Caltrans Electrician I

Department of Transportation

6/14/2008

Special Act Award (Gold)

At approximately 8:15 a.m. on June 14, 2008, California Department of Transportation Electrician, Gregory A. Linden, and two co-workers responded to an emergency request to replace a damaged ramp meter signal pole on the Great Mall Parkway onramp to Interstate 880 in Milpitas. While hoisting the signal pole from the back of a truck, a hydraulic line on the hoist broke causing the pole to fall in the direction of his co-worker who was reaching in the back of his truck for tools and unaware of the danger. Mr. Linden realized if he did not react quickly, his co-worker would be crushed. Despite the great personal risk and the fact that hydraulic oil was everywhere, he reacted by knocking the 300-pound pole away from his co-worker. As a result of Mr. Linden’s quick and selfless actions, the pole missed his co-worker, saving him from serious injury or possible death.