Culpeper - The Pipeline - Nov/Dec 2022

VOLUME 30 | ISSUE 6
NOV / DEC 2022
On Nov. 10, Culpeper District hosted a gathering for our Veterans so they could enjoy a meal
and spend time reflecting on their service to our country. They shared photos and information
about their military experience that day. See page 3 for a few moments from the get-together,
along with the names of our colleagues who defended the freedoms we hold dear.
PUBLISHED FOR AND ABOUT VDOT’S CULPEPER DISTRICT TEAM
Albemarle Culpeper Fauquier Fluvanna Greene Louisa Madison Orange Rappahannock
From DE: New Year Brings Opportunities, Challenges
As we begin a new year, I want to begin by thanking
each of you for the work you’ve done during the year just
past. We successfully resumed normal business operations
following several challenging years. We continued
to develop and deliver the district’s construction and
maintenance programs with safety and high quality.
The district’s local assistance staff worked with
our local government partners to advance, and in
some cases reset, the LAP program to ensure that
projects will advance on schedule and with the
accountability that is expected from the public.
And we responded to emergency incidents
and weather events throughout the year to
protect lives and property and keep our roads
clear and safe for travelers and commerce.
2023 promises to bring new challenges in every
Continues on page 2

PAGE 2 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022
DE (continued)
aspect of our activities. A law enacted by the
General Assembly provided $87 million in
revenue from certain taxes and fees collected
within the district. That allocation provided
funding for 19 additional transportation
projects that are moving through preliminary
engineering. These long-awaited improvements
will provide great benefits, addressing safety
and mobility issues that have been requested
by communities, in some cases for years.
Some of these additional projects have been
expedited with accelerated schedules that will
ramp up during this coming year. We welcome
the opportunity to move these projects forward
more quickly, but we will need to maintain
unrelenting focus to ensure that we continue to
develop and deliver these projects with the high
level of safety, quality and accountability that
have always been hallmarks of our district’s work.
These additional projects will require us
to utilize outside resources as well, including
design and construction firms in both traditional
design-bid-build and design-build projects. This
injects an additional level of complexity into
the process. The same is true of the locallyadministered
projects that several of our local
government partners have undertaken. I know
I can count on the district staff to continue to
work as willing partners with them, always
looking for constructive solutions to resolve issues
and solve problems while ensuring that we are
delivering our program on time and on budget
with safety, accountability and high quality.
Last year the district’s Traffic Operations
section stood up and made immediate
technical improvements to our devices and
infrastructure. That work will continue this
year with additional signals brought online
with broadband connections that will enable
remote monitoring and adjustments to improve
traffic flow during normal operations as well as
managing traffic during emergency incidents.
Our field crews continue to perform their
jobs, day in and day out, no matter the weather,
to keep people and commerce moving. Their
dedicated work is critical to the district’s success.
Finally, in this new year we will all be looking
toward the district’s future with an emphasis
on strategic planning. Culpeper is known as
a high-performing district and our leadership
team is respected across the state for their
knowledge and experience and their willingness
to lend that expertise to help solve problems,
be they statewide or smaller in scope.
Continues on page 9
District Publishes 2022
Transportation Update
The district's annual publication, Transportation Update,
reports overall performance during the fiscal year as well as
an overview of the current, recently completed and proposed
projects. Produced by the district's Office of Communications,
the publication serves as a reference guide for state
legislators and local officials. Read the 2022 Transportation
Update on DOTi or by selecting the graphic at right.
2022 Culpeper District
Transportation Update

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022 PAGE 3
Military Veterans Honored at District Event
Cecil Glenn Banks, West Culpeper AHQ
Peter Brennan, Charlottesville Residency Construction
John J. Brunette, District Equipment Administration
Jim Call, District Environmental
Corey Clinton, District Information Technology
Michael T. Eutsler, District Traffic Operations
Scott Garrett, District Traffic Operations
Joel Gooch, District Business Support
Willie Gordon, Jr., Louisa Residency Administration
Brandon Griffin, Traffic Engineering
Richard Jones, Warrenton Equipment Shop
Patrick Longerbeam, District Engineering
John Mayhew, Palmyra AHQ
Justin Maciejewski, Boyd Tavern AHQ
Wes Mason, District Maintenance
Mike McDaniel, District Equipment Administration
Ed San Nicholas, Charlottesville Residency Administration
Russell Sawyers, Warrenton Residency Administration
Greg Settle, Louisa Residency Administration
Mark Simmons, Keene AHQ
Michael Sprouse, Charlottesville Residency Administration
For more information on those who served, please visit VDOT HONORS ALL WHO SERVED.
See more photos from the district's Veteran's Day event on page 9.

