CALTRANS NEWS

IN THIS ISSUE...

DIRECTOR'S CORNER

Director's Corner

Bright American Students Follow in the Path of Transportation Pioneer Garrett A. Morgan

I believe strongly that transportation’s future leaders are sitting right now in classrooms across America. They are the intellectual capital that, when invested wisely, will pay dividends by creating a better and more efficient transportation system in California and around the world.

All we need to do is provide them with some direction and a little encouragement.

That’s why I’m so pleased to announce that students from six schools in California, Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C., participated March 28 in the 2006 Garrett A. Morgan Symposium, a videoconference sponsored by the Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI) in San Jose.

Two of the schools are from California. District 4 (Oakland) has identified one class from Wells Middle School in Dublin, Alameda County, to participate in this month’s event. District 9 (Bishop) singled out one 6th grade and one 8th grade class from Big Pine School near Bishop in Inyo County.

The youngsters are competing to come up with ideas for this year’s symposium, based on the theme, “Sustainable Transportation for the 21st Century.” Along the way, they will have the opportunity to learn more about mathematics, science and the communication skills they will need to “sell” their ideas to others – both now and in the future.

This is incredibly exciting. As a member of the MTI Board, I have met some of these young people through previous Garrett A. Morgan Symposium competitions. These grammar and middle school students are so bright and so unfettered by convention that they come up with truly astonishing visions of future mobility.

The kids’ innovative ideas are based on an MTI-sponsored “learning module” that students have been studying for several months through their schools. Course topics build upon each other like a set of blocks.

They include: “What Do You Know about Transportation?” and “Transportation History: News and Dates,” along with “Current Issues,” “Transportation Energy Sources and Fuels,” “Sustainable Transportation,” and “Careers in the Field of Transportation.”

Teachers ask the students to think about questions regarding sustainable transportation. They also encourage the students to ask transportation experts some tough questions during the videoconference.

After completing the lessons, each class selected one project to present to the others during the symposium. For example, Bill Hunt’s 8th grade Physical Science class in Big Pine talked about “The Feasibility of Bio-diesel Recycling in the Owens Valley.”

Now, that’s a topic that could add significantly to transportation knowledge and automotive technology!

On March 28, the California students visited their local Caltrans district facilities and participate in the videoconference with students from the East Coast schools to exchange ideas on sustainable transportation.

All received a greeting from Norman Y. Mineta, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

The MTI will judge the best class project and announce the winner. Then the MTI will host (and pick up expenses) for a student, teacher and parent to attend the June MTI banquet in San Jose. As a result, teachers get motivated, excited students, receive a $50 gift certificate for supplies and a chance to win $500 for their school.

I’m encouraged to think that as these students engage in the important mobility questions of our time, they will be following in the footsteps of a true American transportation pioneer.

Garrett A. Morgan, an African American inventor, was born in 1877 in Kentucky and lived in Cleveland, Ohio, until he died in 1963. He is credited with inventing an early form of the traffic signal in a nation that was just beginning to experience a growing number of automobiles. His invention became the foundation for managing traffic flows in the 20th century.

Although Morgan’s invention has been updated – for example, it’s been electrified and computerized – the technology he created is considered to be both revolutionary and ahead of its time.

Who knows what ideas this new generation of dreamers may invent? I like to think that one of the students involved in the program – which has touched some 1 million youngsters over the years – may dream up and then put into place the next great American transportation idea.

Then maybe he or she will become known as the Garrett A. Morgan of the 21st century. If nothing else, I think these students deserve a healthy round of our applause.

NEWS

New Bay Bridge SAS Bids Opened

The Toll Bridge Program Oversight Committee (TBPOC) consisting of Caltrans, the Bay Area Toll Authority and the California Transportation Commission opened bids on March 22 for the Self Anchored Suspension (SAS) Bridge contract for the new Bay Bridge.

Artist's rendering of the Self Anchored Suspension Bridge.

The apparent low bidder is American Bridge/Fluor Enterprises a Joint Venture, which presented a bid for $1.43 billion. Two bids were submitted, including a $1.68 billion bid by Kiewit/Koch Skanska/Manson a Joint Venture.

