All-in-one

Director's Corner

Always worth repeating: Safety is our top priority

The tragic death of our colleague Alex Rodish this summer reminds us that roadway work is dangerous, and safety can never be guaranteed. As such, safety must take precedence over everything else, and we must do all we possibly can to protect every motorist, Caltrans employee and contractor.

That’s why I want to take this opportunity to remind you of some of the many resources Caltrans offers regarding safety. A good place to start is our Safe System Approach (SSA), which seeks to eliminate all roadway deaths and serious injuries by 2050.

SSA takes a realistic and holistic view of safety for all road users, including those who walk, bike, drive, ride transit or travel by other modes. The key principles of this approach are:

Death/serious injury is unacceptable. Preventing fatal and serious injury crashes on our roads is priority No. 1.
Responsibility is shared. All stakeholders must work to ensure that crashes don’t result in deaths or serious injuries.
Humans make mistakes. It is critical and realistic to design and operate our transportation system to accommodate mistakes.
Safety is proactive and reactive. Proactive tools must supplement – if not replace – reactive strategies to identify and mitigate risks.
Humans are vulnerable. The system’s design and operation must account for human fragility and reduce impact forces.
Redundancy is crucial. If one part of the system fails, overlapping parts are in place and work as designed to protect people and defines how we respond to safety challenges, implement interventions, and evaluate progress.

Caltrans’ Division of Safety Programs contains much more information about the SSA and other safety-related material on its “Framework for Road Safety in California” intra-departmental webpage.

Also, I encourage you to bookmark our Division of Health and Safety’s “Employee Safety Bulletins & Alerts” webpage. Recent entries include tips for dealing with respiratory viruses, extreme heat, and suspicious powders or substances in the workplace.

Other resources include our Employee Safety Manual Online, the many and varied offerings of our Employee Assistance Program (which always contributes the Health and Safety story in each issue of CT News), and the links provided on Safety Programs’ onramp homepage.

Thank you for doing all you can to safeguard yourself, your coworkers, and the public. Take care, everyone.

News

District 12 maintenance worker killed in San Clemente

[Note: The following department-wide email from Caltrans Director Tony Tavares was sent July 30.]

We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of one of our beloved District 12 family members. Alexander (Alex) Rodish was a dedicated public servant, who took immense pride in his work. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family, friends, and colleagues as we all mourn this wonderful man. The loss to our Caltrans District 12 family is profoundly felt by us all.

On the morning of July 22, 2024, in the course of his work on Interstate 5 in San Clemente, Alex was struck by a vehicle and killed. He is survived by his mother, sister and brother, brother in-law and two adult children.

Coming to Caltrans from our partner organization, Chrysalis, Alex, began his Caltrans career as a Service Assistant maintenance worker, through the Back 2 Work program in 2021. Alex was a hard worker who moved up the ranks, from a full-time Worker I in the Brea maintenance yard, to an Operator I, and to Equipment Operator II at the San Juan Capistrano maintenance yard. Alex embraced his work with Caltrans and recruited his brother to join the Caltrans family in District 7. Alex worked with Caltrans for three years.

In the days following this tragedy, five critical incident counseling sessions have been held for both field and office staff. However, grieving is a unique process that is different for each individual. If you find yourself needing additional tools and support, please refer to the attached Employee Assistance Program (EAP) resources.

To assist his family, a memorial fund has been established by our partner at the California Transportation Foundation (CTF).

Please visit the Alexander Rodish memorial fund web page to donate.

https://donorbox.org/alexander-rodish-memorial-fund

Your generosity and heartfelt condolences are sincerely appreciated.

Nine Caltrans workers awarded Medal of Valor

For Medal of Valor story — **Caltrans Director Tony Tavares, left, and Chief Deputy Director Mike Keever, right,** stand with the department’s 2024 Governor’s State Employee Medal of Valor Awardees. Pictured from left to right: Tavares, Darrell VanNatta, Bruce Perry, Kenneth Myers, Sultan Abassy, Davidray Sumaya, Geoff Clute and Keever. Awardees not pictured are Danny Dube, Michael Butner and Gonzalo Garcia.
*Headquarters photo*

Caltrans news release
(From June 15, 2024)

The State of California today honored nine Caltrans employees by presenting them with the Governor’s State Employee Medal of Valor, the highest honor California bestows on its public servants.

