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Milan Games visit yields L.A. Olympics insights

District 7 maintenance superintendent Martin Wagner toured Milan Winter Games venues the week of Feb. 9 as part of a survey trip for LA28 agency planners.

By Erik Skindrud
District 7 Customer Service Liaison

Martin Wagner knows L.A. traffic. Superintendent for District 7’s Metro Region maintenance area, his beat is downtown, where US-101 meets the I-5, I-10, I-110, I-710 and SR-60.

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.

“Our Milan observer sessions focused on transportation operations, security, and interagency coordination, which are related to the work I’ve been doing for the 2028 Summer Games,” Wagner explained recently. “Several partners, including from Los Angeles Department of Transportation, were there as well – allowing us to observe operations together and exchange ideas in real time.”

In the exchange that follows, Wagner shares his Olympic takeaways with CT News.

When traveling, I’m curious to see if drivers overseas are as aggressive as L.A. drivers. I’ve heard Italian motorists like to go fast, and will honk if you’re blocking them. True?

“Like many large metropolitan areas, driving behavior in Milan can appear absurd or frightening to most people, but can also seem normal, once you observe it for a while. Italian drivers do use their horns more frequently than drivers in Los Angeles, but much of the honking seems less confrontational than what we sometimes experience in Southern California. In many cases, the horn functions as a communication tool, essentially a polite ‘I’m coming through,’ rather than an expression of frustration.”

What did you think of Milan’s ground transportation plan?

“Transportation planning appeared to be well structured and highly integrated with existing mobility systems. The organizing committee placed a strong emphasis on multimodal transportation, which helped reduce reliance on private vehicles.

“One notable element was the use of mobility hubs and locations where spectators and workforce could transition between rail, bus, shuttle, and pedestrian routes. This approach helped distribute travel demand and kept the immediate areas around venues from becoming overwhelmed by traffic.”

What observations are you relaying to District 7’s LA28 planning team?

“First, early and continuous coordination between transportation agencies, security partners, and event organizers is essential. The relationships built during the planning phase directly influence how operations function during the event.

“Second, the concept of dedicated travel corridors, like the Games Route Network that Caltrans is currently leading, appears to be an effective way to ensure reliability for athletes, officials, and emergency services, while maintaining access for the public.

“Third, mobility hubs and strong public transit integration significantly reduce pressure on roadway infrastructure. Encouraging transit ridership and communicating travel options to spectators can improve traffic flow.

“Finally, the value of observing operations in person cannot be overstated. Watching transportation in real time and seeing how venue access and security function, provided insights that can’t be replicated in a tabletop environment.”

Share your “most fun” moment.

“Attending an Olympic hockey game was a once in a lifetime experience. And the food. It’s nearly impossible to find a bad meal in Milan, or really Italy as a whole.”

How would you rate maintenance by Caltrans’ Italian counterparts?

“Roadways in Milan were functional and well maintained, very little litter was present, and traffic operations performed well. However, on Italian highways there’s more graffiti than we see on state highways in Southern California – although some of it was on private property.

“In many locations, graffiti appeared to remain in place for extended periods, including political or vulgar graffiti. It’s interesting to see how another agency and culture manages graffiti and urban aesthetics.”

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The work you don’t see: Inside Caltrans surveying

Junior Engineering Technician John Irvin sets his sights on getting a pinpoint measurement in District 2.

By Yvonne Mazzotta
District 2 public information officer

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.

At Caltrans, surveyors are the first on a transportation project and the last to leave. Before a road is redesigned or safety improvements are built, surveyors are already at work — measuring, mapping, and establishing the foundation every project depends on.

Craig Turner, a Senior Transportation Surveyor at Caltrans, came to the profession after seeing a colleague thrive in it. Inspired by that success, Craig pursued surveying himself and now also teaches surveying courses at Shasta College, helping train the next generation in a field that blends math, law and public service.

Surveying requires extreme precision. Surveyors map property lines and easements, locate utilities above and below ground, and document roadway features with accuracy required by law—within two millimeters. That precision ensures projects are designed correctly, built safely, and returned exactly as they were found once construction is complete.

Surveyors often begin work when safety issues arise, such as repeated incidents in a specific area. Their work starts in the earliest planning phase and continues even after construction, when they re-monument property markers and restore boundaries to protect property rights.

They are also the technological front line of Caltrans, using drones, aerial laser imaging, scanners, and robotic equipment. Their training includes climbing, blasting awareness, and working in challenging terrain—often in live traffic, without cones or lane closures.

Surveyors don’t just measure land. They protect communities, support safer roads, and ensure transportation projects are built on truth—not assumptions. Their work may be quiet, but without it, California’s transportation system cannot move forward.