Caltrans Director Will Kempton said, “This is great news for the Bay Area and the State of California. We can now move to get a safe bridge in place as quickly as possible.”

Since the contract was advertised in August 2005, the TBPOC has worked closely with the construction industry to identify and implement key contract enhancements to the SAS in order to improve competitive bidding. Amendments included extending the bid advertisement period, extending the contract by one year, and enhancing incentives for contractor cost reduction. Three contractor outreach meetings were held, culminating in more than 340 bidder inquiries.

The Caltrans engineer’s estimate for the SAS is $1.45 billion. The TBPOC has made efforts to reduce costs on the SAS contract, although construction and market factors influence the cost. Rising bonding and insurance costs, increased labor prices, and worldwide demand for construction equipment are factors. Hurricanes, shipping costs and the construction labor force have also had a significant impact.

“Today is a great day for our region. We’re one step closer to seismic safety and a brand new bridge,” said Steve Heminger, BATA Executive Director.

“It is an historic day for transportation in California,” said John Barna, Executive Director for the California Transportation Commission.

The review process will begin immediately, assessing the bids for responsiveness. The contract award is anticipated in late April. The SAS is expected to be open to vehicle traffic in late 2013. Contractor incentives can potentially shorten the overall project construction up to six months.

Caltrans Leads the Way in Using Environmentally Preferable and Recycled Content Products

By Linda Fong
Chief, Office of Resource Conservation

Caltrans leads the state in using environmentally friendly and recycled products and processes. This is accomplished in a number of ways. Caltrans’ environmentally friendly business practices include using construction and demolition debris, waste tires, compost materials, pavement recycling, office recycling, and many other applications.

Construction and Demolition (C & D) Debris
Much of the C & D debris from highway projects is salvaged for reuse or made available for recycling, keeping it out of local landfills. Debris such as concrete, asphalt, and reclaimed glass can be crushed and re-used as base material. Using recycled rather than new material also reduces the strain on California’s dwindling aggregate supplies.

Guard rail can be dismantled and used again.

Steel from rebar, sign posts, light posts, and metal beam guardrail is reused or recycled. If these items are in good condition, they can be reused or stockpiled until needed. If items are damaged or found to be beyond repair, they can be recycled as scrap metal.

Clearing away vegetation in preparation for a project, as well as routine landscape maintenance activities, generates green waste that is shredded for mulch in highway landscaping.

Waste Tires
Caltrans has established a variety of uses for waste tire products. They include rubberized asphalt concrete as a pavement alternative and shredded waste tires, which are used as lightweight fill for embankments. In addition, Caltrans uses recycled offset blocks in metal beam guardrail and recycled rubber mats for weed control underneath guardrail. When appropriate and cost-effective, rubberized asphalt concrete and aggregate made from tires are the Department’s first choice.

Caltrans uses shredded tires in highway embankments

Composting
Caltrans routinely uses bark mulch and green plant material in highway planting and erosion control projects. Additionally, several Districts have tried recycling glass, in the form of pellets, as a mulch to control weeds. Caltrans is also researching the best ways to use compost to control erosion and improve storm water quality.

Cold Foam Pavement Recycling
In a process known as Cold Foam Pavement Recycling, the Department often saves time and money by pulverizing old pavement and then remixing it for use on rehabilitated roads. This is more efficient than hauling materials to and from the job site. It also requires far less new aggregate.

Office Recycling
Office supplies are recycled in Headquarters and the districts. Examples include white paper, colored paper, toner cartridges, cardboard, cans, and bottles.

To save paper, the CT News and California Transportation Journal are distributed to Caltrans employees by e-mail. Timesheets, which once required four sheets of paper per employee each month, are now submitted electronically. Copiers and printers have double-sided features that employees are encouraged to use, potentially reducing the needed paper supply by half.

Roadside Recycling
Many of Caltrans’ 87 Safety Roadside Rest Areas are equipped with recycle bins making it convenient for the public to dispose of cans, bottles and newspapers. The Caltrans Adopt-A-Highway program has established a pilot program to separate cans and bottles from waste that is picked up along the highway. This has worked well in three pilot Districts and will be expanding to all of the Districts shortly.

