Hats Off

Kindness counts

Caltrans District 7 Public Information Officer Peter Jones and Public Records Officer Jeffrey Newman promptly and kindly answered a public request.

Caltrans District 7 Public Information Officer Peter Jones and Public Records Officer Jeffrey Newman promptly and kindly answered a public request.

Photo by District 7

Editor’s Note:Caltrans received an email from Gaston Hinostroza regarding a collision that he had on Interstate 405.  He was requesting video footage, and Caltrans District 7 Public Information Officer Peter Jones and Public Records Officer Jeffrey Newman promptly and kindly told him that the Department’s video cameras are live streaming only. Although Caltrans was unable to give Hinostroza what he requested, he was impressed by the quick response he received via email and telephone call, and he expressed his appreciation with this email.

It is very kind of you to reply so promptly and your concern is appreciated. I did receive a very courteous and prompt call from Public Records Officer Jeff Newman today who told me the same thing. I will have to steer my ‘investigation’ in another direction and hope for better results. 

As I said to Mr. Newman, all this prompt attention brings in to the focus the public-oriented concern Caltrans obviously has for its commuter stakeholders. Not that what I say matters, but your stock is up in my book. Thanks again and best wishes for a happy and safe weekend to you all. 

Gaston Hinostroza


Safely removing hazards

The Manchester Maintenance Crew: Caltrans District 1 Tree Crew Acting Supervisor Mike Quinliven, Tree Crew Acting Lead worker Robert Logan, Tree Maintenance Worker Jesse Dooley, and Operator 1 Theodore Wilcox fulfilled a public Customer Service Request by removing three large dead trees in front of homes on Highway 1, doing traffic control during the process and cleaning up afterward.

The Manchester Maintenance Crew: Caltrans District 1 Tree Crew Acting Supervisor Mike Quinliven, Tree Crew Acting Lead worker Robert Logan, Tree Maintenance Worker Jesse Dooley, and Operator 1 Theodore Wilcox fulfilled a public Customer Service Request by removing three large dead trees in front of homes on Highway 1, doing traffic control during the process and cleaning up afterward.

Photo by District 1

We wish to compliment the District 1 team. Myself and my neighbor, Frank Jackson, independently contacted Caltrans this past fall to request that three very large dead trees in front of our homes, on Highway 1, be removed. These trees represented a significant hazard to people driving on Highway 1. In filing our online request, we were pleased to receive a response acknowledging that our request had been received.

On Tuesday, one of your tree removal teams arrived and began the three-day project of taking down these hazardous, large trees. We were thrilled to see that our request had been responded to and that action was being taken. This kind of response is a great example of our government working on behalf of its citizens!!! Thank you!

We saw the Caltrans team at work here taking down these dead trees. It was not an easy job since these trees literally hung over the highway and our driveways. In addition, there is a fire hydrant at the base of one of the trees. These hard-working, skilled men took down the trees without a problem. The fences, highway and fire hydrant (below the dead trees) are all intact. 

We were also impressed by the hard work ethic and effectiveness of these men... they continued to work in winds and rain. This work is quite dangerous and these guys observed good safety practices and were very observant of one another and the falling limbs.

The team is still out there working on the removal of the third tree, but from what I can see they are being mindful of the mess created by the dead limbs and debris. They are grinding it up. I am hopeful that the area where the trees were fallen will be left in good condition.

Last night, when visiting our neighbors, the Jacksons, we agreed that it is important to let you know that we are pleased with this tree removal project. We appreciate how it was handled and that it was taken care of in an efficient and effective way. 

Again, our experience was positive and we can sleep more soundly knowing this hazard has been removed and safety restored on Highway 1. THANK YOU!!!! We recognize that it is rare, especially in government, to be acknowledged for your good work so we hope this COMPLIMENT gets to the right people, including the crew that worked on this tree removal in front of our homes!

Meredith and Dan Beam and 
Frank Jackson and Susan Routledge
Gualala, CA


Cookies show gratitude

Caltrans Senior Construction Engineer Jason Kline gave Girl Scout Isabella Raffetto a tour of the construction office after she gave him and his crew cookies as a thank you for clearing the Montecito mud slides off the local highways.

