Jan. 4, 2023

MoDOT welcomes two new commissioners

On Jan. 2, Gov. Mike Parson announced two appointments to the Missouri Highways & Transportation Commission.

Daniel (Dan) Hegeman, of St. Joseph, currently serves as senior community business manager at Evergy and co-owner of Hegeman Farm, Inc.

He serves as the chairman of St. Joseph Metropolitan Planning Organization and is a board member and former chairman of Second Harvest Community Food Bank.

Mr. Hegeman previously served as a Missouri State Senator for the 12th District and a Missouri State Representative for the 6th and later 5th districts.

Commissioner Dan Hegeman. Photo courtesy of the Missouri Senate.

Commissioner Francis Slay. Photo courtesy of Quincy University.

Francis Slay, of St. Louis, currently serves as executive director for the St. Louis Regional Crime Commission.

He is a member of the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis and previously served as Mayor of the City of St. Louis for 16 years.

Hegeman and Slay were sworn in during their attendance of the Jan. 3 MHTC meeting in Jefferson City and must be approved by the Senate within the next month.

Hegeman and Slay replace Brian Treece of Columbia and Robert Brinkmann of Defiance.

January Commission summary

Director's Report

Director McKenna shared two celebratory videos from the completion of major projects - I-270 North and Gov. Parson's Focus on Bridges Program.

McKenna also discussed the results of the biannual survey of MoDOT's performance, the Report Card from Missourians, which showed that the majority of Missourians were satisfied with the job MoDOT is doing. However, the satisfaction continues to decreased for the third study in a row.

• Overall satisfaction was at 68% - 5% lower than in 2021.
• 15% of Missourians were very satisfied with the job MoDOT is doing.
• Missourians continued to agree that MoDOT provides accurate, timely and understandable information about projects in their areas, with those results at 88%, 87% and 85% respectively.
• 84% of Missourians agreed MoDOT was the "primary transportation expert" - 5% lower than in 2021.
• 76% of residents indicated they trust MoDOT to keep its commitments to the public - 3% lower than in 2021.

One positive area was the satisfaction with MoDOT's management of snow and ice - 82% were satisfied compared to 79% in 2021.

Four items fell into the category of "high priority," giving MoDOT an opportunity to greatly improve resident satisfaction with improved offerings on these services, including removing debris from the driving lanes on highways, improving the brightness of striping, minimizing congestions on highways and managing snow and ice on highways.

The greatest challenge MoDOT faces in fulfilling these expectations is staffing. MoDOT continues to work on addressing market pay concerns and increasing its number of employees. With the support of the Commission, Gov. Parson and the General Assembly, the rapid decline has leveled off; however, MoDOT is still significantly down in labor hours. Compared to 2017, MoDOT paid approximately 1.8 million fewer labor hours in 2023.

MoDOT's Fiscal Year 2025 budget includes 350 additional Full Time Equivalents to improve the ability to accomplish its mission.

Read the full meeting summary, which additional topics include: Consideration of Bids, Consideration of Proposals for the Safety Improvements Design-Build Project, Lake of the Ozarks Community Bridge Transfer, Financial Forecast update, Statewide Transportation Improvement Program and Presentation of Safety Legislative Proposals.

Employee survey deadline extended to Jan. 12

As of Jan. 2, 62.3% of employees have completed the survey. Thank you for your participation!

Remember, all responses are anonymous, and the survey can be taken during work time.

Access the survey through the custom link in your email, provided by PRC, or click here to log in for your survey.

Make your voice heard, and partner with leadership to create a great workforce and an enjoyable place to work. Employees may submit their responses through the extended deadline of Jan. 12.

ENGAGE 2.0 evaluation period coming soon

Supervisor expectations

ENGAGE 2.0 is a part of MoDOT's current performance development process to continue a culture of professional development, coaching and growth. The process includes supervisors completing evaluations on employees and employees providing upward feedback on supervisors. Evaluations are only twice a year - in March and September. The next evaluation period is March 1-31.

Supervisors should be holding monthly performance development conversations with team members to discuss strength and development areas. After the evaluation period in March, April is the time for supervisors to hold bi-annual debrief conversations. The Growth Model Placemat for Individuals and the Growth Model Placemat for Managers are tools that can be used to assist in the debrief discussions, as well as to share the employee evaluation outcomes.

January and February are good months for supervisors to review survey results from the previous quarter. Below are key things supervisors can do to help “calibrate” evaluations for next quarter:

• Read helpful ENGAGE 2.0 evaluation resources, such as Evaluation Quick Reference Guide and Evaluation Click Step Guide. 
• Follow survey best practices such as: 
• Trying to use the full range of the evaluation scale. 
• Remembering that a rating of “3, Neutral” means a team member “meets expectations.”
• Thinking about the meaning of the three evaluation questions before rating a team member. 
• Looking at your evaluation dashboard to see if you still agree with your past ratings.

