WV on the DOT

Season 1, Episode 2 - One Year in the Driver's Seat by WV on the DOT

Breaking down everything you need to know about Snow Removal and Ice Control (SRIC). West Virginia's terrain can be a handful, and keeping it safe during winter takes a massive, coordinated effort. Whether you're a longtime listener or just pulling up for the first time, we are thrilled to announce the official re-launch of WV on the DOT.

In a statewide agency of many types of profession, groundwork for a robust training program is vital. Bonita Mitchell and Kelley McClannahan join us on this week's WV on the DOT podcast to talk about designing trainings which keep employees ready to learn.

The Governor's Highway Safety Program is about saving lives. This week, Jack McNeely, Director of GHSP, joins us on WV on the DOT to talk about all things from raising awareness of the importance of seatbelts, to eliminating distracted driving, to working with our law enforcement partners to keep everyone safe on the road.

Transportation systems include drivers, roads, signs, pedestrians, signals, deer, bears and everything! Marsha Mays, Strategic Safety Planning and Analysis Engineer, joins us on this week's WV on the DOT podcast to talk design of Safe Systems.

WV on the DOT - 268 - Bryan Bush a Teacher's Perspective on the West Virginia Bridge Design and Build Contest by WV on the DOT

From race cars, to snow plows, to a trailer hauling a Gradall, Mike Simpson can drive it all! This week, Mike joins us on our WV on the DOT podcast to share insight about building the skills that keep West Virginia's equipment operators safe. If you are inspired by Mike, share similar interests and would like to develop them into a career, come join our workforce. Visit transportation.wv.gov and click on Careers.

As West Virginia Division of Highways snow plow drivers are preparing equipment and routes for snow, District 1 Engineer, Travis Knighton, P.E., joins us on this week's WV on the DOT podcast to talk about snow and upcoming maintenance work around the region.

WVDOT works closely with its partners in the engineering consulting industry on projects of all sizes, all around the state. Each fall, the Joint Transportation Forum brings us together for a day of learning. This week, WV on the DOT goes live to the ACEC Joint Transportation Forum to talk to guests about what comes next.

WVDOT works closely with its partners from across the contracting industry on projects of all types, but one thing all work zones have in common is the need for increased attention and reduced speed. Jason Pizatella, President of the Contractor's Association of West Virginia, joins us on this week's WV on the DOT podcast to talk work zone awareness. Also on this episode, we celebrate wins at AASHTO's Transportation Communications Meeting including Rusty Marks, Chris Moynahan and this very podcast.

WV on the DOT - 263 - Matt Crum on Construction and the State Highway Engineer's Office by WV on the DOT

WV on the DOT - 262 - Doug Kirk on Environmental Stewardship and Cooperation in the State Highway Engineer's Office by WV on the DOT

WV on the DOT - 261 - Jacob Bumgarner on What's Next for the State Highway Engineer's Office by WV on the DOT

From culverts, to bridge preservation, to mowing, to snow removal, much planning goes into operations with the West Virginia Division of Highways. Nathan Thomas, P.E., joins us this week on our WV on the DOT podcast to talk about his new role as Deputy State Highway Engineer of Operations.

Before orange cones and fresh asphalt comes project development. Ed Compton, P.E., recently retired from the Federal Highway Administration and joining West Virginia Department of Transportation as Deputy State Highway Engineer of Development, joins us on this week's WV on the DOT podcast to talk about project development, state and federal funding, and solving problems without creating them.

WV on the DOT - 258 - Tracy Brown on the Past, Present and Future of the Eugene A Carter Memorial Bridge by WV on the DOT

With the new roundabout on Jefferson Road and the graceful Dr. George Keller Memorial Bridge swooping overhead, Perry Keller joins us on this week's WV on the DOT podcast to talk about planning the project and the legacy of his father, for whom the bridge is named.

You have a question on a specific road; you call 833-WVROADS. Jennifer Goodwin and Griffin Holstein join us as this week's guests on WV on the DOT to share the process of getting the answer to your question back to you in seven days or less.

What's it like to be a WVDOT Summer Co-Op? Summer Co-Ops are at work alongside permanent employees throughout the agency; they're on the road, they're learning about finance, they're studying bridge design, and our WV on the DOT podcast guest this week, Marshall University senior Tre Hyre, is working with our Human Resources recruiting team.

