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Missouri Route 5, use of LiDAR scanning (Bartle
West, Inc., Jefferson City)
Team Talkby Roberta Broeker
On Wednesday, Feb. 19, MoDOT employees from around the state gathered to discuss the January 2014 edition of Tracker and the latest Tracker F
Point, which covered customer service.
As you may recall, Tracker Focal Point is a new performance management tool that
takes a deeper look at performance on district and division levels. Because Tracker is
more focused on the most relevant measures associated with our tangible results,
Tracker Focal Point allows the department to examine and compare additional data
from across the state.
It's no secret that MoDOT excels at customer service. With an overall customer
satisfaction rate of 85 percent, we beat Starbucks, UPS, Volkswagen, and many other
businesses where customer satisfaction is key.
It is still important to take an in-depth look at customer service because it allows us
to look for trends and find ways to proactively change and improve.
During the meeting, Chief Engineer Ed Hassinger reminded everyone that customer
service will always be personal.
“One person’s opinion can balance on a pothole,” said Hassinger. “Something that
basic can be the difference between a satisfied or unsatisfied customer.”
The discussion also covered the importance of keeping our commitments, which means more just following through on construction projects. Our
commitment to Missourians includes accurate information on the traveler map, filling a pothole in a timely manner, or simply returning a phone ca
Another valuable tool in the customer service tool box is MoDOT’s efforts to be understandable. Whether we’re talking to homeowners at a public
meeting, or with a legislator at the Capitol, it’s important to avoid “engineering speak” and giving clear, easy-to-understand information. About 90
percent of those surveyed last year agreed that MoDOT provides understandable information.
The next Tracker Focal Point will focus on the conditions of Missouri’s roads and bridges. Tracker Focal Point is available for review on MoDOTSharePoint page (link works for employees only).
MoDOT Projects Recognized by Engineering
Association By Holly Dentner
Earlier this month, several MoDOT projects were recognized by the American Council of
Engineering Companies of Missouri, or ACEC. The annual awards ceremony took place on Feb.
8.
While the ACEC awards recognized the engineering firms involved with the projects, they mean
a great deal to MoDOT because they signify the excellence of design and benefit to public
welfare.
“What strikes me about the ACEC awards is not just the complexities of the individual projects,
but the unifying theme of how well MoDOT works with our partners to produce outstanding
results,” said Chief Engineer Ed Hassinger. “While we may take this for granted, and this is just
the way we work, it doesn’t happen in other organizations.”
The MoDOT projects recognized at the awards ceremony are as follows:
Grand Awards:
Missouri Route 5, use of LiDAR scanning (Bartlett & West, Inc., Jefferson City)
I-70 interchange at the new Mississippi River Bridge (Crawford, Murphy & Tilly, Inc., St.
Louis)
Gateway Guide regional mobility report (URS Corporation, St. Louis.)
Honor Awards:
I-44 (Rangeline Road) interchange improvements (Alfred Benesch & Company, Kansas City)
Missouri Safe & Sound Bridge Design-Build project (HNTB Corporation, Kansas City)
February 27, 2014
Central Office
Districts
Northwest
Northeast
Kansas City
Central
St. Louis
Southwest
Southeast
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Click above to watch a video on how employees can get involved
the Pothole Patrol campaign.
Missouri Route 141 improvements (Jacobs Engineering Group Inc., St. Louis)
Westbound Blanchette Bridge rehabilitation (Jacobs Engineering Group Inc., St. Louis)
Woods Chapel diverging diamond interchange (TranSystems, Kansas City)
Additional details about each project are available on the ACEC Awards website. Click on each project photo to learn more.
I-70 interchange at the new Mississippi River Bridge
(Crawford, Murphy & Tilly, Inc., St. Louis)
Gateway Guide regional mobility report (URS
Corporation, St. Louis.)
Pothole Patrol
You’ve probably heard that we’re asking MoDOT employees to participate in this
year’s “Pothole Patrol” campaign. Because March is the peak of pothole season,
and customer complaints, we’re asking employees to spot pesky potholes and
report them early. Having employees report early will give our maintenance
crews a heads up before the public statewide campaign begins in mid-March.Watch this video to see Chief Ed Hassinger asking employees to get involved and
help our crews get a jump on pothole repair. – Video.
There are several ways you can report potholes:
Customer Service Center, available 24/7, at 1-888-ASK-MODOT (888-
275-6636)
Report a Road Concern on the web at www.modot.org
On your smartphone or tablet with a mobile-friendly form at
www.modot.org/roadconcern
By email to [email protected]
Through social media: MoDOT's Facebook page; MoDOT's Twitter
Thanks for your help!
EAC Membership Driveby Matt Sonner
The Employee Advisory Council is currently accepting applications for the next available three year term beginning July 2014. Below are the bas
requirements to be a member .
Membership
The EAC is comprised of three salaried MoDOT employees from each district and Central Office, including u
three members chosen by the Department Director.
These employees must have successfully completed their probationary period, must meet their performance
expectations and must not have any serious disciplinary action (e.g., written warning or greater) within the pas
or while serving on the EAC.
Replacement members are chosen by the EAC, from a group of volunteers in each district and the Central Off
and reviewed by the District Engineers and Division Directors.
The EAC members will serve a three-year term with the option to serve an additional year, if determined neces
by the EAC Liaison.
Current or prior members may reapply for another three year term (with supervisor’s approval).
Please follow this link EAC Application to complete a form to submit an application. When submitted, please contact Equal Opportunity and Diver
Director, Rudy Nickens, at [email protected] or (573) 751-8602 to confirm your application has been received.
For membership questions, contact EAC President Matt Sonner at [email protected] or (816)-387-2782.
The EAC thanks you for getting involved.
Black History Month From the History Channel’s website: Black History Month, or Natio
African American History Month, is an annual celebration of
achievements by black Americans and a time for recognizing the cen
role of African Americans in U.S. history.
