PAGES 2-6 Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway Opens - ADOT
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FEBRUARY 2020
VOLUME 4, ISSUE 7
Loop 202 South Mountain PAGES
Freeway Opens 2- 6
t The South Mountain t ADOT employees help
t Meet Safety Award
Freeway, rebar and veterans experiencing
Winner Tina Risteska
3,107 elephants homelessness
PAGE 11
PAGE 5 PAGE 12
LEADERSHIP
The INSIDE
MATTERS
I
ADOT DIRECTOR EDITORIAL BOARD
John S. Halikowski Eddie Edison, HR
started my career as a professional engineer in Chicago. After about DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR POLICY
Mindy Griffin, OCI
Sonya Herrera, ASD
20 years, I decided to pursue a lingering desire, so I became an Kevin Biesty
Gregory Byres, MPD
attorney. I started my law practice immediately after passing the bar. COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR Lt. James Warriner, ECD/OIG
My professional career has been in private practice, with the exception Timothy Tait James Windsor, TSMO
Jennifer Bowser Richards, MVD
of my approaching eight years at ADOT. I have many interests. I play NEWSLETTER STAFF
Larry Clark, MVD
the guitar and practice Japanese ju-jitsu, woodworking and genealogy. Kathy Boyle, Assistant
Lisa Danka, FMS
Communications Director
Lastly, I am married to my high school sweetheart, whom I fear more than Lori Baker, Senior Communications
Steve Boschen, IDO
any ju-jitsu opponent! Specialist The Inside Lane is published monthly
Carmelo Acevedo PE, JD Angela De Welles, Senior for the employees of the Arizona
There are many leader types. There are charismatic leaders, situational Communications Specialist Department of Transportation by
ADOT Major Projects Group
leaders, customer-oriented leaders, and a whole bunch more. You’ll find a Michelle Fink, Administrative Support ADOT Communications.
Danelle Weber, Senior
plethora of books on leadership styles. Just search the New York Times Best Communications Specialist
Address all comments and
Sellers list. I personally believe in ownership and in customer service. But above all things, I believe suggestions to InsideLane@azdot.gov.
Randy Sasaki, Graphics Project
in doing the right thing. Doing the right thing can be challenging. Delicate balances permeate. Your Manager A web version of this newsletter can
John Walradt, Graphic Designer be found on ADOTNet or at
individual preferences matter, but so do the interests of multiple shareholders. Elena Diaz, Graphic Designer azdot.gov/InsideLane.
I have three pieces of advice to share: (1) after deliberate thought, don’t be afraid to make a decision; Frank Rodriguez, Graphic Designer
(2) own your decisions understanding that others will disagree; and (3) respect the decisions of others, © 2020 Arizona Department of Transportation
giving due deference to your team and leadership. Lastly, I like to share my two favorite leadership
clichés, “If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail” and “Too many cooks spoil the broth.” Share your best cover shot
Helping lead the efforts on the South Mountain Freeway project has created many memorable Do you snap shots that show off
leadership moments. Our team recognized early the legal challenges the project would face. We hired the scenic side of transportation in
outside legal counsel, not only to review the Final Environmental Impact Statement but also to defend Arizona? Share them with us and we
it in federal court. In collaboration with our attorney general, FHWA legal counsel, the U.S. Justice might put your photograph on the
Department and our outside counsel, we were successful at the Arizona Federal District Court level next cover of The Inside Lane. This photo, taken
and finally at the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco. It would be foolish to think that the It can be a great picture of an MVD by Video Services
South Mountain Freeway project was successful because of me. I have a great boss and phenomenal office, a beautiful highway shot or Supervisor John
teammates. We owe many thanks to all of the ADOT divisions and our general engineering consultant, even an artsy photo of construction Dougherty, shows
HDR, in making the South Mountain Freeway project successful! materials. Whatever the subject, the traffic on the newly
photo should highlight some aspect opened Loop 202
Lastly, employing the Arizona Management System (AMS) to help manage risk was invaluable. We of the work happening here at ADOT. South Mountain
employed multiple huddle boards to manifest metrics, make timely decisions and create standard Freeway. Read more
Submit your original, digital
work. The use of AMS techniques and public-private partnership (P3) initiatives to deliver the South coverage on pages 2-6.
photographs to InsideLane@azdot.
Mountain Freeway project made us all successful. gov in JPEG format (no larger than
10MB). Along with the photo, please
provide a brief description and your
name/title.
