New Missouri law strengthens BUPD Day | |
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For the first time in its seven-year history, Buckle Up Phone Down is the law in Missouri. The Missouri Department of Transportation and the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety, along with various safety partners across the state, marked this milestone during the seventh annual Buckle Up Phone Down Day challenge at the MSHP Headquarters on Oct. 25.
Speakers at the news conference event spoke on the recently enacted Siddens-Bening Hands Free Law in Missouri, its impact on highway safety and the continued growth of the BUPD movement. Some of the speakers included were Director Patrick McKenna, State Highway Safety and Traffic Engineer Nicole Hood and Adrienne Siddens, whose husband was killed when he was struck by a distracted driver in 2019.
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Left to right: Adrienne Siddens, AAA representative Nick Chabarria, Missouri State Highway Patrol Captain John Hotz and MoDOT Director Patrick McKenna. | |
In August, the Siddens-Bening Hands-Free Law took effect in Missouri, prohibiting all drivers from using a handheld electronic communication device while driving. The law aims to address distracted driving, which contributed to crashes that claimed the lives of more than 800 people across the state from 2012-2021. Paired with the requirement to wear a seat belt, the enactment of the hands-free legislation means BUPD is officially law in Missouri. | |
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The Professional Development Institute (PDI) is open for enrollment from Nov. 1-30.
PDI is a voluntary, self-paced development program designed to help professional-level employees to be well-rounded and have a greater organizational awareness.
There are currently 62 participants enrolled in PDI. The goal of the program is to enhance professional-level employees’ business, interpersonal and professional skills.
Interested employees can enroll (with their supervisor’s approval) during this four-week enrollment period.
For more information about the program, visit the PDI SharePoint page.
Questions? Contact the PDI administrator, Tyler Kirchner, at Tyler.Kirchner@modot.mo.gov.
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Transportation Planning director announced | |
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Llans Taylor has been announced as the new Transportation Planning director.
Taylor has 27 years of experience with MoDOT. He started his career in Central District with District Materials, where he worked for four years before moving to Central Office Construction & Materials.
Six years later, Taylor moved to Design, where he spent 13 years before moving to Transportation Planning.
Congratulations, Llans!
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Congratulations MDI graduates! | |
Recent graduates of the latest Management Development Institute (MDI) (pictured below) just completed their two-week management summit. |  | |
MDI takes participants out of their day-to-day routines and promotes an atmosphere of dynamic individual and team learning. Participants engage in daily value-added recaps, group discussions, problem-solving and role-play scenarios to enhance management skills. The course includes fundamental management concepts and practices tailored to the challenges of transportation agencies and explores advanced techniques in managing departments.
The MDI graduates include:
- Northwest District - Brennen Price, Caleb Gilgour, Dameon Ellis, Joseph Turner, Tim Porter.
- Northeast District - Jason Sears, Keith Golian, Samuel Cloesser.
- Kansas City District - Alejandro Martinez, Alfred Battle, Bryan Dalby, Chris Draffen, Chris Karlin, Loren Moore, Trisha Sen.
- Central District - Joshua Jones, Lori Greer, Lynn Ferguson, Pedro Chaidez.
- Central Office - Bryan Trabue, Christy Evers, Kim Larimore, Michael Todd, Bill Haenchen.
- St. Louis District - Bryan Fleer, John LaPlante, Roy Mize.
- Southwest District - Cody Jennings, Cody Key, James Blanchard, Kirsty Little, Patrick Woods.
- Southeast District - Harold Eads, Josh Wessel, Ryan Miller, Seiji Shimbo.
As part of their session, participants presented a total of five capstone projects to members of senior management on their final day:
- Work Zone Safe in Missouri.
- Training program for those who may be interesting in becoming supervisors.
- Strategies for Promoting Upward Feedback.
- Peer-to-Peer Forum.
- Emergency Contact Process Improvement.
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Nearly one in every 10 people, or 792 million people worldwide, has a diagnosable mental health condition. Often our friends, co-workers, neighbors and family members are suffering emotionally and don't recognize the symptoms or won't ask for help. And sometimes we're the ones who are suffering and won't admit it.
By talking openly about mental health, we can start to break down the stigma surrounding illness and help those who need help to get it. If you fear someone you know is suffering, the following signs may help you decide whether you need to have a talk with them:
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Their personality changes. You may notice sudden or gradual changes in behavior.
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They seem uncharacteristically angry, anxious, agitated or moody. You may notice more frequent problems controlling their temper or that they seem irritable or unable to calm down.
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They withdraw or isolate themselves from other people. Someone who used to be socially engaged may pull away from family and friends.
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They stop taking care of themselves and may engage in risky behavior. You may notice a change in the level of personal care or an act of poor judgment on his or her part.
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They seem overcome with hopelessness and overwhelmed by their circumstances. That person may be suffering from extreme or prolonged grief or feelings of worthlessness or guilt.
Resources are available at guidanceresources.com and through the GuidanceNow app.
