CT News 2026, Issue 2

Click here for for a one-webpage view of all the stories in this column. (Retirement sand Service Awards are not included.)

News

Milan Games visit yields L.A. Olympics insights

Martin Wagner knows L.A. traffic. Superintendent for District 7’s Metro Region maintenance area, his beat is downtown. It’s an urban pressure cooker where encampments, graffiti, and litter compete for crews’ time and attention. For the past two years, however, planning for Los Angeles’ 2028 Summer Olympic Games has also occupied Wagner’s schedule. As part of the process, he spent a week in Milan to observe that city’s traffic response plan for the 2026 Winter Games.

The work you don’t see: Inside Caltrans surveying

Most people don’t notice surveyors until they stop traffic. They’re the ones standing just off the roadway, looking through instruments while cars rush past. Drivers slow down, ask questions, and worry about what’s happening. Is this a camera? Are we losing land? Is parking going away? Those questions point to a simple truth: most people don’t know what surveyors do.

Summit in Fresno gives small businesses a boost

Small, disabled veteran, and disadvantaged businesses flocked to the 5th Annual Caltrans DBE-SB Summit, held March 4 at the Fresno Convention Center. The event connected small businesses with resources and offered invaluable networking opportunities with prime contractors and state and local government buyers. Attendees learned about a wealth of exciting procurement and contracting opportunities available through state and local agencies.

Excellence in Transportation Award winners named

The Director’s Office has announced the winners of the 2025 Caltrans Excellence in Transportation Awards. This annual awards program highlights and recognizes some of the best work from Caltrans and its partners. Nominations representing regions across California were received from Caltrans, local and public agencies, private contractors, and consultants.

Caltrans state golf tourney set May 14-15 in Sparks

The 62nd Annual Caltrans Invitational Golf Tournament is being held this year on May 14 and 15 in Sparks, Nevada. The Resort at Redhawk, Lakes and Hills courses, will provide two distinct golf experiences, testing all aspects of our game. An awards banquet follows golf on the second day on site at the resort. This tourney brings Caltrans golf clubs from across the state to compete in team and individual contests for prizes, pride and bragging rights.

Employee profile: Henry Benner, District 2

As an Asset Management Coordinator, Henry acts as a link between state goals and the actual construction happening in our district. He helps turn long-term plans into a specific list of projects that are properly scoped, funded, and scheduled. A major focus of his work is supporting a 'fix-it-first' approach — prioritizing the repair and preservation of our existing roads and bridges to keep them safe and reliable.

Four youths earn Safety Poster Contest wins

The 2026 Statewide Safety Poster Contest winners have been chosen from more than 100 entries submitted by the children and young relatives of Caltrans employees throughout the state. Student artists in four age categories entered their designs to local Caltrans representatives, where they were judged at the district level and again by Caltrans Headquarters officials to select the final statewide winners.

‘We Did It!’ 

SR-299/Lake Boulevard rehabilitation in Redding

CT News introduces a (possibly) recurring video feature that spotlights a project that Caltrans recently has completed. In this edition, we visit District 2’s State Route 299/Lake Boulevard rehabilitation in Redding, a project that includes several Complete Streets upgrades. Project Manager Kelly Timmons explains what Caltrans did, along with the why, when and how.

Health and Safety

Support your workplace wellbeing

Wellbeing at work looks different for everyone, but a few intentional check-ins can go a long way in supporting balance, focus and resilience. Consider taking time to check your comfort at work, including posture and screen setup, and take short breaks to reset during busy days. Taking care of your mental and emotional wellbeing is an important part of showing up to work and being at your best.

Obituaries

Retired personnel officer Gloria Ann Allen (Benson)

Gloria Ann Allen (Benson), passed away peacefully in her sleep just shy of her 89th birthday on Feb. 19 in Fortuna. She received an achievement award in business from Bank of America in 1955 and worked at the California Division of Highways, now better known as Caltrans, as a personnel officer where she met life-long friends.