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Oct. 2, 2019
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Walk to School Day celebrated with steps and smiles

Three MnDOT employees and a group of school children pose on a sidewalk outside of the school. A mastoc with a large baseball for a head is also pictured with them.

From left, District 6 employees Mike Dougherty, public engagement and communications, Sheila Thoma, public affairs, and Cindy Morgan, public engagement, take a selfie while welcoming students at Gage Elementary School in Rochester Oct. 2 as part of Walk to School Day. They are pictured with Slider, a team mascot in Rochester for a college wooden bat league. The mayor of Rochester, police, school board members, Olmsted County Public Health and the Rochester Grizzlies, a North American 3 Hockey League team, also participated. Photo by Mike Dougherty

Business TABLE of CONTENTS

Direct Select Work Types expanded to include communications, engagement

By Chris Krueger, Metro District director of communications and cngagement

There’s now a quicker and easier way to secure outside communications and engagement consultant contracts throughout MnDOT.

After several months of development, MnDOT has approved Pre-Qualification Direct Select Work Types for:

“MnDOT has routinely used the Pre-Qualification Direct Select Work Types for work more closely related to construction and design,” said Denise Workcuff, Metro District communications and engagement. “Adding communications and engagement work types will allow us to acquire consultant contracts for these in-demand services in considerably less time than a standard contract, sometimes as quickly as within four to six weeks.”

The current list of Pre-Qualified Work Type firms is posted on MnDOT’s Pre-Qualification Program website (see Work Types 21.1 through 21.5).

“The current list is by no means complete, and it’s just the beginning,” Workcuff said. “We know there are countless firms specializing in public relations, marketing and strategic communications that should be on the list.”

Requirements for pre-qualification status are posted on the Work Types website.  Employees should direct interested consultants and firms to contact Dennis Wong in Consultant Services at dennis.wong@state.mn.us for more information on the application process.

 

Business TABLE of CONTENTS

Collaboration with Minnesota Zoo aims to conserve wildlife

By Micaela Resh, Office of Research & Innovation

Turtles and other wildlife are at risk along Minnesota roadways.

MnDOT is collaborating with the Minnesota Zoo on a new research project installing small animal exclusion fencing. The fencing is intended to redirect turtles and other small animals to culverts and bridges where they can safely cross the road.

Reducing small animal collisions also improves driver safety. Hitting (or trying to avoid) a turtle on the road can cause significant damage and injuries to motorcyclists and bicyclists. It can also be unsafe for drivers to attempt to pull over and assist small animals across the road, especially in high-traffic areas.

The exclusion fences were installed along four Minnesota roadways this past year and will be evaluated over the next year.

The research project started in September 2017 and will finish in June 2021. The goal is to develop a standard set of designs and recommendations for future installations along other Minnesota highways. Christopher Smith, MnDOT’s wildlife ecologist, is the technical liaison leading the project.

Visit the Office of Research & Innovation for project updates.

 

Headlines TABLE of CONTENTS

Red Wing Bridge moves closer to completion as construction enters fall season

A river barge with cranes on it, lifting the bottom piece of a bridge into place.

Cranes on barges lift the first center span tub girder into place June 17 on the new Mississippi River bridge in Red Wing. Photo by Mike Dougherty

By Mike Dougherty, District 6 public engagement and communications

The leaves are changing color along the Mississippi River bluffs of Red Wing, bringing with them more travelers to this historic river town.

The change also signals that the Red Wing Bridge is closer to completion.

It’s the third Mississippi River bridge project in District 6 over the past six years. This is the last of three projects that replace or add to existing river crossings. The $63.4 million construction project will replace the Hwy 63 bridges over the Mississippi River and Hwy 61, and realign the approach roadways. Zenith Tech, Inc., of Waukesha, Wis., is the prime contractor.

“Work continues at the site and is progressing after a slow spring that included flooding,” said Mark Anderson, the project engineer for Red Wing, who has also overseen the completion of bridges at Interstate 90 in Dresbach and Hwy 43 in Winona.

The contractor plans to have traffic traveling on the bridge this season, but much work remains. Spring flooding and ongoing high water meant a slow start as construction season came to life this year.

On the Wisconsin side, the contractor is completing the installation of a box culvert on Hwy 63 and is working on completing the north approach. Next year, they will complete the connection to a road on the Wisconsin side that serves that side of the harbor.

On the Minnesota side, work continues in the buttonhook ramp area that connects Hwy 61 with Hwy 63. Workers are modifying the buttonhook to meet the new bridges.

Demolition of the existing bridge will follow in winter 2020 once traffic is moved to the new bridge.

The new bridge also has a variation of the previous bridge's name. The Minnesota Legislature changed the name this year at the request of a citizen group. The bridge went from the Eisenhower Memorial Bridge to the Eisenhower Memorial Bridge of Valor to also honor veterans, their families, police officers and firefighters.

