Fumi Collier, Communications and Public Relations, struts to "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown" during the Central Office's salute to the'70s fashion show. Photo by Kim Lanahan-Lahti

Temperatures were in the mid-90s, but the focus was on the mid-70s—1976, to be exact, the year Mn/DOT became a multi-modal transportation agency.

Celebrations were held statewide July 30 to commemorate Mn/DOT’s 25th anniversary year.

More than 500 Central Office employees, looking like a wide, blue sea in their “Moving Minnesota” T-shirts, turned out for the celebration at the Transportation Building in St. Paul. Sporting a rust-colored leisure suit jacket in honor of the ‘70s, Commissioner Elwyn Tinklenberg told the group, “A lot has changed in the last 25 years, but one thing has not changed: our transportation system is still the lifeblood of Minnesota’s economy.”

Five hundred voices filled the Capitol grounds with the sounds of "Moving Minnesota." Photo by Kim Lanahan-Lahti

Citing significant projects Mn/DOT has completed over the past two-plus decades—including the interstate system, the new High Bridge in St. Paul and the extension of I-35 in Duluth—the commissioner also acknowledged that the department still faces a number of challenges in the future.

“But while the challenges ahead are great, Mn/DOT—as a great organization—will respond to these the way it always has: creatively, professionally, boldly,” he said. “And, we will continue to Move Minnesota.”

There was a lighter, if not cooler, side to CO’s celebration, too. Mn/DOT’s choir led the crowd in a sing-along of the “Moving Minnesota” song. And, despite the sweltering heat and a plethora of polyester, 19 CO employees boogied down a fashion show runway to the tunes of the ‘70s swathed in leisure suits, peasant dresses, go-go boots and other styles popular 25 years ago. As Jim Cownie, Contract Management and emcee of the fashion show said, “If your mood rings aren’t already glowing ‘happy,’ they will be soon.”

Wendy Meyer in Mankato stands by the photo display board she produced for District 7's celebration. Photo by Brian Bruckhoff

In District 7, 370 people marked the anniversary by dining on a barbecue lunch, reminiscing with co-workers and taking home Moving Minnesota T-shirts and new employee photo books, reports Rebecca Arndt, District 7 public affairs coordinator. 

“The absolute highlight of the celebrations in both Mankato and Windom was the attendance of the retirees,” Arndt said. In Mankato, at least 30 retirees—including Lloyd Nelson, the district engineer in 1976—attended the luncheon/open house. In Windom, 21 retirees showed up for the event, she said. 

Two other highlights of the day, Arndt said, were District Engineer Jon Huseby’s message and the special Mn/DOT anniversary cakes Deb Yates, Mankato Design, made.

Employees in Marshall enjoy the luncheon spread as part of District 8's anniversary celebration. Photo by Robert Draper

According to Sandy East, District 8 public affairs coordinator, the proverbial “great time was had by all.” District employees celebrated with lunch and a program in three locations—Hutchinson, Marshall and Willmar. Given special attention were employees who have worked 25 or more years for Mn/DOT. In addition, drawings for $20 gift certificates and a gas grill were held at each location.

Despite a foggy, drizzly day, turnout in District 1 was great, reports Maureen Talarico, District 1 public affairs coordinator. The event drew about 200 people in Duluth and another 100 in Virginia, she said, adding that lots of retirees also joined in the festivities, which included a barbecue picnic lunch.

Diane Burke, Gaylene Walsh and Ron Christenson participated in Duluth's celebration, which included a barbecue picnic. Photo by Maureen Talarico

Even truck station employees in the Virginia district who couldn’t attend the festivities were able to enjoy at least part of the celebration—thanks to Kevin Adolfs, District 1B resident engineer, who hand-delivered box lunches to them.

Visit the 25th anniversary Web site for additional photos, Mn/DOT trivia and other anniversary-related information. Click here to see the anniversary special edition of Mn/DOT Newsline.

