All right, good up.
Hello, test, test, test, test.
Good afternoon, everyone.
I don't think this is on.
Hello?
No?
None?
Can you try yours?
Test.
Test.
Can you hear that?
Test, test.
Ladies and gentlemen, if you please take your seat.
We're going to begin.
Ladies and gentlemen, if you please take your seats,
the meeting is going to begin.
Can everybody hear me?
No?
Kind of.
They can hear you? Okay. All right, good afternoon everyone. Can y'all hear me? I'm gonna do my outside voice.
Thank you Douglas. That's why we have him. All right. Well, thank you for joining us for day one
of the August 2026 Hearings of the California Transportation Commission
in lovely San Diego, California. I want to personally welcome those of you who are
coming from other parts of the state. Thank you for being here for the hearings and hopefully you
will extend a few days here in San Diego. We certainly love having visitors here in San Diego.
And with that, one more thing I'd like to add before our roll call is I want to welcome back
our executive director, Tanisha Taylor, who has been missed. You know you're supposed to be right
next to me. Instead, she's going to be eye to eye with me. Um, we're, we're so glad that
you're back to Nisha. All right. With that, let's do roll call Douglas, please. Thank
you, chair. Mr Bradshaw. Yeah. Vice chair Cruz. Mr. Brown. Hines. Commissioner eager.
commissioner. Commissioner. Commissioner Grisby. Commissioner Gordino. Commissioner Mon. Commissioner.
Tiffany. Chair Falcone. Present. Senator Cortezi. We see him we see him online. Senator Cortezi.
Assemblymember Wilson. Chair we have a quorum. Thank you Douglas and if you may continue
with instructions for public participation please. Thank you chair. Welcome to day one
of the August 2026 CTC meeting in sunny San Diego.
Please note that because this is a two day meeting,
you will need to use a separate link
to attend the meeting tomorrow.
These links can be found on the first page
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Please use the questions tab in the webinar
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The meeting agenda is located on our website
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All of the presentations for today's meeting
are also available in the Commissioned Meetings page of our website under the View, Download
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you need. Simply email us at ctc.ca.gov and we'll have them return to you as quickly as
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Thank you for joining us today.
We know your time is valuable
and we appreciate you chairing some of those.
Thank you, Chair.
Thank you, Douglas.
All right, well, it is my great pleasure
to introduce a great friend of CTC's.
We are actually in her house at Sandag.
Mayor Lisa Heber, who is chair
of the San Diego Association of Governments
and mayor of the wonderful coastal city of Solana Beach.
Thank you for having us, Mayor.
You're welcome.
Welcome to everybody here in our wonderful boardroom.
Thank you so much, Chair Falcone, commissioners and staff.
My name is Lisa Huebner, I'm the mayor of Solana Beach
and chair of Sandig as was noted.
And on behalf of the Sandig board of directors and staff,
welcome to our beautiful city and welcome to our boardroom.
When Chair Falcone addressed our board this last month,
we were reminded of the meaningful work this commission
carries out on behalf of communities
in every corner of California.
We appreciate the important work you do across the state.
and we are especially are pleased to welcome you
to our region today.
Demand for transportation funding, as you know,
has never been higher.
With key grant programs already oversubscribed
and significant uncertainty surrounding the future
of funding for programs we rely on,
we take great pride in fostering a strong culture
of regional collaboration.
In an increasingly competitive funding environment,
SANDEG works by bringing partners together
to advance the projects and priorities
that will deliver the greatest benefit
to the San Diego region.
Across our 18 cities, San Diego County,
17 tribal nations, Caltrans District 11,
MTS, NCTD and our community partners,
we do the hard work up front.
We align our local agencies
around shared multimodal corridors,
ensuring that every state dollar leveraged
delivers safety, sustainability
and real mobility choices for our residents.
and we see the direct power of that collaboration
and the investments the CTC has entrusted to us.
Just last month, your commission approved $255.1 million
for the state-of-the-art Otay Mesa East Port of Entry,
a project decades in the making
that will completely transform cross-border trade
and strengthen our regional economy.
