Connectingthe DOTsMAY 2013

Construction Season Begins

There’s an old saying that South Dakota has two seasons - Winter and Construction. Well winter has come to an end (fi nally) and the time for orange barrels, detours, road closures and highway worker means construction season is upon us.

The South Dakota Department of Transportation is geared up for another busy construction season. For the past several years, the emphasis for programming projects has been to preserve the existing state highway system fi rst. The same is true for this year’s construction season.

For the 2013 construction season, the department has programmed $297 million for projects on the State Highway System with nearly $14 million of that total specifi cially marked for safety projects.

A few of the major projects that are scheduled for this summer include:

• PCC Surfacing of U.S. 18 from west of S.D. 53 to the end of the divided highway in Winner - $10.2 million

• Reconstruction of S.D. 10 through Eureka - $3.1 million

• PCC paving of the eastbound lane of U.S. 12 from east of Waubay to the main entrance into Summit - $10.5 million

• Remove and replace PCC Pavement on the eastbound lanes of I-90 west of the junction of U.S. 14 to just east of Exit 121 in Pennington County - $14 million

• Remove and replace the PCC Pavement on the southbound lanes of I-29 from the Big Sioux River to the south junction of S.D. 30 in Brookings and Moody counties - $15.7 million

• Remove and replace the PCC Pavement on the eastbound lanes of I-90 between Mt. Vernon and the James River. Second half of a $29 million project. The westbound lanes were completed in 2012.

Remember to slow down when driving through a construction zone and give the construction workers a brake!

www.sddot.com

Cloe McNaboe was the winner of the AGC WZAW poster contest in Rapid City. Pictured are Sean Hogard (Jackson Blvd. Project Manager) Heavy Constructors, Maureen Stanley - Midwest Marketing, David Gustafson - President, Heavy Constructors, winner Cloe McNaboe - 4th grade Robbinsdale Elementary, and Kevin Howland, Karen Harris, and Gary Engel, Rapid City Region.

Winners of the AGC Work Zone Awareness poster contest from St. Lambert’s Elementary in Sioux Falls (winners names unavailable). The winning posters will be put on billboards near on-going construction projects this summer.Sioux Falls DOT employees Travis Dressen-far left, Steve Neumeister-3rd from left, and Tim Boehmer-4th from left, gave the winners safety shirts for their accomplishment.

MAY 2013 PAGE 2

Military Appreciation MonthThe South Dakota Department of Transportation is a proud employer of a number of military veterans. Thank you for your

dedication, service and sacrifi ce.Central Offi ce: Jess Powell, Operations, Active, S.D. Army National Guard, 200th Engineering Co. Pierre Kevin Griese, Geotechnical, Active, S.D. Army National Guard, 196th MEB, Sioux Falls Joanne Hight, Bridge, S.D. Army National Guard, 200th Engineering Co. Pierre Justin Kepler, Bridge, Nebraska National Guard - 1-167th Cavalry F-Troop Lincoln, NE, 1996-2002 Michael Young, Right of Way, S.D. Army National Guard, 200th Engineering Co. Pierre Levi Briggs, Right of Way, U.S. Army, 2nd Battalion - 72nd Armor, Delta Co. Camp Casey South Korea, 1996 3rd Armored Calvary Regiment Tiger Squadron, Delta Co. Fort Carson, CO 1997-1999 