A Publication for Employees of the Missouri Department of Transportation

ConnectionsMay 2007 Missouri State Employee Recognition Week / May 7-11 “Inspired by today, leading for tomorrow - Missouri State Employees.”

Thank you for your dedication and hard work. Your efforts are delivering a better quality of life for all Missourians. Pete K. Rahn

Commission Changes Leadership, Gains New Member by Patti Knopke

The Missouri Highways and Transporta- board of First State Bancorp Inc. of Ca- tion Commission is under new leadership. ruthersville. Jim Anderson of Springfield began a As well as new leadership, the commis- one-year term as chairman, while Duane sion has a new commissioner. Rudolph Michie, Hayti, is serving as vice-chair. E. Farber, a Republican from Neosho, Anderson and Michie have both served on was nominated to the commission in late the commission since 2001. March and was confirmed by the Senate “I’m excited about taking my turn at on April 19 for a term ending on March leading the commission,” Anderson said. 1, 2013. He replaces Marjorie Schramm, “The commission has a big responsibility whose term expired. - making sure Missourians have a quality His appointment marks the first time in 35 Duane Michie transportation system - and I intend to Jim Anderson years that a commissioner has hailed from keep things moving in the right direction.” since 1988. Michie is chairman of the any of the five southwestern-most Mis- Farber, 65, is chairman of the board of Anderson has served as president of the Board of First State Bank & Trust Co., souri counties. Community Bank & Trust in Neosho. Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce Inc., and president and chairman of the He holds a bachelor’s degree in business

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5 10 15 Watch Out Helping Hands Super Size It For Us 7 District 5 maintenance 11 Student’s artwork Kelly Hoierman delivers Roadeo Roundup workers brave storm Paint the becomes a giant safety an emotional work zone District 2 winter to assist elderly Osage Town Orange message for drivers awareness message at equipment operators County farmer. St. Louis displays support along Interstate 55. CO memorial ceremony. show off their skills. for work zone safety. Paving the Way to Cultural Competency by Kristi Jamison

Using a combination of motivational Equal Opportunity’s speakers and creative, thought- Intranet Site Gets a Facelift provoking workshops, the Equal Opportunity Division hosted its fifth Equal Opportunity’s Intranet site has annual Diversity Conference. The a bold new look and is full of valuable, annual program educates MoDOT easy to find information about management on how to embrace MoDOT’s diversity initiatives; tips diversity and ensure that MoDOT is a on proper work place etiquette; and work place that is inclusive of people of EO-sponsored events, training and different races or cultures. outreach efforts. “I enjoyed the conference,” said Reyna The site also includes comprehensive Spencer-Gurlly, community liaison in information about the Mentorship, District 6. “I appreciate that MoDOT is TRAC, Co-op and Partnership in making an effort to celebrate diversity Shaun Schmitz Education programs. and to really make that an integral part Keynote Speaker Gail Hinshaw talked about generational gaps in the work place and gave attendees tips on how to manage of the department’s culture.” workers from different generations. Check it out at wwwi/intranet/eo/. Nearly 100 managers attended the can recognize the differences and percentage increase in minority and conference, which was given the value them for the understanding women employed in their respective actions best promoted diversity in the theme “Paving the Way to SRI: and strength that they can bring,” work unit. work place. The awards given this year Simply Respecting Individuals.” said Chris Rutledge, Transportation “It is an honor for the System Delivery will become an annual presentation. Both general and breakout sessions Planning Manager in District 9. “These Team to receive the Director’s Diversity provided valuable information to help principles and concepts are not only 2007 Diversity Conference Awards Award,” said Chief Engineer Kevin management become more culturally helpful for us in the work place, but Keith. “We are working hard to create a Director’s Diversity Award – System competent, understand diverse work are applicable in the families, churches, culture of inclusiveness at MoDOT, and Delivery Team styles and bridge the generational gaps communities, and world that we live in.” one of the first steps is to increase the Diversity in Hiring Award - System in today’s work force. Chief Financial Officer Roberta diversity of our staff.” Delivery Team “The value of this conference was Broeker presented seven diversity Career Builder Award - System Other awards recognized districts not that it minimized the differences awards during the noon luncheon. The Facilitation Team or Central Office teams for their in people. Rather, discussions, System Delivery Team received the Excellence in TRAC - District 6 efforts to increase diversity in the presentations, and work sessions highest honor, the Director’s Diversity Co-op Educator of the Year work place, either through hiring were set up such that employees Award, for achieving the highest Award - Lisa Elliott practices, opportunities for promotion EAC Diversity Advocate of the or educational efforts. They also Year Award - Jana Hughes rewarded outstanding participation in Best Practical Design Concepts District Diversity Pioneer the TRAC and Co-op programs, as well Award - District 2 and District 8 Recognized at TEAM Conference as honoring the EAC member whose by Bob Brendel

Practical Design continues to return 2007 Awards for Excellence “U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters said dividends to Missouri taxpayers, Small Bridge she was impressed with the Missouri Department of enabling MoDOT to provide more George Butler Associates, in Transportation’s innovative transportation programs and improvements to its sprawling system. cooperation with District 5 – Route V, how the agency was making wise use of taxpayer dollars. At this year’s annual conference of the Boone County Transportation Engineers Association ‘The Show Me State is showing America how to deliver of Missouri, some of the best examples Large Bridge highway projects on budget and on schedule, and even of Practical Design were recognized MoDOT’s Bridge Division, in ahead of schedule,’ Peters said. Peters [also said] Missouri with “Awards for Excellence.” cooperation with District 3 – Route 61, is a national leader when it comes to embracing innovative Pike and Ralls Counties approaches and solutions.” The competition, which received 30 entries, was co-sponsored by Small Rehabilitation Project Excerpt from Willow Springs Community & Business News, Feb. 23, 2007 2 based on comments Peters made at Missouri’s Transportation Conference MoDOT and the American Council of District 7 – Route 37, Barry County Engineering Companies-Missouri. Large Rehabilitation Project In making the presentations, Chief HNTB, in cooperation with District 4 Leadership Changes New EAC Members Engineer Kevin Keith noted that the – Route I-35/I-670 in Jackson County Continued from p. 1 eight winning projects represented $83 and Truman Road Bridge in Take Office in July administration from Northwestern million in savings. All 30 submitted City University and a master’s in business Employees answered the call when the projects represented $361 million in New Construction Small Project administration from Columbia Univer- Employee Advisory Council put out a savings. Crawford, Murphy & TILLY, in sity. request for new members in February Each MoDOT district was allowed to cooperation with District 3 – Route 61, to replace 10 members whose terms enter two projects; consultants were Lewis and Clark County (Avenue of the expire later this year. Saints) allowed one entry per firm. The entries New members, who will take office were then evaluated by the team of Paul New Construction Large Project on July 1 for a two-year term, are: Ed Corr (Fred Weber, Inc.), Larry Benz, Gateway Constructors, in cooperation Angle and Julie Hill, District 1; Denise (Cole County and TEAM president), with District 6 – The New I-64 … The Hutchinson, District 2; David Powell, Tom Gredell (Gredell Engineering I-170 District 3; David Bower, District 4; Resources representing ACEC-MO), Travis Riggs, District 5; Edith Richard- Most Innovative Small Project Kevin Kelly (FHWA), Mike Curtit son, District 6; Lewis Gerbitz, District District 10 – Routes 77, 80 and 102, (MoDOT Traffic), Paul Kelly (MoDOT 7; Johnna Teel, District 8; Johnathan Mississippi County Bridge) and Kathy Harvey (MoDOT Estes, District 9; Tammy Hefner and Design). Most Innovative Large Project

Shaun Schmitz Richard Russell, District 10; and For more details about team members, District 4, in cooperation with FHWA Rudolph E. Farber Cheryl Bonner and Kevin Raithel, a project description, costs and cost – Route I-435, Jackson County … The Central Office. savings, go to www.modot.org. Diverging Diamond

M a y 2 0 0 7 Connections It’s Roadeo Time! Story by Jeff Briggs, photos by Wes Farris

After a few years off, MoDOT’s Winter Operators earn points for each skill, Skills Roadeo is once again under way with the two highest performers in throughout the state. Most employees each district advancing to the statewide who operate equipment during win- Roadeo in October. ter storms participate in this training “MoDOT invests competition that rates operators on a more than $27 variety of skills, with the highest scores million a year, advancing to the statewide Roadeo on average, finals. to keep the “We’ve got about 3,000 of our folks out highways clear taking care of our roads during winter of snow and storms,” said Mike Shea, MoDOT’s ice,” Shea said. statewide Roadeo coordinator. “It’s “This training difficult work in tough conditions, and helps us make you’ve got to know exactly how to the most of that handle the plows and other equipment investment. to get the job done. That’s why this “The Roadeo training is so critical.” competition is a very effec- Each district has its own Roadeo com- tive training method, because petition, with some already completed we’ve got a lot of experienced and some coming later this summer. operators who respond well Operators are tested on a variety of to the competition, and are skills needed to operate a snowplow great examples for the less- truck and a loader, including backing experienced drivers. The into narrow spaces for loading, plowing Roadeo format naturally in a straight line and through obstacles, encourages workers to give clearing curbs and interchanges and their best effort and develop other challenges. their skills.”

