By Nick Carpenter

Sunday, July 12 – A fuel tanker truck rolled over on Interstate 94 near Albertville, spilling fuel onto the roadway and shutting down traffic in both directions for nine hours.

Daniel Whebbe, lake sub-area supervisor, and Randy Kudzia, hazardous materials specialist, were on the scene to assist the Albertville Fire Chief with clean-up efforts.

Traffic was detoured to Hwy 25 in Monticello and Hwy 101 in Rogers.

The incident occurred when a car tried to make an illegal U-turn, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. No one was injured in the crash.

Monday, July 13 – A semi-trailer truck carrying nearly 40,000 pounds of fish parts rolled over on the eastbound I-694 ramp to southbound I-94 in Brooklyn Center. It took crews seven hours to clean up the mess. Maintenance personnel, including DeWayne E. Jones, northwest region superintendent, aided in the clean-up efforts, which resulted in the complete closure of the ramp.

Crews hauled the fish away to a landfill in Elk River and helped move the semi, which damaged a portion of guardrail. A 350-foot plate beam had to be replaced and another 300-foot section will need to be replaced.

Tuesday, July 14 – A semi-trailer truck carrying air conditioning units on northbound I-35 in Albert Lea hit a bridge approach guardrail and landed on road below.

The crash damaged guardrail on I-35 and resulted in the partial closure of Freeborn County Road 46 for eight hours.

Albert Lea maintenance employees were on the scene to control traffic as crews worked to clean up the mess and upright the truck.

The driver of the semi survived the crash.

By Chris Krueger

Motorists who travel Interstate 35W between Burnsville and downtown Minneapolis can now sign up to use the new MnPASS Express Lanes, which will open Sept. 30.

This is the first expansion of the MnPASS system since it opened on I-394 in 2005.

“Expanding MnPASS along I-35W provides motorists with an innovative solution to traffic congestion,” said Tom Sorel, Mn/DOT Commissioner. “This important partnership with Metro Transit benefits both motorists and transit riders and improves safety on one of the busiest roads in Minnesota .”

New customers who sign up between now and Oct. 31 will receive $25 in free toll credits. As an added benefit, new MnPASS subscribers are also eligible for $20 worth of transit fares with the purchase of a $20 Go-To Card, a Metro Transit pass valid on all regional buses and transit.

“The commute on I-35W is about to get a little better for all drivers and we hope people will take advantage of this $25 free toll credits promotion and the $20 transit credit by signing up now,” said Nick Thompson, Mn/DOT project manager. “The Express Lanes on I-394 have had much success, and we are looking forward to extending the benefit of faster, more reliable travel between the southern suburbs and downtown Minneapolis on I-35W.”

MnPASS is part of a coordinated effort by Mn/DOT and the Urban Partnership Agreement to reduce congestion on I-35W, Highway 77/Cedar Avenue and in downtown Minneapolis. Through a combination of transit, road pricing, technology and telecommuting, project partners anticipate that commuters will experience more transportation choices, less traffic congestion and reduced commute times on some of Minnesota’s busiest roads.

For more information on MnPASS, visit http://www.mnpass.org/.

By Nick Carpenter

Come September, the interchange at Hwy 52 and Wentworth Avenue between South St. Paul and West St. Paul will have a whole new look that is expected to provide a safer, more time-efficient passage for the traveling public.

Crews began work on July 7 to transform two separate Wentworth Avenue intersections known for high numbers of crashes into single-lane roundabouts.

“Both of these intersections have had past problems with right-angle crashes,” said Ken Johnson, Metro District south area engineer. “Those crashes were likely due to poor geometrics and issues with sight lines.”  

Prior to this project, motorists exiting Hwy 52 had to stop for vehicles traveling east and west on Wentworth Avenue. In 2003, the west intersection on Wentworth Avenue had 10 crashes, while the east intersection had 21 crashes.

Like most other modern roundabouts, the single-lane roundabouts at Wentworth Avenue will not have stop signs or stop lights. Instead, yield signs will be placed at each entrance, allowing traffic to travel counter-clockwise at safe, efficient speeds.

Roundabouts, especially single-lane roundabouts, are generally safer than controlled intersections. If a crash does occur, it tends to be less severe.

“Nationwide research shows that converting a traditional intersection into a single-lane roundabout leads to a 40 percent crash reduction and a 75 percent reduction in injuries,” said Johnson.

Collisions that occur in roundabouts are often side swipes or glancing blows, due to the fact that all traffic is moving in the same direction. Crashes that occur in traditional intersections are often t-bone and head-on collisions.