PAGE 4 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022
VDOTer Designs Guardrail App:
Clever Idea Saves Time in the Field
When John Mayhew is not supervising
the daily workload for the Palmyra
Area Headquarters, he is working on
innovative technology. “I enjoy looking
for ways to make the work that we do
here more efficient, safe, and more
streamlined.”
The 43-year-old began his career
with the Virginia Department of
Transportation about five and a half
years ago, “When I first came here as an
operator, using technology in the field
was non-existent. The supervisors or the
superintendents that had state phones,
they may use them to take a picture
of something to record, an accident or
something like that, but using any apps to record
their work, that was pretty much non-existent.”
Then, in 2020, VODT launched a Tech Fluency
pilot program to include eight proposed locations
across Virginia. Information Technology Manager
Corey Clinton says “Palmyra was nominated
as a pilot site for the Culpeper District, mostly
because of John Mayhew. He was seen as an area
headquarters champion and an innovative lead
among his peers.”
The district passed out Surface Pros and iPads
to crews at Palmyra AHQ, and let them loose.
Mayhew flashes a quick smile as he remembers
the challenge, “They didn’t know, they just said,
here’s these devices. Use them and come up with
any idea you can think of. That was what I was
told directly. Anything you can think of. Try it and
see what you can do with these things.”
Mayhew took it to heart and let his mind
wander, “there was quite a few ideas I had like
creating a digital log book for our trucks or using
thermal imaging to help us locate pipes. I was just
trying to figure out a way to make my life — and
everyone else’s — easier.”
The supervisor hit it out of the park when he
thought about the cumbersome job of recording
guardrail damage. “You had to go out to the
scene, you had to collect data, fill out some paper
forms, get your pictures, come back to the office,
upload your pictures, scan your document and
then send off the email, and it just seemed a little
time-consuming.”
Mayhew then reached out to a tech savvy
friend at Central Office who guided him through
the Power Apps Program. VDOT offers it to
employees for just this purpose. Mayhew used
it to build the guardrail app which would allow
crews to take pictures of damage, and document
it from the field.
Just like that, no more traveling back to the
office. Crews no longer needed that desktop
computer to upload, scan, and email. The app is
saving valuable time, “I’m glad that it’s helping
other people, or it’s making other peoples’ jobs
easier.” Mayhew added.
His brain child even got an upgrade over the
Continues on page 6

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022 PAGE 5
No Hassle Snow Days: Dennis Nicholson Retires
After 37 years with the Virginia Department of
Transportation, Bridge Engineer, Dennis Nicholson is
ready to sit back and relax, with a “snow day” view
he hasn’t experienced for more than three decades,
“I’m going to have me a cup of coffee, and I’m going
to say, man that’s beautiful, for the first time.”
In mid-November, 2022, his team threw a
retirement party, with a big spread, and several
fond farewells, “I loved it, and I loved the people
that came, Teresa Gothard, Glenn Mcaninch, they’ve
been wonderful to work for, and I’m going to miss
them, but I’m not going to miss the hassle.”
Nicholson knows the “snow hassle” all too well.
“When you get on a lot of these back roads, and
you’ve got a foot of snow, you don’t know where
you’re going, you have to be real alert. I’ve done
it for so long, I got tired of it. I’ve been doing
snow every winter and I’ve been all over the
district. We used to do it in Orange, then in the
last 10 years, I’ve been doing it on (U.S.) 29, which
is not too bad.”
Even though Nicholson won’t be following
work orders from VDOT, Nicholson points across
the room to his wife, Savilla Nicholson, who is the
Culpeper District Fuel Coordinator and says, “I got a
honey “do” list now, and then my wife’s going to
retire next year. So I’m going to wait for her, and
we’re going to do a little traveling. My mom lives
next door, I’ll do some stuff for her, watch the
snow and just enjoy myself.”

