Gov. Mike Parson delays annual leave sweep | | |
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Gov. Mike Parson and his administration are waiving the annual leave sweep scheduled to occur on Oct. 31, 2021. Employees are encouraged to use their annual leave over the next several months in coordination with their supervisor or manager.
The next scheduled sweep of annual leave exceeding the maximum allowable accumulation will be on Oct. 31, 2022.
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Additionally, the eight hours of administrative leave that some employees received during the Shared Work Program will expire on Dec. 31, 2021. As a reminder, the LWPAA is not included as part of your annual leave balance.
If you have any questions, please contact your local Human Resources representative.
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COVID-19 updated testing guidelines | |
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MoDOT will resume voluntary COVID-19 testing and will not be requiring box-in testing at this time. Rather than the required box-in testing, voluntary testing will be offered after a positive COVID-19 case.
Updated testing guidance is located on the COVID-19 SharePoint site at Voluntary COVID-19 Testing.
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Beginning Oct. 1, 2021, the Missouri State Public Health Lab began using the CDC Influenza SARS-CoV-2 Multiplex Assay on all specimens received. The additional information provided by this testing will help team members protect themselves and their families, provide important public health information more quickly, and conserve testing materials.
With this implementation, all specimens received by the MSPHL will receive diagnostic results for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), Influenza A and Influenza B. The sample will be administered in the same manner as the past year for COVID-19 testing. The only change will be the test form accompanying your test sample will now indicate the test type as "Influenza and SARS-CoV-2 PCR (COVID-19)."
Employees will be notified by Human Resources of a positive COVID-19 and/or Influenza test. Employees will receive an email with negative COVID-19 test results. No notification will be provided for negative Influenza tests.
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ENGAGE 2.0 results and updates | |
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MoDOT had a 98.4% completion rate for all ENGAGE 2.0 evaluations and a 30.3% rate for Upward Feedback. This is a tremendous effort with outstanding results for the department. Thank you!
All supervisors should have received an email with a link to their ENGAGE 2.0 Evaluation and Upward Feedback dashboards since they were available on Oct. 8.
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SUPERVISORS: the ENGAGE 2.0 Resources page now has a link that will take you to the ENGAGE 2.0 dashboard login: ENGAGE 2.0 Dashboard Evaluations Login
Have you heard the news?
Beginning Oct. 1, ENGAGE 2.0 reviews will be collected twice a year - in March and September.
MoDOT is pleased with these changes and will be updating our policies, SharePoint site and other ENGAGE 2.0 materials before March 2022. Supervisors should continue to meet with employees and hold ENGAGE 2.0 conversations as outlined in the new ENGAGE calendar.
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As a best practice, MoDOT encourages supervisors to hold ENGAGE 2.0 conversation during the evaluation period as well, but it is not required. Supervisors should also be sharing the evaluation information with their staff at least twice a year during the debriefing conversations in April and October, if not more.
For questions about ENGAGE 2.0, please email HRED@modot.mo.gov.
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2021 Environmental Compliance Awards | |
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MoDOT's Design Division has created an Environmental Compliance Award to reward one facility in each district that has "gone above and beyond" to keep their buildings in compliance with environmental laws regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
This award identifies the best facility in each district and recognizes the hard work and dedication of personnel working out of that facility for a job well done in demonstrating pride and ownership of this program. In addition, two facilities were recognized for demonstrating a slightly higher degree of compliance and housekeeping statewide.
The 2021-2022 Environmental Compliance Award winners are:
- Central District's St. Robert facility - statewide award for large facility
- Northwest District's Milan facility - statewide award for small facility
- Northwest District – Bethany
- Northeast District – Paris
- Kansas City District – Emergency Response
- Central District – Jefferson City (two years in a row)
- St. Louis District - Lemay
- Southwest District - Ozark
- Southeast District - Malden
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Northwest District's Milan maintenance facility, statewide winner for small facility. | |
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Compliance officers from Design's Environmental Hazardous Waste Unit in Jefferson City inspect MoDOT facilities every other year. Their inspection checklist requires compliance with the following items:
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Water Management - storm water is managed in a manner to prevent aggregate or sediment from migrating off the site.
