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The annual State Equipment Operators’ Safety and Training Conference, affectionately known as the Equipment "Roadeo," stands as a highly anticipated training event. This gathering brings together skilled heavy equipment operators hailing from the 12 Department of Highways districts, fostering a sense of camaraderie and healthy competition.
Our professional operators from across the state gathered for a two-day safety training and a “best of the best” showdown to test precision skills used when operating heavy machinery.
Operators showcase their precision skills in operating heavy machinery across challenging courses. These include graders, backhoes, dump trucks, tractors with mowers, and tractor trucks with lowboy trailers.
For instance, in the backhoe competition, operators delicately pick up golf balls using a spoon-like attachment on the backhoe bucket and drop them into narrow cylinders.
Participants also receive training on vital topics such as fire suppression systems, two-way communications equipment, truck braking systems, and tire maintenance.
Congratulations to KYTC Highway District Nine for their victory in the overall district competition.
All first and second place category winners will now saddle up to compete in the Southeast Regional Roadeo in Beckley, West Virginia! Wish them luck!
House explodes from digging - Call before you dig!
What is 811?
The roots of 811 can be traced back to the mid-1990s when the U.S. Department of Transportation listed underground utility damages as one of the top threats to our nation’s infrastructure. From this, the Common Ground Study was completed and in 2002, Congress passed the Pipeline Safety Act of 2002. Included in this act was a mandate to establish a 3-digit "call before you dig" phone number.
Finally, on May 1, 2007, at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. “811” was launched nationwide as the 3-digit call number.
Then Who is Kentucky 811?
Kentucky 811 is a non-profit organization focused on safety and damage prevention. Initially established in 1985 and referred to as B.U.D. The name officially changed to Kentucky 811 in December 2006, making Kentucky the first state in the nation to adopt 811 in its name.
So, you may be wondering, “What exactly does 811 do?” Kentucky 811 provides a one-call center for all locate requests. This is a free service to anyone who calls in a utility locate request. And for those who don’t like calling, you can make your request on the Kentucky 811 website, kentucky811.org, or our mobile app. Once your request or “ticket” has been submitted, our call center notifies all members on your behalf.
Unfortunately, not all utilities are members, and the person making the request is responsible for identifying and contacting non-member utilities. Kentucky 811’s goal is to provide an efficient system that reduces costs to our members, damages to utilities in the ground, and prevents injury or death to those who dig. Look at the Safe Digging Roadmap to see the entire process. In addition to the one-call center, Kentucky 811 focuses on promoting safety and the “Call Before You Dig” Law through public awareness and education and outreach.
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CLASSROOM COMPETITONS
Attention all students and teachers! It was National 811 Day on August 11, so we are focusing this issue on its safety awareness message, "Call before you dig!"
Kentucky 811 is your go-to resource for ensuring safety when digging near underground utilities. Remember, it's the law to contact Kentucky 811 at least 2 days before you start digging. Watch this informative video above to learn more about the importance of digging safely.
In celebration of National 811 Day, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and Kentucky 811 are teaming up to bring you an exciting competition. Your class has a chance to win a fantastic pizza party by spreading the safe digging message on social media.
To participate, make sure your class registers for the competition by Sept. 8, 2023. Kentucky 811 will send a prop package to help your class create a captivating video that promotes the Kentucky 811 Safe Digging message.
Your video must meet the following criteria:
- Keep it under 60 seconds.
- Incorporate the provided Kentucky 811 props.
- Get the whole class involved.
- Include these key phrases:
- Call or click 811 before you dig
- Wait 2 days for the paint!
- You need those utilities located before you dig.
- Respect the marks!
(Earn bonus points by referencing the color coding for utility paint marks.)
Submit your video links by Oct. 20 to be in the running. The winning class will be determined based on how well your video meets the above criteria and the total number of impressions/reach it garners. You will need to track post URLs (web addresses) to submit.
Please note that while we want you to have fun, your post must be free from vulgar, dangerous, inappropriate, or offensive content. KYTC and Kentucky 811 have the discretion to determine whether a post qualifies for the competition.
Ready to get started? Reach out to ky811videocontest@gmail.com and kick off your journey towards a pizza party!
 Paint the Plow competition
We are inviting schools and students in participate KYTC's first statewide Paint the Plow program to promote safe driving during snow and ice season.
Paint the Plow is an opportunity for your high school art students to paint one of our snowplow blades. A limited number of snowplow blades available in each highway district. If you receive an email to confirm your participation, KYTC will need a design for the blade. Before the blade can be dropped off at your school, your design must be approved by KYTC staff.
Please check out our webpage for specifications and guidelines.
 Adopt-A-Highway Art Contest
Get ready for the upcoming KYTC Annual Adopt-A-Highway Art Contest! This fantastic opportunity is available for students aged 5 to 18, whether they attend public, private, or home schools.