The awards are given annually to state employees for acts of heroism to save lives or protect state property.

“We are extremely proud of these nine Caltrans workers who courageously saved others while putting their own lives at risk,” said Caltrans Director Tony Tavares. “Today, our entire Caltrans family joins Governor Newsom in honoring them and thanking them for their selfless acts.”

Receiving the Gold Medal of Valor is:

Geoff Clute, District 4 bridge maintenance supervisor, for saving a man trapped inside a burning vehicle in Solano County on July 7, 2023.

Receiving the Silver Medal of Valor are:

Sultan Abassy, District 12 transportation engineering technician, for heroism during a dangerous rescue to save an unconscious motorcyclist after his bike skidded sideways in Orange County on July 20, 2023.

Danny Dube, District 2 electrician, for saving a woman from her damaged vehicle that had rolled over into the center highway divide on a foggy day in Siskiyou County on Feb. 7, 2023.

Kenny Myers, Bruce Perry and Darrell Van Natta, District 3 equipment operators, for rescuing a driver and five passengers who were trapped in their burning vehicle in the Sierra Nevada on Dec. 28, 2022.

Michael Butner and Gonzalo Garcia, District 1 tree maintenance workers, for rescuing a couple after their RV became trapped in heavy snow and low hanging trees in Mendocino County on Feb. 23, 2023. The trees crashed through the RV and split it in half.

Davidray Sumaya, District 7 electrician, for rescuing two travelers that became trapped in their vehicle by flood waters on Interstate 5 during winter storms in Los Angeles County on Feb. 23, 2023.

The State Employee Medal of Valor award was first presented by Governor Edmund G. Brown Sr. in 1959. Gold medals are awarded to state employees who perform extraordinary acts of heroism at great risk to their own life to save another human being. Silver medals are presented to those whose act of heroism extended above and beyond the normal call of duty at personal risk to their safety to save human life or state property.

In the 65 years of these awards, more than 800 state employees, including 125 from Caltrans, have earned medals of valor for their courage and selflessness in the face of danger.

Caltrans scientists advocate for nature, cultures

District 10 employee spotlight — **District 10 archeologist Sarah Luce and biologist David Moore** inspect an environmentally sensitive area along State Route 49 in Tuolumne County.
*District 10 photo by Erin McQueary*

By Erin McQueary
District 10 public information officer

On a warm spring day in May, two members of District 10’s environmental team traveled to Tuolumne County to survey an environmentally sensitive area (ESA) along State Route 49.

Archaeologist Sarah Luce and biologist David Moore inspected trees to ensure none was marked for removal within the project area for a vegetation management program.

The site is a collection area for the Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk, a place the tribe uses to harvest willow for basketry and willow mushrooms that grow on dead or live alders, oak and willow trees. It’s up to Luce and Moore to protect this and hundreds more ESAs throughout District 10 from project activity.

They work on up to 30 projects at a time for maintenance, emergency director’s orders, local assistance, encroachment permits and intergovernmental reviews.

The two often work as a pair, with Moore responsible for federally endangered or threatened animal and plant species, and Luce for areas of cultural significance to tribes and of historical importance to California.

Hours of database research from past surveys and site visits provide the information they need to identify resources and make recommendations to protect, mitigate the impact, or relocate them. Their recommendations require coordination and approval from federal and state permitting agencies and must pass muster of laws like the California Environmental Quality Act.

They say biological protections are more widely accepted and understood by stakeholders and the public than protections for cultural resources.

“We are stewards of all cultural resources within our right of way,” Luce said. “If more people knew we own this part of history within our right of way I think people would be a little bit more understanding.”

At another site visit in Tuolumne County, along State Route 120 where a safety project will install flashing beacons on warning signs for a sharp curve, Luce inspected a quarter-mile-long stone wall mostly obscured in the tall gold grass. She said the wall could be associated with a more than century-old wagon road and she is now working with the project team to amend the design to avoid it when trenching for an electrical connection.

Anything older than 50 years is considered historic, Luce said. Shafts, tools and waste rocks associated with gold mining; remnants of cabins and other structures; and even trash scatters (old food and beer cans from laborers who built the highways decades ago) are common historical resources in District 10, she said. Structures of cultural and historical significance to the Native Americans include bedrock mortars for grinding plants and making acorn flour.

