California 12, June 16, 2024

Tunnel Vision

Papich Construction Installing Two Crossings Beneath Highway

By Irwin Rapoport

CORRESPONDENT

Papich Construction Co. Inc. initiated operations on the California Department of Transportation’s $16.8 million Sonora Junction Shoulders Project on May 14 in Mono County in eastern central California, a rural area adjacent to the Nevada border.

A key element of the project, taking place along U.S. 395, is the installation of two wildlife crossings beneath the highway this summer. The work along the two-lane scenic highway, with the Sierra Nevada in the background, is taking place along 3 mi. between Burcham Flat Road and State Route 108 North, 14 mi. north of Bridgeport.

Construction crews also are tasked with widening the shoulders of the highway to 8 ft., installing rail-element retaining walls and stabilizing cut slopes with anchored wire mesh.

Crews at Work

Papich expects to deliver the project in fall 2025. The work is expected to take approximately 160 working days, including a winter suspension. The traffic management plan on this isolated highway is based on one-way traffic control. The two wildlife crossings are approximately 1.3 mi. apart from each other.

“Currently, the plan is to start and finish one crossing at a time, under two separate closures of Highway 395, one closure for each crossing,” said the Papich Construction team. “Each crossing will require the full crew to complete. The first order of business is to excavate down to the bottom of

Construction Co. Inc. is installing two tunnels underneath U.S. 395 in Mono County as part of the Sonora Junction Shoulders Project.

the crossing and install the half built steel structure. The structures have been left partially constructed to their size and needing to move them into place. Once set in place, a crew will need to assemble the remainder of the crossing in place before backfilling and patching the roadway which needs to be reopened to traffic at the end of each closure period.”

Both wildlife crossings will be roughly 13 ft. from top of roadway to invert of the crossing when complete.

Each crossing requires extensive excavation, culvert construction, backfilled and trench patched and soil placed in the invert of the crossing. see TUNNEL page 8

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AGC, PCL Construction Host Mental Awareness Event

On May 17, in a collaborative effort, the Associated General Contractors of California (AGC of California) and PCL Construction hosted a Mental Health Awareness Stand Down. The event took place at PCL’s job site within the Los Angeles Chargers Training Facility, casting a spotlight on critical mental health issues in the construction industry, including substance misuse disorders and the alarming suicide rates among workers. This initiative is part of a comprehensive effort to promote workplace safety and holistic wellness.

For 45 minutes, all onsite work ceased and workers gathered for a comprehensive presentation focused on mental health awareness. This session is designed to educate participants on recognizing early signs of mental distress, engaging in proactive conversations about mental health and integrating effective wellness practices into their daily routines. By uniting the efforts of AGC of California, PCL and Youturn Health, the Stand-Down aimed to cultivate a robust culture of support and understanding, reinforcing the construction industry’s commitment to its workforce’s mental and emotional well-being.

“Mental health challenges in our sector are profound, manifesting in high rates of substance misuse and suicide,” Peter Tateishi, CEO of AGC of California, stated.

“By partnering with PCL for this standdown, we aimed to propel the conversation forward about mental health in the workplace. Together, we are mobilizing resources and strategies to embed the wellness of every worker into our daily safety practices.”

“This is a phenomenal opportunity to break down some of the stigma that keeps so many people in the construction industry from reaching out for help,” said Hamilton Baiden, CEO of Youturn Health, who spoke to PCL’s employees at the stand-down event. “These men and women are tough — they have to be to work in construction — but it doesn’t mean they don’t struggle, and they

need to know that it’s okay get support.”

PCL not only hosted the event, but also has actively participated in shaping its own program to addresses the nuanced needs of the industry. Recently, the company

announced the adoption of Lyra Health, the leading provider of workforce mental health, into its U.S. benefits package. The new integration offers all U.S. employees six complimentary therapy sessions and an array of

other additional mental health resources.