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Summit in Fresno gives small businesses a boost

Caltrans representatives reached out to small, disabled-veteran and disadvantaged businesses at the Fresno Convention Center last month.

By the Office of Civil Rights

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.

Featured speakers included California Transportation Agency (CalSTA) Secretary Toks Omishakin, Caltrans Director Dinal El-Tawansy, California High-Speed Rail Authority Chief Executive Officer Ian Choudri, Caltrans Office of Civil Rights Deputy Director David DeLuz, Caltrans District 6 Director Michael Navarro and Fresno Mayor Jerry Dryer.

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Excellence in Transportation Award winners named

The Old River Bridge Preventive Maintenance and Systems Modernization project in District 10 won the Cultivating Excellence Award for 2025.

By Director Dina El-Tawansy

I am pleased to share with you 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 is pleased to showcase these projects that have met California’s growing transportation demands while aligning with our strategic priorities.

Please join me in congratulating our colleagues who have made these projects the new transportation reality. These contributions to our ongoing efforts to provide positive and measurable improvements in transportation have resulted in lasting benefits to the people of California.

Visit the 2025 Excellence in Transportation Award Winners page to view the list of winning projects with accompanying descriptions and photographs.

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Caltrans state golf tourney set May 14-15 in Sparks

The Resort at Redhawk, Lakes and Hills courses in Sparks, Nevada, will host this year's statewide golf tournament next month.

By Tim Craggs

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. Headquarters Golf Club brought home the team trophy from Monterey last year.

Participation in the Caltrans Invitational is open to all current and former Caltrans employees, and members of the various Caltrans golf clubs around the state who have an established GHIN index (you golfers know what this means).

This tournament provides the opportunity for a large cross section of Caltrans employees and friends to build new relationships, revisit longtime friendships and working partnerships, have some fun, and of course engage in some much-needed stress relief. It’s also a great place to see in person those people you work with or only converse with on Facebook!

If you are interested in playing and don’t have a local Caltrans Club contact, contact me, Tim Craggs, at craggs57@hotmail.com, and I can put you in touch with somebody in your vicinity. You do not need to be a CT Golf Club member to play!

You can also check out the Headquarters’ Golf Club website for more information at https://www.ctcapitolgolfclub.com. It would be great to see you in Sparks in May!

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Employee Profile: Henry Benner of District 2

Asset Management Coordinator Henry Benner focuses on efficient use of resources in his District 2 job.

By District 2 Public Affairs

As an Asset Management Coordinator, Henry Benner 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. He is involved with the strategic allocation of funds, verifying that project budgets are accurately programmed and that spending stays on track throughout the project lifecycle.

Using specialized tracking tools, Henry follows these projects from the initial idea all the way through to construction, ensuring we hit our performance targets while spending taxpayer dollars as efficiently as possible.

Henry started his career at Caltrans 25 years ago. For the first 20 years, he worked in Construction primarily out of the Red Bluff field office. Henry was fortunate to spend much of his career in the Feather River Canyon and in the mountains around Lassen and Lake Almanor helping to improve our highway system.

He has enjoyed working on a variety of different projects as a Resident Engineer, but the Lassen Lodge Safety Realignment and the Redding to Anderson Six-Lane projects were two of his favorites. Both projects presented unique challenges but were incredibly rewarding upon their completion.

After Construction, Henry worked for three years in Roadside Maintenance. He was involved with surveying, designing and constructing Minor B projects. This was a fun position, as he oversaw every phase from start to finish, developing and building these smaller projects from the ground up.

Henry also worked as the district’s constructability reviewer and rotated through Design and Surveys.

Henry was born and raised in Red Bluff and still resides there. Henry and his wife have two adult children. One graduated from college last June and the other will finish in June of this year. Their son lives in San Diego, and their daughter is currently in the Reno/Tahoe area. They enjoy spending time at both locations as often as they can.

Now that they are empty nesters, Henry and his wife take every opportunity to enjoy the mountains, whether on the ski slopes or hiking a new trail.

Henry says his family especially enjoys visiting Yosemite National Park.

How do you spend your time when you aren’t working?

“My wife calls me a ‘project guy,’ I always have a few things in the works. I enjoy building and creating, whether it’s woodworking, landscaping, or bringing old cars back to life. One project that’s particularly special to me right now is restoring my great-grandmother’s '50 Chevy pickup alongside my dad.

“I’ve always been drawn to the outdoors. Between snowboarding, hiking, and mountain biking, I have just enough hobbies to stay active and out of trouble all year long.”

What’s the greatest bit of advice you’ve ever been given?

“Show up, work hard, treat people well-and don’t forget to enjoy the process.”

What is your favorite movie or TV show?

“ ‘Forrest Gump’ is my favorite movie because it’s the ultimate underdog story. It has a great soundtrack and it’s a powerful reminder that no matter what life throws at you, the best response is to just keep moving forward.”

