Director's Message

Characteristically, Caltrans rises to the latest challenge

During the early morning of Nov. 11, a fire erupted underneath Interstate 10 in downtown Los Angeles. CAL FIRE determined that an arsonist had caused the blaze, which forced the closure of a two-mile stretch of a heavily used (a daily average of 300,000 vehicles) urban roadway.

More than 100 columns supporting this segment sustained damage, and repair work appeared as a daunting task that could take months to complete. Fortunately, that grim forecast soon brightened considerably. Working with subcontractors Security Paving Co. of Westlake Village and Griffith Co. of Brea, along with federal, state and local partners, Caltrans orchestrated Interstate 10’s full reopening eight days after the fire.

On Nov. 19, Governor Gavin Newsom announced that Caltrans would begin opening Interstate 10 that night and have the freeway fully open with all five lanes in each direction available the following morning.

“What began as months has turned into days — before Angelenos hit the road on Monday, we’re opening the 10 back up,” the governor told reporters. “Thanks to the tireless work of Caltrans and union construction crews and with help from our partners … the 10’s expedited repair is proof and a point of pride that here in California, we deliver.”

“The work that happened here is extraordinary,” said Vice President Kamala Harris, a former U.S. senator from the Golden State. “It was possible with the will and ambition of the workers on the ground, and their commitment as public servants and as union members to get this done and deliver for the people of Los Angeles.”

Steps that were taken to produce this sterling result included:

• Caltrans emergency contractors cleared all hazardous materials from the repair site.
• More than 250 people worked at the jobsite on 12-hour shifts, 24 hours a day, every day. They safely removed approximately 264,000 cubic feet of hazardous material and debris — enough to roughly fill four Olympic-size pools. More than two dozen burned vehicles were removed.
• Contractors brought in extra 100-ton hydraulic jacks to install temporary supports, called shoring, next to damaged concrete pillars under the elevated freeway.
• California secured $3 million in “quick release” emergency funding from the Federal Highway Administration to offset initial costs.
• While I-10 was closed between Alameda Street and the East Los Angeles interchange, workers took advantage of the closure to repair concrete in freeway lanes.
• Security provided around-the-clock coverage at the jobsite to minimize the economic impact on nearby businesses.

Every now and then, Caltrans, which oversees the maintenance of federal interstates in California including what’s known locally as “The 10,” gets thrust into the news when a high-profile roadway shuts down unexpectedly and the public – represented by the media – wants to know how soon things will get back to normal. And as is usually the case, Caltrans quickly rose to and met the challenge.

As 2024 dawns we look forward to overcoming whatever challenges next come our way, and to meet or even exceed expectations for their resolution, as we did this fall in Los Angeles.

Thanks to all of you for continuing to do great things for the people of California, and Happy New Year to you and yours. Stay safe, everyone!