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The event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of note
historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans
Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month
February as Black History Month. Other countries around the world,
including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to
celebrating black history.
Visit the History Channel's website to view a short video on the orig
black history month. – History Channel
Safety Campaignsby Kelly Jackson
Missourians Asked to “Choose Your Ride” This St. Patrick’s DHolidayAmericans love to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, when everyone claims to be a wee bit Irish. Mi
state and local law enforcement will work overtime March 14-17, with DWI saturation and sob
checkpoints to keep substance-impaired drivers off the roadways.
Press conferences will kick off this campaign in Kansas City and St. Louis. Kansas City will j
forces with KDOT and NHTSA on March 12 at 12 noon at the Kansas City South Patrol. The
Louis press conference will be held on March 13 at 10 a.m. at Mercy Hospital. These events w
increase awareness of the nationwide enforcement efforts and encourage sober driving.
The consequences of drinking and driving are real – traffic fines, loss of license, injury or eve
death. Arrive Alive
Teens Just Aren't ClickingCam p a i g n E n c o u r a g e s T e e n s t o B u c k l e U p
Nationwide law enforcement will be cracking down on unbuckled
teens during the annual youth seatbelt enforcement March 15-31.
Under Missouri's graduated driver's license law teens are required to
wear their seat belts, yet statewide, only 67 percent of teens buckle
up.
New videos geared toward teens will relate something completely
crazy dangerous to not wearing a seat belt, making the connection
that being unbuckled is equally as dangerous.
Watch for this eye-opening approach to reach teens and make them click. Arrive Alive
Fatality Update
What's Happening
Chat With the Chief Remember to check out Chief Engineer Ed Hassinger's blog post - Keep Clicking on MoDOT Now - Chat with the
Chief .
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Food Drive ReminderThe food drive honoring MoDOT's 100th Anniversary year is well underway and runs through
Tuesday, March 4. Food is being collected at MoDOT facilities across the state.
There's still plenty of time to donate items, so please give generously.
Thank you for your participation!
Traffic & Safety ConferenceMoDOT, Federal Highway Administration, and the University of Missouri-Columbia are sponsori
the 65th Annual Traffic & Safety Conference in Columbia (Hilton Garden Inn) May 13 – 15. The
conference planning team developed an excellent agenda and invited transportation experts from a
the country to speak about innovations in traffic safety and operations.
The conference provides an opportunity to network with other traffic and safety professionals and
about new traffic engineering technologies and safety strategies. An exhibit hall will display produ
and services from local and regional vendors, showcase transportation-related organizations and share traffic programs to improve safety and mobi
Visit the Traffic & Safety Conference website for more information – http://www.modot.org/tsc.
February Retirements
Diana L. Mayfield – KC – 18 years
Jim W. Mullins – KC – 19 years
Joseph B. Jones – KC – 20 years
Marvin P. Powell – KC – 23 years
Kennit M. Berry – KC – 29 years
Bessie A. Sandidge – CD – 25 years
Thomas E. Allen – CD – 26 years
Laurie E. Wyrick – CD – 29 years
Alan J. Sutton – SL – 28 years
Ronald A. Morris – SL – 29 years
Mark W. Chastain – SW – 25 years
Willa B. Drake – SW – 28 years
Edward G. Carroll – SW – 30 years
Tracy E. Davault – SW – 30 years
Jerry L. Friese – SE – 22 years
Bruce G. Murdick – SE – 29 years
In Memoriam
Walter Vinson
former D7 – January 9
Maurice Jackson
former D4 – January 17
David Mallinson
former D4 – January 26
J. L. Wilson
former D7 – January 28
Halen Smith
former D10 – February 3
William Williams
former D5 – February 6
Wallace Richard
former D6 – February 9
Ralph Bottemuller
former D4 – February 12
Connections
The mission of Connections is to be a source of Missouri Department of Transportation news andfeature articles that connect employees statewide.
Customer Relations - MoDOTP.O. Box 270, Jefferson City, MO 65102573.751.2840 / www.modot.org
Editor: Tammy Wallace
Comments & Suggestions
We would like to hear from you. Send comments and
suggestions to Tammy Wallace [email protected] .
Mission
Our mission is to provide a world-class transportation
experience that delights our customers and promotes a
prosperous Missouri.
To view or print other pages, click on t
links below:
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Coventry's Wellness Coordinator Robin
Gammon is designing a program to
help employees improve their health
and well-being.
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Find Your Highway to Better Health
by Holly Dentner
Coventry Health Care, the firm that administers MoDOT and the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s medical plan, recently
appointed Robin Gammon to serve as our wellness coordinator. Her role will be to develop a wellness program called
“Highway to Better Health” for employees and their families. Robin took some time this week to answer a few questions
about her new role for MoDOT.
Q. Tell us a little about yourself and the new wellness program.
Gammon: Before coming on board with Coventry, I managed and taught
community-based nutrition and health programs for University of Missouri
Extension. I have also worked at St. Mary’s Health Center in Jefferson City as a
clinical dietitian.
The goal of Highway to Better Health is to provide employees and their families
with the knowledge and tools to improve their health and well-being. It can be
hard to change your behaviors by yourself, or with or without the support of
friends and family. This program will help create a work environment that
encourages and supports healthy lifestyles.
Q. What have you got in mind for the Highway to Better Health program?
Gammon: I’m working with your benefits staff to develop a list of wellness
champions for each district. The wellness champions will serve as the program’s
“key communicators” to help direct employees to the wellness resources,
activities, and programs we have to offer. I’m also working on the Highway toBetter Health webpage. We should have the website up and running and the
wellness champions determined over the next few weeks. I’ll also have articles
and links for Connections and MoDOT Now, so you can learn more about the
program.
Q. How can employees get started to improve their health and well-being?
Gammon: There are many different approaches to improving your health and well-being, but a good first step is to
measure your current health to learn what you need to improve. One great tool for doing this is Coventry’s health risk
assessment. It’s a series of questions about your health and it provides you with a personal plan to make changes.