19-415
The INSIDE
FEBRUARY 2020 2
Drive on down
New Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway opens
partnership for highway construction, ADOT
chose developer Connect 202 Partners to design,
build the freeway and maintain the project
for 30 years.
“This freeway is open on an ambitious timeline
because of the innovation, creativity and
dedication of our teams at ADOT and at Connect
202 Partners,” ADOT Director John Halikowski
Joe Larger, ADOT Communications said in a recent news release. “This monumental
Director John Halikowski (left) describes the Loop achievement will benefit Arizonans for
202 South Mountain Freeway project at a dedication decades to come.”
event with Governor Doug Ducey.
The South Mountain Freeway was first approved
H ave you driven on the new Loop 202 South by voters in 1985 and again in 2004, but
Mountain Freeway yet? the project was stalled due to funding,
legal challenges and changing priorities.
The 22-mile $1.7 billion freeway — the largest The freeway’s Final Environmental John Dougherty, ADOT Communications
single highway project in Arizona’s history — Impact Statement was approved
opened Dec. 21, providing a brand-new commute p This photo shows a drone’s view of
in 2014, and the Federal Highway the Loop 202 South Mountain Freeway
between the East Valley and the West Valley. Administration’s Record of Decision overpass and Interstate 10 before the
Whether you’re driving to work, heading to a was released in 2015. ADOT began new freeway opened to traffic.
sports event or taking a family trip, the new construction in September 2016.
freeway provides an alternative to the congested t These are some of the first vehicles
While the freeway is open to traffic, work to drive on the new Loop 202 South
Interstate 10 through downtown Phoenix. will continue on the new 32nd Street
Besides saving travel time, riding along the South Mountain Freeway.
traffic interchange and the six-mile
Mountain Freeway affords picturesque views of multiuse path between 40th Street and
the Sonoran Desert. 17th Avenue in Ahwatukee, which will be
The South Mountain Freeway runs between I-10 a valuable amenity for cyclists, runners, John Dougherty, ADOT Communications
at the Loop 202 Santan Freeway and I-10 at 59th walkers and others.
Avenue, and is estimated to carry about 117,000 u (Left to right) ADOT Director John Halikowski,
Want to learn more about the South Federal Highway Administration Arizona Division
vehicles per day in its first year. Mountain Freeway? Check out ADOT’s Director Karla Petty, Governor Doug Ducey, MAG
Because it was built as one project instead of videos, photo albums, press releases, Regional Council Chair and Tempe Mayor Mark
several smaller projects, the freeway opened blog posts and the project website, Mitchell and Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego sign the
three years earlier at a cost savings of about SouthMountainFreeway.com. poster commemorating completion of the Loop
$100 million. Using Arizona’s first public-private ~ Lori Baker, Senior Communications Specialist 202 South Mountain Freeway on Dec. 18.
Joe Larger, ADOT Communications
The INSIDE
FEBRUARY 2020 3
South Mountain Freeway’s aesthetics
L
oop 202 South Mountain Freeway’s aesthetics “The angles of the accents loosely reflect the
reflect communities’ character tell stories about the area’s communities by
showing differences in land uses, geography
topography of the South Mountain ridges and
valleys in a similar way to how Frank Lloyd Wright
and history as motorists travel throughout the 22- geometrically interpreted the mountain in his
mile corridor. Ocatillo camp,” Salazar said.
“To create a more appealing environment for ADOT also collaborated with the Cosanti
travelers, we developed five character areas that Foundation using designs inspired by Soleri to
would represent the different environments develop patterns embellishing freeway structures
that the freeway passes through,” said Joseph in two character areas. The River Bank/Laveen
Salazar, landscape architectural Village pattern, accented with a
project design manager for the yellow ochre color, represents
Roadside Development section. the scouring of the Salt River
“Each aesthetic area has its own though different earth layers. The
theme. But there is a common green Leaf Portal pattern reflects
pattern that ties the freeway the agricultural heritage in the
together, including the earth Estrella-Laveen area. Circular
The Ocatillo Settlement pattern is on the abutment wall of the 40th Street bridge. tone base paint that occurs shapes in the design represent
throughout the freeway corridor portals into the future.
or horizontal banding on the walls Meanwhile, the Cholla Ocotillo/
and bridges.” Ahwatukee Foothills character
The Leaf Portal pattern is on
Each aesthetic character area abutment between Baseline and area, located from Desert
complements its surroundings Southern in Estrella Village. Foothills Parkway to Ivanhoe
with specific plants, color accents Street, features desert plants and
and ground treatments as well as distinctive shapes based on the forms of native cholla and
artistic patterns incorporated into sound walls, ocotillo cactuses.
