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Maintenance Division News

Volume 04, Issue 18 -- July 2023

Maintenance Shines During

2022-2023 Winter Storm Response

This video is intended for the internal, nonprofit use of Caltrans employees, for the purpose of education and news reporting relating to newsworthy Caltrans activities. Any further use or reproduction is prohibited.

State and Local Synergy:

How Caltrans District 7 Played an Integral

Role in a Homeless Outreach Operation

By Aly Hanner, Office of Homelessness and Encampments

California's most intractable problem is also painfully its most visible. In Los Angeles, the homeless population has surpassed that of New York City with about one in 150 of its residents living on the streets.


“Unfortunately, Los Angeles’ homelessness crisis mirrors its scale,” said Charles Isaac, District 7 Maintenance and Encampment Manager. “District 7 encompasses large metropolitan areas, which includes unsheltered individuals within or adjacent to the Caltrans Right of Way.”

In April, in collaboration with the City of Los Angeles, Governor Newsom launched Mobile Homeless Connect 2.0 as an extension of last year’s successful Mobile Homeless Connect program which offers a coordinated approach by bringing state and local services directly to people living on the streets instead of requiring them to travel to a patchwork of government offices.


“It is so important to meet individuals experiencing homelessness where they are,” said Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency (BCHS) Secretary Lourdes Castro Ramírez. “Even when people are aware of the services available to them it is often difficult, if not impossible, for them to travel to locations where they can apply for those services.”


Led by BCSH, state agencies, and multiple state departments, participated in Mobile Homeless Connect 2.0. District 7 played an integral role in the execution and logistics for the program's outreach events, which were generally set up near local hotels/motels being used to temporarily house people experiencing homelessness.

The district helped transform parking lots into one-stop shops essentially creating a makeshift response center. Encampment Coordinators and maintenance staff set up tents, tables, and chairs; supplied generators, portable restrooms, and water; and coordinated security through the California Highway Patrol (CHP).



Bridge Database Improvements:

IMMS-SMART Integration

By Anthony Johnson and Cory Cowden, Office of Bridge Asset Management

Big changes are coming to the way bridgework recommendations are distributed to the districts. The Integrated Maintenance Management System (IMMS) and the Structure Maintenance Automated Report Transmittal (SMART) system will soon be linked! This long-awaited project will streamline the process of delivering work recommendations on structures to the appropriate crews performing the various work.  


Historically, IMMS and the SMART system had limited communication, leaving bridge crews to manually search a spreadsheet of work recommendations. The limited communication between the two systems also meant work completed by non-bridge crews was often not marked as completed in the bridge system, lowering the districts’ Bridge Level of Service (BLOS) scores, and delaying work completion.


With the new system implementation, the bridge work recommendations will be transferred into IMMS and assigned to the correct crews as service requests. Individual crews will have the ability to accept these tasks, mark the work completed, or change the assignment of these recommendations to other crews if necessary. With work being disseminated to the appropriate crews automatically, the burden no longer rests on any individual and the workload can be reduced.  

The SMART-IMMS link will start in Summer 2023 with several districts participating. During this time, working with bridge/road crews and other staff as a team, headquarters will implement suggested modifications to make this effort the most effective for users. After the pilot, full implementation is anticipated in Summer 2024.


Use More RAP!

Increasing the Amount of Reclaimed Asphalt

Pavement in Caltrans' Projects

By Kee Foo, Office of Asphalt Pavements 

Caltrans is incorporating the use of reclaimed asphalt pavement in more of its projects statewide. Reclaimed asphalt pavement, or RAP as it's better known, is removed or reprocessed pavement materials that when used in asphalt pavements are known to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the mining and transportation of aggregate, crude oil extraction, and the refining and transportation of asphalt binders.


