Behind The Barrels

Latest Episodes:

Jerry Wray Building Dedication Dec 27, 2021

Show notes

This month we focus on former ODOT Director, Jerry Wray. Earlier this month, the building that houses ODOT’s central office headquarters was renamed in Director Wray’s honor.

Be sure to visit transportation.Ohio.gov for all things ODOT and know before you go, by visiting OHGO.com for traffic updates. If you have question, comments or ideas, email me at michael.lovins@dot.ohio.gov

Ohio Advanced Air Mobility Showcase Nov 29, 2021

Show notes

Welcome to the November 2021 edition of Transcript Radio. I’m Mike Lovins from ODOT’s central office communications team, and I’ll be your host. The sky’s the limit this month as we focus on the Ohio Advanced Air Mobility Showcase, which happened earlier this month in Springfield, Ohio. We’re going to follow along with ODOT’s Matt Bruning, as he talks to various contributors about the future of air travel.

Be sure to visit transportation.Ohio.gov for all things ODOT and know before you go, by visiting OHGO.com for traffic updates.

If you have question, comments or ideas, email me at michael.lovins@dot.ohio.gov

Look for your next career at www.careers.ohio.gov

75th OTEC / National Disability Employment Awareness Month Oct 25, 2021

Show notes

This month we celebrate the 75th Ohio Transportation Engineering Conference, or OTEC for short. Then we switch focus to the wonderful work that disabled workers do for ODOT and other agencies in Ohio, through special service contracts with Goodwill and similar organizations.

To find out more about the job opportunities with Goodwill Easterseals of Miami Valley, visit GESMV’s recruiting site by clicking this link: Jobs - GESMV (recruitingbypaycor.com). You may also go to gesmv.org and then click on “Jobs” at the top right-hand corner, and then click on “business services” on the next landing page.

General GESMV phone numbers are: 937-461-4800 or toll free 877-363-3303

Seasonal Jobs at ODOT / 33 Smart Mobility Corridor Sep 27, 2021

Show notes

This month we’re talking about the seasonal employment opportunities you can find at ODOT and how ODOT is involved in the 33 smart mobility corridor, the nation’s longest connected highway.

Be sure to visit transportation.Ohio.gov for all things ODOT and know before you go, by visiting OHGO.com (that’s O-H-G-O.com) for traffic updates.

If you have question, comments or ideas, email me at michael.lovins@dot.ohio.gov

Look for your next career at www.careers.ohio.gov

Walk Bike Ohio / Light’s, Camera, ODOT! Aug 30, 2021

Show notes

This month we’re talking about what ODOT and the state of Ohio is doing for those who use walking and biking as their mode of transportation and what happens when Hollywood comes calling?

Cait Harley, ODOT’s Safe Routes to School and Active Transportation Manager, discusses ODOT’s Walk Bike Ohio initiative and also how it plays into the safe routes to school program.

Then I talk to Bill Garvey, the future President of the Greater Cleveland Film Commission, along with ODOT's Amanda McFarland and Rhonda Pees, about how ODOT helps when Hollywood comes calling.

00:00 - Intro

Walk Bike Ohio
00:38 - Cait Harley

Hollywood Seeks Help From ODOT
14:29 - Bill Garvey
23:28 - Amanda McFarland
29:18 - Rhonda Pees
38:34 - Outro

Be sure to visit transportation.Ohio.gov for all things ODOT and know before you go, by visiting OHGO.com (that’s O-H-G-O.com) for traffic updates.

If you have question, comments or ideas, email me at michael.lovins@dot.ohio.gov

Chip Seal / Bridge Upcycling Jul 26, 2021

Show notes

This month we’re talking about ways that ODOT helps save taxpayers money. From an often misunderstood road treatment to bridges that have county engineers beaming!

First. I talked to Chris Hughes, the district deputy director out at district 1, about a process called chip seal, that is routinely used to add life to a road before it degrades to the point of replacement.

Then, Muskingum county engineer, Mark Eicher, tells us about the benefits of bridge upcycling, the process of building new bridges with previously used beams.

00:00 - Intro
00:38 - Chip Seal
16:04 - Bridge Upcycling
23:57 - Outro

Be sure to visit transportation.Ohio.gov for all things ODOT and know before you go, by visiting OHGO.com (that’s O-H-G-O.com) for traffic updates.

If you have question, comments or ideas, email me at michael.lovins@dot.ohio.gov

Spotlight: District 11 Jun 28, 2021

Show notes

This month I’m focusing on ODOT’s District 11, introducing you to some of its leadership and letting you know about projects in the area and fun events that you can take advantage of this summer.

First, I interviewed District Deputy Director Tom Corey and, as a former truck driver, we talked about what’s driven his career.

Then, I caught up with Public Information Officer Lauren Barrell, to talk about what makes District 11 so special.

Be sure to visit transportation.Ohio.gov for all things ODOT and know before you go, by visiting OHGO.com (that’s O-H-G-O.com) for traffic updates.

If you have question, comments or ideas, email me at michael.lovins@dot.ohio.gov

Ohio Find It Here! / The Map Man / Unusual Town Names May 24, 2021

Show notes

May is Scenic Byways month, and that’s the perfect occasion to start planning your Ohio summer road trips. In this episode I talk to Matt Maclaren, director of Ohio Find It Here, about some of the best places to road trip to in Ohio. Then I chat with Bruce Hull, the designer of the official Ohio map. Last, I talk about some of my favorite strange Ohio town names.

00:00 - Intro
00:38 - Ohio Find It Here
15:12 - The Map Man
26:00 - Unusual Town Names
28:32 - Outro

If you have questions or story ideas, email me at michael.lovins@dot.ohio.gov

Rides to Community Immunity / In the Blink of a Fly / Safety First in Auglaize County Apr 26, 2021

Show notes

Here’s what we’re talking about this month. We find out about a statewide program called Rides to Community Immunity, which helps those without means of travel get the Covid vaccine. We share a story about how distracted driving affected an Ohio family and they’re doing to spread the word about paying attention on the road. And finally, how an Ohio county garage keeps safety a top priority.

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Please, DON’T TEXT AND DRIVE!

00:00 - Intro
00:38 - Rides to Community Immunity
07:44 - In The Blink of a Fly
15:40 - Safety First in Auglaize County
22:01 - Outro

If you have questions or story ideas, email me at michael.lovins@dot.ohio.gov

Civil Rights Symposium / Dist 6 Deputy Director Lori Duguid / Ohio’s Litter Problem Mar 22, 2021

Show notes

This month we have a civil conversation about the Civil Rights Transportation Symposium, we meet District Six’s first female deputy director and we talk some trash about Ohio’s litter problem.

00:00 - Intro

00:38 - Civil Rights Transportation Symposium

11:15 - Meet District 6 Deputy Director, Lori Duguid

17:47 - Talking trash about Ohio’s litter problem

28:18 - Outro

If you have questions or story idea, email me at michael.lovins@dot.ohio.gov