“I believe the foundation of every successful project lies not only in ensuring physical safety but also in nurturing the mental well-being of our team,” said Michael Headrick, PCL vice president and district manager. “We are dedicated to creating an environment where mental health is prioritized and every employee feels supported and valued. We are grateful for our partnership with AGC of California and the opportunity to co-host an event that speaks to who we are as a company.”

The partnership between AGC of California and PCL Construction exemplifies a powerful model of collaboration where leadership and resources come together to enhance workers’ well-being.

About AGC of California

The Associated General Contractors of California is a premier construction trade association representing contractors across the state. AGC members provide a diverse range of commercial construction services, including large-scale building projects and complex infrastructure developments. As a leader in the industry, AGC of California prioritizes safety and champions initiatives that advocate for mental health and worker support.

About PCL Construction

PCL is a group of independent construction companies that operates throughout the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Australia. As one of the largest contracting organizations in North America, PCL completes more than $7 billion in work annually, building projects that shape communities. The company’s 100 percent employee ownership model fuels a culture of commitment for clients in the buildings, civil infrastructure, heavy industrial and solar markets. For more information, visit PCL.com.  (All photos courtesy of AGC of California.)

This initiative is part of a comprehensive effort to promote workplace safety and holistic wellness.

For 45 minutes, all onsite work ceased, and workers gathered for a comprehensive presentation focused on mental health awareness. This session is designed to educate participants on recognizing early signs of mental distress.

The AGC of California and PCL Construction recently hosted a Mental Health Awareness Stand Down at PCL’s job site within the Los Angeles Chargers Training Facility.

PCL not only hosted the event but also is actively participated in shaping its own program to addresses the nuanced needs of the industry.

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Historical Contracts... Caltrans Investing in AI Technology to Improve Congestion

Caltrans, in partnership with the California Department of Technology (CDT) and the Department of General Services (DGS), recently announced historic contracts as California seeks to harness the power of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) to protect vulnerable road users and improve traffic flows throughout the state.

Deloitte Consulting LLP and INRIX, Inc. were the selected vendors to investigate near misses of injuries/fatalities to identify risky areas and monitor interventions designed to increase safety of vulnerable road users. Read the full problem statement.

Accenture LLP and Deloitte Consulting LLP were the selected vendors to process and interpret complex data to improve traffic pattern analysis, address bottlenecks and enhance overall traffic management. Read the full problem statement.

“With an average of 12 Californians dying on our roadways every day, we need to use every tool available to end the roadway crisis and reach our goal of zero traffic fatalities and serious injuries by 2050,” said

Toks Omishakin, California Transportation secretary. “[This] represents an important step in exploring how GenAI can help save lives. I applaud Governor Newsom and Secretary Tong for being at the forefront of testing how to responsibly harness this cutting-edge technology to help solve some of our most challenging transportation issues and improve the lives of all Californians.”

“Caltrans has historically been an early adopter of new technology and working with these GenAI companies is another example of our forward-thinking approach,” said Tony Tavares, Caltrans director. “We are excited and optimistic of the ideas and solutions these vendors are working on in terms of improving safety on the highways and limiting gridlock in our busiest corridors.”

The selected vendors will collaborate with Caltrans to test their technology in a controlled environment with publicly available data to determine if it can help find innovative solutions to two of the state’s most complex transportation challenges: roadway safety and traffic management.

The contracts are in response to an

Executive Order by Gov. Gavin Newsom tasking state agencies to study the development, use, and risks of GenAI and begin the procurement process to responsibly evaluate and deploy GenAI technology.

Caltrans and CDT will work with the vendors to evaluate the technology’s capability in virtual testing environment known as a “sandbox.” This sandbox will be overseen by CDT, ensuring the vendors will adhere to strict state policies and regulations regarding data governance, privacy and cybersecurity. Gov. Newsom’s directive included that any adoption of GenAI will be based on ethical and responsible implementations.

