My how the year has flown by; it's already November. The weather is changing and both the holiday season and fire season are upon us.
To all employees, I ask that you be very careful this time of year. More motorists are on the roads returning from visits with friends and family. The potential for an increase in impaired motorists is heightened. It is important to those of us here at Caltrans that everyone returns home safely from weekend getaways and the end of your work shift in the field.
Last month, Caltrans lost one of our employees, Muoi Tran, 55, who was killed in an accident while working as part of a District 2 survey crew in the North Region Construction in Red Bluff. Tran was exiting the construction site to go to lunch when he was broadsided by a big rig. These were the dangers of just doing his job. A memorial fund has been set up through the California Transportation Foundation, 581 La Sierra Drive, Sacramento, CA 95864. Please remember Muoi Tran, his wife and three children in your thoughts and prayers.
There is a very interesting article in this issue of Inside Seven on the role Caltrans will play as a ‘first responder’ during times of catastrophic emergencies. On November 13 at 10 a.m., Caltrans will participate in a major earthquake exercise called 'The Great Southern California ShakeOut," a practice scenario simulating in real-time what would happen when a 7.8 magnitude earthquake shakes the San Andreas Fault. Experts in several disciplines predict that this is a highly likely and overdue distinct probability. The simulated quake will be centered in the San Bernardino area, but its impact will be felt in Los Angeles and carry through to the High Desert and towards Bakersfield and Fresno on I-5. Caltrans' role will involve Maintenance, Operations, Permits, External Affairs, an emergency operations center at the Los Angeles Regional Transportation Management Center and even the Finance Division will simulate securing emergency state funding to rebuild from the damage.
While we in District 7 do take care of our freeways daily, there will be sizeable impacts to the freeway system, and we will continue to have the responsibility to do all that we do during and after regional catastrophic events. You all must be aware of the very important role you will play for support and recovery, when a scenario such as this becomes a reality. Discuss among your units the lessons learned in interacting with other agencies such as fire, police, public health, public housing and even the military. This is Caltrans' responsibility to the people of California.
And speaking of the State of California, while we do appreciate that a budget has been passed, unfortunately, it has some holes. People are driving less, sales taxes are down, there is a downturn in business and employment. As you read this, Governor Schwarzenegger is preparing to call the Legislature back into session to address a potential and additional $3 billion deficit this fiscal year.
Will transportation continue as is? I don't know. Will they cut the transportation budget? I don't know. I do know that these are very tough times. We need to be prepared for whatever methods are determined to close the fiscal gap. I want you to know that we have been working very carefully in District 7 to minimize the impact to our employees and to the projects in progress. I will keep you updated.
We have had several celebrations. My thanks to the team, committee members and the groups who were engaged with the Diversity and Disability Awareness Day program. All the diversity that we bring to this district helps us to succeed in so many ways. Sharing and displaying our various cultures helps us to appreciate each other and our strengths.
The momentum of celebration continued to the Capitol Outlay Support Delivery recognition where every division plays a role in delivering our Capitol program: Maintenance, Operations, Construction, Design, Environmental, Planning, External Affairs, Project Management and Administration. Our district's Capitol Outlay program is slightly larger than our Maintenance Division with more people sharing a role in its success. Once again, you in District 7 have shown why the people of California can trust you. You have delivered for the third year in a row 100% of all the major commitments you have made to the people. This is a phenomenal record; truly outstanding! The reason that Proposition 42 and our budget was protected this year is because you have shown the Legislature the importance of the work you do and you can be trusted to keep projects on schedule and on budget. You have shown that there are benefits resulting from the accomplished work. We owe that to the people of California who have responded with their trust and confidence in Caltrans.
As I’ve said before, we have to think of ourselves as a company. Our stockholders are the people of this state and we have to deliver a profit each year. When we do that, the public will continue to invest in Caltrans and in transportation infrastructure.
As we go into the holiday season, I hope that everyone has enjoyable holiday time off to spend with your family and please be safe.