PAGE 6 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022
Guardrail (continued)
holiday for crews who find themselves in areas
without cell service. Now they can document their
work, leave the app open, and record the guardrail
damage when they get to an area with service.
Infrastructure Manager, Travis Estes, says “Greatly
appreciate John Mayhew continuing to be the
technical expert behind the app. He worked directly
with Central Office IT to make these improvements
happen and has done all the testing to get us to
where we are now. I can simply say, we wouldn’t be
where we are without him.”
Mayhew said, “I’m thankful for people like Travis
Estes letting me bring that to him. Basically he
had the ultimate say whether or not it would be
used, and he said okay. Corey has been super about
providing me the necessary means for me to pursue
whatever crazy idea I might have.”
The birth of the guardrail app is nothing
compared to another new beginning in Mayhew’s
life. He and his wife Stephanie just welcomed their
first child, Julie, on November 30, 2022.
Mayhew says it’s definitely an exciting time in his
life, and as far as future ideas go, “I’m here for the ride and as long as they want to keep letting me try
new and different things, then I’ll just keep coming up with new and different things to try.”
This app, developed
by Palmyra AHQ's
John Mayhew,
allows VDOT crews
to quickly document
and report guardrail
damage while
in the field.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022 PAGE 7
Compliments on Job Well Done
Diverging Diamond Project
"Albemarle County Board Supervisor
Gallaway and County Executive Jeff Richardson
expressed appreciation and amazement of
the management of the work considering the
complexity of the project and the volume of
traffic traveling through this intersection. They
both said the construction was going as well
as one could hope and the crew is doing an
excellent job keeping traffic moving through
the intersection while making progress on the
project."
— Comment shared by Charlottesville
RE Carrie Shepheard after a Board of
Supervisors meeting
Stanardsville AHQ
“We drive past the work being done on U.S. 33
East in Ruckersville twice a day (at the very least).
Whenever we drive by in the morning, my two
year old says 'hi' to all the trucks and workers,
says 'see you later,' and then blows kisses. On
our way home, she waves to them all again and
says 'night, night,' and blows kisses. Just wanted
to share because she really likes seeing all the
trucks and saying hi and goodnight to all of
them.”
— Elizabeth Smith
“Awesome Job”
— Frank Coffman
“Thank you to the crew that came out to
remove the tree off the road. After a morning
phone call, the crew was out there within two
hours and that deserves a big thanks.”
— Dianna Anderson
Gordonsville AHQ
“I want to say thank you to Anthony Ryder
and his team for the work they did on Montford
Road — the dirt/gravel portion. The leaf
collection was especially appreciated, as well as
the grading and work on the ditch beyond the
curve at the bottom of the hill. This is greatly
appreciated. Thanks!”
— Steve Holmes
“We just want to compliment the people
that cleaned up the intersection of Hardwick
Mountain and Tibbstown Road. It really looks
great! Thank you also for removing the roped
off area and downed tree that in in the island
between Route 20 and Tibbstown Road. We also
appreciate you cutting back the overgrowth on
the corner of Hardwick Mountain and Tibbstown
Road. This is a blind area and it has made the
access to Hardwick Mountain from Tibbstown
Road much easier. We greatly appreciate all of
your work in this area. Thank you again for a
fantastic job.”
— Thomas Welch
“Thanks very much for your quick response
to a dangerous situation on Route 20 near
Somerset, Virginia. We drove back down Route
20 on our way home and noticed that the large
patch of ice was removed and salt was applied to
the area. We were impressed with VDOT taking
care of that danger so quickly! Thanks again!"
— Pam Norem, Somerset, VA
Continues on page 8

PAGE 8 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022
Compliments (continued)
Boyd Tavern AHQ and
Free Union AHQ
Albemarle County Supervisor, Diantha McKeel,
passed on this compliment:
“It is glad tidings I share this night on Lambs
Road because today VDOT removed all of the
downed trees, cut lumber and brush from the
last bad storm we had. It is now safe again for
schoolbuses, cars, walkers, bikers, runners, mail/
package/food delivery vehicles, and puppy dogs
on Lambs Road!
"Thanks to hard-working VDOT and all who
made this happen.”
— B. Bivins, a grateful constituent on Lambs
Road
Yancey Mill AHQ
“Thank you to Kevin and the crew who did
clean-up of all the limbs and debris along
Rockfish Gap Turnpike."
— Greenwood, VA
Zion Crossroads AHQ
“Thanks to Chris and his crew for a superb
job removing the tree and cleaning up the area
on Rock Quarry Road in Louisa County. Chris
Martin was very courteous and accommodating.
His manners were off the hook. He is a valuable
worker.”
— Anonymous Citizen
Boyd Tavern AHQ
“Thanks for re-grading the road in front of our
home.”
— Richard Vanderslice
Madison AHQ
"The team that maintains gravel roads are
excellent, hardworking and much appreciated.
VDOT workers are doing a great job. We
really appreciate them and commend their
work. Thank them and you all for your efforts
throughout the year."
— Stuart Mackintosh, Sperryville, VA
“Thank you for filling the pothole quickly on
Ridgeview Road in Reva with this report. The
spot looks great and rides great!"
— Lynn Henshaw