What is your favorite travel destination?

“Yosemite is our favorite California destination. My family, parents and sisters, meet there regularly, keeping a long-standing family tradition alive in one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been.”

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

“I have always liked building things. That interest evolved from early aspirations in architecture to a rewarding career in engineering. I’ve been fortunate to spend my time at Caltrans doing work I truly enjoy.”

Who is your favorite singer or band?

“I’m all over the map with music, from '80s rock and '90s grunge to country. We attend live shows whenever possible and seeing Zach Bryan at Golden Gate Park last August was a standout. The energy of 75,000 fans was incredible, and he put on an unforgettable show.”

What are your favorite things about working at Caltrans District 2?

“I’ve always liked being where the action is, and for me, that meant years in Construction. District 2 is a beautiful place to work, but the hardworking people are what make it special. My new role in Asset Management has been a great next step; I’m really enjoying the collaboration and the chance to solve complex problems as part of a team.”

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Four youths earn Safety Poster Contest wins

Poster-contest winners were chosen from among more than 100 entries.

By Headquarters Public Affairs

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.

The winning designs are included below with photos of the young artists and their related Caltrans employee. Each winner will receive a full-size poster of their artwork – which will first be on display at the Caltrans Workers Memorial on April 23 in West Sacramento.

Congratulations to all the winners and everyone who participated this year. The creativity and thoughtful consideration demonstrated by these young people honors our fallen workers and their posters help educate our younger generation about the vital importance of safe driving and highway worker safety.

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’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.

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Health and Safety

Support your workplace wellbeing

From the Office of Employee Health and Safety

This is a great opportunity to focus on habits that support how you feel during the workday.

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.
• Take short breaks to reset during busy days.
• Pay attention to sleep, rest and stress levels.
• Reach out for help when you need support.

Remember: Taking care of your mental and emotional wellbeing is an important part of showing up to work and being at your best.

As a state of California employee, you and your eligible dependents have access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at no cost. EAP encourages proactive use of tools and support to help you maintain your wellbeing and feel your best, both at work and at home.

EAP is a confidential resource that can help with everyday stress, work challenges, relationships and other situations that may affect your mental and emotional health.

Every choice you make, from your diet to your mindset, plays a crucial role in nurturing your wellbeing and paving the way for a healthier future!

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Obituaries

Retired personnel officer Gloria Ann Allen (Benson)

Note: The following obituary appeared in the Lost Coast Outpost.

We are sad to announce that our beloved mother, widow, and friend, Gloria Ann Allen (Benson), passed away peacefully in her sleep just shy of her 89th birthday on Feb. 19 in Fortuna.

She was born at Farrar’s Maternity Home in Fortuna on March 14, 1937, to parents Jack and Sophie Benson, who are both deceased. She was active while attending Fortuna Elementary School, joining Campfire Girls holding offices of secretary, vice president and president.

At that time she began a pen pal relationship with a girl in England. They corresponded regularly and remained life-long friends. She finally met Shirley in 2016 on a trip with her daughter Julie to Oakham, England, which made the local paper with an interview showing pictures and an article about their unique pen-pal relationship over many decades.

Gloria attended Fortuna High School where she belonged to several clubs including Girls’ League, Girls’ Athletic Association, Semper Amice, Future Homemakers of America, and the Better Business Bureau. She was a life member of the California Scholarship Society.

Gloria was married to Don Allen (deceased) for 67 years and they raised their children in the house that Don built on the street that he also built and bears the Allen name. They had three children, Julie Allen (Portland), Leslie Allen (Eureka), and Steven Allen (Keri, son Bode) in Cutten.

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.

When the kids were in school, she volunteered with the Cutten Elementary School PTA where she spearheaded hamburger day, getting the kids hamburgers delivered when the school had no cafeteria. The entire family rode horses in the Fortuna parade as part of the Fortuna Rodeo in 1974 and won a trophy for Best Family Group. Both Gloria and Don were San Francisco Giants and 49ers fans and enjoyed going to games and watching them on TV.

Gloria had the spirit of a world traveler, loved to see new horizons and meet interesting people along the way. She also loved reading, dancing, painting, picnicking, camping and especially going to “The City” every summer with her mother to visit relatives and friends in the Bay Area. Mom cherished her trips to Europe, as well as their travels around the country with friends after retirement in their motor home. She looked forward to spending several weeks each fall on the Oregon Coast.

She loved her family and her friends. She had regular lunch meetings with her girlfriends and liked to host events that allowed them to dress up, eat good food, drink some wine, and enjoy their company such as hosting dinners for the Academy Awards or New Year’s Eve.

She was a steadfast, fun and caring friend to so many people.