District 1 photo
By Manny Machado
District 1 public information officer
When the winter storm season comes to an end, it’s go time for District 1 Caltrans mechanics. Faced with a November deadline, more than 100 maintenance vehicles and equipment are inspected, all to prepare for what Mother Nature has in store for the next winter.
“This is absolutely critical,” said John Saldana, District 1 highway equipment superintendent II. “There is a statewide push to be ready for winter operations by November 1. We begin prep work far in advance to make sure that everything is safe and in working order so maintenance can keep the roadways open during the winter storm season.”
Last winter brought many large storms to the region with rain, wind and even snow at the coast. In late February, U.S. Highway 101 in northern Mendocino County was closed to motorists for 43 hours due to snow and downed trees and utility lines on the main highway that links the North Coast to the Bay Area.
“It was probably one of the worst winters we have experienced in recent memories here in District 1,” Saldana said. “This year, we are going to pay close attention to our large earth-moving and chipper equipment because we had an active fire season and during the winter months, there is the potential to lose more trees along with the higher likelihood of slide activity. To keep the highways open, we need that equipment working.”
No matter if it’s snow or rock and debris slides on the road, plow trucks serve a vital role in keeping state highways safe. Plow trucks are located at all District 1 maintenance yards, and proper upkeep is essential. It becomes a top priority if a vehicle arrives at the shop for repairs during the winter.
Saldana said: “For plow trucks, we make sure that all the lighting components are operational and that safety equipment is checked. For winter prep, we focus on hydraulic components that operate the plows, sanders, and dump beds to make sure that there are no issues, such as corrosion, damage to the hoses, lift cylinders or fittings, so we don’t have any unforeseen issues down the road.
“We try to mitigate as much as possible to keep plow trucks on the road.”
While winter preparation begins in April, purchasing equipment parts can take a while, which is another reason to start the process early.
“We want to have enough time when something is ordered due to national supply chain issues, and that is why there is big push to reach that November deadline and have vehicles and equipment ready to go for winter operations,” Saldana said.