The department started including recycled pavements in its projects back in 2009 when 15% RAP was allowed as part of the conventional asphalt mixes. Caltrans has built thousands of lane miles of good-performing asphalt pavement using RAP and in 2013, decided to increase the percentage used to 25%. In 2021, the department, along with the industry, developed non-standard specification procedures (nSSP) to increase the maximum RAP content to 40% in conventional asphalt mixes. Since existing mix design procedures were deemed inadequate in designing mixes with 40% RAP, the specifications outline innovative mix design procedures that utilize performance-related tests.

The nSSP has been included in six pilot projects statewide to evaluate the performance of asphalt pavement containing up to 40% RAP designed using the new procedures. Three of the projects, located in Districts 2, 8, and 10, have been constructed, with the remaining projects, located in Districts 2, 4, and 7, expected to be completed in the next construction season.


Caltrans, in partnership with the University of California Pavement Research Center, is collecting and analyzing the data from these pilot projects. If the new procedures and resulting asphalt pavements perform well, the nSSP can be used statewide.

Maintenance Regional Spotlight:

Responding to the Winter Storms in District 6

By Joel Martin, District 6 South Regional Manager


The storms that swept through California have profoundly impacted the Central Valley, particularly in District 6. Unprecedented snowfall, followed by heavy rainfall caused significant damage to the district. However, in the face of these challenges, the efforts of the district's maintenance employees have genuinely shined.


The massive snowpack in the Sierra created a tremendous challenge to the department's staffing levels and aging equipment. In the face of these daunting conditions, the Caltrans District 6 maintenance forces rose to the occasion. They worked tirelessly, utilizing snowplows and snow blowers, to combat the extraordinary amount of snowfall. Employees from the valley assisted mountain crews. And in the face of equipment breakdowns, the district's maintenance crews remained undeterred. They were able to utilize snowplows and snow blowers to clear the vital roads in the district's mountain communities.


As the storms transitioned from snow to heavy rainfall, the focus of the district's hardworking crews shifted. With a sense of urgency, they redirected their efforts from responding to snow to protecting area highways from washouts and safeguarding bridges. Day and night, they labored to clear debris from under bridges, ensuring culverts remained open to prevent further damage. 

Heavy rains paired with the snow melt caused local reservoirs in the area to quickly fill. Several area Water Resource Agencies increased the release of water from these reservoirs to address the influx of water. Unfortunately, the combination of heavy rain and the increased water releases overwhelmed the canal systems, leading to the failure of some levees. The consequences were devastating, causing massive flooding throughout the Central Valley, hitting Tulare County the hardest. The district worked closely with its local partners to help prepare for evacuations, create makeshift levees to protect communities threatened by flooding and mobilize one of the department's Satellite Communications (SatCom) trailers to use as a mobile command center in case traditional communications were lost.


The powerful storms damaged several routes, leading to road closures and the need for emergency projects to make repairs. Efforts are still underway to restore and reopen these routes for the affected communities. As recovery continues, it is crucial to acknowledge the resilience and determination of all of District 6's maintenance forces. Their unwavering commitment and hard work are instrumental in navigating these challenges, rebuilding affected areas, and ensuring the safety and well-being of local communities. 



IMMS Instructor Advocates for

Veterans in Washington, D.C.

One of the division's own testified before the Senate and House Committees on Veterans' Affairs to advocate for the health and well-being of our nation's veterans.


Juan Carlos Gonzalez works for the headquarters Office of Integrated Maintenance Management Systems as a statewide instructor. He served for nearly 15 years on active duty and five years as a reserve with the United States Army. He is also an Alumni and Peer Leader Specialist with the Wounded Warrior Project.


The Wounded Warrior Project is a non-profit organization that provided programs and services, like mental health, career counseling, and long-term rehabilitative care, to the nation's veterans following their military service. In addition to services, the Wounded Warrior Project advocates for veterans' rights.


From March 5-10, 2023, Gonzalez participated in Operation Advocacy, an effort organized by the Wounded Warrior Project that allows members to advocate before members of Congress for legislation that addresses key issues impacting the nation's veteran community. You can read more about Operation Advocacy and Gonzalez's testimony in the Project Advocacy March 2023 Newsletter.