A Red Wing community group is in the early stages of planning a celebration.

Business TABLE of CONTENTS

Staffing updates

By Joseph Palmersheim

May Thao-Schuck

May Thao-Schuck. Submitted photo

May Thao-Schuck is the new director in the Office of Organizational Planning & Management. Her first day in the new role is Oct. 9.

Prior to joining MnDOT, Thao-Schuck served DEED as the divisional director of the Workforce Development, Employment and Training programs. She also worked at ActivStyle, Hmong American Partnerships and Brown College.

Thao-Schuck is currently completing her doctorate in organization development at the University of Minnesota. She has a master of business administration with an emphasis in leadership from Argosy University Twin Cities, and a bachelor of science in therapeutic recreation from the University of Minnesota.

 

Kristin White

Kristin White. Photo by Rich Kemp

Kristin White will be leading the Connected and Automated Vehicles Office in a work-out-of-class position.

As the CAV-X innovation director, she led the development of MnDOT’s CAV strategic plan and coordinated the governor’s CAV executive report. She also conducted public engagement, drafted legislation and engaged stakeholders in policy development.

Prior to CAV-X, White was associate legal counsel in MnDOT’s Office of Chief Counsel and assistant director on mobility in the Office of Environmental Stewardship. She also has legal and policy experience working for the city of Minneapolis, the private sector and for the U.S. Department of State.

White has a law degree from Hamline University.

 

Business TABLE of CONTENTS

Strategic Women Advancing Transportation event highlights partnerships

A smiling woman stands in front of a large group in a classroom setting.

Holly Kostrzewski, NE Minnesota TZD regional coordinator, presents at the Strategic Women Advantaging Transportation conference in Duluth. Photo by Rich Kemp

By Pippi Mayfield, District 1 Public Engagement and Communications

Did you know that Duluth-Superior is the most inland port in America?

That Norboard-brand OSB board you buy at Menards, Lowes or Home Depot? It was likely shipped through the Duluth port. And those Sports Illustrated, Better Homes and Gardens or other magazines you’re reading? The paper they are printed on could have easily come through the Duluth port.

Those attending the Strategic Women Advancing Transportation conference Sept. 12-13 in Duluth learned these and other interesting facts about MnDOT's northeast district. Approximately 70 women and several men attended the event, which focused on partnership and collaborative efforts in transportation. Participants also learned what makes District 1 unique.

Stressing the importance of partnerships District 1 showcased the shipping industry. From shippers to haulers, highways to enforcement, multiple entities work together to build the local economy by moving freight through the Duluth-Superior port.

Kate Ferguson of the Duluth Seaway Port Authority and Jonathon Lamb from Duluth Cargo Connect presented to the group about the $35 billion economy that cargo supports. Ships carry 40-45 loads of products each year to and from the Duluth-Superior port. Those 13 ships equal the capacity of 364,000 trainloads a year, or 1.5 million truckloads annually. 

In addition to Norboard, wheat, taconite and other materials being imported and exported through the local port, one major cargo product this year is wind turbines.

Perkins Trucking’s Shelley Latham has decades of on-the-job experience moving oversized products, regardless of the route. Latham said hauling can cost up to $500,000 due to road and bridge restrictions, and road construction in the summer. Many of these specialized loads travel hundreds of extra miles to find a suitable route. For example, Latham said one load traveling from Duluth to Superior, which would normally cross the 8,000-foot Blatnik Bridge, had to drive 300 miles out of the way to another river crossing due to Blatnik’s weight restriction.

Duluth’s Twin Ports Interchange – known as “The Can of Worms” – is made up of 33 bridges with weight restrictions on 25 of them, making it nearly impossible for loads to enter or exit the port. Roberta Dwyer, project manager, talked about how the 2020-23 Twin Ports Interchange project includes reconstructing the freeway to handle oversized loads.

The final piece of the transportation puzzle is enforcement. Greg Lind, Minnesota State Patrol, spoke about enforcing commercial hauling regulations and some of the infractions he’s witnessed. These included numerous bridge hits by haulers who underestimated their load size and pieces of equipment lost off trucks.

The SWAT event was capped off with a bus tour of the port, where participants could see just how large the wind turbine components are up close.

 

Business TABLE of CONTENTS

Gov. Walz proclaims 'Cybersecurity Awareness Month'

Gov. Tim Walz recently proclaimed October 2019 as “Cybersecurity Awareness Month” in the state of Minnesota. The proclamation was made in conjunction with National Cybersecurity Awareness Month.

“Secure technology is critical to ensure that everything from our bank accounts to our elections are safe and protected,” Walz said. “We’re making sure Minnesota is evolving by educating folks about emerging cybersecurity threats and making sure Minnesotans’ personal data is protected.”