First-place winners in each age category will be awarded a $100 gift card, while second and third-place winners will receive a $50 gift card. As an added bonus, the original artwork of these talented individuals will be returned to them, and a duplicate will be showcased at the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet in Frankfort.
Stay tuned for an official announcement featuring this year's theme and contest deadline, which will be revealed in early September. It's your chance to showcase your artistic skills while promoting a cleaner and safer environment through the Adopt-A-Highway program.
Sign-up to receive Adopt-A-Highway art contest notifications by clicking the button!
KYTC CAREER HIGHLIGHT
by Kimberly Furlong
When it comes to engineering at KYTC , a lot more happens behind the scenes than you would expect.
Meet Dave Harmon, the Assistant Director of the Division of Environmental Analysis with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. In his 22 years of serving the state, Dave has played an essential role in significant engineering projects in Kentucky and is an advocate for the Commonwealth, its history, and its environment. Dave is charged with keeping projects on track with the idea that “if there’s an impact, you have to put it back!”
The Division of Environmental Analysis isn’t just environmental scientists; there are many archaeologists, biologists, and architectural historians who also work for KYTC. Protecting the environment doesn’t only refer to saving trees. The construction of highways and other engineering projects can have a large impact on endangered species, noise, historic buildings, and Kentucky history. All of these are protected in environmental analysis with the help of Dave and his department.
A great example of the work Dave does is with the construction of the “Baby Bat Bridge” -- a project in which it was discovered that a colony of endangered grey bats lived in crevices on the underside of a bridge that needed replacing. The solution? Design an identical bridge that would also serve as a dedicated grey bat habitat in accordance with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. After construction was completed, the bats utilized the new habitat. The population of this endangered species almost doubled, and motorists had a safe, new bridge to navigate. The Division of Environmental Analysis also now supports the Bernheim Forest bat fund. Though the project and its environmental impact was necessary, Dave and his department made sure that the project gave back to the environment.
To continue to offset the impact of KYTC engineering projects on the environment, they also have recently started the Stream Mitigation Banking Initiative, one project that Dave is most proud of. This program focuses on building up large ecosystems from relatively degraded streams. Through this program, KYTC is giving back to the environment before even taking anything.
Aside from the natural environment and endangered species, the preservation of Kentucky history is also a big influence on KYTC projects. Historic buildings in Covington have influenced the design and construction of road expansion. Historic barns as in Clinton County have changed the direction of new bypasses. Sometimes projects are avoided altogether because of an archeological find or the uncovering of Native American history or remains. The span of what the Division of Environmental Analysis covers is incredibly wide.
One strength of the KYTC Division of Environmental Analysis is its ability to become involved with engineering at the very beginning, providing more opportunity to make positive change. “I feel like I have a bigger impact and say in how things are developed here,” Dave said. “You’re doing what’s best for the commonwealth and the people of the commonwealth. And here, you get the opportunity to see everything!"
According to Dave, “Engineers who understand environmental processes are awesome!” He advises anyone interested in environmental analysis to stay well rounded. “I was always a science kid and was never really exposed to archeology or anything… so learn as much as you can!”
Kentucky is very thankful for behind-the-scenes heroes like Dave and the Division of Environmental Analysis!
Boby Alexander - Project Manager for Brent Spence Bridge fire
Construction Management Scholarship
We're thrilled to introduce our latest scholarship opportunity: the Construction Management Scholarship!
Have you ever driven past a construction site and wondered, "Who's behind this project, and what exactly are they working on?" Well, the answer might just be "Construction Managers!" Graduates from a Construction Management program embark on a path similar to our esteemed Transportation Engineering Techs. Their roles could involve overseeing construction projects, such as building bridges or roads, and conducting inspections, among other crucial tasks. If this kind of work piques your interest, Construction Management might be the perfect field for you, and your future could very well be here at KYTC. We're on the lookout for the most talented and promising students to join our ranks.
Our brand-new scholarship is designed to provide financial support of up to $59,200 over as much as four (4) years, all while you pursue a degree in Construction Management. As an added bonus, there's paid summer work experience included. And that's not all – upon graduation, you'll secure a full-time position within our team. The only requirement is that you attend and successfully graduate from one of the following universities with a 4-year Construction Management degree: Eastern Kentucky University, Morehead State University, Northern Kentucky University, Murray State University, or Western Kentucky University.
If you're ready to embark on an exciting journey in the world of Construction Management, we invite you to seize this incredible opportunity. Your future in this dynamic field could be right here at KYTC.
If this sounds interesting to you and you have questions, please feel free to reach out to Marianne Sullivan for more information. She can be reached by email at Marianne.sullivan@ky.gov or by phone at 502-782-4970.
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