I-5 North County Enhancement Project Nears End
OHLA-USA crews began working on the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro) and the California Department of Transportation's (Caltrans) $679 million I-5 North County Enhancement project on Dec. 1, 2021, and are on track for 2026 completion.
The project’s goal is to improve the operations and safety of Interstate 5 for Santa Clarita Valley motorists, in part by removing trucks from the general-purpose lanes and by adding
space for merging.
LA Metro planned, designed and is managing the construction in partnership with Caltrans of a project that covers a 14mi. corridor between State Route 14 in Santa Clarita and Parker Road in Castaic.
The initiative is adding one high occupancy vehicle (HOV)/carpool lane in each direction along I-5; extending the northbound truck lane from SR-14 to Calgrove Boulevard; adding a southbound truck lane from Calgrove Boulevard to SR-14; installing sound walls at four locations; replacing the
Weldon Canyon Bridge; installing Intelligent Transportation System improvements between the Interstate 405 and Interstate 210 interchanges; and constructing additional outside lanes.
“The new pavement is JPCP (jointed planed concrete pavement) with significant hot-mix asphalt placed on shoulders and ramps,” said Patrick Chandler, LA Metro's media relations manager. “The sound walls are placed with masonry blocks over concrete barriers.”
The Weldon Canyon Road Bridge was demolished in November 2023 as part of the ongoing I-5 North County Enhancement project.
Frisch & Sons Prominent in Backyard Pool Demolition
In a region where land is limited and housing demand is rising, one Southern California contractor has found opportunity in a surprising place: the bottom of backyard swimming pools.
Frisch & Sons, a family-run operation based in Orange County, specializes in swimming pool demolition — a service that has become increasingly valuable as homeowners across California look to repurpose backyard space or avoid costly pool renovations. According to Bobby Frisch, the company expects to complete nearly 300 pool removals this year.
“It’s a very California thing,” Frisch said. “You’ve got small lots, a major housing crunch and now a big push from the state to encourage building Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). A lot of people are ripping out pools to make space for something livable.”
Others are simply reacting to the skyrocketing cost of pool renovations, which Frisch said can easily top $60,000 — even for modest remodels.
“For that kind of money, homeowners can demo the pool and redo their entire backyard instead,” he said.
Founded by their father, a former freeway concrete contractor, Frisch & Sons has evolved to match the changing needs of the Southern California residential market.
When the company began transitioning from masonry to demolition, it initially focused on concrete removal and small hardscape jobs. As his children became more involved, they realized that customers wanted a single contractor who could handle everything — from the pool tear-out to the turf and paver installations.
“People didn’t want to coordinate five different contractors,” said Frisch. “They wanted one person to give them a quote for everything and handle the job start to finish.”
That realization led the company to establish specialized crews for both demolition and installation. Frisch & Sons now employs 16 full-time workers divided into separate teams — one for demolition and one for backyard rebuilds. Their services include pool removal, concrete and paver flatwork, artificial turf installation and general backyard hardscape construction. The only thing they don’t do is install new pools.
“We’ll rip it out and rebuild the entire yard,” Frisch said. “Start to finish, permits, inspections — four weeks and it’s done.”
The company also has tailored its fleet specifically for California’s notoriously tight residential access. With narrow side yards and limited entryways, standard equipment often won’t fit.
Frisch & Sons runs 12 Bobcat skid steers — including six S70 units that are only 36 in. wide — and four Kubota miniexcavators, including the K008 and U35. The combination of Bobcat and Kubota was intentional, Frisch said, with Bobcat offering the tightest access machines and Kubota delivering reliable excavators.
“About 95 percent of our projects can be accessed with that combination,” he said. “If we can fit something bigger, we will — but most times we can’t.”
The company primarily demolishes gunite pools, which account for about 95 percent of the jobs it handles. These are high-PSI concrete pools with thick walls — often 10 to 12 in. — and a density that’s significantly tougher than typical flatwork. Breaking them up usually involves a breaker attachment on a skid steer or excavator.
But what to do with the debris became a growing challenge.
For years, Frisch & Sons paid third-party haulers to remove demolished pool material — a process that became increasingly expensive and restrictive. Many local recycling facilities in Southern California won’t accept gunite debris, citing the tile, plaster, brick and coping, or pebble finishes, as contaminants that disqualify the loads from being considered “clean concrete.”
“Some of these facilities would just reject the load,” Frisch said. “Then we’d have to haul it 45 to 50 miles to a facility that would take it.”
Those longer hauls also increased exposure to highway enforcement and weight restrictions. “CHP [California Highway Patrol] watches those roads closely. You’re asking to get pulled over if you’re overloaded,” he said.