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Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure Plan - for facilities that store petroleum on site in quantities of 1,320 gallons in 55-gallon drums or greater.
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Truck/Equipment Maintenance Bays - housekeeping, spill containment pallets, parts washers.
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Hazard/Spill Release Reporting - proper notification to the right agencies.
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Storage Tank Identification - all tanks are properly labeled.
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Hazardous Material Storage - buildings properly marked, NFPA, Flammable, No Smoking.
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Used Oil Management - containers not leaking, labeled properly and lids closed to prevent rainfall or other contaminants from entering the container.
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Salt Storage - salt buildings not leaching or leaking and containment adequate for brine, calcium and beet juice.
This is a traveling award that will be used during each inspection cycle going forward to continue to reward facilities that exhibit exceptional qualities.
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Rocheport Bridge project breaks ground | |
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The Rocheport Bridge project broke ground on Oct. 12, 2021.
This bridge has been called the “lynchpin of America.” It not only connects two counties in Missouri, Boone and Cooper, it connects Missouri’s largest cities, St. Louis and Kansas City, and it connects a majority of the country. The bridge carries 12.5 million vehicles per year, including 3.6 million trucks. In fact, within 48 hours, trucks carrying goods to all 48 lower states will have crossed this bridge.
The new bridge design includes two bridges, one in each direction of travel, each with three lanes. This allows for construction to take place with a limited impact to traffic.
Construction on the new bridge is scheduled to be complete by the end of 2024.
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(Left to right) MoDOT Project Director Brandi Baldwin, Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler, Gov. Mike Parson, Missouri Senator Caleb Rowden and MoDOT Director Patrick McKenna break ground on the Rocheport Bridge Replacement Project. For more photos, visit the Rocheport Bridge Groundbreaking Oct. 12, 2021 Flickr album. | |
I-49 Missouri/Arkansas connector open to traffic | |
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It’s been decades in the making, but the final five miles of I-49 connecting Missouri and Arkansas is open to traffic.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of the project, known as the I-49 Missouri/Arkansas Connector, was held Sept. 30 on the Missouri/Arkansas border near Jane in McDonald County.
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Members of the I-49 Missouri/Arkansas Connector team (left to right): Cameron Sooy, transportation project designer; Jacob Law, intermediate highway designer; Craig Switzer, transportation project manager; Karen Lane, senior construction inspector; Marvin Morris, Joplin resident engineer. | |
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Gov. Mike Parson, MoDOT Director Patrick McKenna and State Representative Dirk Deaton (District 159) were joined by Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, ARDOT Director Lorie Tudor, highway commissioners – past and present – from both states and other dignitaries to mark the opening of the region’s newest interstate.
The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission approved the project in April 2020.
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The transformation of U.S. Route 71 to I-49 in Missouri has taken decades to accomplish. Planning for the final series of projects began in the late 1980s, with construction beginning in the early 1990s and continuing through 2012 when construction ended near Pineville. | |
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With the Connector project complete, I-49 now stretches 290 miles between Kansas City and Ft. Smith, Ark., and was paid for by a $25 million federal Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant and approximately $45 million in MoDOT funds.
When all segments are complete in Missouri, Arkansas and Louisiana, I-49 along with I-29 going north from Kansas City form a 1,630-mile corridor linking New Orleans with south-central Canada, a busy center of industry, transportation, agriculture, mineral mining and energy.
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Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission Chairman Robert Brinkmann (left) talks with Senior Construction Inspector Karen Lane and Joplin Resident Engineer Marvin Morris at the I-49 ribbon cutting celebration on the Missouri/Arkansas border in McDonald County. | |
Fall back in love with learning | |
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Fall back in love with learning by polishing up your skills and learning some new ones.
MO Learning and MoDOT U have courses to help you up your skills. Here are a few to get you started:
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MO Learning: When launching a LinkedIn Learning course through MoDOT U, a separate window will open that directs you to the MO Learning site. You will need to enter in your MoDOT email address and select the DOT_AZURE option. The course will then automatically begin. If you haven’t activated your MO Learning profile yet, you’ll need to do so first. Instructions on how to activate your profile can be found here.
