connecting the dot’s may/june 2017 page 1 celebrating ... · what better way to enhance your...

Connecting the DOT’s MAY/JUNE 2017

continued on page 2

As the South Dakota Department of Transportation celebrates 100 years of service in 2017 I thought I’d take the opportunity to refl ect on some DOT history with a more local fl are. Specifi cally…..Mobridge. As I searched and scanned information I couldn’t help but think how far we’ve come over the past 100 years.As the department looks to iPads to capture sign inventory and other assets, I was instantly drawn to a few

articles I found on the Internet that shed a little light on how signing was accomplished (at least how it was accomplished in the Mobridge area) in the “good old days”.

Today, of course, our traffi c signs are built with telspar posts, breakaway bases and aluminum sheeting faced with the high quality refl ective material with life expectancies of 12-18 years. But prior to that, I discovered that signs were made of…….concrete? An Argus Leader article from November 2, 1943, references one such instance (see article at left). I have to wonder how one would enter this

Highway 12 sign into the inventory since it was a concrete sign 11-feet tall, 21-feet wide and 6-inches thick. Next, I question the expected lifetime of the sheeting (paint in this case). The sign structure itself has proven to be quite

durable as the sign still exists today. None of the original paint remains however. But upon recent inspection, I could make out some lettering on the right side of the sign that I assumed to be “McLaughlin”, “Miles City” and “Seattle” along with some of the related mileages. I say “assumed”, because it appears the sign had

been repainted with the order of the referenced cities reversed from top to bottom. So while I do watch CSI, and while I have stayed at a Holiday Inn once, my investigative skills can only prove that the

lifetime of the paint is something less than 74 years.Also, before signs were made of concrete, they were made of…….what else……….rocks. If I haven’t said so

already, it’s amazing what you can fi nd on the Internet. I came across another Argus Leader article from March 30, 1914. In addition to the clip shown below, the article described the marking of the Yellowstone Trail through the Standing Rock reservation and Corson county in the days when the roads were just unmarked paths through

by John Villbrandt, Area EngineerCelebrating 100 Years


the prairie. J.W. Harris (founder of Mobridge State Bank) and J.W. Parmley (founder of the Yellowstone Trail from Ipswich) would gather rocks and paint them yellow to mark the trail. I found it interesting that in 1914 motorists were referred to as automobilists.

On a related note, the Department continues to look for ways to improve communication with our stakeholders. We are good at what we do, but we are not necessarily good at promoting what we do. We have taken strides to improve communication by informing them of road conditions in the winter and construction and maintenance activities in

the summer. But we don’t usually go out of our way to promote our accomplishments. It appears that folks from 100 years ago may have had a leg up in that department. Remember Mr. Harris and Mr. Parmley as mentioned previously? Th ere were noted again in my research which stated the following:

J.W. Parmley of Ipswich, SD, the father of the Yellowstone Trail organized an auto relay run in 1915 from Chicago to Seattle in 100 hours. J. W. Harris, banker and owner of the Mobridge State Bank drove the relay from Mobridge to Lemmon over rugged and muddy roads. Th e relay was run to promote the Yellowstone Trail and the building of good roads in the new era of automobiles.

A portion of Highway 12 (Yellowstone Trail in Corson County) is currently in the STIP for grading in 2023 with surfacing to follow in 2024. With the approval of Secretary Bergquist, I’ll start taking names now for those interested in driving a leg of the 2024 relay race.

continued from page 1

1943 highway sign as it exists today with the old Highway 12 grade seen immediately to the left.

This is the back side of the same sign as it exists today. It is located at the Sitting Bull and Sacagawea monument 3.5 miles south of the current U.S. 12 and S.D. 1806 junction west of Mobridge.


by Kimberly Zerr

GIS Tips and TricksResetting Data Sources

We all know technology changes rapidly and the SDDOT does its best to keep up. Th e GIS Section also does its best to stay up-to-date with soft ware as well as hardware. We recently upgraded nearly all of our users to ArcGIS 10.5, and we’re working on moving data to a new and improved server, SQL14. We’re doing our best to make sure this doesn’t cause too many problems, but you may run into a situation where you open a map with broken links like this:

Th ere are a couple ways to fi x it.Th e fi rst fi x is the easy one: go to the Datahound, fi nd the layer you want, and re-add it. We’ve been updating the

Datahound layers as we move data so the layers should be pointed to the latest and greatest source. Don’t forget to remove the old layer and save your map.If you have symbology that you want to keep, you can reset the source. Double click on the broken layer or right

click and go to Properties. In the Layer Properties dialog box, go to the Source tab and click on Set Data Source.

