The truck that crashed into a bride pier that carries a county road over I-90 near Worthington rests on its side following the June 2 incident. The driver and passenger suffered minor injuries. Photo by Tom Zimmerman

The phone call that woke Mankato/District 7’s Randy Potts at 3:30 a.m. on June 2 set in motion a wave of responses that averted what could have become a far more serious situation.

Potts, sub-area supervisor at Worthington, received the call from the State Patrol telling him a truck had smashed into a pier on the bridge that carries Nobles County Road 9 over westbound I-90 just west of Worthington. The impact buckled the pier, causing it to nearly collapse. The deck on the bridge dropped about five inches. Concern spread that the deck might totally collapse, said George Welk, assistant district engineer, West Operations, Windom.

Luckily, traffic had been detoured from the county road because an improvement project had recently started.

Potts immediately organized a crew to close the freeway’s westbound lanes and set up a traffic detour. Shortly after the incident, Mn/DOT officials from Windom, Mankato and the Central Office began a coordinated effort to make emergency repairs, Welk said.

Supported by the Office of Bridges, bridge and highway maintenance crews from Windom and Mankato used concrete box culverts, steel bridge beams and five-inch timbers to stabilize the pier and support the bridge deck.

After placing laminated bridge panels to create a pad on the shoulder, crews hoisted the four 8’ by 6’ by 6’ culverts into place, then topped them with additional timbers to spread the weight of the bridge over the pier and pier cap. Then workers placed two steel beams between the timbers and the damaged bridge beam parallel with the centerline to provide additional support. Seven bridge diaphragms were installed to keep the steel beams together and prevent them from moving.

"By 9:45 p.m., the repair was in place to protect the bridge from going down," Welk said. "The teamwork was impressive."

A photo shows the extent of the damage done to the bridge pier resulting from the truck crash. Photo by Tom Zimmerman

Contractors also responded quickly, he said, providing the needed box culvert sections and moving them to Worthington in a matter of hours. The bridge beams were moved from the district headquarters at Mankato.

Hancock Concrete Products, Inc., Hancock, Minn., sent the four box culvert sections on lowboy trailers and Larson Crane Service, Worthington, had two cranes and workers on the site by 4 p.m. On Tuesday, United Rentals agreed to provide traffic control and barriers available for a single-lane closure, allowing I-90 westbound traffic to move again by mid-day on Wednesday.

The crash occurred in the early morning hours when a blowout caused the driver to lose control of the truck and collide with the bridge pier. The driver and his passenger were treated for minor injuries following the crash.

Westbound traffic was detoured for two days after the truck was removed and officials determined that one lane of traffic could safely pass under the bridge.

Welk said the district will replace the damaged pier within the next month. Bridge engineers are working on designs to jack up the bridge deck and replace the pier while traffic continues to use one lane under the bridge. County Road 9 will remain closed until bridge repairs are completed.

The incident is ironic, Welk said, because the bridge built in 1972 was scheduled for rehabilitation, including a new deck, railings and other improvements and the detour for the work was already in place on County Road 9. And the box culverts were so easily available because they were ready to be shipped for use on an improvement project on Hwy 91 near Adrian, he said.

Welk said the repair devised by Gary Peterson and other Bridge staff was an ingenious solution to their problem.

"People from all over the department and our contractors put in long hours and worked together extremely well to manage the situation and allow us to make the repairs and re-open the freeway," Welk said.

By Craig Wilkins

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To: All Employees

From: Lt. Gov./Commissioner Carol Molnau

When Gov. Tim Pawlenty asked me to serve in the dual role of lieutenant governor and commissioner, I knew that it would be a challenge. I also knew that by working with all of you, I could help refocus the agency on our core mission of building roads and bridges.

In order to do that, I challenged the management staff to reallocate as many funds as possible to the delivery of that mission. After assessing all of our initiatives, projects and activities, we determined that we could move $42 million to bolster our construction and maintenance activities.

That assessment also resulted in the elimination of positions at Mn/DOT. I know that during the past few weeks the layoff process has affected hundreds of you, whether or not you received a layoff letter. I want to thank you for your patience through this very complicated and emotionally difficult time.

As you know, next Tuesday, June 17 will be the final day of work for some of you.

I want to personally thank all of you who will be moving on to positions outside of Mn/DOT for your work during your tenure here. I also want to remind you that the layoffs were not based on your performance. I also want you to know that you will be missed.

For those of you continuing on at Mn/DOT, I want to thank you all for your cooperation during this trying time. I realize it will be difficult to say goodbye to good, competent, dedicated co-workers who are your friends.

I also ask you for your continued patience as we forge ahead with our refocused mission and give the taxpayers of Minnesota a safer, smarter and more cost-efficient transportation system.

Thank you.

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With the governor’s signature on June 9 making it official, Mn/DOT now has an historic transportation finance package for FY 2004-05 and beyond that will provide, among other things, up to $900 million to accelerate critical construction projects statewide.

"I want to thank all of you who helped communicate the administration's transportation message and vision to the Legislature and the public," Lt. Gov./Commissioner Carol Molnau wrote in a memo to employees last week. "Your hard work will help us reduce congestion, improve safety and enhance mobility for all Minnesotans.