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October Commission summary | |
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During last week's Commission meeting, Director McKenna recognized St. Louis Emergency Response Operator Chris Hechler with a meritorious safety award for saving a woman on the I-55/64 Poplar Street Bridge over the Mississippi River in downtown St. Louis.
Director McKenna also thanked St. Louis Senior Highway Designer Glenn Konersmann for his innovative work to develop a process to apply for an additional 5% of federal contribution to innovative projects.
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Additionally, Chief Engineer Ed Hassinger recognized the Southeast District Maintenance team and Bridge Division for their quick action handling a crash that damaged a bridge over I-55 near Matthews, Mo. Within 12 hours of the crash, which took out one of the center bridge columns, the district had the bridge shored up. An emergency contract was in place the next morning, and the repair work was completed within 10 days of the crash.
Read the full meeting summary, which topics include: Director's Report, Consideration of Bids and Update from MoDOT's St. Louis District.
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Kansas City finishes up MO Route 291 project | |
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Next week, the Kansas City District will wrap up a project at the intersections of Route 291 and Scherer Road and Thompson Drive and 16th Street in Lee’s Summit.
The project includes the installation of turn lanes and traffic signals at the Scherer Road/Thompson Drive intersection. It also includes addition of right-turn lanes and the removal of the median crossover and left-turn lanes at the 16th Street intersection.
The new turn lanes and traffic signals at Scherer Road/Thompson Drive will provide for the safe, orderly and efficient movement of traffic with improved access to MO Route 291.
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The Kansas City District recently added turn lanes and traffic signals at the Scherer Road/Thompson Drive intersection. The project is slated to be complete next week. | |
Removal of the median cross-over and turn lanes at 16th Street will eliminate left turn and cross-over traffic movements in order to improve safety. | |
I-55 overpass struck by tractor trailer | |
When a tractor trailer struck the pier of the Interstate 55 overpass south of Matthews, Missouri, the Southeast District team jumped into action. The incident occurred the morning of Monday, Sept. 27, leaving one bridge pier destroyed. | |
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Immediately following the incident, MoDOT crews were on the scene. In less than 24 hours, discussions were held with Robertson Contractors, Inc. for the emergency contract.
Thanks to the diligence of MoDOT’s team and the contractors, the repairs were completed by Oct. 6.
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Earn $250 for referring a new hire | |
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Do you know anyone who would be interested in:
- a career in Maintenance?
- serving the public?
- joining a winning team?
MoDOT is once again offering a $250 monetary incentive to current salaried employees who recruit new seasonal and full-time maintenance employees.
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The referral program is designed to help address the need to fill plowing and maintenance positions as we head into the winter season.
Click here for more specific information on the winter operations employee referral program.
Referral cards are available from your Human Resources representative, or ask the applicant to list you as a referral on their application at MoCareers.mo.gov.
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Be prepared:
- Pay attention to alarms.
- Know evacuation routes (and alternate routes as well).
- Practice evacuating (at work and at home).
- Keep evacuation routes clear.
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- Store flammable liquids in approved containers in well-ventilated storage areas.
- Know where the fire extinguishers are located, and inform your supervisor if an extinguisher has an outdated inspections gauge or the gauge reads empty.
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Humor: a serious weapon in the fight against stress | |
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Scientific researchers have demonstrated that laughing and maintaining a sense of humor ward off stress, fight illnesses and promote overall mind and body health. Find simple ways to laugh and relax, and turn to humor when you feel worries and frustrations creeping in. What can laughter do for you?
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Lower blood pressure and improve cardiovascular health: Laughing increases the heart rate and improves blood circulation. Research also shows that the physical effects of laughter last for up to two hours after you stop laughing.
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Boost the body's immune system: Laughter can increase the body's level of T-cells, which attack virus-infected cells.
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Relax muscles: Laughing works at least five different muscle groups throughout the body and improves muscle tone.