Changing some specific behaviors, such as smoking, can make a big difference in your health and well-being. Coventry
offers online and telephone coaching to help you quit smoking, and we’ll include those as part of the Highway to Better
Health program. We also offer eight other online coaching options on a variety of health topics. I encourage everyone to
check it out by visiting Coventry’s MODOT/MSHP website and clicking on MyOnline Services.
Q. Why is good health particularly important for MoDOT employees?Gammon: Many of you work in very active, strenuous jobs. If your health isn’t as good as it could be, you may be more
susceptible to injury. I know safety is a big priority for your department, and healthy employees are safer, less stressed,
and more productive. That’s why this program could be so valuable for you, because workplace wellness program can
reduce sick leave, medical costs, and worker’s compensation claims by as much as 25 percent. Check out this Public
Health Institute infographic for more stats on the importance of a healthy workforce.
Q. How can employees learn more about Highway to Better Health?
Gammon: I would love to hear from you! If you have any questions or suggestions, please let me know.
[email protected] or (314) 506-1632.
MCS Goes to the (Road) Dogs
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Live radio - (from left) Scott Marion, Dave Nemo and Chuck Gohring.
by DeAnne Rickabaugh
Dave Nemo might not be a name you recognize, but in the trucking community, he’s a radio legend. That’s why Scott
Marion and Chuck Gohring of MoDOT Motor Carrier Services jumped at the opportunity to visit with him during a live
show broadcast from Prime, Inc., in Springfield, Mo., last Friday.
Nemo hosts the morning show on
Sirius/XM’s Road Dog Trucking
Channel. He and his guests are heard
in the cabs of thousands of interstate
truck drivers nationwide each
weekday.
MoDOT enjoys a special “friend of the
show” status because the department,
unlike any other DOT, shares
information about major truck route
incidents and other issues. That helps
Nemo keep professional drivers
informed of what they might face
when they enter Missouri’s borders.
The relationship is especially important
during snow and flooding events.
When Nemo and other trucking channel show hosts share MoDOT MCS’ alerts, the number of trucks on affected routes is
noticeably reduced.
During the interview, Marion described how Missouri’s transportation funding reality will affect drivers’ already tough jobs. He pointed out that Missouri’s last fuel tax increase occurred when diesel fuel cost $1.15/gallon. It’s $3.98/gallon
today. Marion also explained MoDOT’s freight study, currently underway, will identify projects to smooth freight
movements when funding does become available.
Gohring discussed MCS’ role in promoting safety on the road and fair competition in the market and the team also
explained how the Move Over law and moving work zones work hand in hand to keep our workers and travelers safe.
Food Drive ReminderThe food drive honoring MoDOT's 100th Anniversary year is well underway and
runs through Tuesday, March 4.
Central Office is collecting donations for the Samaritan’s Center in Jefferson City.They are in great need after the holidays and the difficult winter weather. All
items are welcome, but they specifically mentioned canned and boxed food and
food that can be microwaved, like cups of mac 'n' cheese or ravioli.
Divisions can collect in their offices or place food in break rooms.
A food pile will be placed in the Central Office lobby for the Commission
meeting on Wednesday, March 5. The General Services Division will help
Community Relations collect all of the food and deliver it to the Samaritan Center
on March 7.
Thank you for your participation!
Central Office Happenings
Cardiovascular Health 101Living a Hunter Gather Lifestyle in Modern America
By Dr. Alan Rauba
March 11 - 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Human Resources Training Room B, 601 West Main
Dr. Alan Rauba is a Jefferson City Medical Group physician
specializing in Endocrinology and Internal Medicine, with a practice
focused on Diabetes and heart disease prevention.
February is National Heart Disease Awareness Month
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According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention,
heart disease statistics are scary: About 600,000 people die of
heart disease in the United States every year–that’s one in every
four deaths.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and
women. More than half of deaths due to heart disease in 2009
were in men.Coronary heart disease is the most common type of heart
disease, killing more than 385,000 people annually.
Every year about 715,000 Americans have a heart attack. Of these, 525,000 are a first heart attack and 190,000
happen in people who have already had a heart attack.
Coronary heart disease alone costs the United States $108.9 billion each year. This total includes the cost of health
care services, medications and lost productivity.
Now for the good news. Many of the health issues that predispose Americans to heart disease are preventable! Come learn
how you can take control of your heart health with Dr. Rauba.
The Central Office MEE Zone is sponsoring this free seminar. Attendees will receive one hour of LMS credit for attending
(using your MEE Zone hours).
Space is limited, so check with your supervisor and sign up through the LMS Student Center - Sign Up
Remember, full-time employees have 24 MEE Zone Hours to use annually. Take some MEE time!
What it Takes to Be a Great LeaderMoDOT employees participating in the mentor program, or those
interested in advancing their career, are encouraged to watch this video on
leadership.
Roselinde Torres describes what makes great leaders tick and shares three
simple questions organizational leaders need to ask to thrive in the future.
- What it takes to be a great leader
CPR Training OpportunitiesFour classes for CPR and first aid training are scheduled in March.
March 13 and 14
8 a.m. – 11 a.m. & 12 p.m. – 3 p.m. (each day)
Conference Room 100
105 W Capitol Ave.
To register for a class, email Joanie Prenger - [email protected]
State Employee Blood Drive - P l e a s e G i v e
Mark Your Calendars for Upcoming Opportunities
March 18 and 19
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Truman Building, 4th Floor AuditoriumMarch 21
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
St. Joseph's Cathedral Undercroft
Pizza will be served at all locations..
You can schedule an appointment online at www.redcrossblood.org and
enter Sponsor Code MOState, call 1-800-RED CROSS or (751-1375)
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This basket included everything for a
perfect movie night, right down to the
snacks. This basket raised $53.00.
