Bristol District Newsletter May/June 2025

May—June 2025

Bland

Buchanan

Dickenson

Grayson

Lee

Russell

Sco

Smyth

Tazewell

Washington

Wise

Wythe

Annual District Engineer Award winners announced. See pages 2-5.

On The Road

A newsleer for and about the employees of the Bristol District

Fih Annual District Engineer Awards celebrates Hurricane Helene rebuilding

On a sweltering summer day in June, the Fih

Annual District Engineer Awards unfolded with

excitement among the 32 honorees who were

recognized for their outstanding contribuons

across ten categories.

Winners of the 2025 DE Awards are revealed

beginning on page two.

Congrats to each person who was selected!

During her remarks, District Engineer Tabitha

Crowder underscored the immeasurable value

brought to VDOT Bristol District by all award

winners, both individually and as teams, during

a year characterized by unprecedented

challenges and significant achievements.

Awards at the District Engineer level are

submied to Central Office for consideraon

for the Commissioner’s Awards.

District Engineer Award winners receive

vacaon and a monetary award.

District Engineer Tabitha Crowder delivers remarks at

the District Engineer Awards Luncheon.

2025 District Engineer Award Winners

Environmental Stewardship

(L-R) Clint Steele, Mark Denny, Erica

Brookman, Rachel Katsil, Nick Bush, Brandy

Miller and Danny Adkins. Not pictured: Kalli

Lucas, Presco Weldon and Kae Orz.

Bristol’s Environmental Secon excelled in

responding to Hurricane Helene,

documenng damage, ensuring compliance

with environmental best pracces, and entering nearly 400 projects into CEDAR—

equivalent to a year’s workload—in months. They logged over 200 overme hours,

developed innovave coordinaon strategies, and collaborated with DEQ on 50

debris sites, all while maintaining regular dues. Their dedicaon and resilience were

exceponal.

Heroism

William “Robbie” Hash, Volney AHQ

On Thursday, November 14, 2024, Robbie was hauling

stone on Flatridge Road in Grayson County when he was

waved down by a man standing near the road. The man

explained that while unhooking a bushhog, the equipment

slid downhill, collided with a tractor, and pinned another

man between the tractor and the bushhog.

Without hesitaon, Robbie turned around and followed

the man into the field. Robbie quickly searched the area

and found a fence post, which he used to leverage the bushhog away from the

tractor, freeing the trapped man. Thanks to Robbie’s swi acons and calm

demeanor under pressure, the gentleman received prompt help and sustained only

minimal injuries.

Innovaon

Jason Thomas, Maintenance

Jason planned and managed the development of the

Bristol Maintenance Contract Management (BMCM)

Applicaon and implemented the tool in CY2024. Jason

determined what needed to be included in the app and

how it needed to funcon, while Central Office staff built

the app framework.

Since the app went live, a total of 626 task orders have

been issued across 51 contracts for a total of $28.4 million

in CY24, including the management of emergency contracts for Hurricane Helene.

(Le to right) Todd Re-

2

Bristol District: On The Road

Outstanding Customer Service Award

Hurricane Helene response in Taylors Valley

Bristol: (L-R) Dennis Sanders, Adam Hill,

Derrow Adkins, Robert Hurt, Richard Stables,

Christopher Byington and Russell Trent.

Not pictured: Jeff Russell and John Bechtold.

Hurricane Helene devastated Taylors Valley,

damaging two Route 725 bridges and the

town’s water source. Bristol staff, with the

assistance of the Staunton District, collaborated to transport and install a temporary bridge by October

5 and repaired the second Route 725 bridge by October 6, restoring access to a spring that is crical to

the county’s water supply. Their swi coordinaon with agencies and local teams was exemplary.

Plum-

Outstanding Project Delivery or Partnership

Hurricane Helene, Route 58 Rebuild

(L-R) Mark Goodpasture, Josh Sproles, Derick Dotson,

Dennis Sanders, Coleman Hamilton, Joshua Dolinger,

and Brian Plummer. (Not pictured: Robert Baker,

Brendon Woodruff, Brandi Halloway and Marty

Halloway.)

Approximately 1.5 miles of Route 58 between

Damascus and Konnarock, located within the

Jefferson Naonal Forest, were decimated by

Hurricane Helene. Whitetop Laurel Creek not only swallowed enre secons of the roadway but also

swept away much of the Virginia Creeper Trail, a regionally popular trail for biking, horseback riding,

running and walking. Within days following the hurricane, VDOT’s team began working to evaluate

how best to rebuild Route 58. They also began coordinang with Jefferson Naonal Forest staff, as this

secon of Route 58 is wholly within an easement of the forest service. The project used an emergency

force contract to ensure the roadway would be rebuilt as quickly as possible. W-L Construcon &

Paving, Inc., served as the prime contractor and Jamie Berry with AMT served as Consultant Inspector

for the project. The teamwork shortened the meline by five months and reduced the cost of

rebuilding Route 58 from the inial esmate of $47 million to approximately $7 million.

