Hats Off

Highway maintenance leadworker is ‘a real gem’

Note: The following letter was sent to District 5 in late August by “The Winters Family” of Pismo Beach.

I would like to extend extreme gratitude for an amazing man that you have hired. This person found my missing dog of just over two years on Highway 101. She was deceased.

I was obviously upset and asked him if I could have her collar. He said he would bring it to me after his shift.

He took the time to gather her remains and after work, on his own time, he brought me her collar and her remains. This gave our family the closure we needed.

He is not only a caring and dedicated employee, but he is a caring and wonderful person in general.

His name is Ryan Voigt. Please extend our gratitude to this amazing man. You have a real gem working for you. Don’t let him go.

We appreciated all of you keeping our roads safe while risking your lives and making things better and safer.

Thank you again to all of you hard-working, dedicated and caring people.

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Hen-hauler crashes, Caltrans lends a hand

 

Note: The following letter was sent by Jane De May Andreotti, captain of the Field Services Unit of Contra Cost County Animal Services, to Caltrans’ Ismael Vega, a District 4 Maintenance Area Superintendent based in Walnut Creek.

On Sept. 5, CCC Animal Services responded to a semi-truck solo accident on westbound Interstate 80 at San Pablo Dam Road in San Pablo. The semi was hauling in excess of 1,200 commercial hens. Your crew responded, as did the Hercules Bridge Crew.

I have to tell you, as a person who has been in law enforcement in some capacity for over 34 years, the teams on scene today were the best I have ever encountered, and believe me, I have crossed paths with Caltrans numerous times in those past three decades!

Your team today could not have been more friendly, more responsive, more compassionate, more flexible and more helpful. The pushed, they pulled, they hauled and lifted alongside my team to get those hens moved to safer ground. They caught loose hens, freed trapped hens and picked up dead hens. It was a little crazy, but I assure you without their good-natured and flexible approach to the situation, it would not have been as successful of a recovery.

I thank you all for your assistance today ... and yes, I realize it is their job, but all of us, each day, has a choice to approach it with a good attitude or a poor one. I greatly appreciated, in the midst of a chaotic scene, they remained as pleasant and kind as they were. My deepest appreciation to you all!

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‘Exceptionally bold’ Highway 1 lane markings appreciated

Note: The following was emailed to District 5’s Public Affairs team by Keith Bergthold, executive director of Fresno Metro Ministry.

Just wanted to send a note of appreciation and sincere thanks for the outstanding job of improving Highway 1 – from Cayucos through Cambria.

We get over to this area of the Central Coast at least monthly for weekend retreats and are so impressed with the recent job done by Caltrans and especially the exceptionally bold and helpful highway lane markings.

As we get older and sometimes drive at night, both the road condition and the clear pavement makings help us and others to see better and drive much more safely. We are very grateful (for those improvements).

Thanks again for your good planning and results in this area.

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Motorist thanks Caltrans for a smooth ride

Note: The following was emailed to Caltrans’ Division of Public Affairs by Keith Kellogg.

Just wanted to give a big shout out for the work that Caltrans has done on State Route 17 in Santa Cruz County. It is wonderfully smooth to travel over to San Jose now.

I had forgotten what smooth roads felt like. They make it so much easier to travel the mountain.

Please let everyone know that we greatly appreciate how hard they work. I see them out on the road in all kinds of weather doing their job, which makes our driving much better.

I know you must get many complaints, so wanted to let you all know we so appreciate what you do.

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Native plants, slope-mowing appreciated

Note: The following was emailed to District 5’s Public Affairs team by Polly Cooper.

I travel the Cuesta Grade daily on U.S. Highway 101 and admire the fine job of replanting the slopes with natives.

The buckwheat is terrific this year. (Everything is, really.)

And I wish to thank whoever decided to mow the side and lower slope near the highway.

Having lost our house to fire, we are always on the alert, and of course lots of fires have started along U.S. 101.

We are grateful for these important efforts!

Thank you, all.

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Business owner credits Caltrans for big savings

Note: The following email was sent on July 17 to Caltrans’ Division of Traffic Operations.

Good morning. My name is Matt Duren, owner of Riverbrook Permits. I just wanted to send an email thanking James Kidd and Shawn Graham for their hard work in expediting a permit for me.

We had a very large load traveling down to Morgan Hill from the Oregon border that needed to be delivered today. They were able to expedite our load and get us moving.

I can't express my appreciation enough as this saves us literally thousands of dollars.

I'm also not sure who Devinder Sandhu's manager is, but he was also instrumental in helping. He helped get our permit company set up with California and has been a great resource for me in your state.

I just wanted to take a few minutes to send an email showing my gratitude to this team. Their help was greatly appreciated!!!

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Proud grandmother lauds the lack of litter

Note: The following was posted on Facebook by Joyce Gebo.

Just a note sending kudos to you!

I had the opportunity to travel to my granddaughter's college graduation in San Luis Obispo from my home in Carson City, Nev. My route took me on U.S. 50 to Interstate 5 to State Route 41 to State Route 46 to Highway 101.

I was amazed and pleased by how little litter is currently on the highways. Pass on a big thank you to those who did the clean up!

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A shout-out to District 2 flaggers

 

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Keep up the good 'Swarm' in SoCal

 

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Above and beyond at the border