Staunton District - Highway Scanner - March 2023

The Highway Scanner
A newsletter for and about the people of
VDOT’s Staunton District
MARCH 2023
KEEP PROJECTS
MOVING
Find a way to deliver the program.
This is what Staunton District Engineer
Todd Stevens is summoning the key
players in project development to do
– find ways to keep projects moving
forward.
Dollars get allocated to projects and
projects get a schedule. “Certainly,
it is to our benefit to stay on that
schedule,” Stevens says, “so we can
demonstrate to the public that we’re
getting the projects designed and
constructed, so we don’t have money
building up and balances sitting
around.” It’s a point Stevens suspects
is being made by district engineers
across the Commonwealth.
That sounds simple, but Stevens is the
first to admit it’s anything but. “The
process is just complicated. There are
just so many factors.” But to work
successfully within the process, it’s
important first to understand it.
(ARTICLE CONTINUES, PAGES 2-4)
COVER PHOTO:
Project Manager David Robinson
during a Design Public Hearing for
Millwood Avenue Improvements in
Winchester.
Alleghany • Augusta • Bath • Clarke • Frederick
Highland • Page • Rockbridge • Rockingham • Shenandoah • Warren

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT
THE PROCESS
A project is initiated when it’s assigned to a project manager. Funding is established
and the scope is generally defined. There are several major milestones in the
development process: Scoping, Preliminary Design, Public Outreach, Detailed Design,
Final Design, Right of Way activities, and Advertising for Construction. Each phase
has its own set of tasks and legal requirements.
During Scoping, the project gets more specific – determining how long it’s going to
take to get to advertisement and how much it’s really going to cost.
It begins with Survey, which involves a detailed process of locating objects out in
the field such as pipes, bridges, and rivers, and taking 3D measurements. This can
require aerial photos that can only be captured when the trees are leafless.
Environmental’s efforts, like many of the district’s other sections, are sprinkled
throughout project development. “Documents and permits for federal projects are
the two biggest things we do,” says Environmental Manager Liz Jordan. They begin
their review process in Scoping. The team identifies natural resources, hazardous
materials, and cultural resources. “That’s a big one for us,” Jordan imparts. “Typically,
we’re trying to minimize our impacts to any historic property.” Project designers
are skilled at this, but Jordan says impacts can be unavoidable and require a lot of
consulting and time to reach an agreement.
This process extends into Preliminary Design where the Environmental Section chips
away at one of its biggest rocks - drafting the National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) document which is to be completed prior to public hearing. It demonstrates
that VDOT has complied with all applicable federal and state laws, regulations, and
executive orders, in consultation with the appropriate stakeholders.
A big part of Preliminary Design involves engineering. For smaller projects, that can
be done in house by the project managers themselves. But for larger projects, such
as interstate widening in the I-81 Corridor Improvement Program, VDOT works with
consultant engineers. Project managers review those plans and work to keep the
budget in check.
TOP RIGHT: Project Manager Jennifer
Hoover.
BOTTOM RIGHT: Survey Tech Jonathan
Marquise.
TOP LEFT: District Construction Engineer
Robbie Good.
BOTTOM LEFT: Edinburg Assistant
Resident Engineer Matt Smith, L&D
Manager Scott Alexander, and Edinburg
Residency Land Use Engineer Joe Johnson
during a public hearing in Winchester.
This phase is also a time when Construction weighs in. “The project managers carry the
torch and do all the work,” District Construction Engineer Robbie Good points out,
but it’s important for Construction to review plans and point out potential concerns.
“If we see something that could be a problem we are having those discussions,
identifying and assigning the risk, and best figuring out how to address it.”
Once Preliminary Design is complete, it’s time for Public Involvement, often in the
form of a public hearing. Matt Dana, Assistant District Administrator for Preliminary
Engineering, Planning and Investment, enjoys this phase. “I like working with the
public and helping them understand why we’re doing what we do,” he says. “I don’t
think they realize the complexity of a project. It’s really complicated and we have a
lot of projects.” Some are more controversial, requiring enhanced public involvement.