At the SR-120 project location, Moore looked for riparian habitat near a culvert in the center median that conveys water to rivers or larger drainage networks downhill.

“It’s Caltrans’ responsibility to make sure that our construction doesn’t indirectly affect a feature down the road,” he said. “Construction equipment, oil from vehicles, or just silt can impact fish, frogs and water quality for people.”

Moore started his environmental science career as an Airfield Operations Manager (staff sergeant) in the Air Force.

Bird strikes cause some of the greatest damage to airplanes; it was Moore’s job to create an inhospitable environment for the birds and their prey on the airfield.

For the past six years, Moore has done the opposite at Caltrans: preserving habitat and “advocating for the natural resources that don’t have a voice but play an important part in the long-term sustainability of California,” he said.

Advocacy is both Moore's and Luce’s favorite part of their roles at Caltrans.

Depending on the funding for the project, Luce is only legally required to consult with federally recognized tribes. Most of the more than 20 tribes in District 10 are not federally recognized, but Luce strives to ensure each has a seat at the table. She has spent five years at Caltrans, working to build trust with the tribes and advocating to preserve cultural resources in place.

Moore and Luce’s values in their work align with Caltrans' values of being a people-first organization; integrity through ethical actions; and innovation through finding solutions to leave as many resources as possible untouched or restoring a site after a project, as if Caltrans was never there.

Caltrans paves the way for safe wildlife crossings

District 2 wildlife crossing — **An artist's rendering** of the Grass Lake Wildlife Crossing on U.S. Highway 97 in Northern California
*District 2 illustration*

By Mario Montalvo
District 2 public information officer

Caltrans District 2 is paving the way to safer crossings for our wildlife neighbors with several projects focused on the development and enhancement of wildlife crossings across Northern California. These initiatives are not just about protecting wildlife but also about ensuring the safety of motorists.

Redding Environmental Office Supervisor Wes Stroud, an enthusiastic advocate for these crossings, said two major studies are in progress, one in Lassen County and the other in Siskiyou County. These studies aim to identify existing wildlife crossings and potential new sites where crossings could be beneficial.

In Lassen County, the project on U.S. Highway 395 from the Nevada border to Honey Lake is a collaboration with the Lassen County Transportation Commission, Wildlands, UC Davis, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). The project focuses on evaluating existing culverts and bridges.

“Caltrans and its partners are essentially looking at that corridor and figuring out what crossing opportunities currently exist,” Stroud said. “We are putting cameras on bridges and culverts and then some of the cameras are even put up at ground level so we can see what happens when the animal interacts with the road.”

This data will help Caltrans determine which structures need modifications or where new crossings should be constructed.

In Siskiyou County, the project on Interstate 5 from the Oregon border to Weed involves partners such as the non-profit organization Ore-Cal RC&D, Siskiyou County Fish and Game Commission, Wildlands, and UC Davis. The goal is similar, to improve wildlife connectivity along this stretch of I-5 by assessing current crossings and identifying necessary improvements.

These studies will culminate in the development of a 60 percent design for wildlife overcrossings at a key location within each study area. “This preliminary design phase is critical as it enables Caltrans and our partners to seek additional funding for the final design and construction,” Stroud said.

A project already in the works is the U.S. Highway 97 Wildlife Overcrossing north of Weed, which is set to be Northern California's first wildlife overcrossing.

“I think it's going to be constructed before the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing on the 101 Freeway in Agoura Hills,” Stroud said. “Theirs is so big that ours may actually finish construction first.” With an estimated completion date of 2026, this project aims to restore a ridge-top pathway for wildlife, significantly improving connectivity for local species.

District 2 wildlife crossing story — **This artist's rendering** of the Grass Lake Wildlife Crossing illustrates how a fence would help guide animals to the safe crossing.
*District 2 illustration*

Looking ahead, Caltrans is establishing a Wildlife Priority Action Committee (WildPAC) to prioritize wildlife crossing projects, like how it manages fish passage projects.

“We’re also partnering with local agencies, nonprofits, and tribal groups to enhance wildlife connectivity across the state,” Stroud said. These partnerships are essential for leveraging resources and expertise, making our initiatives more effective, he said.

As part of Caltrans’ commitment to climate adaptation and safety, it’s incorporating wildlife connectivity measures into new road projects. This includes removing barriers created by new infrastructure, ensuring animals can safely cross highways, and reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions.