The

Repass

Bristol District: On The Road 3

Connued: DE Awards

Outstanding Performance in Support Services

Endless Opportunity (EO): VDOT Learning Lab

Jessica Meyer, Human Resources

Jessica Meyer led the creaon of VDOT’s first Learning

Lab at the Endless Opportunity facility, aligning with

VDOT’s Business Plan to further develop our

relaonship with STEM in high schools. Completed by

September 2024, the lab features interacve exhibits

on bridge design, traffic engineering and safety. The

collaboraon between VDOT’s HR Team and EO

ensured a successful October 2024 opening.

The center hosts over 25,000 K-12 students annually,

providing them the opportunity to learn about VDOT

and VDOT careers over the span of their academic career.

Outstanding VDOT Leader or Project Manager

Reese Wya, Bristol Roadside Manager

In the week prior to Hurricane Helene, ancipang the

potenal impacts it could have on the district, Reece

worked with ASD to procure emergency contracts for

addional roadway debris clearing to assist VDOT with

the inial clearing of vegetave debris and opening

roads to traffic. He managed nine contracts across

seven counes for debris cleanup. He oversaw 70

crews, 37 sites, and 2.5 million cubic yards of debris

removal. Addressing safety concerns, he implemented

a Safety Stand Down to educate vendors, ensuring

efficient, FEMA-compliant operaons.

Community Service & Volunteerism Award

Wes Wya, Interstate Maintenance Office

Wes Wya is an eight-year VDOT employee. He is a

Glade Springs resident and has served as a Glade

Spring Middle School baseball coach for two years. In

2024, Wes organized and parcipated in Work Zone

Awareness acvies for Glade Spring Middle School’s

6th-8th grade students, organizing a hands-on mock

work zone setup. He has also coordinated with Virginia

State Police to promote work zone safety in Driver’s Ed

classes. He balances a demanding job with community

volunteerism.


4


Lifeme Achievement

Dennis Sanders, Environmental

Dennis’ VDOT career began in 1989, working in water

quality perming. During his 35-year career, he has

become the resident expert on environmental

perming for the district and has been involved in

projects statewide due to his specializaon in stream

restoraon. He has also completed six weeks of

specialized training in natural channel design and

river restoraon during his career.

Dennis’s colleagues oen refer to his “missed

calling” in construcon oversight, which he put to

good use aer Hurricane Helene. Dennis immediately

joined response teams in Taylors Valley to restore access along Route 725 where

two bridges suffered severe damage and were integral to restoring water service for

much of the county. Dennis also assisted in the rebuilding of Route 58 in

Washington County. Dennis proposed a unique embankment construcon method

to restore the stream channel and rebuild the original road prism. This no-plan

design allowed the project to progress quickly and required lile environmental

perming.

Dennis’s longstanding relaonship with the U.S. Forest Service helped advance the

Force Account Emergency Repairs on Route 58, and his role as de facto Construcon

Manager facilitated quicker decisions in the field. Following the hurricane, Dennis

worked many 7-day weeks, mostly during undesirable weather condions, all while

juggling his regular responsibilies in the office.

Outstanding VDOT Employee

Greg Honaker, Abingdon Residency

Greg Honaker has 30+ years at VDOT and is the sole

contract monitor for Washington and Smyth

counes. He has deep instuonal knowledge,

meculous record-keeping skills, is reliable (oen

first to arrive, last to leave), and has a willingness to

assist neighboring residencies in emergencies. Greg

was instrumental during Hurricane Helene recovery,

overseeing major washout repairs and working

directly with FEMA and district representaves while

oen sacrificing personal me. Greg is recognized for

professionalism, dedicaon, and as a crical asset to

the residency and supervisors.



HR News

New Hires

Alexander Dolinger, Abingdon AHQ Operator Maintenance

William Marn, Chilhowie AHQ Operator Maintenance

Jackson Powers, Engineer Traffic

Nathan Saunders, Bland AHQ Operator Maintenance

Colton Slaughter, Bland AHQ Operator Maintenance

Benjamin Steffey, Operator Maintenance Traffic

Cecil Teaster, Marion AHQ Operator Maintenance

Oliver Tolbert, Chilhowie AHQ Operator Maintenance

Plu

Transfer/Promoon

Logan Branch, transferred to Operator Sign – Bristol District

Joshua Davidson, transferred to Chilhowie AHQ Operator Maintenance

Deven Ducke, transferred to N. Bristol AHQ Operator Maintenance

Brandi Halloway, promoted to Programming and Investment Mgmt. Program Mgmt. Specialist Sr.

