Fabiola Vega
ASPHALT CREW TRUCK DRIVER
As a truck driver with Public Works’ street repair operation, Fabiola Vega is part of a near-nonstop team effort to repair, maintain and improve San Francisco’s network of hilly roads, commercial corridors and narrow side streets, allowing for smooth and safe travel throughout the City.
“We do grinding. We repave the streets. We do speed humps. We do ramps. We also go around the City fixing potholes,” said Vega, who has been with Public Works for four years. “Every day is different.”
In many ways, Public Works’ truck drivers work as jack-of-all-trades crews who jump into action whenever called upon. When heavy winter storms sweep through San Francisco leaving behind fallen tree limbs, for instance, Vega and others help haul the debris off to clear roadways, sidewalks and public spaces.
Listen to Fabiola talk about her love for San Francisco and how important her career is to her as a truck driver for Public Works.
"Whatever they need us to do – we're there."
“Whatever they need us to do – we're there,” Vega said. “Which is pretty cool. I like it.”
But their regular day-to-day work is notable as well.
Vega and her team are instrumental in helping Public Works meet our annual paving goal to keep the roads safe and smooth for people who drive, bike, walk and take transit. A combination of in-house and contractor crews resurfaced 506 blocks in the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2024.
The ongoing paving initiative is part of the City’s successful strategy to steadily improve the condition of our streets. Over the past decade, Public Works teams and contractor crews resurfaced more than 7,700 blocks – or about 60% – of the City’s nearly 13,000 blocks.
"I love what I do."
The work Vega and her co-workers have been putting in has been paying off.
The Pavement Condition Index score, which is tracked by the independent Metropolitan Transportation Commission, rates roads from 0 to 100, with 0 being the worst and 100 the best. In 2009, the City’s cumulative score was 63; today, it’s 75, which is considered “good.”
San Francisco’s rating is the best among large Bay Area cities and exceeds the regional score of 67, considered “fair.”
Vega and the rest of the street repair operation also patch thousands of potholes throughout San Francisco each year. Typically, our crews patch 600 potholes a month, but that number can be much higher after heavy storms soak the area and damage roads. In 2023, Public Works’ street repair crews filled 13,914 potholes throughout San Francisco neighborhoods.
The department’s street repair operation is housed within the Operations Division’s Bureau of Building and Street Repair. The bureau – which has roughly 130 employees – provides professional construction, repair and remodeling services to City-owned facilities; offers 24/7 emergency-repair services to ensure that the police, fire and other public safety facilities are fully functional; and oversees paving and street repair work.
Vega not only drives a truck but she also plays an important role in driving Public Works’ commitment to maintain and improve San Francisco’s roads. “I love what I do,” she said.
“I love being out in the community. A lot of the times when people see a female driver, I get like a thumbs up. That makes me feel good, makes me feel prideful, humble and it’s a great feeling.”