Caltrans is known for solving problems but recently the Department was involved in solving something else: a crime.
Notorious local child killer Mack Ray Edwards admitted to murdering 18 children before hanging himself in 1971 while awaiting execution. More than 35 years later, police are still searching for some of those victims.
Cases that had become as cold as a meat locker were reopened after an investigation by Pasadena author Weston DeWalt into the 1957 disappearance of 8-year-old Tommy Bowman in the Arroyo Seco produced evidence linking the boy with Edwards. At that point law enforcement agencies became involved.
Edwards, by the way, was a heavy equipment operator who was employed by various contractors working for the Division of Highways during the big freeway building boom of the 1950s and 60s. One of the victims Edwards confessed to killing was 16-year-old Roger Dale Madison, a friend and classmate of his son. He said he buried Madison under State Route 23, which was under construction at the time.
Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Detective Vivian Flores, of the cold case squad, was quoted in a recent Los Angeles Times article as saying, “It was (Edwards) intimate knowledge of these often desolate sites, where it was easy to dispose of a body with little danger of discovery, that I think allowed him to kill repeatedly. His work was a huge part of it. It was essential to his crimes.”
Based on Flores’s research, police decided to dig for Madison’s remains along Route 23. The problem was that Edwards’ confession didn’t indicate exactly where along the 10-mile stretch of freeway he had buried the teenager. The detective then paid a visit to the Thousand Oaks construction field office to speak with staff, who directed her to Lee Everett, a retired Bridge Engineer. Everett still had his calendars, which indicated his work locations. Based on his 1968 calendars, law enforcement was able to pinpoint where construction on SR 23 was active.
In his interview, Edwards reported that he placed Madison’s remains in a compaction hole, (used during freeway construction to determine if underlying soil can support the structures being built above it). The police went out on several different Saturdays with four different cadaver dogs. All four dogs “alerted” in the northwest quadrant, said Christina Ruano, a senior transportation engineer in Caltrans Legal division who became the Department liaison.
The Caltrans Ground Penetrating Radar Unit, based in Sacramento, was able to examine the site. Their report indicated several anomalies in the area. The Ventura County Fire Department utilized their Photoionization Detector (PID) meter, which tests for organic compounds. The meter found organic compounds present that would indicate human remains, Ruano said, adding that “Our next question was, ‘how do we get down there?’”
Caltrans originally had considered using the district’s Geotechnical staff and bringing drilling equipment down from Sacramento. “Then the budget intervened,” Ruano said, “and we had to wait.” Ultimately, it was decided to bring out a loader and dig the area.
Excavation began on October 6 and, by that time, a virtual alphabet soup of agencies had joined the LAPD, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the Department of Justice, the Ventura and Los Angeles County Sheriffs’ offices, the California Highway Patrol (CHP), and a forensic anthropologist.
The dig was helped by the fact that a breaker and an excavator were donated by private construction companies “and that sped things up a great deal,” Ruano said. “Unfortunately, it was a matter of how far we could go and, as it turned out, we couldn’t go that far.”
On October 10, the search was halted due to concerns about damaging the freeway structure. Although no remains had been located, certain items were discovered, such as survey tape, a lathe and a small piece of plastic that looked like it came from a tarp, which further indicated this had been the right area.
Madison’s sister and niece flew in from back East to observe the dig. Although they were not able to bring him home, they were very grateful for all of the efforts to find Madison and close the case.
“This was a tremendous effort from everyone in the Department, from District Director Doug Failing on down,” Ruano said. She specifically cited Maintenance Deputy Dan Freeman, Environmental Deputy Ron Kosinski, Traffic Operations Deputy Frank Quon and the Traffic Management Team (TMT) responsible for CMS signs and detours as well as the electrical group for managing signals and, of course, Linda Harrel, District 7 Deputy Chief Council and Guy Harris of Headquarters for giving her the time and resources to do her job. “I’m very, very proud of everyone for all their efforts and dedication,” she added. “I would also like to acknowledge the Moorpark Maintenance team, especially Barbara Cisneros, whose ‘can do’ attitude made a lot of things happen.”
