Camp Coldwater Coalition members and other volunteers plant new vegetation as part of a "healing of the land" ceremony along Hwy 55 in Minneapolis on Sept. 22. Mn/DOT supplied 500 wildflower and native grass plants to the effort. Photo by Tina Klein

Despite a day with frequent downpours, some 25 volunteers Sept. 22 planted 500 wildflowers and native grasses along Hwy 55 in Minneapolis as part of a "healing of the land" ceremony organized by the Camp Coldwater Coalition. Mn/DOT donated plants and provided technical support and traffic control for the event, according to Dan Gullickson, Mn/DOT forester.

The Hwy 55/Hiawatha Ave. reconstruction has been a high-profile, controversial project for many years, including the dispute over protecting Camp Coldwater Spring and the recent shutdown of the Hwy 55/Hwy 62 interchange project.

Gullickson said Saturday’s event was "a peaceful first step in the healing of the land and some of the relationships that have been affected by road construction." He said that there would be more opportunities to "heal" along Hiawatha as Mn/DOT implements a $900,000 landscape and mitigation program to restore the entire corridor. Letting for the bulk of the landscaping is scheduled for June 2002, leading to site preparation in the fall 2002 and planting in the spring 2003.

The current planting area includes two of the 121 burr oaks Mn/DOT was able to save along the affected two-mile corridor. The trees are located in what is known as the "clear zone," a width along a roadway that is typically left clear for safety reasons. Guardrail was placed between the highway and the trees to protect drivers from crashing into the trees and to protect the trees from being damaged by errant vehicles. Based on borings and ring counting, Gullickson estimates the oaks are 137 years old.

Gullickson explained that in addition to beautifying the corridor, the purpose of Saturday’s planting was to aid in the recovery, or healing, of the oaks that were disturbed by equipment used to install an underground utility line.

"The landscape plan is to restore a native plant community that does not require high maintenance and frequent mowing," Gullickson said. "Native grasses and wildflowers will help to stabilize the soil and prevent soil erosion. Wildflowers will provide habitat and a food source for butterflies and songbirds, while also aiding in the recovery of the oaks by serving as a ‘living mulch.’" In addition, a legume called Partridge Pea will be planted at the canopy edge of the oaks to naturally fertilize the soil.

Jack Thompson and Dana Baker, Metro construction project inspectors, and Todd Carroll and Tina Klein from Mn/DOT’s landscape and forestry units also participated in the healing event. Metro Maintenance, led by Cathy Ashfeld, provided the tools and equipment for the volunteers.

By Jeanne Aamodt

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Mn/DOT is following U.S. DOT’s order to be on heightened security alert in light of the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and on the Pentagon. In particular, state and federal officials are looking at two modes of transportation: crop-dusting planes and trucks carrying hazardous materials.

A federal ban on crop dusting was lifted Tuesday for 92 companies in Minnesota that spray agriculture chemicals. Federal authorities earlier had banned aerial application of chemicals after evidence surfaced that terrorist suspects in Florida and Minnesota had inquired about or had materials on crop dusting.

The Office of Aeronautics’ role in securing crop-dusting planes is to ensure that the pilots and businesses are licensed with the Federal Aviation Administration and have the proper Dept. of Agriculture certifications.

"The Dept. of Agriculture has certified 195 pilots in Minnesota for crop-dusting," according to Daniel McDowell, Aeronautics spokesman. "They are required to take a yearly test to assure they know the proper handling of chemicals and applications of those chemicals."

The Office of Motor Carrier Services registers the 3,300 shippers and carriers that transport or ship hazardous materials in Minnesota, according to Michael Ritchie, hazardous materials specialist. Companies that offer or transport hazardous materials are responsible for training, testing and certifying their hazardous materials employees. Mn/DOT oversees the companies to ensure they follow state and federal regulations.

