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May 2008
Minnesota LTAP honors ‘Roads Scholars’ at maintenance expo
Jim Grothaus (bottom row, far left) and Mindy Carlson (top row, far right) with 2008 Roads Scholars
The Minnesota Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP), housed at CTS, honored 15 graduates of its “Roads Scholars” Program at the annual Minnesota Spring Maintenance Training Expo. More than 550 maintenance workers and supervisors attended the event April 15 and 16 in St. Cloud.
Jim Grothaus, director of Minnesota LTAP, gave the expo welcome and opening remarks. He and Mindy Carlson, Minnesota LTAP training coordinator, then presented the Roads Scholar certificates in a general-session ceremony. Nearly 1,800 students across the state are enrolled in the Roads Scholar Program, which combines training options such as maintenance expos and LTAP workshops into a structured curriculum. Graduates earn a valuable professional development credential. (See www.mnltap.umn.edu/About/Programs /RoadsScholar.)
The expo showcases the latest experiences and technology in maintenance operations in Minnesota. Grothaus presented an update on trash harvesters and other maintenance research, and Mn/DOT’s Kathleen Schaefer led a session on workzone safety flagger training. Schaefer is the instructor of the Circuit Training and Assistance Program (CTAP), the mobile arm of Minnesota LTAP. The flagger training is one of the modules offered by CTAP, which uses a fully equipped van to provide on-site technical assistance and training throughout Minnesota.
Other expo educational sessions touched on topics ranging from roadside vegetation to bridge maintenance. Fifty-eight exhibitors also displayed their wares.
Expo sponsors are Minnesota LTAP, the Minnesota Local Road Research Board, the Minnesota Department of Transportation, the Minnesota Street Superintendents Association, and the Minnesota Public Works Association.
Grothaus, Carlson, and Schaefer served on the expo planning committee. The University’s College of Continuing Education facilitated the expo.