"While I recognize that this financing package is a short-term solution, Gov. Pawlenty and I continue to be committed to finding a more permanent, long-term solution to transportation financing—without raising taxes," she said.

Information about the transportation-financing bill is available on Mn/DOT’s Web site at www.dot.state.mn.us/financing. Government Relations staff is currently preparing summaries of other key legislation affecting Mn/DOT, which soon will be available on the Web.

See also the governor’s Web site for general highlights of the 2003 legislative session.

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Beginning July 15, Dave Ekern, former Mn/DOT assistant commissioner for national affairs, will direct Idaho's department of transportation. File photo

Former Mn/DOT assistant commissioner for national affairs David Ekern will become the new director of the Idaho Department of Transportation—an organization with a $450 million budget and about 1,800 employees. His appointment is effective July 15.

"I'm thrilled to have the opportunity," Ekern said. "These kinds of jobs are rare and special. To be selected is a very special honor, something many professionals dream will happen."

Ekern, 57, has 30 years of experience in transportation, most of it with Mn/DOT. He has been a district engineer for Duluth/District 1, Willmar/District 8 and acting district engineer for Rochester/District 6. He has been a director for Mn/DOT’s offices of Environmental Planning, Highway and Area Planning, and Engineering Services. He earned his bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the University of Minnesota and a master's degree in business administration from the University of St. Thomas.

In September 2001, Ekern took a mobility assignment as associate director for the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.

Major initiatives in which Ekern has played roles for either AASHTO or Mn/DOT include security technology deployment, environmental streamlining, context-sensitive design, intelligent transportation systems, asset management and defining the role of transportation departments in the 21st century.

Idaho Transportation Board chair Charles L. Winder cited Ekern’s experience, management style and national stature as benefits he brings to Idaho’s DOT.

"The transportation board considers it fortunate that we were able to attract a person of Mr. Ekern's professional experience, knowledge and background," Winder said. "He understands the role transportation plays in a rural state, and at the same time, has been a leader on the national level. We believe that he is a good fit for Idaho."

For more information, follow these links:

• http://www2.dot.state.mn.us/clips/dailyclips/html/03/jun/stories/9eckern.html

• http://www2.state.id.us/itd/press/2003Press/060603.htm

By Marsha Storck

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Michael Ritchie, Freight and Commercial Vehicle Operations, earned recognition from the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers for developing standards used to communicate about transportation incidents involving hazardous materials.

Ritchie received a plaque recognizing his work during the Intelligent Transportation Society of America’s annual meeting held during May in Minneapolis.

The award cites Ritchie’s contributions to developing standards to coordinate an exchange of information by traffic management centers, fire departments, police dispatch centers and other agencies that respond to incidents involving hazardous materials.

The standards include descriptions of vehicles, placards, crash data and other information to ensure mutual understanding and to enable the agencies to provide the most appropriate response to a specific incident.

Ritchie, a hazardous materials specialist, represents Mn/DOT and AASHTO to the IEEE and chairs its subcommittee on hazardous materials.

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Gary Siebenaler shows color-coded, neatly arranged tools hanging over the trailer’s workbench. Photo by Craig Wilkins

From outside, the trailer looks quite generic, but step inside and you can see it means business—highway maintenance business.

The virtually spotless trailer carries compressors, torches, tools and supplies needed to perform guardrail repair and other road maintenance tasks. There’s a workbench, a row of bins for supplies, a first aid kit and a full array of tools. A portable vice mounted on a folding tripod nestles under the workbench. And spades, shovels, mauls and post hole diggers neatly rest in their storage area. The tools are painted green, denoting they must be kept in the trailer.

The trailer was designed and outfitted by Gary Siebenaler, a Cannon Falls Truck Station transportation generalist with a knack for creativity and invention.

Siebenaler wrote specifications for the trailer and its equipment and then obtained funding from Maintenance Operations Research for its purchase in 2002. Cost for the trailer and its equipment was $13,000.

"I came up with the idea for the trailer to help us save time looking for tools and equipment and to cut the number of people and vehicles needed for guard rail repair and other jobs," he said. "The fewer people and vehicles we have out there means there are fewer chances for someone to get hit. "

Since the truck station crew starting using it last fall, the trailer has proved its worth supporting jobs such as filling cracks, replacing signs, repairing broken equipment on-site as well as repairing and replacing guard rail, said Tim Zierden, maintenance sub-area supervisor at Red Wing in Rochester/District 6.

The trailer’s versatility, he said, stems from Siebenaler’s collaboration with his co-workers to determine their needs and his own creativity and initiative.

"This was Gary’s idea," Zierden said. "He had the idea, designed it, obtained equipment prices, got the funding and made it happen."

The trailer is not Siebenaler’s first innovation. A few years ago, he built the station’s "hot box" that keeps asphalt- patching material warm and pliable in cold weather. That device uses a heater that once kept a co-worker’s pigeon coop warm.

