Ohio Department of Transportation � Employee Newsletter November 2007

OTEC 2007 Draws Big Crowd, Even Some LaughsRyan Larzelere, Central Offi ce

THE 61ST ANNUAL OHIO TRANSPOR-tation Engineering Conference (OTEC), held in October at the

Greater Columbus Convention Center, drew record numbers in attendance, ex-hibitors and technical sessions. ODOT was a proud co-sponsor of the event, which drew 2,463 registered attendants to downtown Columbus.

“We’re thrilled about the turnout at OTEC this year,” said OTEC Administra-

tor Terri Barnhart. “A large number of the total attendance was ODOT staff, and we’re proud to have that strong represen-tation.”

Perhaps not sur-prisingly, the theme which drew so many to the highly success-ful conference was “The Ohio Transpor-tation Network: A Gateway to Economic Growth.”

The spirit of the event accentuated the positive transportation offerings Ohio has in its interstates, railroads, aviation centers and ports in terms of their ability to create and maintain strong economic development.

Governor Ted Strickland delivered the welcoming address by expressing his support of the OTEC 2007 theme.

“As we look at transportation, we can’t

think of it without thinking of its effect on Ohio’s economy,” said the Governor. “The innovations you bring to the task of moving people and freight in Ohio will help support new jobs, new facilities and even aid in the creation of entirely new industries.”

The record-breaking crowd at the con-ference visited the 200 display booths made available by ODOT staff, engi-neering fi rms and consultants. The visi-tors could look at a variety of innovative transportation engineering products and services, and gained an excellent oppor-tunity to network within the transporta-tion fi eld.

In the spirit of further sharing infor-mation and networking, OTEC offered

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Clockwise from above left: The OTEC opening ceremonies with Governor Ted Strickland and ODOT Director James G. Beasley. OTEC 2007 program cover highlights the “The Ohio Transportation Network: A Gateway to Economic Growth” theme. ODOT personnel attend to OTEC attendees at the registration area. OTEC’s featured Luncheon Speaker was the well-received Larry Winget, the “Pit-bull” of personal development.

(see OTEC on page 4)

Ohio Department ofTransportationTed Strickland,Ohio Governor

James G. Beasley, P.E., P.S.,ODOT Director

2008-2009 Business Plan

November 2007

See Page 2 for a Message From the Director

Regarding The ODOT 2008-2009 Business Plan.

2 � TRANSCRIPT, NOVEMBER 2007

From The Director

Th e Mission of the Ohio Department of Transportation:

On behalf of the more than 6,000 men and women of the Ohio Department of Transportation, I was pleased to submit on November 27th the department’s offi cial Business Plan for 2008-2009.

Th is bold plan sets forth the new mission above, refl ecting Governor Strickland’s dedication to securing fi nancial balance and preserving the state’s current infrastructure. Th e mission also highlights a commitment to a multi-modal approach to modernizing the state’s transportation system.

Just as important, the plan outlines the values we should embrace as we serve the citizens of this state, including Governor Strickland’s core values of:

High Ethical Standards: We will uphold the sacred duty of telling the truth. Integrity comes from maintaining the highest ethical standards in our dealings with each other, our business partners, and the public we serve.

Financial Responsibility, Effi ciency and Accountabil-ity: Money matters. We will be good stewards of the public trust. Th e cost of doing business will be a primary concern, not an afterthought.

Public Service to all of Ohio: With a Peace Corps spirit, we will humbly serve and empower our fellow Ohioans. We will work toward the common good for all Ohioans, as we dedicate ourselves to bringing respect and civility back to government.

Inclusive Philosophy: Ohio is a state full of great talent and great diversity. We should celebrate and embrace that diversity, coming together in a unifi ed and inclusive fashion to develop strategies that are worthy of Ohio.

As a department, we will pursue our mission during challenging times for the transportation industry. Th ose challenges include the devastating impact of construction cost infl ation, the fl attening of state revenues and uncer-tainty of federal investment, and the growing demands on our current transportation system.

In the coming weeks, ODOT will assemble a statewide 21st Century Transportation Priorities Task Force to lead a frank discussion on how best to position Ohio’s trans-portation spending to balance the movement of people and freight, promote safety and reduce congestion, create jobs, encourage responsible growth, and help build sustainable communities. As the Task Force determines these priorities, it will also be asked to identify the fairest ways to fi nance them, including the identifi cation of new tools for state and local governments to partner with the private sector.