The first modern roundabout built in the United States was constructed in 1990 in Summerlin, Nev. The first modern roundabouts in Minnesota were constructed in Medford in 2004.

There are currently 12 roundabouts on the state highway system. The Wentworth roundabouts will be the 13th and 14th.

Project details

Wentworth Avenue and Thompson Avenue are two-lane county roads that run east-west and cross over and under Hwy 52 respectively. The two crossroads form a split-diamond interchange with Hwy 52, because the ramps intersect both roads before returning to the freeway.

The first phase of the project began on July 7, with the closure of the ramps at Hwy 52 and Wentworth Avenue. The ramps are scheduled to reopen by Sept. 7.

Phase two of the project is scheduled to begin Sept. 7, and be completed by mid-November. It will involve installation of signals featuring audible indicators for visually impaired pedestrians and turn lanes at both Thompson Avenue intersections. Medians will also be constructed to remove left-turning conflicts along the new right turn lanes.

Mn/DOT’s policy for intersections in the Twin Cities Metro Area calls for the same type of traffic control at both intersections of an interchange. Roundabouts were deemed unfit for the Thompson Avenue intersections because of space issues.

“We ended up putting traffic signals at Thompson instead of roundabouts because of right of way issues,” Johnson said. “Putting a roundabout would have had a huge impact on property owners in the area.”

Roundabouts generally cost between $1 million and $1.5 million, which is about the same cost for traffic signal projects if turn lane construction is needed. Eighty percent of the $1.625 million project is funded by 2005 Federal Safety Funds.

For more information on the Hwy 52 roundabouts project, visit http://www.dot.state.mn.us/metro/projects/thompsonwentworth/

For 40 years, Bob Lueck worked for Mn/DOT's Foundations Unit, with the vast majority of his time spent in the field across the state. Lueck died on July 17, at his home in Mission Township.

Lueck’s career started in March of 1969 as a helper on a foundations field crew. He then went on to work as a core driller and field crew chief. Most recently, Lueck spent many hours working with the department’s cone penetration testing equipment.

Spending most hours of his days in the field, Lueck was no stranger to the districts and met many people through his work.

Lueck served in Vietnam with the U.S. Army and was a member of the Myrin-James American Legion Post in Ironton. He also was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed four wheeling.

Lueck is survived by his wife, three children and many relatives and friends.

Services were held Wednesday, July 22, in Crosby, with full military honors given by the Myrin-James American Legion.

Sue Frette, District 7 transportation generalist, died July 19, a victim of an apparent drowning in a private pond in rural Aurora township. Frette was fishing alone at the time of the incident.

Frette, 59, worked for Mn/DOT for more than 26 years, the majority of which she spent working out of the Waseca truck station.

“It is such a shock to all of us,” said Mello Lindberg, Frette’s supervisor. “Sue was so full of life and positive and enthusiastic. She was a gem and an excellent employee.

“When Sue said ‘hello’ it wasn't just a wave; it was a honk of the horn and the whole arm waving,” Lindberg said. “She loved her job and was very dedicated.”

Frette was raised north of Frost, Minn., and graduated from Frost High School in 1967.

She is survived by a sister and many relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 25, at 10:30 a.m., at the Hope United Methodist Church in Blue Earth. Visitation will be held at the Patton Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Blue Earth on Friday, July 24, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., and one hour prior to the service.

By Lisa Yang

Sue Mulvihill began her new position as operations division director on July 13. She succeeds Bob Winter, who retired earlier this month.

Mulvihill has been with Mn/DOT for more than 25 years and served in a variety of leadership positions, including two years as interim labor relations and human resources director, program delivery director at Metro district and acting Metro District engineer. Most recently, Mulvihill served as the assistant operations division director.

Mulvihill started her career at Mn/DOT as a temporary graduate engineer in the Golden Valley right of way office. She then worked in Central Office, the district traffic offices and Metro maintenance.

Mulvihill has a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Minnesota, and a master’s degree in management of technology from the Carlson School of Management.

She will continue to be located on the fourth floor of Central Office. Her phone number remains 651-366-4814.

By Qin Tang

The June 2009 edition of New Library Materials is now available at http://www.dot.state.mn.us/library/newlibmat.html.

New Library Materials is a compilation of new book titles and other resources added to the library collection during the previous month. It is published electronically each month by the Mn/DOT Library. Selected new titles are on display in the library.

If you would like to be added to the library’s distribution list so you can receive the monthly NLM announcement directly in your e-mail inbox, call 651-366-3791 or e-mail library@dot.state.mn.us.