These construction toys and candy must
have brightened one child's day. They
brought in $25.00 for the Needy Family
Fund.
Northeast District Safety Manager Shari Dye
handed out tickets for correct answers
during the safety overview on the first day
of Gear Up training. Tickets were drawn
later for some fabulous MoDOT prizes.
Assistant District Engineer Tony McGaughy
kicked off the Northwest District's first Gear
Up training with an overview of MoDOT's
history, values, tangible results and
priorities.
Needy Family Fund Silent AuctionThe Northwest District is generous in giving back, whether it’s during the
Charitable Campaign, food drives or when one of our fellow employees
finds themselves in a difficult situation. When the Northwest EAEC
recently organized a silent auction for gift baskets, that generosity came
through once again. Each building and department was encouraged to
assemble a basket that could be auctioned to raise funds for the Northwest
EAEC’s Needy Family Fund. These funds will help our fellow employees
should they suffer a catastrophic event and will allow us to adopt families
during Christmas.
Twenty-two baskets were donated from across the district. There were
chocolate baskets, baby baskets, fishing and hunting baskets, dinner and
movie baskets and more. All baskets were brought to the district office,
photographed, then put on display in one of the conference rooms.
On Monday, February 10, the silent auction went ‘live’ on the Northwest
District's Sharepoint site. There were photos and descriptions of each
basket up for bid so anyone across the district could see them. Bids were
taken through Friday of that same week by phone, email and instant
message. By Friday afternoon, more than $1,300 was raised for the Needy
Family Fund.
The Northwest EAEC thanks all the departments and maintenance
facilities that took their time and invested their money to create the wide
assortment of baskets. To all those who bid, sometimes very competitively,
we send a HUGE “Thank You” on behalf of all who will benefit from
your generosity in the future.
Gear Up Training
The Northwest District held its first Gear Up onboarding training this week. Because it was our first, Northeast District
Safety Manager Shari Dye and Northeast District Human Resources Manager Ellen Gehringer came to St. Joseph to help
out.
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The Northeast District sealed their time capsule Tuesday. Pictured above are
Assistant District Engineer Kevin James, Lambert "George" Gruenloh from NewFlorence maintenance who is the most senior member of all employees with 40
years and 7 months, Ronnie Freese from Warrenton maintenance, the second-most
senior employee with 40 years and 3 months, Shari Dye, the second-most senior
manager with 26 years and 7 months, Tom Batenhorst, the most senior manager
with 27 years and 9 months, and District Engineer Paula Gough.
A Moment in Time
This Tuesday, several dozen
employees gathered to commemorate
the conclusion of MoDOT's
Centennial Celebration by dedicating
and sealing its time capsule. District
Engineer Paula Gough read a letter
sharing what MoDOT was like in
2013 and explained some of theitems that were going to be put in
the time capsule. Shari Dye, safety
and health manager, and Tom
Batenhorst, transportation planning
manager, the two senior-most
managers, sealed the capsule.
Lambert "George" Gruenloh and
Ronnie Freeze, the two senior-most
employees, carried the sealed time
capsule to the display case near the
employee entrance, where it will be
on display for a while.
Items included in the time capsule
include: Blackberry phone, list of employees in MoDOT Northeast
District as of December 31, 2013,
Letter from District Engineer Paula
Gough, South Lincoln Drive
Interchange Ribbon Cutting
Ceremony items (pictures of the
project, ribbon and plan sheets), Highway 79 Color Ride Ceremony items (pictures of the resurfacing project, ribbon,
water bottle), District Map identifying maintenance superintendent areas, NE Coalition for Roadway Safety items
including an Arrive Alive key chain and a motorcycle key chain, photograph of District Office, list of Other Buildings
(picture of one maintenance facility, including salt dome, and one project office), Picture of Home Web Page, Picture of
Facebook Page, Picture of Adopt A Highway Sign and web site page, Pictures of Maintenance trucks, MoDOT Pencil,
Fast Facts about MoDOT, Safety Logo and Wooden Nickel used by Safety Department, Move Over bumper sticker,
barrel stickers, and a picture of the Time Capsule Ceremony.
Palmyra High School Wins Big in
Battle of the Belt Competition
This month, Palmyra High School students
were presented with a gold banner and a $500
check for Highest Overall Seat Belt Usage,
and an additional $500 check for the Most
Improved increasing their seat belt use from
59.22 percent [first check] to 99.45 percent
[second check] during the Battle of the Belt
competition. The money is donated by
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American Family Insurance Agent Rob Myers, Palmyra Police Chief
Eddie Bogue, School Resource Officer Aaron Johnson and Kevin James,
Assistant District Engineer for MoDOT’s Northeast Area presented the
banner and checks to the Palmyra student body.
American Family Insurance.
Northeast Assistance District Engineer Kevin
James, a graduate of Palmyra High School,
recognized the Palmyra students for their statewide and regional efforts.
Led by Palmyra Police and School Resource
Officer Aaron Johnson, this is the first year
Palmyra High School students have received
statewide and regional recognition for their
seat belt usage of 99.45 percent.
28 schools in Northeast Missouri participated in the 2013 Battle of the Belt Challenge and the top ten
regional winners include:
Gold Banner - Palmyra High School 99.45%
Silver Banner – Warrenton High School 98.73%
Silver Banner – Atlanta High School 98.68%Silver Banner – Highland Jr.-Sr. High School 96.12%
Silver Banner – Pike R-III Clopton High School 95.74%
Bronze Banner – South Shelby High School 94.03%
Bronze Banner – Monroe City R-1 High School 93.75%Bronze Banner – Scotland County High School 93.26%
Bronze Banner – Montgomery County High School 92.94%
Bronze Banner – North Shelby High School 92.06%
Around the District
(Above) Area Engineers Brian Haeffner and Amy Crawford
visit with Senator Brian Munzlinger at “Fall in Love With
Northeast Missouri” event held in Jefferson City Feb. 12.