Caltrans Leads the Way
Caltrans has clearly established that recycled content products and processes have a place in transportation. Caltrans is dedicated to the stewardship of natural resources and will continue to look for opportunities to expand and promote innovative uses of environmentally compatible products in transportation projects.

HQ Division of Planning Hosts 2nd Annual Black History Celebration

By Mike Gordon
Rotation Program Manager, DOTP

The Division of Transportation Planning (DOTP) celebrated the 2nd annual Black History Celebration Feb. 28 in Sacramento.

The two-hour celebration included information, games, food and a laptop computer photo collage, “Living the Legacy,” about the lives of two great Americans, Rosa Parks and Coretta Scott King.

Event organizers are, from left, Helen Rainwater, Marleece Peart, Mike Gordon, Curt Davis, Mitchell Baker, Sabrina Watts and Carl Payne.

Rosa Parks’ refusal to give up her seat to a white man on a segregated bus led to the 381-day Montgomery, Alabama, bus boycott organized by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It resulted in a 1956 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that ended segregation in transportation. Corretta Scott King, Dr. King’s widow, was a widely recognized advocate for human rights.

Committee members Helen Rainwater, Mitchell Baker, Curt Davis, Carl Payne, Mike Gordon, Sabrina Watts, and Marleece Peart organized the event.

Rainwater, the event’s emcee, said, “In any legacy, there is a give and take. Our theme this year, ‘Living The Legacy,’ is about leaving behind a foundation for future generations to build upon. That’s the ‘give’ side. The ‘take’ is the responsibility of those left behind to pick up the banner of progress and move it further than it had ever been before,” she said.

Carl Payne recited a biographical sketch of American historian Carter G. Woodson, Ph.D. (1875-1950). Dr. Woodson founded “Negro History Week” in 1926. It later became known as “Black History Month.”

“Dr. Woodson chose the second week in February [for this event] to commemorate the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln, both of whom he considered having the greatest influence on Black America,” Payne said. “Son of former slaves, and a Harvard graduate, Dr. Woodson founded (1916) and later edited (1916-1950) the quarterly Journal of Negro History.”

In the “Guess The Famous Person” game, DOTP employees Jake Smith and Michelle Robinson won, respectively, Man of Excellence and Woman of Excellence tee shirts for leading their teams to victory.

In a “Map-Reading” exercise, event committee members traced their roots from Africa to the east coast of the U.S., and then to Sacramento. Represented states included Mississippi, Illinois, Louisiana, Connecticut, Missouri, Texas, Washington State, California, and even New York by way of the British West Indies. Each supplied a unique piece of an intricately woven tapestry of the path to Sacramento, as colorful as it was geographically diverse.

Caltrans Helps Hurricane Katrina Victims

By Hamid Hakim, Ph.D., P.E. (Senior T.E.)
Division of Construction

During this year’s severe hurricane and flood season, communities worked to help those in need by donating clothes, food or money to victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Caltrans is also doing its part.

For example, to protect the environment during reconstruction activities in New Orleans, Caltrans permitted a multi-national business to use various sections of the Caltrans “Construction Site Best Management Practices Manual.”

“We were very happy to be of service to folks in Louisiana and were flattered that they found our manuals worth referencing,” said Keith Jones of the Division of Environmental Analysis.

The multi-national business, provides engineering, construction, and maintenance services. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) contracts with the corporation to construct temporary housing for hurricane victims.

The Caltrans Storm Water Management Program provided resources, and the Division of Construction produced, the manual and other documents to provide guidelines for protecting the environment. The materials offer comprehensive guidance to prevent adverse effects of storm water runoff from construction sites. They also help contractors prepare and implement programs to control water pollution effectively during the construction of all projects.

Following the 1987 Clean Water Act amendments and subsequent storm water regulations from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Caltrans developed and implemented a storm water management program. Control of storm water pollution became a part of Caltrans' normal business practices, covering all aspects of the project development process. The Storm Water Management Program is a collaborative multi-divisional effort involving Environmental Analysis, Design, Right of Way, Traffic Operations, Construction and Maintenance.

