The past two months have tested our collective resolve in ways we never thought possible. We painfully watched as wildfires roared with tragic consequences through parts of Southern California where some of our colleagues, friends and families make their homes. Scenes of the devastating aftermath are those we will not soon forget. Despite the confusion, heartache and gut-wrenching emotions associated with a disaster of this magnitude, our 23,000 strong mobilized in real time to lend a helping hand.
In the Portola neighborhood of San Francisco, a major transformation is being celebrated by many, thanks to the combined efforts of Caltrans Bay Area District 4, residents, and businesses. The area, once a hot spot for overgrown vegetation, trash and criminal activity, has been revitalized into a cleaner, safer and more welcoming space for the community.
On October 29, 2024, District 10’s Public Information Officer and Customer Service Liaison Alejandra Quezada-Beeler became a United States citizen. Alejandra packed into the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium with 945 other soon-to-be naturalized citizens from around the world. There were a few remarks, a recorded message from President Biden, and the nation of origin for every new citizen was announced.
Most Californians would not immediately make a connection between the state’s litter removal efforts and highway worker safety, but Caltrans Public Affairs aimed to change that by hosting a cleanup and safety awareness event on Broadway and State Route 99 in Sacramento. News crews witnessed maintenance personnel collecting litter during the predawn hours – a mere few feet from rush-hour commute traffic.
District 7 streets and trails in Los Angeles and Ventura counties have been refreshed, revamped and rewarded. Three recently completed projects from Cycle 1 of the Clean California Local Grants Program have won accolades from local chapters of the American Public Works Association (APWA) and highlight the beautiful and beneficial change Clean California has afforded these communities.
Marjani Rollins and her team at Caltrans’ Small Business & Workforce Development Center are in the business of changing lives. On the horizon is another challenge – starting a related training program that would turn former prison inmates into ironworkers. Toward that end, Caltrans received a $238,000 grant from the Federal Highway Administration last month as seed money for the program.
Caltrans District 7 is conducting a $62.2 million project to upgrade stormwater drainage infrastructure along State Route 1 (Pacific Coast Highway / PCH) and restore a critical passageway for the endangered Southern California steelhead trout. Construction includes rehabilitating 13 culverts along a 25-mile stretch of PCH between Pacific Palisades and the L.A. County/Ventura County line.
Wrong-way crashes in the Bay Area have increased, resulting in the tragic loss of innocent lives. In response, Caltrans District 4 is implementing safety upgrades to our highway system to reduce these incidents. The California Highway Patrol is intensifying enforcement efforts, while Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) continues to work tirelessly to prevent impaired driving.
The 61st Annual Caltrans Invitational Golf Tournament is being held this year on May 15 and 16 in beautiful Monterey. Monterey Pines Golf Course and Laguna Seca Golf Ranch will provide two distinct golf experiences, testing the skills of all aspects of our game. An awards banquet follows golf the second day at Laguna Seca.
The future of Changeable Message Signs (CMS) is coming to Caltrans and District 10 will be among the first to pilot this new technology. The walk-in CMS has full-color, high-resolution LED displays capable of text and graphics. They are also far safer for electrical crews, with a climate-controlled, walk-in space that greatly reduces fall risk and exposure to traffic and inclement weather.
Tom O'Hair has been selected as the recipient of the prestigious CalSTA Secretary’s Keystone Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the Build.ca.gov website and the CASTA Accomplishments Report. Jim O’Brien and Daniel Defoe of Headquarters Public Affairs also received Keystone Awards. Lee Haber, District 7’s chief safety officer; Jason Tipton, District 3’s maintenance area superintendent; and Bryan Wizenread, District 9’s deputy district director of maintenance, received the Secretary’s Leadership Award.
This year’s Hveem Scholarship winners have shown such passion to learning and their community that they have been given a scholarship of $1,500 each. This year’s winners are Jayda Arbis, Lauren Fegan, Jesse Valencia and Ethan Xiao. The Francis N. Hveem Memorial Scholarship honors the late Mr. Francis N. Hveem, former state materials engineer and chief of the Materials and Research Laboratory in Sacramento.
Long-term weight loss takes time and effort. So be sure that you're ready to eat healthy foods and become more active. Ask yourself: Do I have a strong desire to change habits to help me lose weight? Am I too distracted by other pressures? Do I use food to cope with stress? Am I willing to change my eating habits? Am I willing to change my physical activity and exercise habits?
Nearly 18 million people tuned in to watch football during the 2023 regular season, according to ESPN. They are all fans to some degree but the enthusiasm of some sets them apart from the rest. Read all about District 10's biggest football fans in the occasional CT News category we are debuting this issue: You Time!
Brianna Miller is the new office chief for the Office of Strategic Management within the Headquarters Division of Risk and Strategic Management. Brianna has more than 14 years of experience working for the state. Since June 2022, Brianna has served as the strategic planning manager for the Division of Equipment where, among other duties, she led the development and maintenance of the division’s strategic plans.
Tarod Miller is Headquarters’ new administrative analyst for External Affairs. Tarod grew up in Anderson, spending copious amounts of time fishing, camping and hiking through the wilderness. He graduated from Sacramento State with a degree in new media design. Tarod started his career with Caltrans and the state as a staff services analyst with the Director’s Office.
Michael Navarro is the new District 6 director. He joined District 6 in 2000 serving in various capacities. For the past five years Michael has served as the District 6 deputy director for planning, local assistance and environmental analysis, overseeing a wide range of multi-modal programs and initiatives.
Retired Caltrans engineer Glen Lyle Ludwig of San Bernardino passed away peacefully with family at his side at his home on Dec. 12, 2024, at the age of 92. He served in the Army from 1953-1955, achieving the rank of Private First Class. The GI Bill enabled Glen to further his education at the University of Arizona where he graduated as a civil engineer. Caltrans hired Glen and his entire engineering class to work on the beginnings of the California freeway system.
District 9 right-of-way agent Jonathan (Jon) David Palmer passed away at his home Jan. 6 with his loving wife by his side. Jon was born Aug. 7, 1965, in San Bernardino to parents Richard and Marilee Palmer. Jon moved from San Bernardino with his family to Bishop, where he attended school. The family would spend time between their homes in Bishop and Bridgeport.
Former Caltrans heavy equipment operator Steven Rodriguez of Paso Robles passed away on Dec. 1, 2024. He was 47. Steven was born on Feb. 28, 1977, in King City. He was a heavy equipment operator at Caltrans for five years. He worked as a Class A truck driver for almost 10 years. When he wasn’t at work he enjoyed working on his classic cars.
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