First Encampment Coordinator

Training Held in San Diego

Maintenance Employees Recognized for Heroism and Outstanding Management

Eleven Caltrans maintenance employees were honored with the Governor's State Employee Medal of Valor this year. The award is given to public servants for acts of heroism that go beyond the normal call of duty. This year's winners include Equipment Operators Jeremy Maraviov, Scott Davidson, Trevor Gipson, Robert Hernandes, and Roberto Lopez; Highway Maintenance Workers Jason Lofton, Nicholas Macias, and William Miller; Landscape Maintenance Worker Brian Rubalcava; Transportation Engineering Technician Jeffrey Scardine; and Maintenance Superintendent Cody Collins.


You can learn more about the 2023 Medal of Valor Awards or watch the Awards ceremony by visiting the department's website.

District 10 Maintenance Manager Jesus Zuniga received the 2023 Outstanding Management and Engineering in Transportation (OMET) Bimla G. Rhinehart Award. He is one of four people recognized this year. The OMET awards recognize the valued contributions of the department's registered engineers along with engineering and non-engineering managers to the field of transportation.


You can read more about the awards and Zuniga's contributions on the department's website.



June Anniversaries

John M Vassiliades

Jose G Reza

Marilyn L Cameron


July Anniversaries

Allan R Kosup

Andrew K Onodera

Brian W Smith

Elmer R Domingo

Freddie M Guerrero

Juliana Gum

Lisa A Carboni

May 2023 Retirees

Allen G Harp

Andrew C Gross

Anthony J Barrios

Avtar S Baubs

Chris A Rockey

Claudia A Espino

Christina P Hefler

Danny L Mize

Daryoush Pishdadian David D Sargent

Dawn A Kerr

Dean D-Q To

Donald M Hayes

Dordaneh Eslamian

Edward E Francis

Frank Peterson

Gary O Jones

Gudmundur Setberg

Haniel T Chung

Hitesh P Patel

Isidro T Idencio

Itasker Hollins

John J Epolito

John R Hubbs

John S Bishop

Kanwarjut S Gondara

Kuldeep K Brar

Lesley D Jones

Lihua Han

Louis S Wong

Majid Javaherneshan

Michael R Beyer

Mohamad T Yacoub

Norberto H Perez

Omar A Yousuf

Rachel Cantu

Raymond J Benson

Richard G Wright

Ridder A Alvarez

Robert Y Masatsugu

Sayed R Miry

Shahid Qamar

Shawn R Tauscher

Stephen C Veatch

Steve Kinaly

Steve J Rogers

Sulisati Sutanto

Tan N Doan

Thomas J Phillips

Tina Kohlstedt

Vicken Y Avedissian

Wendy R McCurry

William Kho


June 2023 Retirees

Ahmad Shah

Allen F Soofi

Andrew P Rittenhouse

Anthony D Tate

Benjamin Ionescu

Carl W Snibbe

Carlos J Aguilar

Charles C Holmes Jr.