Caltrans Senior Construction Engineer Jason Kline gave Girl Scout Isabella Raffetto a tour of the construction office after she gave him and his crew cookies as a thank you for clearing the Montecito mud slides off the local highways.

Photo by District 5

Editor’s Note: Caltrans District 5 Willow Springs, Big Sur and Blasting Maintenance Crews oversee State Route 1, which had been closed due to landslides caused by historic rains in 2017. Two slides isolated the Big Sur area from the rest of the state for eight months until the Pfeiffer Canyon Bridge was replaced in October 2017. In July 2018, Caltrans opened the south end after we finished reconstructing Highway 1 over 15 new acres of coastline created by the Mud Creek slide.

I must thank Caltrans for their heroic efforts during the Big Sur landslides and the bridge project. It must have been hard work and long hours. I think you all deserve praise.

Thank you again!

Rachel Holz
Monterey

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Improving pedestrian safety

Caltrans Hemet Equipment Operator II Chuck Olguin, Maintenance Worker Jose Ramirez, Equipment Operator II Jake Daffin, Maintenance Worker Eddie Lopez, Equipment Operator II Leon Rayfield, Maintenance Worker Larry Wright, and Maintenance Leadworker Manny Peña installed new sidewalks in downtown Winchester and the community is grateful.

Caltrans Hemet Equipment Operator II Chuck Olguin, Maintenance Worker Jose Ramirez, Equipment Operator II Jake Daffin, Maintenance Worker Eddie Lopez, Equipment Operator II Leon Rayfield, Maintenance Worker Larry Wright, and Maintenance Leadworker Manny Peña installed new sidewalks in downtown Winchester and the community is grateful.

Photo by District 8

On behalf of the Winchester, CA community and Winchester Store, we want to thank Caltrans on a job well done! We appreciate all the work the Caltrans Hemet team has done. Most recently, they installed a new, safe sidewalk. The community feedback has been wonderful.

As you know, we are in the center of downtown Winchester with a lot of history behind us as the building was built in the early 1900s and our cross street is the center point of the Winchester Community. The previous sidewalk was in shambles and now the new sidewalk looks amazing and is truly appreciated.

Please accept our many thanks as your actions have now become a part of our growing history by providing safer sidewalks for family members and the aging community for years to come!

Thank you again!

David Suh and family
Winchester, CA

 

 


Hidden art

Now the public can view world-famous artist Shepard Fairey’s mural from the roadway.

Now the public can view world-famous artist Shepard Fairey’s mural from the roadway.

Photo by District 12

Editor’s NoteLast fall, Irvine’s Red Oak Investments installed a large public mural facing State Route 55 by world-famous artist Shepard Fairey, who is best known for designing former President Barack Obama’s “Hope” poster. But after the mural was complete, people had a hard time viewing it because trees on Caltrans’ right of way were blocking it. So, Andrew Nelson, of Red Oak Investments, put in a customer service request to trim the trees.

We are grateful to Caltrans District 12 Chief Public Information Officer Lindsey Hart and Customer Service Liaison Debra Smith for helping to facilitate this request, and to other Caltrans professionals who completed the work. Our thanks to Caltrans for helping the public better enjoy this beautiful piece of art!

Andrew Nelson
Irvine, CA


Caltrans removes safety hazard

Jaime Vera supervised the removal of a large ash tree on Caltrans property that was growing over a homeowner’s roof.

Jaime Vera supervised the removal of a large ash tree on Caltrans property that was growing over a homeowner’s roof.

Photo by District 4

Tree Maintenance Workers Ricardo Villa-Chavez and Rafael Valladares removed a fire hazard from a Fremont homeowner’s property and received a thank you for their hard work.

Tree Maintenance Workers Ricardo Villa-Chavez and Rafael Valladares removed a fire hazard from a Fremont homeowner’s property and received a thank you for their hard work.

Photo by District 4

I would like to compliment Caltrans! In January, I placed a request to have a very large ash tree removed because it was encroaching onto our property. It was growing over our roof and was a huge fire hazard. 

In late April, the crew came out and they were great! They called me prior to the job so I could be home while they did it. Upon arrival, they apologized for taking a few months to come out. They cut the whole tree down in a timely manner and they cleaned everything up!

Please send my compliments. Thanks again for taking the time to care about our home, which borders Caltrans property, and caring for our safety.

Mike Kihmm 
Fremont, CA