Saul Macias remembers his first day on the Project well. It was on April 25th four years ago, the day after his birthday. He arrived during a concrete pour for a lower column used to support a bridge seismic bearing, in which SSW had to use special cooling tubes to maintain the proper temperature. (We have described the necessity and process for keeping concrete cool in previous newsletters.)
Since then, Saul's days on the Project usually begin at 10:00 AM and go until 8:00 PM. As a Swing Shift Superintendent, Saul begins by meeting with other superintendents to check where all of the craft teams are working and what materials have to be ordered. It's Saul's job to make sure everyone on his shift have the equipment they need to be most productive and keep the crew safe.
Saul began his career as a laborer before moving into carpentry, the specialty in which he has been working for the past 28 years. Construction runs in the Macias family. Not only are his brothers and other extended family members in the field, but Saul's son, Joel, is a foreman working right here on the Project, too. Saul takes pride in supporting the growth of younger workers and apprentices. Saul sometimes meets new hires that think they may only do this temporarily, but end up creating long lasting and successful careers in construction.
Saul has been on the Project since nearly the beginning and looks forward to seeing its completion. While it may not fall on his birthday next year, the opening of the new bridge will certainly be a memorable day.
Saul Macias
