California Construction News staff writer
Caltrans is mourning the death of Mahdi Khorram, a department employee who was killed early Friday while working on Highway 4.
Khorram, 39, a transportation engineer and construction inspector based in Concord, was struck by an asphalt truck in a construction zone at about 1:30 a.m., officials said. He had worked for Caltrans since 2023.
“Mahdi was more than a colleague — he was a valued member of our Caltrans family,” Caltrans Director Dina El-Tawansy said. “His tragic death is a devastating loss to his family, friends and all his colleagues.
“I extend my heartfelt prayers and deepest sympathy to his loved ones and all who knew and worked with him.”
Governor Gavin Newsom also issued a statement, calling Khorram a “dedicated public servant committed to making our roads safer for all Californians” and extending condolences to his family and colleagues.
Khorram is survived by his wife and their three-year-old child. In his honor, flags were lowered to half-staff at the State Capitol, the Capitol Annex Swing Space, and all Caltrans buildings.
Since 1921, 195 Caltrans workers have died on the job, the agency said.