I hope you will take time to read the 2008-2009 Business Plan, which can be found online on our homepage. With your continued service, I know this department is ready to fulfi ll its role in examining how transportation invest-ments are made, how sound engineering and fi nancial responsibility can work in tandem, how the fi nest and most reliable services can be provided to our citizens, and how we advance the best projects to benefi t all of our great state.

Th ank you.

James G. Beasley, P.E., P.S., ODOT Director

“To seamlessly link Ohio’s highways, railways, transit, aviation and port facilities, the Ohio Department of Transportation will promote a world-class, integrated multi-modal transportation system that is effi cient, cost-eff ective and reliable for all of the state’s citizens, businesses and travelers.”

TRANSCRIPT, NOVEMBER 2007 � 3

U.S.U.S.3030

Markingthe End

of an Era

Without knowing it or even trying, they were all part of transportation history.

U.S. 30, between SR 235 and Upper Sandusky, opened to traffi c Nov. 9. The 26-mile segment of new, four-lane road-way replaces the last major two-lane seg-ment of U.S. 30 in northwest Ohio. The creation of a four-lane U.S. 30 fi rst began in the late 1960s.

For many within ODOT, the comple-tion of the project is the end of an era. The U.S. 30 projects were their life’s work within the department.

“I’ve seen much of four-lane U.S. 30 built,” said Bruce Merry, District 1 con-struction engineer. U.S. 30 had always

been a part of his 40-year career with ODOT. He worked on a segment of U.S. 30 in Van Wert when he was a summer student, and his fi rst permanent assign-ment with ODOT was construction of the roadway.

“Any project is rewarding, but these projects are especially rewarding,” he said.

Construction on the $100 million fi nal section began in 2005 and was originally to be completed by the end of this year. Work still continues, however, on the in-terchange at County Highway 330 on the project’s far east end, and on construction of a small section of four-lane pavement which will make the fi nal connection to the new westbound lanes.

Tim Burkepile, district one deputy director, also had a special connection to the now opened highway. His fi rst day at ODOT in February of 1971 was spent working with Merry on the U.S. 30 project from Cairo to Beaverdam in Allen County. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s he worked on many of the sections in Allen and Van Wert coun-ties.

The District 1 deputy director summed up ODOT’s achievement in a way future users of the highway will undoubtedly agree:

“It will certainly make for easier travel,” he said.

Rhonda Pees, District 1

AS THE BARRELS WERE PULLED ASIDE AND THE NEW FOUR-LANE U.S. ROUTE 30 WAS OFFI-cially opened, the driver of the fi rst eastbound car gave a wave to the crowd of people standing on the State Route 235 bridge he passed under. Behind him, the driver of a

truck hesitated for a just moment before shifting into high gear and rolling onto the new pavement.

U.S. 30 Road Opening. above: The fi rst car to travel the new highway heading eastbound. left: Removal of a barricade from Township Road 186 at-grade intersection with U.S. 30. right: Barrels being pulled aside just west of the SR 235 interchange to allow traffi c through on the new, four-lane highway.

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4 � TRANSCRIPT, NOVEMBER 2007

attendees 60 technical sessions. These sessions were led by industry ex-perts and dealt with top-ics ranging from women leaders in engineering to storm water runoff; bridge

innovation to pedestrian bicycle safety; and healthy leadership to traffi c signal improvements.

At a Bicycle/Pedestrian Safety tech-nical session, Safe Routes to School Program Manager Julie Walcoff dis-cussed her program to a standing room-only crowd.

“I’m very pleased with the interest in Safe Routes to School and overall Bicycle/Pedestrian Safety,” said Wal-coff. “I was able to answer a lot of questions and have productive follow-up conversations with people I met at OTEC.”

A true highlight of the conference was the address given by Larry Wing-et, known as the “Pit-bull” of personal development. The author of New York Times bestseller, “It’s Called Work for a Reason” and star of A&E’s hit reality show “Big Spender,” Winget shared with a lunch-time crowd of nearly 600 people his cutting-edge, in-your-face philosophies on business and life.

“Flexibility is the key to dealing with change,” said Winget. “ People hate change. They’re tired of it. I have a speech about change. It’s a short speech: … Stop whining and get a life.”

Winget used humor to preach uni-versal principles of not complicating daily activities. He encouraged the au-dience to take responsibility and pride in their personal and professional lives, drawing numerous bouts of laughter and applause in the process.