By Chris Joyce

Front page photo: Deb Yates, Mankato, displays one of four cakes she created for District 7's celebration. Photo by Brian Bruckhoff

back

Warranties come with your computer, your toaster and your VCR; now warranties are becoming a part of Mn/DOT’s highway construction program.

Two highway projects—Hwy 14 at Owatonna and Hwy 100 in the Minneapolis suburbs—contain provisions that require contractors to assure the projects meet performance standards.

Failure to meet the work and material quality standards means the contractors perform the needed additional work or forfeit all or part of a bond.

Performance indicators for asphalt on Hwy 14 include the presence of cracking, rutting and de-bonding (physical separation of new and old layers of pavement). Performance measures for concrete pavements include spalling, cracking, deficient joints and shattered slabs.

Paul Huston, design-build engineer, Project Delivery Streamlining Team, said the warranty provisions can range from comprehensive  “bumper to bumper” coverage on a project or be limited to specifics such as landscaping, expansion joints on a bridge rehabilitation project or bridge painting. 

Impetus for using warranties, he said, stems from use of the “design-build” concept, Mn/DOT’s efforts to speed overall project delivery and shift a larger share of the inspection and materials testing responsibility to the contractor.

Warranty provisions for the Hwy 14 project will include concrete and asphalt pavement, bridge bearings and joints, landscaping and permanent signing. Warranty coverage for each project component is five years except landscaping which has a one-year warranty. The design phase of the project is under way; construction will begin in mid-August.

“At five years, the warranty provisions won’t cover the expected life span of either roadway or the bridge,” Huston said. Long-term provisions of 10,15 or more years are just beginning to surface around the country—meaning owners, design-builders and bonding companies are still unfamiliar with long-term risks and costs. Provisions of five or fewer years, however, have been tested and evaluated in several states including Michigan, Wisconsin and South Dakota.

The second project to include warranties is the new Hwy 100 and Duluth Street interchange in Golden Valley. That project, part of rebuilding Hwy 100 in the western Minneapolis suburbs, will be let in December. Specific components that will have warranties have not yet been determined, Huston said. Construction on the interchange and its approaches will begin in spring 2002.

“Using design-build and warranties,” Huston said, “gives us the flexibility to expand the construction program to meet state residents’ mobility needs and the assurance that the contractors’ work will meet our performance standards.”

By Craig Wilkins

back

Nora Holt, Hwy 8 Task Force chairperson; U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar; Margo LaBau, MnDOT chief of staff; and local residents Brandon Cartier, Byron Olson, an unidentified dirt thrower and Jim Cartier, helped break ground for new road construction in Chisago County. Photo by Kevin Gutknecht

Good things may come in “threes” according to a popular proverb, but “eight” is the lucky number this summer for Chisago County residents seeking safer, less congested roads.

That’s because July 28 marked the groundbreaking of seven new road construction projects along Hwy 8, as well as an eighth project—a scoping study—that is examining the long-term transportation needs of the rapidly growing area population.

More than 150 people turned out for the event, which took place at a church located next to an intersection that will undergo reconstruction during the next few months. Attendees at the groundbreaking included members of the Hwy 8 Task Force; officials from Wyoming Township, Chisago County and area municipalities; and Mn/DOT representatives.

The projects’ total estimated cost of $20 million includes $13.5 million of federal funds Minnesota received thanks to the efforts of U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar, who represents Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District (northeastern Minnesota).

This federal funding carries with it a stipulation that the Hwy 8 Task Force be involved in decisions about when and where to spend the money. The task force, which includes community business leaders, local government officials and private citizens, has worked with Oberstar’s office for several years to identify transportation needs along the Hwy 8 corridor.

back

The 14th annual Minnesota Transit Roadeo was held July 28 in Duluth. Photo by Traci Vibo

Two bus drivers from the Duluth Transit Authority took first and second places in the large bus division at the Minnesota Transit Roadeo held July 28 in Duluth. A driver with the Tri-Valley Heartland Express in Crookston took top honors in the small bus division.

