connections: dec. 13, 2012

7/29/2019 Connections: Dec. 13, 2012

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D ecember 13 , 2012

Central Of f ice

D is t r i c t s

No r t h we s t

Nor theast

Kansas Ci ty

Cent ra l

St . Louis

Southwest

Southeast

Cha l lenge Exp anded t o I nc lude A l l MoDOT

Employeesby Jim Dickson

For the past seven years, field employees have had the chance to earn an extra $500 forcreating one of the state’s best tool or equipment innovations. Now, all MoDOTemployees have that same chance by improving a process, project or product. The PrOMoChallenge is a companion program to the Tool and Equipment Challenge this year andculminates at the Innovations Showcase in April 2013.

“We’ve had tremendous success with the Tool and Equipment Challenge, and it justmakes sense to expand what we are doing to include more of our employees,” saidAssistant Chief Engineer Don Hillis.

According to Hillis, each district and the Central Office will identify up to six innovationsthat improve overall safety, protect the environment or better use resources. The

innovations can be an improved process, project or product. And just like its sisterprogram, the Tool and Equipment Challenge, there is a wild card category for anyinnovation that may not clearly fit the criteria but deserves to be shared statewide. Thenew challenge also uses a similar evaluation process to determine the top innovations tocompete at the statewide showcase. Much of the two challenges are similar, such as theindividual and district awards. However, since this challenge is getting a bit later start, thedeadline for submissions has been extended to the end of January. The deadline for Tooland Equipment Challenge submissions remains the end of December.

“I’m excited to see all the innovations in oneroom,” said Hillis. “I think we can learn a lotfrom each other. I have a hunch we’ll have an innovation in one area that will spark anidea for innovation in another. I don’t think we can go wrong getting more employeestogether talking about innovation.”

The Innovations Showcase is part of a new joint meeting of MoDOT project delivery andoperation staffs. In previous years, the State Project Development Annual Meeting and theStatewide Spring Maintenance Meeting were held separately during the first four monthsof the year. This year those two meetings will share a single facility during the same week in April with participants from both meetings attending the Innovations Showcase. While

the week for the joint meetings has been set for April 8-12, the exact dates for eachmeeting and the Innovations Showcase will be determined when the winning bid isconfirmed later this month.

Employees can check out all the details for both challenges at Solutions at Work (this link works for active employees only).

Get t i ng t o Know You r Em p loyee Adv i so r y

Counci lby Tammy Wallace

The Employee Advisory Council is on a mission to make sure every MoDOTemployee knows the benefits of having the EAC representing you. With theBolder Five-Year Direction behind us, and a new year gleaming ahead, it seems

the appropriate time to get employees reconnected with the EAC. To begin, the EAC wants to remind employees why the council exists, the valuesthat guide them and introduce EAC members. BackgroundThe department established the EAC in 2005. The goal of the EAC then and nowis to support the work environment of employees by assisting management withcultural diversity, policy review and communication issues. They are the voice of employees. ValuesThe values the founding EAC members set in place in 2005 still guide the newmembers today:We exist to serve Missouri Department of Transportation employees.•

We will communicate with department employees in a timely and forthright manner.•

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http://wwwi/intranet/cr/SolutionsAtWork/default.htm

http://wwwi/intranet/cr/SolutionsAtWork/default.htm

http://www.modot.org/documents/2012-13InnovationsPrOMoHighlights.pdf

http://www.modot.org/documents/TEChallengePoster12.pdf

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We will be fair, honest and open while acting with integrity in handling matters concerning the EAC.•We will hold all matters confidential within the EAC.•

“We’ve refined the processes over the years on how we accept and address concerns,” said EAC Chair Matt Sonner. “However, thegoal is always the same. To review each concern, research the concern enlisting the help of management, respond to the employeeand document so others can also benefit from the information.”

In the months ahead, the EAC will highlight the work they do on behalf of employees in upcoming editions of Connections. If you have questions or concerns you would like to direct to the EAC, contact any member below, or submit your informationonline at EAC (this link works for active employees only). They are here to serve you.

Your EAC Members

LeadershipMatt Sonner, ChairJeff Leible, Vice-ChairDenise Thompson, SecretaryAmber Dydell, Assistant Secretary Northwest District Matt Sonner - Facilities Op. SupervisorAmber Dydell – Sr. Office AssistantRodney Welch – Maint. SupervisorRodney Wright – Sr. Maint. Worker Northeast DistrictJackie Bordeleau – Sr. Const. InspectorKeith Boling – Equip. Tech. SupervisorDamon LaFaver – Sr. Information Tech.

Kansas City DistrictTim Hibdon – Sr. Maint. Worker Central DistrictJames Hake – Inter. Maint. WorkerJoe Schmidt – Sr. Maint. WorkerBeth Humphrey – Sr. Maint. Worker

St. Louis DistrictGlenn Holmes – Maint. WorkerDenise Thompson – Certified AppraiserCindy Farrar – Construction Inspector Southwest DistrictJason Grant – Sr. Maint. WorkerRodney Fuller – Inter. Maint. WorkerKelly Tummons – Sr. Maint. Worker

Southeast DistrictMichael Roberts – Sr. Equip. Tech.Mary Shrubb – Executive AssistantJeff Leible – Maint. Supervisor Central OfficeRandy Kelly – Travel Serv. SupervisorKim Russell – Motor Carrier Proj. Mgr.Brenda Wells – MCS System & TrainingAnalyst EAC LiaisonRudy Nickens – Equal Opportunity &Diversity Director

W ork ing Sm ar t e r? There ’s an App fo r Tha tby Holly Dentner

As part of the Bolder Five-Year Direction, MoDOT leadership chartered a statewide “virtual office” team to find ways for our fieldemployees to work more efficiently while maintaining an excellent level of customer service. As part of that team’s effort, a select group of maintenance supervisors are part of a pilot program to test mobile technology –smartphones and tablets – to assess whether or not these tools will help manage some of the administrative tasks they wouldnormally complete with a desktop computer at a maintenance building. “Many MoDOT employees spend their days working on the road or in the field, away froma desk and a computer,” said Todd Miller, maintenance liaison engineer. “With fewerresources and larger geographical areas to cover, we are looking for ways to keep them asproductive as possible and reduce the time they have to sit at those desks.” Four maintenance supervisors in each district are participating. They were selected toensure a variety of technological expertise. A mix of urban and rural maintenance locationswere also selected. Maintenance supervisors will use smartphones and iPads to work on customer servicecenter requests, time sheets, One Call excavation requests, billing and invoice payments,and answering email. “We want them to explore anything these devices are capable of that can make them more efficient,” said Miller. “We’reencouraging them to be creative in finding ways to make the technology work for them.” The pilot program runs from December 2012 to March 2013. The maintenance supervisors will be surveyed regularly during thattime to gauge their abilities with the devices and to measure their usefulness.