OTEC is co-sponsored by ODOT and the Ohio State University. OTEC 2008 is already scheduled for late Oc-tober. ODOT members interested in learning more about the conference can visit the conference Web site at: www.otecohio.org.

OTEC Off ersSomething for Everyone

OTEC (from page 1)

Ryan Larzelere,Central Offi ce

IT IS WIDELY KNOWN THAT

OTEC offers top notch technical sessions each

year at the annual engineer-ing conference. The sessions bring together the best of the best of industry experts and astute, eager audiences hun-gry for knowledge.

For the second year in a row, attendees could walk away from the technical ses-sions with more than just that knowledge; they could also earn Continuing Profes-sional Development (CPD) hours.

Many licensure and certifi cation agen-cies require the demonstration of con-tinuing professional competency. Those who took part in the 60 technical ses-sions available at the conference could earn a total of 11 CPD hours for their attendance.

In addition to the learning aspect and CPD hours, OTEC offered excellent net-working opportunities through the 200 exhibitors and more than 2,400 attendees this year.

Numan Babieh, P.E., is a 22-year ODOT employee who has attended OTEC nearly every year of his service.

The Transportation Engineer in the con-struction department in District 5 earned eight CPDs this year.

“I came to OTEC to get familiar with new products and construction tech-niques by talking with vendors and con-sultants,” said Babieh. “It is also nice to be able to earn the CPD hours.”

Joseph Parisi is a District 11 hazard-ous waste coordinator who has been with ODOT for about a year and a half. He came to OTEC for the fi rst time three years ago.

“Last year I attended as an Engineer-in- Training with ODOT,” he said. “The year before that I attended as a civil engineer-

ing student at Youngstown State University.”

Parisi went on to say that he enjoys OTEC for the net-working opportunities with past and current colleagues. He is not able to earn CPD hours until he is a licensed en-gineer, but he still seized the opportunity to attend some of the technical sessions.

With so much to offer in terms of learning, networking and professional development, it’s no wonder OTEC is one of the premier engineering con-ferences in the country.

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District 5 Transportation Engineer Numan Babieh was able to earn Continuing Professional Develop-ment credits at this year’s OTEC.

District 11 Hazardous Waste Coordinator Joseph Parisi attended technical sessions and was able to network with past and current colleagues at the event.

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TRANSCRIPT, NOVEMBER 2007 � 5

Ron Poole, Central Offi ce and Lora Hummer, District 12

ODOT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS FOR noise walls and bridges have of-ten been designed to help beauti-

fy the communities they serve. Recently, ODOT’s District 12 offi ce began a new initiative designed to aesthetically en-hance those interchanges serving as gate-ways to cities, villages and towns.

With ODOT’s interchange enhance-ment and beautifi cation program, local governments and community groups can partner with the department to beautify interchanges in the state right of way using plantings and landscaping.

“We want the spirit of the citizens to be ref lected in the interchanges,” said Dis-trict 12 Roadway Services Engineer Lou Mincek. “We want to make their visions a reality.”

Under the initiative, com-munity groups and business-es approach District 12 with ideas for a particular inter-change. The district helps them develop their plans along approved guidelines.

The community must get a permit from the district before they can proceed.

“We walk them through the process, fi lling out the permit for them and mak-ing certain they understand it before they sign,” said Mincek. “We do not allow objects like statuary, signs or logos to be put in place that might compromise the safety of the interchanges.”

Once approved, the community groups perform the planting and landscaping for the site. The department provides plan sheets of the area as well as traffi c control signing and will install “Adopt-a-High-

way” style signs upon completion of the design.

“The communities can provide their own seed and tools” said Mincek. “How-ever, there is a fund with the Central Offi ce Gateway Program which may pro-vide some funding in select cases. We help them with that application process, too.”

Down the line, the community groups will be expected to keep their interchang-es clean and well kept through the sea-sons.

The initiative, the brainchild of Dis-trict 12 Deputy Director Bonita G. Teeuwen, P.E., is still very much in its infancy. Since its initial offering two months ago, Mincek has re-ceived inquiries from the city of Lyndhurst, the village of Highland and community groups in Cleveland.

While the district is cur-rently receiving inquiries and requests, Mincek expects the main activity with the initia-tive to begin in the coming spring.

Lou Mincek contributed to this story.

