpenter, Highway Safety –

30 years;

James Dahill, Geology – 25 years;Michael Sandidge, Planning-Traffic

Data Analysis – 25 years;Sherman Wiseman, Planning-Traffic

Data Analysis – 25 years;Michael Bowen, Facilities Manage-

ment-Building Maintenance – 15 years;Douglas Drake, Planning-Counter

Shop – 15 years;Richard Joyner, Port of Entry-Chey-

enne I-25 – 15 years;LaDonna Hurd, Contracts & Esti-

mates – 10 years;Elena Alvarado Mondragon, Facilities

Management-Custodial – 5 years; andBobby Robertson Jr, Highway Devel-

opment-Project Development – 5 years.

CongratulationsLaura Schei was chosen for the new

staff technician position in Field Opera-tions - Maintenance, Cheyenne. Laura assumed her duties as the new Staff Tech-nician, April 1.

Charlie Bauer was chosen for the Field Operations staff engineer position in Cheyenne. Bauer assumed his duties April 8, moving from Evanston where he was resident engineer.

Service AwardsGary Curry,

District 1 Shop – 30 years;

Mark Johnson, Laramie Construction – 25 years; and

Louis Tegdesch, Laramie Patrol – 5 years.

RetirementsRawlins Maintenance celebrated with

Rich “Bird Man” Coley at his retirement party March 29.

WYDOT employees from Rawlins, Saratoga and Baggs were on hand to help celebrate, partaking in the cake and ice cream.

Coley retires with more than 25 years with the state. He was hired by WYDOT in Rawlins just before Christmas 2007 as an equipment operator. Coley ran a motor grader and loader all winter because he didn’t have a CDL. He worked 120 days straight without a day off and wondered, “What the heck did I get myself into?”

When he wasn’t in a motor grader or loader, he hauled fuel to Walcott, Rawlins and Baggs.

Coley worked with the University of Wyoming for more than 20 years prior to coming to WYDOT. He was the superin-tendent of the Wyoming Infrared Obser-vatory on Jelm Mountain.

Coley was in the Army in 1971-72,

and served with the 9th Infantry Division in Vietnam. While in Vietnam, he was a helicopter crew chief and door gunner.

“I got shot down 3 times,” he says about Vietnam, with a chuckle.

The nickname “Bird Man” was given to Coley while attending a META meet-ing in Casper. One day after class, Coley was walking across the motel parking lot when several pigeons swarmed around him and wouldn’t go away. One landed on his shoulder and refused to leave regard-less of how much he tried to scare it off. He tried to brush it away but it grabbed onto his finger and then stayed there. When it left his finger, it went back to his shoulder – like a pirate with his par-rot. Several witnesses backed up Coley’s story when he recounted the event to his classmates.

Coley and his wife, Mickey, plan on staying in Rawlins for now. They plan on taking care of a house they own in Geor-gia and eventually move back to Encamp-ment to raise horses.

WYDOT’s Counter Shop’s Doug Drake receiv-ing his 15-year service award from Bill Gribble.

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District 2

District 4

District 3

WelcomeKevin Erickson, Wheatland Con-

struction; Roger Foster, Casper Main-tenance - Casper; and David Leeling, Casper Mechanics.

Service AwardsBrian Wagner, Casper Construction

– 25 years;Stephen Thomason, Casper Con-

struction – 15 years; and Thomas Green, Casper Construction

– 5 years.

CongratulationsBarry Schulenberg, Casper Mainte-

nance, just passed his last test and has now achieved WYDOT Master Techni-cian status.

Geoffrey Morgheim, Casper Main-tenance, passed administrative procedures.

WelcomeAnthony Richno, Telecommunica-

tions-District 3 Radio Shop; and Karleen Taylor, Evanston Construction.

Service AwardsRobert Maxam, Pinedale Construc-

tion – 30 years;Michael Collins, Rock Springs Con-

struction – 25 years;

Keith Fitzgerald, Rock Springs Construction – 25 years;

Dave Allen, Rock Springs Traffic Striping – 5 years;

Jeffrey Aullman, Pine-dale Patrol – 5 years; and

Travis Wyss, Jackson Mechanics – 5 years.

