Jim Fox, hazardous materials specialist, Motor Carrier Services, checks packaging against shipping papers. Photo by David Gonzalez

Staff from several Mn/DOT offices are working with the Department of Public Safety’s Division of Emergency Management, other state agencies and the federal government to minimize terrorist threats against Minnesota.

Staff are increasing inspections of facilities such as bridges, working with the state’s airports to improve their overall security levels and conducting audits of hazardous materials carriers. Officials are also developing emergency response coordination plans with other agencies in case of a major emergency.

Monitoring critical bridges, structures

Bob Vasek, operations support engineer, Maintenance, said bridge crews checked critical bridges and tunnels throughout the state for any signs of tampering to ensure that they remain safe. Mn/DOT is working with the State Patrol, he said, to increase monitoring activity near critical bridges and other structures. Included in that is use of the Metro Division Traffic Management System cameras. Bridge inspectors and State Patrol officers, he added, are on the alert for tampering or other suspicious activity.

"We are working with the American Association of State and Highway Transportation Officials, the Federal Highway Administration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the FBI and the Division of Emergency Management to assess threats and system vulnerability and determine recommended actions that fit different threat levels and our capability to support them," he said.

Improving security at state airports

The Office of Aeronautics is working with airports throughout the state to help improve their security measures. Included are airports that have scheduled service in cities such as Duluth and Brainerd and those that support corporate aviation, such as the Flying Cloud Airport and the St. Paul Airport.

Dan McDowell, Aeronautics, said Mn/DOT will be working with airport managers to help them comply with recent legislation signed by President Bush strengthening airport security.

Hazardous materials specialist Michael Ritchie, Motor Carrier Services, takes inventory of placarded materials. Photo by David Gonzalez

Conducting audits of hazardous materials carriers

The Office of Motor Carrier Services, working in partnership with the U.S. DOT’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and the Minnesota State Patrol, is participating in a nationwide safety initiative called the HM Security Sensitivity Visits.

Mn/DOT’s role involves transportation program specialists from OMCS performing ‘security sensitivity visits’ to 400 of 700-plus hazardous materials carriers in Minnesota.

Priority is given to carriers of bulk explosives, anhydrous ammonia, petroleum products, poisonous gases, etc. Investigators review the companies’ security measures and driver roster to determine any suspicious activity, including new drivers from countries with known terrorist activities.

The purpose of the safety and security visits is heightened awareness for suspicious behaviors of drivers, shippers, consignees or the public. At a minimum companies are being urged to:

• Establish a comprehensive hiring process with detailed background checks;

• Verify employee application information;

• Promote security and safety training;

• Require drivers to properly secure vehicles when stopped;

• Avoid large population areas, to the extent possible, when transporting hazardous materials;

• Communicate with and solicit feedback from all level of employees;

• Control access to areas containing hazardous materials and dangerous chemicals;

• Conduct random and periodic security spot-checks on facilities, personnel and vehicles;

• Ensure drivers are aware of surroundings and secure cargo; and

• Report suspicious activities immediately to law enforcement agencies.

The target date for completion of the safety visits is Dec. 31, 2001.

By Mary Meinert and Craig Wilkins

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Editor’s note: This is one in a series of articles looking back on the department’s first 25 years—remembering the people, issues and cultural forces that have shaped the agency and the milestones Mn/DOT has achieved.

Dick Lambert, Ports and Waterways director, and Dwayne Elliot, former planner for Ports and Waterways, visit Lambert's Landing in downtown St. Paul, named for Lambert's grandfather. The towboat in the background waits for 15 barges of grain to be loaded before departing for New Orleans.

As highways become more congested, there is an increased emphasis on moving freight off highways, according to Dick Lambert, director, Ports and Waterways Section.

However, he notes, waterway transportation cannot operate without other modes. Waterway freight is transported by rail or truck at either end; waterway transportation is one piece of the larger intermodal transportation system. Thirty-four lake terminals and 45 river terminals transfer cargo between land and water in Minnesota.

Legislation empowers Mn/DOT to participate in the development of policies, plans and programs for all modes of transportation including waterways. However, the Waterways Section has expanded from an advocacy and planning function to investing in the waterway infrastructure through its port development program. Additionally, it provides a statewide transportation perspective to various organizations connected to the state’s rivers and lakes.

Lakers and rail cars move iron ore at an intermodal terminal on the Duluth/ Superior port. Rail cars bring iron ore to the ships for transport through the Great Lakes.

The Minnesota Port Development Assistance Program, begun in 1991, makes state funds available to rehabilitate Minnesota’s public port facilities. Mn/DOT administers the program, which so far has committed $9.4 million for 15 individual projects.

Until the port development program was funded by the Legislature, the Waterways Section served primarily as an advocate for the waterways system, according to Tim Spencer, a former waterways planner.

Added Lambert: "The port development program was a big step for Minnesota in realizing that you can’t keep expanding roads indefinitely to accommodate the increased freight needs of the state. Improving the ports and building longer locks means increased, more efficient freight transport."

Barges are loaded with grain at the port of Winona. Minnesota's river ports shipped more than 9.4 million tons of grain last year—two million of that was shipped from Winona.

Minnesota has two waterway systems—the inland river waterways and the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Seaway.

Minnesota ports on Lake Superior—Duluth/Superior, Two Harbors, Taconite Harbor and Silver Bay—ship more than 68 million tons yearly, 64 million of which is outbound. Taconite accounts for more than 60 percent of freight shipped on lake ports; coal is second. Other products handled include cement, steel products, minerals, salt and packaged goods. Generally, lake traffic is open from March 25 through Jan.15.