Wh at ' s Happen ing

I n te r s ta t e 49 Open ing Ce r emony

Interstate 49 between Pineville and Kansas City was officially designatedWednesday in an unveiling ceremony in a middle school gym near thehighway in Joplin.

See complete coverage on the Southwest District page.

Do ing the hono r s we re , f r om le f t , MoDOT D irec to r Kev in Ke i th , Fede ra l

H ighway Admin is t ra to r V ic to r Mendez , U .S. Sen . Roy B lun t and M is s ou r i

H ighway s and T rans po r ta t ion Commis s ione r Rudy Fa rbe r .

More Bas ic User Sharep o in t Tra in ing

Classes Ava i lab le in 201 3

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7/29/2019 Connections: Dec. 13, 2012


To ensure your holiday season is jolly, please follow these three simple steps to prevent tragedy:

Plan ahead. If you will be drinking, do not drive. Designate a sober driver or arrange another safeway home.

•

If you are impaired, find another way home. Use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, oruse public transportation.

•

Be responsible. If someone you know is drinking, do not let that person get behind the wheel. If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact law enforcement. Your actions may savesomeone’s life, and inaction could cost a life.

•

There are no excuses to drive impaired. Roadway safety is EVERYONE’S responsibility. ARRIVE ALIVE.

Wed., Jan. 16, Wed., Feb. 13, Mon., March 18Classes offered each day at:9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - 3 p.m.

Please visit the LMS Training resource center to sign up.LMS Student Center (Course Code: 25198)(this link works for active employees only)Contact: Anita BuddemeyerIntermediate IS [email protected] (573) 526-7931

FHWA’s Of f ice o f Safe ty Photo Contes t

The Federal Highway Administration’s Office of Safety isholding a photo contest. All entries must be received by 12:00midnight on December 28, 2012.

Click here for contest information or call 202-366-2327Submit entries to - [email protected]

Don ' t Dr ive i f You ' re T ipsy , Buzzed

o r B l i t z en‘Tis the season to be jolly, but don’t forget to designatea driver or call a cab to avoid driving impaired. To keepmotorists safe, law enforcement is on the lookout forimpaired drivers, with targeted enforcement efforts Dec.10-16.

December Serv ice Ann iversar ies

35 YearsBruce J. Bryson – NEAllen W. Bley – SW 30 YearsKevin L. Walter – KC 25 YearsJudith L. MaGruder – NWJerry A. Martin – CDMari L. Heeter – SWJames D. Carney – CO 20 YearsRicklyn L. Adams – NWCurtis R. Grossman – NW

Tammy S. Rhoades – NWRobert L. McElhaney – NEWilliam D. Limback – KCLeroy H. Wieberg – CDKaryn M. Veltrop – CDGarland L. Dewitt – SWRussell M. Divine – SEMichael L. Hensley – SEJeffrey T. Amelunke – SEDonald J. Boyer – SE

20 Years ContinuedByron W. Davenport – SELeonard D. Foster – CODennis W. Heckman – COShaun W. Schmitz – CO

15 YearsJay P. Barnes – NWJody A. Butner – NEJerrett L. Pence – KCRick A. Moore – KCDonald M. Ramirez -- CDDarius W. Dowdy – SEClaude L. Bright – SEMartin A. Brose – COJason M. Blomberg – CO 10 YearsRichard G. Skirvin -- NEMarcus A. Boult – KCDwayne N. Rogers – CDDonald J. Sparks – SLDouglas F. Logsden – SLTrenton J. Laur – SLBrian P. Dye – SWGwendolyn R. Houston – CO

5 YearsJake R. Harbin – NWSharisse I. Nemes – NEStephen D. Vogt – KCDonald E. Jackson – KCJohn J. Schaefer – CDMatthew D. Pardoe – CDDaniel Tucker – SLMonty D. Hilte – SWJohn T. Kenney – SWTravis W. Tooley – SESeth Z. Bollinger – SESheila A. Schulte – COShashanta L. Murray – COJohn Barbee – COCarmen M. Claypool – CO

Jack Wang – CO

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http://rspcb.safety.fhwa.dot.gov/workshops/photo_contest/details.asp

http://rspcb.safety.fhwa.dot.gov/workshops/photo_contest/details.asp


7/29/2019 Connections: Dec. 13, 2012


Leg is la t i ve Leadersh ip - 20 13

With the November elections behind us, the 2013 Missouri legislative session is scheduled to begin Jan. 9. Although youprobably know who won the elections, you may not know who the House and Senate selected as their leaders for ourgreat state in 2013.

As far as MoDOT’s role in this upcoming session, Jay Wunderlich, MoDOT’s Governmental Relations Director, says theMissouri Highways and Transportation Commission and MoDOT will not have a legislative agenda this year. “Ourprimary focus is to educate the elected officials on our financial situation and introduce the newly elected officials on howwe are structured, work and operate,” said Wunderlich. There was little change with respect to the overall makeup of Missouri’s statewide elected officials and Missouri’s

General Assembly. Missouri still has a Democrat governor as Republicans maintain control of both the House and Senate.The biggest change is now both the House and Senate are ”veto proof,” which means now there are enough Republicansin each chamber to override any governor veto without having to enlist Democrats.

The 2013 Missouri Senate will be comprised of 24 Republicans and 10 Democrats, compared to 26 Republicans and 8Democrats in the 2012 session.

The 2013 Missouri House will be comprised of 110 Republicans and 53 Democrats, the largest ever Republican majorityin the House.