WelcomeAndy Harkins, Sheridan Port of En-

try; Scott McKenzie, Newcastle Mainte-nance; Steven Price, Newcastle Mainte-nance; and Joseph Yalowizer, Sheridan Port of Entry.

RetirementsDavid Mullen, District 4 Construc-

tion Staff, retires with 40 years. Mullen

began his career with WYDOT during the summer of 1969, while he was still attending college. He worked on I-80 between Walcott and Arlington when it was still a dirt road. Mullen became a project engineer in Cheyenne after grad-uating from the University of Wyoming in 1974. He transferred to Rawlins and started a new crew as a resident engineer in 1979, transferred back to Cheyenne to work on construction staff in 1986, later moving to Sheridan to became the district construction engineer in 1992. Mullen spent 20 of his 40 years as DCE in Sheridan.

Dave plans to spend time with his family, including his four grandkids ranging in age from 3-13. He also enjoys working in the yard, boating at Alcova Lake and remodeling his house.

Dave met a lot of wonderful and interesting people during his 40 years at WYDOT and all the wonderful and interesting people in District 4 wish him well. He will surely be missed.

Maxam Collins Fitzgerald

Taylor named District 4 construction engineer

Scott Taylor was promoted last month to District 4 construction engi-neer, replacing Dave Mullen, who retired April 2.

Taylor moved into his new position after serving the past 10 years as a resident engineer in Laramie. He first worked for WYDOT as a sum-mer hire in 1991, and joined the agency on a permanent basis three years later as an engineer in Rawlins.

Taylor, who attended Lander Valley High School, is a 1994 civil engineering graduate of the University of Wyoming. In addition to working for WYDOT, he

Taylor

Steve Thomason (left) receiving his 15-year certificate

and pin from Dave Green.

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Mark Gillett (left) and Dave Mullen enjoying some friendly banter at Mullen’s retirement party.

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Letters, cont.

District 5

Service AwardsDavid Haller, District 5 Construction

Staff – 30 years;Robert Dalin,

Basin Mechanics – 5 years;

Aron Mullis, Wor-land Maintenance – 5 years; and

William Schoen-ing, Cody Construc-tion – 5 years.

CongratulationsWilliam Shoening of Cody has been

promoted to Construction and Field Survey Specialist;

Paul Koenig of Basin was promoted to Senior Construction and Field Survey Specialist;

William Schneider, Jr. moving from temporary to full-time Highway Mainte-nance Technician in Lander; and

Michael Miller is moving from the Riverton Construction crew to the Du-bois/Thermopolis crew with no change in title.

WYDOT foreman deserving of recognition

I do not know the gentleman’s name, but he needs some recognition. He was in charge of highway transportation on April 7, when I-80 westbound was closed at Bigelow Road to Evanston.

We were at the Travel Center of America when he came in and told us he and his crew were doing everything pos-sible to get us moving and they did. They all worked hard to reopen the highway. He also made sure we could travel safely once the road was open.

I wish I new this supervisor’s name because he did a great job in helping us and getting the road open.Paul Hiskey

Editor’s note: The WYDOT employee referred to is Lon Richardson, maintenance foreman in Lyman.

Kudos to the Highway Cafe at Headquarters

I just wanted to send out a BIG Thank You to the Highway Cafe in the Cheyenne Headquarters building. We had a meeting that we needed to order breakfast for 23 people. We talked to the Highway Cafe and sent them an order with the details. They were GREAT!! They had the order done on time and were so pleasant, pro-fessional, and helpful through the whole process. I would recommend that if you need to have anything brought in for a meeting (or even just for lunch) that you remember the Highway Cafe.

Thanks Again for all your hard work!Chris FisherResident Engineer’s Office, Cheyenne

HIGHWAY SAFETYPROGRAM

WYOMINGHIGHWAY PATROL

Always use a designated driver.