Maintenance Sheds Go Live Missouri Model for Mature by Bob Edwards and Kristi Jamison Driver Project by Megan Mills Nearly 2,000 maintenance workers access. Each system includes a recycled will have easier, quicker access computer and new printer. The senior population in Missouri is said Jackie Rogers, state project to employee benefit information, Seymour Senior Maintenance Worker on the rise. While older adults bring coordinator. “However, it may mean department policy updates and other Ken Evans said his first session on the lots of experience to the roadway, making some changes in how and when useful personnel-related information computer “went real quick.” He easily got many of them face physical changes you drive.” thanks to a department-wide project that may cause delayed reaction to his deferred compensation account. “I The program includes five core to install computers in each MoDOT time, drowsiness and trouble judging didn’t have any problem with it.” programs: a DriveWell Toolkit, a maintenance facility. distance or speed while driving. In National Highway Traffic Safety “It does work pretty slick,” said Seymour response, MoDOT has launched a new The computer systems were requested Administration Law Enforcement Maintenance Supervisor Roger Markle, pilot program to educate Missourians by the Employee Advisory Committee Module, Assessing and Counseling the after he tried out the EAC computer. about mature driving and mobility after the group received a concern from Older Driver, CarFit, and Roadwise options. an employee that a significant number of District 8 IS Manager Lisa Mattocks Review. MoDOT workers had little or no access said each location had to be wired The older driver intervention program MoDOT is introducing these programs to such a valuable communication tool before the computer system was is a joint effort between MoDOT, the in Cape Girardeau, Columbia, Kansas in an age of instant communication. installed. That was completed in National Highway Traffic Safety City, Springfield and St. Louis over the 3 December. Installations in January Administration and the American The EAC teamed up with Information next year. If our pilot program proves through March were completed by IS Society on Aging. Systems staff to tackle the project. Work staffers Blaine Doss, Mark Chastain and successful, it will be used as a model is still under way in most districts. Tommy Nunn. The program aims to help improve for other states. However, District 8 was the first district older driver safety and encourage “Spreading awareness and hosting to complete the installations district-wide, The project is expected to be complete seniors to use transportation informational programs about mature setting up systems in 27 maintenance in all districts this month. alternatives when they must limit or driving and mobility will help reduce facilities, all with high-speed computer stop driving. Central Office IS Project Manager crashes and save lives,” Rogers said. Leonard Hodges said, “This has been “It’s important for mature drivers, as For more information on mature a very challenging project well as their families and physicians, to driving, visit www.modot.org. due to the complexity and understand that growing older doesn’t dynamics of each location always mean giving up driving,” in which an installation is being done. The teamwork to accomplish a project of this size in the time frame “Not too long ago, the Missouri Department of Transpor- given has been fantastic! I tation and its governing body – the Missouri Highways and believe MoDOT will benefit Transportation Commission – were taking much criticism greatly from this project as for failing to complete its plan for highway improvements. it helps reduce employee In fairness, we now must credit the commission and agency Bob Edwards time away from the job and for pulling out of that tailspin. The best way to restore Seymour Maintenance Supervisor Roger Markle signs on to an EAC computer in the shop office. improve morale.” credibility is with action, not talk, and the department has done precisely that.” Excerpt from the Jefferson City News Tribune, Jan. 13, 2007

M a y 2 0 0 7 Connections St. Louis Launches 511 Number “The folks at the Missouri Department of Transportation are almost disjointing their shoulders by patting them- for Travel Information selves on their collective back for accomplishments in by Andrew Gates 2006. And – brace yourselves for this – they are justified in doing so. Anyone who traveled in the state over the past Motorists within District 6 will have This traveler information service year had no trouble seeing a lot of road constructions/repair another option to get real-time travel will not replace the personal touch of work … Bottom line: More is being done by MoDOT and information on regional interstate high- live voices in the Customer Service ways and major state routes this month department. “Customer service helps more is being done to make sure that people know what when MoDOT launches its 511 service manage traffic by getting information is being done. Both will help the cause when going to the in St. Louis. on obstructed lanes, potholes and other legislature for assistance and going before voters for more driving hazards as well as getting that money when that time comes again.” The service will allow travelers to get info to the people who can fix those the latest information on roadway con- Excerpt from the Harrison Daily Times, Feb. 7, 2007 travel issues,” said Teresa Krenning, ditions simply by dialing 511. Travelers St. Louis Transportation Management in Illinois or the rest of Missouri can Center manager. “However, we don’t access the same travel information encourage motorists to call Customer boards on interstates. Travel informa- MoDOT is partnering with Traffic.com for St. Louis by dialing 877-478-5511, Service to get real-time information for tion from 511 will allow motorists to to provide the service to the region at which is 877-4STL-511. traveling. determine what traffic will be like, in no cost to the department or Missouri real time, on other highways along taxpayers. “Our 511 service is the first “Customer Service doesn’t their route. This lets them make smart service that is truly free, while many have the manpower or time to choices to modify their route if needed. states are paying lots of money to get give information on highway expanded travel information services,” congestion in addition to their said Blair. “This public/private partner- regular duties, so that’s why ship between MoDOT in St. Louis and this real-time travel information Traffic.com will be a model for other tool is so valuable,” Krenning states in the future.” said. “Additionally, having an automated system lets motorists Not only will this project be the bench- get the information they need mark for free 511 services to other Although this isn’t the first voice oper- quickly with the average call time be- states, but it also opens the door for ated travel information service for St. ing just under a minute.” 511 service across Missouri. However, Louis, it is the first to incorporate the there is no formal timeline to bring 511 The 511-travel information service nationally recognized 511-telephone statewide. expands the current Gateway Guide number for the service. “As MoDOT services. Motorists can obtain the lat- “We do desire to have a 511 service in prepared for the upcoming I-64 recon- est travel information within District 6, Kansas City very soon and are also struction, Pete Rahn committed us to including average traffic speeds, cur- considering including the providing 511 service to the St. Louis rent incidents and construction zones and Interstate 44 corridors, as well as region as one of many tools to reduce before they leave from home or work the Springfield/Branson region,” said congestion along St. Louis interstate by using the Gateway Guide Web site. Troy Pinkerton, Central Office traffic highways and major routes,” said Tom As these travelers head toward their liaison engineer. “This is a nationwide Blair, District 6 assistant district engi- destination, they can get additional service and our goal is to offer it to as neer. “As we roll out 511 services here, information about congestion on the many customers as quickly as we can.” we have shown that we are committed roads ahead from overhead message to keeping our promises.”