retaining walls, abutments, bridge barriers, The character areas culminate with the Mountain
columns, landforms and other freeway elements. Urban Link at the I-10/Loop 202 interchange. This
The Cholla Ocotillo pattern is The River Bank pattern is on the Elliott Street Aesthetic designs were influenced by renowned area’s pattern of interlocking L shapes represents
on the Desert Foothills Parkway bridge in Laveen Village. Arizona architects Frank Lloyd Wright and Paolo how the I-10 East and I-10 West neighborhoods
bridge. Soleri, whose work is legendary. are linked by the South Mountain Freeway, which
ADOT partnered with the Frank Lloyd Wright embraces the South Mountain Park and Preserve.
Foundation in designing panels with reddish- “We are thankful for the collaboration with the
The Mountain Urban colored, triangular, ornamental accents. The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, the Cosanti
Link pattern is on the design was inspired by the Ocatillo Settlement, Foundation and others to develop a freeway
ramp connecting I-10 which was Wright’s first establishment in the corridor that tell stories as it enhances the quality
to the South Mountain area in the 1920s and was located near the new of life in this region,” Salazar said.
Freeway at 59th Avenue.
freeway's alignment near 32nd Street. ~ Lori Baker, Senior Communications Specialist
Photos: John Dougherty, ADOT Communications
The INSIDE
FEBRUARY 2020 4
Arizona’s biggest freeway project to date
Arizona’s largest freeway construction project ever — the South Mountain Freeway in Phoenix — is now complete and
open to the public. It has been a monumental undertaking that’s required the cooperation and determination of so many individuals and organizations.
~ Dani Weber, Internal Communications
HERE ARE A FEW FACTS AND FIGURES TO FULLY GRASP THE SCALE OF THIS PROJECT:
22 miles 975,000 40.4 million
(nearly 80 Empire tons of pounds of rebar
State Buildings lain 13,545,000 asphalt paved (2.5 times
end to end) 44 miles
in both directions,
cubic yards of (about 36 times the Epcot’s
176 lane miles total earthwork moved weight of the Statue
of Liberty)
Spaceship or
3,107 elephants)
(could fill State Farm
Stadium 13 times)
Arizona’s
5.7 million 1,000
More than
first diverging hours worked cactus, palo
diamond uninjured verde trees
interchanges (2)
(about 30,000 120 and other native
times as long as chuckwallas vegetation was
the Apollo 11
Mission)
relocated relocated, maintained
and replanted
The INSIDE
FEBRUARY 2020 5
Driving Safety Home
2020
DDIs designed to improve traffic flow, safety
Besides being the first
highway project in Arizona to
be built using a public-private
partnership, the Loop 202
South Mountain Freeway is
also ADOT’s first freeway to
use half-diverging diamond
interchanges (DDIs).
The new section of freeway has
two of them — one at Desert
Dallas Hammit Foothills Parkway and another
at 17th Avenue.
A DDI helps with traffic flow and safety. This type of
interchange works by temporarily transitioning traffic
to the left side of the road, allowing through-traffic and
left-turning traffic to proceed through the interchange
simultaneously, eliminating the need for a signalized
left turn.
It’s a much easier concept to understand once you see it,
so I suggest you check out the ADOT video that simulates
driving through the South Mountain Freeway half-
diverging diamonds. You can find that video, along with
more details at azdot.gov/smfddi.
You might be wondering what the difference is between a
half-diverging diamond interchange and a full diverging
diamond interchange.
A half DDI is used when one travel direction does not
south is needed, it can easily be implemented with the Mountain Freeway. I also hope you’ll go the speed limit,
extend past the interchange, limiting access to only
current design. avoid distractions and wear your seat belt. Safely home!
three directions. Because Desert Foothills Parkway and
When you drive it, I hope you notice the innovation ~ Dallas Hammit, Deputy Director for Transportation
17th Avenue don’t extend south of the freeway, there
was no need for a full DDI. If a future connection to the and dedication it took to construct the Loop 202 South
The INSIDE
FEBRUARY 2020 6
For as long as there have been roads in Arizona, there have been people who plan, build and maintain them. It’s those skilled women and
LOOK men who have made this state’s transportation history a remarkable one. From 1912 when the Arizona Highway Department was first
established, to right now, right here at ADOT, state employees have continuously done the work necessary to keep Arizona moving. Take a
BACK
look back at some of their stories. View previous Look Back stories on ADOTNET.
