The driver of this car escaped unharmed after it collided with a District 6 snowplow on Hwy 61 near Dakota. Photo by Kelley McGraw, State Patrol

Minnesota’s snow drought ended with storms that dropped as much as two feet of snow in some areas on Jan. 25-26, then staged an encore performance on Feb. 1-2. The storms found Mn/DOT’s snowplow crews ready as usual to cope with the ice, wind and drifting that accompanied them.

Mn/DOT plow operators were also as ready as they could be to deal with another storm-related problem—errant drivers.

During the two big storms, more than a score of Mn/DOT snowplow operators were involved in collisions with motorists. The crashes resulted in serious injuries to several motorists, minor injuries to two snowplow drivers and close calls for many others.

Tom Odegard, a Metro District snowplow operator, demonstrated maintenance employees’ trademark resiliency. After his plow was struck by a vehicle on Hwy 7 near Shakopee, Odegard took a breath, switched to another plow and kept on working, said Kevin Walker, a Metro public affairs coordinator.

Many Mn/DOT snowplow operators were lucky their crashes weren’t more serious. One Mankato/District 7 plow was sideswiped by a semi-trailer truck on I-90 near Fairmont after the driver suffered a heart attack. The plow driver was unhurt. Other plow drivers escaped injury when their plows were struck by cars, vans and trucks.

The nature of the crashes varied, but most involved motorists’ driving their vehicles into the back of the plows. Several occurred when drivers pulled into the passing lane and ran into plows winging the lane.

A Mankato/District 7 snowplow operator escaped injury after his parked snowplow was struck by a van on Hwy 14 near Mankato. Photo by Dale Plemmons

A Mankato/District 7 employee escaped injury on Feb. 2 when his snowplow was struck by a van on Hwy 14 near Mankato. The snowplow driver had stopped on the shoulder after retrieving traffic cones that fell from a private firm’s van. Upon seeing the plow stopped on the shoulder, the van driver drove to recover the cones. However, the van skidded and crashed into the plow, said Dale Plemmons, district safety administrator.

Another District 7 worker, however, was slightly hurt when a pick-up truck hit his plow while winging on Hwy 59 near Worthington on Feb. 2. After the collision, the pick-up truck driver fled the scene on foot. The State Patrol is investigating the incident.

A crash involving a Rochester/District 6 plow and a car on Hwy 61 in Winona County resulted in the car’s destruction. Brian Jergenson, district public affairs coordinator, said the car’s driver, who escaped unharmed, lost control and skidded into the plow. The plow operator also was unhurt.

Before the two most recent storms, a Duluth/District 1 employee was injured in a snowplow crash on Jan. 21.

Russ Saralampi, a bridge worker from Carlton who was plowing out of the Nopeming Truck Station, suffered minor back and neck injuries when a driver rammed his pick-up into the back of his plow.

Saralampi was plowing the passing lane of southbound I-35 near Esko when the crash occurred. The pick-up driver suffered head and neck injuries. He was not wearing a seatbelt but the truck’s airbag deployed, apparently preventing more serious injury.

After treatment at a hospital and a few days off, Saralampi returned to his usual duties.

He was the first plow operator hurt since Dec.16 when Al Barnes, Willmar/District 8, was injured in a crash on Hwy 7 near Hutchinson. Barnes suffered bruises and cuts when a minivan crossed the centerline into his path. Three people in the van were injured.

Others are also at risk working on the state’s highways. A State Patrol officer was injured Feb. 2 when his car was sideswiped while he was responding to an incident on I-35 near Owatonna.

Major Mike Asleson, the State Patrol’s district operations officer, said most crashes and vehicles running off the road stem from excessive speed for conditions, inattentive driving and following too closely.

Those factors, he said, contributed heavily to many of the recent crashes involving Mn/DOT plows.

Asleson offers the following winter driving safety reminders:

• Leave at least an eight-second interval between you and a snowplow.

• Turn off cruise control and turn on your headlights.

• Observe the state’s new "move over" law which requires that motorists move over one lane from a crash site or other incident when possible to give law enforcement and other responders an extra margin of safety

• Refrain from using cell phones or other activities than can cause distractions

• Get travel information from www.511mn.org or calling 511, KBEM-FM Traffic Radio and Mn/DOT’s Web site at http://www.dot.state.mn.us/maint/.

By Craig Wilkins

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The Federal Highway Administration’s peer review of Mn/DOT’s property appraisal and acquisition practices for the U.S. Hwy. 52 project in Rochester gives the department good marks on the processes it used to acquire private land for road construction, Lt. Gov./Commissioner Carol Molnau announced today.

The FHWA review is one of several initiatives Molnau announced last July to improve the purchase of property for transportation use.

Molnau said in a letter to state legislators, "We are pleased that this unbiased and objective review reflects so positively on Mn/DOT’s right of way acquisition process and results."

Molnau said improving the land acquisition process is another step in efforts to make Mn/DOT work better by bringing focus to the core business of building roads and bridges. She said that as Mn/DOT moves forward on the largest construction program in state history, it faces various challenges, including purchase of highway right of way.