2013 LeadershipGovernor Jay NixonLt. Governor Peter KinderAttorney General Chris KosterState Treasurer Clint ZweiferSecretary of State Jason Kander Shortly upon the conclusion of the 2012 election, boththe House and Senate Republican and DemocratCaucuses met in the Capitol to elect their respective

leaders for the next two years. The House elected the following:Rep. Tim Jones (R-Eureka) House SpeakerRep. Jason Smith (R-Salem) House Speaker Pro TemRep. John Diehl, Jr. (R-Town and Country) HouseMajority Floor LeaderRep. Mike Cierpiot (R-Lee’s Summit) House MajorityAssistant Floor LeaderRep. Sandy Crawford (R-Buffalo) House Majority WhipRep. Shelley Kenney (R-Marble Hill) House Majority Caucus ChairRep. Mike Bernskoetter (R-Jefferson City) House Majority Caucus SecretaryRep. Jacob Hummel (D-St. Louis) House Minority Floor LeaderRep. Gail McCann Beatty (D-Kansas City) House Assistant Minority Floor LeaderRep. John Rizzo (D-Kansas City) House Minority WhipRep. Steve Webb (D-Florissant) House Minority Caucus ChairRep. Chris Kelly (D-Columbia) House Minority Caucus Vice-chairRep. Genise Montecillo (D-St. Louis) House Minority Caucus SecretaryThe speaker and the speaker pro tem candidates must still receive confirmation from the full House when they convene in

January to become official.

The Senate elected the following:Sen. Tom Dempsey (R-St. Charles) President Pro TemSen. Ron Richard (R-Joplin) Senate Floor LeaderSen. Mike Kehoe (R-Jefferson City)Senate Majority Assistant Floor LeaderSen. Eric Schmitt (R-Kirkwood) Senate Majority Caucus ChairSen. Jay Wasson (R-Nixa) Senate Majority Caucus SecretarySen. Brian Nieves (R-Washington) Senate Majority WhipSen. Jolie Justus (D-Kansas City) Senate Minority Floor LeaderSen. Kiki Curls (D-Kansas City) Senate Minority Assistant Floor LeaderSen. Joseph Keaveny (D-St. Louis) Senate Minority Caucus ChairSen. Gina Walsh (D-St. Louis) Senate Minority Caucus Secretary Like the top House leadership positions, the president pro tem of the Senate appointment will not be official untilofficially voted on by the full Senate in January.

D ecember 13 , 2012

Ho m e

Central Of f ice

D is t r i c t s

No r t h we s t

Nor theast

Kansas Ci ty

Cent ra l

St . Louis

Southwest

Southeast

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The above information was obtained from Governmental Relations The GR Capitol Report, found on MoDOT’s intranetsite at - GA Capitol Report (this link works for active employees only). Employees can check the website for updated

information during the session.

I nc lem en t W eath e r Gu ide l i nes

by Micki Knudsen

As the department prepares for winter weather, we all need to plan ahead and take steps to ensure everyone knows theirrole in helping keep roads and bridges open during snow and ice events. Every employee plays an important role indelivering outstanding customer service, including during winter weather events. So, it's important that employees work during severe weather unless they've already been approved off or need to be off due to illness or injury.

We want all of our employees to arrive to work safely, work safely,and arrive home safely. Our snow fighters and emergencyoperations center staff members do a great job of clearing our roadsand bridges so we can all get to work safely and as soon as possible.But, if there is a need to leave work early or to stay at home due toschool closures or hazardous road conditions, employees must seek approval from their supervisors to take annual leave or use comptime to cover this time off or to flex their work week.

In some cases, employees can plan ahead for inclement weather andobtain prior approval from their supervisors to work from home.Employees should not assume they can wait until the morning of a

snow and ice event and then ask to work from home. Working fromhome should be planned for and supervisory approval should beobtained in advance.

When possible, such as when severe weather occurs early in a work week, some of the time missed may be able to bemade up by working extra time on other days during the remainder of the work week (use FLEX coding), with supervisorapproval. The missed time can only be made up within the same workweek as the absence. If the time is not made upwithin the workweek, annual leave or comp time must be used.

Please remember that a little bit of planning and advance communication can help ensure we have necessary staff coverage available to deliver outstanding customer service during inclement weather while keeping our most valuableasset, you, safe.

W hat ' s Happen in g a t Cen t ra l O f f i ce

Thomas Je f fe rson Midd le Schoo l Orches t ra Ho l iday Per fo rmance

Monday, Dec 17 - 9 a.m.105 West Capitol - Hearing Room 100

Contact Darla Gjesvold for more informationEqual Opportunity and Diversity [email protected] 573.522.9482

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http://www.modot.org/documents/TJMSwinterperformance2012.pdf


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D ecember 13 , 2012

Ho m e

Central Of f ice

D is t r i c t s

No r t h we s t

Nor theast

Kansas Ci ty

Cent ra l

St . Louis

Southwest

Southeast

Dign i ta r ies , i n c lud ing MoDOT D i rec to r Kev in Ke i th and an Ame l ia Ea rha r t

impe rs ona to r , c u t the r ibbon on t he new Ame l ia Ea rha r t Memor ia l B r idge l i n k ingWin th rop , Mo . and A tc h is on , Kan .

New Am e l ia Ea rha r t Memor ia l B r i dgeRibbon Cut t ing He ld Decem ber 4 , 2012

Despite her disappearance over thePacific Ocean in 1937, AmeliaEarhart was spotted this week, aliveand well! She made an appearanceDec. 4, at the ribbon cutting for anew bridge named in her honor. AnnBirney, as the famous aviator who

was born in 1897 in Atchison, Kan.,spoke at the ribbon cutting ceremonyalong with Kansas Gov. SamBrownback; Kansas TransportationSecretary Mike King; MoDOTDirector Kevin Keith; Kansas Rep.Jerry Henry; Atchison Mayor AllenReavis; and Atchison CountyCommissioner Jeff Schuele.

The celebration also included aceremonial bike ride across thebridge by students from AtchisonUSD 409, Atchison County USD377, Atchison Catholic ElementarySchool, Trinity Lutheran School andAtchison Area Homeschoolers.

The new bridge, a four-lane, tied arch structure stretching nearly 2,500 feet over the Missouri River, isdistinguished by its double steel arches on the main river span and special aesthetic lighting. It replaces theexisting two-lane structure, which was completed in 1938 and is too narrow to handle some of today’s larger truck loads and farm implements.

Construction of the bridge began in the spring of 2009. The removal of the existing bridge is scheduled for early2013. The AE Memorial Bridge replacement is a cooperative project funded by the Missouri and Kansastransportation departments. Of the $59.4 million construction cost, MoDOT's portion is $28.8 million and KDOTwill contribute the remaining $30.6 million . The City of Atchison, Kan. also contributed funding for aestheticlighting on the arch span section of the bridge.