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Help control pain and make you feel good: Your body releases a shower of adrenaline and endorphins when you laugh.
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Decrease hormones that cause stress: These include dopamine and epinephrine.
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Prevent heart attacks: Laughter's ability to reduce stress, tension and anger can actually safeguard the heart.
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Stimulate the brain: Researchers have discovered that laughter changes brain-wave activity.
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Burn calories: When you laugh regularly and for long stretches, your metabolism and body temperature increase.
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Aid in digestion: Research indicates that laughing can stimulate enzymes that act as natural laxatives.
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Relieve depression: Laughter helps you get your mind off your troubles and helps control physiological factors that may promote depression.
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Did you know MoDOT has a library dedicated solely to transportation information?
The MoDOT Librarian can help you locate transportation publications and research, standards, historical information, and more.
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October service anniversaries | |
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35 Years
Timothy Ackert CD
30 Years
David Thompson NE
Monica Bax SL
25 Years
Duston Wilson NE
Jacob Kerby NE
Rochelle Martens NE
Michael Workes SL
Harold Merritt SE
20 Years
Correy Miller NW
Richard McClain NW
Javal Burton SL
Mitchell Landes SW
Tanya Powell CO
15 Years
Richard Baumli NW
Samuel Closser NE
Jacob Heitmann SL
Steven Ness SW
Michael Davis SW
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15 Years continued
James Haskew SW
Millicent Parker CO
5 Years
Justin Baldwin NW
Scotty Buck NW
Willis Girdner NW
John Lightfoot NW
Colton Palmer NW
Darrell Summers NW
Kendall Weiseman NW
Nathan Wilson NW
Travis Noyes NE
Kile Austin NE
Brett Bocke NE
Kevin Frank NE
Tyler Halley NE
Daniel Jones NE
Nicholas Kratzer NE
Jorge Tobar KC
Gregory Cole KC
Brandon Morgason KC
Karl Peterson KC
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5 Years continued
Ryan Horvath KC
Amanda Wollenberg KC
James Hess CD
Floyd Dorman CD
Wendy Pryor CD
Steven Jost SL
Edwin Mahurin SL
Tyler Mattix SW
Nicole Preuss SW
Bradley Barr SE
Monty Casey SE
Michael Dunn SE
Aaron Haney SE
Justin Heck SE
Kody McIntire SE
Roger Smith SE
Alex Thieret SE
Noor Yacob CO
Devon Barner CO
Andrew Ragsdale CO
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The following active employees passed away:
Brian E. Pigg
NE – Sept. 6
The following retirees passed away:
James E. Little
CO – Sept. 6
Edmund T. Moody
CO – Sept. 4
Herbert O. Strobel
CO – Sept. 11
James W. White, Jr.
CO – Sept. 17
Irvin W. Holstine
NW – Sept. 17
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Richard L. Briggs
NE – Sept. 16
Stanley W. Edlen
NE – Sept. 13
Herman H. Hamilton
NE – Aug. 29
Eldon L. Turner
NE – Aug. 29
John T. Anderson
CD – Sept. 16
Billy J. Deardeuff
CD – Sept. 21
William W. Maness
CD – Sept. 1
John W. Schmolzi
CD – Sept. 8
Michael Brooks
SL – Sept. 3
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J. Richard Darlow
SL – Sept. 21
Donald C. Havener
SL – Sept. 23
Charles L. Lewis
SL – Sept. 19
Cecil C. Phillips
SL – Aug. 28
Leo B. Ash
SW – Sept. 2
Floyd C. Jones
SW – Sept. 23
Paul S. Mondy
SE – Sept. 14
James W. Sullivan, Jr.
SE – Sept. 1
Lloyd P. Welker
SE – Sept. 30
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The mission of Connections is to be a source of MoDOT news
and feature articles that connect employees statewide.
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Comments
What would you like to see in Connections?
We want to hear from you! Send comments and suggestions to Bethany Belt at:
bethany.belt@modot.mo.gov
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MoDOT Communications
P.O. Box 270, Jefferson City, Mo 65102
573-751-2840 | www.modot.org
Editor: Bethany Belt
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