Features

The Loma Prieta earthquake represents one of the biggest challenges that Caltrans has ever faced. Our department’s professionalism and grit were on full display in the days that followed.

During Brian Maroney’s illustrious 36-year Caltrans career, his arrival at the Cypress structure the morning after it collapsed remains a strikingly unique and moving experience.

Young associate bridge engineer Erol Kaslan was thrust into the chaotic quake aftermath at Cypress. That high-adrenaline experience made him reconsider his career path.

A young man from a tiny town, René Garcia suddenly found himself doing emergency traffic-management work in a megalopolis. He kept his composure – and even saw the future.

Steve Whipple spent two weeks working 12-hour shifts at the Cypress collapse. But it was just one quiet, early morning moment that turned him into a globally interviewed expert.

When the Cypress Street Viaduct was built, Oakland residents were not consulted. When Loma Prieta brought the structure down, Algerine McCray got an earful from the citizenry.

Confronted by the Cypress structure collapse, Matt Harizal kept it together emotionally and did his job. However, ‘I just broke down crying when I got home. Those people had families, right?

His work done for the day, Jack Broadbent was about to head over to the East Bay when Loma Prieta knocked the Bay Bridge out of commission. Let the commuter adventures begin!

Paul Lukkarila was 24 years old and had been a full-time Caltrans assistant engineer for less than three months when the earthquake hit and he was placed in a position of authority.

Reporters phoned Jim Drago practically 24/7 in the early days after Loma Prieta. What they got was a passionate defender of the department who still sees Caltrans’ role then as ‘heroic.’