Meanwhile, Madison’s case remains open. It is conceivable that his DNA will be found in the soil samples still being analyzed. If not, the search will continue, to find justice for him, Tommy Bowman and the other unsolved missing child cases from that “innocent time,” Ruano said, “when you didn’t know there were monsters around.”
Caltrans District 7 held it’s first ever Rideshare Fair on Thursday, October 2 in the District Plaza to participate in Rideshare Week to promote the benefits of carpooling and other methods of public transportation and cycling to work.
Sixteen agencies and companies, including Caltrans Operations Division and High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV, or carpool) Unit; the Air Quality Management District (AQMD); and the California Automobile Club of Southern California (AAA) provided information regarding the benefits of ridesharing. Transportation agencies such as Metro and Metrolink, Foothill Transit and Santa Clarita Transit hosted booths to promote the importance of public transit. Caltrans District 7 Bicycle Group, Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition and Flying Pigeon Bike Shop advocated bicycling to work.
Hundreds of District 7 employees received updated bus schedules, learned of alternate options to get to work and collect some great giveaways. Our partners, the California Highway Patrol, answered questions regarding traffic safety and Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) promoted DASH, City Ride, and Commuter Express bus lines.
“With fluctuating gas prices, taking public transit and carpooling are definitely great options during these unpredictable economic times,” said Juana Farol, District 7 Rideshare and Parking coordinator. “Carpooling and vanpooling is beneficial to reduce stress, save money and get to work faster.”
Other participants at Caltrans Rideshare Fair included the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power; VPSI Commuter Van Pools and the Yellow Cab Company.
Throughout October, District 7 Public Affairs Office staffed informational booths at six other Rideshare Fair events at Cal Poly in Pomona, Los Angeles City College, US Bank Tower in downtown Los Angeles, and three fairs in the City of Pasadena including the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
The Rideshare Fair is a reminder that carpooling and public transit is not only good for our pocketbooks, but it helps our environment as well. According to Farol, over half of District 7 employees working at the District Office carpool, vanpool or use public transit. For more information on ridesharing, contact the Caltrans Rideshare coordinator at 213-897-0187.
Caltrans has introduced a new campaign called ‘Street Skills’ as an extension of the ‘Slow for the Cone Zone’ safety campaign and designed to help save the lives of drivers and workers on California highways and freeways.
‘Street Skills’ targets teen drivers and challenges them to a higher awareness in driving more safely in construction and maintenance highway work zones. Teens are constantly added to the number of new drivers and are four times more likely than experienced drivers to be killed in a car accident, according to the California Office of Traffic Safety.
The ‘Street Skills’ campaign is on a statewide promotional tour to visit over 40 California high schools this fall. National Teen Driver Safety Week is recognized this year from October 19 to 26.
District 7, along with ProPose, a ‘Slow for the Cone Zone’ contractor, took the ‘Street Skills’ driver safety program tour to several high school campuses one week in early October, where at lunch time events, a school assembly and even during a Friday night football game, Marlene Martinez and Jayne Crowder of Caltrans Public Affairs Office set up the “Slow For The Cone Zone” orange tent. Students took the Work Zone Safety quiz on laptops.
The six high schools who benefited first-hand from District 7’s attendance were Pacific High in Oxnard; Palisades High in Pacific Palisades; Franklin High in Los Angeles; Azusa High in Azusa; Lakewood High in Lakewood and Pioneer High in Whittier.
Among the teenage population, there is little awareness of the risk to drivers and passengers in roadway worker cone zones. The goal of ‘Street Skills’ is to get safety information in the hands of teens and to encourage them to think of roadway safety first. Many marketing professionals agree that it is difficult to get the attention of teens in order to impart this message though traditional advertising.