Jon Becker, Air, Rail & Transit, S.D. Air Guard, 6 years, Mark Richard, Transp. Inventory Management, U.S. Army 7th Infantry Division, 1982-1987 Terry Erickson, Transp. Inventory Management, U.S. Air Force, 1970-1973, Vietnam Veteran Steve Carpenter, Materials & Surfacing, U.S. Army, 1976-1982 Bob Laleman, Materials & Surfacing, U.S. Air Force, 1983-1994 Ralph Bush , Materials & Surfacing, U.S. Air Force, 1971-1975 Sam Collier, Materials & Surfacing, U.S. Army, 1984-1986. Darin Hodges, Materials & Surfacing, S.D. Army National Guard, 1993-2001 Lloyd Simons , Materials & Surfacing, U.S. Navy, 1965-1968 Tony Wieser, Internal Services, U.S. Marines, Retired Phil Clements, Project Development, U.S. Army National Guard, 200th Engineering Co. Pierre Brace Prouty, Project Development, U.S. Army ,1991-1994 Brian Watterson, Finance, U.S. Air Force, last assignment 21st Comptroller Squadron (PACAF) Dave Grambihler, P&E Admin., U.S. Army National Guard, 1985-1992 Brad Remmich, Project Development, U.S. Army National Guard (1983-1992)- North Dakota (141st Combat Engineering), Michigan (Field Artillery) and Camp Dodge Iowa (General Maintenance) David Hempel, Right of Way, S.D. Air Guard, 6 years Paul Knofczynski, Project Development, U.S. Army National Guard 139th Transp. Bat, 777th TMCT, 1985-1992 Daris Ormesher, Research, U.S. Navy Andy Vandel, Project Development, S.D. Army National Guard, 1996-2002 David Mensch, Righ tof Way, U.S. Navy USS Enterprise Nuclear Power Technician, 1969-1973 Vietnam VeteranAberdeen Region: Roger Flint, Huron Unit 192, Active, U.S. Army National Guard 174 TC Co. Jeremy Card, Huron, Active, U.S. Army National Guard Det1 153rd Eng Bat Forward Support Company Alan Wimer, Leola, Active, N.D. Army National Guard 136 Combat Sustainment Support Battalion Bill Voeltz, Watertown, Active, U.S. Army National Guard 740th Transportation Co. Brandi Weinman, Aberdeen, U.S. Army 11th ACR Brad Heidt, Aberdeen, U.S. Air Force 341st LRS Jason Stoltenburg, Aberdeen, U.S. Airforce Civil Engineering Gerald Stuchl, Aberdeen, U.S. Army - Artillery + four other units Anthony Bergalowuski, Aberdeen, U.S. Army Airborne Dave Shoultz, Ipswich, U.S. Army Myron Simons, Huron, U.S. Army National Guard Michael Pettit, Miller, U.S. Army National Guard Wayne Brock, Highmore, U.S. Army Don Genzler, Redfi eld, U.S. Army Les Winsell, Miller, U.S. Navy Robert Clouser, Huron, U.S. Army National Guard Darrell Haugerud, Clark, U.S. Army National Guard Earl Brown, DeSmet, U.S. Army Jeff Atherton, Clark, U.S. Army Milo Giesen, Aberdeen, U.S. Army National Guard 147th 2nd BN Artillery Service Battery Kevin Pavlicek, Aberdeen, U.S. Army National Guard CO D 164th ECB, Dickinson ND Robert Page, Webster, U.S. Army National Guard 147th FA Lyle Lenius, Britton, U.S. Army National Guard A BTRY 147th FA, Sisseton Bryan Joseph Slaba, Britton, U.S. Army National Guard 200th EN Co MRBC, Pierre Bruce Thiewes, Watertown, S.D. Army National Guard 740th Transportation Co. Mike Will, Watertown, U.S. Air Force 49th CRS Tom Cordell, Watertown, U.S. Air Force 544th Target Materials Squadron Matt Brey, Watertown, M.N. Army National Guard 1/135th Mike Voelsch, Watertown, U.S. Marine Corp 8th Engineering Support Battalion Harold Raml, Watertown, S.D. Army National Guard 1742nd Transportation Robert Elshaug, Watertown, U.S. Army 94th Engineering Unit