California’s transportation network is the lifeline of its diverse economy and vibrant communities. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the number of fatal and serious injury collisions in California, especially those involving vulnerable road users like pedestrians, cyclists and highway workers, increased annually from 2011 to 2019. With nearly 36 million registered vehicles on California roads, Caltrans also faces a serious chal-

lenge in effectively analyzing available data to gain reliable insights on traffic patterns to address bottlenecks and improve overall traffic management on more than 50,000 miles of highway and freeway lanes.

One of the challenges is the volume of data generated from a wide range of sources, including traffic sensors, cameras, third party data streams, photos and incident reports.

With a clear vision of the potential benefits and risks of GenAI, Caltrans seeks to integrate this technology to streamline data collection to enhance roadway safety, alleviate traffic congestion for all motorists and strengthen strategic decision-making. Caltrans also will study the technology’s potential to help navigate the evolving landscape of transportation demands, including the impacts of climate change and major events that can disrupt traffic patterns.

With a commitment to unlocking essential traffic data, Caltrans believes GenAI can be a valuable tool in helping build a transportation system that not only thrives on data but serves the ever-evolving needs of all Californians. 

World’s Largest Wildlife Crossing to Officially Open in 2026

The world’s largest wildlife crossing is getting closer to becoming a reality.

Gov. Gavin Newsom recently announced that the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing outside of Los Angeles is on track to open by early 2026.

Ahead of National Infrastructure Week, Newsom also announced that construction crews are now more than halfway through installing the beams that form the crossing. The work is part of Newsom’s infrastructure agenda to build more, faster.

In May, the first of 82 large concrete beams went up over U.S. Highway 101 at Liberty Canyon Road in Agoura Hills. The project has been made possible by a successful publicprivate partnership. Philanthropy has raised more than $34 million in funding, while California has provided $58.1 million in funding.

“Our work to build more, faster is already paying dividends across our state,” said Newsom. “This wildlife crossing is just one example of how California is building infrastructure that connects rather than divides. With projects like this, we’re reconnecting and restoring habitats so future generations can continue to enjoy California’s unmatched natural beauty.”

Project Need

• U.S. Highway 101 is one of the biggest barriers to wildlife connectivity in Southern California. The Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing will reconnect habitats and improve the health of the environment for many species in Southern California, including people;

• More than 30 years of conservation work has gone into strategic habitat linkages on both sides of U.S. Highway 101 so that this wildlife crossing will connect protected lands in the Santa Monica Mountains and the Sierra Madre Range;

• The overpass will reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions on one of the most congested highways in North America, decreasing the significant danger posed to people and vehicles by crossing animals;

• The crossing will provide a safe and sustainable passage for wildlife across U.S. Highway 101, creating increased access for animals to find food, shelter and mates, which is increasingly important in light of climate change and continued human development that is pressuring species survival;

• This project will help educate millions of Californians driving under the crossing and advance California’s 30×30 goal to conserve 30 percent of the state’s lands and coastal waters by 2030, ensuring that wildlife can move across conserved habitats that provide shelter, food and water.

lic-private partnership of monumental scope that has leveraged the expertise and leadership of dozens of organizations and institutions to protect and restore wildlife habitats in Southern California.

Wildlife crossings of all kinds are essential to building a network of interconnected conserved lands and waters that protect and restore biodiversity while also supporting transportation infrastructure. 

(All photos courtesy of Caltrans.)

On Earth Day 2022, Newsom participated in the ground breaking for the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing, a pub-

Officials Allocate Nearly $2B for Bridge, Infrastructure Work

The California Transportation Commission (CTC) recently allocated $1.9 billion to support transportation infrastructure projects that play a starring role in powering the world’s fifth largest economy. The approved funding provides significant investments for bridges, roadways, transit and improved facilities for people who walk and bike.

The latest allocations also include nearly $430 million from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA) and $740 million via Senate Bill (SB) 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.