Marketing professionals would also agree that a sure way to attract the attention of teens is to give away a car. So, ‘Street Skills’ is holding a sweepstakes where a 2009 Toyota Scion xB is the Grand prize. No state dollars are being used for the sweepstakes; the car was donated by Clear Channel Communications. Another prize is $1,000 towards car insurance. Twenty additional winners will receive roadside assistance for one year.
To enter the sweepstakes, teens must currently be registered in a California high school and must complete and score 100 percent on an educational work zone safety quiz found online at www.slowfortheconezone.com
California teachers are eligible to enter the sweepstakes and will receive one additional entry for each student’s entry that names him or her as their instructor.
The last day to enter the sweepstakes is November 14, 2008. Caltrans employees and immediate family members are not eligible to enter the sweepstakes.
In the new campaign, Caltrans has partnered with other traffic safety organizations to create a more engaging driver educational program.
These partners include California Highway Patrol (CHP); Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV); California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS); California Automobile Association (AAA); Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD); Recording Artists, Athletes and Actors Against Drunk Driving (RADD); Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD); Jiffy Lube; Big O Tires; and Harv’s Car Wash.
Statewide, Caltrans distributed 900 Drivers’ Education Teacher kits to driver safety classrooms and private driving schools. The kits include a ‘Street Skills’ poster; a safe driving video game; AAA’s DriverZED; a DVD and other promotional items donated by partners, including a fact sheet on costs of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) offense.
So, go ahead and take the quiz at www.slowfortheconezone.com just to see how well you score. The website has an educational cone zone safety video and other safe driving resources available to the general public.
For at least the past two years, District 7 has increasingly faced more illegal dumping of trash and debris around and near on- and off-ramps especially at the ongoing Artesia Freeway (State Route 91) improvement project in Carson. This is not littering out of the window; this involves intentionally dumping trucks full of debris onto freeways.
Caltrans and the project’s contractors have been keeping an eye out for those involved in this crime. “A lot of time and money that could be better spent elsewhere on transportation improvement projects has been wasted cleaning up illegal dumping sites along our right of way. Over $1 million dollars is spent yearly cleaning up illegal dumping in the District,” said Reza Jahromi, Caltrans Construction Resident Engineer.
Jahromi is responsible for the construction of this transportation project that will improve ride quality, safety and rehabilitate the pavement on SR-91 from the Broadway Avenue undercrossing to the Downey Avenue undercrossing.
Large trucks have purposely spilled loads of debris on state property along the job site, leaving it for someone else to clean up – namely: Caltrans. The hardest hit areas are regularly monitored. Finally, in mid-October, one perpetrator was witnessed dumping a large amount of trash from a semi-truck and the California Highway Patrol (CHP) was contacted immediately. This swift action allowed the CHP to apprehend and make an arrest.
There are criminal consequences of illegal dumping on State property and it is costly to everyone involved including the State of California. If you witness illegal dumping, littering or graffiti vandalism on State freeways and highways, please contact the California Highway Patrol at these non-emergency numbers: 1-800-TELL-CHP (800-835-5247), statewide, or 323-982-4900 or 818-240-8200 in Los Angeles County; and 805-477-4174 in Ventura County.
The annual Capital Outlay Support (COS) 2007/2008 Project Delivery Celebration was a lively and spirited tribute to Caltrans’ teamwork, partnerships and innovation, which have led to five straight years in project delivery success. What’s more, for the past three of those five years, District 7 has reached an impressive 100% project delivery, meaning that every major milestone for project delivery was met by all Divisions.
Master of Ceremonies, Tad Teferi, Deputy District Director for Program and Project Management, said to a standing-room-only audience, “This annual event celebrates Caltrans’ unity and how we use innovation, unity and diversity to accomplish our goals. Our rich culture is the source of our innovation.”
District Director Will Kempton was present for the celebration and gave every employee credit for success by saying, “The reason Caltrans’ credibility is going up is because of all of you. I am very proud to be your Director and very proud of your success. It is my honor to be here today to recognize all of you.”