Tammy Hileman, promoted to Administrave Assistant – Bristol District

Carlye Manuel, promoted to Engineer Associate EDGE/Bridge

Jessica Ranck, transferred to L&D Engineer Project Manager

Randal Ciccheo, transferred to N. Bristol AHQ Operator Maintenance

Rerements

Steven Hopkins, Survey Tech Sr., Bristol L&D, 47 years of service

Robert Ratliff, L&D Eng. Sr. Roadway Design, 30 years of service

Welcome to the new and returning interns!

Angelina Boyd, Wytheville (returning intern)

Derek Dunford, Wytheville Residency

Tristan Hass, Lebanon Residency

Morghan Hampton, Bristol L&D (Engineering Scholar)

Jarrell Harrison, Abingdon Residency

Payton Jessee, Construcon – Lebanon

Wade Marn, Maintenance

Alexander Newberry, Wise Residency

Max Owens, Lebanon (returning intern)

Joshua Olinger, L&D-Survey

Jasper Pan, Maintenance

Brandon Ratliff, L&D

Annaleigh Rowe, L&D (returning intern)

Bryan Snead, Materials

Aron Star, Bristol Planning

Drew Sturgill, Bristol Bridge

Tommy Tran, Traffic

Brandon Waschler, Construcon

The

Repass

6


Employee Engagement organizes Feeding SWVA Service Day

Bristol’s Employee Engagement Team organized a

volunteer service opportunity in May with Feeding

Southwest Virginia in Abingdon.

including pop-up food distribuons throughout

the region. Visit feedingswva.org to learn more

and offer to serve.

The team was able to help Feeding Southwest

Virginia with aspects of their Summer Feeding

Food Service Program, serving free healthy meals

and snacks to children and teens in at risk and

low-income areas.

Plu

Opening their doors in 1981, Feeding Southwest

Virginia serves 26 counes and nine cies in

Southwest Virginia. They are the largest supplier of

charitable food assistance in Southwest Virginia,

distribung nearly 19 million pounds of food

annually.

Stascs from the organizaon show 165,000

people in the communies we call home face

hunger, translang to 1 in 7 people.

Feeding Southwest Virginia has regular service

opportunies for those who’d like to help,

Bristol employees who recently served at Feeding SWVA

included (front row, L-R) Jason Thomas, Laura Beth

Hale, Robert Baker, Michelle Earl and Tabitha Crowder.

Technician of the Year

At the 2025 VDOT Erle W. Poer Fleet

Conference this spring in Williamsburg,

Christopher Musick from the Abingdon Shop

received the 2024 Technician of the Year Award

for the Bristol District.

The award is given within each district to

recognize the employee’s exceponal

performance, dedicaon and achievement.

Musick currently serves as an equipment

repair technician for the Abingdon Shop. He has

seven years of service with VDOT and brings a

wealth of experience to the department.

“Chris has taken the opportunity on many

occasions to analyze and resolve equipment

problems,” Abingdon Shop Supervisor Gary Boyd

said. “With his diverse knowledge, he has

assisted other equipment shops in the repair of

agricultural and construcon equipment.”

“He has an in-depth understanding of diagnosing

and repairing complex electrical and

computer-related problems.”

Congrats, Christopher!

VDOT Chief of Maintenance and Operaons Kevin Gregg

(right) presents the Bristol Technician of the Year Award to

Chris Musick, Abingdon Shop.

The

Re-


District Truck ROADEO Event 2025 unveils new Overall District Champion Award

The Bristol District ROADEO took place May 14-15

at the District Complex, showcasing the equipment

operang skills of our employees.

New this year, the Overall District Champion

Award was presented to the Wise Residency for

earning the highest accumulated points across all

events during the district championship. Points were

awarded based on finishing order (e.g. 1st: 15 points

and 2nd: 14 points).

District Maintenance Engineer Jeff Russell praised

the event and said, "A tremendous display of talent

and dedicaon was exhibited during this year’s

event. The level of compeon among the

competors increases every year and was

heightened this year by the addion of the Overall

District Champion Award.”

“We appreciate everyone who took part in this

year's ROADEO, including the competors, judges,

coordinators, equipment vendors, those who set up

display booths, as well as those who set up the

various courses for the events. We're looking

forward to supporng our district winners during the

upcoming State ROADEO and wish them the best of

luck."