By Craig Wilkins

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With former Seeds student Aleta Ruffin, Investment Management, looking on, current Seeds student Crystal Vang, Metro, received a portfolio and a pin from Kevin Gray, director, Finance and Administration. Photo by David Gonzalez

Seeds Program participants, graduates and supporters gathered May 28 to celebrate the program’s 10th anniversary and to salute its accomplishments.

The Seeds Program was started in 1993 by Ike McCrary, now retired, to attract low-income and people of color to transportation-related careers with Mn/DOT. Since its inception, 85 Seeds students secured permanent positions with the department, said Emma Corrie, Seeds Program manager.

Other Seeds graduates have used their education and experience with Mn/DOT to make contributions to other agencies or private firms.

Seeds participants have benefited Mn/DOT by their individual contributions, their widening the appreciation of diverse cultures by department employees and the opportunity they created for many employees to step forward and serve as mentors, coaches and role models.

One Seeds graduate whose career has progressed from student to supervisor is Steve McGregor, Office of Information Technology.

McGregor joined Mn/DOT in 1992, working with Duluth/District 1 while he was a student at the University of Minnesota-Duluth.

McGregor helped with the district’s network conversion in 1992. He was called back for additional work and enrolled the Seeds Program at Duluth.

He joined Mn/DOT as a permanent employee in 1995 with Technical Support in the Central Office. McGregor was promoted to his current position as supervisor of the Systems Management Unit in 2001.

McGregor was recognized for mentoring former Seeds student Zak Mohamed, now an employee with ITS, and for providing leadership and a positive role model as an employee and a supervisor.

"The Seeds Program helps people get established and to learn about career potential with Mn/DOT," he said. "It invests in home-grown talent that will pay off in the future, not just in terms of individual careers but as one way to diversify Mn/DOT’s work force," he said.

Michelle Natrop, Transit, reviews current Twin Cities bike trails with Bob Works, manager, Bike and Pedestrian Unit. Photo by Craig Wilkins

The event also honored current Seeds students for achievement, including Michelle Natrop, who graduated from the program to become a full-time employee with the Office of Transit.

A recent University of Minnesota graduate in landscape architecture, Natrop plans bike trails with Transit’s Bike and Pedestrian Unit. Her duties include improving Twin Cities’ bike trails network, finding safe routes to cross the state by bike and coordinating the efforts of bike trail operators in southern Minnesota.

She finds the work fulfilling and a rewarding experience after finishing college last year while enrolled in the Seeds Program.

"Were it not for the Seeds Program, I wouldn’t have this position with Mn/DOT," she said. "I like my job and the things I can do."

"The presence of Deputy Commissioner Doug Differt and other senior managers at the event indicates strong support for the Seeds Program," Corrie said. "We look forward to focusing on Mn/DOT’s changing needs and bringing in the best student talent to meet them."

By Craig Wilkins

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June 2 marked the physical merger of employees in the Office of Freight and Commercial Vehicle Operations at the Administrative Truck Center in Mendota Heights. The new office was created as part of Mn/DOT's reorganization into six divisions.

"We're still getting settled in, but we're glad to have everyone at the same place," said Cecil Selness, office director.

The merger combines two former offices—Motor Carrier Services and Freight, Railroads and Waterways. Selness says the relocation of the Freight, Railroads and Waterways staff should be imperceptible to their customers.

"We expect that combining the office will create a synergy and helps us become more efficient," he said. However, he noted, the employees from the former Freight, Railroads and Waterways office have moved four times in the past two years, "so we hope that this won’t have to be repeated again for awhile."

The office is located at 1110 Centre Pointe Curve in Mendota Heights. Mail can be sent by interoffice mail to the Administrative Truck Center. The phone numbers for the employees of the former Motor Carrier Services office will remain the same. The numbers of those who have moved have changed and are available in the GroupWise address book. The central number for the Office of Freight and Commercial Vehicle Operations is 651/406- 4800.

By Sue Stein

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Gov. Tim Pawlenty (second from left) visits with Geotechnical Engineering Unit members Dale Zerwas, Pat O’Donnell and Mike Novotny at their worksite on Hwy 61.

A chance encounter by a Mn/DOT work crew and Gov. Tim Pawlenty and members of his staff during a stop for coffee near Red Wing resulted in the governor’s visit to the crew’s work site on Hwy 61.

Crew members were taking soil samples, using ground-penetrating radar and other methods to determine the cause of a sinkhole seven feet in diameter that opened in the highway’s southbound lane.

That sinkhole and other smaller ones developed in the highway’s median after heavy downpours hit the area.

Dave Rettner, Geotechnical Engineering Unit manager, said Pawlenty accepted the invitation offered by crew chief Mike Novotny to visit the site after he and his staff completed their meeting at nearby Prairie Island.

Staff from the Geotechnical Engineering Section, the Foundations Unit and Rochester/District 6 are involved in finding the cause of the sinkhole and possible preventive measures, said Dave Rettner, Geotechnical engineering Unit manager. Sinkholes area common problem in the area, he said.

"The crew members said the governor was interested in their work and was very inquisitive," Rettner said.

By Craig Wilkins

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