Even in this heat, West Virginia Department of Transportation workers are paving roads around the state, cleaning up from recent floods, rebuilding and maintaining the state's infrastructure. On this week's WV on the DOT podcast, Brent, Jennifer, Troy and Rusty share news from around the state and a shout out to everyone who is working together to keep West Virginia moving this summer.

As West Virginia's northern panhandle and north central regions clean up from the devastating flash flooding earlier this week, Earl Gaskins, District 4 Manager, Mike Daley, District 3 Manager and Brian Kucish, P.E., District 6 Engineer, join us on this week's WV on the DOT podcast to talk about the partnerships between agencies, first responders and communities that make clean up possible.

Training and staff development have an effect on every aspect of every employee's work. Building a capable workforce for an efficient Department of Transportation is no small feat and this week Monica Ashford and Jennifer Ballard join us on WV on the DOT to talk about how they meet this challenge.

In prioritizing what's next to maintain 7,000 bridges, there are many factors to consider. Gehan Elsayed, Ph.D., P.E., Chief Engineer of Planning and Program Implementation, joins us this week on WV on the DOT to talk about planning West Virginia's bridge program.

West Virginia Department of Transportation begun its podcast in the summer of 2020 and has been sharing our story in the real voices of our employees, and partners throughout state government, consulting and contracting. Secretary Rumbaugh joins us on the 250th episode to talk about WVDOT's priorities going into summer 2025.

In building and maintaining roads, engineers have to work within the environment. Doug Kirk, P.E., Chief Engineer of Environmental Compliance and Interim Director of the Technical Support Division, joins WV on the DOT podcast this week to talk about maintaining the balance between what's there and what's being built.

WV on the DOT - 248 - Steven Noble on a New Bridge Technology for West Virginia by WV on the DOT

The West Virginia Department of Transportation is hiring for many career types and has summer co-op opportunities as well. Natalie Holcomb, Career Services Manager, joins us on this week's WV on the DOT podcast to talk about the steps you can take in planning a career with WVDOT --- applying may be easier than you think!

From basic transportation to the best of summer fun, bicycles are everywhere. West Virginia Division of Highways works to make our projects more bicycle friendly, Mike Dodd joins us on this week's WV on the DOT podcast to recognize National Bike Month and ask that drivers Share the Road.

While patching a pothole on a January night, Randall Randolph was severely injured in a West Virginia work zone crash. Randall joins us on this week's WV on the DOT podcast to share his story, and words of encouragement to WVDOT workers around the state.

Jason Pizatella, Executive Director of the Contractor's Association of West Virginia, joins us this week on WV on the DOT to share insight on the partnership between the contracting industry and WVDOT, the importance of safe work zones, and the busy construction season ahead.

From safe work zones to square pothole patches, the State Highway Engineer has a unique role in West Virginia Department of Transportation's Division of HIghways. As Jacob Bumgarner, P.E., steps into the State Highway Engineer role he takes a moment to join us as this week's guest on WV on the DOT podcast.

Middle, high school and college students, parents, siblings, teachers, professors, contest volunteers.... this week's WV on the DOT podcast was recorded live at WVDOT's 24th Annual West Virginia Bridge Design and Build Contest. It's a family event and a WVDOT tradition, so share it with any teachers and students who may want to join us next year.

Each spring, the West Virginia Construction and Design EXPO brings together professionals from around West Virginia for a learning and networking opportunity. This week's WV on the DOT podcast was recorded live from WVDOT's work zone safety awareness booth at EXPO.

From the Wheeling Streetscape Project to Route 2, from gaining ground on road slips to milling and filling potholes, West Virginia Division of Highways it's a busy spring in the northern panhandle. Charles Swart, P.E., Engineering Director for WVDOH District 6 joins us this week on WV on the DOT to provide an update.

A Senator, a citizen, a technician studying how how asphalt binds together, an engineer, and the Mayor of a town may each have a question or part of an answer on the very same mile of road. Jonathan Schaffer, Executive Administrator of Government Relations in the Secretary of Transportation's office, joins us on this week's WV on the DOT podcast to talk about the effective flow of accurate information that keeps highway projects on the road to completion.

As flood cleanup continues in the southern part of the state, Ryland Musick, P.E., District 10 Engineer, joins us as a guest on this week's WV on the DOT podcast to talk about flood clean up efforts, and provide an update on area construction projects.