Th e Set Data Source button will open a link to your folder and database connections. Open the location you want and keep clicking until you fi nd the correct layer, then hit Add. Your layer will repoint itself to the new location. Click OK in the Layer Properties box and save your map.If you’re missing a connection to SQL14, contact the GIS Team and we’ll be happy to help!


Mentoring Corner

How Supervisors Can Enhance the Mentoring Experience By: Alison Sfreddo

For many, the role of the supervisor and your relationship with them can be both multifaceted and at times complicated. Oftentimes, we perceive our direct supervisor as that one person who can make or break our career. But often overlooked is the way in which they can have a very positive role in our career growth and progression. In the course of a formal mentoring program, the supervisor can prove to

be one of our most valuable assets. They are the ones who can observe fi rst hand the milestones that we have met as well as the pitfalls that may be coming our way. Our relationship with the supervisor should be more of a collaborative effort during a mentoring program. By merely including them in the process, we not only answer any questions that they may have about the program and our role in it, but we also benefi t from their wisdom of experience. The following are a few tips to enhance your mentoring experience: Include the supervisor in the design of mentoring plans. When the supervisor becomes part of this process,

they not only add to the brainstorming, but can also be a great resource of career enhancing opportunities. What better way to enhance your career than to ask your supervisor if you can have a prominent role in the next team project. Ask for advice. We all could benefi t from a second opinion at times and who better to see the overall picture

than the next in command. Not only can they steer us in the right direction, but they can also offer additional background information that may not have been previously available to us. Connect to a new network. By simply accompanying the supervisor to their next staff meeting or

professional association get-together, we have instantly expanded our professional network. Not only can we observe what other members of the association are doing in their fi elds, but we are also afforded the prospect of exploring new opportunities for development. Solicit constructive feedback. As diffi cult as it can be to ask for constructive feedback, when graciously

received, it can have a profound effect on how we do business and more importantly-how we interact with others. It is often the perception of others (especially those ranked above us) that makes or breaks a promotion opportunity. When we objectively make those “corrections” recommended, we can almost immediately see the very real effect it can have on our everyday dealings and future successes. Lastly, the inclusion of the supervisor in the mentoring program should be at minimum, a professional

courtesy. If we expand our perceptions, we can undoubtedly expand our horizons.

Reprinted with permission from The Training Connection.

July Mentoring Event in Sioux Falls – July 13, 2017

July Mentoring Event in Rapid City – July 19, 2017


Cash ForecastingBy Patty Thompson & Tracy Boom

Google’s defi nition of cash forecasting: The modeling of a company or entity’s future fi nancial liquidity over a specifi c time-frame.The South Dakota DOT is in the process of fi nalizing a cash forecasting model that will ultimately be used

for cash forecasting of DOT funds for budgeting purposes. There are various components to this program including: the DOT accounting system (PAT), C2C, Construction Billing, CM&P and the state’s accounting system that make this module very complex.Several key personnel have been involved with customizing the original model that was created by Vanguard

Software Corporation (a consultant hired by DOT Finance). Due to the fact construction projects are continuously changing and evolving, (i.e. letting dates, ROW purchases, revisions, funding sources and cash balances), this has been a challenging and complicated process.Because of the ever-changing processes, we will continue to work on making improvements, however, we

are close to fi nalizing the data input that will produce reports which will be used by the department secretary and division directors to aid them in providing a safe, effi cient and effective transportation system.