Kempton presented District 7 Director Doug Failing with a special plaque of accomplishment for 100% project delivery for District 7 and thanked him for his great work. Teferi recognized Failing for his “unsurpassed dedication to Caltrans, his excellent leadership and for the respect, trust and confidence he shows each one of us as we operate our Divisions.”
And after an energetic rendition of the song “Celebration” from Division of Maintenance employee Gary Gordon, Failing addressed the audience with a brief history of the hard work that led up to the project delivery success.
“Five years ago, we led the state, hitting 97% of all milestones – an unheard of number at that time, said Failing. “One year later, we challenged you again and you delivered 98.2% of every milestone.” In 2006, Failing challenged the District to a “hat trick,” (a sport term for three goals in a row). That year Director Kempton and Failing signed a special Caltrans hard hat for District 7 leading the state in project delivery for three straight years. “No one had ever done that before,” said Failing. “Now, this is our third year in a row for 100% milestone delivery. That is absolutely, absolutely unheard of!”
And it has not been easy, Failing explained. “We have dealt with fires, floods, tunnels and many other challenges -- and not one of you came forward with excuses,” he said. “You went back and did it anyway. I am just so appreciative and amazed at what you do. And you do it so, so well.”
Failing said that not only does he value the work of Caltrans workers, but that it has become apparent that the motoring public does, too. “I appreciate your hard work and I know the people of California feel the same. They voted on the bond measure. And when you look at the funding coming into Southern California, and what’s happening in transportation -- among all the decisions that the people of the state of California have to make, they recognize the importance of what you’re doing and they recognize that that you’re doing it well. On behalf of the executive team, my thanks to each and every one of you.”
Project Management Chiefs Steve Novotny and Alberto Angelini entertained the crowd when they took a light-hearted look at the past year at Caltrans with humor that is always a welcome addition to the festivities. Novotny gave facts and figures when he noted that for the past five years, overall milestones reached were as follows: Nine out of nine for Project Acceptance and Environmental Document (PAED); 25 of out 25 for Right of Way Certifications; 29 out of 29 for Ready to List (RTL’s); and 29 out of 29 for Construction Contract Acceptance (CCA) – for a total of $546.9 million for RTL projects. “That is an average of 100%, he said, “but not an unusual accomplishment for District 7!”
Novotny extend thanks to ace comedy writer Alberto Angelini; and to Tim Baker of Graphics Unit for his outstanding graphics work.
Teferi made clear the importance of excellent customer service and honoring all of Caltrans commitments. “We have an attitude in this District that failure is not an option,” he said. “We take challenges that come our way, we value our partners and customers, we don’t take our sponsors and stakeholders for granted and we currently perform 100% of Metro’s and Ventura Country Transportation Authority’s work.” And that’s not by accident. “Caltrans continues to be the consultant of choice and to bring excellence to everything we do and to the public we serve,” he added.
Teferi acknowledged and thanked the Professional Engineers in California Government (PECG) and PECG Secretary Nava for providing refreshments at Caltrans events and thanked corporate liaisons who were presented with a plaque of appreciation for many years of support.
All Divisions were honored individually by each Deputy District Director who then had an opportunity to acknowledge their staff members and thank them collectively for their roles in 100% project delivery.
To view all COS celebration photos, please click onto this link:
The 5th annual 2008 Diversity Day celebration was coupled with Disability Awareness Day – making it twice as enlightening, twice as entertaining and twice as much fun!
Held on October 15 at the District 7 Office Building plaza -- and coordinated by the both the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and the Diversity/Disability Planning Committee -- this popular event is an effort to promote Caltrans’ equal opportunity and disability awareness goals. This colorful celebration offers an interactive and educational learning environment for all employees to exhibit their cultures through mutual respect. It promotes an understanding and compassion for employees who face various challenges and disabilities.
