California 16, July 30, 2023

Contractors Ready for Billions in Caltrans Spending

The California Transportation Commission (CTC) recently invested nearly $2 billion into improving the state’s transportation infrastructure while approving an additional $2.3 billion for future construction projects.

The nearly $2 billion allocation reflected more than $571 million in funding from the 2021 federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and more than $257 million in funding from Senate Bill (SB) 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.

The $2.3 billion consists of $1.75 billion representing the third funding cycle of programs established by SB 1 and $540 million in active transportation projects sponsored by local metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), charting the course for future allocations.

“SB 1 and IIJA funding are helping rebuild and transform California’s transportation future and we are putting that investment to work to create a system that allows all of us to travel in an equitable, safe and sustainable way,” said Caltrans Director Tony Tavares.

The additional $1.7 billion for future investments cover three SB 1 competitive grant programs: $1.1 billion for the Trade Corridor Enhancement Program (TCEP); $507.4 million for the Solutions for Congested Corridors Program (SCCP); and $142.4 million for the Local Partnership Program (LPP). The programs included, for the first time, input from the new Interagency Equity Advisory Committee in the evaluation of projects. This funding round also marks the first cycle to incorporate all principles of the state’s Climate Action Plan for Transportation Infrastructure.

Your California Connection – Sharon Swanson – 1-760-518-4336 – sswanson@cegltd.com

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California is set to invest upwards of $4 billion for future construction projects, as well as upgrades to the state’s transportation infrastructure. The California Transportation Commission allocated a total of $2.3 billion for projects like the Otay Mesa East Port of Entry, which will be used to construct a new crossing at the Calfornia-Mexico border. see PACKAGE page 4

State’s Infrastructure Investment Tops $4B After

PACKAGE from page 1

The TCEP funding will go to 26 projects that support infrastructure improvements on corridors that carry a high volume of freight traffic with the goal of increasing efficiency, improving safety, and constructing an equitable and sustainable freight system. More than a third (10 of 26) of the TCEP projects include zero-emission technology components to support the deployment of a zero-emission freight transportation system and invest in light, medium and heavy zero-emission vehicle infrastructure. The SCCP funding will go to 10 projects to achieve a balanced set of transportation, environmental, and community access improvements to reduce congestion throughout the state. All 10 SCCP projects are multimodal, and five include active transportation improvements. The LPP funding will go to 11 projects that support counties, cities, districts, and regional transportation agencies where voters have approved fees or taxes dedicated solely to transportation.

TCEP Projects

• $140 million to fund the Otay Mesa East Port of Entry in San Diego, which will construct a new crossing at the California and Mexico border for personal and commercial vehicles;

• $70 million to fund the Fix 5 Cascade Gateway in Redding and Shasta County, which will restore and improve a large section of I-5 to allow more room to merge at the onand off-ramps while helping reduce merging conflicts at multiple state routes that intersect in this area;

• $41.9 million to fund Southern California Hydrogen Fueling Facilities, which will build a network of heavy-duty hydrogen refueling stations for freight vehicles throughout Southern California. The six refueling stations will be located near highway interchanges and along heavily trafficked goods movement routes in Los Angeles, San Diego, San Bernardino and Riverside counties;

• $19.7 million to fund phase two of the I-80/San Pablo Dam Road Interchange Improvements, which will upgrade the overcrossing structure to current standards and provide improved pedestrian and bicycle facilities in the city of Richmond in Contra Costa County;

• $18.5 million to fund the I-5, State Route 15 and Harbor Drive 2.0 Project in the city of San Diego, which will improve freight throughput of about 1,600 more trucks per year by constructing all-day connected truck-only lanes and off-peak dedicated flex lanes, and other improvements to separate trucks from passenger traffic.