Project managers and engineers consider comments from the public and finalize
plans during the Detailed Design phase. This leads to the major milestone of Design
Approval and the beginning of Right of Way acquisition – the final stage before
Advertising for construction. “Getting right of way is often the hardest step,” Project
Manager Jennifer Hoover explains. District Location and Design Engineer John-
Allen Ennis adds, “That adds a lot of time when we have to acquire right of way.”
The Right of Way division also tackles utility relocations, but the biggest challenge
is acquiring property. Regional Right of Way Manager Mike Sprouse says the goal
Continued on next page
2
MARCH 2023

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT
is getting everybody to say ‘yes’. “You’d be amazed at some of the negotiations we
get into,” Sprouse reveals. “Sometimes it’s money, but sometimes it’s something the
owner wants.”
Another time-consuming process is relocating people and businesses. “If we have
a relocation, we almost always ask for 18 months, because the process just takes
so long and the market is so volatile.” Sometimes, despite every effort, Sprouse
says they reach an impasse and eminent domain enters the conversation. “We try
everything we can to avoid that.”
The final phase of project development is advertising the project for construction.
This is where the baton is passed to Construction – where project development ends
and delivery begins.
ABOVE: Regional Right of Way Manager
Mike Sprouse.
A HEAVY LOAD
Leading project development are the project managers, who juggle a number of projects at once. “Our group alone administers
around 60-some projects at a time that we’re managing and designing,” Ennis states. The Bridge group typically has another 15 or
16 projects under development, and Location and Design does a lot of design work on many of those as well. “Project managers
have to work very closely with all of the other sections,” Ennis says. “We have to have a little bit of knowledge about what each
group does.”
Approaching four years as a project manager, David Robinson now has a clear understanding of his role. “At first I thought
‘Oh, I’m project manager. I’ve got these jobs that I need to work with my team to get stuff done,’” he says. “I manage a project
but I don’t manage people, I coordinate. But the project is mine and I just have to get it across the finish line.”
Robinson describes it as making sure he’s checking all the boxes on all the checklists. Hoover adds, “Each category has its own set
of tasks. They’re consistent. A lot of tasks go on at the same time, but if one is on the critical path, you can't start the next task
until the previous one is complete.”
“The process is a flow chart, and there’s a 150-page manual that goes with it,” Robinson
shares. “It tells you what to do, but not who to talk to.” There are numerous people and
several departments that can play a part in project development beyond Location and
Design, Survey, Environmental, Construction, and Right of Way. Materials conducts soil
tests to determine what’s underground, Traffic Engineering is responsible for signals
and traffic flow, Civil Rights and Communications oversee public involvement, and
Structure and Bridge is often central to the design process, not to mention consultants
and external stakeholders like localities and the public at large.
“Everybody sees their piece of the overall project differently,” Location and Design
Manager Scott Alexander conveys, and this can cause competing priorities. “Usually
if there’s a dissenting opinion or whatever the case may be, it’s a matter of making sure
you understand what the issue is.”
Dana says project managers have perhaps the most difficult job in VDOT. “They’re
trying to move these projects through the process and the people who are working
with them don’t work for them, so they don’t have any authority over those folks. It’s
really a challenging position to be in.”
TOP LEFT: Pre-Advertisement Conference for I-81
auxiliary lane project (mile marker 221-220).
BOTTOM LEFT: Project Manager Jennifer Hoover.
BOTTOM CENTER: Environmental Specialist Katelyn
Shiflett and Environmental Manager Liz Jordan.
BOTTOM RIGHT: Assistant D.A. for Preliminary
Engineering, Planning and Investment Matt Dana.
