Hats Off
Resourceful help
Caltrans Equipment Operator I Chris Conrad helped a grateful resident with a flat tire in a remote and muddy part of Northern California.
Photo by District 2
I had a flat tire today on Highway 199 in Northern California. A Caltrans worker named Chris Conrad stopped, along with CHP Officer B. Cooke. Together they got the spare out from under the truck (while rolling in mud) even though the bracket was broken and the tire was stuck, and even though the jack for the truck would not extend far enough to put on the spare tire. Mr. Conrad took an axe out of Officer Cooke's patrol car and cut a downed tree limb for the jack to set on. The two of them then proceeded to change the tire, and would not let my husband help. I cannot say enough about these two public employees. They were not only helpful, professional, and courteous, but they both had a great sense of humor as they looked down at their dirty uniforms! The world could use many more just like them, and we will be forever grateful for their help.
Cheryl Hannah
Northern California
Open roads, completed projects
I just want to say that I'm impressed with how road work/construction is handled in California.
I lived in the Midwest for 20 years and it was very common to have very long sections of road unusable for months at a time due to construction. In Los Angeles it seems Caltrans consistently is able to work on small sections of road and complete the work overnight, or at least as fast as possible. This has been a pleasant surprise from what I'm used to dealing with.
Keep up the good work!
Andrew Boncher
Los Angeles
Snow fighters to the rescue
More than nine feet of snow fell over Donner Summit in a seven-day span in early January.
Photo by District 3
I’ve been hearing great things about Caltrans’ efforts through some of the toughest conditions we’ll face. Thanks for the excellent work of all of your teams.
Michael L. Reitzell
California Ski Industry Association President
Thankful for fast slide cleanup
During the early January storms, many Caltrans crews worked 12-hour shifts as they responded to over 100 short-term closures and worked tirelessly to clear and repair damaged roadways.
Photo by District 5
I commute on Highway 17 daily, and during these rainstorms I've seen some excellent work by the Caltrans crews. How fast they respond and clear the slides – from minor road blockage to the really big one on Jan. 9 – is such a relief.
I appreciate just knowing they are out there cleaning up the debris in a moment’s notice. A huge shout out for their efforts. Thank you so much!
Beth Darr
Santa Cruz
Life savers
Left to right: Caltrans Equipment Operator II’s William (Bill) Silva and Miguel (Gus) Medina rescued a grateful couple who had been stuck in the snow all day on Troy and Donner Pass Road.
Photo by District 3
On Jan. 17, we became stuck in the snow on Troy and Donner Pass Road around 1 p.m. We tried everything to get out to no avail. Shortly after that, a four-wheel truck got stuck right behind us. They managed to get out and tried to help us, but we just couldn’t get out. We called AAA and they gave us an estimate of two hours. At the time, we told them we needed a four-wheel truck to get us out. Long story short, hours and hours after they said they would be there, they finally came, and of course, no four-wheel drive. They were completely useless. By then we had been stranded over four hours. We called KIA road service and that was a complete disaster. We ended hanging up on them. I finally said, “Let’s call 9-1-1.” We did and a wonderful woman “Susie” said she was going to contact Caltrans for us. A short time later, in the darkness, we see lights coming up behind us. It was [Caltrans Equipment Operator II] Bill Silva. Unfortunately he got stuck in the same hole as the four-wheel drive truck. He called for a grader to get all of us out. Shortly the grader [Equipment Operator II Miguel (Gus) Medina] had all of us out. We felt like the cavalry had come.
They were professional, kind, caring and knew exactly what needed to be done. My husband told Bill that they were life savers. He said “That’s what we do. We save lives.” They surely saved ours.
When they got us out and we were driving off, Bill pulled up next to us and wanted to know if we needed a bathroom, water, coffee etc. Unbelievable. We had spent the day talking to inept people with gigantic attitudes and not one would lift a finger to help us. Your employees not only helped us but offered to take care of us afterward.
We didn’t want this to go unnoticed. They are white knights to us and we will forever be grateful. Please see that this attaboy is put in both the grader’s personnel file and Bill’s.
Maureen and Steve Keller
Reno
Clear and smooth
Motorist appreciates improvements on U.S. Highway 101 south of San Jose.
Photo by District 4
The crew that resurfaced Highway 101 between Morgan Hill and South San Jose has done an outstanding job. First, the annoying rut in the asphalt is gone. And the dashed dividing lines are now white followed by black, making them much easier to see in any weather. Thanks!
Dennis Cole
Gilroy
Angels to the rescue
Caltrans Trinity Center Highway Maintenance Leadworker Mike Haigh was among those who helped a motorist and her dog from her car after a collision in a wooded ravine in rural Northern California.
Photo by District 2
I hit a patch of ice Dec. 23, sending my car into a ravine and hitting a tree head-on. I want to thank the Caltrans driver [Caltrans Trinity Center Highway Maintenance Leadworker Mike Haigh] who cut away branches from the door and helped me and my dog Zip from the car, helped us climb out of the ravine and gave us shelter in the warmth of his truck. Thanks also to [Trinity County workers Ted Wilson and Cody Smith] who put out flares, etc., and the California Highway Patrol officer who drove me and Zip to a rest stop near Tannery Gulch and loaned me a rain coat to wear while he went back to the scene to wait for the tow truck.
I also want to thank my neighbor Chad who picked me up, then rescued my carload of groceries from the car and helped the tow truck driver cut away branches and debris in order to get the car onto the highway, then driving me home. Thank you so much for your help and kindness, and most of all, I thank God and his angels for protecting me and my dog from injury or worse. The car is totaled but we are safe.
Dorothy Mitchell
Trinity Center