SCCP Projects

• $132.4 million to fund Santa Barbara U.S. Highway 101 Multimodal Corridor Project to increase both non-vehicular and vehicular mobility between Santa Barbara and Ventura counties;

• $50 million to fund the Capitol Corridor Regional Transit Improvement Project in Placer and Sacramento counties to increase mobility choices while improving freight capacity;

• $30 million to fund SMART Windsor Rail System Extension Project in Sonoma County, which will provide

A total of $25 million will fund the Oakland Alameda Access Project and improve access between the cities of Oakland and Alameda.

“SB 1 and IIJA funding are helping rebuild and transform California’s transportation future and we are putting that investment to work to create a system that allows all of us to travel in an equitable, safe and sustainable way,” said Caltrans Director Tony Tavares.

A total of $15 million to fund the State Route 99/Caldwell Avenue Interchange, Safety and Multi-Modal Project in Tulare County, which will replace a stop-controlled interchange with two roundabouts and a new bridge with bike lanes and sidewalks to allow access across SR 99 that currently does not exist.

Approves Additional $2.3B for Future Construction Projects

The $2.3 billion consists of $1.75 billion representing the third funding cycle of programs established by SB 1 and $540 million in active transportation projects sponsored by local metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), charting the course for future allocations.

extended commuter rail services, non-motorized pathways, new short-line freight rail service opportunities and expanded broadband access;

• $20 million to fund the Los Angeles Metro Light Rail CORE Capacity & System Integration Project in Los Angeles County to improve transit service capacity to the Los Angeles International Airport.

LPP Projects

• $25 million to fund the Oakland Alameda Access Project and improve access between the cities of Oakland and

One of the projects to receive the largest investment is the $132.4 million Santa Barbara U.S. Highway 101 Multimodal Corridor Project, which will increase both non-vehicular and vehicular mobility between Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.

Alameda;

• $15 million to fund the State Route 99/Caldwell Avenue Interchange, Safety and Multi-Modal Project in Tulare County, which will replace a stop-controlled interchange with two roundabouts and a new bridge with bike lanes and sidewalks to allow access across SR 99 that currently does not exist;

• $14.8 million to fund the San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans) Emission Zero Project in the city of San Carlos, which will provide infrastructure and electrification improvements at SamTrans’ Maintenance Facility;

The TCEP funding will go to 26 projects that support infrastructure improvements on corridors that carry a high volume of freight traffic with the goal of increasing efficiency, improving safety, and constructing an equitable and sustainable freight system.

• $6 million to fund the Urban Core Rehabilitation and Transportation Project in Ukiah, which will reconstruct local road and bicycle lanes, including replacement of water and sewer utilities and construction of ADA-accessible curb ramps;

• $2.4 million to fund the Foothill Boulevard Complete Street Project, which will add bicycle and pedestrian facilities in the city of Rancho Cucamonga in San Bernardino County. 

(All photos courtesy of Caltrans).

The additional $1.7 billion for future investments cover three SB 1 competitive grant programs: $1.1 billion for the Trade Corridor Enhancement Program (TCEP); $507.4 million for the Solutions for Congested Corridors Program (SCCP); and $142.4 million for the Local Partnership Program (LPP).

AGC of California Creates Culture of CARE to Help Industry

On July 6, the Associated General Contractors of California (AGC of California) launched Culture of CARE, a collection of resources designed to aid construction industry companies and organizations’ understanding and implementation of belonging and diversity, equity & inclusion’s (DE&I) best practices.

“Cultivating an inclusive environment in the construction industry is imperative to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce now and in the future,” said AGC of California Chief Executive Officer Peter Tateishi. “Our Culture of CARE initiative allows our industry to work together to address long-standing underrepresentation in the construction workforce and provide an environment where every worker feels welcome and included.”

“CARE” stands for “cultivate, attract, retain, and empower.” The program offers actionable tools and resources to help contractors gauge current company culture and provides learning resources for both the office and in the field. Specific resources include:

• Facilitator guide: Tips and best practices for delivering training sessions at your office or jobsite.

• Toolbox Talks: Informational discussion guides on topics such as racism, gender identity, sexual orientation, and more.

