District 12 Culvert Inspection Program - Steep Slope Access

Challenge 

How do we inspect culvert outfalls that protrude from steep hillsides or cliffs? Such locations were dangerous to access on foot and posed a safety hazard to Caltrans employees. 

Solution 

District 12 crews took the skills learned from the Rock-Climbing Program & the experience gained from scaling missions involving rockfall mitigation and implemented those skills into the 'Culvert Inspection Program'.  Now areas formerly inaccessible by foot are easily accessible and repairs made with minimal time and effort.  

Result  

• Slope safety and worker safety

• Accessing areas that were previously inaccessible

• Ensure the safety of the traveling public

• Identify deficiencies in California's storm water drainage systems to prevent catastrophic failure to our highways

• Complete the assessment of each culvert in District 12 to satisfy SB1 standards and goals

• Trust and team building

Project Contact:  

Anthony R. Quiroz -  anthony.quiroz@dot.ca.gov