Director's Corner

It’s been a mighty, tidy past few weeks, Caltrans!

Greetings, Caltrans Family. It’s time to come clean about how we are having a positive impact on the quality of life in California.

Specifically, I want to summarize three recent developments that many of you have helped with.

Oct. 4 was California Clean Air Day, which Caltrans has participated in since its inception in 2018. Hundreds of you made pledges to do more to help make California air safer to breathe. Events occurred in every Caltrans district throughout September and early October.

We can all commit to making lifestyle changes whenever feasible to help keep the air clean in our communities. Change can start small, like taking public transit to work once a week, and lead to larger investments, like purchasing a zero-emission vehicle. Together, we can inspire and lead California toward a brighter, cleaner future for all.

In September, I participated in the Office of Traffic Safety’s news conference to launch a new “Safety is Sharing, Safety is Caring” public awareness campaign. In collaboration with the California Highway Patrol, Automobile Club of Southern California, Southern California Association of Governments and the city of Long Beach, the statewide campaign coincided with California’s Pedestrian Safety Month and aims to improve the safety of people who use our roads to bike and walk with the primary goal of reducing injuries and fatal crashes.

Pedestrian and bicycle deaths account for nearly 29 percent of all traffic deaths in California. That is beyond unacceptable. We must do more to improve safety.

By focusing on education, awareness and collaborative efforts, the new campaign helps to create a safer environment for everyone who uses California's roadways. The campaign features a new video in English and Spanish on digital platforms, audio messages on radio and streaming services, and digital billboards. I encourage you to watch.

Caltrans’  policy (DP-37) focuses on travel safety, and multi-modal options for all transportation projects. Whether people are walking, biking, using public transportation or their personal vehicles, our state highways must provide connectivity that meets the needs of all the traveling public..

On Sept. 23, our Stormwater Program’s “Let’s Change This to That” campaign partnered with the California Coastal Commission to advocate for cleaner coastlines and pollutant-free water. Numerous events were held across the state with the goal of preserving the natural splendor of California’s water resources and ensuring that all Californians understand their impact on community waterways, such as lakes, rivers, creeks, and the ocean.

Beyond trash collection, “Let’s Change This to That” encourages everyone to take preventative actions to stop pollutants at the source such as picking up after pets, properly disposing of waste, maintaining vehicles to prevent leaks and mitigate wear, and much more. These thoughtful behaviors contribute significantly to maintaining water quality and decreasing pollution.

Meanwhile, our efforts to raise awareness and projects tied to the governor’s Clean California initiative continue. For example, in mid-September,  I attended the unveiling of a murals project that features bright, life-size murals, drought-resistant landscaping and improved lighting at East Market Street, Alisal Street and Sanborn Road along U.S. Highway 101 in Salinas. You can find out about coming Clean California events by visiting this webpage.

Caltrans continues to work toward a safer, prosperous, more-equitable future for all of us to adapt to our changing climate appropriately. Together, we are clearly – and cleanly – making a difference.