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Caltrans leadership, PCH reopening and construction update highlight June CTC meeting
Summary
Caltrans announced Dina El Taweel's appointment as director effective July 1, reported progress reopening Pacific Coast Highway after wildfires, recognized employees honored for acts of valor, and said the department has record construction activity.
Acting Caltrans Director Mike Keever and CalSTA Undersecretary James Hacker briefed the commission on leadership, safety and operational matters during the June meeting.
Caltrans Director: The commission heard that the governor appointed Dina El Taweel as Caltrans director effective July 1. "Dina has 27 years of distinguished public service," Keever said, noting her experience as the Bay Area district director and other district and headquarters roles.
Pacific Coast Highway recovery: Keever updated commissioners on post-wildfire recovery on Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), saying the U.S. Army Corps completed most debris removal, allowing reopening but cautioning that lane closures and 25 mph speed limits remain in the work zone. He thanked Caltrans crews and contractors for sustained 12- to 14-hour workdays during recovery.
Construction and funding: Caltrans reported record construction workloads during the last fiscal year, at times managing more than 1,000 projects valued at over $15 billion. The department completed more than 600 construction projects worth nearly $4 billion during fiscal 2024–25.
Safety and honors: Keever noted that five Caltrans employees received the Governor's Medal of Valor for acts including vehicle rescues and lifesaving interventions. CalSTA Undersecretary James Hacker highlighted equity and safety programs, DMV work on autonomous vehicle regulations and CHP enforcement results that included thousands of citations during a recent maximum enforcement period.
The commission heard that emergency spending and rising frequency of incidents are a factor in the 2026 fund estimate and that the department continues to work on CSIS (Caltrans System Investment Strategy) to better prioritize investments.