May Service Anniversaries

35 Years Jerry P. Davis D7 Mollie D. Leblanc CO David G. Twyman D8 William A. Revelle D6 Joe D. Crum D9 Steven W. Rightnowar CO Leslie A. Bunton D9 L. Linn Davault D10 Dustin H. Cooper D9 30 Years 5 Years Forrest D. House D10 Mary E. Shrubb D9 David R. Berry D2 Ronald D. Bright D1 Richard J. Russell D10 Angela L. Temple D9 Bobby W. Fallaw D2 Danny S. Conway D1 Dean D. Franke CO Allen L. Hull D10 Wallace L. Shelton D4 Jeffrey J. Dennis D1 4 Kelly D. Hammack CO Kimberly A. Hickey CO Daniel R. Caruthers D7 Tina K. Kavanaugh D1 Jeffery S. Joens CO Angela D. Sutton CO Gary W. Mawhiney D8 Tonya R. Lohman D1 Elizabeth J. Skouby CO Lori A. Tackett CO Pauline F. Forck CO James H. Owings D1 Garry W. Viebrock CO Adam R. Wyrick CO Bryan K. Pash D1 25 Years 10 Years Charles D. Burton D2 Correction: Michele L. House celebrated 15 Darrell Klocke D3 Thomas K. Brenner D2 Jeffrey W. Miller D2 years with MoDOT in April. It was reported Randal W. Shubert D3 Russell L. Gander D2 Robert Carter D4 that she works in D2, but she actually works Robert J. Johnson D5 Timothy E. Sims D2 William T. Gray D4 in D3/Hannibal. Tony E. Nichols D5 Donald D. Troester D2 Darling O. Payton D4 Russell W. Graham D6 Donald D. Williams D2 T. J. Williams D4 Daryl D. Simmons D6 Tonya S. Austin D3 Daniel L. Goff D5 In Memoriam Dennis D. Blankenship D7 Ronald D. Calvin D3 Christopher A. Graham D5 Barbara K. Dudenhoeffer CO Laurie A. Travis D3 Anthony G. Middendorf D5 Retirees 20 Years Robert D. Johnson D4 Jason P. Morf D5 Austin Crotts D4 March 2 Marcia A. Oliver D2 Lisa R. Bockhoff D6 Justin E. Nelson D5 Leo Tissieres D4 March 2 Norman A. Henson D4 James D. Colonna D6 Bradley W. Temme D5 Christ P. Gerber CO March 5 Chris A. Teel D4 David A. Perkins D6 Mark A. Baumann D6 Leroy Hickman D1 March 13 Warren R. Zeller D4 Clinton D. Erwin D7 Toraino A. Hellems D6 Roger G. Mullenix D2 March 19 Timothy J. Kluner D6 Larry R. Palmer D7 Scott A. Hensler D6 John “Larry” Duff D3 March 20 John P. Ohlms D6 Tony C. Phillips D7 David L. Herzog D6 Carl E. Robertson D7 March 21 Gaila M. Campbell D8 David L. Toler D7 Arisa Prapaisilp D6 Richard W. Lewis D3 March 27 Raymond A. Kinard CO Douglas E. Durham D8 Warren D. Bailey D7 Keith Jones D3 March 27 Mary E. Slaughter D8 Max T. Major D7 Marvin E. Soltes D10 March 29 15 Years Wilber L. Barton D9 Kary J. Youngblood D7 Charles R. Modrell D1 March 31 Ronald L. Perkins D2 Joseph D. Mullen D9 Stephen E. Atkisson D8 Aubrey E. Bird CO March 31 Tana L. Akright D3 Bruce Smith D9 Marcus G. Dalton D8 Joyce A. McPike D3 James M. Demann D10 David W. Henry D8 Charles L. Harris D4 Roger G. Thompson D10 Susan J. Marshall D8 Willie M. Stennis D4 Arnold L. Edgar CO Rusty L. Quick D8 April Retirements James D. Honse D5 Roland A. Hoover CO Ray Strain D8 Tim R. Black D6 There were no April retirements.

M a y 2 0 0 7 Connections Across the State C C e nO t r a l O f f i c e

Emotional Speech Kicks Off 2007 Work Zone Awareness Week by Patti Knopke

MoDOT commemorated Work Zone Awareness Week and the start of another construction season with a kickoff event and memorial ceremo- ny held April 2 at the Central Office building in Jefferson City.

The event included opening remarks proud of everything they have done for from System Management Direc- safety awareness, he was very adamant tor Don Hillis, Rep. Neal St. Onge, about it. Sen. Bill Stouffer and Missouri State But people don’t understand, even Highway Patrol Superintendent though it is not a construction work Colonel James Keathley. Kelly Hoier- zone, when a motorist assist or a main- man, widow of Ken Hoierman who tenance man sets up and stops on the was tragically killed in a work zone in side of the highway, a highway patrol, August 2006, was the final speaker. Her a fire truck – that is a work zone. touching speech, which follows, truly moved the crowd. You need to move over and give them room to work safely, and slow down. “I am touched by everything that Kelly Hoierman made an impassioned plea for motorists to pay Doing 45 miles an hour for 10 miles is MoDOT has done. Ken would be very attention and watch out for MoDOT, construction and emergency not going to make you any later. Leave workers on roadways during a memorial ceremony in Jefferson City. five minutes earlier. Put your cell phone for these men and women that are on After Kelly spoke, the public service down. These men the highway trying to make it safer for announcement featuring Ken was and women who you to get to your destination. That’s shown. The four columns on the face are out there are all they’re trying to do, is ask you to of the Central Office building were lit giving their lives watch out for them because no parent in orange in rememberance of the four because people are should have to come home and tell MoDOT workers who were killed in being reckless and their child that their parent is not the line of duty in 2006. One hundred it’s wrong. coming home because someone wasn’t and twenty four luminaries were lit in paying attention. remembrance of the MoDOT employ- Take the time to ees who lost their lives in the line of concentrate on Take a few minutes. Slow down. Leave duty. MoDOT offices, as well as other what you are do- a little bit earlier. Pull over to the next buildings and landmarks throughout A somber orange glow lit the night sky during a ing. Teach your lane if there is someone out working. memorial ceremony at the Central Office kickoff the state, were also illuminated orange children to drive Give them room to breathe. Give them event for Work Zone Awareness Week. in honor of Work Zone Awareness and to watch out the space they need.” Week.

smoother and much quicker,” Diana MoDOT is accountable for fixed assets Physical Inventory Blitz said. Some teams were able to finish purchased, transferred and disposed A New Way to Count Inventory at Central Office quickly because the divisions had pre- of because it is our responsibility to be 5 By Karen Miller pared the actual count beforehand. good stewards of taxpayer dollars. The “Support from Central Office staff was fixed asset records are updated daily If you were working on March 1, you ordinator of fixed asset inventory, “We instrumental in finding the fixed assets in the Financial SAM II system. The probably received a visit from someone brainstormed ideas on how to complete and identifying obsolete or under- physical count is done only once a year in the Controller’s Division to count inventory faster as well as achieve threshold items, as well as ensuring the to verify the SAM II records are cor- the fixed assets in your work area, like efficiency and accuracy - lots of ideas “Property of MoDOT” tags are affixed rect and to make sure assets have not computers, laptops, printers, vehicles were discussed.” to MoDOT property that is not a fixed been lost. and other higher-value items. The Completing the count in one day meant asset,” Diana said. Many Central Of- This is another great example of how Controller’s Division used a different some of the Controller’s Division staff fice locations took advantage of the teamwork, not just within the Control- approach than previous years to con- no longer had to spend a month going opportunity to identify obsolete items ler’s Division, but throughout Central duct inventory: sending out 21 teams to from one location to another counting in order to dispose of them. Office, is helping us do our jobs better, count Central Office locations in one items, as in previous years. faster and cheaper day. “We were able to get a snap-shot of all and allowing us to According to Diana Luebbering, fixed assets at one point in time, which get the best value for financial services administrator and co- made the reconciliation process go every dollar spent! Senior Facility Operations Crew for more info Worker Marvin Connections Editor Kristi Jamison Smith joins John Phone 573.526.2482 Harding and Char- E-mail [email protected] lotte Edwards from the Controller’s 105 W. Capitol Avenue Division to take P.O. Box 270 inventory of com- Jefferson City, MO 65102 puter equipment.

M a y 2 0 0 7 Connections Across the State D1 N o r t h w e s t Interstate 35 Story by M. Elaine Justus, photos by Holly Lea Murphy

The dedication ceremony for one of Missouri’s newest welcome centers is being planned for late 2007. The invitation list will include not only federal and state transportation officials, area residents and elected representa- tives, but also surviving members of the now disbanded 35th Infantry Divi- sion. They will be on hand to see their 40-year-old bronze memorial plaque relocated from the old Coffey rest area to a new position of honor in the welcome center.

Interstate 35 from Bethany to the Iowa State Line will be the focus of a lot of activity from May to November this construction season.