Always use a designated driver.

Over the Limit?Under Arrest.

Over the Limit?Under Arrest.

previously worked in temporary posi-tions with Wyoming Game and Fish.

Mullen retired after chalking up more than 40 years with the agency. He started as a summer hire in 1969 at Rawlins, where he attended high school. Mul-len subsequently studied at Northwest College in Powell before earning his civil engineering degree from UW in 1974.

During his career with the depart-ment, he worked as an engineer in Chey-enne, project engineer and then resident engineer in Rawlins, and construction staff engineer at Headquarters. He had served as District 4 construction engi-neer for 20 years prior to his retirement.

A retirement celebration for Mullen was conducted in Sheridan on his last day with WYDOT.

Taylor continued from page 19

Please

Rec

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eading!

Haller

Put an end to distracted driving.


Noteworthy

Rick Carpenter receives distinguished industry award

Rick Carpenter of WYDOT was recognized for superior im-age making with Professional Photographers of America’s (PPA) Imaging Excellence Award.

Carpenter was presented with PPA Imaging Excellence Award in January for his years of dedication to expanding his photographic education and creating work of the highest qual-ity. In 2013, Carpenter was one of only eight recipients.

This award provides recognition for those rare photogra-phers who have earned their PPA master’s degrees in the field of imaging and have continued to submit images worthy of accep-tance into the PPA General and Loan Collections – the best im-ages of PPA’s annual International Photographic Competition. The Imaging Excellence Award honors Carpenter’s ability to consistently create photographic images of outstanding quality.

“To receive the Imaging Excellence Award says two things about the photographer,” said Dennis Craft, Chairman of PPA’s Photographic Exhibitions Committee. “First they know how to create beautiful images. Many people wait years to get one im-age in PPA’s Loan Collection, but the Imaging Excellence Award requires 13 of those Loan images. Second, it shows dedication to a goal. You don’t earn this in one competition year and some wait their entire life to receive this award. This is one of PPA’s hardest awards to earn, and those who have should be proud of the accomplishment.”

Carpenter is typically found around the state wielding his

Nikon D3 with a 70-200 mm, F 2.8 lens. He enjoys being the senior photographer for WYDOT and says, “I like that it’s never the same thing. I travel the state taking photos of landscapes, road construction projects, and portraits of employees – it never gets old.”

“The most interesting shoot I’ve ever been on is when I took photos of Harvey Spoonhunter for the 2008 state highway map,” says Carpenter. “That was really once in a lifetime.”

Carpenter started his photography career in 1974 with a small portrait studio in Cheyenne.

Former Gov. Freudenthal selected for NHTSA Award for Public Service

This April, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administra-tion hosted an awards luncheon at the annual Lifesavers Nation-al Conference on Highway Safety Priorities in Denver.

Former Gov. Dave Freudenthal was presented a public service award from NHTSA for his support in the reduction of drunken driving in Wyoming.

NHTSA Administrator David L. Strickland introduced the award by reading the inscription, “In recognition of your leadership in DUI prevention through policy initiatives, public awareness promotion, and law enforcement recognition in Wyoming.”

Lt. Jonlee Anderle of the Albany County Sheriff ’s Depart-ment accepted the award on behalf of Freudenthal who was unable to attend the Conference in Denver.

The award stems from Freudenthal’s dedication to reducing deaths and injuries due to drunken driving during his terms in office. Freudenthal strengthened the Governor’s Council on Impaired Driving (GCID), concentrating on putting stiffer penalties on impaired driving.

GCID successfully lobbied for a new law that took effect in July 2009 requiring some offenders of drunken driving to install ignition interlock systems in their vehicles. The ignition inter-

lock systems prevent vehicles from starting unless the driver is sober.

In 2002, Wyoming lowered the blood-alcohol level from 0.1 percent to 0.08 percent and outlawed open containers of alcohol in vehicles five years later.