“Pardon me boys. Is that the Hattie B. Choo Choo? Former Arizona Gov. Bruce Babbitt and his wife, Harriet,
Got us to town, when all the bridges were down.” were among a host of officials who took a test trip aboard
the train. It was named the Hattie B. in honor of the state’s
It’s been nearly 40 years since the “Hattie B.” passenger train First Lady, and thus the Hattie B. was christened.
created a stir and collected catchy nicknames as it chugged
its way into Arizona history. It subsequently earned the Sardine Express moniker
because it was so packed with passengers. It was tagged
Whether called the “Puddle Jumper,” “Sardine Express” or, the Puddle Jumper because it rumbled over flooded
most commonly, the “Hattie B.,” this short-lived but much- passageways.
storied railroad was certainly “The Little Engine That Could.”
T-shirts bearing the train’s nicknames began circulating
It was a five-car, two-engine passenger shuttle that carried among rain-dreary residents, who saw the Hattie B. as a
tens of thousands of commuters across the Salt River beacon of light in the darkness.
after heavy flooding washed out or shut down most of the In this photo published in Newsbeat, ADOT’s employee
bridges, isolating Tempe, Mesa and Chandler. The Hattie B. carried more than 46,000 riders between Mesa
newsletter at the time, Hattie Babbitt, then-Gov. Bruce Babbitt’s
and Phoenix during its two-week tenure. It was put out of
Feb. 25, 2020, will mark the 40th anniversary of the Hattie wife, is shown here with ADOT Planner Lloyd Clark with the
commission when I-10 and other bridges reopened after
B.’s maiden trip. Though long gone, the train holds a special Hattie B commuter train named in her honor.
flood waters receded.
place in the memories of those who hopped aboard it and
others who viewed it as a ray of sunshine during the dark Behind the scenes, hundreds of ADOT employees worked
and rainy days. The I-10 closure immediately displaced more than 100,000 nights, weekends and holidays assessing damage, finding
vehicles that regularly used it to commute from the alternate transportation modes, planning emergency
“It was quite the buzz across the (ADOT) agency,” recalled East Valley. and permanent repairs, controlling traffic, and up north,
Tammy Homberg, a retired ADOT web developer. plowing snow.
“It was huge news when almost all the bridges were flooded,”
At the time, a group of melodious ADOT employees sang recalled Doug Nick, ADOT assistant communications The Hattie B. episode was of particular significance to
in the agency’s Fender Benders choir, Homberg said. The director for customer outreach. Phoenix because the city was more like a small community
choir wrote and performed a song about the Hattie B., the at that time and easily unified by common events, Nick said.
“Hattie B. Choo Choo,” sung to the tune of the “Chattanooga Nick, who was in high school at the time, has a clear
Choo Choo.” recollection of the excitement the Hattie B. generated in his “It was a different time back then,” Nick said. “Phoenix was
family and the community. much smaller, much more provincial ... Calamity brought
The Phoenix region had been getting drenched for people together.”
months as storms swelled rivers, damaged roads and As an answer to the closing, ADOT coordinated with Amtrak
congested highways. and Southern Pacific to put together an emergency train “We were leaving Tempe Station ‘bout quarter to eight,
shuttle to cross the Salt River. Missin’ all that traffic, Gee it was really great!
After engineers determined that the rising Salt River was You cannot malign’er, nothing could be finer.
scouring Interstate 10 piers, the bridge was closed, leaving Under contract with ADOT, Amtrak relocated from California
two diesel engines and up to six cars with 84 seats. Southern Whoo Whoo Hattie’s Choo Choo There you are!
the Mill Avenue Bridge as the primary span for motorists and Whoo Whoo Hattie’s Choo Choo There you are!”
the heavy-duty Southern Pacific railroad bridge for trains. Pacific provided operating crews and rescheduled freight
trains to avoid conflicts. ~ Laurie Merrill, Public Information Officer
The INSIDE
FEBRUARY 2020 7
New pedestrian bridge features accessible ramps
T
he newly constructed Michigan Street The pedestrian bridge is part of the $84 million • constructing bank protection and the new
Pedestrian Bridge over Interstate 19 between I-19/Ajo Way traffic interchange project, which is in Rodeo Wash outlet into the Santa Cruz River.