U.S. Hwy. 52, reviewed with input from other state DOTs, is a $232 million design-build reconstruction with a tight construction schedule. Molnau said that the FHWA’s review of this large, single-contract project is especially valuable given the current and potential acceleration of additional projects through innovative finance and construction techniques.

"Our goal is to use this and other information to improve our land acquisition process and avoid or better manage issues that may arise within the tight confines of a design-build project delivery schedule," Molnau said.

While the report praises Mn/DOT for its performance on property appraisals, direct

purchase negotiation and administrative settlements, it also suggests areas that could be improved. These include reducing the time lapse between the appraisal valuation date and the start of negotiations; reducing bottlenecks in the appraisal process; and setting realistic time frames in the requests for proposals for right-of-way delivery.

The three other initiatives still in progress are reviewing the use of private consultants for public land acquisition; identifying and examining professional standards that guide the appraisal process and matching Mn/DOT’s practices against those standards, and reviewing record keeping and compliance with the Government Data Practices Act.

Molnau said that all of these initiatives are being pursued with outside assistance, including assistance from Legislative Audit Commission and the Department of Administration. Additional findings will be reported as they become available.

"It is clear to us who lead and work in government offices – taking land for public use is one of the most difficult and sensitive of government responsibilities," she said. "Landowner’s rights are a priority for this agency and this administration and we take the matter very seriously. At the same time, we are also entrusted with spending taxpayers’ dollars in a responsible manner. We are working diligently to balance these important responsibilities and best serve the taxpayers of Minnesota."

To review the FHWA report on Mn/DOT Appraisal and Acquisition Practices, click on http://www.dot.state.mn.us/hottopics/rowpeerreview.pdf. For more information about Mn/DOT’s right-of-way acquisition process, www.dot.state.mn.us and click on "Hot Topics."

By Jeanne Aamodt

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Jim Curran, assistant district engineer for Maintenance West Side, has pizza with Roseau mainenance crew.

Managers and supervisors served root beer floats and tacos, shook hands and patted backs throughout the department during the week of Jan. 26 which was designated as State Employee Recognition Week.

The week included visits by Lt. Gov./Commissioner Carol Molnau to the Metro and Mankato districts as well as office and district gatherings that focused attention on individual and group accomplishments during the past year.

Molnau also visited the celebration held by the Operations, Safety and Technology Division held in the Central Office to review its progress, present achievement awards and honor employee initiatives.

At the Bemidji/ District 2 headquarters, managers served employees a taco lunch to show their appreciation for their contributions. In Roseau/District 2, employees enjoyed a variety of pizzas in appreciation of their efforts year-round.

At the adjacent Brainerd/District 3, members of the district’s management staff served root beer floats at the Baxter headquarters building, the St. Cloud maintenance area headquarters and at several truck stations.

Lt. Gov. Molnau visited the celebration held by the Operations, Safety and Technology Division held in the Central Office to review its progress, present achievement awards and honor employee initiatives. Photo by Craig Wilkins

Cathy Clark, district public affairs coordinator, said the ice cream treats served as dessert at Baxter following the previously scheduled chili cook-off sponsored by the Hiwayan Club.

The root beer floats, Clark said, served as both a thank-you and an as a frozen antidote to the array of spicy chili varieties on hand.

The top chili cooks also earned recognition, Clark said. Tony Kempenich took honors for the hottest chili. Greg Thompson won for most original chili while Mark Korwin-Kuczynski’s chili was chosen most creative.

The celebrations were heavy on the ice cream and light on business, Clark said, because district managers had visited district employees in December to mark District 3’s accomplishments in 2003.

By Craig Wilkins

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District 4’s Main Avenue bridge between Fargo and Moorhead is on target for completion in November. Photo by Seth Yliniemi

Construction crews braved the cold weather to set steel girders for District 4’s Main Avenue bridge between Fargo and Moorhead in mid-January. Temperatures dropped to 4 degrees as crews set the girders in place.

The girders—four-feet thick at the bridge ends and seven-feet thick in the middle—will support the new driving surface, which will be 12 feet wider than the old bridge deck when completed this fall.

Crews used temporary enclosures made of special blankets, plastic and wood. Re-bar and concrete forms were heated before filling them with cement to form the bridge’s piers and towers.

The $14 million project is on target for completion in November.

By Judy Jacobs, district public affairs coordinator

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Mn/DOT employees pledged nearly $62,000 to this year's Combined Charities Campaign.

The results for the 2003 combined charities campaign "Now More Than Ever" show that Minnesota state employees raised $908,000 this year. Mn/DOT employees contributed nearly $62,000.

Each year Mn/DOT participates in the Combined Charities Campaign with other state agencies to raise money for a variety of charitable causes.

"As Mn/DOT’s campaign coordinator, it is rewarding to know that Mn/DOT consistently and strongly supports this effort," said Ron Bisek, Office of Workforce Development.

Bisek calls the 2003 campaign a success even though the state didn’t reach its overall goal of $1 million.

"This was the first year we introduced the new pledge process that eliminated hard-copy pledges and required employees to submit their pledges via the self-serve state employee Web site," said Bisek. "It will take some time for employees to familiarize themselves with the new process, which will probably increase next year’s contributions."