By Nick Carpenter

Long before construction commences on a highway project, a meticulous planning regimen must take place. Those who manage a project in its early stages must consider a variety of important issues, including environmental impacts, land acquisition and, in some cases, historical preservation. Managing these issues and identifying solutions is often a collaborative effort with the community and various stakeholders that requires hours of work.

For the past eight years in his position as project manager, Peter Harff has served as a community liaison of sorts and helped plan for some of District 7’s lengthiest construction undertakings.

In late August, Harff will take some time away from his normal work duties, far away in fact. Harff and his family are moving to the Czech Republic for nine months, where he plans to write a book, train for adventure racing competitions and ride a bicycle to the Alps. In the meantime, Harff has a lot of work to do before he heads to Eastern Europe.

What projects are keeping you busy these days?

I just finished up work on the Hwy 169 project through St. Peter not too long ago. We worked with a lot of different partners including the Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office and the city of Saint Peter as we tried to balance the role of this highway as an interregional corridor, a main street and an element in an historic district. That project was funded by stimulus money and construction is now underway as a design-build.

I spend most of my time on the Hwy 60 project between Bigelow and Worthington . That project was accelerated by Chapter 152 bonding money (from the 2008 legislative session) and will be completed in three overlapping phases between 2010 and 2013.

I’m also working on the Environmental Impact Statement between New Ulm and Mankato and a couple of other, smaller projects.

Do you have a favorite project?

Obviously the St. Peter project is up there, but I have to say the Hwy 60 project is my baby. It was my first project. I used to go door-to-door and talk with the residents and business owners. Who I am as an engineer and project manager really grew out of my experiences and interactions with others working on it. I made a lot of mistakes, did some things right, and learned a ton in the process.

I also really enjoyed working on the statewide scoping effort. It was a good group of people, with good leadership, and we produced some very useful material quickly. It also gave me the chance to meet and learn from people from many different districts.

So, what happens with your projects when you leave next month?

They get passed on to my very capable colleagues. It hurts leaving some of those projects, but it’s great knowing that they’re in good hands.

What sparked your interest in engineering?

Well, it helps that I have two older siblings who are engineers, but I’d have to point to an experience that really changed my life.

When I was in my early 20’s, I spent 22 months as a missionary in Argentina. When I came back to the U.S., I was not only 20 pounds lighter because of the bugs in the water, I had a pretty good idea of what I wanted to do with my life. I wanted to learn about water treatment.

After this awakening, I decided it was better to stop studying architecture and pursue civil engineering. I ended up receiving degrees in geology and geological engineering, which is a subset of civil engineering.        

What do you find most satisfying about your job?

I believe very strongly in our system of government because it answers to the people. It gives me great satisfaction being the face for the government in working with the people affected by our decisions. I think that as we function truly as public servants that it might do a little to reinforce peoples’ confidence in and respect for government.

I love going to public meetings and talking with people. I’m supposed to be an introvert, but I sure get a charge out of a roomful of people all wanting to give their insights into a project. I find it interesting to see how individuals deal with things that will affect them negatively, knowing that in the end, the project is for the greater good of the community.

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The Office of Aeronautics recently received three national awards from the National Business Aircraft Association for their dedication to safe flying practices.

Corporate Business Flying Safety Award – presented to Aeronautics office for 33 years of safe flying and nearly 21,000 hours of flight time without an accident or damage to property or passengers.

Pilot Safety Award – presented to retired pilot Wayne Petersen. Petersen was cited for more than 2,500 hours of flight time without an accident or damage to property or passengers. He retired from Mn/DOT in March 2009 after more than 22 years of state service.

Aviation Support Services Safety Award - presented to Vivian “ Vee” Dellwo, flight dispatcher, for 18 consecutive years of dedicated support to flight safety and business aircraft operations.

“This remarkable safety record is attributable to the dedicated professional staff who fly, maintain and support the state’s aircraft and their commitment to flight proficiency and continuing education,” said Peter Buchen, acting Mn/DOT Aeronautics director. “We are proud of Vee, Wayne and the whole Aeronautics team for continuing to keep the agency on course as a recognized leader in aviation and aviation safety throughout the United States .”

Founded in 1947, the NBAA is the leading organization for companies that rely on general aviation aircraft to help make their businesses more efficient, productive and successful. The association represents more than 8,000 companies and organizations of all sizes located across the country. Currently, more than 150 Minnesota companies and organizations are active members of NBAA, and more than 350 are participating members of the Minnesota Business Aircraft Association.