You also approved $214.3 million
for our San Diego Double Track Project
up in my neck of the woods,
which includes replacing a 110 year old bridge,
double tracking a vital segment of the Losan corridor,
enhancing coastal resiliency
and building a new special events platform
at the Delmar fairgrounds.
From our urban core to our rural and tribal communities,
state investments are actively transforming
how people in the San Diego region move.
As you convene in San Diego this week,
know that San Diego stands ready as a dedicated partner.
We share your commitment to good stewardship,
efficient project delivery and advancing a multimodal transportation network that serves
the needs of all Californians, as well as California's climate and economic goals.
As I close, and before I turn it back over to Chair Falcone, I'd like first to acknowledge
the land that we call home. We pay our respect to the unceded territory and homelands of
the 17 tribal nations in our region, the most of any county in the United States, representing
in the Kumeyaay, Luceno, Copeno, and Cahuilla peoples.
As a San Dei community, we honor this land's legacy
and are committed to learning
from indigenous traditional knowledge
as we build a stronger, more inclusive future
for all our communities.
Chair Falcone and commissioners and CT staff,
thank you for your partnership, your trust, your leadership.
We hope you enjoy your time in San Diego
and have a productive meeting.
Thank you so much.
Thank you, Chair Huebner.
Is there are there any public comments Justin?
That's the any request a comment. Okay. Thank you. Any comments from commissioners?
Okay
Chair Heberner, thank you so much and and always your partnership our partnership with sand egg is so important
We had a wonderful
tour yesterday
with
SANDAG, Caltrans, MTS, and we got to visit the Naval Base San Diego and really saw, you know,
the spirit of partnership, especially in an area in South County which is sorely needed,
an investment on Harbor Drive, particularly looked at the border crossing in San Ysidro,
and so saw some of the things that are coming to fruition that we've been working on for many,
many years, even decades, the Bayshore Bikeway being one of 26 miles or almost 26 miles of
bike paths that connect five cities to transit and to jobs and to each other. So it was a
wonderful afternoon yesterday and I just want to thank you and Sandag staff and Caltrans
and their partners for such an impactful tour.
You're welcome.
It must be very gratifying to be able to see
some of the work that you have done
when it's been built and see the bright future
that we have here in the San Diego region.
Thank you.
Thank you, Chair.
All right, we have tab three approval of minutes
for June 25th, 26th.
And this is an action item.
Motion to approve the minutes.
Well, do we have comments actually?
items three through five altogether. Ah, that's right. Okay. It is approval of
minutes for the June 25th, 26th, 2026 meeting item four is the commission meet
commissioners meetings for compensation. Item five is the committee members
compensation. Staff recommends your approval. Thank you so much. I need to
take off my glasses when I'm reading. Um, all right. So tabs three to five. Any
public comment on those items? We never see any requests to comment on any of
All right. Thank you, Justin. Any comments or motion from the dais? Motion to approve
all three. Okay. Thank you. Commissioner Bradshaw. Second. Second by Commissioner Tiffany on
favor. Aye. Aye. Noes? Opposed? I mean, uh, abstentions. Okay. Those motion, those tabs
pass. Uh, tab six update from our chief deputy, Paul Golodzewski. Hi. Good afternoon, everyone.
I'd like to echo Chair Falcone's comments thanking Chair Huebner and Sandag for hosting
us here today, as well as Sandag, MTS, and Caltrans for the tour yesterday.
We really welcome the opportunity to see the projects up close with commissioners and to
see the progress that has been made since our last visit.
Also wanted to echo the comments welcoming back our executive director, Tanisha Taylor.
staff is very excited to have her back. And we're very fortunate to have her here today
with us. Commissioners, we've had an active summer since the commission last met in June
in Sacramento. Last month, the Senate Bill 1 programs held additional workshops to finalize
updates to the draft guidelines for cycle 5 of the local partnership program, solutions
for congested corridors program, and trading trade corridor enhancement program. Staff
staff will be presenting the final guidelines for your approval on today's agenda.