CONNECTING THE DOTS PAGE 3

Jon Liebe, Milbank, U.S. Army 8th Infantry Division Brian Chase, Sisseton, S.D. Army National Guard Bat. A 2nd btn. Charles Ward, Sisseton, U.S. Navy FleetshipMitchell Region: Paul Behrend, Mitchell, U.S. Army, 1967-1968, Vietnam War Veteran Doni Zeller, Mitchell, U.S. Air Force, Retired - 20 years Rob Roth, Unit 251, U.S. Air Force, 1986-1991 Brad Huffman, Unit 252, S.D. Army National Guard, 1986-1994 Tom VanDenHemel, Unit 252, U.S. Air Force, 1975-1979 Gil Schuchardt, Unit 252, S.D. Army National Guard, 1967-1974 Ken Payne, Unit 253, U.S. Navy, 1991-1996, USS Independence Tim Sorsen, Unit 253, S.D. Army National Guard 153rd Engineering Unit, 1979-1982 Jack Gillespie, Sioux Falls, U.S. Army 1st Calvary, 228 Aviation Helicopter Unit, Vietnam Veteran Matt Johnson, Sioux Falls, S.D. Army National Guard 137th Eng. Battalion 1991-1993; U.S. Army 1993-1996; 129 Mobile Public Affairs Detachment 1996-2005 Dean Skatvold, Sioux Falls, U.S. Navy, 1971-1975 Colin Nelson, Sioux Falls (Intern), Active, S.D. Army National Guard 842nd Engineers Unit Jim Goeman, Tyndall, U.S. Air Force, 1974-1978 John Humber, Menno, U.S. Navy, 1991-1995 Larry Kirschenman, Yankton, S.D. Army National Guard, 1969-1978 Trevor Job, Junction City, U.S. Army Dustin Rhoades, Lennox Shop, U.S. Marines, 2007-2011 William Bursheim, Flandreau. U.S. Army, 1981-1992 Dennis Myron, Flandreau, U.S. Air ForcePierre Region: Steve Withers, Unit 355, Active, S.D. Army National Guard 200th Engineering Co. Pierre John Tanner, Unit 356, S.D. Army National Guard 200th Engineering Co. Mobridge, 1986-1994 Jay Bolt, Isabel Unit 372, U.S. Air Force 4th Airborne Command & Control System, Ellsworth Bill Dunbar, Mobridge Unit 371, S.D. Army National Guard 200th Engineering Co., Retired Drew Ruedebusch, Mobridge, U.S. Army 25th Infantry and S.D. Army National Guard 211th Jeff Hrabanek, Winner, S.D. Army National Guard and U.S. Army, Retired Bill Weischedel, Unit 367, U.S. Army 204th Support BN. 4th Infantry Div., Fort Carson; 452nd Ordinance Co. U.S. Army Reserves Aberdeen; 200th Eng. Co. S.D. Army National Guard, Retired Jeff Lemieux Sr., Operations, S.D. Army National Guard 1979-1992, HHB 147th Field Artillery Brigade, 109th Eng. Group, 235th General Supply Brian Isernhagen, Unit 367, U.S. Air Force 28th Bomb Wing, Ellsworth AFB, 1989-1993 Paul Sedlmajer, Unit 367, 7th Calvary U.S. Army, 1969-1971, Vietnam Veteran Chris Dockter, Unit 367, Submariner, U.S. Navy, USS Rhode Island SSBN 740 (Gold), 2008-2012 Jan Miller, Unit 367, S.D. Army National Guard 147th Field Artillery John Koch, Region Mtls., U. S. Army 1982-1986, S.D. Army National Guard 1986-1992 Delray Richards, Region Mtls., U.S. Army 1972-1975 Doug Droz, Unit 367, S.D. Army National Guard 147th Field Artillery, 1969-1975 Tony Ondricek, Operations, S.D. Army National Guard, 1987-1996 Darren Griese, Operations, S.D. Army National Guard, 1984-1992 & 1996-1997 Steve McArthur, Operations, S.D. Army National Guard, 1968-1970 Kelly Armfi eld, Mobridge, U.S. MarinesRapid City Region: Shane Stewart, Unit 492, U.S. Army 1st infantry, 1991-1995 Clarence Bowman, Unit 492, U.S. Air Force, 1987-2000 (Red Horse Prime Beef) Eugene Helms, Wall Unit 452, S.D. Army National Guard, 153rd, Retired Bruce Barnett, Wall Unit 452, S.D. Army National Guard 235th Albert Horst, Rapid City Unit 452, S.D. Army National Guard 235th Fred Moninger, Rapid City, Unit 452, S.D. Army National Guard 153rd Dale Christiansen, Rapid City, Unit 452, U.S. Army 3rd Armored Calvary Adam McMahon, Belle Fourche, S.D. Army National Guard 200th Engineering Co. Tim Hughes, Belle Fourche, U.S. Navy, CG 61-USS Monterey Rik Bartels, Belle Fourche, S.D. Army National Guard 842nd Engineering Co. Rodney Wamsher, Newell, U.S. Army 212th MP Co., 437th MP Co., 12th Cavalry Matthew Butsavage, Bison, U.S. Air Force 58th Special Operations Unit Brady Dunbar, Sturgis, S.D. Army National Guard, 7 years, 1 year in Afghanistan Jake Aberle, Deadwood, U.S. Air Force, 4 years Butch Gross, Deadwood, U.S. Army, 2 years active, 13 years reserves Mike Kruse, Deadwood, U.S. Navy, 4 years Colonel V.K. Brist, Sturgis, S.D. Army National Guard Staff SGT-E-6/Fire inspector/fi rst SGT, 216th fi re fi ghting team / OIF2, 2003-2005 Bob Rowles, Operations, U.S. Air Force, 24 years, Retired

MAY 2013 PAGE 4

Mentoring CornerExperience is Evolving

At fi rst glance, a mentoring relationship and one’s part in it (as mentor or mentoree) may be simply defi ned as who is older, more experienced, and holds the higher position or the contrary; who is younger, less experienced and has less years on the job. But it is important to point out that experience should not be defi ned in terms of “years” but rather the wisdom and experience that have been cultivated along the way and more importantly, how it continues to evolve.

Mentoring is for everyone and one’s place in a mentoring partnership should be determined by what is needed at certain points in one’s professional life and what could be offered to another. Mentoring is simply support, guidance and encouragement and is helpful to everyone at different times and places in their professional and personal lives.

The next time you meet with your mentoring partner, plan to spend some time discussing how your experiences have evolved and helped you to grow. Both the mentor and mentoree should have plenty of experiences to share and a number of different perspectives to offer. The following are a few prompts:

What has been a defi ning moment in your career thus far?How did you achieve it?Would you or could you repeat that again? Why or why

not?What were the challenges or obstacles you had to

overcome? How did you remove those roadblocks? What was the biggest lesson learned?

What was the biggest setback you experienced thus far?What was the biggest “take-away” from it?Did it change how you continue tackle your goals? Or

interact with other professionals? What was the biggest lesson learned?

What others have had the most impact on your career (positively or negatively) and what did you do to embrace it or overcome it?

What advice would you give another who has experienced both the positive and the negative?

What are the latest and greatest trends you are excited about? Why?

How do you plan to acquire this knowledge/expertise? And use it?

What are the latest and greatest trends you are intimidated by? Why?

How will tackle and overcome these intimidations? How do you think you could use it to your advantage?

The above information was taken from an article printed by The Training Connection, Inc.