Carpenter (second from left) holding his PPA Imaging Excellence Award with Bry Cox (left), Richard Studevant and Roger Carey.

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Anderle is pictured receiving the public service award on a projected screen image with NHTSA Administrator David L. Strickland at the NHTSA Awards luncheon at the 2013 Lifesavers Conference in Denver.

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Slide screen at the conference luncheon introducing former Gov. Freudenthal and the NHTSA Public Service Award he received.

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Highway Safety employee’s grand-daughter escapes serious injury in canyon crash

WYDOT’s Anna Thompson, of the Highway Safety Program, is a stickler when it comes to safety restraints. Especially, when it’s family.

This spring break, Thompson’s granddaughter, Bertie Brotherton was involved in a two-vehicle colli-sion in Wind River Canyon. Brother-ton, in her Dodge Durango, was northbound on U.S. 20 on a snowy day. A driver head-ing southbound on U.S. 20 drove through a patch of slushy snow and lost control of the vehicle, a Toyota Tacoma, crossing

over the centerline and into Brotherton’s lane.Brotherton’s vehicle collided with the truck as it spun in

front of her. She was not able to stop to avoid the crash, but was thankful for the safety restraints present in her Durango. Broth-erton and the driver of the other vehicle were both transported to local medical facilities and then released with minor injuries.

“I feel that if I weren’t wearing my seat belt and my air bags had not deployed, I would have been thrown through the wind-shield of my truck into the other truck,” said Brotherton. “But, instead, I just had a lot of bruising on my knees and arms.”

“I am very thankful that Bertie was wearing her seat belt. I am so glad that she’s okay,” said Thompson.

Brotherton was on her way home to Cody for spring break. She attends college at Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne.

The crash report from WHP stated that the driver of the southbound vehicle was driv-ing too fast for conditions.

Both drivers of this snowy collision were able to walk away with the help of properly functioning safety restraints.

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Brotherton was restrained by EMT personnel as a precaution for transport to the hospital.

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Welding training for rigging shop employees held in Cheyenne

WYDOT rigging shop employees from all districts were on hand in Cheyenne for a training and certification class.

Bill Reed of American Trainco flew in from Detroit to teach the course. Reed instructed on the importance of safety in workplace, along with better welding practices being utilized around the nation.

The course was broken into two sessions. Classroom-style learning was on the agenda for the morning session and hands-on training in the afternoon. Employees were reminded about using caution when welding. Fire, sparks and ventilation issues can all be hazardous and need to be treated with an amount of respect. Properly ventilated and clutter-free work areas, protec-tive gear and helmets are a must.

“No matter what you do in the welding industry, it can hurt you,” said Reed. “I need to give students a wide scope of what can hurt them or make them sick, so they can avoid those situ-ations.”

The afternoon session was filled with hands-on time prac-ticing arc welding, MIG welding and TIG welding. Raw materi-als and these welding processes are used to fabricate parts for trucks, plows and other machinery around WYDOT.

“The industry’s theories on welding have changed and the weave bead, or wide wash type bead, was used. Now, the indus-try is looking to use the stronger and more compact stringer bead technique,” said Reed. “I’ll be showing the class this new

technique.”Certification tests were given at the conclusion of the train-

ing.Carl Moody, headquarters rigging shop supervisor, sat in on

the training and agreed it was a good refresher. “Some points that we will take away are make sure you have

the proper ventilation, a respirator and fume extractor while working. Our shop is well equipped and provides these safety measures for our employees,” said Moody. “Bill Reed taught us new tricks which were well received–like what to do when you have an arc burn on your eyes. We have good information to take away from this class.”

Dale Roberts, of the Cheyenne rigging shop, practicing techniques learned during the welding class held in Cheyenne’s rigging shop last month.

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WTDEAW

TDEA

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If you would like your WTDEA event to be placed in Interchange, please contact Heidi Martin, [email protected] or

Ryan Sorenson, [email protected]

HatsHatsWTDEA State Board is selling hats. The hats are $18. Contact your WTDEA representative for more information.