MoDOT ended the September 2023 evaluation period with a completion rate of 99.2% for evaluations and 31.1% for upward feedback. Please continue to work on increasing the response rate for upward feedback. With the evaluation period occurring only twice a year, it should make it easier for staff to provide valuable feedback. Supervisors, please encourage employees to complete the upward feedback survey. This helps supervisors learn about what they are doing well and identifies areas where they can be better. 

ENGAGE 2.0 Resources

Questions? Email HRED@modot.mo.gov. 

Nominations for the State Team Member of the Month award are being accepted through Jan. 15. The award recognizes the individual contributions of a Missouri State team member who has provided outstanding service for the citizens of Missouri.

To nominate a MoDOT team member, complete the nomination form and submit it by Jan. 15 through the MoDOT Excellence in Action site. Detailed instructions can be found here.

Nominations are reviewed and voted upon by a selection committee based on responses to the questions on the nomination form. The nomination receiving the highest number of votes is named the State Team Member of the Month.

Senior Diversity & Inclusion Specialist Tawny Brown.

On Jan. 17, the Equal Opportunity & Diversity Division will host the first Diversity Education Event of the year, titled “Emotional Intelligence: Developing Your Potential for Success.” Presented by Senior Diversity & Inclusion Specialist Tawny Brown, the event will be held in person and virtually to allow all MoDOT team members’ participation. 

To further maximize attendance, morning and afternoon events are planned. Team members can attend one of two sessions via Teams or in person:

Wednesday, Jan. 17: 10 - 11 a.m. 

Register here.

Wednesday, Jan. 17: 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.

Register here.

In-person location:

MoDOT Central Office Headquarters, Room 100

105 W. Capitol Ave.

Jefferson City, MO 65102

By attending the event, participants can expect to learn:

• How “Emotional Intelligence” is defined.
• How emotions manifest themselves and their impact on our bodies, thoughts and behaviors.
• Enhanced sense of oneself by understanding the role emotions play in our work lives and how these corresponding behaviors impact our teams.
• Different personality styles and how to work more effectively with conflicting personality styles.

All future DEEs will also be hybrid, with the in-person events rotating between districts. To learn more about EODD, visit their SharePoint Homepage.

MoDOT Employee Development Programs and Tools

Last month, two Single-Point Urban Interchanges were opened to the traveling public on Interstate 70 in the St. Louis District – the Zumbehl Road SPUI opened on Dec. 5, and the Cave Springs Road SPUI opened on Dec. 13.

Crews will continue work on both interchanges throughout the winter season but will need to wait until spring to pave the final surface and complete final striping.

Overhead drone rendition of the completed interchanges at Zumbehl Road and Cave Springs Road.

Millstone Weber, LLC teamed with Parsons Transportation Group Inc. as the contractor. This Design-Build project is a partnership with St. Charles County, who has contributed $10 million of the $62 million cost of the reconstruction.

One more final layer of pavement with final striping is to be put down after all other minor aspects are completed at both interchanges. The project is anticipated to be completed this summer. Stay up to date at www.i70csfg.com.

Employees from around the Central District gathered in December to showcase their innovative designs that increase safety, save money and improve working conditions.

• First place (pictured above): Plow Pin Driver 1000, submitted by Special Crews North - Bridge Maintenance Crew Leader Steve Walters, Senior Bridge Maintenance Workers Eric Bybee, Heather Parks and Juan Guillen, Intermediate Bridge Maintenance Worker Doug Witt and Maintenance Worker Bryan Hentges.
• Second place: Pre Treat Spray Bar, submitted by Edgar Springs Maintenance - Maintenance Crew Leaders Johnathan Evans and Terry Shanks, Senior Maintenance Workers Dakota King, Edward Larson and Kevin Heavin, and Intermediate Maintenance Worker Bradley Nivens.
• Third place: Grader Hog Glass Guard, submitted by Edgar Springs Fleet Support - Senior Equipment Technician Eric Bilbrough and Intermediate Equipment Technician Robert Wallace.

View photos from the showcase here.

View videos of the innovations here.

In the mid-1990s, during the planning of the Avenue of the Saints four-lane upgrade in Clark County, the Missouri Department of Conservation voiced concerns about potential harm to the Yellow Mud and Blanding’s Turtles, two state-endangered turtle species near Goose Pond at Wayland on Missouri Route 27.

Various solutions underwent evaluation, including concrete or metal barriers, concrete riprap and poultry mesh or plastic silt fencing, with consideration given to cost, effectiveness and environmental impact. MoDOT addressed the issue in the mid-2000s by installing a unique fence, measuring nearly 0.8 miles long and four feet high. The fence is anchored a few inches into the ground, constructed from galvanized metal mesh hardware cloth to deter the turtles from accessing the highway. This innovative fence is the first of its kind in Missouri. Over time, it has sustained damage from collisions, equipment, brush and wildlife, making repairs necessary during winter months to minimize disruption to local wildlife and the environment, as wildlife is typically absent during this time.

In early December, Environmental Compliance Manager Chris Shulse recruited six volunteers from the Missouri Master Naturalists’ Mississippi Hills Chapter to assist with these much-needed repairs. Although repairs were unable to be completed in a single day, the volunteers plan to return within the next few months to complete the project.