Learn more about cybersecurity with these tips from Aaron Call, MNIT’s chief information security officer, on:

 

Business TABLE of CONTENTS

Office of Continuous Improvement survey now available

MnDOT employees received a survey link from the Minnesota Department of Administration’s Office of Continuous Improvement on Tuesday, Oct. 1.

The office is surveying all state employees for the 2019 Continuous Improvement Index. This survey will help assess progress made since 2017, and provide a better understanding of challenges and opportunities to make state government work better for all Minnesotans. 

State employees were surveyed in 2017 to learn what could be done to make state government more effective. Thirty percent of employees shared their views on what the state is doing well and how it can improve.

 

Headlines TABLE of CONTENTS

Government Green Fleet award recognizes success

Two cars parked in a garage, with both plugged into a wall mounted charger

The Mitsubishi Outlander and Chevy Bolt are part of the District 6 fleet, shown here at the charging station at Rochester headquarters. A public charging station is coming soon. Photo by Jon Neubauer

By Mary McFarland Brooks

MnDOT was one of 50 recipients of this year’s Government Green Fleet Awards, which were announced on Aug. 6 at the Sustainable Technology Conference in Durham, N.C.

The award honors federal, state and local government fleets in North America that have achieved success in “greening” their fleet by developing standards for:

  • Fleet composition and hybrid vehicles
  • Alternative fuels
  • Emissions reduction
  • Policy and long-range planning
  • Staff education and involvement

MnDOT was the only government fleet from the state of Minnesota to win the award. Ranked at number 49 on the list, MnDOT was also the only state agency to be recognized by awards.

The award is open to all federal, state and local government fleets in the U.S. It is specifically designed to recognize the challenges and requirements of government fleet management.

More information

 

TABLE of CONTENTS

Managers gather to enhance skills, build knowledge

Commissioner Anderson Kelliher speaking before a large group. They are seated at tables and she is standing.

Greg Ous, district engineer, District 7, moderated a session with Commissioner Anderson Kelliher called "Get to know Commissioner Anderson Kelliher," where she answered questions about a variety of her life experiences. Anderson Kelliher also commended MnDOT employees for their hard work and dedication to the residents of Minnesota. Photo by Rich Kemp

By Judy Jacobs, Office of Organizational Planning and Management

More than 180 MnDOT managers from across the state met on Sept. 24-25 in St. Cloud for the annual Managers’ Workshop.

Managers learned about innovation, MnDOT’s strategic direction, speaking with confidence and creating a diverse, inclusive and safe workplace for all employees.

“Over the next two days, we are going to have the opportunity to participate in a variety of sessions geared toward enhancing our skills and knowledge as managers at MnDOT,” said Sue Mulvihill, deputy commissioner, in her welcome to the attendees. “Many of these sessions were inspired by the outcomes and strategies within our Strategic Operating Plan, thinking about the information and tools we need as managers to advance our agency priorities.”

The workshop began with a fast-paced update from each MnDOT office and district. Office directors and district engineers provided insights into their teams’ innovations, successes and highlights - all within 60 seconds.

J. Forrest and Andy Zimney, with Employee Strategies, shared ideas to inspire managers to be more intentional about work place culture to make MnDOT more innovative.

“Challenge the way it’s always been done,” Zimney said. “It’s easier to act your way into a new way of thinking than to think your way into a new way of acting.” 

MnDOT highlights a nonprofit at each workshop. This year, MnDOT supported Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless, a nonprofit providing financial support for Minnesota homeless shelters, food shelves and domestic violence shelters.

Carpooling was encouraged. Several agency leaders biked from District 3 Monticello Truck Station, a distance of about 60 miles round trip.

More information

 

TABLE of CONTENTS

Shane Hanly’s family has more than 100 years of state service

By Judy Jacobs

A son and his mother, posed near a painting of the man's grandparents.

Shane Hanly, with his mother Lynda Hanly, holding an artist’s rendering of 1942-era Navy portraits of Shane’s grandmother and grandfather, Marlys and Jim Hanly. Beginning in the 1970s with his grandfather, the Hanly family has over 100 years of combined state service. Photo credit: Rebecca Hanly   

Shane Hanly has a rich family legacy of state service, with much of it tied to MnDOT.

The Central Office-based state program administrative technical specialist is the latest in a long line of family members who have served. Shane’s grandfather, Jim Hanly, was a MnDOT dispatcher in the 1970s at the former District 5 (Golden Valley) for five years before leaving to become an assistant fire marshal in Crystal. His grandmother, Marlys Hanly, also worked for District 5 as a payroll administrator. She retired with 22 years of state service.