Dietmeier, Joseph Road Design CAD Tech Pierre 04/24/2017 New HireGorham, Doug Transp. Specialist I Pierre 04/24/2017 Promotion from DPSKieborz, Randy Highway Maint. Worker Custer 04/24/2017 New HireJost, Kerry Highway Maint. Worker Oelrichs 04/24/2017 New HireMoore, Gary Lead Highway Maint.Worker Sioux Falls 04/24/2017 Promotion Valko, Kevin Journey Transportation Tech. Rapid City 05/09/2017 New HireHarris, Auston Engineer II Rapid City 05/09/2017 New HireDe Lange, Carrie Secretary Pierre 05/09/2017 New HireMerrill, Austin Journey Transportation Tech.n Sioux Falls 05/09/2017 New HireVeatch, Nate Journey Transportation Tech. Sioux Falls 05/09/2017 New HireManecke, Trent Highway Maint.e Worker Philip 05/09/2017 New HireHisek, James Engineer I Pierre 05/15/2017 New HireSwanson, Broc Engineer II Rapid City 05/24/2017 Lateral Transfer w/in DOTMcDowell, Margo Engineer III Pierre 05/24/2017 Lateral Transfer w/in DOTMiller, Niki Records Management Specialist Pierre 05/24/2017 New HireBoehmer, Tim Project Technician Sioux Falls 05/24/2017 PromotionDietmeier, Joseph Road Design CAD Tech Pierre 05/24/2017 New HireHettich, Jeb Engineer I Pierre 05/30/2017 New HireWright, Evastine Highway Maintenance Worker Mission 05/30/2017 New HireKahler, Philip Highway Maintenance Worker Mission 05/30/2017 New HireDieckmann, Erick Highway Maintenance Worker Rapid City 05/30/2017 New Hire

Van Beek, Zachery Highway Maintenance Worker Sioux Falls 06/05/2017 New HireZerr, Kim Transportation Specialist II Pierre 06/09/2017 Promotion Gaede, Jesse Materials Lab Technician Pierre 06/09/2017 Promotion Ewoldt, Kenisha Accounting Assistant Pierre 06/09/2017 Promotion from DSSHieb, John Highway Maintenance Worker Britton 06/09/2017 Lateral TransferIverson, John Engineer I Pierre 06/19/2017 New HireBlotske Laura State Hwy. Funding Spec. Pierre 06/24/2017 Transfer from BFMCollins, Jon Land Surveyor Rapid City 06/26/2017 New HireCarnahan, Shane Program Assistant II Pierre 06/26/2017 New HireJohnson, Ben Survey Crew Chief/Chief Driller Rapid City 06/26/2017 PromotionHudson, Robert Highway Maintenance Worker Sturgis 06/26/2017 New HireCampbell, Richard Equipment Technician Pierre 06/26/2017 Promotion

New Employees / Transfers / Promotions


Training Program Update

By Ann Campbell, Training Coordinator

2017 Spring TRAC - Pierre Riggs Environmental Science

Pierre Region Design Engineer, Jacob Rosecky, worked with Riggs High School teacher, Chris Swiden, to develop an experiential learning experience for the students in Mr. Swiden’s Environmental Science classes. Approximately 40 plus students were exposed to the work of the DOT and the transportation industry. Students had the opportunity to review project challenges, propose their own solutions and review how DOT designed and constructed the project. Student had the opportunity to review the 1806 erosion control project just west of Fort Pierre and visit the site to view the results in person.Also this spring, a DOT/AGC pilot event was held at Riggs. Dustin Baertsch, AGC Workforce Development

coordinator, set up heavy equipment simulators for the day so interested teachers could visit with their class. Students had an opportunity to operate the equipment and experience a “day in the life” of a contractor. Dustin and Jacob spoke to the students about possible career options in the area of construction and maintenance.

This winter/spring I was contacted by Ann Campbell to help present about how engineers design for environmental concerns on projects to Chris Swiden’s Environmental Science class. I was excited, yet nervous, about presenting to high school students. I wanted to make the Hells Canyon presentation fun by getting them involved so they didn’t fall asleep. I provided an assignment for the class to propose what they would change about the roadway, how to protect environmentally sensitive areas and animal crossing signs if they were engineers. The wide variety of students interested in engineering and the construction industry provided great recommendations for the Hells Canyon project. I then presented a recent project design for erosion repair south of Fort Pierre. I showed them the before conditions of the site and what problems there were. The following day we took all the students for a site inspection. The high schoolers were very interested in seeing the post construction of the project. I found sharing my experience with them very rewarding. I believe that I opened up some of the students minds to not only the engineering fi eld, but also what technicians do for the DOT and the construction industry. – Jacob Rosecky, Pierre Region Design Engineer

continued on page 7


continued on page 9

Training continued from page 6


Retirements

Mike Steen retired as Lead Highway Maintenance

Worker in Ipswich after 41 years of service.