These wildlife crossings are crucial for several reasons. They reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions, enhancing the safety of both motorists and animals. Crossings also allow animals to move freely across their habitats, which is vital for their survival, especially as they adapt to changing climates. “As stewards of California's environmental resources, it is our responsibility to ensure our infrastructure supports both human and wildlife communities,” Stroud said.

Caltrans’ ongoing and future wildlife crossing projects demonstrate its commitment to safety, environmental stewardship, and collaboration. Through strategic planning, partnerships, and innovative design, we are working to create a safer and more connected California for all its inhabitants.

State Route 27 reopens months ahead of schedule

District 7 rockslide — **State Route 27 immediately after the slide ...**
*District 7 photo*

By District 7 Public Affairs

On June 2, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that Caltrans had opened State Route 27 three months earlier than anticipated. The Topanga Canyon roadway had been closed from Grand View Drive to Pacific Coast Highway (State Route 1) since the landslide occurred March 9.

Crews worked 24/7 to safely remove dirt, rocks and boulders from SR-27. The landslide was triggered by a series of atmospheric river storms that saturated the steep hillside. The closure disrupted the lives of Topanga Canyon residents, visitors and beachgoers. Thanks to the diligent efforts, traffic flow will resume well in advance of school opening this fall.

“The incredible work of Caltrans geotechnical and construction engineers and geologists and the contractor has returned a vital connection for this community,” said Caltrans Director Tony Tavares. “I thank Governor Newsom, Senator Ben Allen, Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath and our county partners for their unwavering support, the residents and businesses for their patience and the crews for reopening the roadway as quickly and as safely as possible.”

“We are deeply grateful to have Topanga Canyon Boulevard open for business and well in advance of the beach season and school year. I want to sincerely thank Caltrans for their work, effort, and diligence through this process,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath.

Approximately 20,000 cubic yards of material was removed and repurposed to Ventura County farmers, Los Angeles County Department of Public Works and the Metabolic Studio and Los Angeles State Historic Park. No material was taken to landfills. The original estimate of 50,000 to 90,000 cubic yards of material needing to be removed was revised once a geotechnical report determined that the slide was shallower than earlier reported. Crews did not encounter any anomalies in the soil during removal, which benefited the expedited opening. The contractor was Flo Engineering of West Covina.

New VA clinic holds special meaning for Caltrans worker

District 10 VA hospital luminaries — **District 10 Staff Services Manager** Tina Pittman-Carr, second from left, attended the hospital's ribbon-cutting ceremony in May.
*District 10 photo*

By Erin McQueary
District 10 public information officer

The Richard A. Pittman VA Clinic opened in May in French Camp, making critical services more accessible to tens of thousands of veterans living in the same counties served by District 10.

If the clinic's namesake sounds familiar, you’ve likely had the pleasure of working with District 10 Staff Services Manager Tina Pittman-Carr during the past five years.

Tina is one of four daughters born to Master Sergeant Richard Pittman, a Stockton native and a Vietnam War Veteran who served more than two decades in the Marines. He was the only Medal of Honor recipient from San Joaquin County.

“We always knew he was legendary; we always knew he was a warrior and a hero, but we never really grasped the concept of what that meant, and he didn’t want us to, he just wanted to be our dad,” Tina said following an April 25 Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at the clinic off Manthey Road.

Tina didn’t even learn her dad was a Medal of Honor recipient until he came to speak at a career day event at her junior high.

President Lyndon B. Johnson awarded Richard the Medal of Honor on May 14, 1968, six months before Tina and her twin sister Gina were born.

Richard was inspired by President John F. Kennedy’s historical address: “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” Richard was determined to serve his country despite being turned away by multiple military branches for being blind in his right eye.

Tina said her dad was able to enlist in the Marine Corps Reserves by cheating on the eye exam, covering his right eye twice instead of switching to the left. Determined to serve on active duty, Richard volunteered for a tour in Vietnam in 1966, according to a 2011 oral history report about his service. “He passed up a coveted engineering position, electing to become an infantryman on the front lines instead,” according to the report.

On July 24, 1966, Richard and his platoon were just outside the demilitarized zone in the Republic of Vietnam. Richard’s company was walking up a hill to establish a radio relay point when the Marines in front of him came under attack.

Richard took a machine gun and several belts of ammunition and ran toward the calls for help from his comrades. When he arrived at the front, the fighting had ceased.