“The Master Naturalists were excited to learn about the turtles and help us out,” said Shulse. “We appreciated their efforts and Wayland Maintenance for providing the supplies,” he added.

Volunteers from the Mississippi Hills Chapter of the Missouri Master Naturalists clear and repair the turtle fence along Missouri Route 27 in Clark County.

With the Yellow Mud Turtle and Blanding’s Turtle species under consideration for federal listing, the repairs and volunteer help were timely. The MDC plans a spring 2024 survey to determine current baseline population data.

“Previous studies have shown that populations of these turtles are plummeting for various reasons,” said Shulse.

Ongoing fence repairs emphasize MoDOT’s dedication to protecting these turtles from highway-related impacts, the crucial safeguarding of these state-endangered species and safety for motorists who might swerve to avoid hitting turtles or even stop to help them across the road.

As many active construction projects from 2023 are wrapping up or shutting down for the winter, one in the Northwest District is just getting started.

The bridge replacement project of Bear Creek Bridge on Gentry Route YY began on Dec. 4. Built in 1927, the bridge was closed in January 2023 due to structural deterioration. 

The Bear Creek Bridge was originally included in a project with two other bridges but was bid separately so work could begin as soon as possible.

Since the beginning of December, Gene Haile Excavating, Inc. has removed the existing bridge deck and beams. Construction of the Bear Creek Bridge is scheduled to be completed by May 2024.

Barricades are placed at both ends of the Bear Creek Bridge.

40 Years

Edward Hassinger CO

Shelley Kloeppel CO

35 Years

Steven Engelbrecht CD

Scott Washausen SL

John Lewis SL

William McLaughlin SL

Edward Muehlenkamp SL

Daniel Smith CO

Pamela Richter CO

30 Years

Daniel Bassett CD

Kristy Pettit SE

Scottie Smith SE

25 Years

Jeffrey Burns NW

Shane Viers NE

Brent Mcglaughlin NE

Joshua Scott KC

Wesley Squire KC

Thomas Evers SL

Danny Bowling SW

Jason Williams SE

Jason Norris SE

Danica Stovall-Taylor CO

Michael Middleton CO

20 Years

Randy Bland NE

Telisa Anderson KC

Jarrett Reedy CD

20 Years, Cont.

Ronald Peterson SL

Matthew Keim SL

Michael Robinson SL

Micheal Bock SW

Joseph Boggs SE

Suzette Kempker CO

15 Years

Jaclyn White KC

Darryl Suiter KC

Robert Henson CD

Anastasia Smith SL

Justin Wagner SL

Corey Ennes SW

Leslie Griffitt SW

Dane Scott SE

Marissa Robey Johnson SE

April Hendricks-Brown CO

10 Years

Megan Atha NW

Timothy Hazlett KC

Cyrus Meller CD

Tanya Fipps SL

Eddie Watkins SL

Stephen Amburn SL

Ryan Pilcher SW

Jennifer Williams SW

Brandon Voyles CO

Shannon Scott CO

Jenna Vaughan CO

5 Years

Shannon Price NW

Justin Lemka KC

Tyler Murray KC

Herbert Cox KC

Frank Baiamonte KC

Robert Vohs KC

Jeremy Gaddy CD

Daniel Hartley CD

Brian Kleffner CD

Daniel Patten CD

Robert Wallace CD

James Whelan CD

Eric Bybee CD

Michael Bunte SL

Chad Carter SL

Christopher Kidwell SL

Brittany Mitchell SW

Melissa Reichard SW

Devin Wehmeyer SW

Michael Berry SE

Kevin Kemp SE

Anthony Melton SE

Kyle Stevens SE

Jeremy Welch SE

Tyler Holladay CO

Jeffrey Ball CO

Aaron Richards CO

Stacey Fowler CO

The following active employee passed away:

Matthew Smith

KC - Dec. 25

The following retirees passed away:

Jeffery R. Campbell

CO – Dec. 1

Donnetta A. Cole

CO – Dec. 9

Robert R. Garvey

CO – Dec. 7

James A. Moberly

CO – Dec. 3

William R. Meyers

NE – Dec. 11

Danny E. Newton

NE – Dec. 28

Larry R. Prentzler

NE – Dec. 27

Larry D. Stacy

NE – Dec. 23

Dale H. Hertzberg

KC – Nov. 27

David B. MacDonald

KC – Dec. 24

Dennis E. Norman

KC – Dec. 3

Jesse D. Starr

CD – Dec. 6

Jimmy Lynchard

SL – Dec. 19

James E. Taylor

SL – Dec. 12

Laurence Tichy

SL – Dec. 12

Jesse L. Viehman

SL – Dec. 15

Billy J. Burrell

SW – Dec. 14

The mission of Connections is to be a source of MoDOT news

and feature articles that connect employees statewide.

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MoDOT Communications

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Editor: Sr. Communications Specialist Bethany Belt

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