The Northwest District has two major was even begun) through House Con- interstates that traverse our 12-county current Resolution No. 28. area: Interstate 29 and Interstate 35. Why the 35th Infantry Division? Both of them are congressionally Formed in 1917, designated as “high priority corridors.” the 35th Infan- During the 2007 construction season, try Division the northernmost section of Interstate was composed 35 in Missouri is going to be the major principally focus for a lot of work and events. of men from On June 29, 1956, President Dwight the Missouri, David Eisenhower signed the Federal- The sleeve insignia Kansas and Aid-Highway Act into law. It called of the 35th Infantry Nebraska Na- upon the states to build “a 41,000-mile Division illustrates the “mechanized” tional Guards system of interstate highways linking aspect of their train- and served America’s major cities.” The act also ing. with distinction mandated the system be completed by in both world 1972. wars. “Distinction” seems almost an There is a lot of construction that needs to happen at the welcome center before we can even begin to think about a date for the dedication ceremony. understatement when you check their Formerly known as “Route 2,” it wasn’t Hopefully, recent rain and spring snow will not delay the project too much until 1957 that AASHTO designated history and see battles such as the longer. I-35 as an “original interstate highway” Meuse-Argonne, Verdun, and Norman- from Laredo, Texas, to Duluth, Minn. dy. Although officially “inactivated” in Ironically, the contract for the construc- 6 Contrary to popular belief, I-35 does 1963, the surviving veterans continue tion of the new welcome center was not directly connect to either Canada to hold a yearly reunion. awarded to Chester Bross Construc- or Mexico, but stops just short of both This spring, work began on the new tion of Palmyra, who also received the international borders. Although it welcome center to be constructed on contract to do “hot-in-place” recycling measures 1,565 miles in total length, I-35 just south of the Iowa border. Com- on 21.517 miles of the same section only 114 miles of it pass through Mis- pletion is anticipated later this year, of I-35 this season, along with reha- souri (the shortest length of any state). and the formal dedication ceremony bilitation of six bridges. Beginning in The earthwork for the northernmost being planned will include representa- early May, lanes will be closed on the Missouri portion (from Cameron north tives from the 35th Infantry Division. interstate. We anticipate lane drops to the Iowa line) was completed in 1974 A bronze plaque memorializing them, and minor traffic inconvenience will and the paving done in 1976. originally displayed at the Coffey rest continue through late November, except The full length of I-35 was designated area, has been salvaged. We plan to for holidays, of course. Because of the as the “35th Infantry Division Memo- install it in a place of honor in the new high volume of traffic during the sum- rial Highway” on June 10, 1969 (before welcome center. mer months, extra funding has been the earthwork in northwest Missouri allocated to increase law enforcement Between the high traffic volumes, during this period. You might keep that the extreme weather conditions and the age of the pavement, in mind if you’re planning on travelling there’s no question this section of for more info north this summer. Interstate 35 is desperately in need Community Relations Manager Elaine Justus of attention. Drivers should find a Phone 816.387.2353 much improved surface by the end E-mail [email protected] of this construction season.

3602 N. Belt Highway St. Joseph, MO 64502

M a y 2 0 0 7 Connections Across the State D2 N o r t h C e n t r a l

The Winter Skills Roadeos are Back in Town Clearing the high bar on the loader course. Risk Management Technician Nancy Traffic departments in this planning Davis, with laptop in hand, also worked process so we can work as smart and with the district team. The judges efficient as possible.” turned their score sheets into Nancy, All of the superintendents praised the who was responsible for entering over employees in their areas for doing such 250 participant’s scores into the com- a great job during the winter season. puter program to calculate the overall The Winter Skills Roadeos are back cal Support Engineer Bob Lannert and score and time. During one presentation, Maintenance in town for MoDOT, and District 2 everyone involved with the statewide Superintendent Brad Gates summed up Along with testing their skills during volunteered to be the first to saddle up team, was so well prepared that it re- teamwork efforts in his area by saying, the training, employees came together to conduct this training for its employ- ally helped to get things rolling for the “We’re not Brad’s area any longer, we’re for the annual spring meeting. Dan ees. Maintenance Superintendent Keith district. not even District 2, we’re MoDOT and Hartwig represented District 2 on the The team chose to combine the skills statewide team headed by Technical training with the district’s annual Support Engineer Mike Shea and Em- spring meetings and safety awards. The ployee Development Specialist Aaron days were structured to have groups Cox. This team planned every detail of employees participating in morning

Mike Herleth gives an overview of the Safe & Sound Program.

Niec and Mike Herleth gave employees we’ll go where we’re needed and do Neither wind nor hail nor sleet nor snow... a high level overview of the department what has to be done.” and district direction. They discussed When the roadeos were finished, Keith many topics, including the Better of the training, which is structured to and afternoon sessions for the train- said, “I’ve heard some very positive Roads, Brighter Future and Safe & test employees’ knowledge through a ing, with the spring meeting and safety comments about the training, and Sound Bridge Improvement programs. written test, and to evaluate their skill awards taking place mid-day. In order most of the employees liked having Construction projects, STIP, district in pre-trip inspections and operating a to accomplish all of this, the team also the roadeo, spring meeting and safety business plan and tracker measures snowplow and loader. agreed to have employees take the writ- awards combined into one big meeting. ten exam the week prior to the roadeos. were also discussed to give employees Keith returned from the statewide The truck and loader courses gave em- a sense of where each one of them fit meetings to put together a district team The day before the roadeos were sched- ployees a chance to show off their skills into the direction of the department and to plan our event. Mike Herleth, Travis uled to begin, the team came together to and gave management a chance to see the district. how skilled these employees are.” Wombwell, Dale Niece, Shari Dye, set up and run the courses to make sure Area engineers and maintenance super- Brad Gates and Tammy Wallace joined everything would work smoothly that So who had the best overall score in intendents also laid out detailed plans Keith, Mike and Aaron to form the first day. Areas were designated for the this competition? Intermediate Crew and directions from patching and chip team. The plan and materials compiled pre-trip inspections, loader course and Worker Richard McClain and Senior 7 sealing to signing/striping, bridge and by Mike and Aaron, along with Techni- snowplow course so all three stations Crew Worker Eugene Oser each earned concrete work for the upcoming sum- could run simultaneously. This 4,784 out of 5,000 possible points. To mer season. To wrap things up, Ellen required commitments for long determine the overall winner, the truck Gehringer presented information on the days for those judging, but it made and loader course times were combined Fitness for Duty policy. the training very efficient. and the employee with the fastest time, Unfortunately, thunderstorms with “I was very impressed with all the Richard, took the number one spot with heavy wind and rain made the presentations,” said Dan. “Our district Eugene placing second. Additionally 10 first morning more than challeng- is planning our work like we’ve never employees ranked in the 95th percentile. ing for both the participants and planned before, and a lot of the effort Congratulations to everyone! judges, but that didn’t stop the has been given by our Maintenance and action. Everyone involved just Dan Niec presents the grabbed rain gear and the training District 2 trophy to Richard began. Mike, Aaron and Bob were McClain. Richard will join Watch out for that mailbox! other district winners for all on hand from the Central Of- the statewide competition fice to assist that day. in October. for more info Community Relations Tammy Wallace Phone 660.385.8209 E-mail [email protected] Route 63 P.O. Box 8 Macon, MO 63552

M a y 2 0 0 7 Connections Across the State D3 N o r t h e a s t Employees Get a ‘Crash’ Course in Safety

The Northeast District held safety and other outdoor safety issues. Mis- days for all of its employees last month souri State Highway Patrol officers to bring awareness not only to high- brought the convincer to each of the way safety, but also other issues like events and presented real stories about conservation, health and wellness. accidents involving victims not wearing One featured speaker was Dietician seat belts. MoDOT representatives Nancy Hays from Hannibal Regional from the Employee Benefit division, Hospital, who educated crews with her the regional Blueprint committee, and Health Jeopardy game. Agents from the I-64 project also shared informa- the Missouri Department of Conserva- tion. Safety awards were distributed tion spoke on various issues including to employees who have gone an entire mountain lions in Missouri, tracking year without incident. Maintenance Superintendent Kenny Hollocher prepares for the “crash” on the seat belt convincer at the south area’s safety day. Lt. Al Nothum with the Missouri State Highway Patrol shared stories about real inci- dents that had occurred to people who were not wearing seat belts, Retirements then took the crews outside to try out the convincer.

Harry Elder of the Frankford mainte- Elders have traveled to every state in nance facility retired after 21 years of the U.S. and also have traveled abroad, Students Rewarded for Work service with MoDOT. Harry and his but there is so much more to see they wife, who is retiring later this summer, will continue to travel more. Zone Posters will travel a lot visiting family, and he plans to golf more. As a side note, the Students from three local schools were were presented orange items and a copy recognized for their efforts to bring of the local newspaper that featured all awareness to highway construction the posters from the Northeast District. zones during Work Zone Awareness Other schools participating included Week last month. Samantha Pettibone, A.D. Stowell in Hannibal and the el- a 4th-grade student at Holy Family ementary school in Louisiana. Catholic School in Hannibal, won an honorable mention in the state contest, and she and several of her schoolmates

Samantha Pet- tibone and Jordan Gamble of Holy Family Catholic School in Hannibal Harry is pictured with his family at the retirement celebration are presented their at the Frankford maintenance building in March. prizes by Hannibal Maintenance Mike Parrish of the Memphis main- Glen Minks of the Shelbyville main- Supervisor Birney tenance facility retired after 31 years tenance facility retired after 25 years Herrick. 8 of service with of service with MoDOT. Mike MoDOT. Glen plans to do what- plans to enjoy ever he wants to farming, fishing this summer, but and visiting also doing odd grandkids. He jobs he has put and his wife will off. travel to Florida this summer.