Lt. Gov./Transportation Commissioner Carol Molnau, who also served as the honorary chairperson for the campaign, says Mn/DOT employees can feel a sense of pride and generosity.

"As always, Mn/DOT employees have stepped up to the plate—always willing to help Minnesotans in need," said Molnau. "This holds true on their day-to-day jobs as well as in all circumstances."

By Daneeka Marshall-Oquendo

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As a volunteer, John Scharffbillig,Traffic, Security and Operations, directs the flow of buses that carry thousands of visitors each day to St. Paul's Winter Carnival Ice Palace (seen in the background). Photo by David Gonzalez

Some people can’t just get enough of winter. They volunteer for things like working at the Ice Palace, the focal point of St. Paul’s annual Winter Carnival. Some of them are from Mn/DOT.

One is John Scharffbillig of Traffic, Security and Operations. Scharffbillig, who has a national reputation for his work on intelligent transportation system research and development, does close to the ground, low-tech work at the Ice Castle. At the site in downtown St. Paul, he directs the flow of buses that carry thousands of visitors to the site each day.

He volunteers, he said, mainly to get a good vantage point for taking photos.

Scharffbillig is also having a great time despite the cold, the wind and the inevitable glitches that come with moving people and large vehicles around in a very congested location.

When time permits, Scharffbillig and other workers can take refuge from the cold and the crowds in a heated tent reserved for Ice Palace staff and volunteers.

Another volunteer was Brad Estochen, also of Traffic, Security and Operations. Estochen and his spouse, Jennifer Estochen, worked on Sunday, Jan. 30, serving as guides and information resources for visitors.

Estochen said the most frequently asked question was the location of the walleye frozen in one of the structure’s blocks of ice. He said he and the other guides also took a lot of pictures of people visiting the Ice Palace. The Iowa native said the experience was worthwhile and more rewarding than watching the Super Bowl.

"I’d do it again," he said.

One principal benefit from volunteering, Scharffbillig said, is the opportunity work with visitors from all over the United States and the world.

"I’ve met people from Australia and from Scotland and from all over," he said. "It’s fun."

Susan Andrew, Technical Support, joined other volunteers when she agreed to work one shift directing pedestrian traffic.

Andrew said she volunteered to see what lessons she could apply from the event’s use of volunteers to the annual Cinco de Mayo held each spring by St. Paul’s Hispanic community.

While the weather was bitterly cold, Andrew said she and other volunteers on her shift were treated warmly and well by event organizers.

"We received complete, detailed instructions about how to do our duties that was very helpful," she said. "They did a great job and I got to see the Ice Palace and the light show."

By Craig Wilkins

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Jim Crohn

Jim Crohn, a Metro District maintenance superintendent, died Feb 2 after a long illness..He was 58. Crohn was a career Mn/DOT employee, serving 38 years with the department before his death.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday at the Washburn-McReavy Coon Rapids Chapel, 1827 Coon Rapids Blvd., Coon Rapids, and one hour before the funeral Mass at 11 a.m. on Friday. The Mass will be held at the Church of the Epiphany, 111th Avenue and Hanson Boulevard, Coon Rapids.

"Those of us who worked closely with Jim will miss him and his never-ending enthusiam for his job," said Sue Mulvihill, Metro District maintenance engineer. "We will also miss his sense of humor and the good times we had while getting things done. And while we feel badly about losing our friend and colleague, we are also glad to have known him."

Crohn’s survivors include his mother, sister and nephews.

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The Office of Maintenance's improved Web site now offers links from the home page to information about how to purchase equipment, register a logo sign, participate in the Adopt-A-Highway program and more.

The Office of Maintenance recently launched its new and improved Web site. The site was enhanced to better serve its customers by focusing on the products and services the office provides.

Users will now find links from the home page to information about how to purchase equipment, register a logo sign, participate in the Adopt-A-Highway program and more. In addition to the new look and features, the office has also added a frequently asked questions section to address many of the inquiries Mn/DOT receives from the public.

"We tried to get away from the pattern of organizing around our office organization chart," notes Mark Wikelius, director, Office of Maintenance. "We care about our structure, but our customers want just easy access to the information they need."

Marv Sohlo, Office of Traffic, Security & Operations, helped with the redesign.

"In many ways it was easier for me to do than it might have been for someone from the Maintenance office," Sohlo said. "I’m not that familiar with their structure, so I didn’t have preconceived ideas about ways to organize the site. I was able to think more like our customers might."

"Organizing around products and services is something we are urging all offices to consider as they create or revise external and internal Web sites," said Paula Gustafson, visual communications supervisor, Office of Communications.

If you have a new Web site or redesign in the works, contact the Office of Communications Web Team via GroupWise at WebTeam or call Gustafson at 651/284-3764. The unit can help you take a fresh look at ways to organize your site. Knowing about new or revised sites will also help the team build links to your information from Mn/DOT’s home page.

Check out the new Mn/DOT Maintenance site at: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/maint

By Kay Korsgaard

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