From th e Fie ld

The D is t r i c t O f f i c e Cons t ruc t ion & Ma te r ia l s s ta f f pa r t i c ipa ted in one o f

the many CPR cert i f ica t ion c lasses be ing he ld across the d is tr ic t .

Sen io r Ma te r ia l s I ns pecto r Hea th Ha r tm an

pract iced CPR technique.

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December 13 , 2012

H o m e

Centr a l O f f ice

Dis t r i c t s

N o r t h w e s t

N or theas t

Kansas C i ty

Cent ra l

S t . Louis

Sou thw es t

Sou theas t

Plann ing Con t r i bu t es t o Road I n t eg r i t ySince July , maintenance crews havereplaced 7200 feet of pipes or pipeliners to maintain proper drainageand keep our roads safe and in goodcondition. "Our pipe plan followsour pavement plan so we can haveour pipes in before the road gets anew overlay," said MaintenanceSuperintendent Dan Brumagin.

"Obviously, there are emergencyreplacements, but we try to followthe plan as much as possible," headded.

Recently, a shoulder and overlayproject on Highway 47 south of Warrenton was accelerated. "Therewere some pipes that were too fardeteriorated to put liners in, so wewere going to have to close theroad," Dan said. "This is a highervolume minor for us, so we workedwith Rob Frese, work zonecoordinator, who helped us byidentifying the time of day when wehave the least amount of traffic,"Dan continued. The road was closedfor less than three hours.

Jennifer Hinson, maintenance andtraffic engineer, said planning theircontract and maintenance work ahead to identify potential pipe replacements prior to overlays helps maintain the integrity of the road, because we donot have to cut into a newly surfaced road.

Mike N iemeyer , A l l en Cassmeyer , H aro ld Johnson and Mark Mar t i n w er e some

of the c rew s w ork ing on H ighw ay 47 near H opew e l l H i ll i n War ren C oun ty .D an Brumag in , m a in tenance super in tenden t , sa id they rep laced the p ipe , f i l l edi t t o a b o u t 4 " f r o m t h e t o p w i t h r o c k , t h en t o p p e d i t o f f w i t h a b o u t 4 " o f h o t

mate r i a l to l eve l i t ou t . Crew s w i l l mon i to r i t and w h en i t se t t l es , they w i l l add

m o r e h o t m a t e r i a l.

Arou nd t he Dis t r i c t . ..

Eigh teen ve ry spec ial ch i l d ren w ere t rea ted to a once- i n -a - l i f e t im e

Even though i t w as he r b i r thday

w eek , D ebb ie Ma lone w as the one

g i v ing a g i f t . She gave the g i f t o fl i f e ! Tw en t y - fou r peop le dona ted

b lood a t the d i s t r i c t and reg iona l

o f f i ces over the l ast few w eeks .

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Chr i s tm as par ty l as t w eek a t the d i s t r i c t o f f i ce . The ch i l d ren a l l

a t tended a l oca l head sta r t p r og ram and w ere ve ry exc i ted abou tthe i r MoD OT “budd ies , ” b ig bags o f t rea ts , l o t s o f yummy g ood ies to

ea t , l o t s o f C hr i s tmas p resen ts , and , o f course , the “ B ig Guy ”

h imse l f . . .San ta ( r e t i ree D onn ie K ins le r ) . The k ids even sang tw o

ho l i day songs w h i l e j i ng l i ng be l l s ! Th i s w as the f i na l year fo r theannua l C h i l d ren ’ s Chr i s tmas Par ty w h i ch has been suppor ted by

emp loyee fundra i se rs each year . Bob Johns ton , H ann iba lma in tenance , i s p i c tu red above w i th h i s buddy l ook ing a t som e o f the

ho l i day b low up d i sp lays i n the des ign depar tmen t .

The American Red Cross in Macon

gave aw ay a f ree p ie every hourto a l ucky donor ! More b lood

dr i ves a re p lanned th i s w in t e r .

For more i n fo

Marisa Brown-EllisonCustomer Relations ManagerNortheast District

[email protected]

1711 S. Highway 61

Hannibal, MO 63401

Comm en ts & Sugges t i ons

We would like to hear from you. Send commentsand suggestions to Tammy Wallace [email protected].

Mission

Our mission is to provide a world-class

transportation experience that delights ourcustomers and promotes a prosperous Missouri.

To view or print other pages, cliclinks below:

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D ecember 13 , 2012

Ho m e

Central Of f ice

D is t r i c t s

No r t h we s t

Nor theast

Kansas Ci ty

Cent ra l

St . Louis

Southwest

Southeast

Mis s ou r i H ighway s and T rans po r ta t ion

Commiss ioner Stephen Mi l ler, Ci ty o f

A rc h ie May o r Les Wh i tes ide and S ta teSenator Dav id Pearce d iscuss the

impo r t anc e o f I -49 t o the economic

dev e lopmen t o f ou r reg ion , s ta te and

na t ion a t a Dec . 12 news c on fe renc e .

M is s ou r i H ighw ay s and T rans po r ta t ion Comm is s ioner

S tephen M i l l er ( no t p i c tu red ) enc ou rages Dec . 12 news

c on fe renc e a t tendees to "d ream b ig " f o r the fu tu re o f

t rans po r ta t ion in M is s ou r i . He then lead the crowd in a

"h ip -h ip -hoo ray ! " c hee r fo r the new I -49 .

D rew Co rp . o f Ind ianapo l i s , Ind . i n s ta l l s new I -49 s igns a t the

U .S. 71 / I -49 and Rou te 150 in te rc hange the a f te rnoon o f Dec .

12 . Th is i s j u s t one o f app rox ima te ly 1 ,200 s igns a long the 180

-m i le c o r r ido r tha t a re be ing ins ta l led to deno te the new

in te rs ta te des igna t ion .

I - 49 New s Con fe rence High l i gh t s Co r r i do r

Po ten t ia lby Steve Porter; Photos by Jennifer Benefield

The gala celebration of Missouri’s newest interstate, I-49, came at noonWednesday, Dec. 12, but later in the afternoon, Kansas City news media werehearing from MoDOT and communities along the route in the Kansas CityDistrict why the change is important.