Ajo Way and Irvington Road features ramps the second of two construction phases. • reconstructing and widening Ajo Way from
that comply with the Americans Other work include: Holiday Isle to I-19.
with Disabilities Act. • constructing a braided ramp The first phase included a new traffic
The new bridge was installed alignment — first of its kind in interchange at Ajo Way and I-19, major drainage
in mid-January to connect city southern Arizona — connecting improvements, sound walls, utility relocation and
neighborhoods on either side of Ajo Way with I-19 separately an upgraded traffic light at 16th Avenue.
the freeway. It replaced the old from the I-19 traffic exiting at Find more information on the azdot.gov
pedestrian bridge, which was not Irvington Road. projects page.
ADA compliant because it had • reconstructing and widening ~ Lori Baker, Senior Communications Specialist
stairs and no ramps. New sound walls along I-19 are southbound I-19 within the
“The new bridge is well lit, has
part of the Phase 2 construction. project area. New MVD
ramps that comply with the • widening northbound I-19 to information
Americans With Disabilities Act and it is more add
and
an
Ajo
auxiliary
Way.
lane between Irvington Road
system’s launch
aesthetically pleasing due to its art work and more
modern design,” said Senior Resident Engineer • completing I-19 noise walls south of Michigan moved to April
Chris Page. Avenue and along the south side of Ajo Way
The launch of the Motor
between Kostka Avenue and I-19.
View photos of the new pedestrian bridge on Vehicle Division’s new
• completing drainage improvements and
ADOT’s Flickr. This is a information system, MAX,
improved drainage collection features.
view of the has been rescheduled for
• replacing the Santa Cruz River Bridge
bridge from April 20 from Jan. 20.
on Ajo Way. underneath.
MAX will replace the
35-plus-year-old legacy
system with a new
personalized computer
platform that is designed
to be more user friendly
and allow customer
service representatives
The new pedestrian bridge to do their work faster
over Interstate 19 between
and easier.
Ajo Way and Irvington
Road was installed in mid-
January. It features ramps
that are ADA compliant.
Photos: Joe Larger, ADOT Communications
The INSIDE
FEBRUARY 2020 8
Kaizen Identifying pavement distress patterns leads
Korner to more efficient maintenance Engagement Ratio
ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Statewide Questions
2019 Employee Engagement Survey
Overall Positive Response
S
Engagement Ratio - April 2018 to November 2019
3.68
3.4 3.44 72.2%
3.40
ometimes, even the most familiar task can be made sections of similar patterns into logical segments for proper
3.06
April 2018 January 2019 April 2019 November 2019
% of Posi�ve Responses by Ques�on
more efficient — and more effective. In Transportation treatments.
Kaizen 2020
April 2018 January 2019 April 2019 November 2019
My job is important to support the mission of my agency. 90% 91% 90% 89%
I understand clearly what is expected of me at work. 84% 84% 84% 83%
Systems Management and Operations, the Pavement
My supervisor shows care and concern for employees. 78% 79% 80% 77%
“We collect a lot of pavement distress data,” Li said. “The
Overall, I am satisfied with my job. 76% 77% 76% 74%
Challenge
My co-workers are committed to providing high quality service. 73% 74% 74% 74%
I have the opportunity to learn and do new things in my job. 73% 74% 72% 72%
Management team took one of their most time-consuming amount is humongous. If we increased the accuracy of
My job gives me the opportunity to do what I do best every day.
I receive adequate feedback on my work.
I plan on being employed with my agency two years from now.
72%
69%
74%
73%
72%
Engagement / CI Ratio Calculation
75% Agree" responses
Total number of "Strongly 75%
73%
72%
71%
71%
71%
tasks and turned it into a snap.
¸
I have the proper tools and equipment to do my job. 67% 70% 69% 68%
Sum of "Disagree" + "Strongly Disagree" responses
distress identification to be more consistent and reliable,
My agency supports my participation in education and professional development opportunities. 68% 69% 68% 67%
Here’s what you need to
My agency values my ideas on work related problems. 66% 67% 67% 65%
I receive recognition for my work when I deserve it. 62% 66% 64% 65%
I would recommend my agency to other people as a good place to work. 66% 66% 65% 62%
know: ADOT is aligning Every year, the Pavement Management team reviews the we’d save a lot of time and prevent human error.” Continuous Improvement Ratio
ADOT Questions
CI Ratio - April 2018 to November 2019
Overall Positive Response
kaizens to the agency’s pavement quality of roads ADOT is responsible for. They
3.94 3.81
Burton-Sunder got to work on a program that would group
3.63
3.8 73.0%
grade it from good to fair to poor to very poor, and their
3.16
long-term strategies.
April 2018 January 2019 April 2019 November 2019
pavement segments by distress grade automatically. If a % of Posi�ve Responses by Ques�on
The goal is to have grades determine which stretches of road are prioritized user wants to see road segments of a certain length, they My team conducts regular Huddles at a Huddle Board posted in a high visibility area.