“They were waiting to see if there was any more fire, if anybody was moving,” Richard said in the oral report. “They sent maybe a platoon up to find out what was going on and then boom, I'm there and they’re there. It was kind of like a tie and I started shooting first. There’s nothing else to do.”

Richard faced a frontal attack by nearly three dozen enemy fighters, dodging mortar, and small-arms fire.

Richard alone used the machine gun he brought, an enemy submachine gun, a pistol from a fallen comrade, and his last grenade, to force the enemy fighters to withdraw. According to the oral report, he then returned to assist his fallen comrades before rejoining his platoon.

His story is awe-inspiring, and it’s been told countless times. But Tina said her dad confided a few years before he passed that he hated when his citation was read at public events.

Tina said her dad told her, “It feels like we are celebrating the worst day of my life. For every life I saved, there are three I didn’t.”

“He felt like he wore that medal … for all of those who died there,” Tina said.

District 10 VA clinic story photo — **Richard A. Pittman** was honored for his military service in a ceremony hosted by President Lyndon B. Johnson.
*Photo courtesy of Tina Pittman-Carr*

She said her dad suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and health complications from exposure to Agent Orange, but the closest VA health services were in the Bay Area. It wasn’t until he lost part of his leg and required extensive physical therapy that he started receiving services but had to make the trek to Palo Alto or Menlo Park.

Before he died in 2016, Richard was a dedicated advocate of veteran services and fought to have the clinic built in San Joaquin County. The clinic is just the beginning. There are plans in the works for a nursing home on the same site and Tina and her family continue to advocate for expanded services for physical therapy and PTSD treatment.

“It makes me so happy … that our local veterans have these services available to them in a tangible way,” Tina said. “It’s a start in the right direction and the very least we can do for them. They deserve it, they’ve earned it and whatever we can do to keep advocating for that, we will do for the rest of our lives.”

The VA clinic isn’t the first facility to be named after Richard Pittman. Tina’s two children attended Pittman Elementary School (now Pittman Charter), which opened in 2006.

The California State Assembly in February voted to dedicate a section of Interstate 5 in front of the hospital as the Richard Pittman Memorial Highway. Once the signs are made, they will be installed by District 10 Maintenance.

“To know that he lives on here forever – that’s pretty surreal,” Tina said.

Maintenance Shop 2 keeps District 2 moving

District 2's Shop 2 — **Josh Tadlock** is an equipment-material specialist in the parts department at Shop 2.
*District 2 photo*

By Chris Woodward
District 2 public information officer

District 2 covers a vast amount of territory in north/northeastern California, spanning more than 4,000 miles of highway. District 2 is the second-largest Caltrans district in the state, following District 8 in size, and covers seven counties. Our valleys, foothills and mountains border Oregon to the north, District 3 to the south, and District 1 to the west.

With this large amount of territory to constantly maintain, we decided to sit down with Loren Swenson, highway equipment superintendent for Shop 2, who oversees the maintenance of all the equipment we use here in District 2. Swenson has more than 20 years of service with Caltrans, starting at Headquarters building snowplows and then moving to District 2, promoting to leadworker and spending about 10 years as a supervisor. He has been in his current position for the past four and a half years.

Shop 2 has approximately 770 pieces of equipment, including four- and 10-yard plow trucks, snowblowers, loaders, graders, mowers and sanders and brine sprayers. The shop has a total of 33 mechanics, with some located at the shop on George Drive and others positioned strategically throughout the district, along with a transport driver and office staff who all help with fleet repairs.

District 2 has 37 mountain highway summits of more than 4,000 feet in elevation, which all must have snow removed during the winter months. More than 230 pieces of equipment are used to perform winter operations, which typically last from November through April of each year. Due to the duration of winter and the size of the district, repairs are a constant.

“Winter is rough on the equipment,” says Swenson. “Repairs from winter operations require a lot of welding and fabrication, and a lot of the equipment has tons of hours due to all the lane miles in District 2. Those miles really rack up on our stuff from the distances field maintenance personnel must travel.”

The equipment comes from different manufacturers and design years. This requires the personnel to be knowledgeable in many areas. There are a lot of hours of training required to be familiar with the equipment, which is mostly computer controlled and difficult to repair. The repairs generally require the use of a diagnostic laptop and software compatible with the equipment, which can cause repairs to take many hours.