MoDOT held a news conference at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday at Gail’s Harley-Davidson dealership in south Grandview to emphasize why it is important thatcommunities along the corridor now are on an interstate. Missouri Highwaysand Transportation Commissioner Stephen Miller, District Engineer Dan Niec,MoDOT Chief Engineer Dave Nichols and Assistant Chief Engineer DonHillis were joined by Kansas City Councilman John Sharp, and Mayors SteveDennis of Grandview, Jimmy Odom of Belton, Peter Kerckhoff of Raymore,Ernest Jungmeyer of Peculiar, Kevin Wood of Harrisonville and Les Whitesideof Archie to explain the impact that a new interstate means for theircommunities.

The news conference highlighted the steps these communities have taken topartner with MoDOT to improve the interchanges and transportation accessalong this corridor, and the financial commitment they continue to make in cost-share projects to improve existing interchanges and add new interchanges.

MoDOT and the cities and counties along the I-49 corridor have invested wellover $500 million in transportation improvements in the past five years fromthe 3-Trails Crossing Memorial Highway in south Kansas City to theCass/Bates county line. Those improvements include state, county and cityroutes that intersect with or supplement the I-49 corridor in Jackson and Casscounties.

Many of the improvements could not have occurred without the financialsupport of cities along the corridor. This represents statewide taxpayer fundingteamed with local funds. Improved interchanges at Route 150, 163rd, and soonat Route 291 are the result of this cooperative spirit. New interchanges at NorthCass Parkway (187th Street) and in the next few years at 211th Street are also cost share successes. Each cost share dollarstretches state and federal funding, compounding and accelerating improvements, building a more vibrant corridor.

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Click here to read mo re abou t the loc a l comm un i t ie s

a long the I -49 c o r r ido r in the Kans as Ci ty a rea .

Be l ton May o r and Cas s Coun ty Comm is s ione r -e lec t J immie

Odom, Kansas City Counc i lman John Sharp, Harr isonv i l le Mayor

Kev in Wood, Grandv iew Mayor Steve Dennis , Arch ie Mayor Les

Wh i tes ide and M is s ou r i H ighway s and T rans po r ta t ion

Commiss ioner Stephen Mi l ler are a l l smi les as Kansas City

Dis tr ic t Engin eer Dan Niec k icks o ff a Dec. 12 new s conference

tou t ing t he s ign i f i canc e o f I -49 t o the s ta te o f M is s ou r i .

For mo re i n fo

Jennifer Benefield

Customer Relations Manager

Kansas City District

816.607.2153

[email protected]

600 NE Colbern Road

Lee's Summit, MO 64086


We would like to hear from you. Send comments

and suggestions to Tammy Wallace at

[email protected].

Mission


transportation experience that delights our

customers and promotes a prosperous Missouri.

To view or print other pages, click on the

links below:

Page 2 of 2Connections - Kansas City District

12/13/2012http://www.modot.org/kansascity/connections_kansascity.htm

http://www.modot.org/kansascity/documents/PagesfromDevobrochure.pdf

http://www.modot.org/kansascity/documents/PagesfromDevobrochure.pdf

7/29/2019 Connections: Dec. 13, 2012


D ecember 13 , 2012

Ho m e

Central Of f ice

D is t r i c t s

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Southwest

Southeast

These mats made out o f recyc led t i res are be ing p laced a long U.S.

Rou te 54 be tween J e f fe rs on Ci ty and K ingdom C i ty . The ma ts a redes igned to c on t ro l the w eeds tha t g row a round h ighway s ign pos ts

and mak e mow ing mo re e f f i c ien t and env i ronmen ta l l y f r i end ly .

Recyc led Ti r es A id Mow ing Pro cessThe very automobile tires that highway crewsspend time picking up off of Missouri highwaysare now playing a role in making the mowing of those highway roadsides more efficient andenvironmentally friendly.

The Missouri departments of Transportation andNatural Resources have joined together to usemats made from recycled tires to control weedsthat grow around highway sign posts. The mats,funded by a grant from the Department of Natural

Resources, are designed to hinder vegetationgrowth, thus reducing the amount of herbicidesneeded to control weeds.

Fewer weeds at the base of sign posts will enableMoDOT crews to reduce the amount of morelabor-intensive mowing and trimming they haveto perform, all while keeping the used tires fromgoing to landfills.

“We typically have to apply herbicides aroundsign posts to kill weeds,” said MoDOT CentralDistrict Roadside Manager Rand Swanigan. “Wealso have to mow up close to the posts or usetrimmers, which slows us down. The mats will help us cut down on both our herbicide use and our mowing time.”

MoDOT crews are installing the vegetation-control pads along U.S. Route 54 between Jefferson City and Kingdom Cityas part of a project to replace the current metal reflective posts that mark the highway every tenth of a mile. The metalposts, most of which are old and battered, will be replaced with flexible posts that pop back up if hit.

“Placing the mats now at a time that grass and weeds are not growing will allow us to get ahead of the vegetation growththat comes with spring weather,” Swanigan said.

Similar vegetation-control mats have been used to curb weeds that sprout up around guard cable and guard rail, but this isthe first time MoDOT has used the mats around sign posts for long stretches of highway. Swanigan worked with the matvendor to design the product for specific use around signs and reflective posts.

Swanigan is confident the mats will achieve the goals of reducing herbicide use and mowing time, but says the departmentwill have a better idea of how well the mats work next spring.

Meta H i l l No t So H i l l y Anym oreThe completion of a project to reduce the steep grade of a hill on Route 133 in Meta was officially celebrated on Dec. 11.

Before the fix, big trucks serving businesses in the area frequently got stuck trying to get up the hill causing disrupteddeliveries and frustrating road closures. The new realignment, which runs approximately a half mile south of Route B atMeta and continues south for about a half mile, has taken care of that. The work required closing the roadway anddetouring traffic for several months.

“We’re proud to deliver this important safety improvement to Meta and surrounding communities,” Central DistrictEngineer Dave Silvester told the crowd of about 40 who gathered for the ribbon cutting. “We know closing this road forseveral months was a real inconvenience for local residents, and we’d like to thank everyone for their patience.”

Route 133 from Route B to Route 52 was resurfaced at the same time. That work was completed on Dec. 1. PhillipsGrading and Construction, Inc. of Boonville, Mo., was the contractor on the $1 million project.