(Below) Northeast's “The Sandbox” ...crews are taking
turns playing in (or ON) the large mound of sand donatedby the Corps of Engineers for use during winter and spring
flooding.
If you don't like the weather...
If you don't like the weather, wait a minute, as the saying goes. It was true on President's Day in northeast Missouri.
You name it, we got it!
Four seasons wrapped up in one...it went from cold to warm, and depending on the time of day, many counties in
the northeast received freezing rain, sleet and snow. Later in the week many counties through east and central
Missouri received torrential rain, hail, wind, thunder and lightening, and even reports of tornados touching down,
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then...flooding!
Many small rivers and the creeks flowing into them flooded later in the week. Rain, combined with rapid snow melt
and saturated ground filled many snow filled ditches to overflowing causing standing or running water on roads that
do not frequently flood.
As an example for motorists to not drive in to, more than
3500 Facebook users “liked” this picture taken of flooding
on Route E at Bear Creek in Adair County, and 31 of them
shared it. Thank you to Monte Fisher, Kirksville
maintenance, for the picture.
Picture by Amy Crawford
For more info
Marisa Brown-Ellison
Customer Relations Manager
Northeast District
573.248.2502
1711 S. Highway 61
Hannibal, MO 63401
Comments & Suggestions
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 our
customers and promotes a prosperous Missouri.
To view or print other pages, click on
links below:
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Historic Route 10 Bridges Slated for
ReplacementMore than 30 citizens recently attended a MoDOT-hosted, open-house style hearing in Excelsior Springs to review preliminary plans to replace two 80-year-old bridges with smoother, safer
structures.
Built in 1934, the two Route 10 bridges over the East Fork of the
Fishing River and Marietta Street in Excelsior Springs have exceededtheir design life. MoDOT has proposed to replace both bridges andconstruct a sidewalk on the south side of Route 10 between the two
bridges.
Because of the age and historic nature of the area, this project alsorequires MoDOT to consider how transportation improvements impactthe environment, including cultural resources such as buildings,structures (i.e., bridges), objects,archaeological and historic sites, and historic districts. These bridges are actuallyin the vicinity of two historic districts listed in the National Register of Historic Places: The Hall of Waters Commercial West HistoricDistrict and the Hall of Waters Commercial East Historic District.
MoDOT is working closely with the City of Excelsior Springs to create a
proposed enhancement package to meet the goals of the community. For more information, visit the project website.
Kansas City Hosts Mobile Meetings toDiscuss Future of I-70MoDOT recently held a series of mobile meetings in Kansas City to gather input on the preferred alternative for the Interstate 70 environmental study. The study includes approximately seven miles of I-70 from The Paseointerchange to Blue Ridge Cutoff interchange and should be completed soon with the help of extensive communityguidance."We are seeking input to ensure this is the best preferred improvement strategyfor this section of I-70," said MoDOT Area Engineer Matt Killion.
In 2013, MoDOT gathered community feedback on the three improvementalternatives under consideration for I-70: No-Build, Geometric Improvements,and Interchange Consolidations. Based on public input and detailed analysis,MoDOT is recommending a Preferred Alternative for the roadway. Thealternative involves:
Making improvements to interstate ramps, as well as in areas wheredrivers merge with or maneuver through other traffic, resulting in safer traffic operations.Consolidating one interchange and two ramps to increase safety andminimize impacts.Rebuilding and/or rehabilitating I-70 pavement and bridges, along withimprovements to the Benton and Jackson curves, over time.Improving bicycle and pedestrian access across I-70.Continuing transit and Intelligent Transportation System coordination in
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the study area through Operation Green Light, Smart Moves RegionalTransit Vision, and the Jackson County Commuter CorridorsAlternatives Analysis.Beginning Jan. 17 through Mar. 7, 2014, MoDOT is gathering input from the
community about the preferred alternative (described in the Draft I-70 Second Tier Environmental ImpactStatement) for improving the transportation issues facing the highway.
The study kicked off in December 2011, will last about 34 months, and conclude in summer 2014. It builds upon the
broader work of the I-70 First Tier Environmental Impact Statement to help devise a more detailed plan on how to best improve the safety and operations of I-70. The portion of interstate under study is experiencing pavement and bridge deterioration, traffic delays and congestion, and merging/weaving issues at interchanges.
For more information about this study, to include history, timeline and community involvement opportunities, visit the
project website at http://www.modot.org/kansascity/metroi70/index.htm.
Kansas City Area Schools Battle it Out toSave LivesThirteen high schools across the Kansas City Region battled it out last fall in an annual statewide seat belt use competition
to see who could increase their students' seat belt usagerate the most. One hundred and seventeen schools
across the state participated in this year's Battle of the
Belt Challenge, a competition to help decrease traffic-
related injuries and fatalities.
Participating schools launched two surprise seat belt
checks to measure student seat belt use before and after
an educational campaign. In addition, schools had the opportunity to submit a 30-second video spot to encourage their
peers to buckle up. All schools, both public and private are welcome to participate.
Belton High School in Cass County won the Kansas City Region's award for the Highest Overall Seat Belt Use achieving
99 percent seat belt use. Oak Grove High School in Jackson County won for Most Improved Seat Belt Use increasing
their seat belt use from 61 percent to 78 percent. Both schools will receive $500 donated by American Family Insurance to
be used for future seat belt educational programs at the schools.
Four schools in the Kansas City Region also will receive recognition for seat belt use that reached gold (99-100 percent),silver (95-98 percent) or bronze (91-94 percent) levels of seat belt use and will receive banners to display at the schools
donated by the Missouri College of Emergency Physicians. Those schools include:
Belton High School Gold
Bucklin High School Silver
Smithville High School Bronze
Park Hill High School Bronze
Kearney High School Bronze
Liberty North High School Bronze
"Only 67 percent of Missouri teens buckle up and the majority of them injured or killed in crashes are unbuckled, so
competitions like these are so important to help raise awareness and increase seat belt use amongst young drivers," said
Laurel McKean, regional coordinator for the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety. "Seat belts save lives, and if we can
save even one life through Battle of the Belt, then we all win."