As you heard when the draft guidelines were presented in June, these guidelines are the
result of an extensive public workshop and stakeholder engagement process.
Adoption of the guidelines today will open the call for projects for the programs and
staff will be bringing recommendations for $1.5 billion in funding to the commission
next spring.
Next week the Commission Caltrans and the California State Transportation Agency announced
the call for applicants for the 2027-2029 term of the Interagency Equity Advisory Committee.
The input of committee members has been invaluable to the Commission's work since it was first
convened and I encourage anyone interested to apply in serving on the committee.
The application will remain open through September 20th and can be found on the Commission's
website.
later on this meeting's agenda Caltrans will present the draft California
transportation plan 2050 also known as the CTP and the Commission will be asked
to approve the 2026 California transportation asset management plan the
TAMP. The CTP lays out the state's vision for our transportation system over the
next 20 years while the TAMP is a 10-year plan that is updated every four
years and approved by the Commission. The TAMP tracks conditions on the state
highway system and informs the investment strategy of the state highway
system management plan and the selection of projects for the state highway
operation and protection program. As demands unlimited shop resources
continue to grow, the TAMP is an important tool in monitoring how our
transportation system is serving the needs of all Californians and we welcome
Caltrans's presentation later today. Also later on our agenda, commission staff will
provide an update on applications received for the 2027 active transportation program.
The commission received requests totaling $2.9 billion compared to approximately $620
million available this cycle. That means we can only fund 20% of the amount requested,
illustrating the significant unmet need in this program. And also at this
meeting the Commission will consider in total approximately 2.7 billion dollars
in project allocations supporting transportation improvements throughout
California that will improve communities, the environment, and the economy. I'd like
to take a moment now to recognize our staff and our partners at Caltrans for
the work that goes into preparing each Commission meeting, in particular the
Office of CTC liaison for their efforts. It's critical that Caltrans and
Commission staff continue to work together on agenda issues early and
communicate often. We've seen time and again how early discussions and
engagement help resolve issues in a timely manner. We appreciate our
continued partnership and look forward to continuing to work together to align
our internal processes. Commissioners now would like to mention a few upcoming
events. On September 1st, the commission will join the Oregon and Washington
Transportation Commissions for a tri-state meeting. All three agencies
will meet virtually to discuss climate and sustainable transportation funding.
Also in September, we'll be scheduling a virtual workshop to present proposed
updates to the toll facility project application guidelines to provide
stakeholders with the opportunity to offer comments and feedback. A save the
date with more information will be sent out soon. On September 17th and 18th
we'll hold our second Town Hall of 2026 in San Luis Obispo and on September
25th the Road Charge Technical Advisory Committee will hold their final
committee hearing with a presentation on the Senate Bill 339 Road Charge Pilot
Report. The Road Charge Technical Advisory Committee is scheduled to
sunset at the end of the year under the senate bill 339 legislation so this will be their final
meeting. Lastly as a reminder our next meeting will be in Hanford on October 15th and 16th.
And commissioners that concludes my report. Thank you. Yeah thank you so much Paul. Any
public comment on our chief deputy's comments? No, no request to comment on the comments.
back at the dais any comments or questions none okay thank you all right um next tab
commissioner updates we have commissioner eager yes thank you um well first i wanted to start with
a special thank you and acknowledgement to donna berry i know she's here somewhere
Sorry.
I saw her roaming around.
Over there in the corner.
You have been an institution here at Caltrans
and a wonderful partner for us across the state of California.
There's going to be some big shoes to fill there.
We wish you well.
We congratulate you, but we're going to miss you.
And thank you for everything that you've done in your career.
please. And as Paul said, this has been a busy time. I have had the privilege of going
out and with my shovel and my scissors and doing ground breakings and ribbon cuttings.
I did the Madera 145 and the commissioners you might remember we were downtown Madera
and walked and saw when a freeway bisects a downtown area and what that can do to a
And that project is off the ground
and starting to widen those streets
and put in sidewalks and pedestrians.
So that was exciting.
Then I went to Tulare County
and the 99 International Ag Center
on and off ramp there.
