Behold the 2024 Caltrans Excellence in Transportation Awards! This annual awards program highlights and recognizes some of the best work from Caltrans and its partners. Nominations representing regions across California were received from Caltrans, local and public agencies, private contractors, and consultants.
Caltrans is pleased to showcase these projects that have met California’s growing transportation demands while aligning with our strategic priorities.
Southern California received an intense bout of rainstorms Nov.13-16, threatening recovery efforts from the Palisades Fire and early 2025 rainstorms that severely damaged Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) and Topanga Canyon Boulevard/State Route 27 (SR-27) in Los Angeles County. Fortunately, due to statewide and local partnerships along with proactive planning and communication, both highways saw minimal damage after the long-lasting weekend rainstorms.
The most significant project in the long history of Caltrans District 9 is now complete. The Olancha-Cartago 4-Lane Expressway Project constructed 12.5 miles of new roadway on U.S. Highway 395, the final stretch of U.S. 395 to be converted to four lanes in Inyo County. The project was initiated in the District 9 Planning branch in 1998, and studies of possible bypasses in the area go as far back as the 1960s. Fisher Sand & Gravel started construction on this project in January 2022.
Every November, Caltrans honors Native American Heritage Month by recognizing the unique histories, cultures and contributions of native people throughout California. In District 2, that recognition extends far beyond the one month. It’s a year-round commitment reflected in the work of several employees who ensure collaboration, consultation and respect guide our projects across tribal lands and ancestral territories.
Fresno middle and high school students explored hands-on heavy equipment training at Caltrans’ Heavy Equipment Operator (HEO) Academy on Nov. 14, experiencing firsthand how fun these in-demand and high-paying careers are. Forty-four students from Scandinavian Middle School and Duncan Polytechnical High School spent the day at Caltrans’ Fresno Heavy Equipment Operator Academy, trying out simulators, meeting instructors and learning how HEO careers offer strong wages, job stability and opportunities to work statewide.
When you see a drone hovering above a Caltrans District 2 work site or emergency area, there’s a good chance that Redding Landscape Supervisor Kevin Andersen is behind the controls. Recently, Andersen took on an additional role as the district’s drone operator for field maintenance, capturing aerial footage and photos that offer a new perspective on the important work happening across the region.
Interested in reading something that is (a) interesting, (b) educational and, let the record show, (c) work-related? Check out this Legal Division webpage! (Onramp access only) The Caltrans Tort Feasor is published by the Caltrans Legal Service Center to alert project development and maintenance/operations staff to ways to minimize the risk of actions that could endanger members of the traveling public, and thereby to minimize risk of legal actions. Names are changed to protect subjects' privacy.
Caltrans values you as a member of our team, and your mental well-being is very important to us. In wintertime, it's common to feel a shift in mood and energy. Winter can bring unique mental health challenges, including seasonal affective disorder (SAD), increased stress, and feelings of isolation. This story offers some helpful tips to support your mental well-being this season.
Onalis Cruz is the new executive liaison for Project Delivery. In her new role, Onalis provides high-level support to Donna Berry in her capacity as deputy director of Project Delivery and chief engineer. She is coordinating priorities, managing communications and ensuring alignment and operational efficiency across the Project Delivery divisions.
Byron Lim has been appointed by the governor as the Encampment Program director. Byron brings more than 26 years of dedicated service and broad experience across the California Department of Transportation. He began his Caltrans career in 1998 as a transportation engineer in Structure Construction before rotating to Structure Design and later to the Office of Structure Maintenance & Investigation.
Kenneth (Ken) Murray is the new deputy division chief (principal landscape architect) in the Division of Design overseeing the Landscape Architecture Program, the Office of Complete Streets and the Offices of Development and Support Services. Ken brings 26 years of experience working with Caltrans.
Retired Caltrans engineer Walter Franklin Butcher Jr. was born on Oct. 27, 1937, in Des Moines, Iowa, and earned his Angel wings on August 12, 2025, in San Diego. Walt grew up in Kearny Mesa with his six siblings and attended Kearny High School. He served in the Army and was stationed in Monterey. After completing his service, he settled back in San Diego where he met his beloved wife, Linda Flaherty.
Retired Caltrans bridge engineer Bernard Witcomb, born March 20, 1937, died July 23 in Oakdale. Bernard passed away peacefully at the age of 88 at his home. He was born and raised in St Johnsbury, Vermont, and re-located to California for a position with Caltrans.
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