IN THIS ISSUE: Summer Driving Safety Press Conference Held, Dustin Kraft Lends a Helping Hand and more....

The New Cleveland Full Service Maintenance Facility is Almost Complete!

Lake County Fair Shows Off The Best of District 12

AugustAugust 5

Cuyahoga County FairCleveland FSMF Open House

August 6-11D-12 Biometric ScreeningAugust 21

COMMUNICATING WITH THE PEOPLE OF DISTRICT 12August 2019 VOLUME XVIII, ISSUE VIII

Dispatch

The Lake County Fair was held in mid-July and was a great opportunity to share how ODOT maintains the transportation network that Ohioans drive on every day. The ODOT fair booth included informational handouts, safety materials, a traffic light, equipment to look at, slow down move over coasters, a damaged crash attenuator, and the kids favorite a cut out picture board. This was also the first time the new state maps were released to the public in District 12. If you would like a copy of the new state map please stop by the Public Information Office. Thanks to everyone who helped out! Brent Kovacs

August 28 TeamUP ODOT

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Dustin Kraft Lends a Helping Hand In early-June, Dustin Kraft Transportation Manager 2 in Geauga County, his dad and brother were planning to go fishing out on Lake Erie. They got a late start, but

still managed to get out on the water. They were doing well and catching a lot of fish when the wind and waves started picking up. As they got close to a new fishing location, Dustin thought he heard something. He looked around and saw a boat off in the distance. His dad and brother had heard

something too, so they took another

look around and the boat they thought was out in the distance was a capsized boat with three men clinging to the side. The water was a chilly 63 degrees this day, so they quickly reeled in all their lines and rushed over to the boat. Dustin positioned his boat so his dad and brother

could pull the guys aboard. Once everyone was safe, they contacted the Coast Guard and attempted to collect some of their items floating in the water. The Coast Guard instructed them to take the men back to the boat launch where a vehicle would be waiting for them. Dustin described the ride back as slow and wet due to the waves and wind, but they were able to get there safely. The fishermen were very grateful for Dustin and his families help. When they got to the boat launch they explained that their boat filled with water and capsized so quickly they were only able to make one call for help to the Coast Guard, which unfortunately went unanswered. Thankfully the men were all wearing life vests, or this could have been a very different outcome.

Late last month, District 12 held a Summer Driving Safety Press Conference in the district parking lot. ODOT partnered with the Ohio Labors Employers Cooperation and Education Trust (LECET) for the event. The focus was to reminded motorists the importance of slowing down and moving over anytime a vehicle with flashing lights is on the side of the road and minimizing distractions while driving, especially texting and driving. Speakers at the press conference included District 12 Deputy Director John Picuri, Lt. Rob Gable from the Ohio State Highway patrol, Bethany Billi LECET Director, Ferzan Ahmed Executive Director of the Ohio Turnpike, Anthony Liberatore Business Manager Laborers’ Local 860, and Karl Jefferson Laborers’ Health and Safety Field

Coordinator. “Sadly, Lt. Gable, Director Ahmed and I have all lost an employee while working alongside of the road. As public servants we are completing tasks for the betterment of Ohio’s infrastructure system,” said District 12 Deputy Director John Picuri. “By slowing down, moving over and minimizing distractions while driving we can help ensure that no more of our employees lose their lives while working on the side of the road.” All in attendance left with a better understanding of the importance of making safe summer driving decisions.

Summer Driving Safety Press Conference Held at District 12

Brent Kovacs

August 2019

Lt. Gable speaks to those in attendance.

District Deputy Director John Picuri speaks about the importance of slowing down and moving over.

Dustin drives a truck in Geauga County

The capsized boat is barely floating as it is being towed.

Amanda McFarland

Customer & Co-worker Kudos

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Congratulations New Full Time Employees

August 2019

Whitney, Kent, Destry, Mike, and Mo have successfully completed their probation and are officially full-time employees at District 12! Be sure to congratulate them when you see them around.

THANK YOU KEITH HAMILTON! We appreciate ODOT’S due diligence to get this accomplished in a timely manner. Everyone have a great summer!Phiyllis Salem - Cleveland Cavaliers This is pertaining to the new Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse signs on the interstates.

Mark Carpenter & Tom Sorge,

Congratulations on the kudos from OES!! It is well deserved. Thank you for all your hard work keeping us going on the NEPA front!!

Dave Lastovka, Cleveland Innerbelt Corridor Project Manager

I would like to thank you all for removing the sign on the I-480 east exit to Transportation Blvd. that was conflicting with the new striping. I called and the next day it was taken care of. Thank you for your quick response.

WandaGarfield Heights Resident

Destry Rush (second from left), HT-1 at Independence FSMF

Mo Alzeer second from left), TE-2 In CPA

Mike Ramirez (middle), HT-1 at Geauga County

Whitney Shuttleworth (left) AP-4 in CPA & Kent Dinchman (next to Mike) TE-2 in CPA

District 12 Employee PromotionsDrake Brauer TE-2 to TE-3 in Capital PlanningRassoul Cooper HT-2 to TM-2 in Euclid FSMF

Mike DeWineGovernor

John Picuri, P.E.District Deputy Director

Jack Marchbanks, Ph.D.ODOT Director

THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

PAGE 4 August 2019

Co-Op’s Make The Most Of Opportunity

Submit your story! We’re always looking for District 12 news. Submit any photos, story ideas, new hire spotlight suggestions or kudos to D12.public.information@dot.ohio.gov.

David Selzer and Reagan O’Malley are two college interns that have been assigned to work on the $227 million I-480 Valley View Bridge Project. Pictured at right/left, David and Reagan stepped out on the steel being set atop pier 12 during steel erection work in mid-June for a closer look at construction of the new bridge. David is a student at the University of Cincinnati and will be starting his third year this fall. He is in the co-op program through his college and this is his third time working with ODOT. Reagan is a student at the University of Dayton and will be starting her third year this fall. This is her second summer working with ODOT.

Amanda McFarland

Detroit Superior Bridge Tour Held As Part of the Cuyahoga50 Festival Cuyahoga County Department of Public Works and the City of Cleveland Office of Stainability partnered with ODOT to allow a tour of the historic Veterans Memorial Bridge (Detroit-

Superior Bridge) and Subway Station bridge that carries U.S. 6 over the Cuyahoga River. This year the event honored the 50th anniversary of the Cuyahoga River burning. The day included a

tour of the bridge, that showed artistic lighting displays, fabric banners, family activities, and food trucks. The three pictures below signify the transformation of the river from burning to being a clean waterway using lights. According to www.cuyahoga50.org“On Saturday, June 22, 2019, the nation’s eyes will turn toward Cleveland as we mark the 50th anniversary of the infamous Cuyahoga River fire. This moment provides a unique opportunity to share Cleveland’s ongoing transformation to a vibrant ‘green city on a blue lake’, celebrate clean water, and set the stage for future action, both locally and nationally”.

Over 10,000 people toured the bridge.

Brent Kovacs