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Bootheel Bridge Bundle completed two months early | |
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The opening of the Route A bridge over Whitewater River in Cape Girardeau County marked the completion of the Southeast District’s Bootheel Bridge Bundle design-build project.
This project delivered 17 bridge improvement projects to Southeast Missouri travelers. Thirteen bridges in the Bootheel Bridge Bundle were also included in Gov. Mike Parson’s $351 million Focus on Bridges program, which will repair or replace 250 bridges across the state.
“The Bootheel Bridge Bundle was the first design-build project in MoDOT’s Southeast District,” said MoDOT Project Director Benji Philpot. “Design-build projects combine both the design and construction phases into one contract.”
Philpot explained saving time is a benefit of this project delivery method.
“One of our goals was to have the improvements completed no later than Dec. 31, 2023,” he said. “The project team exceeded that expectation by completing this project two months ahead of schedule.”
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Missouri Route 51 bridge over Castor River overflow in Bollinger County. Click here for a complete listing of the bridges included in the Bootheel Bridge Bundle and more details. | |
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The Robertson Contractors Team, headquartered in Poplar Bluff, was selected to design and construct the $21.3 million project in August 2020. The Robertson Contractors Team is comprised of Robertson Contractors, Inc., Horner & Shifrin and Penzel Construction Company, Inc.
The project’s on-the-job training program has been another success of the Bootheel Bridge Bundle. Deon Jones started working for Robertson Contractors as a skilled laborer during the project. Through his work in the training program, he learned about the construction industry. Jones is now a quality control manager for Robertson Contractors and is working to complete his master’s degree in Environmental Science.
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Northwest District coordinates house relocation | |
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While most adults are familiar with the moving process – boxes, bubble wrap and packing tape – few have moved an entire house. The Northwest District recently coordinated a house move after a regional couple “fell in love” with a farmhouse.
According to the Atchison County Mail, the home belonged to K. Roger “K.R.” and Mary Anne Pennel of Fairfax. Wyatt and Haley Drews arranged to have the house moved about 15 miles to their land in Craig.
Before the move could take place, the plan and process needed to be documented and approved by MoDOT. Ambra Smith, senior customer service representative, coordinated with paperwork throughout the entire process.
After months of preparation, the entire home was lifted and loaded onto a truck in mid-August. Once it arrived at the new location, it was placed on an in-ground foundation at its new site.
| The house traveling to its new location in Craig. | |
Closure time cut in half for Central District project | |
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A well-thought-out plan, excellent coordination between teams and hard work by the construction crew reduced the closure time by half for a busy overpass in Jefferson City.
Bridge rehabilitation work on Truman Boulevard over U.S. Route 50 was anticipated to close the bridge for 10 days in October, with incentives for the contractor, E & C Bridge, to finish in seven days. The overpass bridge reopened after just five days.
The resident engineer on the project, Chris Brownell, credits the pre-planning, coordination and diligent work for the reduced closure time.
"The success of this project goes to the project team and contractor," Brownell said. "The team worked hard pre-planning for the safest, most efficient closure possible. Our contractor coordinated precisely with subcontractors and materials suppliers, worked very long days and had a very tight schedule to finish as soon as possible."
| Construction crews work on the Truman Boulevard bridge over U.S. Route 50 in Jefferson City. | |
James "Jimmy" Miles
Kansas City District Maintenance Supervisor
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Maintenance Supervisor James "Jimmy" Miles has worked for MoDOT for more than 10 years and served as a supervisor for the past three years at the Harrisonville maintenance facility in the Kansas City District.
Each day brings its own unique challenges, but he starts each day making a call to his counterpart in Cass County to find out if they need to combine teams to accomplish various work. He appreciates the teamwork.
“In the past, we had to shut down multiple lanes and close ramps in an area we were not familiar with, and we worked as a team,” stated Miles.
Each morning, his crew discusses previous work and analyzes if there is anything additional that needs to be done. Once crews head out, Miles checks on them, does route inspections, calls customers or reviews call reports.
Miles shares the most fulfilling part of the job is teaching and mentoring other team members as well as the family atmosphere.
“Working as a maintenance worker and crew leader has helped me build the knowledge I need to help develop the next leader or team member,” stated Miles.
“When working with the public, you meet a variety of people, and you must help be a listening ear at times. I went out and met with a customer who was upset about a culvert that needed to be replaced, and by the end of our visit he invited me to look at his old hot rod in the garage and offered a glass of tea,” stated Miles.
Miles shares something unique he brings to the position is adaptability. While MoDOT does keep him busy, he is also a father of six and enjoys spending time with his wife while also coaching baseball and softball.
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Northwest District
David Campbell 23
Northeast District
Richard Hyde 27
Scott McLaughlin 23
Richard Skirvin 21
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Kansas City District
Sherita White 32
Michael Atteberry 18
Southwest District
Duane Johnson 19
Steven Cooper 20
Brenda Williams 18
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Southeast District
Pamela Griffin 38
Barbara Schumacher 15
Thomas Obermann 20
Harley Chapman 13
Michael Crannick 25
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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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Send comments and suggestions to:
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: Sr. Communications Specialist Bethany Belt
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