The latest mentoring forum videos “Latitude” and Legislative Process/Strategic Plan can be found on the DOT Intranet: http://intranet.dot.sd.gov/mentoring.aspx

SENATE BANKING COMMITTEE HOLDS FIELD HEARING IN SIOUX FALLSSen. Tim Johnson, chairman of the Senate

Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, held a committee fi eld hearing in Sioux Falls on March 28. The hearing was titled “Improving Transportation Options in Rural States and Tribal Areas Under MAP-21.” This Senate committee has oversight and responsibility for the public transit portion of all federal highway funding legislation in the Senate, including the newly enacted Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21). The hearing, led by Sen. Johnson, focused on the importance and need for public transit in South Dakota and included keynote testimony from Federal Transit Administrator Peter Rogoff.

In addition to testimony from others focusing on public transit in South Dakota, Sen. Johnson invited Secretary Bergquist to testify regarding the importance and implementation of MAP-21 in South Dakota – both to highways and public transit. The hearing provided a unique opportunity to share with Sen. Johnson information as to the signifi cance of federal funding for highways and public transit for rural areas such as South Dakota. In his testimony, Secretary Bergquist discussed two important areas: (1) key provisions of MAP-21 for South Dakota;

Continued on page 7

Bergquist and Rogoff give testimony to Senator Tim Johnson, Senate Banking Committee Chairman

CONNECTING THE DOTS PAGE 5

by Kevin Tveidt

November 1, 2012 marked the completion and ribbon cutting for the MRC Railroad Line. MRC stands for “Mitchell to Rapid City”, but this ribbon cutting celebration was for the newly completed section from Mitchell to Chamberlain. This 61.6 mile section was reconstructed for about $29.7 million. This was a Railroad Offi ce project (Air, Rail and Transit Program), where funding was provided by a number of sources.

The State received a $16 million TIGER grant to start the project. Other State funding included a $2.68 million grant from the Railroad Trust Fund, a $2.7 million loan to the MRC Railroad Authority from the fund, $1.27 million from other railroad funds, and $2.1 million from the sale of salvaged rail. There was also funding provided by the MRC Regional Railroad Authority and Dakota Southern Railroad Company (the short line railroad operator on that line).

The MRC ribbon cutting was held in conjunction with the grand opening of the Liberty Grain Terminal located just east of Kimball on the railroad line. Senator Johnson spoke at the event talking about the job creation during the construction of both projects, the permanent jobs at both Liberty Grain and Dakota Southern Railroad, the effi ciency of shipping by rail where producers should realize a benefi t of about 20 cents per bushel of grain, and the $30 million investment by Gavilon in the grain terminal.

Senator Johnson explained Gavilon was the third largest grain merchandising operation in the United States, and the Liberty Grain terminal was their largest capital investment made at one facility. The economic activity and capital investments which were made in conjunction with the TIGER grant show how powerful transportation investments can be.

Governor Dennis Daugaard attended the celebration to tell the audience he was pleased the State was able to help with the project. He said funding for the project was complicated, and recognized the SD Railroad Board, the MRC Regional Railroad Authority, and Dakota Southern Railroad for their actions and contributions, plus DOT for writing the TIGER grant application. The Governor said this project is an

example of how the administration is growing the economy, creating jobs, and supporting the agriculture community. They will continue to look at other infrastructure projects, including rail projects, which will move the economy ahead. The project caught the Governor’s attention not only for the economic importance, but also because more development will continue on the railroad line.

Secretary Bergquist told the crowd the DOT was proud to be part of such an important project, but a project of this size does not get completed without the help of many other people. Senator Johnson was instrumental in securing funding when it was in jeopardy of being rescinded. Governor Daugaard supported additional funding from the S.D. Railroad Board. Because of the TIGER grant, the Federal Highway Administration was a partner to the DOT (even though this was not their usual “highway” project). The DOT contracted engineering services to Civil Design, Inc. where their project managers spent many diffi cult hours on the project. The Railroad Board supported the initial grant application, plus provided funding throughout the project. Finally, the individual staff at DOT needed to be recognized. Lynn Kennison spent countless hours on the project and walked the entire 61.6 miles more than once. Misty Siedschlaw had the diffi cult task of tracking the money, payments, and reporting. Bruce Lindholm wrote the TIGER grant application and managed the project (and has the grey hairs to prove it).

Secretary Bergquist also mentioned the amazing job contractors did to supply materials and complete the project. It took 63,000 tons of rock for ballast (about 1250 truckloads), the replacement of 96,000 ties (about 400 truckloads), 16,600 sticks of rail (713 truckloads), 80,000 rail plates, and 800,000 railroad spikes. The communities and people that live along the line endured the inconveniences related to a project such as this, and the Secretary thanked them for their patience and support. Also reiterated was the importance of railroads for the transportation of goods. In addition, the point was made about railroads taking many heavy trucks off highways, saving taxpayer dollars which would have been spent for highway maintenance and rebuilding.

The reconstruction of this segment of rail line is a success looking at it from many perspectives.

