Structure Policy and Innovation

Barton Newton, Deputy Division Chief, 
Structure Policy and Innovation

Welcome to California Department of Transportation’s Division of Engineering Services'  Structure Policy and Innovation.  Our office's provide support services to the Division of Engineering Services.  Below is a description of each office under Structure Policy and Innovation.  Several of them have their own internet pages, those links are shown to the left. 

Office of Earthquake Engineering

• Design support for seismic design and structural dynamic analysis practices and procedures
• Custodian for State Seismic Fault map

Office of Design & Technical Services

• Develops standards and criteria for the design of bridge deck joints & bearings, highway sign structures & lighting standards, soundwalls, traffic bridge barriers, earth retaining structures, and underground structures
• Collects most recent bridge site data for design through Preliminary Investigations
• Provides Hydraulics data and expertise to designers

Office of State Bridge Engineer Support:
SUE HIDA, Office Chief

• Focuses on bridge loads, concrete, steel, substructures, earth retaining structures
• Internal
  • CA Amendments to AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications
  • Caltrans Structural Guidance Material
  • Support during Project Delivery

• External
  • Prepare for annual AASHTO Highway Subcommittee on Bridge/Structures Annual Meeting
  • Review/comment on research
  • Work with Industry Partners

Office of Structure Quality Management:
ROBERTO LACALLE, Office Chief

• Structure specification research and development
• Structure quality management policy
• Structure risk management policy
• Structure design build policy
• Bridge preservation policy
• Accelerated Bridge Construction policy
• AASHTO Subcommittee on Bridges & Structures support
• Technical skills assessment