Sponsored by Mn/DOT, the annual event gives transit drivers a chance to challenge a roadeo course that simulates their daily driving and provides a forum to share their expertise about driving and transit system operations.

The Duluth event was the 14th transit roadeo held in Minnesota. Transit system managers and Mn/DOT staff served as judges.

“Drivers, system operators and other participants find value in the roadeo from friendly competition, a chance to learn about other systems and to focus attention on transit a vital transportation choice in Minnesota,” said Donna Allan, manager, Office of Transit.

back

Camp Mn/DOT campers visit the Materials lab on July 24. Photo by Kay Tkachuck

Nearly 400 children ages 4 and older participated in this year’s Camp Mn/DOT, the department’s annual program for introducing kids to transportation, said Nancy Standal, Central Office, who, along with Vickie Johnson, Duluth, co-chaired the program.

Six areas statewide participated in the program last week, drawing a total of 384 children, she said. Activities varied for each participating area, ranging from trips to the local airports to creating timesheets. Each day began with a welcome from Commissioner Elwyn Tinklenberg or the district engineers, when available. 

“Hopefully, we inspired in some a desire to one day make Mn/DOT a career choice,” Standal said. 

When asked to write "One Special Thing You Did Today,” one child wrote: "I liked the games and spending time with my Grandma.”  Another wrote, "A State Patrol helicoptor and seeing my MoMs office.”

For more information and to view photos of the program, see the Camp Mn/DOT Web site.

Front page photo: Camp Mn/DOT kids in Duluth. Photo by Jeanne Kurshoff

back

As an employee, are you looking for the latest Safety Net newsletter or for downloadable human resource forms? As a manager or supervisor, do you need to write a position description or prepare for a performance review? 

Beginning today, you can address these and other situations by accessing the Office of Human Resources’ new “HR on the Web” site. The site is intended to provide the department with a one-stop shop for Human Resource information, according to Rich Peterson, assistant Human Resources director. HR on the Web integrates all existing HR web pages with additional information to create one comprehensive site that is accessible and easy-to-use.

“To be more effective in the level of service we provide our employees, we need to be able to deliver HR services in a number of different ways,” Peterson said. “To that end, HR on the Web uses a self-service technology that is one of a number of tools that will allow us to deliver key services in a high-value, low-cost way, when and where employees need them.”

Through point-and-click technology, you can easily navigate the Employee Service Center to find information on jobs, employee benefits, employee recognition, labor relations, performance management, employee development, health and wellness, safety, workers compensation, TSS on-line and other human resource areas.

An added feature is the HR Toolbox for managers and human resource staff that puts information and tools they need daily—such as information about recruiting and writing position descriptions—at their fingertips. Access to this information is through the same username and password used to log into their workstations.

HR on the Web also provides capability for offices and districts to communicate human resource information related to their specific locations. 

“HR on the Web is the first step in linking all HR information to one site for the benefit of all employees,” said Linda Bjornberg, director, Management Operations Group. “The goal is to make information that’s of value to you as accessible as possible, not merely taking the same information you have now and making it faster.”

Peterson invites employees to visit the HR on the Web site, identify the information and support they want and need, and send suggestions for enhancing the site by clicking on the “Contact Us” button. 

“We will continually upgrade and expand the site’s service based on employee feedback,” he said.

back

Do you have questions about Mn/DOT's strategic mission, vision or objectives? Are you curious about a particular Mn/DOT project that’s making the news—or not making the news? What questions about the department’s activities or views have you heard from the public in the last couple of weeks?

We can help you find the answers to questions such as these. Let us know what information you need to effectively serve as a “Mn/DOT Ambassador” in your daily life. Make the Question of the Week part of your “embassy briefing,” and tell us what else you want to know.

Click here to view past questions of the week.

back