I have a good relationship with my direct supervisor.
April 2018
85%
82%
January 2019
87%
84%
April 2019
86%
83%
November 2019
87%
83%
7,200 Kaizens by June for maintenance. But that process has been manual, with a can use her program to group segments with a click of a
I am given the opportunity to identify and solve problems.
My Manager/Supervisor has shared ADOT's continuous improvement journey with me and refers to it
often/frequently.
ADOT is focused on identifying and meeting customer needs.
80%
75%
78%
82%
74%
79%
81%
74%
77%
80%
76%
75%
person sitting in front of an expansive table of thousands of
Managers/Supervisors are observed engaging with employees where the work is done.
30, 2020 with 100%
71% 73% 74% 73%
button and not have to worry about whether a tenth of a
My supervisor regularly conducts 11 coaching meetings with me involving my behaviors, results, activities,
65% 70% 70% 71%
and professional development
I am often excited by the work I do. 71% 73% 71% 70%
rows and grouping road segments by hand — until recently.
Managers/Supervisors lead by example. 66% 70% 69% 67%
participation by all mile should be grouped with the mile that came before it or
I have seen the agency scorecard and I am aware that it reflects ADOT's most critical priorities. 60% 64% 62% 62%
I am kept well informed about changes in the agency that affect my work group. 61% 64% 60% 59%
19-418
employees. The goal is to Knowing that Transportation Engineer Maria Burton- the mile that came after it.
have 50% of the kaizens Sunder had a knack for specialized computer programs,
Taking ADOT’s Pulse:
“There was a lot of manual scrolling and highlighting when
align with the long-term Pavement Management Manager Yongqi Li tapped her to seeing differences,” said Burton-Sunder of the old process. survey poster
strategies as identified
in ADOT’s Strategic Plan.
work out a program that would cut down on human error
when it comes to working out which stretches of pavement
“It was time consuming, manual and prone to human error. is available
Now we have a more consistent process that makes the data
Through March 31, the should be grouped together. Now you can compare
more consistent and objective, rather than subjective.”
focus is on building ADOT’s yearly progress. The
The pavement distress data are now automatically collected What would normally take several days can now be
a culture of highly survey poster can be printed
at a one-tenth of a mile interval and include cracking, done in up to several hours by using this program. It also
engaged employees. and placed on your huddle
International Roughness Index (IRI) and rutting. To build eliminates human errors involved in manual processing. board for your team to see.
Kaizen count the volume of data into useful and meaningful information
for engineering and policy decision making, the Pavement
The benefits are significant in saving resources and ensuring To view the survey results,
The number of kaizens quality work. you can access your division
Management team has to be able to properly identify clear
submitted by ADOT ~ Dani Weber, Senior Communications Specialist and business unit specific
pavement failure patterns and aggregate the pavement
employees so far this breakdowns through the
fiscal year is 2019 Pulse Survey Results.
3,647
Contact Javier Ramirez at
JRamirez2@azdot.gov with
any questions.
For a complete
breakdown by division,
visit the Office of
Continuous Improvement
page on ADOTNet. POOR FAIR GOOD
The INSIDE
FEBRUARY 2020 9
We had a fantastic response to last month’s
WINNER "How well do you know ADOT?" trivia
WINNER! contest, but there can only be one winner.
If you have an AMS moment or breakthrough
Congratulations to Budget Analyst Nathan
George. His name was selected from a to share, please send the information to
random draw of entries. He received a special InsideLane@azdot.gov and provide a photo.
gift bag from Internal Communications
Director Kathy Boyle, including Arizona
Highway magazines, an Arizona Highway’s AMS SPOTLIGHT BY DIRECTOR JOHN HALIKOWSKI
Grand Canyon calendar, The Inside Lane
stress ball and other great gifts.
STANDARD WORK ensures our work
Answers: (1) a. Jan Brewer; (2) c. 2015; is organized in the best way possible
(3) b. chuckwalla; (4) c. Loop 101; (5) and is done the safest and fastest way
b. Ed Pastor; (6) c. Ted DeGrazia; (7) d. possible without compromising quality.
blue and white; (8) c. Grand Avenue This statement is reflected with the recent
and Black Canyon Freeway; (9) d. team effort in designing standard work for
Motor Vehicle; (10) a. “Transformers: fog sealing in the Northeast District.
