The Abridged version:
- An Abridged investigation published this week found that rejected concrete caused delays on Caltrans’ large-scale repair of Highway 50.
- An assemblymember said that during his meetings with Caltrans, the agency never mentioned rejected concrete as a reason for project delays on Highway 50.
- In statements to the public and the media, Caltrans has blamed the delays on weather and aging infrastructure. The agency has not responded to multiple requests for comment.
Following an Abridged investigation into how rejected concrete contributed to delays on Caltrans large-scale repair of Highway 50, a member of the state Assembly transportation committee is calling out the agency for lack of transparency.
Caltrans’ “Fix50” project has gone two years over its initial timeline. In statements to the public and to the media, the agency has blamed the delays on weather and aging infrastructure. Research by Abridged, however, found that rejected concrete also contributed to the delays.
“In multiple meetings I have had with Caltrans over the past two years, not once was rejected concrete mentioned as a reason for project delays,” said Assemblymember Josh Hoover, a Republican who represents Folsom, in a statement.
“It is unacceptable that this information has been withheld from the public and the Legislature. This project is not only late and over budget, it has also created dangerous road conditions that put drivers at risk,” Hoover said. “Taxpayers deserve to know why.”
Caltrans declined multiple requests for comment on the concrete concerns that delayed Highway 50. Abridged sent the agency a list of questions on Nov. 19. Caltrans has not provided answers.
In internal public records acquired by Abridged, Caltrans noted there were as many as six nonconformance reports connected to concrete supplied by Elite Ready Mix. Caltrans declined to disclose how many segments the concrete mix concerns affected.
Felicia Alvarez is a reporter at Abridged covering accountability. She’s called Sacramento home since 2015 and has reported on government, health care and breaking news topics for both local and national news outlets.