Continued on next page
MARCH 2023 3

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT
SMART SCALE
Another challenge is a byproduct of the SMART SCALE system for prioritizing transportation improvements. Technically SMART
SCALE is pre-project development, but it plays a critical role throughout the process. “The way we fund and deliver projects is
inherently different now that SMART SCALE exists,” District Planner Brad Reed conveys. Before SMART SCALE, localities put an
idea forward without a study or the details worked out. Now projects are selected with a fixed schedule, and the cost estimate
becomes the budget.
“The challenge is having all the information when you have no information,” Dana says. “We have to have more accurate
estimates at very early stages like the SMART SCALE application phase, because you don’t want to come back three years later
and say ‘Well, we really need another $5 million.’ That doesn’t typically go over very well.”
“You’re usually looking at three years into VDOT’s Six-Year Improvement Program to begin design on a SMART SCALE project,”
Reed explains. Depending on the size and complexity of the project, it can take several more years to go through development
and delivery. In the meantime, the clock is ticking and the cost of doing business continues to rise. “Inflation is unforeseen and
really adds up,” Robinson points out, “especially when you’re dealing with tens of millions of dollars.” This leaves the project
development team with a choice: Ask for more money or change the scope, which extends the project even further.
THE DASHBOARD AND BEYOND
There is a system that measures project delivery – the VDOT Dashboard. It offers
a quick glance at the performance of Virginia’s transportation system. In addition
to highway safety, the condition of roads and bridges, and interstate clearance
times, the dashboard measures if projects are on time and on budget.
Stevens says VDOT Dashboard is an excellent tool for measuring performance, but
he says it’s important not to lose sight of the mission, which is to effectively and
efficiently develop projects to advertisement. “As managers, we need to get our
arms around closing the scoping activity so we are truly developing projects as
quickly as possible and meeting the Dashboard targets,” Stevens says. “Project
development is a team effort and I have confidence we will find ways to be
successful regardless of the circumstances.” •
TOP RIGHT: District Planner Brad Reed.
MIDDLE RIGHT: District L&D Engineer John-Allen Ennis.
BOTTOM RIGHT: NPDES Coordinator/Environmental Commitments
Inspector Will Hamblet.
BOTTOM LEFT: Design Public Hearing for Millwood Avenue
Improvements in Winchester.
44
SEPTEMBER MARCH 2023 2020

FOCUS ON SAFETY
3 New Safety Directives for ALL VDOT Employees
1 – Vehicle Backing and Parking
√ Driver/Operator shall complete Safety Circle Walk EVERY TIME before driving
√ Use spotter if available – STOP IMMEDIATIELY if lose sight of spotter.
√ Backing should be kept to minimum – use pull-through parking when possible.
√ Back slowly, staying in contact with spotter and repeatedly checking mirrors.
2 – Occupant Restraints
√ VDOT employees and contract employees on official VDOT business MUST wear seat belts while operating or riding
in vehicles/equipment.
√ If vehicle/equipment is in motion, seatbelt MUST be worn
3 – Headlights on Safety
√ All VDOT owned, leased or rented vehicles and equipment, and all personal vehicles used for VDOT business, shall
be operated with front lights running during daytime.
√ Some vehicles have automatic running lights. Those that don’t, shall have low beam headlights manually turned on.
√ When weather causes reduced visibility, vehicles with automatic running lights need to be switched to low beam
headlights.