Mitchell to Chamberlain Rail Line Completed

Before photo by Lynn Kennison

After photo by Lynn Kennison

MAY 2013 PAGE 6

From Ron Peterson, Yankton Area Engineer:With our recent transition to all salt for our winter snow

and ice control, Highway Maintenance Supervisor Larry Kirschenman's Unit 292 crew devised a way to convert their current abrasive storage site at the Junction of S.D. 46 and U.S. 81 into covered salt storage.

The existing storage was a three sided concrete bunker constructed at the Port of Entry site in 2001. The 292 crew contacted the Menno Lumber Yard to prepare a design and cost estimate of materials. With less than $5,000 in materials, the Yankton, Tyndall and Menno Crews used their carpentry skills and constructed the enclosed storage building in less than two weeks

Shown here is an aerial photo of a Yankton County bridge project the Yankton Area offi ce is currently administering. It is a combination bridge and

spillway at the outlet of Beaver Lake in the center of Yankton County. An old bridge and spillway are being replaced in a joint Yankton County - Game Fish & Parks project. Beaver Lake was drained

using a siphoning process by the prime contractor, Grangaard Construction of Watertown, SD.

- Ron Peterson, Area Engineer

Yankton Area Projects

THANK YOUMatt, Dave and John,I want to pass along our appreciation to the DOT staff for doing a great job on the Medary Avenue project. The entire project looks great, and the ramps turned out well giving our citizens a wonderful ADA accessible route. There were several different people involved inspecting the project making sure it ran smoothly. We have received numerous compliments on the project and are very pleased with how it turned out.Thanks!

Jackie Lanning, PEBrookings City Engineer605-692-6629

Senate Banking continued from page 4

and (2) important issues facing South Dakota and the nation as work begins on developing the next federal highway funding program needed to replace MAP-21 later next year.

The testimony was summarized by stating, “It is essential that federal surface transportation programs and legislation continue to recognize that signifi cant federal investment in highways and transit in rural states is, and will remain, in the national interest. We are pleased MAP-21 meets that test. So must future legislation. The citizens and businesses of our nation’s more populated areas, not just residents of rural America, benefi t from a good transportation network in and across rural states like South Dakota. With such legislation, combined with fewer, not more program requirements and rules, the SDDOT will be better equipped to address transportation needs to the benefi t of South Dakota and the nation.”

Along with Administrator Rogoff and Secretary Bergquist, others invited to provide testimony were Ms. Cosette Fester, Sioux Area Metro Paratransit Rider; Mr. Michael Cooper, Director of Planning and Building Services, City of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Ms. Barbara K. Cline, Executive Director, Prairie Hills Transit; Ms. Emma Featherman-Sam, Coordinator, Oglala Sioux Transit; Ms. Lynne Forbes, Executive Director, South Eastern Council of Governments; and Ms. Sarah Jennings, South Dakota State Director, AARP.

Full text of written testimony: http://www.banking.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Files.View&FileStore_id=dc4d4073-1e17-4a1a-b52c-e343165ff6f3

CONNECTING THE DOTS PAGE 7

April 19 marked the 20th anniversary of the state plane crash near Dubuque, Iowa, that killed all eight men aboard: Gov. George Mickelson; state pilots, Ron Becker and David Hansen; Northern States Power executive Angus Anson; First Bank of South Dakota president and CEO David Birkeland; state economic development commissioner Roland Dolly; energy policy director Ron Reed; and Sioux Falls Development Foundation director Roger Hainje.The group was returning to Pierre from an economic development trip to

Cincinnati, Ohio, where they had traveled in an ultimately successful effort to save the John Morrell and Co. packing plant in Sioux Falls.The “Fighting Stallions” Memorial was constructed by the people of South

Dakota as a lasting memorial to these eight South Dakotans and unveiled one-year after the crash. “Fighting Stallions” is enlarged in

bronze from the 1935 mahogany carving by South Dakota sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski. The sculpture was selected because it symbolically represents South Dakota’s struggle to overcome adversity, desire for achievement and courage to believe in the future. It is a tribute to those who have made the ultimate sacrifi ce.

Tragedy: 20 years later

“Fighting Stallions” memorial near the Capitol. Photo by Keith Hemmelman

Administrator Rogoff, above right, held a round table meeting in Sioux Falls to give transit providers from across the state information on Map-21 funding changes and hear about their challenges and successes providing quality service to their users. Above Secretary Bergquist discusses South Dakota’s committment to public transit and Melissa Hull, left photo, explains how the additional funding will benefi t providers and the programs available through the department. Also pictured above is Homer Carlisle, Senate Banking Committee staffer.

Memorial plaque located in Becker-Hansen lobby.

MAY 2013 PAGE 8

Employee Recognition

The Rapid City Region held their annual Celebrate Safety Day on May 8. The Team building competition was to build a bridge out of

newspaper and masking tape.The winning team (pictured at right) were Rick Walton, Ryan

Haug, Tom Russell, Al Traversie, and Bob Hass, with their winning bridge nicknamed “The Buhemeth”.