After 30 some years Dave Drake has decided to hang up his DOT hat and gear up for retirement. Dave is an avid hunter and fi sherman. With retirement he’ll be able to pursue these in a full time fashion.

Mel Lutz retired after 27 years of dedicated service to the SDDOT. Mel started in Materials & Surfacing in 1990 in Pierre as a Journey Tech. surveyor before eventually moving to Rapid City where he worked and retired as a Survey Crew Chief.

Fred Leetch retired after more than 28 years with the SDDOT. During his tenure, Fred worked in the areas of locations survey, construction and construction inspection, Operations Support and Right of Way.

MAYRobert Barnes HuronWayne Benck Clear LakeTh omas Buck Rapid City RegionJUNEFred Leetch Right of WayBrian Moore Internal Services/AuditsAndrea Tibbs FinanceRalph Bush Matls & SurfacingMilo Giesen Aberdeen RegionCarol Peterson Pierre RegionRandy Sauter Rapid City RegionDavid Drake BrookingsTerry Erickson Transp. Inv. Mgmt. Gill Hedman Matls & SurfacingRon Calkins Pierre RegionPaul Sedlmajer Pierre RegionAuthor Fedderson 3CMike Steen 1CMichael Wittmeier 3GAl Zens Mitchell Region


Training continued from page 7

Above: Shelly Larson, Pierre Area project engineer visits with teachers & students about the project she managed.

Right: Jacob talks to the teachers and students about the pipe culvert(s) used on the project.

Students in Gary Johnson’s construction management class at South Dakota State University in Brookings take a tour of the Forterra concrete plant in Mitchell. Each year, the Bid Letting offi ce works with Gary and his students to prepare and submit bids through the SDDOT online bidding system. Gary is the owner and president of A-G-E Corporation of Fort Pierre.

Equipment technicians and mechanics receiving training on a new Snap-On tool that helps us diagnose problems with our equipment.


James Stadheim, retired (1999) Sr. Trans. Tech. in Watertown, passed away Jan 26, 2017 in Tempe, Arizona. Former Transportation Commissioner Dick Gregerson, Sioux Falls, passed away April 25.Kevin Pavliceck’s father passed away April 27, in Bismarck, North Dakota. Kevin is the highway maintenance supervisor for Unit 152.Dennis Phillips, retired highway maintenance worker at Madison, passed away May 16.Gary Lindgren, retired (2002) lead highway maintenance worker in Watertown, passed away May 20.Norman Van Vugt, retired (1989) project engineer in Huron, passed away on May 20.John Hieb’s mother, Alice Hieb, passed away May 30, in Denver. John is a highway maintenance worker for Unit 151 Aberdeen.Tom Grannes’ dad, Gordon Grannes, passed away June 5 in Minnesota. Tom is the materials engineer manager in Pierre.Dave Abbas’ father, Roy Abbas, passed away on June 5 in Lennox. Dave is an equipment technician in the Sioux Falls shop.Kenny Bennett of Sioux Falls, passed away on June 6. Kenny retired as a Lead Highway Maintenance Worker with the Sioux Falls sign crew on June 16, 2016 aft er 36 years with the DOT - 19 years in Woonsocket and 17 years in Sioux Falls.

Condolences

Mike Carlson - Rapid City Area Engineer showing appreciation to Rose Kraig - Senior Secretary, for 39 years of service.