Safety Circle Walk – Get Out and Look
√ Walk around vehicle completely and survey
backing area
√ Check for overhead clearance
√ Check ground for softness and hidden hazards
√ Position mirrors properly
√ Back towards driver’s side when possible to
reduce blind spots
√ When backing toward fixed object, consider
prepositioning tire chocks at estimated
stopping point
√ Back in slowly
SPOTTER HAND SIGNALS
5
MARCH MARCH 2023 2023
5

FOCUS FOCUS ON ON SAFETY SAFETY
2022 Gold Star Safety Award
Staunton Traffic Maintenance Pavement Markings & Signs
Staunton
Always
For
Excellence
Five Star Award Winners
Facility Inspections * Pre-Operation Inspections *
No Preventable Crashes or Incidents * No Recordable Injuries
» Survey Section
» Pavement Markings & Signs
» Verona Bridge Crew
» Lexington Bridge Crew
» Harrisonburg Bridge Crew
» Luray Bridge Crew
» Edinburg Bridge Crew
» Luray AHQ
» Roadside
» Materials
» Winchester Shop
» Harrisonburg Shop
Monthly Safety Report January 2023
Staunton District
Data Last Refreshed
Feb 21, 2023 07:53:44 AM
District Name
Staunton District
Edinburg Residency Wide
Harrisonburg Residency Wide
Lexington Residency Wide
Staunton District Office
Hours 12mo
1,174,353.60
211,927.00
267,218.90
188,474.20
506,733.50
OSHA Recordables
Month
1
0
1
0
0
OSHA Recordables
12mo
9
3
4
2
0
OSHA Recordable
Rate 12mo
1.53
2.83
2.99
2.12
0.00
Lost Day Cases
Month
1
0
1
0
0
Lost Day Cases
12mo
4
1
2
1
0
Lost Day Case
Rate 12mo
Total 1,174,353.60 1 9 1.53 1 4 0.68 80
0.68
0.94
1.50
1.06
0.00
Lost Days
12mo
80
26
39
15
0
OSHA Recordable Rate 12 Month Rolling Average
Lost Days Rolling 12 Month Totals
Total Injuries by Causes
Residency Edinburg Resid… Harrisonbur… Lexington R… Staunton …
Residency Edinburg Resid… Harrisonbur… Lexington Re… Staunton …
OSHA Severity Non-Recordable Recordable
6
6.18 6.15
5.36
6.09
5.34
5.33
4.55
5.32
5.28
4.50
4.43
300
328
328
327
348
Struck by/against
Animal/insect
Overexertion
3
2
2
8
2
1
4
2
3.86 3.85
3.33 3.34
2.88 2.90 2.88
2.79 2.83
2.23 2.21 2.21 2.21 2.20 2.19 2.17 2.15 2.10 2.12
1.93
1.92 1.92 1.91 1.90
200
100
150 150 150
219 219 219 219 219 219 219
Contact by/with 2 1
0 5 10
Injury by Work Task
OSHA Severity Non-Recordable Recordable
0
0.78 0.78 0.78
0.39
February 2…
March 2022
April 2022
May 2022
June 2022
0.39 0.39 0.39 0.40 0.40
0.00 0.00 0.00
July 2022
August 2022
September 2022
October 2022
November 2022
December 2022
January 2023
0
21
0
21
0
February 2…
March 2022
April 2022
21
0
26 26 26 26 26 26 26 26
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
May 2022
June 2022
July 2022
August 2022
September 2022
October 2022
November 2022
December 2022
January 2023
39
26
0
Brush removal
4
1
Ditching/shoulder operations
Tree felling and limbing
2
2
1
1
Entering/exiting 1 1
0 5
66
MARCH JULY 2020 2023

NEWS & NOTES
"READING" ROADS FOR THE RIGHT RESPONSE
“The guys in our area headquarters know their roads. They know their cold spots,”
District Maintenance Engineer Joel DeNunzio proudly states. This winter, the Staunton
District is piloting a program that offers another way to verify or find those cold spots. It
has the potential to save VDOT time, money and effort.
It’s a mobile RWIS (Road Weather Information System) and Staunton’s maintenance
department is leasing six of them. Just like the stationary units scattered throughout the
district, the mobile unit measures pavement temperatures, road conditions and friction
factors, but takes it on the road. “We can drive a section of road and analyze that whole
road,” DeNunzio says. The mobile RWIS attaches on the outside of vehicles and links to
a phone inside the vehicle, which captures pictures through the windshield. The mobile
RWIS collects the data which is accessible both on the road and back at the district,
allowing VDOT to respond quickly.