Although it might not seem so, summertime is the busier time of the year for Shop 2. This is the time when large repairs are made on much of the fleet.

“We do a lot of quick, temporary repairs during the wintertime to keep equipment up and running,” says Swenson. “In the summertime we tear down and rebuild all the snow removal equipment.”

Grinders, pavers and mowers are also used extensively during the summer months and require a plethora of repairs.

Another vital aspect of Shop 2 is its parts department. This department currently has eight employees, with six serving in Redding and two located in Susanville. The parts department employees work to get the parts for equipment out to the mechanics, and manage approximately $2 million in inventory, ordering from vendors across the country. In recent years, keeping the equipment up with parts has been no small task.

“This is a very difficult job these days due to supply chain issues,” says Swenson. “There’s lots of follow-up or contacting numerous different vendors to try to find pieces or parts needed.”

District 2 Field Maintenance serves as Shop 2’s largest customer. These two units work hand in hand to keep the state highway system in our large district running 24/7, 365 days a year.

Field Maintenance personnel take much pride in the duties they perform and trying to keep the traveling public happy. With that said, Swenson also notes that many equipment repairs are made due to unsafe public driving, especially during the winter months, including rear-end collisions with personnel in equipment and pulling out in front of operators.

“We ask the public to be patient and safe around our operators,” says Swenson. “Some people spend a lot of time trying to make a little better travel time, or driving unsafely around our equipment and personnel, which can and does lead to collisions.”

So when you are thinking about District 2 and our state highway system, be sure to keep our Shop 2 employees in mind. They spend vast amounts of hours and resources in the background to keep our transportation system moving.

Caltrans projects capture regional awards

By AASHTO

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, known in a user-friendlier way as AASHTO (pronounced ash-toe), earlier this year announced the winners of the 17th annual American Transportation Awards.

Caltrans received awards in all four categories in the Western region competition, which is called WASHTO.

Below are the categories and projects that earned judges’ praise,

WASHTO community excellence — **The McFarland Community Trail and Garden** created three acres of interactive and sustainable green space in the Central Valley town.
*Caltrans photo*

Quality of Life/Community Development

McFarland Community Trail and Garden: In response to the needs of its underserved community, the city of McFarland acquired three acres of vacant, undeveloped land. Previously used by residents to access the pedestrian bridge spanning Highway 99, the city transformed this unoccupied land into an interactive and sustainable green space – advancing social and health equity, economic opportunity, and community resilience.

This $1.6 million project established a seamless trail running parallel to Highway 99, enhancing citywide connectivity while making walking and cycling safer. This multi-use trail includes native landscaping, trees, lighting, fitness stations, a community garden, restroom facilities, a small amphitheater, murals, a basketball court, and electric vehicle charging stations.

The California Department of Transportation partnered with the City of McFarland to develop a plan aimed at extending and preserving the lifespan of the project while ensuring its conservation. Through this collaboration, the city forged an agreement to entrust the maintenance and supervision of the project to the local public works department.

Operations Excellence

Interstate 10 Santa Monica Freeway Bridge Fire: In November 2023, a major fire erupted in two leased California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) spaces directly beneath Interstate 10 near downtown Los Angeles. The fire consumed multiple vehicles, trailers, pallets, and cases of hand cleaner – as well as causing extensive damage to freeway infrastructure.

This stretch of I-10, which handles up to 300,000 vehicles daily, had all lanes reopened within just eight days. This speedy $18 million restoration project was made possible by continuous efforts from on- and off-site work crews and engineers, favorable structural testing outcomes, swift debris removal, and seamless coordination among state, local, and federal authorities.

Avoiding a long-term closure proved crucial, as it could have disrupted the daily commute for up to 300,000 people and dealt a significant blow to the local economy. The potential loss of work hours and decline in customers would have affected various downtown businesses, including retailers, restaurants, hotels, sports venues, convention centers, and entertainment spots.

WASHTO technology innovation — **ShakeCast helps give the state** information about earthquakes and the damage they can inflict on infrastructure.
*Caltrans graphic*

Technology and Innovation

Connecting the DOTs: Implementing ShakeCast Across Multiple State Departments of Transportation for Rapid Post-Earthquake Response: Following major earthquakes, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is tasked with assessing the condition of potentially impacted bridges on the state’s highway system. The challenge lies in swiftly and accurately assessing earthquake effects on bridges for public safety.

