Sully-Miller Contracting Co. is advancing work on all three segments of the California Department of Transportation's (Caltrans) $70.2 million State Route 2 Multimodal Project, which covers 5 mi. of roadway in Echo Park, Hollywood and West Los Angeles.
Work on Segment B began in June 2026, following the launch of Segments A and C in October 2025.
The project is scheduled for completion in fall 2028.
The project is designed to improve safety and mobility through pavement rehabilitation and a series of pedestrian, bicycle and transit upgrades. The work includes rehabilitating concrete pavement, installing or modifying concrete bus pads, upgrading curb ramps and crosswalks, replacing curbs and gutters, upgrading traffic signals and street lighting and installing bicycle racks.
The project also includes approximately 2.8 mi. of designated bus priority lanes, upgrades to 26 traffic signals and 241 curb ramps and reconstruction of 37 transit stops. Additional improvements across the three segments include rectangular rapid flashing beacons, pedestrian hybrid beacons, bicycle boxes, bicycle and pedestrian signage, bioswales and transit stop enhancements.
Segment B covers 2.1 mi. between La Brea Avenue in Los Angeles and U.S. 101 in Hollywood.
Austin Graham and Paul Coburn, project managers for Segments A and C, are overseeing the work on Segment B.
“We were able to start the work immediately, utilizing our management team, crews and equipment,” Coburn told Construction Equipment Guide. “The transition wasn't too complicated. The equipment was loaded on a trailer and moved to the new segment. Segment B is centrally located so, if we have to jump back to A or C to finish an outstanding item, it's not too far away.”
The Segment B work order includes removing existing concrete and asphalt concrete, making electrical improvements, replacing concrete curbs and gutters, reconstructing ramps and sidewalks, milling and overlaying the roadway with asphalt concrete, installing striping and signage and completing other improvements.
Block-by-Block Construction
Crews are following a phased approach, completing the work one block at a time while coordinating civil and electrical operations.
“Construction is proceeding block-by-block, with each block taking approximately three weeks to complete,” Coburn said. “For this segment, crews started at each end of the project and are proceeding towards the middle of the segment.”
Experience gained on Segments A and C has helped the team address challenges on Segment B more efficiently. Crews are making steady progress, with civil work generally performed at night and electrical work during the day. Water, soil and utility issues have been minimal, according to Coburn.
“We're making good progress with crews engaged in civil work by night and electrical by day,” said Coburn.
Segment B is scheduled for completion in August 2027.
“The repetitive nature of the work helps significantly,” Coburn said. “Crews can get a really good rhythm, but we can't get complacent.”
The typical construction sequence begins with surveying and laying out demolition and construction limits and grades. Crews then saw-cut and remove existing concrete sidewalks, curbs and gutters, using backhoes or excavators to load the material directly into Super 10 dump trucks for hauling.
After demolition, crews grade and compact the subgrade before pouring new curbs and gutters. Electricians remove, replace or modify underground electrical components as needed. Concrete sidewalks and Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant ramps are then constructed, followed by the installation of electrical poles, lighting fixtures, push-button posts and other equipment.
“Electricians come and remove/replace/modify any underground electrical work,” Coburn said. “We're grading and compacting the subgrade, pouring concrete sidewalks and ADA ramps. Electricians then come back to install any poles, fixtures, push button posts, etc. After the survey layout is complete, saw cutting is performed, then removal via a backhoe or excavator, and loading the materials directly into a Super-10 dump truck and hauled away.”
Many bus pads are constructed on weekends when lanes are closed to traffic.
Segment B operates on 10-hour shifts, compared with 14-hour shifts on Segments A and C. Concrete is typically poured shortly after midnight, often around 1 a.m.
“Bus pad concrete is rapid-set, and only takes a couple hours,” Coburn said. “Sidewalk concrete takes three to seven days to cure, depending on conditions.”
“Step by step, hour by hour, the plan is executed with contingencies in place for any issues or delays,” said Coburn.
Equipment, Materials
The work requires a range of equipment for demolition, grading, compaction, concrete placement and paving. Crews use backhoes, rollers, walk-behind compactors, breakers, skip loaders, skid steers, dump trucks and truck cranes to install electrical poles.
Paving operations involve paving machines, skip loaders, dump trucks and compaction rollers. Sully-Miller uses equipment from Quinn, John Deere and CASE, along with BOMAG paving equipment and rollers.
Segments A and C are each approximately 75 percent complete, allowing the contractor to shift personnel and equipment to Segment B as needed.
“Our progress on these segments has been faster than anticipated,” Coburn said. “This can be attributed to a familiar work area, good planning by the foreman and superintendent, effective management, and team effort.
“While there are always new challenges with existing conditions, we're encountering similar situations, and we know how to work around the hurdles. Lessons learned for all segments include ensuring enough time for underground [electrical] work and also having backup plans within scheduling the work for unforeseen existing condition issues, RFIs, and delays that may arise.”
On Segment B, Graham and Coburn are supported by Superintendent Mike Love, Lead Project Engineer Neyda Bautista and Project Engineer Andrew Kalaiji.
“The team is very dynamic,” Coburn said.
A typical workday on Segment B includes 10 to 20 Sully-Miller employees and five to 10 subcontractor employees. Key subcontractors include MSL for electrical work, Diversified for landscaping, Frontline for permanent signage and BC Traffic for pavement striping and markings.
Segment B requires the demolition and removal of approximately 3,000 cu. yds. of existing concrete and 900 cu. yds. of aggregate. New materials include approximately 930 cu. yds. of crushed miscellaneous base for bus pads and slightly more than 3,000 cu. yds. of new concrete.
Excavated concrete is transported to Sully-Miller subsidiary United Rock Products in Irwindale, Calif.
“Asphalt will be coming from our subsidiary company as well — Blue Diamond Materials,” Coburn said.
Maintenance, Coordination
Keeping equipment operational is essential to maintaining the project schedule. In addition to routine maintenance, crews frequently deal with punctured tires and other common equipment issues.
“We have mechanics in nearby Irwindale that is about an hour away,” Coburn said. “Daily equipment inspections ensure we are aware of potential issues, which can be addressed early to minimize downtime.”
Sully-Miller relies on Quinn Equipment and Sunbelt Rentals for most equipment purchases and rentals.