Page 1 of 3Connections - Central District

12/13/2012http://www.modot.org/central/connections_central.htm

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Sta te Rep . Tom Loehne r and S ta te Rep .-e lec t Tom Hu rs t d id the hono rs o f c u t t i ng

the r ibbon fo r t he Rou te 133 rea l ignmen t and res u r fac ing p ro jec t a t a c e remony

held Dec. 11. Jo in ing them w as Osage Count y Pres id ing Comm iss ioner Dave

Dudenhoe f fe r , Cen t ra l D is t r i c t Eng inee r Dav e S i l v es te r and T roy P ink e r ton o f

Phi l l ips Grading and Constru c t ion. Standing behind Rep. Loehner is MoDOT

Cus tomer Re lat ions Coo rd ina to r DeAnne R ic k abaugh , who s ang the Na t iona l

An them a t the c e remony .

5 , 10 , 15 and Coun t in gTy rone Ba rnes , r i gh t , a s en io r ma in tenanc e

work e r w i th th e Co lumb ia ma in tenanc e

fac i l i t y , rec e iv es h is f i v e -y ea r s e rv ic e awa rdf rom Cen t ra l D is t r i c t Eng inee r Dav e S i l v es te r .

Congratulations to the following Central District employees who were recently recognized for five, 10 and 15 years of service to MoDOT!

5 YearsBrian Keith PerryBrian L. PlasterChad D. WestCheryl A. DeanChristopher Lee BarnwellDonald E. MeyerEdwin G. RandolphGeorge William OwenGlenn Calvin BuntonJason Paul SchaperclausJeramy D. Hake

John J. SchaeferJoshua B. RollinsJustin W. NashMatthew D. PardoeMichael J. BaxNathaniel M. RagsdalePhilip E. HamiltonRandall W. WeaverRussell E. PersickeRyan J. KliethermesRyan L. Sealock Shawn Joseph BuschjostSheldon RedelStanley D. ShieldsStephen G. DickneiteSusan M. Summers

10 Y ea r sAnthony Glenn Middendorf Brian E. Black Bruce A. RackersCharles Edward SilveyChristopher A. GrahamDaniel Leon Goff Danny Ray ScottDavid W. KliethermesDonald Robert HakeDwayne N. RogersJason M. Harmon

Jason P. Morff John Zachery NobleJustin E. NelsonKarl F. DeschKeith D. LawsonKimberly A. HickeyLeslie Allyn BuntonPatrick Jerome Wulff Richard MurrayRusty Lee Quick Stephen E. AtkissonTravis M. OverstreetWayne L. Creek

15 YearsAnthony Clay WoodChristopher E. ScottDavid W. KunzeDonald Edward BoettcherDonald Max RamirezGeoffrey M. FranksKenneth Victor ThomasLaurie Ann TravisPatrick J. BauerPhyllis J. MurraySteven L. Mccollum

Susan Elizabeth IvyTroy Allen WilsonWilber L. Barton



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Tad M. OwingsThomas M. HollandTimothy Dale HillTyrone Barnes

Dist r i ct Happen ingsApp rox ima te ly 60 peop le tu rned

ou t fo r a c ommun i ty b r ie f ing on

Dec . 5 to f i nd ou t mo re abou t

MoDOT’s p lans to im p rov e theRou te D b r idge ov e r the

Gasconade River in Phelp s Count y .

The Missouri Highways and

T rans po r ta t ion Commis s ion i s

ex pec ted to awa rd the p ro j ec t a t

i t s Ma rc h 2013 mee t ing , w i th t he

wo rk s c hedu led fo r the s ummer

2013 mon ths . The b r idge w i l l be

c omp le te ly c los ed du r ing t he

c ons t ruc t ion .

Here Area Engineer Preston

Kramer v i s i t s w i th J e rome-a rea

res iden ts abou t the b r idge p ro jec t .

For mo re i n fo

Sally Oxenhandler


Central District

573-522-3375

[email protected]

1511 Missouri Boulevard

P.O. Box 718

Jefferson City, MO 65102




[email protected].

Mission





links below:



7/29/2019 Connections: Dec. 13, 2012


D ecember 13 , 2012

Ho m e

Central Of f ice

D is t r i c t s

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Second Blanchet t e Br idg e Blast Rocks STLby Linda Wilson HornPhotos by Cathy Morrison

App rox ima te ly 4 .5 m i l l i on pounds o f s tee l we re b las ted and d ropped in to the M is s ou r i R iv e r .

Last week, 65 pounds of explosives blasted a 1,030 foot long section of the westbound I-70 Blanchette Bridge steeltruss dropping 4.5 million pounds of steel into the Missouri River. The 911 dispatch centers from Wentzville toChesterfield took calls shortly after the 10:25 a.m. blast from citizens wondering what the explosion was from.

The December 4 blast was the second and final explosion to remove the 1958 westbound bridge’s steel truss as partof the $63 million rehabilitation of the bridge. The project will repair the pier caps, replace the steel truss and othersteel members and build a new concrete bridge deck and barrier walls. The project closed the westbound bridge totraffic on Nov. 4, 2012, and detoured traffic to the eastbound bridge, which now carries three lanes of I-70 for eachdirection. Normally, there are five lanes in each direction on two bridges. The reduced lanes on I-70 will remain inplace until fall 2013.

Hund reds o f peop le c ame ou t to th e M is sou r i R iv e r s ho re l ine on Dec embe r 4 to w a tc h the

ex is t ing wes tbound I -70 B lanc he t te B r idge ex p lode in to the r i v e r .

Vo te f o r You r Favo r i t e " Crew tha t Rocks"Some St. Louis maintenance employees are finalists competing in the 2013 "Crews that Rock" contest. Winners of thiscontest receive worldwide recognition and a paid trip to the world's largest concrete show. Under the category "CommunityService/Not-for-Profit" entries, vote for "MoDOT-Rehabilitation project on Poplar Street Bridge Approach."

Page 1 of 2Connections - St. Louis District

12/12/2012http://www.modot.org/stlouis/connections_stlouis.htm

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Every vote helps and online voting will continue through December 28. Click on the following link to vote for your MoDOTteammates: www.worldofconcrete.com/attendee/crews-that-rock.aspx Good luck to all our MoDOT crews!

MoDOT Snow Truck Dr essed Up f o r Ho l iday

Parade

Two Festus maintenance employees and a MoDOT truck recently participated in the DeSoto Holiday Parade. Withpermission and on their personal time, Jerry Lyston, Festus crew leader, and Devin Rielly, Festus maintenance worker, camein on a Saturday to clean, wax and decorate a MoDOT truck for the holiday dressed out for winter operations. A smallgenerator was inside the cinder bed to power all their lights and they even had a tree on top with gifts.

