Hats Off
Caltrans listened, explained and fixed public concern
Caltrans District 5 Public Information Officer Jim Shivers
Photo Courtesy of District 5
I would like to thank the folks at Caltrans who improved the intersection at Highway 152 and Clifford Ave in Watsonville in Santa Cruz County. The left-hand turn lane was too short and in heavy traffic would cut across a double yellow line to reach the turn lane. This was technically illegal and could result in a $237 ticket.
I contacted Caltrans District 5 Public Information Officer Jim Shivers, who addressed the problem. He explained the steps involved, and although he could not guarantee a change, said that every effort would be made to do so. Because of several factors, it could have taken several months before completion.
The improvement was made much sooner than expected. Caltrans personnel were polite and helpful throughout the process and I was given updates as the work progressed. I want to thank all involved for the improvement at the intersection.
Larry D. Corridon
Watsonville
Speedy customer service
Caltrans Resident Engineer Mehrdad “Mehi” Nabizadeh got this “Hats Off” for responding quickly to a public concern. Mehi is a 20-year Caltrans veteran who leads a team of engineers on several construction projects, including a SB1 Pavement Rehabilitation contract on SR-78 from Escondido to Julian and through Santa Ysabel.
Photo Courtesy of District 11
I want to commend the help and friendliness that I received from [Caltrans Resident Engineer Mehrdad] “Mehi” Nabizadeh.
A Caltrans contractor paved the road in front of my house near Santa Ysabel and left a big ledge at my driveway that my wife's car bottomed out on. I had emailed a service request in and Mehi promptly called me and had it fixed super-fast.
He called several times to make sure I was satisfied with the result. He is a great employee.
Michael Winterton
Santa Ysabel
Caltrans creates safe coastal highways
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