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Caltrans District 6 updates to Kern COG: SR‑46 hazardous‑materials spill cleanup, subsidence on SR‑166 and staffing changes
Summary
Caltrans District 6 Director Michael Navaro reported a hazardous‑materials spill that closed SR‑46 eastbound near Jumper Avenue and is expected to cost about $1 million and take several weeks to clean; he also described upcoming closures due to subsidence on SR‑166 and announced planning staff changes.
Michael Navaro, district director for Caltrans District 6, gave a detailed progress report on local transportation projects and a recent hazardous‑materials incident.
Navaro described a truck fire that caused a corrosive‑material spill on State Route 46 near Jumper Avenue west of Wasco that shut the eastbound lanes for most of a day. "We're probably looking a few weeks of cleanup out there and it's about a million dollar cleanup out there," he said, adding that Caltrans is coordinating with the trucking company’s insurer and bonding to complete remediation.
He also reported subsidence on State Route 166 east of Maricopa that will require full closures and detours on SR‑33 and SR‑119 for approximately 20 days while geotechnical work identifies needed repairs. Navaro provided updates on several local construction projects in Wasco and Bakersfield, including pedestrian beacons, roundabout construction, and pavement rehabilitation, and said utility relocations had delayed some starts.
Navaro introduced Phil Valo as the incoming deputy district director for planning and described Valo’s long experience in environmental and planning roles with Caltrans. He invited local agencies to coordinate on ATP Cycle 8 grant opportunities and other project schedules.
Next steps: Caltrans will continue cleanup and permitting actions, provide geotechnical recommendations for SR‑166, and work with local governments on project timelines and encroachment permit matters.