Today, the Caltrans Storm Water Program employs more than 70 staff statewide and operates on an $83 million annual budget. It is a recognized and trusted leader in providing exceptional technical knowledge in all aspects of storm water management. Other storm water management documents are the “Statewide Storm Water Quality Practice Guidelines,” “Maintenance Staff Guide” and “Caltrans Storm Water Quality Practice Guidelines- Project Planning and Design Guide.” These guide the implementation of storm water controls, or Best Management Practices (BMPs); maintenance of BMPs, and design and incorporation of BMPs into Caltrans projects. Each resource plays a part in protecting the environment and complying with the terms of National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits.

Caltrans is happy to be of service to the citizens of Louisiana, and staff are gratified to know that our time, talent and efforts have improved the lives of Hurricane Katrina’s victims.

Caltrans Receives Awards for Excellence in Storm Water Management

The California Storm Water Quality Association (CASQA) Conference held last fall recognized Caltrans for exemplary leadership, excellence, and initiative furthering the educational, technical, and scientific initiatives that advance storm water quality management, science, and regulation in California and the nation.

Caltrans received awards for the following programs described below.

Best Management Practice Retrofit Program
The $30 million research pilot program began in 1997 to retrofit Caltrans facilities in Los Angeles and San Diego with 39 structural Best Management Practices (BMPs). The program, which used BMPs for treating storm water runoff, is thought to be the most comprehensive test of common storm water management practices ever conducted. The program succeeded in demonstrating the effectiveness of several BMPs in reducing pollutants and mass loadings.

Mike Flake, left, and Scott McGowen from the Division of Environmental Analysis accept awards.

The study results provided storm water professionals and agencies with a comprehensive, scientifically based set of guidelines to determine the cost effectiveness and water quality benefits of the BMPs.

Water Quality Newsflash Newsletter
The newsletter is a weekly e-mail publication produced by the Division of Environmental Analysis and is a key element of the Department’s storm water public education and outreach program. It started in 1999 to keep Caltrans staff and external stakeholders informed on the latest regulatory, technical, and scientific developments related to storm water control.

For more information, visit the Web site: http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/env/stormwater/publicat/newsflash/ or contact Mike Flake at (916) 653-4947 or mike.flake@dot.ca.gov.

Who's New?

Coco (Socorro) Briseno

Coco Briseno has been named Chief of Staff, a position she has filled in an acting capacity since August. She started her civil service career in 1982 and worked her way through the ranks. While at Caltrans, she has worked in the Division of Transportation Planning, the High Speed Rail Commission, and the Division of Research and Innovation.

Since 2002, Briseno has participated in the Executive Development Program, which included rotations assisting the Executive Director at the California Transportation Commission; working in the North Region Environmental Program; special assignments in the Division of Traffic Operations; and as assistant to the Mayor of the City of West Sacramento.

She has gained knowledge and experience working in the Director’s Office on issues and policy matters of critical concern to Caltrans. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Organizational Leadership from Chapman University.

Michael Miles

Michael Miles has been named Deputy Director, Maintenance and Operations in Sacramento Headquaerters. Miles has 16 years of state service and since 1997 was Deputy District Director of Maintenance in District 7 (Los Angeles), where he was responsible for 615 miles of freeway and 567 miles of highway with an average of 101 million vehicle-miles a day.

During his career, he had been Chief of both the Maintenance and Planning divisions in District 8 (San Bernardino). He joined Caltrans in 1989, working on several special assignments including Branch Chief of Maintenance, District Permit engineer and Project Manager of the Highway Operational Safety Improvement Program.

He graduated in 1985 with a Bachelor Science in Civil Engineering from the California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.

R. Gregg Albright

R. Gregg Albright has been appointed Deputy Director, Planning and Modal Programs. He has more than 29 years of state service, beginning in 1976 as a Junior Landscape Architect and working his way to Associate and Senior Landscape Architect. In 2000, he was promoted to District 5’s Deputy Director for Planning (Supervising Transportation Planner), and since 2002 he has been District 5 Director.

