CALTRANS NEWS

Hats Off

Dymer Heads Off Disaster

Photo by Trent Manning, District 4 District 4 supervisor Eamonn Dymer.

The following is quoted from a blog on www.sparselysageandtimely.com, reprinted here with permission of David V. Mitchell, editor and publisher emeritus of “The Point Reyes Light:”

Storm water pouring off the roadbank undercut a 20-foot stretch of highway near Dogtown about 5:30 p.m. on January 25. Fortunately, Caltrans supervisor Eamonn Dymer … found the gap in time to warn motorists before anyone fell through it. He was also able to keep motorists from having to swerve around it at the last second, possibly resulting in head-on collisions.

Most people would have expected any storm damage that dangerous to be more visible from a distance. Thankfully, the supervisor, who is based at the Manzanita Maintenance Yard, was properly observant and thus careful. Because supervisor Dymer went about his job the way he was supposed to, he was able to avert horrible crashes.

Despite the attention we give politicians and celebrity CEOs, it’s our too-often-forgotten working people, real heroes going about their daily jobs, who mostly determine whether our country is safe and functioning.

“Grooving” Freeways Eliminates “Gallop”

Director Kempton received the following appreciative comments from Vincent Dunn of Downey:

Allow me to compliment you, your department, and the individuals involved in “grooving” the freeways.

I cannot think of any other chore that adds more to the utility, safety, and traffic flow than “grooving” which eliminates the “freeway gallop,” reducing wear on suspensions and shock absorbers.

By eliminating the distraction of freeway gallop, motorists can devote their full attention to the tasks at hand, thus greatly improving safety. Also, traffic moves at optimum speed on the smoothed roads.

Again, thank you – I cannot think of a better way to serve the motoring public.

Note: The close-up view of grooved highway and graphic illustration were prepared as part of the Caltrans County Road 32A Diamond Grooving Experiment in Sacramento.

Crews Keep Highway 108 Open

The following letter was written by Fred Helmbold of Sugar Pine and signed by him and his wife, Pat, on February 5, 2008:

Now that the weather has cleared and I don’t have to plow my driveway or shovel snow from the decks, a large “Thank you!” and “Well done!” needs to be sent to all your road crew and related employees.

Following what has seemed to be a never-ending series of storms, my wife and I recognize and say thanks to all those who did an exemplary job of snow plowing – keeping the roadways open and safe. Living in Sugar Pine, we expect snow in the winter, but now with the roadside snow at or above the top of our cars, we appreciate the massive job of snow removal. This was made even more difficult and taxing because of the snowfall at lower levels, which must have increased the miles of roads to be cleared. During all of the storms, weekday or weekend, the crews were out plowing and keeping [State Route] 108 passable, then soon thereafter cleared and widened. All of this was done while many inexperienced motorists tried to drive without chains or shouldn’t have been driving.

I would like you to know the good work is being recognized. Please extend our thanks and appreciation to all of your people.

Lake and Sonoma County Crews Appreciated

Keli Nelson, a registered nurse, sent the following note expressing her appreciation to the crew that clears the roads between Lake and Sonoma counties:

I live in Lake County and drive over Mt. St. Helena four days a week to work at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital. I am a nurse and work the 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. shift, so I am not heading home until at least midnight. Over the last month or so, when it has been snowing and icy on the road, I have never felt unsafe; the road is always plowed or sanded. I always feel very comforted when I see the plow truck sitting at the top of the hill waiting to make the road safe for commuters traveling between Lake County and Sonoma County.

Thank you for doing such a good job!

Caltrans Family Shows Support

Photo by Jeanne Bonfilio, District 7 Diane at work in November (Jeanne Bonfilio, who is a Public Information Officer in District 7, is Diane’s sister).

Diane Burroughs from the North Region in District 7 expressed her heartfelt gratitude for the support she received from her “Caltrans family:”

I would like to thank you all for your generous leave donation contributions, flowers, cards, thoughts and prayers during my recent battle with cancer. It has truly humbled me and made a positive impact on my recuperation, and I do appreciate this immensely.

So, again, thank you from my heart. I am back at work part time now, I feel truly blessed to work in an organization with so many wonderful compassionate people.

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