River ports include Minneapolis, Red Wing, St. Paul, Savage and Winona. Rivers transport primarily agricultural products—corn, soybeans and wheat. Minnesota’s 223-mile river system includes the Mississippi, St. Croix and Minnesota rivers. River ports are usually open from the third week of March to the end of November.

By Sue Stein

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Iqbal Kazi, Financial Management, contributes to the discussion at the Nov. 14 diversity event, "The Myths and Truths about Islam." Videotaped copies of the event are available for checkout in the Mn/DOT library. District diversity committee chairs also will have copies of the tapes for employee viewing. Photo by John Tompkins

Approximately 125 Mn/DOT employees attended "The Myths and Truths about Islam" program in the Transportation Building cafeteria on Nov. 14. Diversity committees from the Program Support and Management Operations Groups, Modal Operations Division and the Central Office Wellness Committee sponsored the program to promote a better understanding of Islam.

Islam comes from the same tradition as Judaism and Christianity, according to Esam M. Aal, Islamic Center of Minnesota communications director, who provided an overview of the religion. The five pillars of Islam require practitioners to believe in one God, pray daily at five prescribed times, give to charity, fast in the month of Ramadan and, if possible, make a pilgrimage to Mecca. The word "Islam" means submission and is related to the Arabic word for peace, "Salam."

There are close to six million Muslims in America, according to the Center; Minnesota is home to an estimated 40,000 Muslims.

Also speaking at the event was Dr. Fatma Reda, a Muslim psychiatrist and associate professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School. Dr. Reda talked about gender roles and about her experience in Minnesota as a Muslim woman.

Another speaker, Assistant Metro Division Traffic Engineer Amr Jabr, noted: "Islam is a religion of tolerance, understanding and giving. If you are confused about what Islam stands for, instead of listening to someone's interpretation of it, buy a copy of the Koran or borrow it from the library and read some of it; find out for yourself what it stands for."

Chief of Staff Margo LaBau introduced the session with a caution to avoid snap judgments of people. Commissioner Elwyn Tinklenberg closed the program by thanking the speakers for taking the time to educate the audience and answer questions about Islam.

Videotaped copies of the event are available for checkout in the Mn/DOT library. District diversity committee chairs will have copies of the videotapes as well.

By Sue Stein

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With more Minnesotans expected to travel by car and truck this Thanksgiving holiday weekend, Mn/DOT urges drivers to check ahead for road conditions and construction.

Motorists can get road information on Mn/DOT’s Web site or by calling Mn/DOT’s 24-hour recorded road condition information hotline at 651/284-0511 or 800/542-0220.

AAA national survey

A national survey from the American Automobile Association finds that Thanksgiving travel overall is expected to decrease by 6 percent. However, 87 percent of those who are planning trips 50 miles or more from home are expected to travel by auto—the highest percentage recorded since AAA began keeping records in 1985. At the same time, the survey found 4.6 million plan to fly or take a train or bus compared to 6.3 million last year—a decrease of 27 percent.

Avoid the rush

Mn/DOT’s automated traffic recorders indicate the heaviest Thanksgiving traffic is typically from 3 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon, with the heaviest traffic leaving the Twin Cities on I-94 east into Wisconsin. Mn/DOT data shows this travel is about 10 percent heavier than a typical Friday afternoon rush hour in November. An average of 5,000 vehicles per hour is expected during the peak.

Traveling west on I-94 out of the Twin Cities, traffic is generally 6 percent higher than typical November Friday rush hour. At peak, about 4,500 vehicles travel this stretch per hour. Pre-Thanksgiving travel going south on I-35 is about the same as a typical Friday rush hour in November; northbound I-35 is about 6 percent lower than typical.

To avoid congested areas, travel before 2 p.m. or after 6 p.m. Drivers in the Twin Cities metropolitan area can get traffic updates from KBEM radio, 88.5 FM.

Construction hotspots

To find construction zones that could affect your travel this weekend, log onto Mn/DOT’s Web site and read the rest of the holiday travel news release.

Click here to read other Mn/DOT news releases.

By Pat Lund

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The annual transportation conference—the "Great Mn/DOT Get Together"—happens Feb. 12-13, 2002 at the Radisson South in Bloomington. Consider this an opportunity to showcase and promote your transportation-related business, invites Sue Stein, conference co-chair.

"We have had a few requests to extend the concurrent deadline," Stein said. "We moved the concurrent deadline to Nov. 30, giving everyone a bit more time." The deadline for requesting exhibit space is Dec. 14.

Visit the Transportation Conference Web site to complete an exhibit application.

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The new Corporate Business Group Web site provides easy access to tools for managing Mn/DOT's fiscal resources

There is something for everyone on the new Corporate Business Group Web site—whether you’re an employee looking for tips on the RCA timesheet program or an information technology professional installing management accounting and procurement software or a manager needing a list of sub-object codes in order to prepare an office budget.

"The new intranet site provides easy access to CBG products—the systems and controls necessary to manage Mn/DOT's fiscal resources," notes Pam Newsome, management analyst with the office.

Highlights of the site include:

• Current and archived issues of the "Green Sheet"—a quarterly internal report to Mn/DOT management about significant financial occurrences and trends

• Activity based budgeting, costing and management updates

• Mn/DOT supplements to the MAPS operation manual

Check out the site at: http://www2.dot.state.mn.us/cbg/index/index.html

By Kay Korsgaard

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