The parade committee was excited to have MoDOT's participation in the parade. Jefferson County motorists gave them greatfeedback and was impressed with the up-close look at the truck. Many people commented that they didn't realize how bigthe plows were that cleaned the roads and that they have even more respect for them this winter.

MoDOT t ruc k a l l d res s ed up fo r w in te r ope ra t ions and the DeSo to Ho l iday Pa rade.

For mo re i n fo

Marie Elliott


St. Louis District

[email protected]

1590 Woodlake Drive

Chesterfield, MO 63017




[email protected].

Mission





links below:

Page 2 of 2Connections - St. Louis District

12/12/2012http://www.modot.org/stlouis/connections_stlouis.htm

http://www.worldofconcrete.com/attendee/crews-that-rock.aspx



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D ecember 13 , 2012

Ho m e

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Her i tage o f F reedom: The H ighway Pa t ro l ' s T roop D

Hono r Gua rd p res en ted the c o lo rs a t the s ta r t o f t he

I - 49 ded ic a t ion . (Pho to by Ca thy Mo r r i s on )

V iew f rom t he Road : As the I -49 unv e i l i ng c e remony was

c onc lud ing , crews began unc ov e r ing and tu rn ing s igns a l l a long

the corr idor between Pinev i l le and Kansas City . Jop l in Senior

Ma in tenanc e Work e r Ph i l Smi th w o rk s a t Newt on Coun ty Rou te AA

s ou th o f Neos ho . (Pho to by T im Bundga rd )

I nc lud ing the S tuden ts : V ic to r Mendez , head o f the

Federa l H ighway Adm in is t ra t ion , i s i n te rv iewed by J op l in

East Midd le School journa l is ts Noah Pin juv , center, and

Landon Moo re cov e r ing the I -49 ev en t . (Pho to by BobEdwards )

V is i to r Park ing : He lp ing w i th pa rk ing a t t he I -4 9 unv e i l i ng was

Sen io r R igh t o f Way Specia l i s t Andy E l l swo r t h . He gu ides re t i red

J op l in bus ines s man Me l Wa lb r idge , who w as hono red du r ing the

ev en t . (Pho to by Ca thy Mo r r i s on )

Dec . 12 , 2012 : Mak ing H i sto r y W i th

The Unve il i ng o f I - 49 i n M issou r iby Bob Edwards

Music thumped. Construction scenes popped, flashed and floated in a short video. Aspotlight blazed in the darkened gym of Joplin East Middle School.

"Introducing I-49!" District Engineer Becky Baltz declared. Officials yanked a clothcover from a large I-49 shield and 300 well-wishers applauded and cheered.

This was the dramatic welcome given Interstate 49 in Missouri in a ceremonialunveiling in Joplin.

At the same time, the real unveilings occurred outside on the highway where 1,300 I-49 signs were already in place. Dozens of MoDOT maintenance and constructionworkers and contractor crews, working in all seven counties between Kansas City andPineville, quickly uncovered shoulder mounted and overhead signs and turnedemergency reference markers to face traffic.

Thus the 180-mile long segment of U.S. 71 was transformed into I-49 on the 12th dayof the 12th month of the year 2012.

Page 1 of 3Connections - Southwest District

12/13/2012http://www.modot.org/southwest/connections_southwest.htm

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Looking to the Future

I-49 is the first new interstate corridor to be designated in Missouri since I-64 entered the state in St. Louis in 1988 (and wasextended in 2011). I-49 is the first new interstate highway in southwest Missouri since I-44 was built in the late 1950s and1960s.

"We're going to remember this for a long time," U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt said. "It's a great moment for our state."

When Blunt was a member of the U.S. House, he helped provide advocacy and funding for I-49 for its safety and economicbenefits. He worked with House members from Arkansas and Louisiana. He said he was glad to be part of Wednesday'swelcoming.

"It's a happy occasion," Administrator Victor Mendez of the Federal Highway Administrator said. Interstate highways are saferfor people to drive and provide opportunity for increased commerce generated by businesses needing quick access to a roadthat can offer freer movement of freight.

Mendez noted that Missouri accomplished the building of I-49 through many years of cooperation among federal, state andlocal officials and the public.

Partnerships are "the only way we're going to be able to move forward," he said.

Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission Chairman Rudy Farber of Neosho said he is old enough to rememberwhen travel on old U.S. 71 between Neosho and Kansas City took 5-1/2 hours. Now, he said, it's a smoother and safer 2-1/2-hour trip.

Using I-49 as an example, Farber said improving the transportation infrastructure benefits everyone. He called on those presentto help MoDOT discuss ways to continue funding this kind of progress.

"Missouri can be the transportation hub of this nation if we're willing to make the investment," he said. "... It is an investmentthat will pay off."

MoDOT Director Kevin Keith presented special awards to four district engineers who led the effort to build I-49-related

projects. Recognized were former District Engineers Joe Mickes, Ken Stalcup and Richard Walter and current DistrictEngineer Becky Baltz.

Blunt presented an award to retired business executive Mel Walbridge of Joplin for his many years of advocacy for I-49.

The Highway Patrol's Troop D Honor Guard presented the colors at the ceremony. The Joplin East Middle School bandperformed the National Anthem, the 7th Grade choir sang "God Bless America" and the JEMS, the school's Show Choir, sangother tunes as people filed in. The school's art students created an I-49 mosaic that was displayed behind the stage.

More on I-49

Interstate 49 also carries the U.S. 71 designation because it is still part of the national U.S. 71 corridor north throughMinnesota and south through Louisiana.

•

The final push to upgrade U.S. 71 to I-49 in Missouri started in the early 1990s after the interstate corridor was enactedin federal highway legislation in 1991 and later given the I-49 designation. Work included completing the highway'sfour-laning south of Joplin and adding more interchanges, overpasses and outer roads between Joplin and Kansas City.At-grade intersections are eliminated.

•

The last five miles of I-49 in Missouri will be built when Arkansas is able to fund and build its portion of a new four-lane road in northwest Arkansas known as the Bella Vista Bypass. More planning on this effort is scheduled in early2013.