Looking for a better solution, Frisch proposed bringing
the crushing in-house. He first reached out to Komplet, a manufacturer of compact crushers, in 2020 but didn’t buy until 2024. After researching multiple options, including crusher bucket attachments, he opted for a Komplet model 503 jaw crusher powered by a Kubota Tier IV engine and features:
• a 9-in. by 12-in. jaw opening;
• complete remote-control operation, allowing control of the crusher while operating the loader;
• hydraulically controlled jaw adjustments;
• compact size (only 15-ft. long);
• ability to crush to ¾-in. minus; and •small enough to transport behind a pickup.
“The Komplet has been a very reliable option, and the customer service is outstanding,” said Frisch. “As we did research for our purchase, we talked to contractors in Florida, Texas, Illinois — everyone said the same thing: Komplet stands behind their machines.”
Since acquiring the Komplet crusher in May 2024, Frisch & Sons has processed about 50 cu. yds. of material per week at its centralized equipment yard. Though the machine can crush large chunks of gunite down to ¾-in. minus in a single pass, the team chooses to run the material through twice — once to 3-in. and again to ¾-in. — to reduce stress on the machine and improve longevity.
“We know it could do it in one pass, but we’d rather take care of the machine and keep it running longer,” Frisch said.
The decision to crush off site — rather than directly on job sites — was driven largely by California’s strict regulations. Many cities require contractors to show that debris is being disposed of at certified recycling facilities. Frisch is concerned that onsite crushing could trigger permit issues or delays.
“Most cities want proof that 65 to 70 percent of the material is being diverted to their approved facilities,” Frisch said. “Even though we’re recycling responsibly, the paperwork and politics aren’t worth it.”
Bobby Frisch
The Komplet K-JC503 crusher has proven indispensable to Frisch & Sons.
SoCal Contractor Carves Out Pool Demolition Niche
The company uses the crushed material primarily for pool backfills, depending on city regulations. In some cases, it’s mixed with clean fill or used as base aggregate, but there isn’t a large resale market for their specific type of crushed gunite.
“It’s not pretty, and it’s not Class II base. But for internal use, it works great,” Frisch said.
The crushing process itself is handled by a two-person team — one operating the skid steer to load the hopper and another monitoring the machine with a remote. Though it can be done by one operator, Frisch said it’s safer and more efficient with two people.
“I’ve done it solo, but having someone up top watching the hopper just keeps things running smoother and helps avoid jams,” he said.
After a year of use, Frisch says the Komplet crusher has already saved the company more than $50,000 in hauling and tipping fees. The machine cost just under $100,000 — a figure they expect to recoup completely in less than two years. With disposal fees typically hitting $2,500 per project, the math worked out quickly.
“Just one project might generate 40 yards of material,” Frisch said. “We can now crush that in four hours with minimal labor and fuel. It’s a game-changer.
“Currently, we use about 90 percent of the material that we crush as approved backfill on future projects. While there could be a potential market to resell recycled materials, the gunite material we are producing is not considered a desirable Class II base because it contains fewer
fines, unlike the cleaner material that comes from massscale recycling facilities.”
“Thus far, Komplet has given us incredible customer service. We often work with the company’s support team remotely. I have had their customer service rep spend eight hours with me resolving an issue that developed with the machine. Parts availability has been every bit as good as I would expect from our local Kubota or Bobcat dealer.”
He praised the Komplet machine’s durability and efficiency, saying it exceeded his expectations.
“I was skeptical at first, but it’s the best piece of equipment we’ve ever bought,” he said. “For what we do, this
Dina El-Tawansy Sworn in as New Caltrans Director On July 1
Dina El-Tawansy was appointed the 35th director of the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) by Gov. Gavin Newsom and sworn in on July 1, 2025.
El-Tawansy will manage a nearly $20 billion budget and more than 22,000 employees who oversee 50,000 lane miles of highway, maintain approximately 20,000 bridges, provide permitting for more than 400 public-use airports, fund three of Amtrak’s busiest intercity rail services and provide transit support to more than 200 local and regional transit agencies.
El-Tawansy is focused on implementing Caltrans’ mission, vision and goals; building and strengthening partnerships; and continuing to work toward multimodal, sustainable, safe and reliable transportation solutions that equitably serve all Californians.
3,400 employees.
Her responsibilities included the oversight of all highways, toll bridges and tunnels in the greater San Francisco Area and encompassed nine counties, including Napa, Sonoma, Solano, Marin, Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara. Before that, she served as chief deputy district director for the same district.
While much of her threedecade Caltrans’ career has been in the Bay Area and Los Angeles, El-Tawansy also served as acting assistant divisions chief for project and program management in HQ (Sacramento) and the deputy district director of operations and maintenance in D12 (Orange County).
