Emergency Response Saves the Day in Less Than 15 Minutes

When Angela Caldwell left a job interview on Wednesday, July 22, the last thing she expected was that she’d be stranded at the top of an exit ramp in her dress clothes and high heels. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what happened when her clutch went out leaving her stuck at I-70 and Noland Rd. at the beginning of rush hour.

Fortunately, Emergency Response Operator Hector Ortiz was quickly on the scene to assist in just a matter of minutes.

That moment couldn’t have come soon enough for Caldwell who was very shaken up as cars continued to pass her all while making rude comments and honking horns.

“When I arrived on scene, I didn’t know which vehicle was obstructing the ramp lane due to heavy traffic until Scout informed me that it was the vehicle sitting at the stop stripe at the intersection,” explains Ortiz.  “The first thing that came through my head was to calm her down because she was very upset and crying due to some angry motorists yelling vulgarities at her while she was trying to get a hold of some help,” he says.

Ortiz has been with Emergency Response for three years. When a motorist needs help, he strives to ensure that they are safe and get them the help they need in the safest  and efficient way possible.

“Hector was so calm, so nice, and assured me that he was going to help me,” says Caldwell. “He explained what he was going to do and what I needed to do when he pushed the car. He asked me again if I was okay and reiterated that I was safe."

According to KC Scout’s Traffic Systems Supervisor Kelly Alvarez, the incident was originally reported to KC Scout by Customer Service at 4:07 p.m. At 4:09 p.m., the incident was verified on camera by a KC Scout operator. The team then alerted motorists of the incident and to find alternate routes via DMS boards in the area.

“Hector was dispatched at 4:10 p.m. and arrived on scene by 4:19 p.m. By 4:22 p.m., the motorist had been pushed off the highway to a safe location,” explains Alvarez.

This is just one more example of how vital of a resource KC Scout is to the metro area. In just 15 minutes, the team was able to not only locate the incident, but send help and clear the area to keep traffic flowing safely.

“With so much ugliness in the world, he was truly a shining light in what was a most certainly horrible situation,” explains Caldwell. “This is one of those acts of kindness of which he probably didn't even realize how much it meant,” she finishes.

MoDOT’s first partial turbine to open soon

MoDOT opened ramps for a section of Kansas City’s first partial turbine interchange at Interstate 435 and Interstate 70. 

The northbound I-435 ramp to both eastbound and westbound I-70 opened July 23. Hopefully, motorists will see the southbound I-435 ramp to eastbound and westbound I-70 open this Friday, weather permitting. With both opened, motorists will begin to experience part of the unique partial turbine. 

This partial turbine will improve motorists’ safety by eliminating less traditional left exits and providing congestion relief. In addition to this, the project includes full-bridge improvements and enhancements to the loop-ramp configuration. 

Construction of the I-70 loop ramps and the northbound I-435 bridges over I-70 is still in progress. The project began in spring 2019. MoDOT plans to have most of the construction finished by the fall of this year.

KC Scout’s team steps up

In June, KC Scout had all hands-on deck as they entered a race against time to update field network cabinets along Kansas’ metro interstates.

According to KC Scout Manager Randy Johnson, KC Scout’s primary goal is to maintain reliability on the roads. KC Scout uses communication functions to intervene and help drivers navigate through unmitigated circumstances on the road.

In four workdays, June 12 through June 17, the KC Scout team worked to replace and update many field network cabinets that contributed to their communication functions.

These network cabinets are essential to KC Scout’s communication. They take the information and interpret it between the traffic management center and the devices in the field. Examples of these devices are cameras and dynamic message signs. 

To keep their communication functions working for drivers’ safety, KC Scout needed to make the upgrades promptly.

“It is essentially a simple process,” Johnson said. “But to get it done on time, we needed to enlist the help of everyone on the team.”

Johnson stated that teamwork is a core value of KC Scout.

To execute their jobs correctly, the team has very diverse roles. Yet, when the cabinet upgrades needed extra help, many attended training sessions outside their expertise to get the job done.

“Our expectation is if someone is in need of help on the team, we come to their aid as a team,” Johnson said.

He strives to create an inclusive and well-rounded team in KC Scout. The cabinet upgrades are one of the many examples of how KC Scout emulates these values.

Their collaboration efforts across the bi-state city expand further than working with KDOT and MoDOT services. Through their teamwork and diligence, the team made the cabinet upgrades on time. Also, it offered the team an opportunity to expand their expertise, regardless of their formal job titles.

Watch Director McKenna's July update

MoDOT Director Patrick McKenna recently made an address to update employees on our current Covid-19 situation. He also wants to thank everyone for your hard work during these trying times.

Click here to watch his video.

2020 MoDOT Mask Contest

UPDATE: Deadline extended. Show us your best masks! Kansas City MoDOT is having a contest to see who has the best masks. Categories are the most original, best team pride, and overall best.

We'd like to have as large of participation in this contest as we had for the Holiday Ugly Sweater Contest.

Send your submissions to kccr@modot.mo.gov by Aug. 7.

General Services shines despite Covid-19 challenges

Senior Equipment Technician Doug Parson works out of the 

District Office maintenance garage. 

Work has changed during Covid-19, and General Services continues to shine throughout this pandemic.

“We went straight from winter operations into this pandemic mode,” said General Services Manager James Osborn.

Like many MoDOT employees, General Services team members transitioned to working from home with little notice.

The procurement team trained Intermediate Procurement Agent Renee Pettijohn from home. Pettijohn started at MoDOT at the beginning of March, shortly before employees began working from home.

Pettijohn said she continues to appreciate all the virtual capabilities of her new job.

“We are saving a lot of paper,” Pettijohn said. “We can do almost everything virtually.”

Osborn and his team pride themselves on not missing a beat during this pandemic. When the buildings required extra cleaning and sanitation, the facilities team rose to the challenge.

“We’ve got a pretty good group,” said Senior Facility Operations Specialist Randy Whyde. “We just all kind of stay positive and realize there is going to be an end at some point.”

Whyde gives kudos to Facility Operations Crew Worker Jaizon Brooks for sanitizing the District Office daily.

When it comes to the maintenance side of our operations, there has been little disruption due to Covid.

“As far as the way we operate, that hasn’t really changed,” Equipment Technician Supervisor Chris Zurn said. “We have a pretty heavy workload all the time.”

Maintenance continues to fix all of the things that need to be repaired. The crews practice social distancing and no longer share vehicles.

Despite so many employees working from home, Osborn said his team has tried to stay connected during these crazy times. Team members working from home stay connected through email updates and phone calls.

“I really want to give props to our group that we have remained connected through this, which aided to a sense of normalcy,” Jordan said. “The comradery that I’ve seen has been a remarkable thing.”

What to do when you receive spam

There are two things that everyone agrees you should not pass around-- germs and spam. 

The best way to avoid spreading germs is to social distance, wear masks and wash your hands frequently. 

Not spreading spam is easier. 

If you receive an email that you suspect is spam forward the email as an attachment to reportspam@modot.mo.gov.

To send an email as an attachment click the button that says "more" and then select "forward as an attachment." (See photo below.)

DO NOT forward any suspicious emails to anyone in the Kansas City IS department. All emails that seem sketchy should go to reportspam@modot.mo.gov.

Liz Hart-Hopkins becomes Nashua Maintenance Supervisor

Congratulations to Liz Hart-Hopkins for her in her new position as Nashua Maintenance Supervisor. Hart-Hopkins has been with MoDOT for more than 12 years. She has experience in maintenance operations. In her most recent role, Hart-Hopkins served as the assistant maintenance supervisor at the Stadium South Bridge Crew.