May 14 fesvies included residency and specialty

crew competors parcipang in qualifying rounds.

The top three finishers for each event went on to

compete at the district championship held on May

15. Event champions will go on to represent the

district at the State ROADEO compeon on August

6-7.

Competors faced six events, including tandem

truck, single-axle truck, mowing tractor,

motor-grader, backhoe, and skid steer. Two truck

courses ran simultaneously, including four trucks for

efficiency. The backhoe, motor grader and skid steer

events also used mulple pieces of equipment

throughout the compeon. Each event is designed

to mirror State and Regional ROADEO compeons.

(Le

8


Truck ROADEO Winners 2025 (pictured le to right)

Overall Champion: Wise Residency

Plu

Event: Skid Steer

1st: Logan Branch (Traffic-District)

2nd: Chris Harris (Marion AHQ)

3rd: Josh Hess (Blackford AHQ)

Event: Mowing Tractor

1st: Robert Cornwell (Springville AHQ)

2nd: Jordan Bruner (Ewing AHQ)

3rd: Tony Dockery (Fort Blackmore AHQ)

Event: Tandem Axle

1st: Jordan Bruner (Ewing AHQ)

2nd: Robert Cornwell (Springville AHQ)

3rd: Cody Brown (Speedwell AHQ)

Event: Single Axle

1st: Adam Fogleman (Traffic-District)

2nd: Robbie Hash (Volney AHQ)

3rd: Cody Brown (Speedwell AHQ)

Event: Motor Grader

1st: Ryan Handy (Volney AHQ)

2nd: Jeffrey Adams (Lebanon AHQ)

3rd: Kenny Collins (Dryden AHQ)

Event: Backhoe

1st: Jeremiah Musick (Blackford AHQ)

2nd: Anthony Hash (Volney AHQ)

3rd: Marcus O’Quinn (Oakwood AHQ)

The

Repass


Governor Glenn Youngkin reopens Route 58 in Washington County

Governor Glenn Youngkin announced on May 22 the

reopening of the 1.5-mile secon of Route 58

between Damascus and Konnarock that was

destroyed by Hurricane Helene last fall. This

project—completed five months ahead of schedule

and at a vastly lower cost than first projected—

restores a crical lifeline for residents, businesses,

visitors and emergency services. Joined by members

of the General Assembly, local officials and

community leaders, the Governor praised the

Virginia Department of Transportaon (VDOT) and

its prime contractor, W-L Construcon & Paving, Inc.,

for compleng the complex rebuild in record me.

“My visits to Southwest Virginia between the day

following the hurricane and today’s celebraon are

etched with images of people who have worked

relessly to rebuild,” said Governor Glenn

Youngkin. “In a true testament to the strength of our

local workforce and the resilience of the people of

Southwest Virginia, we were able to complete the

project faster than expected and at a lower cost.

Today is not just about restoring infrastructure and

rebuilding roads, we are also rebuilding

communies, livelihoods, and hope.”

With no original roadway plans, VDOT engineers

pieced together a hybrid design using drone footage,

paral 1990s drawings, and pre-storm aerial

imagery. The VDOT team began coordinang with

Jefferson Naonal Forest staff almost immediately

following the hurricane, as this secon of Route 58 is

wholly located within an easement of the U.S. Forest

Service.

Governor Youngkin thanks Environmental’s

Dennis Sanders for his efforts during the

Route 58 rebuild.

While VDOT was working on the design, efforts were

underway to establish an emergency contract to

ensure the roadway would be rebuilt as quickly as

possible. W-L Construcon & Paving, Inc.,

Chilhowie, served as the primary contractor for the

project. The reconstrucon relied on an

unconvenonal embankment method that combined

stream restoraon with roadway construcon. Crews

armored the slope along Whitetop Laurel Creek with

boulders weighing up to 10,000 pounds, redirecng

the creek and forfying the corridor against future

floods.

Crowd listens to Governor Glenn Youngkin’s

remarks at the Route 58 ribbon cung May 22.

Official Photos by Kaitlyn DeHarde, Office of

Governor Glenn Youngkin.

When Hurricane Helene struck, Whitetop Laurel

Creek surged through Jefferson Naonal Forest,

sweeping away homes, washing out miles of the

Virginia Creeper Trail and demolishing the mountain

corridor of Route 58. Emergency response was

underway immediately following the disaster, and

discussions of rebuilding Route 58 quickly ensued.

Governor Youngkin speaks with Board of

Supervisor Member Dr. Mike Rush and a

member of Boy Scout Troop 222.