• Learning resources Assets your organization can adapt for heritage months, research tools, supplier diversity, and more.

• Belonging survey: An anonymous questionnaire that assesses workers’ overall sense of belonging and identifies disparities across demographics. AGC of California’s DE&I team will assist companies with analysis of results, which are presented in a succinct and informative way.

Creating a culture that supports DE&I is integral to attract-

ing and retaining an engaged workforce. According to Deloitte, 46 percent of companies who foster a diverse, equitable and inclusive organization reported an increased competitive advantage. And 69 percent of Gen Z said they would be “absolutely more likely to apply to a job with a company whose recruiters and values reflect a more racially and ethnically diverse workplace,” according to Tallo.

“Since its launch in 2021, the AGC of California Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Steering Committee has been working to adapt AGC of America’s Culture of CARE initiative to maximize its impact on the California construction industry,” said Erin Volk, AGC of California’s senior vice president, workforce & community development; and executive director, AGC Construction Education Foundation. “AGC of California's Culture of CARE website will serve as the hub for companies to access the tools necessary to build, reinforce and strengthen the sense of belonging for our current and future construction workforce. People have always been our greatest asset; Culture of CARE ensures that everyone feels welcomed and valued.”

AGC of California, based in Sacramento, Calif. and the state’s largest construction advocacy association that represents over 900 contractors, is dedicated to inspiring a culture shift in the construction industry. Culture of CARE resources are on AGC of California’s new branded Culture of CARE website, complete with actionable tools and resources.

The initiative continues AGC of California’s long-term commitment to advance DE&I across the industry, membership and leadership. These efforts include the AGC of California DE&I Forum which serves as a space for companies to engage in conversations about transforming corporate

structure, policies, practices, and jobsites. The forum is led by AGC of California’s DE&I Steering Committee – comprised of diverse AGC of California contractor and associate members as well as external experts. The group develops policies, procedures and training to help guide the development of recommendations listed in our DE&I Task Force Report.

“I hope that creating a Culture of CARE will inspire an environment that is more innovative, efficient and mentally safe because all perspectives and ideas are considered,” said AGC of California DE&I Steering Committee member and Hensel Phelps General Superintendent Ciara Seger. “The people in our industry are bright, imaginative and out-of-thebox thinkers, and we have an opportunity to tap into everyone’s potential by helping to create a Culture of CARE in California.”

About AGC of California

Since 1920, the Associated General Contractors of California (AGC of California) has worked alongside members to provide advocacy, education, career development, and networking opportunities to experienced and next generation construction and contracting professionals. AGC of California advocates for contractors with state and local governments, while helping members connect with industry leaders through services, innovative programs, and events. Learn more at www.agc-ca.org.

About Culture of CARE

Launched in June 2023, AGC of California’s Culture of CARE is an industry-wide initiative designed to promote belonging in the workplace. The program provides actionable tools and resources for the construction industry which include a company-wide belonging survey, facilitator guide, learning resources, and toolbox talks. Learn more at www.agc-ca.org/sites/culture-of-care/. 

(Photo courtesy of AGC of California.)

Nominations Open for AGC Construction Safety Awards

The AGC of California is now accepting submissions for its annual Construction Safety Excellence Awards (CSEA), which recognize construction companies who excel at safety performance and are committed to maintaining a safe working environment on their job sites. .

Award submissions now are open and will close on Sept. 1, 2023.

There will be numerous awards handed out at the ceremony, incuding:

Main Construction Safety Excellence Awards (CSEA)

The AGC recognizes contractors for their outstanding safety programs and are divided into divisions:

• Building Heavy;

• Civil;

• Highway Specialty Contractor.

The AGC of California Safety Awards Committee will compile all hours worked

for each division to establish categories on a sliding scale. Applicants will then be notified about the category in which they will be competing. Applicants will give a live presentation to a panel of judges on Oct. 11, 2023.