If anybody's ever been to the International Ag Center,
about 500,000 people go per year to the Ag Show
from around the world.
And you used to have to get off a mile or so down the way
and go through the neighborhoods.
And there were long lines for hours of people.
And now we have new infrastructure
to be able to take you right off the 99 and into the Ag Center.
So that was an exciting one.
Then I was in Laguna Canyon Road with Chair Falcone.
The 133, right?
Yes, the 133.
That is an extremely dangerous road.
And the telephone poles are right almost
in the middle of the road.
We saw what happened in Paradise when those poles came down
in the middle of the road and people couldn't get out.
So this is a very important project
that the CTC and Caltrans are working
on to get that one completed.
Then I was just in Fresno at the Fresno and Kings County 41
Excelsior.
And we brought this to the commission quite a few years
ago because that road, 41, going from the Central Valley
to the Central Coast was very deadly.
And it went from four lanes to two lanes to four lanes.
And people were passing.
And there were so many injuries and deaths on that road.
And it had been in the queue for 20 years.
We finally got that one off the ground.
So it has been an exciting month.
Congratulations to Caltrans.
We're excited to keep on going.
We have quite a few more to do in the coming months.
So it's not just sitting up here voting on things.
There's wonderful things going on around the state.
And finally, Commissioner Tiffany and I
were privileged to go to an event last weekend.
Our own Darnell Grisby, Commissioner Grisby,
got married last weekend.
And there's the picture of Darnell and Peter.
They got married in Oakland, and they
had their reception in San Francisco,
and they wanted people to be able to see what that was like,
using BART, going across the bridge, and enjoying both areas.
It was absolutely gorgeous ceremony.
We had so much fun.
We did.
I wish I had a picture of what Commissioner Tiffany wore
that night.
Maybe we'll convince him to wear it at another meeting.
I can tell you it was nothing compared to what
that Darnell suit, my guy, he rocked that outfit.
I could not have done that for sure.
Well, you did.
No, go away.
I'll tell you, it was purple and velvet.
Just saying.
But I understand that purple and velvet.
It was purple and velvet.
I understand Darnell is listening in.
he's driving. So on three, if everyone in this room could say congratulations, Commissioner
Grisby. I know he would appreciate it. So on three, one, two, three, congratulations.
Thank you. That completes my report. You're quite the underachiever, Commissioner Eager.
She's just using all of these events as an excuse to inspect our system in this state,
right?
And we're doing great.
We're delivering projects.
Yes.
Ribbon cutting.
She is the ribbon cutting queen, absolutely, according to Commissioner Tiffany.
Any other updates?
And, yes, congratulations to Commissioner Grisby if you are listening.
We wish you well in your life with your new spouse, Peter, and we look forward to seeing
you at the next commission, hopefully, so stay forever you're at.
Anybody else that would like to provide an update?
Okay, Commissioner Gordino.
Thank you, Chair Falcone.
As some of you may know, my wife, Leslie, and I have created and direct several community
charity runs in our portion of California to help families in need, and we just had
our sixth annual Stars and Strides community charity run to benefit our public hospitals
and public health care clinics that a lot of families of more modest means of most of
us in our room depend upon for just world class health care needs.
And we have some extra shirts, these are not cotton, these are racing, running, walking,
yoga, weightlifting, just showing off shirts.
So I brought some, and during the break, if you too would like to sweat in style, please
see me.
As my wife said, Carl, please don't bring those back home.
Thank you.
I'm developing quite a collection myself.
Commissioner Guardino, thank you.
And you look stunning.
Thank you very much.
All right, anybody else from the dias
that would like to provide an update?
And we welcome Vice Chair Cruz.
Glad you're here. Thank you.
I apologize for being late.
My plane was delayed, but glad to be here.
We're glad you're here.
All right, for my comments, I've written them down
just so that I'm kind of organized.
So I had the privilege of attending, just this past Tuesday.
This week has been quite eventful, I have to say.
The opportunity to join CalSTA, CalTrans, local leaders
from the Orange County communities and project
partners in Orange County to celebrate
the completion of the Revive, the 405 multi-asset project.