Leading the effort was Marian Woo, former EEO Chief, with support from staff members James Deno, James Crouse and Sylvia Delgado – as well as Disability Council Chairperson John Dinsmore. Deno acted as Master of Ceremonies and after a warm welcome, introduced District Director Douglas R. Failing, who expressed a heartfelt appreciation to everyone who put the day’s events together, and all who participated to make it a success.
Employees and committees representing many cultures set up booths and exhibits to inform and educate – as well as share delicious food from Latin America, Bangladesh, California Natives, the Philippines, China/Taiwan, Armenia and Africa. Also participating was the California Bear Credit Union and the Disability Advisory Committee. Some highlights of the day included entertainment from the Chinese Tai Qi Performance Team, employees representing Bangladesh, descendants of Africa, Vietnam, Latin America, the Philippines and Armenia. Some of the beautiful costumes were hand-made by the employees and many hours of hard work went into sewing, food preparation and designing booths.
According to Raja Mitwasi, Chief Deputy District Director, “District 7 is the most diverse District in the State of California – as well as the most productive!” Dinsmore shared Mitwasi’s enthusiasm. “Our universe is diverse, with artistry and verse,” he said. “We came, we saw, and we celebrated as one with happiness and fun.”
The talented musicians of Caltrans employee-based ‘Traffic Jam’ band dazzled the crowd. The band’s members are: Cecilio Burciaga, bass guitar; John Robertson, guitar; Medardo de la Cruz, keyboard/saxophone/vocals; Xerxes “Shay” Banduk, guitar; Robert Colvin, lead saxophone/vocals/percussion; Eddie Isaacs, trumpet; Alfredo Villanueva, vocals/percussion; Gary Gordon, lead vocals; and Elizabeth Ware, vocals. In addition, entertainer Carolena on flute, accompanied by guitarist Bob Lee, were a great enhancement to this year’s event.
A new addition to this year’s festivities was a moving and inspiring performance by the ARC Bell Choir. This accomplished bell choir is comprised of special needs individuals who have overcome various mental and developmental disabilities to learn to play beautiful songs on hand bells. They perform, free of charge, at least 60 times per year at various events, led by Jane Sarcher, who developed special color charts to help the members read notes. Some of the memorable songs included: “America the Beautiful,” “Over the Rainbow,” “Small World” and “When You Wish Upon a Star.”
As part of Disability Awareness Day, an array of artwork, hand-crafted by students from the Braille Institute for the Blind, are on display in the Caltrans museum. Delgado reminds employees that all of the lovely items displayed are still available for purchase. “I enjoy promoting Disability Awareness and being part of the Disability Advisory Committee,” she said.
It was a colorful and beautiful day. Live entertainment and aromas of scrumptious food samples filled the air. Everywhere there was a true spirit of togetherness and friendship.
“This event is a time to celebrate and embrace the cultures, differences and challenges that make each and very human being special. It is a day to join the fun with your co-workers and share your individual uniqueness within the ‘Caltrans family’,” said Deno. “It is important that we celebrate and embrace who we are despite our differences, regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, nationality or disability. These are special moments that give every employee an opportunity to understand the value of diversity and to learn how to work together effectively and harmoniously.”
To view all Diversity/Disabiltiy Day celebration photos, please click onto this link:
http://t7www2/photo_gallery/main.php?cmd=album
When, not if, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hits Southern California, residents can face a level of destruction and chaos from which the region might never recover OR preparations now can mitigate the disaster and ensure the area’s continued viability.
This is the premise behind the Great Southern California ShakeOut and corresponding Golden Guardian 2008, both of which are occurring simultaneously, along with the three-day City of Los Angeles International Earthquake Conference.
The ShakeOut is a week-long series of events for the public, culminating in a rally/information fair on November 14 from 4–9 p.m. at Nokia Plaza L.A. Live in Downtown Los Angeles. More than 4 million people have signed onto the ShakeOut.org website, pledging to participate in a “Drop, Cover and Hold” drill at 10 a.m. on November 13.