For more info
Melissa Black
Customer Relations Manager,
Missouri Department of Transportation
P: (816) 607-2027
F: (816) 365-0860
600 NE Colbern Road
Comments & Suggestions
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 our
customers and promotes a prosperous Missouri.
To view or print other pages, click on
links below:
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Six Innovations Selected for ShowcaseSix Central District innovations have been selected for the 2014 Innovations Challenge Showcase to be presented April
8 at the Springfield Convention Center.
Innovations were judged on efficiency, value (cost & quality), organizational impact, safety and environmental. Each
district selects submissions and a statewide evaluation team chose the best innovations to compete at the Showcase.
Congratulations to our innovative Central District employees and we wish you the very best at the Showcase!
The district innovations selected for the Showcase are (organized by category):
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT
THE TRAILER LEVER
The team of JJ Werdenhausen, Tim Galliten, Kale Stewart
and James Hake.
Description: This addition to a trailer jack allows for the
landing pad to be manipulated up and down without an
employee having to work from the ground.
BRIDGE INSPECTION TOOLS
Josh Admire and Dave Reinhardt
Description: This innovation includes a single size nut and rod
to allow quick-swapping of a wide range of tools used during
bridge inspections.
PRODUCTIVITY
GROUPCAST
James Williams
Description: Groupcast is a mass communication tool used by schools to reach numerous people at once. It’s function
is to send a mass notification through text, voice mail and email. Central District is piloting GroupCast for the first
time this winter season. The district currently uses this system for calling in equipment operators for winter events.
Instead of calling each operator on different shifts one by one, once filters are set up in GroupCast you can reach a
large group (day/night operators, team rotations, etc.) of people instantly. The previous system took couple of hours to
notify a group of workers. With GroupCast the notifications are finished within minutes.
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THE WAR BOARD
James Williams
Description: The War Board is used as a visual aid,
organizational tool and a communication tool during winter
operations. Operators for snow events can come in for their
shift and see what truck and route they are assigned on the
board. This eliminates long shift changes, which can keep
trucks off the roads during winter events. The incoming shift
change can tell if their truck is operating correctly or is
“down” from the board. Using this board has cut down shift
changes dramatically.
THE SHARKBOX
Phil Hamilton
Description: Work on this innovation began
back on January 4, 2012. Phil Hamilton
contacted Advanced Electric (currently IDC,
Indefinite Delivery Contract, an electrical
contractor) to assist with the design of a
product incorporating the use of both
thermostats and timers to reduce electrical
usage by MoDOT equipment plugged into
120-volt electrical circuits for the trucks'
block heaters. Significant savings in electricalcosts have resulted from this product.
PROJECTS
HIGH FRICTION
SURFACE TREATMENT
Description: The team of Bruce Green,
Susan Ivy, Nicole Hood, Jen Harper, Andrew
Hanks, Bill Stone, Lori Greer, Terry Imhoff
and Mike Belt
Description: The Central District was the
first in the state to develop a contract to
apply a High Friction Surface Treatment
(HFST) to the curves on Route 54 in
Jefferson City near the Madison St. exit. TheHFST consists of a thin layer of epoxy
polymer binder applied to the pavement and
a fine aggregate gradation of crushed bauxite
which is spread over the epoxy binder.
District Holds Time Capsule Ceremonyfor Centennial CelebrationTo celebrate MoDOT's 100th Anniversary, the Central District held a time capsule ceremony to seal away a historic
message and a few artifacts for employees to discover 50 years into the future.
Among the items enclosed in the time capsule were: current personal protection gear; photographs of current equipment
(including mowers, stripers and snow plows) and work areas; a MoDOT Centennial t-shirt; photos of recent projects; a
variety of current documents; a smart phone, and a letter from current District Engineer David Silvester.
Four of the newest MoDOT employees - Materials Inspector Stephen Amburn and Highway Designers Cyrus Meller,
Tyler Frazier and Quentin Stampley (shown below) - were chosen to seal the time capsule, since they would have the
best chance of still being around when the capsule was re-opened in 50 years.
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Around the District
Boonville Maintenance
Crew Leader Chris Draffen
(left) digs out a wooden
box culvert on Route 179
in Moniteau County. The
box culvert was thought
to have been built in the
1920s or 30s. The culvert
is considered to be the
last of its kind in the on
MoDOT's roadways in
district. The work was
replace it with a modern
culvert. The wooden box
culvert at this location is
believed to be the last
one in the district. A link
to the full story can be
found here:
http://bit.ly/1hILOD6.
Photos of the wooden box
culvert can be found
below.
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For more info
Sally Oxenhandler
Customer Relations Manager
Central District
573-522-3375
1511 Missouri Boulevard
P.O. Box 718
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Comments & Suggestions
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 our
customers and promotes a prosperous Missouri.
To view or print other pages, click on
links below:
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Aziz Kadric (center) recieved a safety certificate at the St.
Louis district staff meeting on Feb. 25. He is featured with
District Safety & Health Manager Lisa Lamons (left) and
St. Louis District anticipates TrafficCongestion Relief through Promotion of Program
by Shaunda White
Modot is working to reduce traffic congestion and the number of incidents on the roadways by promoting a program
this spring. The program, named Steer It and Clear It, is a law that went into effect in 1999 and requires vehiclesinvolved in non-injury crashes to be moved off the road and out of moving traffic.
Every minute a vehicle blocks one lane of traffic, approaching traffic backs up
for four minutes. By reducing the time the roadways are blocked by traffic
crashes, car idle times are reduced which also improves air quality.