Longevity

MAYDarin Charlson 20 Transp. Inv. Mgmt.Mark Reiss 25 Project DevelopmentKary Gregoire 20 Mitchell RegionKenneth Stolley 40 Pierre Region

JUNEMarjorie Schaefers 45 Project DevelopmentKathleen Brown 35 KadokaMark Fox 25 Watertown AreaBradley Norrid 25 Winner AreaHarold Harrenga 25 BrookingsGreg Pollreisz 20 Transp. Inv. Mgmt.Darin Johnson 25 Road DesignRodney Greenhagen 30 Pierre Area

CRC I90-9 (11) 395 Minnehaha County 1963(L-R)Bob Richards, Larry Kiel, Eldon SaylorExperimental CRC I90 West of Sioux Falls Looking for initial cracks


In 2014, Randy Sauter won a Bronze Medal in the National Homebrew Competition. This year he won the Gold Medal in the Double IPA beer category of the NHC. In a press release issued by the National Homebrewers

Association, the 2017 National Homebrew Competition had a total 8,618 entries from 3,530 homebrewers located in all 50 states, Washington D.C. and 13 other countries.The fi rst round took place at 12 regional sites across the

country. The top three entries at each site in each of the 33 brew style categories advance to the fi nal round of the competition, held every year at Homebrew Con.This year, the fi nal round of judging took place June 15 at

Homebrew Con, where 1,134 entries were evaluated by the judges. In Randy’s category - Double IPA - there were 173 entries.Randy is a member of the Ale Riders Homebrew Club in

Rapid City and has been brewing for more than 13 years. Randy is also a Certifi ed Beer Judge in the Beer Judge Certifi cation Program.Randy retired from Rapid City Region (Bridge Engineer) on June 8 and is now working part-time for the

Bridge Design Offi ce remotely in Rapid City.

Project Development held an offi ce picnic on June 15, at Lily Park in Fort Pierre. A cornhole tournament was held and the reigning champions, Brace Prouty and Mark Leiferman, defended their title and took home the trophy for the second year in a row. Photo by Jennie Fuerst.

Brandy Weinman, Equipment Tech. in Aberdeen caught this monster Northern Pike at Akaska on May 27!This beauty weighed in at 25-

1/2 pounds and measured 43-1/4 inches!Brandy received a Proud Angler

and Master Angler Award for her efforts!

Employee Happenings


Brandy Hansen and Shawn Maskovich are the proud parents to Kden Besden.

DOB: April 3, 2017Weight: 10 lbs. 10 oz.Length: 22 inchesKden joins brothers Eien, Kian and Adin.

Brandy is an accounting assistant in Finance.

Future SDDOT Employees!

Policy deleted: “Noise Analysis and Abatement Guidelines/Policy,” PD-2004-02Policy deleted: “Environmental Classifi cations and Subsequent FHWA Authorizations,” PD-2004-04Policy deleted: “Highway Crossing of Abandoned or Non-Operating Railroad Lines,” OT-1991-01Policy deleted: “Labor Compliance and Davis-Bacon Act Provisions Related to Hauling from a Pit,” OC-2001-08Revised “Nuclear Gauge Safety” policy DOT-OS-OC-2.1New policy: “Signing for Fallen South Dakota Highway Patrol Troopers,” DOT-OS-OT-14.0

Joe & Crystal Stonesifer are the proud parents to Royce Th omas.

DOB: May 8, 2017Weight: 8 lb. 5 oz.Length: 20.75 inches

Crystal is a ROW CADD technician with the Sioux Falls Design Squad.

Jessee Gorden & Tara Palmer are proud fi rst time parents to, Bexley Ann Gorden.

DOB: May 2, 2017Length: 21 inches Weight: 8 lbs. 4.5 ozs.

Jessee is a Journey Transportation Tech and proud grandama, Bonnie Palmer is a Senior Secretary both in the Huron Area.

Bill Gardner is the proud grandpa to Aspen Emergy Gardner.

DOB: April 14, 2017Length: 18 inchesWeight: 6 lb. 14 oz.

Parents: Blake & Kati GardnerSiblings: Witten & Baylor

Bill is a Project Tech. in Winner.

Karen & Don Mentele are proud grandparents to Ashton Ann Mentele.

DOB: May 10, 2017Weight: 6 lbs. 6 oz.Length: 19.25 inchesParents: Andrew& BrookeBrother: Briley

Karen is an accounting assistant in Finance.

Luke and Jen Neville are the proud parents to Noah Riker.

DOB: May 16, 2017Weight: 10 lbs.Length: 21.25 inches

Luke is a lead highway maintenance worker in Philip.

connecting the dot’s may/june 2017 page 1 celebrating ... · what better way to enhance your...

Documents