Before her appointment, El-Tawansy served as the Bay Area District 4 director and was the first woman to hold that position. She managed a $2 billion budget of in-house and oversight investments and led a staff of nearly
El-Tawansy earned a B.S. degree in civil engineering from Cal Poly Pomona and an M.S. degree from Long Beach State University in construction management. She is a licensed professional engineer (PE) in the state of California and a project management professional (PMP).
and the Bobcat S70 are our MVPs.”
Looking ahead, Frisch said he’d consider adding a larger Komplet crusher if the business continues to scale but, for now, the system works.
“We’ve found a system that fits,” he said. “It keeps us compliant, cuts costs and allows us to control our own recycling. I think more people in California are going to follow this path once they figure out the benefits.”
From a freeway concrete background to a one-stop residential demolition and hardscape solution, Frisch & Sons has found its lane — and is driving demand one pool at a time. CEG
(All photos courtesy of Frisch & Sons.)
Quinn Rental Expands Reach to San Juan Capistrano, Carson
Quinn Rental Services, a division of Quinn Co. and a leading provider of equipment rentals, announced the opening of new California locations in San Juan Capistrano and Carson.
This expansion marks a continued investment in supporting contractors, builders and trades professionals across Southern and Central California. With broader coverage, quicker turnaround, and a wide range of equipment from 70-plus brands — including
Cat, Genie and Allmand — Quinn Rental Services is equipped to meet the demands of job sites large and small.
“We’re committed to being where our customers are,” said Jim Sands, senior vice president of Quinn Co. “These new locations reflect our mission to deliver reliable equipment and responsive support across the region.”
For more information, visit quinncompany.com/rental.
Caltrans photo
Dina El-Tawansy
Quinn Rental Services photo
A selection of equipment offered by Quinn Rental Services
Bobby Frisch sits on a pile of demolished swimming pool material awaiting crushing.
FRISCH from page 4
I-5 Project Now Focusing On Auxiliary Lanes, Ramps
The sound walls on I-5 southbound are north of Hasley Canyon Road between Magic Mountain Parkway and Valencia Boulevard and on I-5 northbound south of McBean Parkway and north of Calgrove Boulevard. Construction began in 2022.
The demolition of the Weldon Canyon Road bridge was completed in 2023.
The project is funded through a combination of Measure R and Measure M funding set aside for road and highway projects, along with SB 1 and federal dollars. SB 1 uses state gas taxes and vehicle fees to fund roadways, improve transit and build walking and biking projects.
“This is another example of how SB 1 continues to deliver for the people of California, contributing $247 million — 36 percent of the total project funding — to enhance freight movement between Southern California and the Central Valley Caltrans Director Toks Omishakin said in a news release.
This is a two-stage project.
Stage 1, which began in 2021, should be completed in December, according to an OHLA-USA spokesperson. The includes site staging, median construction, HOV lanes, walls and bridges.
Stage 2 started in April 2024 and will finish in September 2026. It focuses on auxiliary lanes and ramps.
This year is a busy one for OHLA-USA and its subcontractors.
Bridge work is occurring at the Weldon Canyon Road overhead crossing, Castaic Creek, Gavin Canyon undercrossing, Rye Canyon Road, Santa Clara overhead crossing and the Magic Mountain Parkway bridges, according to OHLA-USA.
Walls-wise, crews are tackling the outside shoulder retaining walls — northbound and southbound I-5 between SR-14 and Parker Road, sound walls along southbound I-5 at Hasley Canyon Road and between Magic Mountain Parkway and Calgrove Boulevard both northbound and southbound.
For shoulders and ramps, efforts are ongoing for drainage, barrier, signage and pavement work project-wide; outside lane reconstruction; and temporary pavement and new construction of the northbound truck route on-ramp. Center median activities are focusing on barriers, signage and lighting throughout the project, an OHLA-USA spokesman said.
The construction of the Gavin Canyon undercrossing bridge had crews installing falsework throughout the spring. In March, a large crawler crane lifted heavy elements of the system at night. The crane operator and personnel assisting in the placement of the pieces coordinated their actions. The
bridge should be delivered in December.
In February, crews demolished the columns of the Magic Mountain Parkway Bridge between The Old Road and Tourney Road. Bridge construction continues, including reductions of eastbound and westbound shoulder widths.
As for the two-span concrete Castaic Creek Bridge, falsework was installed and concrete pours for the deck were made throughout the spring. The superstructure is anticipated to be complete this summer, according to OHLA-USA.
The construction of the Rye Canyon Road Bridge is proceeding, too, with the metal decking placed in January. The left-side bridge extension was completed in the spring and the right-side bridge demolition will soon occur. The work to install the bridge deck will take the rest of the year.