As District Director, he was responsible for all activities within District 5 and, specifically, overall program management of capital delivery functions, as well as management direction in the District. He has worked extensively with local, regional and state-level agencies, and he has experience in departmental policies and procedures and federal laws, rules and regulations.

In 1976, he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Landscape Architecture from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and is in the process of obtaining his Master of Science degree in Transportation Management from San Jose State University.

Antonio Anziano

Antonio “Tony” Anziano has been named Toll Bridge Program Manager. Anziano has 19 years of state service and has advised Department management in areas of transportation and regulatory policy.

He has experience in transportation law, planning, programming, and project development and construction processes, as well as specific experience in the Toll Bridge Program. Further, he has been involved with all of the bridge projects in the program and is familiar with departmental policies and procedures, as well as state and federal laws, rules, and regulations.

In 1985, he graduated with a Juris Doctorate from the University of San Francisco.

Brian Maroney

Longtime Caltrans veteran Brian Maroney will serve as Acting Deputy Toll Bridge Program Manager until the position is approved and a candidate appointed.

Maroney has more than 22 years of state service and for the past three years has been the Chief of Toll Bridge Design. In 1995, he graduated with a Doctorate in Engineering from the University of California, Davis. Prior to earning his doctorate, he obtained his Bachelor and Masters of Science degrees in Engineering – both from Colorado State University.

He joined Caltrans in 1983 and has worked in various areas including the Office of Earthquake Engineering, San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge (SFOBB) Structures. He also served as the SFOBB Project Manager for six years, beginning in 1997.

Douglas Kempster

Douglas Kempster has been appointed Chief of the Enterprise Applications Division. He is responsible for all activities within the Enterprise Applications Division. In addition, he has experience in departmental policies and procedures, as well as federal laws, rules and regulations.

With 21 years of state service, Kempster began his career in 1970 as a Programmer and rose through the ranks to Associate Data Processing Analyst and Staff Programmer.

In 1978, he separated from state service and returned in 1993 to the Health & Human Services Data Center as a Staff Programmer. He was later promoted to a Staff Information Specialist Analyst and Health & Welfare Data Center Supervisor and Manager. In 2001, he transferred to Caltrans as a Data Processing Manager III and most recently has been the Acting Chief, Enterprise Applications Division.

In 1969, he graduated with a Bachelor of Administration in Mathematics from Sacramento State College.

Claire Yee

Claire Yee has been appointed Chief, Division of Network Operations. She comes to Caltrans from the newly created Department of Technology Services (DTS), previously the Teale Data Center, and has worked in the information technology field for over 30 years. Her most recent position was Deputy Director of the Operations Division for DTS. Yee’s previous positions at Teale include Acting Chief Deputy Director, and Assistant Director of the Customer Services Division. Yee was a key figure in the DTS consolidation project and will make significant contributions to Caltrans IT mission and goals.

Michael Ota

Michael Ota has been named as Chief, Office of Resource Management, in the Division of Business, Facilities and Security.

Ota has more than 20 years of experience with Caltrans. He started his career as a Student Assistant and has worked through the Accounting Administrator ranks. In 2000, he completed a limited-term appointment as a Staff Services Manager III for the Division of Budgets. In addition, he also served a two-month assignment as Acting Chief, Office of Resource Management.

Ota has considerable accounting and budgeting experience. He was instrumental in directing a team that developed and implemented the consolidation of the District accounting budgetary responsibilities to the Division of Accounting in Headquarters. Throughout his career, Ota has developed strong working relationships with various regulatory control agencies. He will bring his extensive expertise and knowledge of financial management of program resources to this position.

In 1979, he graduated with a degree in Accounting from California State University, Sacramento.

Ann Evans

Ann Evans has been named Acting Integrated Financial Management System (IFMS) Portfolio Projects Manager, overseeing the planning and implementation of the portfolio of IFMS module projects, starting with the first module, general accounting --identified as Project Alpha.