Mike Parrish, Mem- Glen Minks, phis maintenance Shelbyville main- supervisor, retired tenance, retired May 1, 2007. May 1, 2007.

for more info Community Relations Manager Marisa Brown Phone 573.248.2502 E-mail [email protected] This freshmen “tribe” at Palmyra High School were winners of the Highway Route 61 South Survivor game held in the gym of their school. They are pictured with Ran- P.O. Box 1067 dy Shephard, a volunteer from Hannibal LaGrange College, and Sgt. Greg Hannibal, MO 63401 Leftwich with the MSHP. The Highway Survivor game is a popular and fun way for high school students to learn about safe driving habits.

M a y 2 0 0 7 Connections Across the State Downtown Loop Improvements Gain Momentum D4 by Steve Porter K a n s a s C i t y A r e a Interchange Project Begins KC Portion of Better Roads, Brighter Future by Kerri Lewis

As another busy construction season southbound Route 291 to westbound begins, so does the first of Kansas I-70 for approximately 45 days. City’s Better Roads, Brighter Future n Once the southbound bridgework projects. is complete, northbound I-470/ Bridge rehabilitation closed the Route 291 will be reduced to one westbound Interstate 70 exit ramp lane from the Little Blue River to to southbound and re- 39th Street to rehabilitate the Little duced traffic to one lane over the I-70 Blue River, Route 40 and 39th bridge on March 19. Motorists who Street bridges. The northbound The old Truman Road bridge over on the south side of the normally use the ramp had to seek lanes of Route 291/I-470 will be Downtown Loop is gone, but will be replaced late this summer by one of another route until it reopened April shifted onto the newly constructed three new bridges. 12. Approximately 6,500 vehicles use southbound bridge deck of 39th the ramp on a daily basis. Street, restricting Route 291/I-470 Have you ever started a little fixer-up- Work on the six-lane Grand Avenue to one lane. The project’s second phase closed the per project that just kept growing? bridge will restrict lanes later this n spring, but crews can keep some traf- eastbound I-70 exit ramp to north- Closing ramps from northbound MoDOT projects to replace four fic flowing on the bridge throughout bound Route 291 and reduced traffic Route 291 to 39th Street and from bridges and rehabilitate another 13 in most of the work. The other three traveling north on Route 291 to one westbound I-70 to northbound Kansas City’s Downtown Loop were bridges – at Baltimore, Walnut and lane on March 26. That ramp re- Route 291 for approximately already under way when an event on McGee – will be closed for about two opened April 19. 45 days. the other side of the state added some weeks, each at different times. The n items to the work list. Additional ramp and lane closures are Repaving on northbound and last closure is expected to occur from expected in the next several months at southbound lanes of Route A portion of sidewalk fell from a mid-June until early July. the interchange. The project schedule 291/I-470 will commence once bridge in St. Louis in March, which Work on bridge railings, removing old includes the following phases: bridge rehabilitation is complete. launched a program of urgent repairs sidewalks; pouring new; wider side- n This will occur during non-peak on bridges over MoDOT’s highways Reducing southbound Route 291/I- walks; and repairing and resurfacing hours. in the Downtown Loop. MoDOT and 470 to one lane from 39th Street to all five bridges, will come via a con- the city of Kansas City were already the Little Blue River to rehabilitate Each stage of work includes a re- tract to be let this month. The work working on a design to treat and the 39th Street, Route 40 and Little ward/penalty incentive program with will require various lane closures for resurface bridges, improve pedestrian Blue River bridges. Shifting south- the contractor. The contractor will several days at a time on each bridge accommodations on the south side of bound lanes of Route 291 onto the be rewarded for completing stages and will continue into fall until work the loop and add aesthetic side rails to existing northbound bridge at 39th ahead of schedule and penalized for is completed. Street, restricting I-470/Route 291 any work extending beyond the con- complement ongoing redevelopment to one lane. tracted timeframe. The entire project in the area. Two other downtown projects that began in 2006 are still in progress. n is scheduled for completion in late The urgent bridge work, combined Closing ramps from 39th Street to The first project is replacing bridges September. with the aesthetic improvements, southbound Route 291 and from at Truman Road and at Oak and means that five of the bridges will Locust streets, with structures featur- receive new, wider sidewalks as part 9 ing eight-foot-wide sidewalks and of their rehabilitation. Put everything retaining walls along I-670 to provide together and it means that more for more lanes. The $13.8 million con- than $26 million in road and bridge tract should be completed by Sept. 1. improvements in the Downtown Loop will be completed by this October. The second project – a $7.5 million effort to rehabilitate 13 bridges and Traffic will be restricted on five resurface highway lanes on the west bridges over Interstate 670 into the side of the Loop – is more than half fall. Crews began around-the-clock done. Southbound lanes that have construction in mid-April to acceler- been closed since mid-winter are ate repairs on some of those struc- expected to reopen in May. tures. Another $3.1 million contract will MoDOT maintenance crews began resurface I-670 on the south side of

CathyMorrison bridge rehabilitation, deck repair and the Loop. That work will take place The Kansas City Marriott Downtown was lit in orange in recognition of preparation for decorative railing on Work Zone Safety Week in April. this summer. the Main Street bridge in early April. The work required periodic lane for more info closures, but the improvements were Community Relations Manager Joel Blobaum completed in about a week. Phone 816.622.6327 E-mail [email protected]

600 NE Colbern Road Lee’s Summit, MO 64068

M a y 2 0 0 7 Connections Across the State MoDOT Invites Public Input by Holly Dentner

While we rely on engineering evalua- MoDOT has also been working tions and environmental studies to de- through the environmental assessment D5 termine the best course of action when process to widen Route 65 from south C e n t r a l planning a highway improvement, we of Cole Camp Junction to Route 7 in also seek public comment on our plans Warsaw, and Benton County residents to make sure the communities affected have been actively involved from the Chamois Crew Helps by the improvement are involved in the beginning. Over 140 people attended process. Four recent meetings helped us the public hearing March 14 so they Elderly Man During Storm meet that goal. could review the draft assessment that by Holly Dentner identified a preferred alternative for the After citizens expressed concerns about new road. A severe thunderstorm blew through the safety of a section of Route 7 in mid-Missouri on April 3, bringing Benton County, the district held a pub- A public hearing was held on March strong winds, heavy rain and hail to the lic meeting on March 6 to address their 15 in Columbia regarding a new inter- area. Chamois Maintenance Supervisor questions and explore possible safety change at Gans Road and U.S. Route 63. Dave Thuli was in Osage County with improvements for the area. About 60 The interchange would improve safety his crew, making some road repairs people attended the meeting. and traffic flow and accommodate -in and patching potholes on Route J. They creased traffic generated by a stopped for lunch when the heavy rain new development area in south started and as it continued they noticed Columbia. About 35 people

a man trying to make his way across a JimHonse attending the hearing. MoDOT to the rescue: Senior nearby pasture. Maintenance Workers Dave Laugh- The most recent public hear- “We could tell something was wrong lin and Rick Starke. ing was held April 3 in Miller with him,” said Thuli. “He was moving walked and the bad weather got the bet- County. MoDOT proposes re- really slow and having trouble walking.” ter of him.” placing the Osage River Bridge on Route 17, east of Tuscumbia. Senior Maintenance Workers Dave The man was too weak to walk back The project would cost approxi- Laughlin and Rick Starke got out of to the MoDOT truck, so Laughlin and mately $8.5 million and con- their truck and made their way about Starke brought it out to the field and DawnHaslag struction is planned to begin in 300 yards to the man’s location. The took him home. Thuli says his crew Left to right: District Engineer Roger winter 2009. Over 100 people man was struggling to talk and they was soaking wet from the downpour, Schwartze, Project Manager Jason Vander- feltz and consultant Eric Neprud examine a attended the hearing. thought he was near collapse. but he’s glad they spotted the man. photo of the Osage River Bridge from the “He was working in his fields and got “He could have fallen and seriously hurt early 1900s, brought to the Miller County Route 17 meeting by a local resident. his tractor stuck,” said Thuli. “He himself,” said Thuli. “I’m glad our crew was an older guy and the distance he was there to help.” Fatima and Lincoln Win Spreading the Word About Work Zones Regional Battle of the Belt

Our students buckle up and win! award their $250 prize money, spon- Fatima High School in Osage County sored by American Family Insurance. and Lincoln High School in Benton “We are very proud of the high school County won regional honors in the students in the mid-Missouri area who statewide Battle of the Belt, an educational program where schools competed against each other to increase safety belt use and potentially

HollyDentner save lives. The challenge 10 Area Engineer Mike Schupp talks to Shelley Tucker, news involved a peer-designed director for The Eagle 93.9 FM radio station. Schupp talked about the steps MoDOT is taking this year to educational campaign make work zones safer for highway workers and motor- and surprise safety belt ists. He also encouraged drivers to slow down, pay at- checks to measure any tention and buckle up in work zones this summer. Area resulting behavioral engineers appeared on radio stations throughout mid- Missouri during National Workzone Awareness Week. change.