The race is on is the Belle Fourche Area to fi nd the Big Loser. The BIG Loser Contest is underway and weight loss has begun! There are nine individuals and three teams of 4 - 1 team

from the engineering and tech side, 1 team from Belle maintenance, and 1 team from Bison, Faith, and Lemmon maintenance competing for the title of the Belle Area DOT Big Loser 2013! The contest began March 1 and goes until June 1.The individuals and teams are competing against each

other to lose the highest percentage of weight. Each contestant had to make a contribution to

participate. The winner will receive the contributions and as a bonus, will be treated to their choice of Pizza Buffet courtesy of Area Engineer, Mike Carlson. So far on the TEAM side, the Bison/Lemmon/Faith team

are on a losing streak, with a total of 20 pounds lost! On the INDIVIDUAL side, one of the contestants is

cinching up his belt with a loss of 8 pounds! The rate these competitors are going we will have some

Big Loser’s here in the Belle Fourche Area! We will keep you posted on the results!

On behalf of the Department of Corrections and the DOT’s Division of Operations, two awards of appreciation were presented to Tim Boehmer of the Sioux Falls Area. Tim is responsible for providing support to the

Department of Corrections State Sign Shop located in the penitentiary. Recently, the sign shop has experienced some turn over and Tim has been required to spend a lot time running the sign shop making sure sign orders were getting processed and completed. Tim’s knowledge and assistance was instrumental in

keeping the sign shop in operation during this period. Thank you Tim!

Greg Aalberg presents Tim with awards of appreciation.

Steve Johnson has been awarded the Patriotic Employer Award through the military (ESGR). Joanne Hight, Bridge Design says,”Steve received this award by supporting me, my military career, and the guard in general. I really couldn’t ask for a more supportive offi ce to work for.”

“Construction Meeting Guidelines,” OC-2005-01, has been revised, and renamed and renumbered as “Preconstruction Meeting and Submittals Guidelines,” DOT-OS-OC-12.0.

CONNECTING THE DOTS PAGE 9

The RC Repair shop received a certifi cate of appreciation for their work aiding the HP Drug intervention unit. In addition to the certifi cate, the HP provided lunch. The HP wanted to show their appreciation for the help shop personnel provide dismantling vehicles suspected of transporting drugs. The success of the drug interventions is due in part to the knowledge and skill the shop personnel provide.

Front row…. Tom Horan, Trp. Matt Oxner, Ryan Haug (RC Region Repair), Barry Bruce (RC Region Repair) Del Maynard (RC Region Repair) Joel Finney (RC Region Repair), Trp. Zac Bader,

Back Row… Captain Kevin Karley, AJ Hatch (RC Region Repair), Don Curtis (RC Region Repair) Lt. Rick Miller, Brad Tisdall (RC Region Repair), Wayne Bruce (RC Region Repair), Marty Harre (RC Region Repair)Barry Bruce and Captain Kevin Karley, SDHP

The S.D. Highway 50 westbound lanes project between Gayville and Vermillion was presented an award at the Annual Meeting of S.D. Chapter of the American Concrete Paving Association (ACPA) in Sioux Falls on Feb. 25.This project was the total reconstruction

of the westbound lanes of Highway 50 from just west of Vermillion to just east of Gayville. Knife River Midwest of Sioux City, Iowa was the prime contractor on the project at a cost of $13.2 million. The SDDOT - Yankton Area Offi ce was in charge of the project. The grading consisted of 374,000 cubic

yards of unclassifi ed excavation and 126,000 cubic yards of contractor furnished borrow.This paving portion was 152,830 square

yards (9.8 miles) of 9” non-reinforced PCC pavement. The majority of the project was paved in 15 working days from October 12 to November 1. The mainline was paved in 13 working days - during this period, an average of 11,525 square yards or 4000 feet of mainline paving was done per day.Since the completion of the work, the Yankton offi ce has received several positive comments from our customers that use

this segment of Highway 50 about the quality of the ride and the aesthetically pleasing appearance of the completed project.

The project received the 2012 South Dakota American Concrete Paving Association’s paving award for the class DIVIDED HIGHWAYS (RURAL). Pictured are: Robert Sopher, & Dan Volkert, Knife River Midwest; Greg Rothschadl, SDDOT-Yankton Area; Scott Hunwardsen, Knife River Mid-west; Rod Gall & Brian Huber, SDDOT-Yankton Area. Other Yankton Area employees who worked on the project where Brian Wenisch, Orlando Maldonado, Jim Arens and Justin Foss.

Employee Recognition

RetirementsMAY 2013 PAGE 10

Ramon LaRoque, Lead Highway Maintenance Worker in the Pierre Area, retired in April after 29-1/2 years of dedicated service.Ramon attended boarding

school in Flandreau, graduating and marrying his high school sweetheart in 1971. He spent time working as a plumber and digging ditches before becoming a state employee in 1983.Ramon has two boys;

Ramon Junior is fi nishing

up his degree in teaching at BHSU and Glenn Patrick works in the oil fi elds in North Dakota.Ramon enjoys hunting and fi shing - especially geese and

pheasants in the Gettysburg area and “lives” on the Missouri River during the summer months. He plans on staying around Pierre after retirement.Favorite or most memorable DOT story: The winter of

‘96-’97. South Dakota received record snowfall across the state (houses were literally buried) and this resulted in the shops getting new equipment and getting rid of old, outdated equipment to handle big storms. This made a big difference in how things worked and made the job easier and more effi cient.“I really enjoyed what I did...wouldn't change a thing.