The construction of the Calgrove Boulevard undercrossing and southbound on-ramp was completed in June, with the approach slabs at the undercrossing installed in April.
Work also included the southbound on-ramp roadway excavation and construction, concrete and asphalt paving, electrical work and metal beam guardrail installation.
Major form work for the Santa Clara overhead crossing began in January.
Abutment, forming, superstructure work, rebar installation and concrete work is ongoing throughout the summer.
The building of the Castaic sound wall on southbound I5 between Villa Canyon Road and Hasley Canyon Road began in the spring and will continue throughout the year. Crews are installing masonry blocks in an excavated lane that separates them from traffic. The construction is proceeding in a north-south trajectory.
Construction of the sound wall between Magic Mountain Parkway and Valencia Boulevard started in April, with delivery at the end of the year. Crews are installing transparent panels.
Construction of the Calgrove Boulevard. sound wall will begin this summer. Starting activities include scaffolding and block installations. It should be finished by winter.
Other activities include ramp and outside shoulder improvements, including the northbound truck route, concrete paving, striping and drainage and electrical work. Overhead signs are being installed between Calgrove Boulevard and SR-14 throughout the summer.
Dust mitigation and stormwater management are based on fugitive dust and stormwater management administered by environmental engineers. Mitigations include water trucks for dust, slope erosion control, track-out control, reduced vehicle speeds, covering inactive stockpiles and storm drain protections.
OHLA-USA has a plethora of subcontractors and material suppliers on the project. Those include Sequoia Consultants, Global Transloading LLC, Hunsaker & Associates, Cooper Engineering Inc., IMRAE Corp., Rock Structures Construction Co., Cal-Stripe Inc., Tipco Engineering Inc., Endemic Environmental Services Inc., Condon-Johnson Associates Inc., CGO Construction and Ferreira Construction Co.
Other included Don H. Mahaffy Drilling Co., High Light Electric Inc., Global Road Sealing Inc., Integrity Rebar Placers, LA Steel Services, Reycon Construction Inc., CellCrete Corp., Diverscape Inc., Calmex Engineering Inc., Apex Universal Inc., Lowers Welding and Fabrication Inc., Lowers Industrial Supply, Angelus Block Co. Inc. and National Ready Mix Inc.
OHLA-USA used a massive amount of equipment on the project, including a Terex Bid-Well paver and Terex T 340 hydraulic truck cranes; GOMACO GP2600-pavers, Commander III pavers; TC600 cure machines and a RTP500 placer; various Cat pieces: a 950 wheel loader, a D6T dozer, a 140M3 motor grader, a 314F wheeled excavator and 335F LC excavators; and Genie GS-4069 and GS-3369 RT scissor lifts and S-85XC and S-40 boom lifts.
Also used were John Deere 210EP and 135G excavators; Komatsu PC360 and PC35MR excavators and D39PX dozers; Grove GRT880 cranes; Volvo ECR88D and ECR145L excavators, SD115B rollers and SD45B smooth drum compactors; and Bobcat T740 compact track loaders and MT100 mini track loaders.
Skytrack, JLG, Kubota, Hyundai, Xtreme, Chem-grout, Magni, Dynapac, Hamm and Bomag were well represented on the many construction sites. CEG (All photos courtesy of Caltrans.)
Gee Heavy Machinery Announces July 21 Business Closure
After proudly serving northern California’s heavy equipment needs, Gee Heavy Machinery announces it will begin winding down its operations on July 21, 2025.
This difficult decision comes after a thoughtful and thorough evaluation of the long-term outlook for the business.
Founded on a commitment to excellence, Gee Heavy Machinery built its reputation as a trusted Komatsu dealer and equipment partner for construction, forestry and mining customers throughout the region. The company has been proud to support infrastructure, development and community growth across Northern California.
supporting customers with transition plans as needed.
Customers with active service agree-
Gee Heavy Machinery is working closely with employees, customers and suppliers to ensure a smooth and respectful winddown of operations. The company remains committed to fulfilling open orders and
ments, rentals or inquiries are encouraged to contact Gee Heavy Machinery directly at 844/433-6224.
A bridge is framed as part of the I-5 project.
I-5 from page 1
1960 Highway 20 Colusa, CA 95932 (530) 458-2166
2173 Blossom Street Dos Palos, CA 93620-2313 (209) 392-2161
S. State Highway 59 Merced, CA 95341-6928 (209) 383-5888 1340 W. Charter Way Stockton, CA 95206 (209) 944-5500
Main St. Stratford, CA 93266 (559) 947-3301 1215 West Glenwood Ave Turlock, CA 95380-5703 (209) 634-1777 827 North Tehama St Willows, CA 95988 (530) 934-3382 3056 Colusa Highway Yuba City, CA 95993 (530) 923-7675