GlovesGlovesPigskin leather work gloves. $5.25 for members, $6.25 for non-members. Call Tina Thomas at 777-4486.

CookbookCookbookThe Roadkill Cookbook is selling for $10. Call Barbara Thomasee at 777-4494.

Cash CalendarCash CalendarAn 18 Month Calendar (7/2012 - 12/2013) is selling for $15. Daily chances to win starting January 2013. Contact your representative for information.

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December 2012S M T W T F S

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September 2013

August 2013July 2013

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15 16 17 18 19 20 2122 23 24 25 26 27 2829 30

Weekdays $10.00 Drawings Weekends

$20.00 DrawingsHolidays$50.00 Drawings

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Independence Day

Weekdays $10.00 Drawings Weekends

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Sorenson state board president for 2013

Ryan Sorenson of Casper construction was recently elected the 2013 WTDEA state board president.

Sorenson was born and raised in Casper, and has never moved away. Hired on with WYDOT in May 1999, he started out on a survey crew, but has since moved to construction. Sorenson is currently on Chad Aagard’s construction crew in Casper working as a tester and inspector.

Sorenson, like many other WYDOT employees, has been a member of WT-DEA off and on for most of his career. He has been a WTDEA card-holding member now for six consecutive years. During these past six years he has held a representative title for one year and he became the state board vice president, holding that office for two years prior to becoming state board president.

Sorenson and the state board, along with district chapters, are focusing on

the WTDEA employee relief fund. State board knows the Employee Relief Fund can be a self-sustaining fund with ef-fort and determination. State board is committed to keeping WYDOT em-ployees informed of the fund’s progress. Currently, only 7 percent of employees contribute to the fund and sadly, those contributions make up less than 50 per-cent of the yearly amount needed to fund the program. The remainder of the fund is sustained through the hard work of the state board and district chapters through various fundraisers.

“I feel that WTDEA is a way for me to give a little extra back to all WYDOT employees, whether it is in their ev-eryday job or providing a little extra financial support through many of our different district and state programs,” says Sorenson when asked what WTDEA means to him.

Sorenson enjoys being with his family, year round fishing opportunities and golfing in his time away from WYDOT.

– Carlie Van WinkleSorenson


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In The Community

The 2013 John Boltz Classic

Green Hills Golf Club Worland, WY

Saturday, July 13, 2013 – 9:00 a.m.

• Signupyour2personteamwithHandicapsor Average9holescore.

• EntryFeeis$60perGolfer.

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• Pleasedirectanyquestionsto [email protected]

Keith Compton, second from left, is District 5 construction engineer. He just completed perfor-mances in “Forever Plaid” in Worland. The musical was performed at the Washakie Museum. Compton played Frankie, the leader of the group. The musical comedy is about four guys who were killed in a car crash, and they are given the chance to come back to earth and perform the show they never got to do while alive.

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Vance Pruss accepting the mechanics category award.

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Tory Thomas accepting the safety award in the maintenance category.

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Dave Mullen accepting the construction cat-egory award.

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Damon Newsome accepting the safety award in the maintenance category.

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Safety recognition awards; four honored

At this year’s Engineer’s and Supervi-sor’s Conference held in Cheyenne, the Director’s Award of Excellence was pre-sented to four employees by Ron Chavez, Employee Safety Program manager, and Del McOmie, chief engineer.

Vance Pruss, mechanics category; Tory Thomas, maintenance category; Dave Mullen, construction category; and Da-mon Newsome, in the traffic category.


PassingsRetiree Albrecht dies

Charles W. Albrecht, 91, retired Kemmerer maintenance crew leader, died March 28, in Logan, Utah.

Albrecht started with the old Wyoming Highway Department, WYDOT’s predeces-sor agency, in 1947 and worked in Kemmerer for the entirety of his 39-year career with the department. He served as crew leader from 1971 until his until retirement on Aug. 31, 1986.

Albrecht was born in Chicago and attended schools there. He served in the U.S. Army during both World War II and the Korean War.

