By Chris Krueger, Metro District director of communications and cngagement

There’s now a quicker and easier way to secure outside communications and engagement consultant contracts throughout MnDOT.

After several months of development, MnDOT has approved Pre-Qualification Direct Select Work Types for:

• Communications and engagement project management
• Community relations and business outreach
• Marketing and advertising services
• Digital multimedia production
• Graphic design

“MnDOT has routinely used the Pre-Qualification Direct Select Work Types for work more closely related to construction and design,” said Denise Workcuff, Metro District communications and engagement. “Adding communications and engagement work types will allow us to acquire consultant contracts for these in-demand services in considerably less time than a standard contract, sometimes as quickly as within four to six weeks.”

The current list of Pre-Qualified Work Type firms is posted on MnDOT’s Pre-Qualification Program website (see Work Types 21.1 through 21.5).

“The current list is by no means complete, and it’s just the beginning,” Workcuff said. “We know there are countless firms specializing in public relations, marketing and strategic communications that should be on the list.”

Requirements for pre-qualification status are posted on the Work Types website.  Employees should direct interested consultants and firms to contact Dennis Wong in Consultant Services at dennis.wong@state.mn.us for more information on the application process.

By Micaela Resh, Office of Research & Innovation

Turtles and other wildlife are at risk along Minnesota roadways.

MnDOT is collaborating with the Minnesota Zoo on a new research project installing small animal exclusion fencing. The fencing is intended to redirect turtles and other small animals to culverts and bridges where they can safely cross the road.

Reducing small animal collisions also improves driver safety. Hitting (or trying to avoid) a turtle on the road can cause significant damage and injuries to motorcyclists and bicyclists. It can also be unsafe for drivers to attempt to pull over and assist small animals across the road, especially in high-traffic areas.

The exclusion fences were installed along four Minnesota roadways this past year and will be evaluated over the next year.

The research project started in September 2017 and will finish in June 2021. The goal is to develop a standard set of designs and recommendations for future installations along other Minnesota highways. Christopher Smith, MnDOT’s wildlife ecologist, is the technical liaison leading the project.

Visit the Office of Research & Innovation for project updates.

By Joseph Palmersheim

By Pippi Mayfield, District 1 Public Engagement and Communications

Did you know that Duluth-Superior is the most inland port in America?

That Norboard-brand OSB board you buy at Menards, Lowes or Home Depot? It was likely shipped through the Duluth port. And those Sports Illustrated, Better Homes and Gardens or other magazines you’re reading? The paper they are printed on could have easily come through the Duluth port.

Those attending the Strategic Women Advancing Transportation conference Sept. 12-13 in Duluth learned these and other interesting facts about MnDOT's northeast district. Approximately 70 women and several men attended the event, which focused on partnership and collaborative efforts in transportation. Participants also learned what makes District 1 unique.

Stressing the importance of partnerships District 1 showcased the shipping industry. From shippers to haulers, highways to enforcement, multiple entities work together to build the local economy by moving freight through the Duluth-Superior port.

Kate Ferguson of the Duluth Seaway Port Authority and Jonathon Lamb from Duluth Cargo Connect presented to the group about the $35 billion economy that cargo supports. Ships carry 40-45 loads of products each year to and from the Duluth-Superior port. Those 13 ships equal the capacity of 364,000 trainloads a year, or 1.5 million truckloads annually. 

In addition to Norboard, wheat, taconite and other materials being imported and exported through the local port, one major cargo product this year is wind turbines.

Perkins Trucking’s Shelley Latham has decades of on-the-job experience moving oversized products, regardless of the route. Latham said hauling can cost up to $500,000 due to road and bridge restrictions, and road construction in the summer. Many of these specialized loads travel hundreds of extra miles to find a suitable route. For example, Latham said one load traveling from Duluth to Superior, which would normally cross the 8,000-foot Blatnik Bridge, had to drive 300 miles out of the way to another river crossing due to Blatnik’s weight restriction.