Among the efforts spurred by the $1.9 billion commitment include several projects prioritizing the state’s vital bridge network, highlighted by $27.6 million for the Interstate 405 improvement project in Los Angeles County, more than $4 million to repair bridge damage along Interstate 80 in Alameda County and $600,000 to replace the Ackerman Creek Bridge in Mendocino County.

Also included are projects that will build or renovate shoreline embankments, bus, bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure and railroad overcrossings.

“California’s transportation infrastructure is critical to the economic and cultural lifeblood of our state and this funding pro-

vides key support in our mission to provide a safe, equitable and sustainable transportation system for all users,” said Tony Tavares, Caltrans director.

Some of the largest projects include:

• Approximately $28.5 million, including more than $25.2 million in federal IIJA funding and $3.3 million in SB1 funding, in support allocations toward roadway and guardrail improvements from south of Shimmins Ridge Road to north of Old Sherwood Road near Willits in Mendocino County;

• Approximately $6.5 million in emergency allocations toward roadway, viaduct, retaining wall and culvert repairs and erosion control on Route 1 south of the Juan Creek Bridge near Rockport in Mendocino County following heavy rainfall that started on Jan. 31, 2024;

• Approximately $4.5 million in SB1 funding in emergency allocations toward roadway and embankment repairs, rock slope protection and erosion control on U.S. 101 south of Route 271 near Leggett in Mendocino County following heavy rainfall that started on Jan. 31, 2024;

• Red Bluff Bridges (State Route 36 in Red Bluff, Tehama County) at various locations from East Sand Slough Bridge to Paynes Creek Slough Bridge: Bridge seismic restora-

tions at various locations. This project includes $8,076,000 in SB 1 funding;

• $55 million allocation for U.S. 101 in southern Santa Clara County at the interchange of U.S. 101 and SR 25. Reconstruct the interchange at a location just north of the existing interchange. The improvements will include a new, widened bridge to convey SR 25 over U.S. 101. It also will improve ramps for all traffic movements between U.S. 101 and SR 25 and minor realignment of SR 25 to the north. New traffic signals will be installed at the northbound and southbound ramp termini with SR 25;

• $14.6 million allocation for the expansion of WETA Ferry Service (Shoreside Charging Infrastructure). The infrastructure will modify standard floats to house batteries that will allow vessels to charge while vessels are docked. This will help in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and vehicle miles traveled by providing the supporting infrastructure for the all-electric vessels to operate;

• $54 million in SB1 funding for the next phase of widening U.S. 101 in Santa Barbara County. The funding will allow the construction of HOV lanes from just south of Olive Mill Road overcrossing to just south of the Cabrillo Boulevard undercrossing;

• Tulare 190 Emergency Landslide Repair:

The project on State Route 190 will remove large boulders from the roadway, repair slopes, pavement and drainage systems, install erosion control and install retaining walls at damaged locations near Springville and Camp Nelson from 0.4 mi. west of Flume Overcrossing to McComber Drive. Full funding allocation: $52 million. SB1 funding allocation: $32.1 million;

• Interstate 405 Improvement Project: This project is located from Wilshire Boulevard to Victory Boulevard on I-405. The improvements include repaving work, replacing overhead sign structures and sign panels, upgrading guardrail and upgrading facilities to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. The allocation is $27.6 million;

• A $31.9 million project in Riverside County (I-215) In Riverside, upgrading pavement, enhancing curb ramps to meet ADA standards and install new signs south of Martin Luther King Blvd to north of Chicago Ave.;

• $47,529,000 to Caltrans for I-805 in the city of San Diego, from SR 52 to I-5 to rehabilitate culverts, upgrade Transportation Management System (TMS) elements, replace signs, enhance highway worker safety, upgrade lighting and upgrade facilities to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. 

Gov. Gavin Newsom recently announced that the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing outside of Los Angeles is on track to open by early 2026

Tunnels Will Help Minimize Damages, Help Area Wildlife

Both wildlife crossings, approximately 1.3 mi. apart, will be roughly 13 ft. from top of roadway to invert of the crossing when complete.