The Central District Fatima won central Mis- MattMyers office building in Jef- souri’s regional award Missouri State Highway Patrolman Larry Plunkett ferson City had orange for the highest safety belt throws Arrive Alive t-shirts into the bleachers lighting and signs to during a school assembly to recognize Lincoln draw attention to Work use. Lincoln won the cen- High School’s Battle of the Belt success. Zone Awareness Week. tral region award for the greatest increase in safety have taken part in this program and belt use. Other schools participating encouraged their peers to buckle up,” in the central region program were said Myers, who also serves as central

HollyDentner Versailles High School, Hallsville High region coordinator for the Missouri School and Hickman High School in Coalition for Roadway Safety. “Buck- Columbia. ling up is one of your best defenses for more info when riding in a motor vehicle. It pro- Community Relations Manager Kristin Gerber District Engineer Roger Schwartze, vides protection from being ejected and Phone 573.522.3375 District Traffic Engineer Matt My- E-mail [email protected] ers and Lt. Larry Plunkett from the keeps the driver and passengers from smashing into steering columns, dash- 1511 Missouri Boulevard Missouri State Highway Patrol made boards, windshields or other passengers P.O. Box 718 presentations to Fatima and Lincoln in Jefferson City, MO 65102 March to recognize their efforts and if the vehicle is involved in a crash.”

M a y 2 0 0 7 Connections Across the State St. Louis Posts Travel Times on Interstate 70 by Andrew Gates D Travelers in St. Louis have new av- Interstate 44 message boards by the 6 enues to determine traffic conditions end of June. Travel times on the boards S t . L o u i s A r e a now that District 6 has started post- for interstates 55, 64, 170 and Route ing travel times at strategic locations. 364 will be operational by October.

Traffic speeds are now posted on nine Success of Work Zone Traffic sensors gather the average overhead dynamic message boards travel speeds of vehicles along these along a 16-mile stretch of Interstate 70 Awareness Week routes. These speeds are used in calcu- and on the Gateway Guide Web site at by Kara Price and Andrew Gates lations to determine how much time it www.gatewayguide.com. should take to travel to key interchang- To kick off the 2007 construction why MoDOT lit this building orange. The messages give drivers accurate, es along the highway. The district’s season, MoDOT has turned the state MoDOT and the Associated General up-to-the minute travel time infor- goal is to be as accurate as possible orange! Some MoDOT buildings and Contractors of St. Louis held a kickoff mation along I-70 from the Missouri and offer times within a few-minutes’ landmarks throughout the state were event April 2 in observance of Work border to east of . Opera- range of actual travel times. Since lit orange from April 2-7, and others Zone Awareness Week at the Olive tors in the St. Louis Transportation individual travel times are based on throughout the entire month, in recog- Boulevard and work zone. Management Center post the messages varied driving styles and minor traffic nition of National Work Zone Aware- during weekday peak traffic hours and incidents, travel times will not be 100 ness Week. Also during Work Zone Awareness periods of abnormal traffic delays. percent accurate for all drivers. Week, District 6 Work Zone Coordina- Corporations, organizations and This capability will be added to other tor Maurice Neil challenged all the landmarks within the St. Louis area routes as well. Currently, MoDOT work zones in the district to strive for are supporting MoDOT’s Work Zone plans to have travel times on I-270 and excellence from April 2-7. Safety message of “Drive Smart in Work Zones to Arrive Alive.” Some lit “I challenged the district to have their buildings or landmarks orange A-plus rated work zones,” said Neil. while others placed messages on their “Those were work zones that met all the MoDOT Officials and Local building and Web site to show the pub- requirements and made Political Leaders Pick Up Trash by Kara Price

MoDOT officials, local elected officials, law enforcement and directors from lo- cal public agencies recently addressed the media and the public at a news con- ference in front of a giant trash mound to reinforce the importance of not littering and to keep Missouri clean as a litter-free state. Most of these officials, including St. Louis City Mayor Francis Slay and St. Louis County Executive

CathyMorrison Charlie Dooley, picked up trash at a Orange fountain at Kiener Plaza stretch of Interstate 70 near Shreve Mayor Francis Slay lic the importance of Work Zone Safety. me say ‘Wow!’ when I went through Avenue to kick off April’s annual No them.” More Trash! Bash following the news Local supporters include: St. Louis Car- representative from Governor Matt conference. dinals, Kiener Plaza, Six Flags St. Louis, Seven teams met the challenge and Blunt’s office; Missouri Highway Patrol Saint Louis Science Center, Maritz Inc., received the top mark during inspec- These officials stressed for St. Louis Captain Ronald Johnson; St. Louis and Larry West Contracting. tions throughout the week. These seven area residents to take a few hours to County Executive Charlie Dooley; St.

teams include: Louis County Police Chief Jerry Lee; MoDOT’s Traffic Management Center · Barnhart Maintenance, Route 21 St. Louis City Mayor Francis Slay; St. was lit orange on the front and the back · Bridge, I-44 at Big Bend Road Louis City Police Chief Joe Mokwa; of the building, as well as its sign at the · Shreve Maintenance, I-70 at Broadway Garry Earls, director of St. Louis entrance. A banner that said, “Work 11 · Westlake Maintenance, I-270 at Mc- County Departments of Highways and Zone Safety Awareness…Drive Smart Donnell Boulevard Traffic and Public Works; Jim Cloar, to Arrive Alive,” was displayed on the · Fenton Project Office, Outer Road 270 president and CEO of Downtown St. front of the TMC to show motorists at Old Halls Ferry Road Louis Partnership, Inc.; Mary Lou · Hampton Project Office, Green, executive director of Operation westbound I-44 exit at Brightside; and Leonard Toenjes, presi- Vandeventer County Executive Charlie Dooley dent of Associated General Contractors · D6 Permits, Route D at of St. Louis. Warson Road make Missouri beautiful during the No Each year, MoDOT alone spends ap- MOre Trash! Bash by joining in clean Congratulations District 6 proximately $5..8 million to clear litter up actiities in their communities. It’s along highways throughout our state. for all your hard work and easy to help during the annual Bash by dedicated efforts in striv- For more information about these ef- either scheduling your own pickup or forts, visit www.nomoretrash.org and ing to ensure work zone attending local or state cleanup events. Clean Up Missouri, so there will be No CathyMorrison safety within the district! Planetarium at the St. Louis Science Center Those who spoke at the news confer- MOre Trash! ence, included: MoDOT District 6 Engineer Ed Hassinger; Katy Forand, a for more info Community Relations Marie Elliott Phone 314.340.4524 E-mail [email protected]

1590 Woodlake Drive Chesterfield, MO 63017

M a y 2 0 0 7 Connections Across the State D7 S o u t h w e s t OWL Award Making the Rounds by Lori Marble

Articles on providing assistance to oth- Team meeting with the individual who ers are filled with practical advice. One honored him or her. of the best pointers is to be specific. Radley recently selected Barry Weaver, When you’re assisting a colleague or senior maintenance worker from Liberal, friend it’s best to state how you can as the second OWL holder. help rather than offering the open- ended, and often half-hearted “Call me “Barry was easily my selection based on if there’s anything I can do.” what an outstanding job he does. His work is always of a high quality,” said The Outstanding Work Leadership Radley. “Everything that he does that (OWL) award at District 7 was born affects B & B is done right. His invento- out of the observance of District Engi- ries are perfect. neer Becky Baltz as she encountered specific examples of servant leadership “He’s very humble and is a person of on site. Barry Weaver, left, listens as Patti Radley introduces him as the second such high morals,” she continued, “that recipient of the OWL award. As part of the introduction, Radley mentioned I thought it only natural to pass this “I wanted a way in which we could rec- Weaver’s strong work ethics and his attention to detail. Weaver is now OWL honor on to him.” ognize as a district those individuals charged with looking for examples of work leadership throughout the dis- who went above and beyond in pro- trict and for selecting the May honoree. Time will tell if the “pass it on” qual- viding assistance,” said Baltz. ity of the OWL award takes hold in “More often than not, Patti Radley, Business and Benefits “She strives to make her areas of re- District 7. In just its first two months it these specific manager, was the first recipient. She was sponsibility better and to influence the has generated discussion on leadership examples honored by Baltz for her “willingness to district in a positive manner.” and quality work environments. The of leader- provide assistance to other departments. recipients of the award will be the true One of the key points of the OWL ship hap- promoters and guardians of its original “She’s very observant. Patti sees the award is that the current holder of the pen in small intent and promising purpose. big picture in terms of district needs award has to carefully choose the next groups and are and always jumps in and says ‘I can award recipient. The new recipient is not immediately help and here’s how,’” continued Baltz. then asked to attend a Management apparent.”