Duluth’s Twin Ports Interchange – known as “The Can of Worms” – is made up of 33 bridges with weight restrictions on 25 of them, making it nearly impossible for loads to enter or exit the port. Roberta Dwyer, project manager, talked about how the 2020-23 Twin Ports Interchange project includes reconstructing the freeway to handle oversized loads.

The final piece of the transportation puzzle is enforcement. Greg Lind, Minnesota State Patrol, spoke about enforcing commercial hauling regulations and some of the infractions he’s witnessed. These included numerous bridge hits by haulers who underestimated their load size and pieces of equipment lost off trucks.

The SWAT event was capped off with a bus tour of the port, where participants could see just how large the wind turbine components are up close.

Gov. Tim Walz recently proclaimed October 2019 as “Cybersecurity Awareness Month” in the state of Minnesota. The proclamation was made in conjunction with National Cybersecurity Awareness Month.

“Secure technology is critical to ensure that everything from our bank accounts to our elections are safe and protected,” Walz said. “We’re making sure Minnesota is evolving by educating folks about emerging cybersecurity threats and making sure Minnesotans’ personal data is protected.”

Learn more about cybersecurity with these tips from Aaron Call, MNIT’s chief information security officer, on:

• Email attacks
• Passwords
• Privacy and security on your phone
• Safe shopping online

MnDOT employees received a survey link from the Minnesota Department of Administration’s Office of Continuous Improvement on Tuesday, Oct. 1.

The office is surveying all state employees for the 2019 Continuous Improvement Index. This survey will help assess progress made since 2017, and provide a better understanding of challenges and opportunities to make state government work better for all Minnesotans. 

State employees were surveyed in 2017 to learn what could be done to make state government more effective. Thirty percent of employees shared their views on what the state is doing well and how it can improve.

By Mary McFarland Brooks

MnDOT was one of 50 recipients of this year’s Government Green Fleet Awards, which were announced on Aug. 6 at the Sustainable Technology Conference in Durham, N.C.

The award honors federal, state and local government fleets in North America that have achieved success in “greening” their fleet by developing standards for:

• Fleet composition and hybrid vehicles
• Alternative fuels
• Emissions reduction
• Policy and long-range planning
• Staff education and involvement

MnDOT was the only government fleet from the state of Minnesota to win the award. Ranked at number 49 on the list, MnDOT was also the only state agency to be recognized by awards.

The award is open to all federal, state and local government fleets in the U.S. It is specifically designed to recognize the challenges and requirements of government fleet management.

More information

By Judy Jacobs, Office of Organizational Planning and Management

More than 180 MnDOT managers from across the state met on Sept. 24-25 in St. Cloud for the annual Managers’ Workshop.

Managers learned about innovation, MnDOT’s strategic direction, speaking with confidence and creating a diverse, inclusive and safe workplace for all employees.

“Over the next two days, we are going to have the opportunity to participate in a variety of sessions geared toward enhancing our skills and knowledge as managers at MnDOT,” said Sue Mulvihill, deputy commissioner, in her welcome to the attendees. “Many of these sessions were inspired by the outcomes and strategies within our Strategic Operating Plan, thinking about the information and tools we need as managers to advance our agency priorities.”

The workshop began with a fast-paced update from each MnDOT office and district. Office directors and district engineers provided insights into their teams’ innovations, successes and highlights - all within 60 seconds.

J. Forrest and Andy Zimney, with Employee Strategies, shared ideas to inspire managers to be more intentional about work place culture to make MnDOT more innovative.

“Challenge the way it’s always been done,” Zimney said. “It’s easier to act your way into a new way of thinking than to think your way into a new way of acting.” 

MnDOT highlights a nonprofit at each workshop. This year, MnDOT supported Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless, a nonprofit providing financial support for Minnesota homeless shelters, food shelves and domestic violence shelters.

Carpooling was encouraged. Several agency leaders biked from District 3 Monticello Truck Station, a distance of about 60 miles round trip.

More information

By Judy Jacobs

Shane Hanly has a rich family legacy of state service, with much of it tied to MnDOT.