Randy Damron recently retired from his post as part of WVDOT's Public Relations Division leadership team and Event Director. From the AASHTO Transcomm Skills Award winning Wellsburg Bridge Opening Ceremony, to cutting a ribbon with a Shay 5 locomotive on Cass Scenic Railroad's Trout Run Bridge, to starting this podcast 237 weekly shows ago... Randy joins us as a guest this week to reminisce on a career worth remembering.

In emergencies from the flooding in southern West Virginia this past weekend, to Amber Alerts, WVDOT's Traffic Engineering Division and its Traffic Management Center play a vital role in keeping the public and first responders informed. Ted Whitmore, P.E., Director of Traffic Engineering Division, joins us on this week's WV on the DOT podcast to share information on keeping accurate information flowing at critical times.

As winter continues, WVDOH crews in North Central West Virginia and around the state are using the days between snow storms to patch potholes. Earl Gaskins, District 4 Manager, joins Jennifer and Jake on this week's WV on the DOT podcast to share how they're keeping their spirits up and the work moving forward through the challenging winter months.

Snow, rain, melting snow, ice --- people, roads and mountains agree --- this stuff is difficult! Jacob Bumgarner, P.E., Chief Engineer of Special Programs/Acting Chief Engineer of District Operations, joins us on this week's WV on the DOT podcast to talk about winter pothole patching and the impact of the spring thaw on the mountains above and below our roads.

Forty degree weather is welcome compared to zero, but both contribute to potholes on our West Virginia roads. Steven Holmes, Acting Maintenance Manager in WVDOH's District One, joins Jennifer and Rusty on this week's WV on the DOT podcast to talk about how crews manage potholes through the winter to protect drivers and the other types of road work happening on warmer winter days.

Governor Morrisey recently named Todd Rumbaugh, P.E., as Secretary of Transportation. Todd joins Jennifer and Jake on this week's WV on the DOT podcast to talk eastern Kanawha County, work zone safety and a look ahead.

We've seen a lot of snow plows this past week, but what's it like to be inside one? Brian Green and Zane Ryan join Randy and Jennifer on this week's WV on the DOT podcast to share real life stories from behind the wheel of a snow plow. Also featured this week, as snow subsides we see new potholes left behind. Joe Pack explains how potholes form and what WVDOT is doing to fight potholes through the winter.

2025 is here, and as we reflect on the many successes of 2024, WV on the DOT podcast takes a look back at some of the many voices that made up our shows. All 230 episodes are available on transportation.wv.gov, Apple Podcasts and SoundCloud; so if you want to learn more about your Department of Transportation, browse through and find a topic that interests you!

As WVDOT looks back at 2024, Secretary Wriston joins Randy and Jennifer on this week's WV on the DOT podcast to share the effort and heart of the 6,000 employees statewide who made the wins and successes possible.

West Virginia Department of Transportation is always working, and ready to respond should emergency needs arise, even on Christmas Day. This week's WV on the DOT podcast is dedicated to sharing the holiday season. We wish you the merriest Christmas, and a prosperous New Year.

The East River Mountain Tunnel provides safe passage under the mountain from Mercer County, West Virginia into Virginia and has done so for the past 50 years. Senator Swope, who worked on the tunnel, reminisces with Ryland Musick, P.E., WVDOH District 10 Engineer whose father worked on the tunnel, on this week's WV on the DOT podcast.

The 31st Street Bridge, Second Creek Road Bridge, Market Street Bridge, Jennings Randolph Bridge; the Bridge Safety Inspection Program arms WVDOT with the information necessary to make proper decisions for the safety of the traveling public. Joe Pack and Stevie Johnson join Jennifer and Luke on this week's WV on the DOT podcast for an in-depth look, as the anniversary of the Silver Bridge tragedy approaches.

On this week's WV on the DOT podcast with Randy and Jake, Doug Kirk, Chief Engineer of Environmental Compliance, shares stories about the Nitro-St. Albans I-64 project and Director Jack McNeely discusses the happenings at Governor's Highway Safety Program during the winter months.

At West Virginia Department of Transportation, we've had a year to be thankful for; with new roads, fresh pavement, interstate widening, tree canopy clearing, bridge projects --- roadwork all around the state. Join us for a Thanksgiving special WV on the DOT podcast.