Cement company clears rubble from damaged roadway

Victorville, California: While the latest storms destroyed swaths of Highway 18 and submerged others under dirt and debris, Mitsubishi Cement, after surveying the damage to sections of the highway above and below their plant early last week, brought out the company’s heavy equipment to clear some areas and unplug a culvert. And the company’s efforts provided the California Department of Transportation with a big boost toward repairing the roadway, spokesperson Terri Kasinga said.

"We cleared away big rocks that were on the road," said Bud Biggs, Mitsubishi’s vice president and plant manager. "It was impassible." The company noticed early last week that its customers’ trucks couldn’t reach the plant, so they brought out massive loaders and trucks -- which can haul 50t at a time -- to clear the roadway for them. We were glad to do that," Biggs said. "Equipment we have here is large, so we can move a lot of debris at once."