Hats Off
Making highways safer
Caltrans Maintenance Supervisor Joanna Lopez assisted a grateful stranded motorist on I-15 and received the following praise.
Photo by District 8
I wanted to let you know that Caltrans Maintenance Supervisor Joanna Lopez (in District 8) is absolutely FABULOUS. This summer my rental car had a flat tire at post mile 169.0 on southbound I-15. She saw my car parked on the shoulder of I-15 and proceeded to stop on the shoulder of the highway about 30 yards behind me, turn on her emergency work lights and walked up and asked if my son and I if we were okay and needed any assistance. I told her that I was in communication with the car rental agency and a tow truck was coming. She suggested pulling my car more onto the shoulder, as this was a very dangerous section of I-15. She said we should sit in the car with seatbelt on, start the engine and run the air conditioner. She also asked if we needed water. She said she would wait in her truck until my tow truck arrived. Little did I know that would take three hours. She also contacted the California Highway Patrol to let them know my predicament.
I was and still am, so very grateful to Joanna. Also, I am still in awe that Caltrans personnel would stop and check on the occupants of a disabled vehicle. I am so thrilled that we have government workers like Joanna who think about the safety of people on the highway, especially when they are in distress.
Joanna is such a caring and helpful person. I'm sure she was chosen for her supervisory position, not only for her outstanding work, but because she is such a positive role model for the workers she supervises, and she represents the entire Caltrans philosophy of highway safety with caring employees. I want to share my highest commendation and sincere gratitude to Caltrans. Joanna is an exceptional employee!
Bill Tokubo
Exceptional records service
District 5 Records Manager Pat Duty
Photo by District 5
I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank and commend Caltrans District 5 Records Manager Ms. Pat Duty for the extraordinary effort to assist me with my recent Freedom of Information records request.
I’m a researcher with Pacific Coast Railway Group and have been working with California Polytechnic State University on a geo-mapping project of the former Pacific Coast Railway.
Part of the project is to map the original Pacific Coast Railway right of way. The right of way has been altered since 1942, when it was officially abandoned. Today, there is little evidence of the right of original way that ran from Los Olivos to Los Alamos. However, Caltrans “As Built Plans” (circa 1926) give a clear picture of the railroad and highway right of ways (former Highway 2 prior to Highway 101 designation) where the railroad and highway intersected.
Originally, it was a challenge to get the exact records I needed via e-mail. However, Ms. Duty agreed to allow me to meet with her at her records office, and after a fairly short time, we were readily able to identify the required documentation.
She was most accommodating and a ready source in identifying what was needed for my records request. Her most helpful and positive demeanor was certainly appreciated. Again, she should be commended for her most positive customer service.
R.J. Hansen
Nipomo
Heroes in orange
Caltrans Crew 646 from left to right: Supervisor Adam Wimberley, Equipment Operator II’s Jack Hildebrandt, Bill Loucks, Jeff Davis, Josh Vonderahe, Chris Cruse, as well as Leadworker Richard Hare and Equipment Operator II Steve Castelletto received the following thank you note from a grateful homeowner in Yosemite. Equipment Operator II Mark Tingley is not pictured, but also worked to save the Highway 41 house from the Railroad Fire.
Photo by District 6
Greetings! I am writing to praise the Caltrans crew that saved my house from burning to the ground on Aug. 29 during the Railroad Fire. Several other structures in our immediate area were destroyed. I thought my house was toast when I pulled out. We were out of the house for 11 days not knowing if it would still be here. The only name I got was Josh [Vonderahe] when he came to see us when we returned. He and his crew saved the house. I am eternally grateful!!!! He even apologized for breaking a shovel. I'd gladly buy you guys 100 shovels! I hope this gets to him and the other guys on the crew.
Chris Ferguson
Oakhurst
Grateful for quick response
Caltrans Customer Service Liaison Joe Erdelen
Photo by District 11
Editor’s Note: Caltrans is working to improve timely responses to customer service requests submitted through the process formerly known as Maintenance Service Requests. Joe Erdelen is the District 11 customer service liaison who works with the Division of Maintenance to respond to public notifications of potholes, litter, graffiti, and more. Caltrans received this letter of thanks for Caltrans’ prompt response and awesome customer service.
Thank you for being so responsive to the online submissions we make about things we see, such as trash, hazards and graffiti, just to name a few. We are both retired civil servants and know that too often, people only take the time to complain but forget to say thank you. So...THANK YOU Caltrans. We really appreciate your responsive service to our reported issues. GREAT JOB!
Keep doing a great job, stay SAFE and go home to your families at the end of your shifts every day!
Todd Burgess
El Cajon