April 28, 2022

May 1-7 is National Public Service Recognition Week!

Every MoDOT employee does important work for the citizens of Missouri. MoDOT celebrates its employees' dedication and contributions to their communities.

All employees are encouraged to participate the following events throughout the week:

• Wellness Walk Challenge: Make a goal to walk 10,000 steps each day May 2-6.
• MoDOT Monday: Wear MoDOT apparel or orange to remember our fallen and show support for the safety of our team.
• Take a Break Tuesday: Utilize the Stretch-Flex Program and/or hold walking meetings.
• Well-Balanced Wednesday: Hold a snack day with a good balance of healthy options.
• Thank You Thursday: Spread positivity by simply telling your co-workers thank you. Also use this opportunity to pass on a Leadership Coin!
• Spirit Friday: Wear your favorite shirt promoting your favorite team, group, hobby, etc.

Don't stop there! Districts and divisions may make modifications or additions to the list above based on what works best for the team. All activities must be in accordance with MoDOT Values and Personnel Policies.

Thank you all for what you do for the people of this state each and every day!

Information Systems is pleased to announce an upgraded version of Cognos called Cognos Analytics, which will be implemented on May 9. 

This new version will offer an enhanced appearance and additional functionality. The overall impact to users will be minimal, and login credentials will not change. 

The Cognos SharePoint link will be updated, and all Cognos users will be provided the new URL. All Cognos users should also expect to receive a short Basic Navigation Training Video to help familiarize themselves with the changes in appearance and additional functionality.  

Questions? Contact analyticssupport@modot.mo.gov. 

The MoDOT and Missouri State Highway Patrol Employees' Retirement System board elections are underway, and voting begins tomorrow!

The 11-member MPERS board is made up of three Missouri Highways and Transportation Commissioners, the director of MoDOT, the superintendent of MSHP, a state representative, a state senator, an active MoDOT employee, an active MSHP employee, a retired member of MoDOT and a retired member of MSHP. Current terms expire July 1, 2022. All active MoDOT employees who are vested may vote for the active MoDOT employee member, and all MoDOT retirees may vote for the MoDOT retiree member.

Candidate information can be found on the Board Election Information page of MPERS' website.

From April 29 - May 26, electronic ballots will be available online via myMPERS. The only way to access a ballot is through myMPERS, meaning vested employees as well as retirees must have an account in order to vote! Voting closes at 4 p.m. on May 26.

During the week of June 1, the electronic ballots will be validated and the executive director will make a preliminary announcement of election results and notify the successful candidates. At the June 16 board meeting, the executive director will certify to the board the results and introduce the successful candidates.

For assistance creating a myMPERS account, or for more information on the election process, please contact MPERS at 800-270-1271 or mpers@mpers.org.

Central Office Policy and Innovations Engineer Sarah Kleinschmit spoke on the Capitol steps this week as part of the 14th annual Bicycle, Pedestrian and Trails Day at the Capitol. As the acting state bicycle and pedestrian coordinator, Kleinschmit represented MoDOT and joined Missouri State Parks, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and the Missouri Bicycle and Pedestrian Federation (MoBikeFed) to bring awareness to bike/ped efforts across the state on April 25.

“The MoBikeFed works toward safer roadways for non-motorized modes of transportation and recreation,” said Kleinschmit. “We want to work with them on making Missouri roadways safer, and I felt that being there said MoDOT is listening to their concerns and cares.” 

While on the Capitol steps, Kleinschmit shared with attendees MoDOT’s efforts, which include considering bike/ped needs on all projects and working with planning partners and local communities to identify, plan and construct those projects. New federal funding via the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will help communities plan and construct bike/ped facilities, incorporate complete streets, expand on bike lanes and move toward safer roads for these vulnerable road users. She also shared MoDOT’s work with legislators to enact distracted driving legislation for the safety of all road users.

Policy and Innovations Engineer Sarah Kleinschmit speaks at the Missouri State Capitol to represent MoDOT and bring awareness to MoDOT's bike/ped efforts.

She concluded with a reminder: “Whether you are riding your bike around in your neighborhood or taking in a ride on a trail like the Katy Trail, or if riding your bike is your means of getting to and from work every day, I want you to be safe and I want you to enjoy the ride.”

The Northeast District participated in Work Zone Awareness Week by encouraging employees to wear orange, posting current work zone pictures on all social media platforms, displaying work zone awareness yard-signs, providing local media with items to utilize and allowing local businesses the chance to win BUPD t-shirts.

A new element to remind district office passersby of work zone safety is yard signs placed in front of the MoDOT sign on U.S. 61 in Hannibal.