"There are currently no extra restrictions on haz-mat shippers and carriers—like requiring they stay on the freeway and off city streets," Ritchie said. But, he added, the office is following the U.S. DOT’s order to be on extra alert. Ritchie said the OMCS is considering adding a state alert to private and for-hire carriers and shippers.

Ritchie is one of two OMCS employees who have completed the Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Domestic Preparedness Training Program run by the FBI and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Ritchie said Mn/DOT regularly trains police, fire and emergency medical services personnel on hazardous materials incident response.

Hazard awareness training has also been presented to Mn/DOT Highway Helpers, Adopt-A-Highway coordinators, maintenance staff, and city and county public works departments around the state. The awareness training includes information on vehicle crashes involving hazardous materials and recommendations for handling abandoned containers found on public property. He said those efforts will continue as Mn/DOT, in cooperation with other state and federal agencies, looks into all aspects of transportation security.

By Patricia Lund

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Janet Kwasniewski, Wendy Meyer and Donna Robbins stitch a quilt commemorating victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attack. Other quilters included Rebecca Arndt, Lisa Bigham, Val Ericksen, Mary Fritz, Carolyn Marten, LaVonne Nicolai, Ron Reemer, Mindy Scheurer, Cindy Wagner and Deb Yates. The District 7 Wellness Committee will raffle the quilt Sept. 27 to raise funds for victims in New York. Ticket sales and donations from the Mankato and Windom Hiwayan Clubs and the AFSCME local chapter in Mankato total more than $1,200, reports Rebecca Arndt. Photo by Chad Bleess

"How do we make it through this?" People across the nation have been asking themselves this question for the past two weeks. The answers are as varied as the people; the reactions, however, are quite similar.

"Although trauma affects people differently, I think it’s safe to say most of us may have been operating below our normal level since Sept. 11," said DeLorah Curry, Mn/DOT staff psychologist. "Following a terrifying event, most of us want to talk about our reactions and feelings, or specific scenarios or people we witnessed on television when the terror unfolded. All of us can be supportive by simply listening and sharing our reactions as well."

Curry said common responses to traumatic events may include persistent fears, sleep disturbances, fatigue, loss of concentration, irritability, physical complaints or withdrawal.

"These are all normal reactions to a very abnormal event," she said. "Usually these signs and symptoms will lessen with time, but if the duration or intensity continues to the point of interfering with your daily life, then seek out some further resources such as the State Employee Assistance Program, or counseling through your health provider."

Managers and supervisors have contacted Curry with concerns about employees’ heightened level of anxiety and fear.

For example, Curry said, "Many of our field personnel are more apprehensive about normal daily activities that in the past they might have done without thinking about; such as approaching unfamiliar vehicles. This added caution can be viewed as a positive change to some degree, as long as our fears don’t limit our effectiveness. Everyone is likely to feel a heightened level of vigilance. Again, this is a normal response during these times of acute stress.

"It’s important for all of us to do what we can to restore a sense of security by reestablishing whatever routines we can," she continued. "Managers and supervisors need to remain visible and expect that productivity might temporarily slow down."

The state’s EAP has witnessed an upsurge in activity over the past two weeks according to Kim Peck, state EAP director. Peck says that they received a flurry a phone calls shortly after the attack. She reiterates that the state EAP services are available to help those in need.

"Human beings need to be wired to a social network, especially in times of stress. If they cannot identify that network on their own, state EAP can help," said Peck.

"Normally, we see behavior get worse in the aftermath of a tragedy –such as flared tempers. In the wake of this attack, we have witnessed just the opposite – behavior is getting better," said Curry. "We have seen people waiting for hours to donate blood, giving money, proudly displaying the flag, and generally being nicer to one another. We are all grateful for these healthy responses to this horrible event."

Mn/DOT’s Critical Incident Stress Debriefing Team is also available for work groups who may need further debriefing from this tragedy. Debriefings are set up to help defuse emotional responses that may be hindering the group’s ability to move on.