DeNunzio says the data is key. “If we don’t know what we’re dealing with and we put a
layer of salt down, but the pavement is too cold for the salt to really do anything, then all
we’re doing is scraping the salt off the road.
He admits it’s a little tough to gauge the value of the mobile RWIS during a mild winter like
this, but DeNunzio says other states using them are seeing a huge benefit. “They’re finding
huge savings in salt,” he says. “That’s not only a money savings, it’s an effort savings and
environmental savings also.”
DeNunzio remains hopeful. “What’s important is how we treat the roads to get them cleared,
and we can choose a better treatment option when we understand where our cold spots are,
what our pavement temperatures are, and where we’re seeing conditions.”
Moving Forward – Focus on Innovation
I-81 CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENT UPDATE
Construction is expected to begin later this year on two large I-81 CIP projects in
Augusta County. But there’s plenty of work already taking place along the interstate
and adjacent primary routes.
In early April VDOT is scheduled to execute a design-build contract for widening
I-81 in the Staunton area. Construction should start soon after, and be complete in
summer 2027. The roughly $172 million project will add a third lane northbound
and southbound between exit 221 (the junction with I-64) and exit 225 (Route 262
on the northern end of Staunton).
An adjacent project adds a southbound auxiliary lane between exit 221 and exit
220 (the southern end of Route 262). VDOT is set to advertise the $14 million
project in July, and construction should start by the end of the year. A major part of
this project is replacement of the Route 635 (Barterbrook Road) overpass bridge.
Geotechnical work such as core-sample drilling (photo at left) and groundpenetrating
radar has been taking place along I-81 in the Weyers Cave and
Harrisonburg areas. These operations are part of the preliminary engineering for
truck climbing lanes near the Augusta-Rockingham county line, and interstate
widening through Harrisonburg. These projects are scheduled to go under
construction in 2024 and 2025.
The I-81 CIP includes numerous improvements near interchanges and along key parallel roads such as Route 11 and
Route 37. Upgrades include traffic cameras, digital message signs, and enhanced coordination among traffic signals.
Contractors are working at about a dozen different locations including Winchester, Mount Crawford and Verona.
MARCH 2023 7

NEWS & NOTES
"PROVEN TRACK RECORD" IN CONSTRUCTION
Staunton VDOT has a new District Construction Engineer – Robbie Good. He assumed the role at the end of February.
The Luray-native comes to the role with his professional engineer license and more than 25 years of experience in
construction and engineering. Good says he’s both grateful and excited for the opportunity.
Good joined VDOT in 1996 as an hourly inspector trainee. Four years later and with a B.S. in Civil Engineering from
Virginia Tech, Good participated in the engineer development program and was promoted to project manager. Good
worked in the private sector for a few years, but found his way back to the department in 2006 as a construction
manager, and then as area construction engineer for the northern part of the district. In that role, Good administered
over 220 contracts with a combined value exceeding $500 million.
“Robbie has administered a wide range of projects with varying scope
and complexity,” Staunton District Engineer Todd Stevens says. “He has
a proven track record in delivering quality projects safely, on time and on
budget.”
For Good VDOT is more than a place to work, it’s a legacy. “My greatgrandfather
retired from the Department of Highways. My grandfather
and father also worked for VDOT,” Good shares. “This foundation for
service, coupled with the mentors and peers that I have learned from and
worked with over the years has led me to this point. I am grateful for their
support and all of the relationships built along the way.”
Good intends to support Materials, Contract Administration and
Construction staff to make sure they have what they need to be successful.
He also plans to develop relationships with the contracting and consulting
industry. “Those partnerships will be critical to our success as all of this
work, especially along the I-81 Corridor, begins to unfold,” Good says.
DETERMINATION LEADS TO SUCCESS
Staunton District Equipment Repair Manager Joe Hildebrand is the only VDOT shop manager in the state with the
distinguished honor of being an AEMP Certified Equipment Manager. AEMP is the Association of Equipment Management
Professionals, and the industry standard for those who manage and maintain heavy equipment.