•

I-49's cost in Missouri, including future completion of the Bella Vista Bypass, is expected to be about $400 million.•

The first segment of highway designated as I-49 was completed in Louisiana in the mid-1980s. More construction isneeded in Louisiana and Arkansas to complete the I-49 corridor. When completed, I-49, I-435 and I-29 will comprise1,600-mile long interstate highway corridor that will run from the Gulf Coast ports in New Orleans to the U.S.-Canadaborder near Winnipeg, a business hub in central Canada.

•

Additional I-49 Information

5 -10 -15 -Year Em p loyees

Honor ed fo r th e i r Serv ice

by Angela Eden

Southwest District employees reaching their 5, 10 and 15-year service anniversaries in 2012 were honored at a reception Nov.30.

District Engineer Becky Baltz praised the 88 employees, with a combined 825 years on the job, for their hard work anddedication through the challenges of the Bolder Five-Year Direction, which began in mid-2011.

Baltz termed the changes the "new normal."

"You've continued to try to find ways to get everything accomplished," she said.

The recipients gathered for their awards at the Howard Johnson's Convention Center in Springfield.



http://www.modot.org/southwest/major_projects/I-49/I-49Conversion.htm

http://www.modot.org/southwest/major_projects/I-49/I-49Conversion.htm

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15 -Yea r Rec ip ien ts : Back row , f rom le f t , T im Smi th ,

Shane Wh i t tak e r , C l in t E rw in , Sc o t t Bac hman , DougDurham, Dav id Sapp ing ton , Dav id To le r , Deway ne

Coff in , Dav id Evans and Rick Black. Front row , fromleft , Nancy Pie trzak, Angela Eden, Dott ie Roush and

Mary S laugh te r .

10 -Yea r Rec ipien ts : f rom le f t , Ray S t ra in , R ic ha rd

S ta rc hman , T im Tho rn ton , Dav id Hen ry , Phy l l i sHumph rey , Adam Hum phrey , J ust in Wa ts on , B re t t

Foste r , Greg Les te r , Ry an D ingman , Andy Mo r row ,Gena King, Darre l l Hoyer, Rod Digg ins , Michel le

Rogers , Joe O'Hara and Brian Dye.

5-Year Rec ip ients : f rom le ft , B.J . Cooper, Dav id Colf ,Jason Evenden, Shae Shaddox, Jod ie Payne, Jason

Parks, Erick Casas, Dav in Werths , Just in Moriarty ,

Eric Cash, Eric Gre ig , Cody Key, Henry Bev ier , Jerry

Roland, Crys ta l Speak and Jeff Caffey .

For mo re i n fo

Bob Edwards


Southwest District

417.895.7713

[email protected]

3025 E. Kearney

P.O. Box 868

Springfield, MO 65801




[email protected].

Mission





links below:



7/29/2019 Connections: Dec. 13, 2012


D ecember 13 , 2012

Ho m e

Central Of f ice

D is t r i c t s

No r t h we s t

Nor theast

Kansas Ci ty

Cent ra l

St . Louis

Southwest

Southeast

To v iew pho tos f rom th is y ea r ' s fund ra is ing ev en t , p leas e v i si t the SE

D is t r i c t ' s f l i c k r ac c oun t a t w w w . f l i c k r .c o m / p h o t o s/ 4 3 0 0 0 0 3 7 @N 0 5 / .

MoDOT Helps Gran t Chr is tm as W ishes to

Area Fam i l ies

For over 25 years, Missouri Department of Transportation employees have helped grantChristmas wishes to Southeast Missouri familiesthrough the Christmas Angels program.

"The program began decades ago with a crock pot of chili and the desire to help at least one child," saidTransportation Project Designer Jeff Wachter. "Withthe help of area businesses, organizations and

individuals, the program has grown. This year, wesold 1,495 bowls of chili and received manygenerous donations.”

He said the $6,173 raised during this year’s eventwill help provide Christmas wishes to 120 SoutheastMissouri children. MoDOT volunteers work with theDepartment of Family Services to identify needychildren in the area.

"The program has grown locally and manybusinesses and organizations purchase chili for theiremployees," said Senior Design Technician KathyHixson. "Participants receive a hot lunch and help needy families at the same time."

Hixson added that current MoDOT employees and retirees volunteer to cook, pack and deliver chili for the event.

“This event is a great example of teamwork. Current employees and retirees work together and volunteer their time duringthe busy holiday season,” she said. “This would not have been possible without the dedication of our MoDOT volunteers.”

Businesses or individuals wishing to donate to the Christmas Angels program may send or drop their donations by theDivision 10 Highway Employees' Credit Union Office, located at 337 North Main Street in Sikeston, Mo. Checks can bemade out to the Christmas Angels Program.

For more information about the Christmas Angels program, contact Wachter at (573) 472-5294 or Hixson at (573) 258-0932.

Thanks to the 2012 Participants!

Thanks f o r Years o f Ded ica ted Serv ice !2012 Long-Term Service Award Recipients

On Dec. 6, the Southeast District held a long-term service awards banquet to thank employees with 20, 25, 30 and 35 years of service for their dedication and hard work. To view photos from the event, please visitwww.flickr.com//photos/43000037@N05/sets/72157632190336485/show/ .

20 Year Rec ip ients

F ron t : Way ne Shav e r , By ron Dav enpo r t ,A lberta Green, Bi l ly Wel ls , Russel l

Div ine, L inn Davault

Back: Michael Hens ley , Donald Boyer,

Rick Russel l , Jeffrey Amelunke. JosephCrum, Jerome Henson, Brian Holt

25 Year Rec ip ients

Front: Dew ayne L igons, Suzanne Roland,B ry an Fo r tne r , J es s e Wi l l i ams

Back: Jacky Traw , Scott Br aden, T im

Richmond, Gary Sager, James Al len

No t p ic tu red : Tony Bu r row s

30 and 3 5 Yea r Rec ip ien ts

Mic hael Co r l (30 y ea rs ) , How ard B lak e(35 y ea rs ) , Tom Fe l lows (35 y ea rs )

No t p i c tu red : J ohn Koen ig (35 y ea rs )

Page 1 of 2Connections - Southeast District

http://www.modot.org/southeast/documents/ChristmasAngelsThankYou_2012.pdf

http://www.modot.org/southeast/documents/ChristmasAngelsThankYou_2012.pdf

http://www.flickr.com//photos/43000037%40N05/sets/72157632226675242/show/

connections: dec. 13, 2012

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