"This traumatic event is distinctly different from a one-time incident because it will continue to evolve and we are all unsure what may happen next," said Curry. "And, these events also tend to bring up former losses that people may have had in their lives. So it may be helpful to know, that for some, getting up to ‘full speed’ may take some time."

Resources

The Department of Employee Relations Web site offers further guidance and resources regarding trauma responses, and offering tips for talking with children, helping children cope and helping adults, children and older adults.

Supervisors interested in discussing the option to arrange a critical incident stress debriefing can contact DeLorah Curry by paging her at 1/888-732-8249.

For state EAP assistance call 651/296-0765 or 1/800-657-3719.

By Lucy Kender

From front page: Deb Yates, District 7, displays the completed quilt that will be raffled off Sept. 27. Photo by Janet Kwasniewski

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Transportation District Engineer Bob Busch speaks at the Hwy 23 corridor gathering in Rockville on Sept. 25. Photo by Cathy Clark

Officials from Mn/DOT, Stearns County and cities along the Hwy 23 corridor gathered in Rockville on Sept. 25 to celebrate the start of widening the highway to four lanes between I-94 near St. Cloud and Richmond. Work on the first stage of the 14-mile, $60 million project began July 27. The project will comprise four stages and will be completed in 2004.

Shortly after the celebration in Rockville, an open house was held in Paynesville to review plans for proposed alternatives to improve Hwy 23 in and around that Stearns County community as well.

At Rockville, Bob Busch, Brainerd district engineer, said, "This is the largest highway construction project in decades in terms of overall cost and amount of effort in Mn/DOT District 3 history. The four-lane expansion of Hwy 23 represents a significant step in the right direction to provide the transportation needs of the region and the state."

The project’s first stage involves rebuilding the highway from one mile west of I-94 to Stearns County Road 140 east of Cold Spring. It includes a new alignment of Hwy 23 around Rockville to create the Rockville bypass.

A plate of cookies at the Hwy 23 corridor kick off says it all. Photo by Cathy Clark

In order to speed the project’s completion, the 2000 Minnesota Legislature allocated special funds for Hwy 23 under the Moving Minnesota initiative to improve the state’s system of interregional corridors.

Work on the Cold Spring to Richmond section of Hwy 23 will coincide with work planned by the Willmar District to widen 11 miles of the highway to four lanes between Willmar and New London in Kandiyohi County. That $48 million project is also planned to be finished in 2004.

Speaking at the Rockville gathering, Commissioner Elwyn Tinklenberg said the two projects will increase capacity and safety in the east-west Central Minnesota corridor.

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District 4 employees from the Morris sub-area got a two-for-one deal Sept. 19 when they met to go over both 2001 snow and ice operations as well as District 4’s restructuring, hiring and budget issues.

The first speaker, Deputy Commissioner Doug Weiszhaar, presented the statewide perspective about how and why Mn/DOT is changing and what employees can expect in the future. One of the biggest forces driving change, he said, is demographic: 55 percent of Mn/DOT employees are within three years of retiring.

"How are we going to replace that wealth of experience and talent that has been developed at Mn/DOT?" Weiszhaar asked. "Until recently, there was full employment in the job market and the pool of talent was not very good. That’s one of the reasons why we need to look at what Mn/DOT is going to look like in the future."

Weiszhaar explained that a strategic staffing plan can address coming changes such as this. "We probably won’t be having the same level of personnel across the state doing the same types of things that we always did," he said, adding: "The number one identity that we have at Mn/DOT is snow and ice control, so that’s going to continue to be a focus of our strategic staffing."

He stressed that Mn/DOT also needs to speed up the project delivery process in order to meet that public expectation in the future. "The public is less and less patient with the time it takes to deliver projects," he said.

Weiszhaar talked about how performance measures help management to see if allocated resources are enough to meet customer expectations. "You really can’t get better at something unless you know how you are doing right now," he said, adding: "That’s what performance measures are all about."