A Mass of Christian burial for Al-brecht was celebrated April 1, in Kem-merer.

Right of Way retiree Butch Sherman dies

Retiree Lloyd M. “Butch” Sherman, 72, died April 14 in Cheyenne.

He worked for the Right-of-Way Program as a negotiator from 1968 to 1979 and again from 1999 until his retirement in March 2005.

He was a long-term volunteer for Cheyenne Frontier Days and had also been affiliated with Kiwanis, Masonic Lodge and Shriners.

A memorial service for Sherman was conducted April 18 in Cheyenne.

Retired maintenance worker Kieren dies in Laramie area crash

A pedestrian crash on WYO 230 last month claimed the life of WYDOT retiree William “Bill” Kieren , 78, of Laramie.

The crash, which occurred about 9 p.m., April 6, drew media attention across the country and as far away as Great Brit-ain, because it was believed that Kieren, in an act of mercy, had walked out onto the roadway to tend to an injured rabbit.

Kieren had stopped his vehicle near milepost 6, just west of Laramie, and was standing on or near the center line, according to a news release issued by Highway Patrol Sgt. Steve Townsend. He was struck by a vehicle driven by Saman-tha Brown, also of Laramie. Brown stated she saw Kieren’s vehicle stopped along the shoulder and was changing lanes to pass, but did not see Kieren before striking him.

The crash, to which WHP Trooper Christopher Carroll of Division “J” re-sponded, resulted in the critically injured Kieren being transported to Ivinson Me-morial Hospital in Laramie. There, Kieren was able to relate to family members he thought he might have run over an ani-mal and stopped to check it out.

From Ivinson, Kieren was transported to Medical Center of the Rockies in Colo-rado, where he succumbed from his inju-ries early the next morning.

Brown, who was uninjured, told Carroll she felt her car strike some-thing, turned to see what she had hit and saw Kieren lying on the road’s shoulder in front of his vehicle. Follow-ing an inves-tigation, the Patrol recom-

mended that no charges be filed against Brown, according to Division “J” Lt. Tom Pritchard.

Kieren, a Wyoming native, joined the Wyoming Highway Department, WYDOT’s predecessor agency, in the summer of 1973 and served on Laramie-based maintenance crews for almost 21.5 years before retiring at the end of 1994.

He served with the U.S. Navy during the Korean War and was a “frogman,” pre-cursor to today’s Navy Seals. His military decorations include the Purple Heart and Bronze Star.

Stepdaughter Sandra Malone of Lara-mie, told the Laramie Boomerang that she was not surprised the Kieren would have stopped to check on the welfare of the animal.

“Dad was trying to make sure a rabbit that was hit was not suffering,” Malone told the Boomerang.

Also surviving are stepdaughter Oundalyn Ridens and stepson Carl Malone, both of Laramie. Carl works as a mechanic for WYDOT.

The account of the crash that killed Kieren went “viral” within hours after the Associated Press posted an article about it based on Sgt. Townsend’s news release.

A celebration of life for Kieren was conducted April 12 at the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Laramie.

Albrecht

Sherman

Bill Kieren is at lower right in this undated photograph of Laramie-based main-tainers during their annual effort to reopen WYO 130 (Snowy Range Road). The other crew members are (top, left to right): Stan Trueblood, Mike Faulkner and Rick Jones; (bottom, left to right): Dave Boilsen, Bill Daniels, Bob Michaud and Leroy Graham.

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Break TimeCan you spot the five differences in the photos below? Check your answers online at: www.employees.dot.state.wy.us, or if not able

to access the employee site: www.dot.state.wy.us/wydot/engineering_technical_programs/manuals_publications/interchange.

Submissions deadline for the June issue of Interchange: 05/17/13

[email protected]

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U.S. Postage PaidCheyenne, WY 82009

Permit No. 24

InterchangeWyoming Department of Transportation5300 Bishop Blvd.Cheyenne, Wyoming 82009-3340

Address Service Requested

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interchange - may 2013

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