Specialized Safety Award Categories

In addition to the Main Construction Safety Excellence Award for a company’s overall safety performance, there are several Specialized Safety Award categories that showcase and highlight an individual’s or team’s contribution to safety in the construction industry. The Specialized Safety Award categories include:

Individual Safety Effort of Project Superintendent

AGC of California will recognize the superintendents, whose job is not primarily

safety-related, but have displayed efforts in safety, improvement in safety performance, and involved others in their commitment to safety on the job in the state of California.

Safety On High Hazard Project

AGC of California will recognize projects considered high hazard. For example, projects with a multi-story structure more than 36 ft., where work occurs in engineered trenches, or where significant danger of serious injury or death can occur.

Harry Eckstein 2023 Safety Professional of Year Award

The safety profession is made of men and women who have devoted their careers to making our workplaces safer. The winner will be honored at the AGC of California Installation & Awards Gala, in February 2024 in San Francisco. Some safety pro-

fessionals go far and above the call of duty in their devotion to preserving quality of life in the workforce. Many go far above and beyond the borders of their employer, distinguishing him or her by giving back to the industry. This prestigious award exemplifies the most dedicated and innovative professionals and their active participation in the advancement of the safety management process both within their company and in the construction industry. This is an opportunity for the safety professional to be recognized by their company’s senior management in nomination and by their peers in achieving this award. An application fee of $150 must accompany the nomination. (APPLY).

For questions about the AGC Construction Safety Excellence Awards Program, please contact Tresten Keys, safety and regulatory affairs manager, at KeysT@agc-ca.org. 

Culture of CARE is a collection of resources designed to aid construction industry companies and organizations’ understanding and implementation of belonging and diversity, equity & inclusion’s (DE&I) best practices.

Caltrans Honors 11 Workers With Medal of Valor Awards

The state of California recently honored 11 Caltrans employees with the Governor’s State Employee Medal of Valor, the highest honors California bestows on its public servants.

The awards are given to state employees for acts of heroism that go beyond the normal call of duty and at great personal risk to protect state property or save lives.

“These 11 Caltrans workers courageously saved others while putting their own lives at risk,” said Caltrans Director Tony Tavares. “Today, we join Governor Gavin Newsom in honoring them and showing our gratitude for their selfless acts. We are extremely proud that they are part of our Caltrans family.”

Caltrans Landscape Maintenance Worker

Brian Rubalcava and Highway Maintenance

Worker Jason Lofton were awarded the Silver Medal of Valor for their heroic act during a dangerous rescue in extreme cold weather down steep terrain to save a couple after their vehicle went over a snow-covered embankment in Siskiyou County on Dec. 19, 2021.

Caltrans Equipment Operators Jeremy Maraviov, Scott Davidson and Trevor Gipson were awarded with the Silver Medal of Valor for saving a father and young son after their car went down a steep embankment in Trinity County on Dec. 26, 2021.

Caltrans Highway Maintenance Worker

Nicholas Macias and Equipment Operator Robert Hernandez were awarded the Silver Medal of Valor for saving a man trapped inside a burning vehicle in Merced on Aug.

3, 2022.

Caltrans Equipment Operator Roberto Lopez was awarded the Gold Medal of Valor for rescuing a colleague who was trapped in a burning vehicle after an incident with a cargo truck in San Diego County on May 26, 2022.

Caltrans Maintenance Area Superintendent Cody Collins and Transportation Engineering Technician Jeffrey Scardine were awarded the Silver Medal of Valor for rescuing a student who fell while taking a bank scaling and rockclimbing course in Kingvale on Oct. 6, 2022. The student was dangling by rope, putting him into a life-threatening situation. Collins and Scardine quickly assessed the situation, rappelled, and transferred the student safely

to the ground, saving his life.

Caltrans Highway Maintenance Worker William Miller was awarded the Silver Medal of Valor for rescuing a woman after her vehicle struck Miller’s in the early morning of Jan. 21, 2020, in Placer County. Despite his injuries, he selflessly saved the woman in the other vehicle before both vehicles were engulfed in flames.