Beautification Program for Interchanges for Interchanges

Takes First StepsTakes First Steps

OODOTDOTDistrict 12District 12

6 � TRANSCRIPT, NOVEMBER 2007

Michelle May (far left), from the Offi ce of Systems Planning and Program Management, poses with other state DOT National Roadway Safety Awards winners at the Nov. 7 ceremony. ODOT was recognized in the Operational Improvements category for the department’s work zone crash analysis program.

ODOT Safety Planning Program Earns AwardRyan Larzelere, Central Offi ce

ODOT WAS ONE OF A NUMBER OF state transportation agencies honored by the Roadway Safety

Foundation and the Federal Highway Ad-ministration (FHWA) with a Roadway Safety Award in early November. The de-partments were recognized at a luncheon ceremony in held in Washington, D.C.

ODOT received the award for the cre-ation of its annual safety work plan based on crash analysis and local public input. By analyzing crash data, the ODOT pro-gram helped Ohio realize a seven percent reduction in crashes and fatalities from 2005 to 2006. That amounts to 89 fewer deaths and 24,000 fewer crashes.

“This award demonstrates Ohio’s commitment to safety at all levels,” said Jennifer Townley, administrator of ODOT’s Offi ce of Systems Planning and Program Management. “ODOT has formed a coalition of state and local partners to foster cooperation and maximize resources among safety stakeholders. The ultimate goal is to reduce fatalities, injuries and crashes in critical locations across the state.”

Two years ago, ODOT’s Offi ce of Sys-tems Planning and Program Management began holding workshops with Ohio’s 17 Metropolitan Planning Organizations to develop the plan. The department also worked with local governments to fund safety improvements in identifi ed loca-tions.

At the awards luncheon, 15 programs were recognized in 12 states across the country .

“Safety is the FHWA’s top priority, and we know that this year’s award win-ners share that belief,” said FHWA Ad-ministrator J. Richard Capka. “By com-bining good roadway engineering, law

enforcement, education and emergency services, our state partners are helping us to save lives.”

Roadway Safety Award recipients were evaluated on innovation, effective-ness and effi cient use of resources and were selected from a total of 61 entries received.

ODOT Reaches CCC GoalJoel Hunt, Central Offi ce

ODOT EMPLOYEES HAVE MET THE CHALLENGE: TOGETHER, they donated more than $450,000 to those in need as part of this year’s Combined Charitable

Campaign (CCC). Their generosity easily sur-passed the department’s stated goal of $442,372.

Central Offi ce Union Quality Coordinator Wil-la O’Neill served her fi rst year as co-chairperson for ODOT’s donation efforts.

“I have always been a contributor,” she said, “but this is my fi rst time working with the pro-gram. It was heart-warming experiencing the gen-erosity extended by my fellow ODOT employees in their efforts to support their communities and help those in need.”

The money collected during the campaign will be distributed to more than 2,000 charitable organizations which support

communities through a variety of programs dealing with health, educational, human and environmental services.

Last year, state employees contributed more than $5.2 million, far surpassing the 2006 fundraising goal.

“I want to thank all the coordinators in Cen-tral Offi ce and the districts for helping us reach and surpass this year’s goal,” said O’Neill.

A fi nal total for the campaign will be de-clared Dec. 31. The campaign ran from Sept. 4 to Oct. 18.

TRANSCRIPT, NOVEMBER 2007 � 7

Camp Sherman Gatepost Dedication

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First Phase of I-75 Reconstruction Project Begins in Dayton

ORGANIZERS FROM CHILLICOTHE’S VETERANS ADMINISTRATION HELD A ceremony on Veterans Day to dedicate the restoration of two Camp Sherman gateposts ODOT unearthed in Ross County last fall. The

gateposts originally fl anked the north and south entrances to Camp Sher-man, the third-largest World War I army training camp.

“We estimate the gate posts stood undisturbed until the 1930s or ‘40s when State Route 104 was widened,” said ODOT Staff Archeologist Bruce Aument, Ph.D. “Luckily they weren’t destroyed, they were just pushed over and buried.”

ODOT worked with the Veterans Administration, Hopewell Culture Na-tional Historical Park, Ross County Historical Society, Ohio State Historic Preservation Offi ce and the Federal Highway Administration to reset the pair of gateposts at the entrance of the Veterans Administration hospital, near their discovery site.

A World War I reenactment soldier stands beside a restored Camp Sherman gatepost in Ross County. ODOT discovered this and one other gatepost during a road widening project in 2006. The gateposts were dedicated during a ceremony on Veteran’s Day.