Outdoor man, could never be a foreman since foreman are in an offi ce and I just need to be outside,” says Ramon.

Dana Vail offi cially retired at the end of February having worked for the Department since 2007 as a maintenance worker in the Gettysburg shop. Since October of 2012, Dana has been fi ghting cancer and unable to work. He is currently having chemo treatments every three weeks and the cancer on his lungs is shrinking. He is in good spirits and says he feels good, except for the week immediately following chemo treatments.A retirement coffee was held on March 5 at the Gettysburg shop. Dana is shown on the left side of this photo in the tan jacket and green hat

visiting with some of his fellow co-workers.

Toby Wolf, Aberdeen Region Operations Engineer retired on May 8 after 36 years of service.

Terry Jorgensen, Custer Area Engineering Supervisor, retired on February 8, 2013 after 25 years exactly. Terry began his career in

DENR and transferred to SDDOT Hydraulics after three years. After three years in Hydraulics he moved to Secondary Roads in LGA. He spend 14 years in that offi ce serving as the Secondary

Roads Engineer and the Program Manager. He then decided the Black Hills were calling his name and he spent his fi nal fi ve years with DOT as an Engineering Supervisor with the Custer Area Offi ce. They certainly did break the mold when they made Terry. He was one of a kind. I

remember many fond memories of some wild and hectic times up here in Day Co. during the fl ood years of the 90’s with Terry making decisions on the fl y and many times from the seat of his pants. Terry worked with us one time into the night (about midnight) in our lunch room to make bids the following day. We would never have made it without his dedication to local government. He represented SDDOT well and made our jobs so much more pleasant. We will surely miss him!! Chuck Fromelt, Day Co. Hwy.

Terry was a critical part of my staff while I was Secondary Roads Engineer due in no small part to his hydraulics expertise and the large number of bridge projects we had going at the time. I resigned because there was an incoming governor in whose administration I did not want to serve. When Terry Jorgenson got the nod, I was hugely relieved that the Secondary Roads Program was in good hands. I know that Terry served with distinction as Secondary Roads Engineer for many years and in Custer after that. Being in Washington these days, I will not be able to attend Terry’s reception but, again, I wish you all well. Galen Balster, Tribal Transportation Program Engineer, FHWA Offi ce of Federal Lands Highway

Terry and Rich Zacher, Custer Area Engineer

CONNECTING THE DOTS PAGE 11

CongratulationsVirginia and Darwin Ripley are the proud grandparents of Olivia Rose.DOB: January 8, 2013Weight: 6 lb. 8 oz.Parents: Dustin & Alicia Schoenhard. Siblings: RhyAnna, 7 & Lincoln, 5Virginia is a Sr. Secretary in Research

Matt & Nicole Jacobsen are the proud parents of Charli Jacobsen.DOB: Nov. 26, 2012Weight: 7 lb. 2 oz.Siblings: AidenMatt is an Equipment Tech. at the Region Repair Shop.

Paul "Corky" Bergeson is the proud grandpa to Katie Jean.DOB: January 20, 2013Weight: 7 lb. 4 oz.Parents: Amy & Ryan Franks. Siblings: big brother JoeyCorky is a Highway Maintenance Worker in the Pierre Area.

Josh & Jessica Olson are the proud parents of Sophie Aniela Patricia DOB: Feb. 20, 2013Weight: 6 lb. 6 oz., 19” longSiblings: Jodey, 7 and Kylie, 5Josh is an Engineer II with Bridge in Aberdeen.

Mark and Heather Anderson are the proud grandparents to Jenna.DOB: Feb. 19, 2013Weight: 4 lb. 2 oz., 17” longMark is a Highway Maintenance Worker in Presho.

Bruce & Kira Schroder are the proud parents to Ruth Willa.DOB: Feb. 13, 2013Weight: 6 lb. 11 oz., 20” long

Bruce is an Engineer II for the Design offi ce in Aberdeen.

Donny Boyd is the proud grandpa of Donnabella Marie.DOB: May 4, 2013Weight: 7 lb. 2 oz., 19” longParents: Amanda Gunhammer, Donnie Boyd, Jr.Siblings: Mercedes, 6 and Ameila, 5Donny is the Lead Highway Maintenance Worker in Mission.