The Last Knight”
What is fog sealing? Our maintenance
crews apply oil to road pavement to seal
Kathy Boyle, ADOT Communications
cracks and help preserve the pavement. It
is an important tool we use to extend the
life of our roadways before major repairs
Kee Kescoli, Kayenta Maintenance Unit
have to be made.
A truck is spraying oil over the yellow chip seal markers
CAN YOU SPOT According to Northeast Assistant District as part of the old fog seal process on US163 near
Engineer Ed Wilson, “There was no standard Monument Valley. The new fog seal process involves
THE DIFFERENCES? work in applying fog seal. Our maintenance spraying oil on the roadway then placing the markers on
top. This eliminates the need to remove the caps and to
crews were applying the seal differently based
purchase markers with caps.
No, you're not seeing double! These on how they were trained and what techniques
worked for them. This practice worked but failed
panels, created by ADOT Graphic
to capture and distribute lessons learned for
Designer John Walradt, both look I want to thank the team responsible for creating
the best processes.” The challenge was to create
the same, but there actually are six the fog seal standard work: Elliott Koinva, Scott
standard work for fog sealing.
differences between the two cartoons. Hooley, Zack Sulu, Kee Kescoli, Dave Kirk,
A small team met to begin the task. They Stetson Baker, Bill McCarty, Nate Van Kirk,
Can you spot them all?
received input on best practices from Leon Heward, Chris Massey, Ed Wilson and
Email each hidden difference to maintenance crew members in the Northeast District Engineer Matt Moul. Your team effort
InsideLane@azdot.gov by Feb. 14. District. They shared their draft work with reflects the importance of working together to
Everyone who locates all six will be supervisors and received input. Over several improve our processes at ADOT and providing
entered into a random drawing for a meetings, the team developed standard work value to the customers we serve. Well done!
great prize! that captures the best techniques for fog sealing
in the Northeast District. This standard work
We’ll reveal the answers and the can now be used by other maintenance crews in
winner in next month’s newsletter. other districts.
Good luck!!
The INSIDE
FEBRUARY 2020 10THANK YOU, ADOT
2019 Safety Globe mayor thanks ADOT for
Award winner US 60 cleanup
Tina Risteska gets
Globe Mayor Al Gameros asked ADOT to
help clean up the US 60 Corridor, which
is a major thoroughfare through his city.
ADOT employees He was so appreciative of the work that
he wrote a thank-you letter to the Globe
Safely Home Maintenance crew.
“The maintenance of our highways,
W
herever we happen sidewalks and islands are vital as we bring
to work — whether new visitors to see what we truly have to
it’s fixing guardrails offer and the beauty of our community,”
in ADOT’s right of way, testing Mayor Gameros wrote.
Joe Larger, ADOT Communications
materials in a lab or sitting at a Globe Maintenance Highway Operations
desk and typing reports — safety Safety Award winner Tina Risteska is congratulated by ADOT Director John
Supervisor Brad Bowyer said ADOT workers
Halikowski (left) and Equipment Services Administrator Devin Darlek (right).
is always a paramount concern. and a Department of Corrections inmate
For Environmental Engineering crew spent four weeks in August and
Specialist Tina Risteska, ADOT’s employees with access to likely saved someone from getting injured September cleaning up the highway and
2019 Safety Award winner, the propane dispensers and or worse,” said ADOT Equipment Services islands between milepost 252 and milepost
keeping a keen eye open for organized training for them. More than 30 Administrator Devin Darlek. “In addition, 243 through the Globe area.
potential safety risks led to implementing people from all over the state and ADOT she's always looking to safeguard and protect “We did the cleanup for trash on the right
new training and technology changes that showed up to the training in June 2019, both people and the operation, which in turn, of way and litter through town, and we cut
will prevent tragedy. where the vendor demonstrated the proper, ends up being a win-win for everyone!” brush,” Bowyer added.
When ADOT took over for the Arizona safe way to use the propane dispensers. “I was very surprised,” Risteska said about Mayor Gameros’s entire thank-you letter can
Department of Administration’s (ADOA) fuel “As far as I was concerned,” Risteska said receiving the 2019 Safety Award. “I was a be viewed on ADOTNet.
sites, Risteska noticed there were propane of the participants, “that was 30 potential volunteer at the conference where I received
~ Lori Baker, Senior Communications Specialist
fueling dispensers. Propane is highly accidents waiting to happen.” one of the highest awards from ADOT,
pressurized, and if the person fueling isn’t especially from the director. I was very happy
properly trained, the pressure can erupt and After the training, Risteska created the
standard work and posted it at the fueling and proud, and I told my family.”