Under the joint leadership of the Department's Chief Financial Officer and Chief Information Officer, each IFMS Portfolio project will have a business project manager and business team assigned by the lead business division, plus a technical IT project leader and team, working under the overall direction of the IFMS Portfolio Projects Manager.

Carol Koleen

Carol Koleen has been named Assistant to the Director. She has 11 years of state service and has been acting as Director Kempton’s Assistant since October.

Koleen started her career with the state in 1995 with the Secretary of State, after having worked with Sacramento State College and the Roseville Joint Union High School District. She joined Caltrans in 1998, and has worked in Personnel, as the Assistant to the Chief Financial Officer, and in the Divisions of Innovative Finance and Accounting.

Planning Scholarships Go to Two CT Student Interns

Two promising student interns in transportation planning have been granted $1,000 scholarships by the staff of the Division of Transportation Planning and the California Transportation Foundation (CTF).

The 2005 scholarships are intended to recognize, encourage and assist outstanding students who are working toward a bachelor’s degree in planning or a related field, and who plan to work in the field after graduation.

The winners are:

• Priscilla Sanchez, assigned to the Division of Research & Innovation in Headquarters, is pursuing a degree in Sociology/Organizational Studies at the University of California, Davis, and
• Ronnie Caluza, in the Division of Transportation System Information in Headquarters, is studying Geography/GIS, Cartography and Planning at California State University, Sacramento.

Priscilla Sanchez	Ronnie Caluza

Contributions to the fund are tax deductible and may be sent to the California Transportation Foundation, PO Box 163453, Sacramento, CA 95816. Checks should be made out to the CTF and designated on the memo line as being for the Transportation Planning Scholarship.

For additional information, please contact Marleece Peart by e-mail, or at (916) 653-0265.

California Transportation Foundation Update

One CT Employee Dies, One Injured;
CTF Has Established Funds for Both

The California Transportation Foundation (CTF) has established a memorial fund for the family of Jackie (Jack) Ray Aldridge, a District 9 employee who died from injuries he suffered in a Feb. 27 accident on Highway 202.

Jackie Aldridge

Mr. Aldridge had worked as a temporary winter employee and was recently hired as a permanent, full time Equipment Operator. He was based at the Tehachapi Maintenance Station.

“Our thoughts and prayers go to out to Jack’s friends and family,” said Director Will Kempton in a note to Caltrans employees. “I didn’t have the opportunity to personally meet Jack, but his passing, as well as the loss of any of our employees, is felt across Caltrans.”

Survivors included his wife Belinda and his three grown children.

Mr. Aldridge's family said: "We are blessed to have had our beloved Jackie for the time we did. He brightened our world with his easy smile and hearty laugh. Every minute he worked was for his family, never himself. We'll miss your advice, your jokes, your songs, your bear hugs and your love. We love you Jackie."

Daniel Broeske

Contribution in Mr. Aldridge’s memory can be made to the CTF Memorial Fund. Mail checks to the CTF, 581 La Sierra Drive, Sacramento, CA, 95864. Please note the family name on the left side of the check.

Another employee, Mario Medina, was injured in the accident. Contributions to assist Medina can be made to the CTF Assistance Fund at the address above. Note Medina’s name on the left side of the check.

During the past year, we also lost Daniel Broeske, a District 1 Transportation Engineering Technician, who was in a tragic accident July 11, 2005. A memorial fund was also established in his name.

Health and Wellness

Trans Fat Coming to a Label Near You!

By Sally Skidgel
Departmental Wellness Coordinator

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) now requires food manufacturers to list trans fat (i.e., trans fatty acids) on Nutrition Facts and some Supplement Facts panels. Scientific evidence shows that consumption of saturated fat, trans fat, and dietary cholesterol raises low-density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad") cholesterol levels that increase the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD).

By adding trans fat to the Nutrition Facts panel (required January 1, 2006), consumers now know for the first time how much of all three -- saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol -- are in the foods they choose.

What is trans fat? Where will I find trans fat?

They include vegetable shortenings, some margarines, crackers, cookies, snack foods, and other foods made with or fried in partially hydrogenated oils.