When Hildebrand heard the news, he called his wife. “She was excited. She was tickled pink,” Hildebrand shares. “First
thing she said was ‘Thank God’.” For roughly a year, after days spent overseeing equipment repairs on anything from
chainsaws to motor graders in the Staunton District shop, Hildebrand would often head home to spend hours at night
studying.
Staunton District Equipment Manager L.T. Williams recommended Hildebrand for the program. “That is a great
accomplishment,” Williams says, and he would know. He earned his certificate more than 20 years ago, but recalls the
experience like it was yesterday. “It’s a hard test,” Williams laments. “I remember exactly how it was.”
Hildebrand’s more than two decades of experience as a technician,
with four at VDOT as shop manager, helped prepare him for the
challenge. It involved a points-based application process, an eightweek
learning lab and a 150-question test which Hildebrand used
every bit of the allotted four hours to complete. Hildebrand describes
the accomplishment as feeling like he’s on cloud 9.
LEFT: District Equipment Repair
Manager Joe Hildebrand.
CENTER: District Equipment
Manager L.T. Williams.
8
SEPTEMBER MARCH 2023 2020

NEWS & NOTES
A CLOSE CALL
On the afternoon of November 22, Operator Robbie Hutton was on his way back to the
Winchester Area Headquarters after a day of grading on Knob Road. Hutton describes
this part of Frederick County as mountainous and heavily wooded. “Along the way I saw
smoke rising above the tree line,” Hutton recalls.
The closer he got to 760 Knob Road, the heavier the smoke. “Something just didn’t seem
right,” Hutton recounts. He decided to stop and see what was going on. “As I walked up
the driveway and crested the top of the hill, that’s when I saw a large part of the yard close
to a house was on fire,” Hutton says.
Hutton called out and no one answered. He realized the fire was spreading toward
the house and garage. Despite his trepidation about being on private property, Hutton
responded. He called 911 and grabbed a rake off the grader. “I went back to the fire
line and raked out the fire closest to the house.” Then, Hutton ran to the front door and
started banging. “An older gentleman answered the door,” Hutton remembers. The man
had been napping. Hutton told him about the fire and the man safely exited the house.
By the time Hutton got back to the fire, the garage had begun to melt. “I started raking
the burning leaves away from the garage and beat out the spots on the siding that were
on fire,” Hutton shared.
Firefighters responded, and Hutton and Operator Morgan Kibler pulled hoses and did what they
could to help crews successfully extinguish the fire.
Winchester AHQ Superintendent Maury Sutphin was at the shop when the homeowner came in
to thank Hutton. “He said he was thankful that Robbie had seen the fire and actually stopped the
machine he was on and came onto his property,” Sutphin says. “We usually stay in our right of
way working, but if we see something that we can help somebody with, we are a public service.”
“Sometimes you have to step outside of your boundaries and normal everyday activities to help
other people in times of need,” Hutton says, grateful he could be there to help. “Thankfully, the
man’s property was saved and no one was hurt.”
WORKFORCE TRAINING
AND DEVELOPMENT
Be sure to complete your online
video training NOW for VDOT'S 2023
Safety Excellence Award Program!
Field Employee Training
> Field Safety
> Safety Reporting
> VDOT Fire Extinguisher Training
> Construction: Caught-in or Caught-between
Office Employee Training
> Office Safety
> Safety Reporting
> VDOT Fire Extinguisher Training
> Active Shooter 2.0
Visit the VDOT-U website to get started
WELCOME TO VDOT!