Maintenance Superintendent Danny Duke wears a Work Zone Awareness t-shirt as a walking reminder about the importance of work zone safety.

Crews demolish the U.S. 50 bridges over Chipman Rd. in Lee’s Summit.

The U.S. 50 bridges over Chipman Road in Lee’s Summit were demolished on Thursday, April 21. Over the past few weeks, there have been various ramp closures in the area for widening work in preparation for the demolition. Motorists are currently being routed around the closure via the on and off ramps at the interchange until the new bridges are completed in approximately mid-July. Chipman Road below the bridge is closed as well, and motorists can follow a signed detour or seek alternate routes.

“We took a team approach with our local partners to decide the best way to construct the bridge for safety, cost efficiency and lowest impacts to traffic,” Kansas City Area Engineer Ericka Ross explained. “With coordination from City of Lee’s Summit, Operation Green Light and our staff, the team determined that full closure of Chipman Road was the best approach, as it allows for the highway to maintain free flow in two lanes each direction for the entirety of the project. This reduces construction time and impacts to U.S. 50, making for an overall better project.”

This interchange is one of the busiest in Lee’s Summit, carrying an average of 60,000 vehicles per day along U.S. 50, and 21,000 vehicles per day on Chipman Road. Built in 1975, these bridges have reached the end of their service life.

This project is included in Gov. Parson’s Focus on Bridges Program, which will repair or replace 250 bridges across the state.

The search for a North St. Louis County area engineer has finally come to an end. Aaron Hugenberg has been selected to fill the position in the St. Louis district.

Hugenberg brings to his new role many years of bridge and road work experience from the Northeast District. His experience includes working as an inspector on the Safe and Sound Bridge Improvement Program, and for the past seven years, the assistant bridge engineer.

Hugenberg graduated from the University of Missouri in Columbia with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering. He is also a registered professional engineer in Missouri.

Area Engineer Aaron Hugenberg.

“I’m excited about starting this new opportunity in the St. Louis District. I look forward to building new relationships as well as serving the community in North St. Louis County,” said Hugenberg.

Hugenberg started his new role on April 1.

Students at the Sikeston Kindergarten Center enjoy programming put on by Jason Lindsey with Hooked on Science. 

In the last month, youth from two southeast Missouri schools have received traffic safety programming, supported by the Highway Safety and Traffic Division.

On April 14, the Hooked on Science program taught students about STEM and seat belt safety at the Sikeston Kindergarten Center. Jason Lindsey, aka "Mr. Science, with Hooked on Science," is a nationally recognized STEM educator, science multimedia journalist, digital meteorologist and author. Jason visits hundreds of schools each year inspiring kids to be inquisitive about the world around them and to develop a long-term interest in science and math. Jason's partnership with MoDOT includes providing a program that is based upon the science behind seat belts. Programming is available for grades K-12.

On April 19, the ThinkFirst program taught students at Notre Dame High School about their vulnerability to brain and spinal cord injury, common causes of these injuries and how to prevent them. Speakers emphasized the importance of wearing your seat belt and driving responsibly. Notre Dame’s TRACTION students arranged the presentation as part of their TRACTION plan. Students reminded their peers about safe driving by putting messaging in front of their school and through seat belt checks at the beginning of the school day. The seat belt checks gave the school valuable data - 94% of drivers wear their seat belts!

To see a complete list of Highway Safety and Traffic supported programs, visit savemolives.com/mcrs/Southeast-Region.

Do you find yourself needing state or federal government information but don't know where to start looking?

This webinar will examine several resources that will allow you to easily access the state or federal information you need, including Digital State Agency Publications, Missouri law resources, the govinfo.gov website and other federal law resources.

The session will take place May 19 from 10 - 11 a.m. You can register here.

Parmenter, John–NW–30

Chadwick, Joseph–NW–22

Lewis, Michael–NW–28

Epperson, Dale–NE–21

Epperson, Dari–NE–26

Maninga, Erik–NE–28

Koch, Vernon–KC–34

Collison, James–CD–23

Lipsey, Charlotte–CD–25

Rocchio, Joseph–SL–23

Phillips, Stephen–SW–23

Blankenship, Leann–SW–21

Frazier, Brian–SE–30

Terrett, Michael–SE–18

Bates, William–SE–13

Hurt, Larry–SE–27

Evans, Kevin–SE–34

Lovan, Marsha–SE–24

Nickens, Rudolph–CO–12

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

and feature articles that connect employees statewide.

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Editor: Bethany Belt

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