Construction crews also are tasked with widening the shoulders of the highway to 8 ft., installing rail-element retaining walls and stabilizing cut slopes with anchored wire mesh.

Papich expects to deliver the project in fall 2025. The work is expected to take approximately 160 working days, including a winter suspension.

TUNNEL from page 1

“The area will be excavated, culvert construction completed in place, backfilled and trench patched, and soil placed in the invert of the crossing,” said Papich. “Each wildlife crossing is allocated a five-day closure of the highway. That is the max amount of time we are allowed on each culvert. At this time, work on these crossings is expected to be around the clock to complete each within the allowed closure window. There will be some overlap with crews working on the shoulder widening while other items of work are occurring. Most of the work outside of the drainage elements are being completed by subcontractors, so our crews will be working on the widening behind those subs.”

Shoulder widening is anticipated to begin following the installation of rail element walls.

“Guardrail is one of the last elements of work and will be completed near the end of the second season,” said Papich. “Cuts and fills will be occurring simultaneously with the shoulder widening as that excess dirt is required for the fills behind the rail element walls. The project has many environmental constraints and work windows so properly sequencing the work and ensuring all the subcontractors are on board with the sequence is going to be key to having a successful project.

“Most backfill materials will be generated from cut areas on the project site,” Papich added. “For our items of work, the largest need is asphalt for the final paving, which will be roughly 18,000 tons. The two wildlife crossings will be 81 feet and 73 feet of structural steel late culverts, 150 linear feet of storm drain and two new cattle guards.”

Apex Rockfall will install 113,000 sq. ft. of double twisted wire mesh, DC Hubbs Construction will install 10,800 sq. ft. of rail element wall, 19,600 linear ft. of fence, 3,200 linear ft. of cable railing and 4,520 linear ft. of guardrail. J&M Land Restoration will handle the final erosion control and landscaping, and Specialized Pavement Marking for the striping.

On-site, Papich has Kenny Beas and Mark Bower in conjunction with Foreman Tim Grell. Supporting the project from the main office are Jason Papich, Robert Dye and Taylor Hamil.

“Our team is working together hand-in-hand to complete the project timely and efficiently,” said Papich.

Working in a remote site means that the equipment has to be in tip-top shape and that daily wear and tear repairs be done quickly.

“All equipment was thoroughly checked prior to shipment to ensure it is ready to go,” said Papich. “Nothing major is anticipated beyond routine service. There will be no full time mechanic on-site. As service intervals approach or other issues are identified. a mechanic will be sent to check over all equipment onsite.”

Papich purchases equipment and rents equipment from local and regional dealerships.

“There will be two full closures of U.S 395 through the project area scheduled for late summer,” according to the project website. “Travelers are asked to be attentive to workers on the highway, slow for the cone zone, and move over whenever possible to remain clear of construction personnel and equipment.”

While the work is still in the early stages, key aspects of the project are shipping equipment and materials to the site and finding accommodation for the crews.

“Equipment is being transported by lowbed from various locations off other projects,” according to Papich. “Most equipment being utilized will be Papich owned equipment. On-site trucking is being subcontracted. Currently we are utilizing excavators, a loader, a skid steer and a water truck. A paving spread will be required later on in the project. Due to distance, most pieces will arrive within two days depending on the location it is coming

from and permits required for travel.”

Currently in use on site are a Cat 325 excavator, a Cat 962H loader, a Cat 289D3 skid steer and a John Deere 85 mini-excavator. Future equipment will depend on what is available and fits the needs of the work at that time.

Securing housing for Papich personnel is important.

“Key staff are being housed in a local hotel,” said Papich. “Efforts have been made to hire local employees and a few have been hired. Currently there are about 14 people on-site. More will be added as we get to the wildlife crossings.”

Papich has experience in working in isolated areas of California.