“Once a wreck occurs, the chances of a secondary collision increase
significantly if the vehicle stays in traffic. Immediately clearing the vehicle
from the roadway can reduce the possibilities of further injuries,” said Traffic
Operations Engineer, Brian Umfleet.
The state program is intended to educate the public and remind them that it is
the law. If there is minor damage and nobody is injured, clear the roadway.
For more information regarding the Steer It and Clear It program, please contact Brian Umfleet at 314.275.1540.
Aziz Kadric earns first Safety EmployeeRecognition in 2014
by Shaunda White
Aziz Kadric, a St. Louis district materials inspector,
earned safety employee recognition for the month of
January. He received the recognition because of his
commitment to safety by proactively identifying a
potential safety hazard in his environment.
Kadric began his employment with the department in
June 2013 and was nominated by his supervisor,
Larry Brooks.
Last month while Kadric was attending snow training
at the Eureka maintenance building, he noticed one
of the pillars of the salt bed support structure had an
accumulation of corrosion at the ground level. He
quickly took photos and shared them with his
supervisor.
As a result, bridge and maintenance crews were
called out to inspect the structure immediately. The
crews sandblasted to remove the corrosion, installed
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District Engineer Greg Horn (right).reinforcing spiral around each column, and poured
concrete above and below ground level to reinforce
stability.
“I am hopeful that my actions in this situation will set a good example for other district employees. Any time
something appears unsafe or odd, it is always best practice to bring it to someone’s attention. Even if does not apply
to your typical job duties, “said Kadric.
Construction Work Ramps up in St. Louis
City
by Andrew Gates
As the new construction season starts, the department has two big projects in St. Louis city reaching major
milestones.
Since the Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge is now open, the department is seeing a lot of traffic changes in
the downtown area, especially as during work to prepare for the Park Over the Highway project. Crews are now
working on putting down the driving surface for the new Walnut Street Bridge over I-44. They have a good amount
of work yet to do, but are still well on track for getting the new Walnut Street Bridge open before April and the
start of the baseball season.
Opening the new Walnut Street bridge will be the first step in creating the new traffic flow in the downtown area.
When the Walnut reopens, the department will close northbound Memorial between Walnut and Pine Street. It willalso close southbound Memorial between Chestnut and Market. Coming off the Clay Sr. Bridge, or the PSB, drivers
will be able to either get onto eastbound I-44 or take a ramp to Walnut. From Walnut, they can head west to 4th
Street or north to Market. From Market, they can loop around Luther Ely Smith Park to Chestnut. From eastbound
I-44, motorists will be able to take the new exit ramp at Washington Avenue, take the U-turn ramp before
Washington and get onto Pine Street to head into downtown.
Crews have started work on the substructure for the new Park over the Highway project. We will construct the new
bridge up to and including the new girders between Market and Chestnut this spring, relocate a steam line in early
summer, then remove the Market and Chestnut bridges and complete work on the Park Over the Highway.
Another major project in the city is the project to replace four bridges over I-64 and construct a new interchange at
Tower Gove. In a few weeks, MoDOT will be closing I-64 for a weekend to remove the Tower Grove and Boyle
bridges. Crews will then start the three-month process to rebuilt the new bridges at Tower Grove and Boyle. Right
now, the Tower Grove bridge is closed so crews can complete utility relocation work on the bridge. MoDOT is
planning to close the Boyle bridge after morning rush hour on Friday, March 7.
That evening, at 8 p.m., MoDOT will close all lanes of Interstate 64 in both directions between Forest Park Avenue
and Kingshighway. At that time, we will also close the ramps from McCausland, Skinker, Hampton, Kingshighway,
and Papin, to eastbound I-64 will be closed during this time. In addition, the ramps from Pine, Jefferson, Market and
Grand to westbound I-64 will be closed.
While the interstate is closed, we will remove the two bridges, and the city of St. Louis will remove the pedestrian
overpass over I-64 at Spring Avenue. We anticipate that all lanes of traffic will be open by 5 a.m. Monday, March
10.
The detour for westbound I-64 will be to get off the interstate at the Forest Park Avenue exit (exit 38A) and follow
Forest Park Avenue to Kingshighway. After turning left onto Kingshighway, drivers will follow Kingshighway back
to the interstate. The detour for eastbound I-64 will be to get off the interstate at the Hampton Avenue exit (exit
34B), turn right on Hampton and follow it to eastbound Interstate 44. Drivers can then take I-44 to the Poplar Street
Bridge. Detour maps are available on-line at http://tinyurl.com/i64detour0113
Drivers can use the new bridges at Taylor and Newstead to detour around the closures on Tower Grove and Boyle.
Cyclists and pedestrians can use Kingshighway, the pedestrian crossing between Kingshighway and Taylor, or
Newstead to detour around the closure. Here’s a detour map:
http://www.modot.org/stlouis/major_projects/documents/J6I1248_Detour_DisplayTowerGrove_Boyle_StlCity.pdf
Comments & SuggestionsTo view or print other pages, click on
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SW District at Work
THORNY SITUATION - Clearing brush from a fence
near I-44 and Glenstone Avenue in Springfield are
Maintenance Worker Aaron Masters (left), Seasonal
Maintenance Worker Ryan Harper (center) and
Maintenance Worker Cody Jennings (right).
(Photo/David Mitchell)
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT - Neosho Senior
Maintenance Workers Doug Martin (left) and Crystal
Huckstep (right) practice chest compressions during
CPR training in Joplin. (Photo/Leann Blankenship)
Emphasis on Safety: Fleet Incidents Downby David Mitchell
For calendar year 2013, there were 309 incidents involving the Southwest District’s fleet – everything from the trucks used
to push snow in the winter to the passenger cars used by staff to attend community meetings.
That sounds like a lot, but the trend is moving in the right direction. For example, in 2011, there were 391 fleet incidents.
Much of that improvement is due to District Safety and Health Manager Gary McLarry’s obsession with safety.