The Golden Guardian Statewide Exercise Series, the nation's largest state-sponsored emergency preparedness exercise, is an ongoing annual event. It comprises a series of seminars, discussion-based tabletop exercises and drills, ending with a full scale event designed to test the State’s emergency capabilities to deter, prevent, respond and recover from a catastrophic natural disaster or potential terrorist attack.
Begun in 2004 as a federal/state and local exercise which activated State emergency resources, the Golden Guardian Exercise Series is mandated and funded under federal Department of Homeland Security guidelines.
Golden Guardian 2008 focuses on a simulated catastrophic 7.8 magnitude earthquake on the southern portion of the San Andreas Fault, ranging from the Salton Sea in Riverside County to Northern Los Angeles County. Seven southern California counties are participating in this main event, as well the State Operations Center in Sacramento.
This earthquake scenario and accompanying impacts were not just pulled out of a hat; they are based on the intensive research and conclusions of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), with input from numerous other agencies. Among their predictions: 1,800 deaths; 50,000 injuries; 270,000 persons displaced; significant damage to 300,000 buildings and widespread infrastructure damage; total damage--$213 billion.
For many first responders, this scenario will become extremely real during the Golden Guardian exercise on November 13. At 10 a.m., Caltrans will activate our Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and begin to test all emergency response systems, said Maintenance Manager Alphonso Sanchez. Throughout the day, those involved in the exercise will be in constant communication with other agencies, exactly as they would if this were a real earthquake.
Among the systems that will be tested are equipment and personnel, planning and intelligence (closures, detours, etc.), logistics, finance, public information and safety. “We will mobilize resources to an extent not seen since the Northridge earthquake,” Sanchez said. “This is the biggest emergency exercise in history.”
At some point during the day, employees will be tested as well. How? Stay tuned and all will be revealed on November 13. And be sure to read Inside 7 next month for an update on exactly how we came through The Big One.
In 1915, along the rolling hills above Interstate 5, in north Los Angeles County, a roadway still known as the original “Ridge Route” was carved out of a mountain by forward-thinking transportation pioneers. It was a two-lane, gravel, partially paved narrow and winding roadway – that lined the way for the modern roadways of today – especially and particularly the Golden State Freeway or I-5.
Last month, on October 18, through the efforts of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the Ridge Route Preservation Organization and transportation historians, the “Ridge Route” was officially designated a Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.
Dan Freeman, Deputy District Director for Maintenance, represented Caltrans at the Pyramid Lake Recreation Center to officially place the historical monument designation on the famous Ridge Route along I-5 to memorialize and celebrate the historic achievements of transportation pioneers.
The Ridge Route was initially a 53-mile portion of the first 123-mile roadway that was constructed between Los Angeles and Bakersfield, primarily by pick and shovel. The route has rich history and beauty all its own, complete with scenic views of Castaic Lake, the rolling hills of the Tehachapi Mountains and the San Joaquin Valley. It was constructed through the Tehachapis over the Tejon Pass and down the “Grapevine” grade. It was named that way because the major portion of the road was placed on the ridge of the mountains west of Castaic Creek to avoid drainage problems and reduce maintenance and earthwork. It was the very first highway to cross a major mountain range and began a physical connection, a critical link between northern and southern California. And it was "the first highway crossing of a major mountain range by the newly formed California State Department of Highways," according to the writing on the new monument.
When the Ridge Route was built, Pyramid Lake was just a river and there was no freeway. In those very early years of highway building, the area was studied by Caltrans engineers and surveyors, who made their way on foot along the Ridge Route and what is now the eight-lane I-5. According to one of Caltrans early surveyor, Dick Murphy, who recently retired, “This was a daunting challenge for California’s highway engineers working for the Division of Highways back then.” He and a team of engineers and surveyors walked that distance from Castaic to the Kern County line, over 30 miles one way, to map out the alignment of I-5, eventually transformed a huge mountain into a landmark in freeway surveying, planning, engineering, construction, operations and maintenance – or the famous Golden State Freeway – the backbone of the state highway system.