CondolencesRon Sherman, Watertown Area Engineer, lost his mother-in-law, Ollie M. Benson, on Feb. 2, 2013.Cindy Stiegelmeier, Roadway Design project engineer, lost her mother, Edythe Stiegelmeier, on Jan. 3, 2013.Merna Imsland, Internal Services, lost her father, John Imsland, on Feb. 6, 2013.Diane Giesinger, Internal Services, lost her father, Albert “Red” Zarecky, on Jan. 5, 2013.Jim Dorfschmidt, Belle Fourche project technician, lost his father on Feb. 13, 2013.George Williams, retired journey technician in Belle Fourche, passed away on Feb. 11, 2013. He retired in 2004.Bill Nevin, attorney in the Offi ce of Legal Counsel lost his mother Colleen Nevin, 82, on Saturday, April 27, 2013

Ron Peterson, Yankton Area Engineer, and his wife Celia are the proud grandparents to Trevor Neal.DOB: May 20, 2013Weight: 9 lb. 2 oz., 20.75” longParents, Laura and Chad GloegeSiblings: Donavan

Bob and Lindsey Schilling are the proud parents to Quinn Renee.DOB: May 15, 2013Weight: 7 lb. 7 oz., 20.5” longSiblings: ColtBob works in Materials and Surfacing at the materials lab in Pierre.

As a parent, we all have some proud moments in our lives we’d like to share. Last night, Andy Jackson’s daughter, ReNae, was honored

as Teacher of the Year for the Yankton School District. ReNae has been the middle school band teacher there for fi ve years. Prior to teaching in Yankton, she taught 5 -12 band in Gregory for 8 years. She is a graduate of Augustana College and Aberdeen Central High School.ReNae is now eligible to go on to the state teacher of the

year competition.

MAY 2013 PAGE 12

New Employees

January 9Thomas Druyvestein, Design Engineer, Road Design, PierreSchon Filligim, Lead Highway Maintenance Worker, PhilipRobert Heupel, Highway Maintenance Worker, AberdeenTrevor Johnson, Construction Engineer I, HuronAlan Wirtz, Highway Maintenance Worker, Leola

January 14Krista Olson, Secretary, Operations, PierreJess Powell, Safety Program Coord., Operations, PierreMichael Shrader, Equipment Service Worker, Pierre

January 24Mitchell Kammerer, Highway Maintenance Worker, Wall

January 28Bryce Kulm, Highway Maintenance Worker, Rapid CityWilliam Stickney, Highway Maintenance Worker, Sturgis

February 4Bryan Slaba, Highway Maintenance Worker, Britton

February 9Kenneth Aberle, Highway Maintenance Worker, DeadwoodRonald Lauritsen, Transportation Tech., Custer

February 11Jason Baker, Transportation Engr. II, CusterJosh Pickett, Highway Maintenance Worker, Newell

February 25Kent Lowe, Highway Maintenance Worker, Sioux FallsTravis Rounds, Journey Transp. Tech., Huron

March 4Matt Rippentrop, Transportation Engineer, CusterJan Talley, Accounting Manager, Finance, PierreNorris Leone, ROW Engineer, ROW, Pierre

March 11Ryan Smeenk, Highway Maintenance Worker, Sturgis

March 18Vince Elsinger, Fabrication Technician, M&S, Pierre

March 25William Taylor, Highway Maintenance Worker, HuronJeremy Card, Journey Transp. Tech., HuronWarren Shinabarger, Highway Maintenance Worker, Buffalo

April 1Jared Bourdon, Partsroom Assistant, Aberdeen

TransfersJanuary 24

Michael Pereboom, Highway Maintenance Worker, Mitchell

March 9Michael Sanders, Highway Maintenance Worker, SturgisJon Becker, Airports Engineer, AR&T, PierreLance DeMers, Asset Mgmt./ER Coord., P&E Admin, Pierre

March 24Nancy Surprenant, Transp. Specialist, Proj. Dev., Pierre

PromotionsOctober 5, 2012

Keith Johnson, Maintenance Supervisor, Pierre

January 9Roger Flint, Highway Maintenance Supervisor, HuronKeith Johnson, Highway Maintenance Supervisor, Pierre

January 24Brian Wacholz, Region Operations Coord., AberdeenMichael Young, ROW Specialist, ROW, Pierre

February 9Terence Peck, Lead Highway Maintenance Worker, Huron

February 24Steven Wiege, Area Management Tech., Rapid City

March 24Jay Mueller, Lead Highway Maintenance Worker, Mitchell

25 Years - JanuaryMichael Sanders, Belle FourcheKevin Griese, Geotechnical, PierreBernie Clocksin, Road Design, Pierre

30 Years - FebruaryGary O’Riley, TIM, Pierre

20 Years - FebruaryJeff Hrabanek, WinnerTony Ondricek, Pierre Region

25 Years - FebruaryDaris Ormesher, Research, PierreJon Becker, Aeronautics, Pierre

30 Years - FebruaryRalph Bush, Matls. Lab, Pierre

20 Years - AprilDale Adams, WatertownPaula Huizenga, P&E Admin, PierreMichael Burrer, M&S PierreBradley Gilbertson, WatertownJohn Whaley, Transp. Inv. Mgmt, Pierre

25 Years - AprilRobert Rock, Mitchell Region

30 Years - AprilTammy Williams, Mitchell Area

MilestonesThanks to the generosity of numerous individuals in Aberdeen Region Administration and Operations, this year's annual Shrine Circus ticket drive was, once again, a huge success. This year we were able to sponsor 45 kids to attend the circus shows held in Aberdeen at the end of March. A big thank-you goes out to all of those who contributed so generously to put smiles on so many children’s faces.