January and February 2023
New Hires / Rehires
Bradford Allen, TO II, Winchester
Doug Holt, AE I, NWRO
Shanon Sprinkle, TO II, Mauzy
Wendy Webber, AOS III, Winchester
Virgil Dedrick, TO II, Staunton
Thomas Fitzgerald, TO II, Verona
Dylan Lake, TO II, Stephens City
Kuang-Yuan Hou, A/E I, Staunton
William Housman, Env Specialist II, Staunton
Contact Chris Testerman (540) 480-8900
or Janice Ramsey (540) 332-8934
if you need help or have questions.
Due to changes in reporting methods, Service Award listings will resume in the next Highway Scanner.
SEPTEMBER MARCH 2023 2020 9

AROUND THE DISTRICT A MESSAGE FROM TODD STEVENS ...
Just about everything we do in the VDOT Staunton District
requires a team approach – from working safely in the field
to meeting prompt-pay benchmarks in our Business office.
Technician Jack Borden (center) beat
out 240 other technicians to win the
2022 VDOT Technician of the Year
award. District Equipment Manager L.T.
Williams (left) and State Equipment
Manager Brian Marshall (right) helped
recognize Borden on January 24.
One of our most critical team efforts involves project
development and delivery. Hundreds of VDOTers continually
work together to take each new project from concept to
construction. Even a relatively simple project like a repaving
job or an intersection improvement involves employees from
several different sections. This collaboration is even more
obvious, and more intensive, on major construction like a
new roadway or a large bridge replacement.
Our agency’s annual construction budget is more than $3 billion dollars. This financial
commitment shows that taxpayers and elected leaders have a high level of trust in us.
They trust VDOT to work diligently and wisely to bring new projects to completion, and
our district team never forgets that. I strongly encourage you to read the cover article
in this edition of The Highway Scanner to find out how your teammates earn that trust.
A monthly Program meeting brings together roadway and bridge design engineers,
environmental and materials specialists, traffic engineers, and representatives from our
residencies and right of way sections. Line by line they review projects in the development
phases and share strategies for accelerating their paths to construction.
The VDOT Staunton District delivered
130 hygiene bags to the Valley
Mission in Staunton February 2.
Civil Rights organized the collection
for the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of
Service. THANK YOU everyone for all
the donations. Pictured left to right:
Civil Rights Specialist Melissa Lotts,
Civil Rights Manager Carolyn Sharp,
District Engineer Todd Stevens,
Valley Misson representative.
Of course, team members don’t wait for official monthly meetings to collaborate and
brainstorm. Each of them is partly responsible for getting projects to the finish line. And
each of those projects is more than what they can see on paper or a computer screen.
They have been carefully chosen because they will more efficiently move traffic, enhance
safety for motorists, or protect Virginians’ investment in their transportation system.
There’s one more team effort I want to address: the three new safety directives for all
VDOT employees. The directives, which took effect February 1, address vehicle backing
and parking as well as seat-belt and headlight usage.
Backing incidents remain an all-too-common cause of employee injuries and equipment
damage. One of the new initiatives establishes the “Safety Circle Walk” to identify
potential hazards or obstructions before moving a vehicle or piece of equipment. It also
includes an eye-opening video about the blind spots surrounding VDOT dump trucks.
The second directive is simple – buckle up, no matter what vehicle you’re driving or riding
in. Follow this rule even on the shortest trips, such as those between the fuel island and
your parking space.
In honor of MLK Day, the Harrisonburg
Residency and Verona Sub-Residency
volunteered at the Blue Ridge Area
Food Bank February 3. The team of 11
spent 3 hours unpacking boxes of sweet
potatoes and apples and repacking
them into 5-pound bags for the BRAFB
to give out to people in need.
The final directive requires all VDOT vehicle operators to use headlights or daytime
running lights, no matter the weather or time of day. If you’re more visible, you’re less
likely to be in a crash.
Each of us is responsible for becoming familiar with the new directives and putting them
into practice. They take only a few extra seconds but could save a life.
Todd Stevens, P.E.
Staunton District Engineer
Staunton District Office of Communications
811 Commerce Road, Staunton, VA 24401-9029
© 2023 Commonwealth of Virginia