“They are some of the transportation heroes of the era of highway building,” Freeman added. On behalf of Caltrans, Freeman publicly thanked Don Sepulveda, Warren Minner and ASCE members; Harrison Scott, President of the Ridge Route Preservation Organization; Andy Machen, P.E., Caltrans District 8; and the United States Forest Service for their efforts to preserve the rich history of this famous roadway.
One of the most beautiful sights in Los Angeles is the Vincent Thomas Bridge arching gracefully over the harbor to welcome visitors by land and sea.
An average of 46,000 vehicles every day travel over the sea-green bridge, which links San Pedro with Terminal Island. “Keeping it in perfect condition is a full-time job,” says bridge painting supervisor Bill Hansel, who has watched over (and under) the structure for 26 years. “Other bridges often deteriorate over time from lack of maintenance, but not this one.” In addition to Hansel’s loving care, the bridge receives $500,000 a year to keep it in shape.
Since April, the bridge’s West Tower has been undergoing a repainting project. The project has been kept under wraps, literally; the job has been taking place under a white, photo-reactive tarp (called Hippwrap) to contain paint chips and other debris that might otherwise end up on the road or in the water.
Nearly 300 gallons of paint are used for each coat on the tower and five coats are applied, bringing the total to 1,500 gallons per tower. The unique green color was developed when the paint was switched from oil to latex-based in the early 1980s. Latex-based paint lasts years longer and is better for the environment, Hansel explains.
Work on the west tower is supposed to wrap (so to speak) this month. Then the scaffolding and tarp will be removed and recreated on the East Tower, where painting will then begin.
QUICK THINKING IN THE FIELD SAVES A LIFE
Caltrans landscape worker Dean Hunter from West Region Maintenance was performing his everyday duties recently on September 10, which involved overseeing a crew of Special Programs workers. These workers are referred from the court system to work off traffic tickets or other infractions by augmenting Caltrans' litter and weed removal program. They provide an invaluable service to the State of California, saving the state millions of dollars annually.
On this particular day, it seemed like any other. Hunter and his crew had just finished lunch and were returning to their work site, when he suddenly noticed one man who walked away from his jobsite. Hunter immediately went to his side, asking him, "Are you okay?" The worker said he was having trouble breathing and told him, "This might be the 'big one.'" Hunter feared the man was having a heart attack and took quick action. He immediately accompanied the man to the Caltrans van while he simultaneously called his supervisor, Gustavo “Gus” Nunez, back at the office.
Nunez said to return immediately to the Maintenance field office and meet him at the AMR ambulance facility, located next door to the Caltrans Moorpark Maintenance yard. Because his crew was clearing landscape in a remote area, Hunter was aware that medical help could be diverted an additional six miles and has difficulty finding their site. He knew a short-cut for half the distance in half the time if he drove to the AMR facility. Nunez alerted the paramedics that a patient was on the way.
"By transporting him ourselves, it was only a seven-minute drive," said Hunter.
After transporting the ailing worker, he was carried in by fellow Special Programs and Caltrans workers, where paramedics took over his care. En route to the hospital, he experienced a full cardiac arrest then fell into a coma for five days and remained hospitalized for one week. Now, fully recovered, Nunez and Hunter are both credited for saving this man's life.
Safety has always been in the forefront for Nunez, who made personal visits to the victim during his hospital recovery. “This incident was a most important example of how safety training was put into action.”
Patrick Porteus, Caltrans West Region Maintenance Superintendent agreed. “As always,
safety is Caltrans number one priority over all else. Dean Hunter's response is a result of
excellent departmental safety training. And Gustavo Nunez is the supervisor who provided
that training. They are both to be commended as well as the other Special Programs workers on the crew who aided in this man's survival."
Caltrans is very proud of the actions of two safety-minded Maintenance workers -- who not only putting their safety training into action – but also for compassion in action and care for another human being.