cause extreme harm, up to and including
death. As a chemist, Risteska had taken station; alerting operators who use the Because of Risteska’s vigilance and
hazardous material training and knew the system they must obtain the proper training commitment to safe working conditions
risks of handling propane untrained. to use the system and to remain safe around and proper training, she has helped ensure
the propane dispensers. that ADOT employees get safely home
Coordinating with ADOA and the propane every day.
vendor, Risteska pulled the database of “I thought it was important to nominate Tina
for this award because I knew that she most ~ Dani Weber, Senior Communications Specialist
The INSIDE
FEBRUARY 2020 11great sense of pride in the work
that they are doing to know
Exceptional
they can potentially impact one Adopt a Highway
veteran and help get their life volunteers receive
special recognition
back on a positive path.”
Information Technology PC
Tech Tabion Johnson said he AS Jim Graham rides his bicycle
About 20 MVD employees volunteered to
volunteers to honor veterans. along State Route 89A, he sees how
assist veterans with driver licenses and ID "I want to give back to those much debris accumulates along
cards at the Maricopa County StandDown. people who stood up for the roadway.
us," he said.
Photos: Lori Baker, ADOT Communications That’s why he and other members
The ADOT team was located next of the Verde Valley Cyclist Coalition Thomas Perkins, Signing and Striping
to the temporary court facilities,
ADOT employees assist veterans with
volunteer to keep the area clean.
making it easier to resolve They adopted a stretch of the once per year, but three or more
driver licenses, IDs at StandDown
problems in hours that might highway between mileposts 356 times is preferred,” said Mary Currie,
have taken weeks under typical and 357 through ADOT’s Adopt a Adopt a Highway program manager.
ADOT
circumstances. Highway program. “ADOT’s outstanding volunteers
employees one spot. By having their driver
The Maricopa County “We had three cleanups during 2019 donate thousands of hours of time to
assisted more license or ID, they can apply for
StandDown, coordinated by and we have had as many as four keep Arizona beautiful and deserve
than 760 veterans other services to help get back
the Arizona Housing Coalition’s per year. Our cleanups involve as few this extra recognition. The hope is
experiencing homelessness Jan. on their feet.”
Arizona Veterans StandDown as two persons and as many as 10,” that these outstanding volunteer
23-25 at the annual Maricopa Ulibarri said it’s rewarding to Alliance, each year brings Graham said. placards will prompt others to
County StandDown at the help veterans to get back on together organizations to consider joining the nearly 10,000
Arizona Veterans Memorial the road, obtain a job or get Volunteers like the Verde Valley
help veterans under one roof, volunteers working to keep our state
Coliseum in Phoenix. government benefits. Cyclist Coalition that go the extra
including government services, looking its best,” Currie said.
Nineteen MVD customer mile on their Adopt a Highway
“MVD employees get to see housing assistance, medical
cleanup section will receive special The ADOT Adopt a Highway program
service representatives, who firsthand how powerful a driver services, education services,
designation from ADOT. A new began in 1998. Today, more than 900
worked at temporary computer license is for a person and how haircuts and pet care.
Outstanding Volunteer placard groups clean nearly 1,700 miles of
workstations, provided driver much it impacts their day-to-day ~ Lori Baker, Senior Communications
featuring the “Arizona, Keep It highways. Last year, those groups
license, identification card, title living situations. It provides a Specialist
Grand” logo will be affixed to about collected nearly 14,000 bags of trash.
and registration services. Driver
license transactions included (Left to right) MVD
300 Adopt a Highway signs across Do you want to adopt your own
written tests and vision screening West Region Manager the state over the coming months. highway segment? You can find
with road tests in a vehicle Kyle Ulibarri, ITG PC “The Outstanding Volunteer placards available sections on the Adopt a
provided by Courtesy Chevrolet, Tech Tabion Johnson recognize groups that have cleaned Highway website. You can report
said MVD West Region Manager and Customer Service their Adopt a Highway stretch three litterbugs you see by calling 511
Kyle Ulibarri. Representative 3 or 877.3.LITTER or by visiting
or more times per year throughout
Heather Ferguson were litter.az.gov.
“Providing MVD services at their two-year permit period.
among MVD employees
StandDown allows veterans to helping veterans at Volunteer groups are required to ~ Lori Baker, Senior Communications Specialist
get their driving privileges or the Maricopa County clean their stretch of highway at least
identification cards issued in StandDown.
The INSIDE
FEBRUARY 2020 12You can also read
