Construction
The Division of Construction, through its people and resources, works closely with our partners to deliver projects within scope, budget, schedule and without compromising quality. We are committed to providing safe and efficient work zones, both for the traveling public and employees working on the state highway system.
Field Construction
District 4 Construction manages multiple field offices and trailers across nine counties in the San Francisco Bay Area. These offices are staffed by dedicated personnel who oversee and administer hundreds of ongoing construction projects, with a total value of approximately $2 billion as of FY 2024-25. Key roles within the field offices include Construction Managers, Construction Engineers, Resident Engineers (REs), Assistant REs, Field Office Engineers, Structure Representatives, as well as various specialists and coordinators who ensure projects are completed efficiently and in compliance with contract standards.
Our portfolio of past construction projects showcases significant infrastructure achievements, including the replacement of the eastern span of the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge, the construction of the Presidio Parkway (Doyle Drive Project), and major tunnel projects such as the Tom Lantos Tunnel (Devil’s Slide) and the Caldecott Tunnel Fourth Bore.
Construction Support
Construction Support consists of four units, each of which serves Caltrans District 4 and provides project assistance, guidance, and reporting. The offices include Engineering Support, Safety, Workload Support, and Stormwater & SWPPP. Construction Support is responsible for providing the following services:
- Overseeing the construction estimating process.
- Administering construction change orders, supplemental funding, and internet Extra Work Bills (iEWB).
- Performing pre-job and ongoing job site safety inspections.
- Administering the Construction Zone Enhanced Enforcement Program (COZEEP).
- Providing training to District 4 staff in construction site safety.
- Conducting job site inspections for environmental compliance, Stormwater & Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP), and Water Pollution Control Program (WPCP).
- Enforcing the Statewide Stormwater Management Program.
- Providing training and support to District 4 staff on field applications such as Falcon, ProDMS, D4IMS, the D4-Alert MCIN programs, and iPads.
- Submitting project resource estimates to PRSM in the fall of each year.
Administrative Support
Administrative Support provides general and clerical support services to all District 4 Construction employees and partners including the Office of Structures Construction, Consultants, Rotation Employees and Student Assistants. This office is responsible for providing the following services:
- General administrative and clerical support.
- Procuring and monitoring office supply level.
- Evaluating and tracking IT equipment and software needs.
- Procuring and monitoring equipment and facility needs.
- Coordinating field office facility needs.
- Monitoring division resource support expenditures.
- Manage personnel and payroll services including the functions of hiring & recruitment, position management and timekeeping.
- COZEEP payments.
- Provide training in specific project related skills.
- Execution of the Labor Compliance Program.
- Fleet management.
District Office Engineer (DOE)
The District Office Engineer was established to work with Project Engineers & Project Managers to compile their Plans, Specifications & Estimates (PS&E) contract packages so that the packages are complete, biddable, and buildable, and to deliver these contract packages to headquarters, Division of Engineer Services and then to Construction. PS&E packages are reviewed for internal consistency and for consistency between functional disciplines (Structures/ Hydraulics, Environmental, Existing Utilities, etc), for consistency with permits & external agency commitments, for adherence to the latest contract standards, and for the viability of construction staging. Services provided by the office include:
- Handles contractor bid inquiries by providing clarifications on contract documents during the bidding process and supports the resolution of bid-related issues.
- Evaluates project plans and specifications to identify and resolve potential construction issues before bidding, ensuring constructability and reducing change orders.
- Manages and analyzes construction claims, providing support in dispute resolution and claim mitigation, while maintaining detailed claim documentation.
- Facilitates the finalization of construction contracts by ensuring all deliverables are completed and accepted, including coordinating final payments and retention release.
- Develops and reviews construction schedules using Critical Path Method (CPM) to monitor project progress, identify delays, and recommend corrective actions.
Construction Services
The Office of Construction Services provides specialized support and expertise to ensure quality construction and compliance with standards. The office includes the following functional units: Landscape Construction, Electrical Construction, Materials Testing, Pavement & Inertial Profiling Testing. Typical services provided are:
- Oversee landscape installations, including planting, irrigation systems, and erosion control measures.
- Monitor contractor compliance with landscape design specifications.
- Provide guidance on plant establishment periods and vegetation management.
- Perform inspections and testing of electrical components such as lighting, and signals.
- Ensure electrical installations meet design standards and safety regulations.
- Support troubleshooting and resolution of electrical issues during construction.
- Conduct materials sampling and testing to verify compliance with project specifications.
- Provide laboratory analysis and field testing for concrete, asphalt, and other construction materials.
- Maintain quality assurance programs and certify material sources.
- Perform pavement smoothness and profile measurements using specialized equipment.
- Analyze initial pavement data to ensure compliance with specifications.
- Provide recommendations for corrective actions on pavement irregularities.
District Structure Construction
The Office of Structure Construction (OSC) ensures the successful delivery of complex structural projects across the district. With a commitment to quality, safety, and service, the SC management team provides leadership, technical expertise, and support to project teams, district management, and local agencies. Area Construction Managers (ACMs) play a key role in overseeing project execution, resolving technical challenges, and maintaining compliance with construction standards. They act as liaisons between the Division of Engineering Services (DES) and regional stakeholders, facilitating collaboration and problem-solving. Additionally, the office offers consultation, risk management, field inspection oversight, and contractor performance evaluation to ensure the integrity of construction projects.