Sept. 1, 2022

A message from Director McKenna:

Safety is MoDOT’s core value. When we focus on safety and quality, everything else falls into place. You must work together to get your job done while keeping yourself, your team and the public safe.  

When someone cuts corners, it puts everyone at risk. Safety violations on our policies are serious and require disciplinary action. We have outlined a process to carefully review safety violations and determine consistency in the disciplinary action given across MoDOT. When an employee violates a safety policy, supervisors will work directly with the local Human Resources team, who will work with Central Office to review and determine the consistent discipline. In general, first offenses for safety violations should start with a written warning; however, some could result in termination. Here’s a link to the Safety Violation Disciplinary Guide for more information.

You are valued. We are taking safety violations seriously. The most important thing is for you to go home safe every day. 

The Missouri General Assembly appropriated $75 million to the departments of transportation and economic development to create the Governor’s Transportation Cost-Share Program, aiming to build partnerships with local entities to deliver road and bridge projects.

The program provides financial assistance to public and private applicants for public road and bridge projects and matches up to 50% of the construction contract costs for selected projects.

Twenty percent of the funds will be set aside for projects that demonstrate economic development. MoDOT and DED will work with project sponsors to determine when projects may generate economic development, and the program may contribute up to 100% of the construction contract costs from the 20% set aside for these projects.

Applications may be submitted through Sept. 30. Projects will be selected based on the following criteria:

• Economic Impact
• Transportation Need
• Applicant’s Share of Total Project Costs
• Project Readiness

MoDOT’s Cost-Share Committee, made up of MoDOT’s chief engineer, chief financial officer, assistant chief engineer and two director-appointed employees, along with DED staff will select projects with the greatest economic benefit to the state. These projects will then be presented to the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission for approval.

The guidelines, applications and rating matrix for the program are available at modot.org/governors-transportation-cost-share-program.

For the first time since February 2020, HYPE will meet in person at its annual summit on Sept. 20 in Jefferson City.

The Employee Resource Group HYPE (Helping Young Professionals Engage) was a grassroots effort from MoDOT employees who envisioned a space where young professionals could connect, engage and get “hyped.” In 2019, two employees from MoDOT’s Central Office Bridge Division reached out to the Equal Opportunity & Diversity Division to make this vision a reality. Over the next three years, the group grew and evolved, focusing on professional development and networking. HYPE initially met on a quarterly basis in Jefferson City with both internal and external guest speakers. 

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the group started virtual monthly meetings, which increased statewide employee participation. A founder of HYPE, Senior Structural Designer Alec Schlotzhauer, said that the group has allowed him to befriend people from different divisions and districts, broaden his understanding of how MoDOT operates and develop his own skills.  

“The connections I’ve made with other HYPE members have led to opportunities such as representing MoDOT at career fairs and other outreach events, helping with the Intern Conference and directly interacting with senior MoDOT leadership. My time on the HYPE Leadership Board built my confidence and skill in leading teams and public speaking,” said Schlotzhauer.

The highlights of the in-person summit will include a presentation by MoDOT’s Assistant Chief Engineer, Eric Schroeter, a message from MHTC Commissioner W. Dustin Boatright, and a networking luncheon with Senior Management Team members, among other professional development topics. Employees interested in attending the summit may register here by Sept. 9. 

Employees interested in joining HYPE may do so by entering their information into the HYPE Membership Database which will ensure they receive communications on upcoming meetings and events. 

This month, the Human Resources Employee Development Team is promoting courses that include a focus on self-care. With summer ending, schools and routines are changing, and we can often forget to focus on ourselves.

Please review these few courses to help you find tips and strategies to help keep your self-care at the front of your mind.

• Stop Stressing and Keep Moving Forward
• How to Support Employees Well-being
• Mindful Eating
• Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

Questions? Contact your local Human Resources representative.

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:

Their personality changes. You may notice sudden or gradual changes in behavior.

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.

They withdraw or isolate themselves from other people. Someone who used to be socially engaged may pull away from family and friends.

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.

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.

For more than two years, drivers who use Carroll County Route Z in the Northwest District had to find another way to their destination. The road was closed on May 18, 2020, due to an extensive roadway slide.

Northwest District Design staff immediately began working on a project to repair the road, consulting with MoDOT geologists to determine the best fix for the underlying issues that caused the slide.

