I235 Public Information Process

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I-235 Public Information Process
Partnering Beyond Construction Webinar Jan. 15,
2009 Presented by Dena M. Gray-Fisher, Iowa
Department of Transportation
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Project snapshot

• Traffic volumes 56,000 to 120,000 ADT
• 71 bridges
• Work completed under traffic, with two lanes open
  in each direction at all times
• Night- and day-time construction
• Five-year project (2002-2006)

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Multi-disciplined communications team

• District engineer
• Construction project manager
• Community ambassadors (100)
• Administrative support (100)
• Media and marketing staff
• Director
• Publications designer
• Webmaster and project communications (100)
• Graphic designer
• Des Moines Metro Area Transportation Management
  Association (TMA)

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Aiming for success

• Team concept
• Engaged participants
• Committed to success
• Collective input
• Consensus decision making
• Goal-oriented
• Measurable strategies
• Annual communication plan
• Monthly measurement reports on outputs
• Annual communication survey on results

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Media relations

• Objectives
• Transparent
• Accessible
• Proactive (start and remain on the offensive)
• Engaging (interested and informed media)
• Out in front of controversial issues
• Flexible enough to meet specific needs of each
  news organization
• Adaptable to constantly changing situations
• Reliable, trustworthy, knowledgeable, and
  respected as individuals and an organization
• Well-established, positive working relationships

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Media relations activities

• Established a project office
• Resources (models, maps, drawings)
• Access to project staff
• News conference center
• Held a start-of-the-project news conference and
  corridor-long bus tour
• Met with news organization annually on an
  individual basis to discuss upcoming work and
  ways in which we could meet their specific needs

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Media relations activities

• Hosted periodic news conferences pertaining to
  major activities (bridge implosions, staging,
  interchange closures)
• Distributed daily construction updates (e-alerts)
• Arranged quarterly project update interviews on
  the major radio stations
• Documented media contacts
• Provided tools and resources

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Web site
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E-alerts
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Streaming traffic camera access
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Detailed information
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Results

• An informed public
• Respected and trusted agency
• Relied upon as The Source for project
  information
• Less than 1 negative media coverage
• Came to the DOT to check out leads and rumors
• Long-term positive working relationship

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Questions or Comments