Cheryl D Dolacki

Clint D Perry

Debbie K Ripley

Dennis Brader

Ervin Pridgen

Evelyn J Figueroa

Jimmy D Buss

Joanna M Lopez

Jose C Arrechea

Jose E Estrada

Joseph F Lujetic

Kan Yu

Kiersten V Bousquet

Mandy M Chu

Marcus C Chan

Maxine J Jacoby

Michael S Lee

Nancy E Brown

Neil R Calmes

Paris D Young

Raul A Rivera

Richard A Gougeon

Robert F Rinella

Rodney M Lewis

Salvador Castaneda

Scott M Fredrickson

Shawn C Lynn

Timothy I McClurg

Ward D Gilbert

June Anniversaries

Abdelkader Tahraoui, Abfikstim T Ali, AI K Tran, Amalio D Angeles, Andy P Nguyen, Anthony F Battista, Anthony R English, Arashdeep S Pannu, Bahram B Mesri, Belinda P Hon, Berhanu Zergaw, Bijan Pirzadeh, Brandon D Miller, Calvin La, Carlos M Sablan, CArolina S Abassy, Casimiro Bautista, Chad T Baker, Chan Q Kuoch, Chris W Young, Clement S Chan, Cuong B Ly, Cynthia N Miniz, Daniel E Norris, Dat Ton, David C Lau, Donald L Perkins, Emma Mendoza, Erik J Halsted, Ernesto Garcia Padron, Feiruz Aberra, Gabriel P Moreno, Gary A Hall, Gerardo Barba, Gurvinder S Toor, Hector C Magana, Henry D Lam, Henry E Nguyen, Hoang Bao Pham, Hoc T Doan, Hung V Nguyen, Huy T Phan, Ikenna Ezeude, James Ledesma, James A Nicholls, Jnnifer A Davis-Ferris, Jeremiah S Ketchum, Jeskrn S Padda, Joel G Gonzales, Joey V Lara, John C Herrera, Jonathan M Ng, Joshua Stein, Joy K Cheung, Justine Niu, Karen J Spliethof, Kevin D Pham, Khalid A Dahir, Kim G Nguyen, Ling C Wang, Luzm M Villanueva, Lynette M Vann, Malasha R Harriger, Manieh Varner, Maria S Sapiandante, Mario C Maala, Mark C Hagy, Matthew R Solano, Michael S O'Donnel, Michelle P Madigan, Michelle Q Chan, Mitchell Tirado, Moe A Bhuyian, Mylinh T Loya, Nguyen V Hua, Nhen A Hoang, Nicoleta L Pascua, Noosin Ansari, Paresh D Patel, Paul Phan, Pauline Nguyen, Pete W Norboe, Phili Latasa, Qudrat Siddiqui, Ray Estarkhri, Richell P Bard, Robert S Foster, Roberto E Borja, Rodrigo M Pangiban, Rroman M Granados, Rommel T Pardo, Ryan Henry, Sai N Win, Sammun Seik Ismail, Sean D Hoang, Sean H Nguyen, Sergio Mendoza, Sergio E Aceves, Shue X Vue, Sovankiry Keo, DStann Oshita, Stephanie L Acton, Stephanie L Morita, Steven Z Skitmore, Syed M Hussain, Theresa A Daily, Thy T Truong, Timothy C McBade, Tran N Dang, Victor H Mercado, Warren Lum, Wendy Bell, William C Bowne, Wing-Yan Lee, Yenha T Nguyen, Yongxin Liu