In mid-June 2022, the lead contractor, Mera Excavating, LLC, began repairs by placing rock fill, installing edge drains and erosion control measures, and resurfacing the roadway. On Aug. 3, 2022, after 807 days, drivers were once again able to safely use Route Z. The occasion was celebrated by several local officials and residents.

A side-by-side comparison of the extensive damage the roadway slide caused on Carroll County Route Z in May 2020 and the smooth, repaired and resurfaced roadway in June 2022.

Northwest District Area Engineer Michael Marriott and Resident Engineer James Gillespie are joined by Carroll County stakeholders to celebrate the Route Z reopening. Pictured left to right: Local resident and MoDOT retiree Keith Hartwig; Gillespie; Marriott; local residents Beckett Sykes, Wanda Sykes and Lola Brown; Carroll County Ambulance District Director Joe Campbell; Carroll County 2nd District Commissioner David Martin and local resident David Ostermeyer.

Kansas City District crews closed northbound U.S. Route 169 under NW Barry Road on Saturday, Aug. 27 for urgent bridge repairs.

The bridge was hit and damaged on the evening of Wednesday, Aug. 24 by a driver who left the scene. This is the second time this bridge has been hit recently. 

Damage on the NW Barry Road bridge over U.S. Route 169.

MoDOT Maintenance crews shut down northbound Route 169 so contractors could do the needed work.

“We got really lucky that a contractor was able to get in there the weekend before Labor Day,” District Bridge Engineer Tim Hazlett said. “We asked them on Thursday and they were able to get out there on Saturday.”

The contractor set up traffic control and removed the girder section. 

Kansas City crews reopened northbound Route 169 on Sunday morning. Maintenance Superintendent Chris Sholl thanked his team in an email.

“I want to emphasize and can’t speak enough about how well our group works so well together,” Sholl said. “Our area is the epitome of teamwork and team players, you guys have set the standard on what it means to be a team player.”

30 Years

Shannon Skoglund NE

Fredrico Reliford KC

Darryl Wilson CD

Kimberly Tipton CD

Ena Hayden SL

Jason Stewart SW

25 Years

Darin Dale NE

Regina Kogen KC

Troy Wilson CD

David Sappington SW

Gregory Buckner SE

Thomas Sullivan SE

Kimberly Larimore CO

20 Years

Timothy Hays NW

Andrew Dittmer NE

Brian Hof KC

Gregory Lester SW

Sara Johnson SE

David Hagemeyer CO

15 Years

Allen Cassmeyer, Jr. NE

Glenn Holmes SL

Nathaniel James SL

Eric Greig SW

Justin Moriarty SW

William Cooper, Jr. SW

Daniel Staffen, Sr. SE

Daron Williamson SE

Karlheinz Francis SE

10 Years

Brandon Pulliam CD

Nicholas Lurtz SL

Steve Herndon SL

Kevin Catanzaro SW

Raymond Shank CO

5 Years

Brennon Carey NW

Brian Noel NW

Cassidy Reed NW

Larry Poston NW

Taylor Frandson NW

5 Years, Cont.

Taylor Ikenberry NW

Abdur Butt KC

Glenn Martin KC

Bryant Rackers CD

George Gordon CD

John Cranford CD

Bobby Hinson SL

Jesse Billingsley, Jr. SL

Michelle Nash DeClue SL

Stacy Perry SL

Sterlian Nash SL

Garrison Eastman SE

Noah Friend SE

William Johannsen SE

Allison Talley CO

Laura Bouslaugh CO

Marianne McGlinn CO

Janel Lueckenotte CO

The following active employee passed away:

Randy A. Fountain

SL – Aug. 25

The following retirees passed away:

Jane F. Bonnot

CO – Aug. 11

Gerald E. Clark

NW – Aug. 13

Donald L. Hartley

NW – Aug. 28

Norman D. Ehret

NE – Aug. 14

Donald L. Goodsell

NE – Jul. 29

Junior Kimmel

NE - Jul. 29

Patsy R. Dade

KC – Aug. 1

Leland H. McNeel

KC – Aug. 11

Charles B. Oesterly

CD – Aug. 2

Donna J. Davis

SL – Aug 8

Bobby D. Shearer

SL – Aug. 10

George G. Hamilton

SW – Aug. 22

William H. Crocker

SE – Aug. 2

J.T. Durham

SE – Aug. 18

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

and feature articles that connect employees statewide.

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bethany.belt@modot.mo.gov

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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