(Le

10


“We were on the ground immediately aer the

hurricane, focused on emergency response but also

recognizing the important role Route 58 plays in the

community and the need to rebuild quickly,” said

Secretary of Transportaon W. Sheppard Miller

III. “Because of the Governor’s leadership and the

incredible work of VDOT, we were able to develop a

plan and rebuild this road five months ahead of

schedule and at a significantly lower cost than

originally projected. I applaud VDOT and everyone

involved for working together to execute the plan

and accelerate this project to compleon.”

“We can’t say enough about not only the dedicaon

of VDOT staff, but our partners at W-L Construcon

and Paving, Inc., to this project as well as to this

community,” said VDOT Commissioner Stephen

Brich. “In addion to the roadway work, the

company has also been working with the

Washington County Service Authority to rebuild the

county’s waterline beneath Route 58.”

The result is a project expected to finish at roughly

$7 million—far below the original $47 million

esmate, and five months earlier than the December

2025 target.

“Aer the hardship brought by Hurricane Helene, the

reopening of Route 58 in record me is a powerful

reminder of our community’s strength,

perseverance, and unity,” said Senator Todd

Pillion. “I’m deeply proud of the work that brought

us to this moment and grateful for the spirit of

resilience that defines Damascus, the surrounding

community, and all of Southwest Virginia.”

“I would like to express my sincere gratude for the

swi reopening of Route 58 following the significant

impact of Hurricane Helene on our region,” said

Delegate Israel O’Quinn. “The hard work and

dedicaon of both VDOT and W-L Construcon to

complete the repairs ahead of schedule are truly

commendable. We also deeply appreciate Governor

Youngkin’s leadership throughout this challenging

me. The recovery efforts have demonstrated the

strength of our partnerships across the federal,

state, and local levels of government.

Route 58 is once again open to traffic, restoring

access to emergency response agencies, local

businesses and the scenic heart of Southwest

Virginia.

Plu

The project used 33,075 tons of stone and 8,196 tons

of asphalt.

Photo Capon: VDOT and W-L Construcon Staff

pictured with Governor Youngkin

The

Repass


Calendar of Events

July 7

Route 11 widening in Bristol Design

Public Hearing at Virginia

Intermediate School

4-7 p.m.

July 16

I-81 Corridor Improvement Public

Meeng in Bristol

Hilton Garden Inn at Exit 7

5-7 p.m.

July 17

Employee Engagement: Hungry

Mothers Baseball game in Marion

6:30

*Tell them your with VDOT at the

gate for a discount.

Through July 23

“Paws For Claws” Christmas in July

Summer Fundraiser benefing the

Bristol Humane Society

*see June 20 email from Mindi

Stoots for details.

August 2

Major League Baseball at Bristol

Motor Speedway

EO in house learning, field trip held for young campers

In June, campers with EO Educaon Center in Abingdon learned about all

things VDOT both at EO and on site at VDOT with a Public Service Field

Trip.

During the EO in-house summer camp event, children engaged with

VDOT by building bridges between chairs with paper, tape and straws to

see which holds the most weight. They also build sandcastles with only

sand, then with water and finally with water and addional support

(geotexle). There will be a second in-house camp in July.

During the Public Service Field Trip, VDOT welcomed a group of campers

ages 6–12 for an event designed to spark curiosity and showcase VDOT’s

crical role in transportaon, offering hands-on learning and fun for the

young visitors.

Campers were divided into three groups—Red Light, Green Light, and

Yellow Light—for a guided tour of the facility and a rotaon through three

interacve staons.

At Environmental and Materials, campers learned about mussels and the

importance of the species in our region and about the materials used to

build bridges and roads. In Traffic/Work Zone, they were introduced to

traffic signs and safety protocols. At the Equipment/Shop staon, they got

up close to VDOT’s heavy equipment, including tractors and large trucks,

as well as experiencing the snow simulator.

The event blended educaon and excitement to inspire the next

generaon about the importance of transportaon and public service.

Thanks to staff members who

parcipated in the event.

August 5

Internaonal Traffic Light Day

August 6-7

Statewide Truck Roadeo

August 22

New Employee Orientaon: 90-day

Onboarding

September 1

Labor Day Holiday

Virginia Department of Transportaon

Bristol District - Office of Public Affairs

2111 Bonham Road

Bristol, VA 24201

276-669-6151

michelle.earl@VDOT.Virginia.gov

Bristol District Newsletter May/June 2025

Transform your PDFs into Flipbooks and boost your revenue!

Delete template?

Save as template ?