Unlike other fats, the majority of trans fat is formed when liquid oils are made into solid fats like shortening and hard margarine. However, a small amount of trans fat is found naturally, primarily in some animal-based foods. Essentially, trans fat is made when hydrogen is added to vegetable oil -- a process called hydrogenation. Hydrogenation increases the shelf life and flavor stability of foods containing these fats.

Are all fats the same?

Simply put: no. Fat is a major source of energy for the body and aids in the absorption of vitamins A, D, E, and K, and carotenoids. Both animal and plant-derived food products contain fat and, when eaten in moderation, fat is important for proper growth, development, and maintenance of good health.

Unsaturated fats, such as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated, do not raise LDL cholesterol and are beneficial when consumed in moderation.

Why do some products not declare trans fat on their labels?

There may be two reasons why you are not seeing trans fat on a product’s label.

First, the FDA realizes that it will take some time for food products to move through the distribution chain to a store shelf. Thus, it may take a few months for products that are listing trans fat on their label to show up on a store shelf. Second, FDA has granted enforcement discretion to some firms to use old label stock that do not declare trans fat after the effective date of January 1, 2006. In these cases, food firms can request an extension to the FDA rule.

How can I use the label to make heart-healthy food choices?

To lower your intake of these fats, compare similar foods and choose the food with the lower combined saturated and trans fats and the lower amount of cholesterol. Although the updated Nutrition Facts panel will now list the amount of trans fat in a product, it will not show a percentage Daily Value (%DV). Saturated fat and cholesterol, however, do have a %DV.

To choose foods low in saturated fat and cholesterol, use the Quick Guide to %DV. The general rule of thumb is: 5 percent DV or less is low and 20 percent DV or more is high.

Do dietary supplements contain trans fat?

Would it surprise you to know that some dietary supplements contain trans fat from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil as well as saturated fat or cholesterol? It's true. This can also include energy and nutrition bars. If a dietary supplement contains a reportable amount of trans or saturated fat, which is 0.5 gram or more, manufacturers must list the amounts on the Supplement Facts panel.

Practical Tips!

Here are some practical tips you can use every day to keep your consumption of saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol low while consuming a nutritionally adequate diet.

• Consider fish. Most fish are lower in saturated fat than meat. Some fish, such as mackerel, sardines, and salmon, contain omega-3 fatty acids that are being studied to determine if they offer protection against heart disease.
• Choose lean meats, such as poultry (without skin, not fried), lean beef and pork (trim visible fat, not fried).
  
• Ask before you order when eating out. A good tip to remember is to ask which fats are being used in the preparation of your food when eating or ordering out.
• Watch calories. Don't be fooled! Fats are high in calories. All sources of fat contain 9 calories per gram, making fat the most concentrated source of calories. By comparison, carbohydrates and protein have only 4 calories per gram.
• When possible, substitute alternative fats that are higher in mono- and polyunsaturated fats like olive oil, canola oil, soybean oil, etc.
  

Hats Off
District 10 Electrical Maintenance Employees Receive Governor’s Employee Safety Award

Hats Off to three District 10 employees who won a Governor’s Safety Award for their outstanding contribution to workers' safety.

The three men who received a group award in August at California State University, Sacramento, included John Peters, Region Maintenance Manager I; Howard Hill, Caltrans Electrical Supervisor; and Richard Montoya, Caltrans Electrician II. They were recognized for developing, building, and testing a portable flasher unit for use during highway maintenance.

The flasher units are self contained, lightweight and easy to use. They have become a key part of District 10’s nighttime safety package for traffic control for maintenance operations. These new units cost approximately half the price of the original and are much lighter, requiring only one employee for set-up, reducing the chance of injury. The new flasher units increase employee and public safety by increasing work zone visibility.

“Most folks would have lived with what they had, so it is a mark of true dedication that these three fine examples of our District chose to ‘build a better mouse trap’ to make others safer,” said District Director Kome Ajise.

Director Kempton:

We would like to thank you for the beautiful letter you sent to our daughter Reyna. Having been selected to have her drawing in Caltrans’ 2006 kids’calendar is of a great meaning for all of us, and it encourages her to keep being a role model.