Federal Highway Administration Ohio Division Administrator Dennis Decker, ODOT District 7 Deputy Director Rex Dickey, ODOT Director James Beasley, Dayton Chamber of Commerce President Phil Parker, Dayton Mayor Rhine McLin and Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission Executive Director Don Spang offi cially broke ground for the Interstate 75 reconstruction project through downtown Dayton on November. 20.

8 � TRANSCRIPT, NOVEMBER 2007

Gary L. Wilhelm, P.E., ODOT Deputy Director of

Facilities & Equipment

Management

Visit our Web site athttp://www.dot.state.oh.us

Ted Strickland,Governor

James G. Beasley, P.E., P.S. ODOT Director

OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONSScott Varner, Deputy DirectorRon Poole, Managing Editor

Andy Eline, Layout/Design Editor

PRINTED BY THE ODOT PRINT SHOP

ODOT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

OHIO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION1980 W. BROAD ST.

COLUMBUS, OHIO 43223 Phone: (614) 466-7170 Fax: (614) 644-8662

OCSEA

ODOT-Print Shop2513

Ron Poole, Central Offi ce

GARY L. WILHELM, P.E., HAS BEEN with ODOT since mid-October as the new deputy director of

the Division of Facilities and Equipment Management. In that short time, he has formed a most positive opinion about his new colleagues.

“I’m very impressed with the people I am meeting,” said Wilhelm. “They are personable, intelligent and hard work-ing. I think we have the right people to accomplish great things here.”

Born and raised in Springfi eld, Wil-helm is a graduate of the College of En-gineering at the University of Cincinnati. He also pursued graduate study in engi-neering at the Ohio State University.

From school, Wilhelm worked his way up through several engineering and management positions with two public utility companies. He eventually opened

his own consulting fi rm called WRIST Engineering, which he ran for nearly 25 years.

“I did mainly structural investigations as a consultant,” he said. “Toward the last few years of my business, I began phasing my consultant work from full time to part time while I trained and tested to become a certifi ed master plans examiner.”

Wilhelm eventually became a master plans examiner for the city of Colum-bus and for Delaware County. He was responsible for reviewing all aspects of commercial building plans, including structural, electrical and fi re protection.

Now Wilhelm has joined ODOT where he looks forward to drawing on all that he has learned as an engineer and manager to fi ll his new position.

“My mission here at ODOT is to utilize our funds for facilities and equipment more effi ciently,” he said, “and to de-

liver better facilities at a somewhat r e d u c e d cost while m i n i m i z -ing our im-pact on the e n v i r o n -ment.”

Wilhelm a n d h i s w i fe Joy have been married for 41 yea rs . They have two adult children and two grand-children. He and his wife enjoy camping as recreation.

“But not the primitive kind,” he said. “We have a camper.”

Upgrade Easy on Public, DoIT Joel Hunt, Central Offi ce

BUCKEYE TRAFFIC, ODOT’s Web site for travel

information, just got easi-er for the public to use and for

the department’s Division of Information Technology (DoIT) to maintain.

The improved Web site’s map-based technology allows visitors a single ac-cess point for up-to-date information on road conditions, traffi c, construction and events that may affect their travel.

“Maintaining one system is easier and more effi cient for us,” said Mike Hagler, a consultant with DoIT in Central Offi ce. “Before the revision, the public had to enter and exit dif-ferent systems to view data. The new system replaces OTIS Road Activity, OTIS Weather Activ-ity, Roadway Weather Infor-mation System and WebCams. Now users can view all Buckeye Traffi c has to offer with a single interface.”

No content changes were made to Buckeye Traffi c dur-

ing the revision. The site continues to offer information on road construction, road closures, winter road conditions (including air and surface temperature, precipitation, wind and visibility), holi-day travel traffi c updates and live images of traffi c from Web Cameras all around the state.

“The map-based technology sets the stage for future enhancements to Buck-eye Traffi c,” said Hagler. “In the near future, we could offer all kinds of new service through the Web site, includ-ing travel planning, weather overlays,

a ‘save-my-settings’ option, or detour information.”

Buckeye Traffi c was created in-house in 2003. The site was hit more than 55 mil-lion times from Oct. 2006 to Sept. 2007; however, the site is most utilized during the winter. The site was hit more than 17 million times in February 2006 alone.

ODOT Welcomes New Head of Facilities & Equipment Management

ODOT