“The distance to the nearest resources and quick changing weather are the biggest challenges,” said Papich. “Most of the larger suppliers are at least an hour away from the site, so proper planning to ensure all materials needed for the shift are on site and ready to go is key to having a successful project. The weather can change in a hurry in the area as well. Mornings will be nice and warm, and the afternoon will get extremely windy or have the occasional thunderstorm. A high level of planning started back when Papich was identified as the apparent low bidder on the project back on bid day at the end of January. The planning really started to get in depth once we received a notice of award and subsequent contract in March so we could be ready for a mid-May start on the project.”

Project Need

Helping out wildlife is a critical part of the project. They not only help to protect wildlife but minimize collisions between motorists and mule deer. The underground corrugated steel pipe circular tunnels can handle creatures as small as grouse to the large deer. Each ‘plate pipe’ archway undercrossing will measure more than 70 ft. in length and stand between 9.5 ft. and 11 ft. high.

“By widening the paved shoulders and constructing wildlife crossings on this stretch of U.S. 395 in Mono County, Caltrans is continuing its commitment to safety and improving habitat connectivity,” said Caltrans District 9 Director Ryan Dermody.”

“With 69 reported collisions since 2002 [many more incidents go unreported], Caltrans biologists identified this stretch of U.S. 395 as a crossing hotspot for the West Walker herd of mule deer,” said Christopher Andriessen, a public information officer of Caltrans District 9. “Per our environmental team, the project area has been identified as an important movement corridor for the West Walker and Mono Lake herds of mule deer. During migration periods, these herds cross over 395 twice, most often during the night or at dusk or dawn. To mitigate the impacts this project would have on the mule deer, it was decided to install the wildlife crossings as part of the safety project. Caltrans environmental staff will monitor the success of these culverts over the long term to inform future wildlife crossing projects.

“The addition of two oversized culverts and fencing to direct animals away from traffic aims to reduce wildlife mortality rates on this stretch of U.S. 395,” he added. “Other species native to the area that could use the underpass include sage grouse, badgers, wolverines and red foxes.”

The project has been in development since 2016.

“Widening the shoulders, upgrading the guardrail, and adjusting the slopes are all meant to increase safety on this stretch of U.S. 395,” Andriessen stated.

The project was funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA) – also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (IIJA), which has California receiving an estimated $41.9 billion over five years.  CEG

(All photos courtesy of Papich Construction.)

California Equipment Dealer Joins LuiGong Dealer Network

Pacific Coast Iron Inc. is the latest West Coast construction equipment dealer to join the rapidly expanding LiuGong North America dealership network.

Pacific Coast Iron leaders said they partnered with LiuGong to continue selling premium construction equipment at a fair market value.

“We wanted to provide our customer base with the latest market products that are both affordable and reliable,” said Pacific Coast Iron Marketing Manager Kami Louis.

Pacific Coast Iron is a national heavy equipment dealership located near Sacramento, Calif. Established in 2013, the business brings a decade of experience buying and selling heavy equipment to the LiuGong dealer lineup, along with a wealth of relationships with dealers, buyers and other industry stakeholders.

Pacific Coast Iron has grown tremendously over the last few years, from having only a handful of clients to currently servicing hundreds of customers worldwide that continually list machines through their dealership.

LiuGong North America President

Andrew Ryan said their growth is a testament to the excellent reputation Pacific Coast Iron has in the region, and it will be integral to expanding the LiuGong footprint across North America.

“We are always seeking out reputable dealers to join our network and expand our reach in key markets across the country, and Pacific Coast Iron fits the bill,” Ryan said.

“We’re looking forward to working together to mutually grow our businesses and impact throughout the region.”

Pacific Coast Iron is headquartered in Placerville, California with an additional branch location further south in Jackson. The dealership serves the construction industry across California and Western Nevada for rentals and service and provides sales worldwide.

For more information on the company, visit https://pciheavyequipment.com.

About

LiuGong North America

LiuGong Construction Machinery North America LLC, a subsidiary of Guangxi LiuGong For more information, visit www.liugongna.com. 

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