The State Employee Medal of Valor award is the highest honor California bestows on its public servants. Gov. Edmund G. Brown Sr. presented the first awards in 1959. Since then, more than 700 state employees, including 116 Caltrans employees, have earned the honor for their courage and selflessness in the face of danger. 

(All photos courtesy of Caltrans.)

California Medal of Valor Recipients Jeffrey Scardine (center) and Cody Collins (right).

California Medal of Valor Recipients Jeremy Maraviov (second from L) and Scott Davidson (third from L).

California Medal of Valor Recipients Brian Rubalcava (L) and Jason Lofton.

California Medal of Valor Recipient William S. Miller (center).

California Medal of Valor Recipients Robert Hernandez (second from L) and Nicholas Macias (third from L)

California Medal of Valor Recipient Roberto Lopez.

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California Rail Builders Completes Kern County Overpass

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority), in collaboration with California Rail Builders, recently announced the completion of the McCombs Road overcrossing in Kern County. This is the fifth high-speed rail structure completed by the Authority in 2023.

The McCombs Road overcrossing is located on State Route (SR) 43, north of the city of Wasco in Kern County. This grade separation spans 415 ft., is 40-ft. wide and realigns McCombs Road slightly north to take traffic over SR 43 and the future high-speed rail lines.

“The completion of McCombs Road shows we are one step closer to wrapping up the first leg of high-speed rail construction in between Tulare and Kern counties,” said Garth

Fernandez, Central Valley Regional Director. “Our goal is to have this section of high-speed rail construction completed this fall.”

Work at the McCombs Road overcrossing began in 2020. The structure took 15 pre-cast concrete girders, 158 deck panels and approximately more than 2,300 cu. yds. of concrete to complete.

Earlier in July, the Authority announced the completion of the Elkhorn Avenue overcrossing in Fresno County and, earlier this year, grade separations at Idaho and Dover avenues in Kings County were also opened to traffic. The Authority also announced the completion of the Cedar Viaduct, a highspeed rail signature structure in Fresno County, in May.

Since the start of construction, the Authority has created more than 11,000 construction jobs, a majority going to residents from the Central Valley. This includes creating more than 2,063 jobs for Kern County residents.

The Authority has begun work to extend the 119 mi. under construction to 171 mi. of future electrified high-speed rail from Merced to Bakersfield. There are more than 30 active construction sites in California’s Central Valley, with the Authority having environmentally cleared 422 mi. of the high-speed rail program from the Bay Area to the Los Angeles Basin.

For more on construction, visit: www.buildhsr.com  (All photos courtesy of hsr.gov.ca.)

California Dept. of Transportation Celebrates Its 50th Anniversary

Fifty years ago this month, the State of California established a new Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to unify a wide range of transportation functions under a single entity. Since July 1973, the department has managed one of the most complex transportation systems in the nation and helped play a vital role in creating the world’s fourth largest economy.

Five decades later, Caltrans continues its mission to deliver a best-in-class experience for all Californians, regardless of the mode of travel they choose.

Caltrans Director Tony Tavares is helping lead the agency as it celebrates the department’s Golden Anniversary.

Additionally, to honor the milestone, Caltrans has released an updated Caltrans History page on its official website. This new content traces the state’s transportation roots from 1895 when the Bureau of Highways was formed and chronicles key developments and noteworthy projects spanning to the present day. 

Work at the McCombs Road overcrossing began in 2020. The structure took 15 precast concrete girders, 158 deck panels and approximately more than 2,300 cu. yds. of concrete to complete.

This grade separation spans 415 ft., is 40-ft. wide and realigns McCombs Road slightly north to take traffic over SR 43 and the future high-speed rail lines.

(All photos courtesy of Caltrans.)

Gov. Ronald Reagan Signing AB 69, which created Caltrans.

Department of transportation signage at Caltrans headquarters in Sacramento.

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