The Central Office-based state program administrative technical specialist is the latest in a long line of family members who have served. Shane’s grandfather, Jim Hanly, was a MnDOT dispatcher in the 1970s at the former District 5 (Golden Valley) for five years before leaving to become an assistant fire marshal in Crystal. His grandmother, Marlys Hanly, also worked for District 5 as a payroll administrator. She retired with 22 years of state service.

Shane’s uncle, Mike Hanly, worked for MnDOT District 7 in Materials and Maintenance. Mike retired last year after 37 years with the state. His aunt, Charlene Bartz, worked for Metro District at Water’s Edge as a front desk receptionist for several years. And his mom, Lynda Hanly, processed and supervised payroll for Metro District for 25 years. She then transferred to Minnesota Management and Budget to the statewide payroll department. Lynda retired in February with 38 years of state service.

Shane has been a MnDOT employee for nearly 4 years. He spent 2 years as a student worker, and has 16 years total in state service, including when he worked at PCA and MnSCU.

“It was just kind of second nature to me,” he said. “My thoughts were less MnDOT-specific and more state service focused. I knew MnDOT took good care of their employees. I also knew that if you worked hard and were committed to your job, it could be a secure position. When I was hired at MnDOT as a student worker in 2003, it was like coming home. I knew so many people, and so many people knew my family, if not in person, then by reputation. It made for a very friendly and welcoming environment.”

Carrying on with his family’s state service tradition “feels really good,” he said, adding that he wants to be “the next Hanly that people see as being hard working and dependable.” His son, Aiden, recently turned two. Is state service in his future?

“I certainly wouldn’t discourage him if he wanted to,” Shane said. “I will encourage him to follow whatever career path he wants.”

By Joseph Palmersheim

Service Desk Specialist Jane Gherity has been with MnDOT for two years. She provides deskside user support at the Central Office for IT resources, software and hardware. Click on the image to see a larger version.

Do you or a co-worker have an interesting job to share with readers? Send us your ideas, and we’ll contact you for more information. 

Recent employee profiles: 

• Megan Muckenhirn creates, edits maps using GIS software
• Laurel Janisch connects with stakeholders while walking in parades
• Tim Tumberg's work as an archaeologist takes him all over the state

By Margaret Anderson Kelliher

Minnesota’s climate is changing.

From warmer winters to more precipitation, we’re already seeing impacts on health, our environment and the economy.

Curbing the impacts of climate change will take a collective effort, which is why I’m proud of the recent work done by MnDOT’s Office of Sustainability and Public Health to engage Minnesotans and other state agencies in a conversation about moving Minnesota to a low-carbon transportation future.

The Pathways to Decarbonizing Transportation in Minnesota report was released last month. It identifies action steps and recommendations for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from surface transportation.

Did you know that transportation is now the largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the state? Or that the Next Generation Energy Act – passed by the Legislature in 2007 – established goals for reducing GHGs in Minnesota by 30% by 2025, and 80% by 2050? Minnesota did not meet its goal of a 15% reduction by 2015, and the Pathways report acknowledges that bold and statewide action is needed to get back on track.

As a result of the public feedback we heard through Pathways, there are several action items MnDOT will immediately pursue, including:

• Creating a Sustainable Transportation Advisory Council
• Implementing a pilot project to provide MnPASS customers who purchase or lease an electric vehicle with a one-time credit to pay for charges for MnPASS lanes
• Including greenhouse gas emissions in transportation projects as part of our environmental analyses

The Pathways report also made additional state-level recommendations, including the adoption of clean car standards that would require auto manufacturers to offer more models of EVs in Minnesota to improve consumer choice. This would also help build the market for new and used EVs in the state.

Last week, I joined Governor Walz, Lt. Governor Flanagan, MPCA Commissioner Laura Bishop and other leaders during Climate Week for the governor’s announcement that he was directing the MPCA to implement the clean car standards recommended in our Pathways report.

Our mission here at MnDOT is to maximize the health of people, the environment and our economy. The Pathways report outlines critical measures that will help us achieve that mission, and I encourage everyone to read it.