CT News 2023, Issue 2

Click here for a one-webpage version of all the stories in this column, in their complete form. (Service Awards and Retirements are not included.

Director's Corner

Please make plans this spring to attend, in person or virtually, at least one of Caltrans Workers Memorial ceremonies being held in each of our 12 districts. The statewide Workers Memorial ceremony will be held Thursday, April 27, on the west steps of the Capitol building in Sacramento. You can find out more [link to story] in this issue of CT News.

News

Caltrans poised to honor its fallen workers

Caltrans will hold its annual statewide Fallen Workers Memorial at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 27, on the west steps of the state Capitol. The memorial is a time to remember those who lost their lives building, maintaining, and operating California’s world-class transportation system. Each year, Caltrans honors its fallen employees at the statewide memorial ceremony on the west steps of the Capitol. Family members, co-workers, friends and the general public are invited to attend the ceremony.

Swift, safe SR-140 cleanup shows Caltrans at its best

Storms affected the Merced River Canyon in Mariposa County, an area susceptible to mudslides and rockslides due to its steep slopes adjacent to State Route 140, an important two-lane highway that serves visitors to Yosemite National Park, the park’s employees, and the surrounding communities. On March 15, a slide occurred approximately 15 miles east of Briceburg. The amount of material that spilled onto the highway and the tight roadway at the location necessitated a hard closure of State Route 140.

Caltrans' Gomez is 'Leading the Way'

District 6 Director Diana Gomez was among the 15 Californians honored by Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria (Assembly District 27) in the Central Valley (Fresno, Madera and Merced counties) politicians’ annual Women Leading the Way event. These honorees are outstanding public servants in their communities, and inspirational examples to young women across Assembly District 27 and beyond.

Caltrans helps Californians spring into action for cleanliness

Thousands of Californians took part in more than 600 “Spring into Action” Clean California Community Days events throughout the state during an 11-day period to clean up roadways, local streets and public spaces. The series of events from March 17-27 were part of the Clean California initiative, Governor Gavin Newsom’s $1.2 billion, multiyear cleanup effort led by Caltrans to remove trash, create thousands of jobs and engage communities to transform public spaces.

Four young people awarded Hveem Scholarships of $2,000

The Francis N. Hveem Memorial Scholarship honors the late Francis N. Hveem, former state materials engineer and chief of the Materials and Research Laboratory in Sacramento. The Transportation Laboratory (TransLab) has undergone several reorganizations since Hveem retired but still serves as the hub of materials engineering excellence for Caltrans. Hveem was a civil engineer specializing in materials. His contributions to highway engineering have been known worldwide and helped guide the TransLab to international renown.

Hats Off

District 5 received a handwritten note complimenting crews for making repairs on State Route 229. Find that letter and other compliments in the Hats Off section, which is definitely something you are encouraged to populate with good-news stories and anecdotes from your districts. Just let us know with an email, please!

DOT Shots

Check out the latest photos from the field, and feel free to contribute some for CT News' next issue by emailing them to our editor. Thank you!

Health and Safety

You can increase your skill and confidence in making money

The ways in which you manage, spend, and save your money can have a significant impact on your overall wellbeing. People with sound financial health typically aren’t saddled with daily stress and worry over finances, debts, and other money issues. It can be valuable to learn from their habits around money. People with high levels of financial wellbeing manage their personal finances with skill, and spend their money wisely. They value gaining experiences more than material possessions, they give to others instead of spending on themselves, and they’re generally satisfied with their overall standard of living.

Who's New

David Man, chief of Traffic Operations

David Man is Caltrans' new chief of the Division of Traffic Operations. David will lead the department to the forefront of providing next generation mobility solutions and services that stimulate the economy, strengthen local communities, support climate action, and help save lives in our commitment to zero fatalities and serious injuries by 2050.

Rebecca Mowry, office chief for Program Management Office in Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative Program

Rebecca Mowry is leading the office responsible for establishing and implementing program guidance and supporting the districts in delivering their portfolio of Middle-Mile Broadband Network projects. She brings to her new role a diverse background that incorporates a variety of project delivery functions and spans more than 30 years with Caltrans, including 23 years as a senior transportation engineer.

Saad Samani, office chief for Alternative Delivery Office in Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative Program

Saad Samani leads the office that is responsible for supporting the districts through the development and procurement of the Construction Manager/General Contractor (CMGC) and Job Order Contracting (JOC) contracting methods, including coordination of the work orders and work packages that result in construction of the Middle-Mile Broadband Network. With more than 18 years of experience with Caltrans and more than six years with the city of Sacramento as a project manager and program manager, Saad brings key skills and experience to this new office.

Service Awards

A list of Caltrans employees who celebrated 25 or 40 years of service, or who received superior accomplishment awards, in February and March.

Retirements

A list of Caltrans employees who retired in February and March.

Obituaries

Retired civil engineer John L. "Jack" Bonzey, 89

Retired Caltrans civil engineer and beloved husband, father, brother and friend Jack Bonzey of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, passed away Feb. 27, a few months shy of his 90th birthday. He was born June 5, 1933, in Worcester, Mass. He attended Worcester Jr. College, where he achieved a degree in engineering. Jack got tired of working in the cold temperatures and headed west to Orange County in 1961 as a surveyor and civil engineer for the Division of Highways.

Heavy equipment mechanic Jose Padilla

Jose Padilla, a heavy equipment mechanic at Shop 7, passed Feb. 17 at the age of 57. Jose joined the Shop 7 family on June 22, 2015, and quickly became the cornerstone of the shop. Jose set the bar high! He was always respectful, courteous, hardworking, and very humble. His positive attitude towards life always came with a smile.

Retired Caltrans worker Francis Sweet

Retired Caltrans worker Francis Sweet passed away on Jan. 26 in Fortuna. Francis was born in Ferndale in 1933 and graduated from Ferndale High in 1951. Francis was a private in the Army serving two years in Korea. Upon his return from Korea he went back to work for the Connick Livestock Company and then Caltrans.