As an example, he said that he uses the bare pavement reporting system to track how Mn/DOT is doing in snow removal statewide and at the district level, explaining: "I know if we are meeting our public’s expectation within a certain time frame, that’s a performance measure."

Another area that management wants to focus resources on, he said, is upgrading the plow trucks so that they have a shorter turn-around time. He pointed out that the equipment budget was increased by 30 percent in the last budget session. "It’s important to make sure you all have the right tools so the job is done in line with the performance measures that we set," he said.

Transportation District 4 Engineer Lee Berget followed with the district’s perspective on these issues, along with updates on restructuring changes and the budget. Operations superintendent Dean Olson led the discussion on snow and ice operations, followed by Glenn Berkman, heavy equipment mechanics supervisor, who discussed equipment issues.

By Pat Vogt, District 4 public affairs coordinator

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The NorthStar Commuter Coach will run between Elk River and downtown Minneapolis and is the first commuter coach service to extend beyond the Twin Cities Metro area, according to John Tocho, project manager.

Two NorthStar Commuter Coach events are being held this week to give the news media an opportunity to tour one of the buses and take a ride prior to the service’s expected launch in early October.

The NorthStar Commuter Coach will run between Elk River and downtown Minneapolis and is the first commuter coach service to extend beyond the Twin Cities Metro area, according to John Tocho, project manager. It is also the first mass transit system managed by Mn/DOT.

The first media event was held Sept. 25 at the Coon Rapids park-and-ride lot. A second one will be held Sept. 27 in front of the Transportation Building in St. Paul.

For more information, see the NorthStar Commuter Coach Web site or call 1/888-528-8880. Click here to view an earlier Mn/DOT Newsline article about the new transit system.

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Mn/DOT Library's Web site offers links that allow Mn/DOT staff and others to access information about transportation; management and business; computers; finance; and general information.

The Mn/DOT Library has two new links on its Web site that allow you to search for information. Those links are the Health & Wellness Resource Center and the Business and Company Resource Center.

These and other links provided by the library allow Mn/DOT staff and others to access information they find both personally and professionally of interest. Topics are grouped in the categories of transportation; management and business; computers; finance; and general information. Check these out under the "In Databases and Subscription Services" section of the Mn/DOT Library web site.

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Question: Why can't I find some Mn/DOT reports I know have been completed when I search the library catalog?

Answer: Mn/DOT Library tries to catalog, preserve and provide access to all Mn/DOT publications, especially those no longer available from the office or unit that originally published them. Since we don't have sufficient staff to monitor all publishing activity, we often don't know what's being published. As a result, many reports won't show up in our catalog.

Keeping track of department publications is made difficult by the decentralized structure of Mn/DOT and the diversity of standard practices from office to office. There are dozens of districts, offices and units within the department that publish reports, brochures, CDs, maps and other information products. The relatively new practice of publishing directly to the Internet has made it even more difficult to keep track of what's out there.

Library staff rely on individual units and employees to let us know when something has been published so we can add it to our catalog. The best way to do this is to make it standard practice to send two copies of any new publication to the library. If an item is published only in electronic format by placing it on the Internet, we would like to be notified via a GroupWise note to "library" with the Web page address of the publication.

One advantage of providing us with copies of the publication or the Web page address is that when we add it to our catalog, we create metadata that is included in WorldCat, the world's largest database of information resources. WorldCat currently contains data on more than 800 million items in 8,000 libraries. If the item is in electronic format, WorldCat can provide a direct link to the document. Any item in WorldCat can be identified by researchers accessing it from more than 40,000 libraries or via the Internet.

If you're interested in seeing an example of this, click on the link to the Mn/DOT Library online catalog, type in "internet resource" (without the quotation marks), and click on the "go" button. All items on the resulting list are either in electronic format only or are available both in print and electronically. You can see the full document by clicking on the Web address provided in the catalog record.

If you'd like more information on this or any other library services, please give us a call or drop us a note.

--Jerry Baldwin, director, Mn/DOT Library

Click here to view previous installments of Question of the Week.

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