District 2 photo by Chris Woodward
By Chris Woodward
District 2 information officer
Caltrans has always been at the forefront of improving safety and innovation on the state’s vast network of highways and roads. One of the most innovative tools that District 2 has incorporated into its operations is the Balsi Beam, a critical piece of equipment designed to protect both our maintenance workers and motorists during maintenance activities.
The Balsi Beam is easily transported to work sites. Its high-strength steel beams can extend horizontally, using hydraulics. The beams can rotate to either side of the trailer, depending on where protection is needed, acting as physical barriers that absorb and redirect the impact of vehicles.
The beam is named after Mark Balsi, a Caltrans employee who was injured while clearing overgrown brush. Balsi was hit by an impaired driver, resulting in the loss of his left leg and multiple injuries. In 2003, Caltrans developed the Balsi Beam in his honor to enhance worker safety.
We spoke with Billy Shakespeare, bridge crew supervisor for District 2 Special Crews, whose crew has been utilizing the Balsi Beam at various locations for vital bridge maintenance throughout the district.
District 2 photo by Chris Woodward
“When I heard the Balsi Beam was available for us to use in District 2, I jumped at the idea,” says Shakespeare. “This piece of equipment is ideal for most areas and aspects of our bridge needs.”
Recently, the Bridge Crew used the Balsi Beam for concrete deck repairs on the Castle Creek Bridge in Dunsmuir. Since the Bridge Crew has started using the Balsi Beam, they have logged more than 6,000 miles and 650 hours on the unit.
“We are trying to keep the Balsi Beam up here until it’s replaced with newer MASH (Manual for Accessing Safety Hardware Regulations) compliant standards, which means the current truck and trailer will be retired at the end of 2025,” says Shakespeare. “We are hoping that the amount of time we have used the beam will justify the need for the equipment, along with the huge safety factor it provides my crew on bridges where there is little to no viable escape routes.”
Over the past century, Caltrans has lost 194 lives of workers on the job. “Safety is always our top priority,” says Dave Moore, District 2 director. “Having the Balsi Beam in our area and being able to utilize it on a daily basis helps to keep our men and women safe as they maintain our highway system.”
The Balsi Beam was also featured at this year’s Workers Memorial at the Red Bluff Maintenance Station. There are fewer than 10 of these pieces of equipment across the entire state.