We spread the word in her school, and she was recognized in their weekly assembly as an artist, a person who cares for others and a great citizen.

We think the kids’ calendar is a great public safety campaign that not only reminds us to “slow for the cone zone,” but also to educate our children to be cautious even at an age they are not driving yet.

Finally, as you well said, we are proud of our daughter, as well as being part of the Caltrans family.

Genaro Genel (Construction)
and
Catalina Flores (Landscape Architecture)

Director Kempton:

Congratulations and thanks are due to District 10 Director Kome Ajise, who was “arrested” recently on the charges of being a “wonderful and dedicated supporter of the March of Dimes.”

D10 Director Kome Ajise in ‘Jail’

The March of Dimes “Jail and Bail” is a fund-raising event that targets area leaders to raise money for good causes. Always a good sport, Ajise did not hesitate when contacted to participate.

Placed in a mock jail, generally for an hour, “arrestees” spend time on the phone with friends and colleagues raising bail in the form of contributions prior to the actual “jail time.”

“I was notified by mail to appear at the Stockton Jail-site at the Sherwood Mall here in Stockton and to bring $500 “bail money,” said Ajise laughingly. “It sounded like a great way to have fun, raise some money for a good cause and put a friendly face on the Department. So, I recruited the Public Information Office to act as the “probation office” so to speak.”

Yours truly volunteered.

However, Director Ajise and I were both in for a surprise. When we appeared before the “judge” at the Sherwood Mall, I learned I was “under arrest” as well. “Bail” had been raised to $2,000. The crime: not having enough March of Dimes beanie babies on our desks.

(In past years, we had sold beanie babies for the charity, and this past year our sales dipped.)

So we stayed in “jail” for an hour calling friends and co-workers to “bail” us out, but we also had an opportunity to negotiate low terms for our release, including singing karaoke and dancing.

District 10 ultimately raised $770 for the charity.

Tina Walker
Formerly of D10 Public Affairs

EXAMS & RECRUITMENT

Exams and Recruitment

The Caltrans Examination Office anticipates that the following examination bulletins will have a final filing date in March/April 2006:

Associate Estimator of Building Construction (Open)
Associate Accounting Analyst (Promo)
Caltrans Highway Maintenance Leadworker (Promo)
Caltrans Landscape Maintenance Leadworker (Promo)
Cook Specialist I (Open)
Cook Specialist II (Open)
Delineator (Open)
Foundation Driller (Open)
Information Officer II (Promo)
Research Manager II (GIS) (Promo)
Toll Captain (Promo)
Toll Sergeant (Promo)

The following examinations allow for continuous filing:
Associate Aviation Consultant (Open)
Associate Right of Way Agent (Promo)
Caltrans Electrical Technician (Open)
Caltrans Electrician I (Open)
Caltrans Electrician II (Open)
Caltrans Heavy Equipment Mechanic (Open & Promo)
Deputy Attorney, Caltrans (Open)
Deputy Attorney III (Promo)
Deputy Attorney IV (Promo)
Legal Secretary (Promo)
Transportation Surveyor (Caltrans) (Open)
Transportation Surveyor Party Chief (Caltrans) (Open)

The following examinations allow for continuous filing on the Internet:
Environmental Planner (Open)
Environmental Planner (Natural Science) (Open)
Landscape Associate, Caltrans (Open)
Senior Environmental Planner (Promo)
Senior Right of Way Agent (Promo)
Senior Transportation Engineer, Caltrans (Promo)
Transportation Engineer (Civil) (Open)
Transportation Engineer (Electrical) (Open)
Transportation Planner (Open)

Visit the Office of Exams’ Web site at www.dot.ca.gov/hq/jobs for more exam information.

RETIREMENTS

Six Caltrans Employees Announce Retirements

The following Caltrans employees retired in February/March 2006 and retirement certificates were requested:

Retiring employees with 25-years or more of state service are eligible to receive a Retirement Award. For more information, please visit the Employee Recognition Program’s Web site at: http://admin.dot.ca.gov/hr/recognition/index.shtml.