Additionally, as seismic risks extend beyond state borders, it is crucial to implement technology for information sharing among states facing seismic hazards. This includes engaging state department of transportation representatives within the broader region to enhance emergency response capabilities.

Through the $1 million ShakeCast initiative, Caltrans integrates real-time earthquake data to rapidly assess potential impact on infrastructure and communities, automatically generating notifications based on predefined criteria. Users can define assets and criteria for customized impact assessments, aiding emergency managers in prioritizing response efforts and facilitating informed decision-making with intuitive visualizations.

By implementing ShakeCast, state DOTs and the Federal Highway Administration have taken a proactive approach to ensure public safety and reduce economic losses due to earthquakes. It also helps state agencies expedite the deployment of responders to highly impacted areas.

With quicker response time, it ensures the minimization of negative impacts on the local community/regional economy from disruption of essential services, businesses, industries, and transportation networks. Delaying response can result in high economic costs and consequences to the local communities and the affected region.

Safety

Wrong-Way Driving Countermeasures: Following a surge in wrong-way crashes – including a high-profile incident in 2021 – the District 11 (San Diego) team within the California Department of Transportation initiated an emergency contract, followed by two major contracts, to implement wrong-way countermeasures. The $6 million project also included a comprehensive campaign to raise awareness and educate the public.

Prior to this initiative, Caltrans District 11 piloted effective wrong-way countermeasures, reducing reported incidents by over 60 percent. These measures were adopted as a statewide standard, enhancing transportation safety across California. The project upgraded exit ramp markings and installed effective wrong-way driving countermeasures, aiming to eliminate fatal and serious injuries.

Those measures have significantly reduced wrong-way driving incidents, reversing the upward trend of crashes and fatalities. Caltrans remains committed to ensuring safe roadways for all communities, continuously monitoring and enhancing safety measures.

Foundation's charity golf event needs you to swing by

By the California Transportation Foundation

The CTF NorCal Charity Golf Tournament is on Sept. 16 at the Chardonnay Golf Club in American Canyon, north of Vallejo. We've raised $20,250 in sponsorships so far. Help us raise $19,750 more to help injured and fallen transportation workers and their families.

During the most difficult time after the death or injury of a loved one the foundation comes alongside with financial assistance. Most recently, CTF provided a $2,500 Fallen Worker Grant to the family of Alexander Rodish.Alexander, 55, succumbed to his injuries after being struck by a vehicle while working on Interstate 5 in San Clemente. Joining Caltrans in 2021, he was an equipment operator II at the San Juan Capistrano maintenance yard.

He is survived by two adult children, a sister and a brother. CTF set up a memorial fund in his name and raised $11,260 from the community as of today. The family will receive an additional $7,500 in matching funds from CTF.

These critical program funds come from your generous sponsorship at the biggest fundraiser of the year, the CTF Norcal Charity Golf Tournament.
Here's where you come in: Sponsor at the Diamond, Platinum, Gold or Silver Levels to receive player entries. Make it a day for fun with colleagues and clients, while supporting the California Transportation Foundation!

If you aren't able to sponsor this year, register to play and sign up a foursome! Individual golfer registration is $400 each.
Finally, we need volunteers and raffle prizes to help make the tournament a success!

Learn more by visiting the tournament’s webpage.

Note: Three District 5 workers – employed by Project Delivery, Design, Landscape Architecture and Environmental units – attempted to rescue a person who was drowning in the ocean. The following brief story was posted on Aug. 28 by the Santa Cruz Sun-Sentinel.

SWANTON — Despite life-saving efforts, a person died Wednesday morning after reports of a person in need of a water rescue near Scott Creek Beach.

Cal Fire, Santa Cruz County and Santa Cruz city fire agencies, State Parks rangers and the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office were called to the coastal Highway 1 beach shortly around 10:45 a.m. for a report of a possible drowning. By the time Cal Fire responded, the victim was on the shore, according to agency spokesperson Cecile Juliette. An air ambulance was canceled, and a coroner was called to the scene at 11:27 a.m.

Circumstances leading up to the rescue remained unclear Wednesday. California State Parks has been tasked with handling the investigation.

Three Caltrans workers try to save person drowning

Hats Off

Caltrans frequently is mentioned (and lauded!) in social media. Here are some recent examples:

For the Hats Off section