Construction Earns Excellence Turning the Lights Orange Award

12

Larry Whiteside, right, receives the Quality in Construction award from District Engineer Becky Baltz.

One of the recent projects highlighted to Construction Engineer Larry in District 7 was the Quality in Whiteside during a recent Management Construction award—recognizing Team meeting. excellence in hot-mix asphalt The award was presented for work on pavements. District Engineer Barry County Route 37. Becky Baltz presented the award

Taking advantage of the warm weather, Maintenance for more info Supervisor Jim Eagles installed orange filters on the outside lighting in an effort to turn the district headquarters orange for Community Relations Manager Lori Marble Work Zone Awareness Week. Phone 417.629.3329 E-mail [email protected]

3901 E. 32nd Street P.O. Box 1445 Joplin, MO 64802

M a y 2 0 0 7 Connections Across the State D8 Springfield A r e a Ice-Storm Cleanup Requires All-Out Push by Angela Eden

District 8 is expending the same all-out Stone, Christian, Webster, Wright, effort to remove ice-storm tree and Hickory and Polk counties. Contractors brush debris this spring that it took to were hired to handle the bulk of the clear roads when the ice hit Jan. 12-15. cleanup in Greene, Dallas and Laclede counties. MoDOT Maintenance, Con- MoDOT Maintenance crews and con- struction and Materials employees tractors continue to trim, chip and haul are serving as monitors. They include away debris from state roadsides. Mo- maintenance personnel shifted north DOT employees from Construction and from central and southern counties Materials and other areas are pitching with much less storm damage. in as well. The task is expected to last through May and possibly into June. The 60 monitors are working six days a week to keep up with the contractor District-wide, employees have been crew operations. Monitors record the “very positive” in doing whatever is tonnage for federal emergency reim- needed to handle the ice-storm emer- bursement (75 percent). gency, said District Maintenance En- gineer Dave O’Connor. He supervised “The monitoring aspect is a significant the initial ice-storm battle in the midst drain on resources,” O’Connor said. “It of widespread power outages. Then he could affect our surface maintenance helped organize the massive cleanup. activities this spring.”

“It’s great to know that you have Debris removal in some areas delayed that kind of support. These guys routine maintenance work usually have shown they can be counted on,” scheduled when the weather warms O’Connor said. “They’ve exceeded ev- up in April and May. However, some ery expectation.” crews started getting back to their nor- mal work in April while others, with Work focused first on clearing debris greater amounts of debris to clear, are

hazards across nine hard-hit counties as BobEdwards doing so more gradually. the storm ended. MoDOT Maintenance D8 at Work forces quickly began moving fallen Mowing is at the top of everyone’s list Wasola Maintenance Supervisor Jeff Hogan (top) works as part of a patching trees and limbs off the roads, taking to continue or resume as Memorial Day operation on an approach along Route 5 south of Wasola. down hanging limbs and picking up approaches. So is road surface work Sunshine Maintenance Crew Leader Ron Plaster (bottom) is interviewed by piles from roadsides where visibility such as patching and chip-sealing. a TV reporter on Kansas Expressway in Springfield near a curb repair opera- for drivers was blocked. Systematic “We’ll catch up,” said Buffalo/Bolivar tion. Plaster did several interviews during Work Zone Awareness Week in cleanup began in short order. early April. Others interviewed were Branson Senior Maintenance Worker Maintenance Superintendent Dan Shawn Nilges and Lebanon Senior Maintenance Worker Wes Hawkins. MoDOT’s maintenance crews have Ream. concentrated on roadside cleanup in 40-Year Employee Lynn Day Retires by Angela Eden 13 Hartville Maintenance Supervisor 1968; mainte- Lynn Day spent all 40 years of his Mo- nance supervi- DOT career working at the Hartville sor, Hartville, shop, the last 30 years as supervisor. He 1977 retired May 1. Memorable His tenure as supervisor in one location Work: The is thought to be one of the longest in variety. “It’s District 8 history. Employment records different day- cannot easily determine such facts. to-day.” Day “It says dedication,” said Assistant Dis- BobEdwards Biggest Change: “We’ve gone from trict Engineer Matt Seiler. “He came Buffalo Construction Technicians Robin Jackson, center, and Guy Pagel, manual to mechanical – not as much working in a quarry office near Buffalo with contractor employee Earlene through the good times and the bad hand work.” Elliott, record tree debris weight as part of the ice-storm cleanup project. times.” Post-MoDOT Plans: Working on his Day has seen significant improvements farm; more hunting and fishing in equipment, including trucks with for more info heaters and hydraulics. He has seen a Community Relations Manager Bob Edwards greater focus on safety. He knows the Phone 417.895.7713 people and the issues of the area he has “Talkin’ Transportation” E-mail [email protected] served and that helped him do his job. Call-In Radio Show 3025 E. Kearney KWTO 560 AM, Springfield Service: 40 years (Hired May 28, 1968) P.O. Box 868 10-10:50 a.m. Wednesdays Springfield, MO 65801 Career: Maintenance worker, Hartville, radiospringfield.com

M a y 2 0 0 7 Connections Across the State D9 S o u t h C e n t r a l Solutions Showcased At District Safety Awards Intranet page to be developed as archive

The employees of the South Central District have The best practices shared will be novation and how it is used, and contact documented on the Intranet site for the information for the innovator will be a long history of developing tools and methods for district so personnel can reference them listed should additional information be improving work processes. The roll out of the Solu- when considering whether to imple- required. ment them in their own areas. As new “I encourage our personnel to continue tions At Work program simply gave them an outlet submissions come about, they will be putting their creativity to good use,” added to this page. Photos for their talent. Stehn said. “I look forward to future will be included with descrip- Solutions at Work honors for our Prior to the safety awards presentations ers shared how the best practices tions of the in- in April and May, District Engineer were developed and the uses for district.” Tom Stehn put out the call for every each. maintenance building to bring solutions “The ingenuity of our employ- to share with the group. The result was ees is very impressive,” Stehn a parade of best practices developed by said. “They consistently deliver maintenance personnel for the purpose when it comes to improving of reducing costs, making jobs easier existing equipment and develop- and improving performance. As rep- ing tools to get the job done. The resentatives from each crew presented, presentations at our safety awards the innovations were photographed ceremonies were a true testament for documentation purposes. Present- to their abilities.” Chip Seal Award Presented to Districts 9 and 10... by Tonya Wells

MoDOT places great value on team- work. Afterall, there are very few things our organization does that can be done alone. Project design, concrete repair, signal installation ... all more than a one person operation. We pride ourselves on working together to get a job done. Maintenance crews in Districts 9 and 10 have shown us that we can work together, we can work across district boundaries and we can do it so well that we’re recognized for our efforts.

That is what happened on March 26, 14 when Director Pete Rahn came to con- gratulate the crews from districts 9 and 10 who won an honorable mention for their work in the statewide Chip Seal Performance Challenge.

Crews from seven maintenance fa- cilities worked on the chip seal job on Routes C, N and FF in Madison County. The collaboration proved to be success- ful. In fact, the work was so good, it en- couraged MoDOT management to not just declare a winner in the challenge, but to offer the Distric 9 and District 10

crews an honorable mention. Team members include: Aaron Jones, Alfred Weatherington, Ben Meredith, Continued on page 15 Ben Wharton, Billy White, Bob Farley, Brad Cook, Brenda Golden, Brenda Hawkins, Brian Long, Brian Masson, Bryan Fortner, Bunny Maness, Calvin Miller, Craig Schindler, Craig Weiss, Danny Light, Danny Pruett, David Herbst, for more info Delbert Clayton, Don Ross, Doug Hampton, Doug Inman, Duane Fish, Edward Henderson, Forrest House, Gary Brewer, Gary Copeland, Gary King, Henry Community Relations Manager Ann Marie Newberry Howdeshell, James Henson, James Young, Jason Pohlman, Jeffery Amelunke, Phone 417.469.6203 Jerod Street, Joe Jones, John McDowell, John Skaggs, Joseph Allgier, Joseph E-mail [email protected] Hoehn, Justin Blankenship, Ken Hill, Kerry Elam, Kevin Golden, Larry Sutton, 910 Old Springfield Road P.O. Box 220 Willow Springs, MO 65793

M a y 2 0 0 7 Connections Across the State D10 S o u t h e a s t Save a Life: Work Zone Safety Week Recent