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022 PAGE 9
DE (continued)
The district’s challenge is to maintain our
current level of performance in the future
as agency directives change, technology
evolves, work priorities shift and individuals
move on from their current positions.
Succession planning is part of this but the
challenge goes well beyond people.
To address these challenges the district has
developed a strategic plan to guide us over the
next five years. Culpeper District’s NExT (New
Experiences in Transportation) initiative will
provide the framework for the district’s evolution
while identifying constraints and opportunities
to always improve our people and our services.
This is an opportunity for us to document
our processes and identify efficiencies. It will
involve developing strategies for recruitment
and retention while implementing a model
workforce that is composed of full-time
employees and consultants. We will define
clear measurable goals for performance
management in all areas to drive performance.
In all our work, no matter whether your job
takes you into the field or inside an office,
the most important duty we all have is to
safety -- for ourselves, our VDOT colleagues
and to everyone who uses our roads. I ask
each of you to recommit, every day, to
making safety your top priority. With that
commitment we can truly live the district’s
safety message: “Safety takes no days off.”
I wish each of you good health and
happiness, and I look forward to continuing
our work in the New Year.
Sean Nelson
District Engineer
Military (continued)

PAGE 10 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022
New RMS Coming Soon
The Commonwealth of Virginia will be transitioning to
PageUp, a new recruitment management system (RMS)
on Jan. 24. Jobs that applicants apply to through Jan. 23
will continue to be processed in the current system. After
that date, applicants will need to complete a profile in
PageUp to apply for positions. If you need information
from applications and resumes in the current system,
login to jobs.virginia.gov and download copies before
Jan. 22.
Just Sayn’ Spot Recognition Program
Did you think that was just a card you got? It’s not —
it’s a premium item! Go to the website listed on the card,
enter the code, browse the catalog, select your item, and
check out! Contact Susan Good, 540-829-7529 if you need
assistance. This VDOT program is a tool to be used by
supervisors to provide timely recognition for employees
who go above and beyond, consistently embody and
practice VDOT’s core values and competencies, and/or
have made a specific positive impact or contribution to
the agency. And, remember, Human Resources always has
a selection of items on hand for your use in recognizing
your awesome staff!
New Leave Accrual Rate for Veterans
A new calculation to the annual leave accrual rates for
employees who are military veterans, active-duty military,
National Guard or Reserves takes effect with the new
leave year, Jan. 10. Visit the Human Resources page on
DOTi, or contact Susan Good at 540-829-7529 if you have
questions.
Check Your Address
W2s are mailed to the home address recorded in
Cardinal. Log in now and make any needed changes. A
current address on file isn’t just important at “tax time.”
Throughout the year documents are mailed using that
address. Employment documents, leave documents,
health insurance documents, VRS documents, mileage
calculations — all use this address. Make sure someone
else doesn’t receive your information — keep your
address up to date to keep your information safe!
BENEFITS CONTACTS
Anthem Member Services
Medical, prescription drug, optional vision/hearing
1-800-552-2682
www.anthem.com/cova
Flexible spending accounts (FSA)
1-877-451-7244
www.benefitadminsolutions.com/anthem
Employee Assistance Program
1-855-223-9277
www.anthemeap.com
COVA HealthAware (Aetna)
Medical, dental, EAP, prescription drug, vision, hearing
1-855-414-1901
www.covahealthaware.com
Kaiser Permanente
Medical insurance
1-800-777-7902
www.kp.org/mida/commonwealthofvirginia
Delta Dental
Dental insurance
1-888-335-8296
www.deltadentalva.com
Securian Group & Optional Life Insurance
Group and optional life insurance
1-800-441-2258
www.varetire.org/members/benefits/life-insurance/
index.asp
ReedGroup
Disability insurance
1-877-928-7021
www.varetire.org/members/disability/vsdp/index.asp
reedgroup.com/vrs/vrs-employee-virginia-sicknessdisability-program/
MC Innovations (MCI)
Workers’ Compensation Administrator
1-804-649-2288
www.covwc.com
MissionSquare Retirement (formerly ICMA-RC)
Defined compensation plans
1-877-327-5261
www.varetire.org/members/Benefits/definedcontribution/index.asp
Virginia Retirement System (VRS)
State retirement benefits
1-888-VARETIR (1-888-827-3847)
www.varetire.org