“We’re in an uncontrolled environment,” McLarry said. “We’re not in a factory, we’re
out in the elements. It is the employee’s awareness, their attention to their
surroundings and teamwork that will move us toward a safer workplace.”
The message is hammered home to district employees constantly – Safety is Job One.
Posters, window decals and magnets can be seen everywhere reading “Safety Begins
with Me.” Meetings with employees always end with the plea, “Be safe out there.”
“The downward trend (in fleet incidents) is good, but there is still work to be done,”
District Engineer Becky Baltz said. “We want every employee to go home injury free
every day. There is nothing worse than having to share bad news about an incident or
injury with an employee’s family.”
According to McLarry, the number one problem is inattention. An employee driving a
MoDOT vehicle may reach down to pick up a bottle of water out of a cooler or be
daydreaming and in the next moment find themselves in a ditch along the highway.
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Recent example of a fleet incident that occurred while
a MoDOT driver was hauling material. (Photo/Gary
McLarry)
(Photo/Mercy)
“Frequently the reason given for why an incident occurred is ‘we were in a hurry,’”
District Maintenance Engineer Michael Middleton said. “I don’t believe anyone wants
someone being hurt, no matter what speed a person chooses to work.”
Last fall, a new Southwest District policy was put in place requiring employees involved in backing incidents, along with
the employee’s supervisors, to meet with the district incident review team to further discuss what happened. After the
policy was implemented, there were only two backing incidents the rest of the year.
“We’re trying to use positive reinforcement to change behavior,
things like education and mentoring,” McLarry said. “But (punitive
measures) comes into play eventually.”
Fleet incidents can happen any time of day or any day of the week.
McLarry says, on average, most incidents involve employees with a
little more than nine years of experience.
“By that time, an employee has enough time on the job that they’re
getting comfortable and may be letting their guard down,” he said.
“Who’s driving by me?” is a question McLarry asks during new
employee orientation. He wants new employees to think about those
who may be traveling the highways, especially through work zones.
“My mom, my friends and neighbors. I know them, they’re family. If
I do anything to cause an incident, I have to carry that with me
forever.”
While the trend is moving in the right direction, the goal is zero incidents.
“The goal is for all of us to get home safely at the end of the day,” McLarry said. “Safety is for all.”
Mercy Wellness Bus Offering MammogramsFor Southwest District Employeesby David Mitchell The Southwest District is doing something new to promote women’s health. It
is arranging for Mercy Hospital’s Wellness Bus to provide mammograms for
female employees.
The bus will be at the Southwest District Office in Springfield the morning of
Thursday, March 6.
Women who are covered by the MoDOT/MSHP Medical Insurance Plan are
eligible for the procedure. The mammograms will be processed under the
preventive care guidelines of the insurance plan.
If you would like to make an appointment, call Mercy Hospital at (417) 820-
2790.
For more information, contact Jodie Payne, Senior Risk Management Technician, at (417) 895-7756 or
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Learn more about the cable inspection process from Modjeski and Masters by
clicking the image above or visiting http://youtu.be/IG8gZcL4ctY.
Rappelling from the Emerson Bridge The Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge
may soon look like a scene from
Spiderman!
Modjeski and Masters, MoDOT’s
contractor, will examine the bridge’s
cable system this March. To do so,
inspectors will rappel from the
bridge towers down the stay cables.
In addition to inspecting the cables,
the contractors will perform an in-
depth inspection of the structure's
features and survey miscellaneous
items from the deck level.
Work to inspect the bridge, located
on Route 74 in Cape Girardeau, will
begin Monday, March 3, weather
permitting. The inspection will
require lane and shoulder closures,
however only one lane and shoulder will be closed in either direction to minimize traffic impacts. Work is scheduled from
8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, with completion anticipated on Tuesday, March 18. Celebrating 100 Years of Serving MissouriDonate by March 7
A canned food drive is one of the ways MoDOT’s Southeast District is wrapping up its 100-year
anniversary celebration.
Many food pantries are depleted of their resources during this time of year, and this is a great way
to give back to Southeast Missouri communities. Food collected will go to the Sikeston Food
Pantry and the Texas County Food Pantry.
The food drive kicked-off on Feb. 10, and the Southeast District is already well on its way to
exceeding its goal of 100 cans. Remember, if every SE District employee brought in just one can,
the goal can be surpassed!
Please remember to bring in your donation by March 7. Canned food donations may be dropped
off at the Sikeston District Office in Customer Service or with Senior Customer Service
Representative Barb Conner at the Willow Springs Regional Office. SE Coalition Offers Grants for Project Prom,Graduation
For high school students across the district, it's almost prom season!
The Southeast Coalition for Roadway Safety is offering grant
funding to Southeast Missouri high schools that host student lock-in
events for Project Prom or graduation. Selected schools will receive
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$200 to assist with expenses for location rental, food, entertainment
and door prizes.
"Supervised events, such as lock-ins, provide a safe environment for
students to celebrate," said SE Regional Coalition Coordinator Craig
Compas. "We want students to have good memories of these nights-unmarred by a drinking and driving accident."
The Southeast Coalition will accept applications from schools within the southeast region until March 7, with notification
of awards on March 14. Interested schools and/or their sponsors can obtain Community Outreach Grant applications online
at www.savemolives.com/southeast/resources.html or by contacting Southeast Coalition Regional Contact Sandra Tauroneat (573) 472-5388 or [email protected]. Applications must contain action plans for the school's lock-in,
including an educational activity or presentation promoting safe driving practices in their night's agenda. Additional
consideration will be given to regional schools that have participated in other coalition events and programs throughout the
year.
For more info
Nicole Thieret
Customer Relations Manager
Southeast District
2675 N. Main Street
P.O. Box 160
Sikeston, MO 63801
Comments & Suggestions
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 our
customers and promotes a prosperous Missouri.
To view or print other pages, click on
links below: