Bristol - On the Road - January/February 2023

Jan.—Feb. 2023
Bland
Buchanan
Dickenson
Grayson
Lee
Russell
Scott
Smyth
Tazewell
Washington
Wise
Wythe
Interstate Maintenance, BVFD, VSP recently met with Va. High student drivers about safety.
On The Road
A newsletter for and about the employees of the Bristol District
Interstate Maintenance talks driver safety with area students
Safety was the focus of a driver educaon training event held at Abingdon High School
recently.
The Virginia Department of Transportaon (VDOT), along with Virginia State Police and the
local fire department shared informaon and impacul stories/experiences with students.
Topics included texng and driving, distracons, work zone safety, emergency situaons and
aenon to road signs. Abingdon sophomores aended the event and had the opportunity to
ask quesons at the end of the presentaon.
“I think it’s very important to reach young
people before they start driving, teaching
them about safety and especially the impact
distracted driving can have. It’s a life or
death decision when you get behind the
wheel,” said Rusty Bevan, VDOT Bristol
District Incident Management Coordinator.
Each agency represented also talked about
careers in each field and how to find out
more informaon about available jobs.

District Engineer’s Corner
The following was sent to all
employees February 22 in
recognion of Naonal
Engineers Week.
Like most college
graduates pursuing their
first job, I was well versed
in the principles of
engineering but had
minimal real‐world experience. Now that I’m
25 years into a career in the field, I am proud
of the path I chose and gain much job
sasfacon in knowing the difference
engineering makes in our everyday lives.
Engineers Week is a me to shine a spotlight
on engineering by celebrang how engineers
make a difference in our world and by
increasing public dialogue about the need for
engineers.
What we do at VDOT impacts every Virginian
daily. How we build, operate and maintain our
infrastructure impacts families, businesses and
Virginia’s economy. It’s important work and I
hope you realize the importance your role
plays at VDOT.
If any of you have considered an engineering
role at VDOT, I encourage you to reach out to
our Learning Manager Mitzi Williams to talk
about educaonal opportunies as well as
VDOT’s Engineering Development & Growth
Experience (EDGE) program, which builds the
pipeline for VDOT by culvang technical,
leadership, and core competencies. The EDGE
program requires parcipants hold a
bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, civil
engineering technology, or related field from
an Accreditaon Board for Engineering and
Technology (ABET) accredited instuon.
Also, VDOT has an engineering internship if
you know of anyone pursuing a degree in
engineering. The next round of applicaons for
the EDGE and internship programs will occur in
early 2024. Internship interviews for this year
will occur in March and EDGE posions are
opened unl filled so there’s sll me to apply.
If you are an engineer, I challenge you to
promote engineering work to others and help
your employees interested in engineering
pursue their goals.
Third Annual District Engineer’s Awards’ deadline quickly approaching
Nominaons are being accepted through Friday,
March 10 for the 3rd Annual Bristol District
Engineer Awards.
One applicaon will be chosen from each of the
categories listed below for recognion at the
district level and will automacally be submied
as the Bristol District nominaon for the
Commissioner’s Awards.
A combinaon of cash and leave will be
presented to the award winner for each category.
Outstanding VDOT Employee
(Individual)
Outstanding VDOT Leader or Project Manager
(Individual)
Lifeme Achievement
(Individual)
Innovaon
(Individual or Team)
Environmental Stewardship
(Individual or Team)
Outstanding Project Delivery or
Partnership
(Individual or Team)
Outstanding Customer Service
(Individual or Team)
Categories:
Community Service and Volunteerism
(Individual or Team)
Heroism
(Individual or Team)
(Le to right) Todd Repass, Brian Plummer and Derick Dodson on Todd’s cale farm in Wythe County.
2
Bristol District: On The Road

Food, cleaning items donated throughout district in honor of MLK
“Life’s most persistent and urgent queson is, what are you doing for others?”
‐ Dr. Marn Luther King, Jr.
Mulple work locaons observed the 2023 Marn Luther King, Jr. Day of Service.
The Bristol District office collected nearly 100 items and $145 for the Haven of Rest
Ministries in Bristol.
The Abingdon Residency and their four area headquarters collected and delivered more
than 650 pounds of food for the Faith in Acon food bank.
The Wise Residency donated more than 750 items to support Family Crisis Support Services
in Norton.
Lebanon Residency raised $150 for the Appalachian Agency for Senior cizens (AASC) in
Cedar Bluff.
Plum-
(Photos clockwise from top)
Abingdon Residency,
Chilhowie AHQs, and District
collecon for the 2023 MLK
Day of Service.
Lane Farm
Bristol District: On The Road
3

Improve 81: Bristol focus of recent video, podcast
In late January, a new Improve 81 podcast and video were released and the subject at hand
was the project to widen Interstate 81 southbound between exits 10 and 7 in Washington
County/Bristol.
The project, which is ancipated to go to adversement this fall, also includes the widening of
northbound I‐81 for approximately one mile. Assistant District Administrator for Preliminary
Engineering Dennis Harris, P.E. and I‐81 Program Delivery Director Dave Covington, P.E.
provided informaon on the video about the project, with Bristol District I‐81 Corridor
Improvement Program Coordinator Gene Holley providing informaon for the podcast.
Visit improve81.org and go to News & Mulmedia to watch the video or listen to the
podcasts.
Le to Right: I‐81 Program
Delivery Director Dave
Covington, P.E. and ADA for
Preliminary Engineering
Dennis Harris, P.E.
Google to Microsoft Transition
The VDOT‐wide switch from Google to Microso is approaching.
We will be migrang from Google Suite to Microso Office 365. Email will also
be moving from Gmail to Microso Outlook.
Here are some important dates to remember for the transion:
April 3– May 7: Microso Office 365 will be available to install on your devices
April 21: Email switch will take place from Gmail to Microso Outlook
May 8: Office 365 will be pushed out to anyone who had not installed it yet.
(Le
4
Bristol District: On The Road

Safety directives
3 New Safety Direcves for ALL VDOT Employees
1‐ Vehicle Backing and Parking
Driver/Operator shall complete Safety Circle Walk EVERY TIME before driving.
Use spoer if available—STOP IMMEDIATELY if lose sight of spoer.
Backing should be kept to minimum—use pull‐through parking when possible.
Back slowly, staying in contact with spoer and repeatedly checking mirrors.
2– Occupant Restraints
VDOT employees and contract employees on official VDOT business MUST wear seat belts
while operang or riding in vehicles/equipment.
If vehicle/equipment is in moon, seat belt MUST be worn.
Plum-
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 dayme.
Some vehicles have automac running lights. Those that don’t, shall have low beam head
lights manually turned on.
When weather causes reduced visibility, vehicles with automac 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 soness and hidden hazards
Posion mirrors properly
Back towards driver’s side when possible to
reduce blind spots
When backing toward fixed object, consider
preposioning re chocks at esmated
stopping point
Back in slowly
Lane Farm
The
Repass
Bristol District: On The Road
5

Dry Run Awards
Bristol District Engineer Tabitha Crowder, P.E., ADA for Maintenance Jeff Russell and DIM Chris Byington
recently visited the Speedwell and Oakwood Area Headquarters to recognize each for having the highest
equipment readiness scores within the district. Both AHQs had final scores of 99.4 during the pre‐season
dry run events held last fall. Scores for the enre Bristol District, which includes 29 area headquarters,
ranged from 94 to 99.4.
“It’s very important that we properly maintain our equipment to increase its reliability, minimize repair
costs and maximize equipment service life. This in turn helps us to be more producve and ulmately
provide safer roads for our cizens,” said ADA for Maintenance, Jeff Russell.
Final scores were calculated following the inspecon of each truck/spreader/plow combinaon along
with all loaders, graders and backhoes within each AHQ.
Photo 1 capon (Top) ‐
pictured le to right:
District Engineer Tabitha Crowder,
P.E., and Oakwood AHQ’s
Employees Adam Quinley,
Cameron Mullins, Colton Viars,
Brandon Tomblin, Marcus O’Quinn,
and Superintendent Tony Layne.
Not pictured: Jeffrey Deel, Larry
Owens, Gary Owens, Daniel Keen
and Jusn Rose.
Photo 2 capon (boom) –
pictured le to right:
Speedwell AHQ Employees (back
row) Tim Layne, (middle row)
Andy Brewer, Shane Osborne,
Andy Akers, Gerald Johnson,
Ronnie King, Bradley Guynn,
Cody Brown, Levi Parks, Marion
Stowers, Ma Marshall, (front
row), Superintendent Dennis
Umberger and District Engineer
Tabitha Crowder, P.E.
Bristol District Facebook Group kicked off in late January
Stay connected to what’s happening in your district by joining the new Bristol District
Facebook Group. We invite all VDOT employees, family, friends and the community to join the
group to stay informed about all things VDOT.
Visit hps://www.facebook.com/groups/vdotbristol to get started.
You can also follow us on Twier @VaDOTBristol.
(Le
4
Bristol District: On The Road

Employee updates from Human Resources
Rerements
Jerry Cluesman, Operator Maint. Dryden AHQ,
26 Years
Jeffrey Crouse, Supervisor Maint. Springville AHQ,
33 Years
Roger Elkins, Construcon Manager, 33 Years
Giles Helbert, Operator Maint. Highpoint AHQ,
46 Years
Ronald Smith, Program Admin Specialist II, 28 Years
New Hires:
Billy Boardwine, Operator Maint. Abingdon AHQ
Mahew Bolling, Operator Maint. Lebanon AHQ
Cory Chafin, Bristol Traffic Signal Tech.
Larry Clevinger, Operator Maint. Big Rock AHQ
Joe Edwards, Operator Maint. Fremont AHQ
Frank Hensley, Operator Maint. Fort Blackmore AHQ
Eddie Mullins, Operator Maint. Coeburn AHQ
Jeffrey Payne, Operator Maint. North Bristol AHQ
Derrick Richardson, Bridge Inspector
Jason Smith, Operator Maint. Abingdon AHQ
Mason Steele, Bridge Inspector
Mindi Stoots, Inventory Management Analyst
Mark Williams, Assistant Wytheville Residency
Engineer
Sidney Willis, Bridge Crew ‐ Tazewell/Bland
Transfer and Promoons
Melvyn “Wade” Belcher, Promoted to Assistant Wise
Residency Administrator
Jordan Bruner, promoted to Crew Leader Maint.
Ewing AHQ
Kenneth Collins, transferred to Operator Maint.
Dryden AHQ
Bradley Guynn, promoted to Crew Leader Speedwell
AHQ
Christopher Jackson, transferred to Assistant
Abingdon Residency Administrator
Chris Lewis, promoted to Maintenance Operator
Abingdon AHQ
Eddie Mullins, promoted to Engineer Sr. Supervisor
Bridge
James Robinson, promoted to Bristol Engineer
Signals
Caleb Shoupe, promoted to Bristol Engineer Project
Manager
Adam Thomas, promoted to Crew Leader Glamorgan
AHQ
David Wilder, promoted to Construcon Manager
Construcon West
Barbi Worley, transferred to Abingdon Residency
Business Administrator
2023 Inspectors Conference held, environmental awards presented
Plum-
The annual district Construcon Inspector Conference was held
February 15 at Southwest Virginia Higher Educaon Center in Abingdon.
Conference topics included new safety direcves, a Bridge School
presentaon by Volkert’s Keith Weakley, and a CQIP findings exercise
with Stacy Keith.
Lane Farm
During the conference, two district contractors were presented
Environmental Performance Program (EPP) awards for 2021 and 2022.
The 2021 Bristol District EPP Recognion Award was given to Elk Knob,
Inc., for outstanding environmental performance on the Route 58
bridge over the Powell River in Lee County. The 2022 Bristol District EPP
Recognion Award was given to Boring Contractors, Inc., for outstanding
environmental performance on the Route 725 bridge over Whitetop
Laurel Creek in Washington County.
Photo Capon: (top photo) Route 725 bridge award presented to VDOT
Inspector Mark Goodpasture and Boring Contractor, Inc.’s Danny Wampler, by
ADA for Construcon James Parsons. (Boom photo) Route 58 bridge The award Repass Family and their newest addion to
presented to VDOT Inspector Jack Blanken and Elk Knob, Inc.’s Turner the Jones farm, by Holly.
Parsons.
Bristol District: On The Road
5

Area trade school students
learn about VDOT jobs
Students from the Neff
Vocaonal Center in Abingdon
and Virginia High in Bristol visited
the Bristol District Office
recently to learn about career
paths within VDOT.
Students visited Traffic,
Materials Lab, Bridge and
Equipment Shop. Students heard
Construcon and Bridge
engineers talk about what VDOT
does and how it plays a role in
Virginia’s infrastructure.
“Hosng student events gives
VDOT a chance to showcase
what careers are available and
what skills students need
for VDOT jobs, shaping the VDOT
of Tomorrow,” said Tabitha
Crowder, P.E. Bristol District
Engineer.
Safety Spotlight:
“Arrive alive, don’t text and drive.”
Distracted driving occurs any me you take your eyes off the
road, hands off the wheel, and mind off your primary task:
driving safely. Any non‐driving
acvity you engage in is a
potenal distracon and
increases your risk of being
involved in a crash. Workers in
many industries and occupaons
spend all or part of their
workdays on the road. One study
showed that compared with
other drivers, those who were at
work were more likely to be in a
hurry to reach their desnaon, think about work, be red, or
use a cell phone.
Any non‐driving task you perform while behind the wheel
reduces the amount of aenon available to you for detecng
and reacng to potenal dangers on the road. The less
aenon you give to driving, the greater the chance you will be
involved in a crash.
Research has shown that drivers who are using cell phones may
be looking at but failing to see up to 50% of the informaon in
their driving environment. Usually, the driver’s “field of view” is
narrowed to what is directly in front of them. As a result, the
missing 50% of informaon may include a stop sign, a stopped
vehicle, or a child.
Research suggests that distracon is present during 52% of
normal driving. Common distracons are: interacng with a
passenger (15%), using a cell phone (6%), and using systems
such as climate control and the radio (4%).
Virginia Department of Transportation
Bristol District - Office of Public Affairs
2111 Bonham Road
Bristol, VA 24201
276-669-6151
michelle.earl@VDOT.Virginia.gov