Shane’s uncle, Mike Hanly, worked for MnDOT District 7 in Materials and Maintenance. Mike retired last year after 37 years with the state. His aunt, Charlene Bartz, worked for Metro District at Water’s Edge as a front desk receptionist for several years. And his mom, Lynda Hanly, processed and supervised payroll for Metro District for 25 years. She then transferred to Minnesota Management and Budget to the statewide payroll department. Lynda retired in February with 38 years of state service.

Shane has been a MnDOT employee for nearly 4 years. He spent 2 years as a student worker, and has 16 years total in state service, including when he worked at PCA and MnSCU.

“It was just kind of second nature to me,” he said. “My thoughts were less MnDOT-specific and more state service focused. I knew MnDOT took good care of their employees. I also knew that if you worked hard and were committed to your job, it could be a secure position. When I was hired at MnDOT as a student worker in 2003, it was like coming home. I knew so many people, and so many people knew my family, if not in person, then by reputation. It made for a very friendly and welcoming environment.”

Carrying on with his family’s state service tradition “feels really good,” he said, adding that he wants to be “the next Hanly that people see as being hard working and dependable.” His son, Aiden, recently turned two. Is state service in his future?

“I certainly wouldn’t discourage him if he wanted to,” Shane said. “I will encourage him to follow whatever career path he wants.”

 


Variety TABLE of CONTENTS

On the Job: Jane Gherity enjoys customer service, learning new things

By Joseph Palmersheim

Service Desk Specialist Jane Gherity has been with MnDOT for two years. She provides deskside user support at the Central Office for IT resources, software and hardware. Click on the image to see a larger version.

Jane says I have been with MnDOT for two years. I provide deskside user support for MnDOT Transportation Building at the Central Office in Downtown St. Paul. I respond to user requests, via, phone, email and through self-service. This involves installing, supporting, troubleshooting and maintaining MNDOT IT resources; software and hardware. I am constantly learning new things. Every day is something different, you never know what you are going to encounter that day. I also really enjoy the customer service aspect of the job; having the opportunity to work with MnDOT Staff and learn how technology is used to enhance transportation for the citizens. In my line of work, technology is constantly changing; which challenges me to keep up to date with the latest trends and technology on daily basis. Some examples include upgrading from Windows 7 to 10, new equipment added to the Conference Rooms. Switching from Smartboards to Dell Monitors. New Software is always being implemented and modified daily.

Do you or a co-worker have an interesting job to share with readers? Send us your ideas, and we’ll contact you for more information. 

Recent employee profiles: 

 
TABLE of CONTENTS

Decarbonizing transportation: MnDOT’s new report on reducing emissions

By Margaret Anderson Kelliher

Gov. Walz speaking at a podium outside on a sunny day. A sign that says Clean Cars MN is mounted on the front of the podium

Gov. Tim Walz announcing new clean car standards at a press conference on Wednesday, Sept. 25. Other speakers included Lt. Governor Flanagan, MPCA Commissioner Laura Bishop, MnDOT Commissioner Margaret Anderson Kelliher, and Riverland College Professor John Olseth. Photo by @GovTimWalz

Minnesota’s climate is changing.

From warmer winters to more precipitation, we’re already seeing impacts on health, our environment and the economy.

Curbing the impacts of climate change will take a collective effort, which is why I’m proud of the recent work done by MnDOT’s Office of Sustainability and Public Health to engage Minnesotans and other state agencies in a conversation about moving Minnesota to a low-carbon transportation future.

The Pathways to Decarbonizing Transportation in Minnesota report was released last month. It identifies action steps and recommendations for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from surface transportation.

Did you know that transportation is now the largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the state? Or that the Next Generation Energy Act – passed by the Legislature in 2007 – established goals for reducing GHGs in Minnesota by 30% by 2025, and 80% by 2050? Minnesota did not meet its goal of a 15% reduction by 2015, and the Pathways report acknowledges that bold and statewide action is needed to get back on track.

As a result of the public feedback we heard through Pathways, there are several action items MnDOT will immediately pursue, including:

  • Creating a Sustainable Transportation Advisory Council
  • Implementing a pilot project to provide MnPASS customers who purchase or lease an electric vehicle with a one-time credit to pay for charges for MnPASS lanes
  • Including greenhouse gas emissions in transportation projects as part of our environmental analyses

The Pathways report also made additional state-level recommendations, including the adoption of clean car standards that would require auto manufacturers to offer more models of EVs in Minnesota to improve consumer choice. This would also help build the market for new and used EVs in the state.

Last week, I joined Governor Walz, Lt. Governor Flanagan, MPCA Commissioner Laura Bishop and other leaders during Climate Week for the governor’s announcement that he was directing the MPCA to implement the clean car standards recommended in our Pathways report.

Our mission here at MnDOT is to maximize the health of people, the environment and our economy. The Pathways report outlines critical measures that will help us achieve that mission, and I encourage everyone to read it.

 

 
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