July Anniversaries

Abdol N Hajipour, Ahmad H Ankir, Ahmad R Ahmad, Ajaykumar R Shah, Alan P Dang, Alexander A Guzman, Alfred O Iyasere, Ali A Moradi, Amarjit S Brar, Andrew Phan, Andrew A Bui, Anthony C Nguyen, Armando Hernandez, Arturo Contreras, Balasubramanya Nanjappa, Bari Nekaien, Bei Li, Benito V Carrillo, Benjamin F Ramos, Bijay C Panda, Bing Y Yu, Binh T Nguyen, Bradley Y Mizuno, Brett R McWilliam, Brian C Ly, Brian K Korte, Brian W Chu, Carlon T Schrieve, Chris P Nguyen, Christopher P Diaze, Cindy H Ngo, Cornelis M Hakim, Coy C Mays, Cuong D Tieu, Cuong L Tran, Cynthia T Ho, Daniel Leon, Daniel E Bornman, Daniel K Ha, Darren H Lee, David Sparks, David H Lam, Diego C Caldera, Don T Luu, Don V Luong, Doris D Yang, Duc K Ly, Edwin P Mah, Elie S Najm, Elsa Torres, Emmanuel E Balanza, Eric Lund, Eric Urmeneta, FAdi F Halaseh, Farhang Safaie, Faustino R Abella Jr, Fernando C Sinaniz, Fernado S Morales, Garin K Schneider, Gary F Guitierrez, Gene Earl D Malonzo, Generoso R Reyes, George G Chen, Gerald Joo, Gilbert P Rodriguez, Godfrey I Nzeogu, Gregory R Alexander, Guillermo Cruz, Hai N Hoang, Hamed S Baha, Hang B Tran, Henry J Weaver, Henry P Fang, Hieu C Trinh, Horatius Petreaca, Hossain Kian, Huy T Nguyen, Israel C Hernandez, Issa Taha, Jalal U Khandoker, James R Wood, Jane H Pham, Jason M Hayes, Jaspal Kalkat, Jasraj Singh, Jay J Nasser, Jay W Pabst, Jeff D Johnson, Jefferson Haney, Jeffrey S Hsu, Jennifer H Taira, Jennifer L Nguyen, Jiandong Cai, Jill Van Houten, John B Presentation, Johhny G Juarez III, Jolene H Mai, Jonathan JH Chi, Jose A Rodriguez, Jose L Higareda, Josefino N Valencia, Joseph William, Joseph G Kibe, Joseph J Aldaco, Juan de Lira, Juanah L Koker, Judy C Kennedy, Julie G Nellis, Juvenal Torres, Katy H Le, Keith P Stillmunkes, Kelley L Schultz, Kenneth D Howman, Kent Q Nguyen, Khanh Q Nguyen, Kiet V Ly, Kimberly K Nguyen, Kow Bannerman, Landa S Low, Leah Budu, Linh H Duong, Lisa A Ramsey, Ly C Phan, Mahboobeh Deilami, Mai P Bui, Manjinders Brar, Margarita R Nunez, Mark J Okimura, Martin E Valdez, Masud Z Zahedi, Matthew M Malouf, Michael R Garrett, Michael Thanh Nguyen, Mohamad A Elsayed Elmassri, Mohammad Rahmani, Mohammad R Saberi, Mohammed S Alam, Moshen Zamani, Mourshad Haider, Myly Nguyen, Nancy Tran, Noe Hernandez Noor M Mohammadi, Oanh V Bui, Odonna Blackstock, Osama O Abdu-Markhieh, Parvin Sebti, Parwin W Sarwary, Parwiz A Khazi, Patric D Bishop, Patric K Bolger, Paul Shin, Ralph W Yanzon, Ramon Lopez-Maciel, Randall J Won, Rania M Malki, Raymond J Lew, Razan A Trabulsi, Rick H Ngo, Robert E Delarosa, Robert E Polyack, Robert G Blank, Robyn D Fong, Ronnald A Wroten, Roy Santos, Saied Mehranfard, Saleh M Kirbria, Samuel L Vandell, Satinder Grewal, Sean Eagen, Sean M Pledger, Semi O Ojo, Sergio R Delrio, Shan Cai, Sheila Kirton, Spencer H Sando, Srikanth Gopinath, Stacy H Tran, Stella W Tsao, Steve Pham, Steven Le, Steven S Kim, Sunday A Ojuri, Theodore H Pham, Theodore S Sampson, Thomas C Johnson, Thomas H Ngo, Tianqiang Guo, Tim D Nguyen, Timothy B Sobelman, Timothy C Greutert, Timothy H Tieu, Tommy A Tran, Tony D Brake, Tony D Brake, Tuanchi J Liu, Vinh T Truong, Vu T Ngo, Wael T Jaradat, Walter A Kumin, Wang Tak W Cheung, Wayne Liu, Wenyi Long, Wilfrido Morales, William G Rocha Jr, Xuan Wu, Yanina A Bashoura, Yong Pak


To submit articles, accomplishments, or ideas for future newsletters or to add your name to the distribution list, please contact the Maintenance Office of Strategic Management via the email below:

MTCE.Strategic.Management@dot.ca.gov