Work Zone Safety Week comes once a zone fatalities across Missouri last interactive work zone safety assembly Retirements year and every year we try to find new year, it’s clear not everyone is getting at their school, as well as prize packets Roney Parson ways to inform the public of the impor- the message though. I’m very grateful with various awards inside. retired April 1 tance of staying safe in work zones. to the students who participated in this after 37 years New this year, District 10 with MoDOT. District 10 has been chose one of the first place He was a senior asking students in posters to use as a billboard, crew worker in grades 3-6 to create in efforts of reaching an even Fredericktown. posters explaining the wider audience with work importance of work zone safety messages. Trevor zone safety for six Klump, a sixth-grader from Bob Wilson years now, and every Valle Catholic Grade School, retired April 1 year the messages Sixth-grader Trevor Klump’s artwork is displayed on a billboard will see his artwork and work after 28 years are simple, but very in Ste. Genevieve County to urge motorists to “Slow Down, zone safety message to “Slow with MoDOT. powerful. Messages to Save a Life.” Down, Save a Life” on a He was a resi- dent engineer slow down, stay alert, contest for helping us show their par- billboard along northbound in Sikeston. be careful ... messages to save a life; ents and the public how very important Interstate 55 in Ste. Genevieve County. students from the Southeast District it is to slow down.” “The best part of the contest is they’re did their best to urge the public to help A panel of judges reviewed the stu- helping us save lives,” said Shelton. make our work zones safe. dents’ posters and the winners had their “And, if they can encourage just one “It seems so simple,” said District Engi- posters displayed at West Park Mall in driver to slow down while driving neer Mark Shelton. “With several work Cape Girardeau. They also received an through our work zones, then they’re all heroes in my book.” Team Work Stretches Across District Borders

While bragging rights help and the guidance from the District for a job well done is 9 folks. It’s a great example of just how always a nice ben- much we can all learn from each other efit, Pete presented the and how successful helping each other crews with a $2,500 out can be.” check to split amongst Tutt said the crews were pleased to the group in recogni- receive not just recognition for their tion of their outstand- work, but also the time to get together, ing performance. celebrate and visit with Pete. The job was the first That excitement wasn’t just felt on the such chip seal project District 10 side of the border. District in the Southeast Dis- 9 Maintenance Superintendent Bryan trict. The South Central Fortner said the South Central employ- crews were on hand ees enjoyed the celebration as well. 15 to give direction and assistance. The results “Our folks do good work every day, prove just how impor- and they’re always willing to help out tant that whole idea of wherever needed,” said Fortner. “But team work truly is in it’s nice to be able to have the opportu- our organization. nity to thank them for it.”

“We have such hard- “We have talented people at MoDOT,” working crews,” said said Director Pete Rahn. “I value every District 10 Regional opportunity I get to tell them how good Maintenance Superin- they are. I’m proud of the work all our tendent John Tutt. “Ev- folks do, and it was rewarding for me erybody is very busy, to be able to show these crews that their and we appreciate the hard work and talent are noticed.”

Lonny Halbert, Louis Ochs, Mark Reynolds, Matthew Stacy, Michael Govro, Mike Harper, Nathan Hunt, Nicholas Elliott, Nick Lambert, Nick Richmond, Norman Clark, Patrick Ellis, Patty Pogue, Randy Ballew, Randy Gholson, Richie Campbell, Rick Davis, Roger Achurch, Roger Moyers, Ron Cook, Ron Moses, Ron Rehkop, for more info Ronald Ballew, Ronald Varvera, Roney Parson, Ronnie Pyatt, Ryan Community Relations Manager Angie Wilson Williams, Scott Burlbaw, Steve Boatwright, Steven Yamnitz, Terry Phone 573.472.6632 Sanders, Terry Walker, Todd Adams, Todd Thieret, Tony Hutchings, E-mail [email protected] Winston Boyer and John Tutt 2675 N. Main Street P.O. Box 160 Sikeston, MO 63801

M a y 2 0 0 7 Connections Missouri Department of Transportation PreSort Connections Community Relations Standard 105 W. Capitol Avenue Permit #210 The mission of Connections Comments & Sedalia, MO is to be a monthly source Suggestions Jefferson City, MO 65102 65301 of Missouri Department of We would like to hear from you. Transportation news and Send comments and suggestions to Return Service Requested feature articles that con- Kristi Jamison, editor nect employees statewide. 573.526.2482 It is distributed to MoDOT [email protected] employees and retirees. Additional copies are available Community Relations upon request. Suggestions, Missouri Department of questions and comments are Transportation always welcome. P. O. Box 270 Jefferson City, MO 65102 573.751.2840 Please share this publication www.modot.org and recycle it after reading. 1-888 ASK MODOT

Editor Mission Kristi Jamison Our mission is to provide a Design Coordinator world-class transportation Dennis Forbis experience that delights our customers and promotes a prosperous Missouri.

Are you interested in learning to ride a motorcycle or improving Arrive Alive During Motorcycle Safety your mental and physical skills if Awareness Month you already ride? Missouri offers the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s Basic Rider Course, the n n As the weather warms up, more Look out. Motorcycles are small Anticipate obstacles. Road MSF Experienced Rider Course, and motorcyclists will be out in traffic. and may be difficult to see. conditions that are minor seminars for group riding, motorcycle With the safety of motorcyclists and annoyances to a regular vehicle inspection and care, seasoned riders n Respect the motorcyclist. all drivers in mind, May is designated pose major hazards to motorcyclists. and more. Motorcycles are vehicles each year as Motorcycle Safety Motorcyclists may change speed with the same rights and privileges Missouri residents can find out Awareness Month. Remember these or adjust their position within a lane more about courses offered by as any vehicle on the road. Allow important safety tips to Arrive Alive at suddenly in reaction to potholes, visiting www.mmsp.org or calling the motorcyclist a full lane width. your destination. gravel, wet or slippery surfaces, 800-801-3588. n Allow more following distance. pavement seams, railroad crossings Vehicle Drivers: Allow three or four seconds and grooved pavement. when following a motorcycle so Wear gloves to improve your n Share the Road. Research shows the motorcyclist has enough time Motorcyclists: grip and boots to protect your feet that in one-half of all motorcycle to maneuver or stop in an and ankles. crashes, another type of motor n Wear a helmet. The single most emergency. n vehicle is also involved. important safety device a Do not share a lane. Cars and motorcyclist can have is a motorcycles require a full lane to helmet. In a crash without operate and maneuver safely. Do one, you are five times more not share a lane with an automobile likely to suffer a serious or another motorcycle. injury than a helmeted rider. n Stay sober. Studies have shown In Missouri, it is illegal to that 40 to 45 percent of all fatal ride without a helmet. motorcycle crashes involve the use of alcohol. n Wear proper gear. High quality riding clothes will n Receive proper training. Research help prevent or reduce injury. has shown that more than 90 percent Choose brightly colored of all riders involved in crashes gear when possible to make were either self-taught or taught by Cathy Morrison yourself visible in traffic. friends.

Seat Belt Campaign Focuses on Pickup Truck Drivers by Laura Holloway

Buckle Up in Your Truck is the rollovers, and fewer seat belts buckled, Missouri is joining forces with the Ticket national seat belt enforcement message to pickup truck drivers in the ejection rate for occupants of light National Highway Traffic Safety mobilization planned for late May Missouri and throughout the central trucks in a crash is nearly double the Administration and state and local through Memorial Day. region this May. The aggressive public rate for occupants of passenger cars. highway safety and law enforcement For more information about how your awareness initiative aims to increase leaders across Iowa, Kansas, Missouri In 2005, 223 people were killed in seat belt can help you Arrive Alive, safety belt use among occupants of and Nebraska to launch this initiative. Missouri crashes involving pickup please visit www.buckleupamerica.org pickup trucks. Media messages started running April trucks. Of those killed, 81 percent were or www.saveMOlives.com. 30 and will continue through May 13. Pickup truck drivers and their not wearing a seat belt. The Buckle Up Law enforcement passengers are among those motorists in Your Truck campaign is designed to efforts will run May least likely to regularly wear their seat reduce injuries and deaths from pickup 6-12. belts. In fact, national statistics show truck crashes and rollovers. that they have much lower seat belt The special Buckle “Too many pickup truck drivers and their usage rates than the occupants of all Up in Your Truck passengers are killed in crashes. We other vehicles. enforcement blitz want to make sure they are buckled up immediately In addition, pickup trucks are twice as – every trip, every time,” says Don Hillis, precedes the likely to rollover as cars due to a higher director of System Management. intensive Click It or center of gravity. With increased

M a y 2 0 0 7 Connections