CHP at CalTrans projects

[gofly]

I was driving up the 405 from OC towards LA at about 1am and noticed several CalTrans road projects going on. The first, which seemed like a relatively small site, about 1/2 mile total, had 4 CHP cars at it. The next was a larger site, about 1 mile, and had 2 CHP cars. Up farther north, near the 405 and the 10 there was another site, over a mile, and had no CHP cars.

My questions are: how do they determine how many cars per site, what are the officers duties, is it only overtime or is it sometimes assigned as part of your shift, is it a good assignment to get?

Thank you.

Good Luck...Be Safe

[SB 405]

A lot of Caltrans work going on these days because uncle Arnold released something like 46 million dollars for highway improvment. Only CHP units I've seen not on patrol are the ones escorting Caltrans sweepers on weekend mornings. I've never seen any working construction sites. I live in the area of the 10 and 405, that construction work seems to be mostly on the shoulder with traffic running pretty smoothly. Don't know why they would need a unit assigned unless they were moving a large piece of equipment that might impede traffic.

[uoplax13]

It seems like they're there to slow people down and remind drivers to be a little more cautious around work sites. I see CHP cars all the time up near Donner Summit when Caltrans does work on I80.

[Fuller]

A lot of times, contractors are required by contract, or the elect on their own, to hire police agencies to be present during construction activities on or near roadways. It's usually city police when the work is in town. Being that Cal Trans jobs are typically on California's highway system, it would be the CHP who would be present if required or requested.

I could not answer if Cal Trans and the CHP work together directly or not, or if CHP presence at job sites is part of their shift or is considered overtime. Perhaps someone who is a CHP officer could better answer this.

When we hire police in town, it's typically done as overtime for the officer as "special duty". It's mostly for safety of the public as well as the workers and for liability concerns of the construction company. I currently work for a general building contractor and know that having police presence during road work simply as a deterrent helps a great deal, as most drivers do not understand or respect construction job sites. Safety is always the most important thing, for the workers and the public.

[nobody33]

I was driving up the 405 from OC towards LA at about 1am and noticed several CalTrans road projects going on. The first, which seemed like a relatively small site, about 1/2 mile total, had 4 CHP cars at it. The next was a larger site, about 1 mile, and had 2 CHP cars. Up farther north, near the 405 and the 10 there was another site, over a mile, and had no CHP cars.

My questions are: how do they determine how many cars per site, what are the officers duties, is it only overtime or is it sometimes assigned as part of your shift, is it a good assignment to get?

Thank you.

Good Luck...Be Safe


That's COZEEP, Construction Zone Extra Enforcement Program, or something like that.

When I was a student assistant at a Caltrans construction office we required "COZEEP" units any time 2 or more lanes were shut down (this was Caltrans District 8 and CHP inland division, it may be different elsewhere). One unit for each closure, so if both sides shut down, 2 units. In addition to that requirement the Senior engineer on the project could request COZEEP anytime they though it was nessessary. Keeping with CHP policy if we requested a unit at night (which is when most closures are done) each unit had to have 2 officers. The money comes out of the construstion project's budget and is paid to the CHP. We paid out the overtime rate and had to have requests in so they could find officers to fill the OT. There is also "MAZEEP" for maintence projects, which was the same thing, just paid for by different Caltrans funds.

[2100VC]

Here is a little more info if anyone wants to know.

http://cpr.ca.gov/report/cprrpt/issrec/inf/inf12.htm

[Mac]

Wow, they sure didn't do their research before they published THAT part of the CPR! There are numerous false assumptions and outright errors in there. :rolleyes:

[FuelInjection09]

A lot of times, contractors are required by contract, or the elect on their own, to hire police agencies to be present during construction activities on or near roadways. It's usually city police when the work is in town. Being that Cal Trans jobs are typically on California's highway system, it would be the CHP who would be present if required or requested.

I could not answer if Cal Trans and the CHP work together directly or not, or if CHP presence at job sites is part of their shift or is considered overtime. Perhaps someone who is a CHP officer could better answer this.


Yeah, Cal Trans and CHP have a close working relationship. Example: If there's a major T/C and a SIG Alert needs to be issued, CHP usually has Cal Trans roll out with sign trucks and cones for a safer, more efficient closure. They also have units assigned to "COZEEP" as a visual deterrent to slow incoming vehicles; not to mention the nuts that actually try to run through the closures. "Slow for the Cones"

[BoySergeant]

My questions are: how do they determine how many cars per site, what are the officers duties, is it only overtime or is it sometimes assigned as part of your shift, is it a good assignment to get?


Cars (number of officers) are determined by CalTrans (generally the crew supervisor in charge of the area). Duties include monitoring traffic, assisting with the closure (set up and take down), assisting disabled motorists within the closure, and issuing citations to those special few who need to have a conversation with a chippie for one reason or another. In short, providing safety to CalTrans and contract workers and maintaining the smooth flow of traffic. If you would do it on regular duty, you can be expected to do the same things on overtime. Which brings us to the next part of your question...The details are offered on a reimbursable service contract (overtime). Is it good to get? If you like sitting on your bum for 6 to 12 hours, then yes. It depends on what you like to do. I'd prefer HOV overtime or a speed enforcement team myself.