I don't see Lan Zhao.
Is she here?
Where are you, Lan?
All right, there she is.
You're not usually quiet.
OK, there she is.
She has been quite the overachiever herself this past month with two major ribbon cuttings.
But for the 405 multi-asset project, this $273 million investment funded by SHOP modernized
an 11-mile stretch of interstate 405 between Irvine and Costa Mesa, with improvements
to pavement safety, intelligent transportation systems, accessibility, active transportation,
a new park and ride facility. So that is one robust project. I especially want to congratulate
District 12, Director Lan Zhao and her team at District 12 and the contractors and crews
who delivered this major project. I understand on time and under budget, right? Do I have
that right, Lan? Yes, okay. Enthusiastically. So congratulations. Delivering a project
of this scale is a tremendous accomplishment and reflects the kind of partnership discipline
and stewardship we want to see across California. So well done. And again, I want to welcome
back our executive director who is sorely missed, particularly by me. I want to recognize
her for all the things you've been going through, but we felt your vibe in all of our hearings
and all the things that we've done.
See, I've seen enthusiastic nods from your staff.
We are genuinely grateful to have you back.
Your leadership, judgment, and steady commitment
to this commission and its staff are deeply valued.
And I know I speak for my fellow commissioners
when I say how good it is to see you across from me,
someday next to me.
But while Tanisha was gone, this organization
continued to move forward because
of the strength of the leadership team
she has helped build.
And I particularly want to recognize our chief deputy
executive director, Paul Goloszewski,
for an extraordinary job he has done over the past few months.
And I would ask you to join me in thanking him.
Don't be modest.
You've done great.
You've stepped into a significant leadership
responsibility during a demanding
period for the commission.
He's provided continuity, sound judgment, and steadiness
while supporting both our staff and commission
through a very, very full agenda.
Paul, you didn't simply keep things moving.
You helped ensure that the quality and integrity
of the commission's work remains strong throughout this period.
On behalf of the commission, thank you
for your leadership and your service.
And I want to recognize the entire commission staff.
It's hard not to be with your leader, right?
And there's been a lot of heavy issues and policy happenings.
And so I want to congratulate all of you
in continuing all of your hard work.
And you do it with style and heart.
Leadership transitions work when there is a strong team
behind them.
And we've seen that very clearly over the past several months.
So thank you all for all of your professionalism and dedication.
Finally, I want to recognize, and this was mentioned by Paul,
the Road Charge TAC.
Next month, the Commission's Road Charge Technical Advisory
Committee will be meeting for the last time
after 11 years of hard work.
And I want to recognize Commissioner Bradshaw
for stepping up and chairing that committee.
It's not easy work, brother.
Thank you for doing that.
It was a pleasure.
I can tell, I can tell, I can tell.
It was.
Yeah, please.
Really quick, couldn't have navigated any of that
without the best staff in the state, no doubt about it.
So I just want to uplift that.
Thank you.
Thank you, brother.
And over that time, the TAC has provided a forum for California
to examine road charging as one potential approach
to addressing the long-term challenges facing transportation
funding.
Committee members have contributed their time
and expertise to exploring a wide range of issues,
including implementation, technology, privacy, equity,
and public acceptance, and provided valuable input
as California conducted pilots and evaluated
what road charging could mean.
So this is the last meeting next month,
and please extend our appreciation to all the members
that have stuck through this for the many years
that this committee has been in existence.
So with that, I am going to end there
and thank you again for indulging me
and during my status update.
And with that, I will close my comments.
Anybody else wanna speak?
All right, with that, any public comment, Justin?
There was no request to comment on the item.
Okay, great.
Tanisha would like to, okay.
Executive Director Taylor.
So I said I wasn't gonna say anything public in line.
So I just want to take a moment to really thank Paul.
As a professional, as a friend, as just somebody I can trust,
when I say, I'm not going to be here, a year ago in July,
I called Paul and said, I won't be in tomorrow.
I broke my ankle.
And then six months later, I said something else happened.
And then another three months, something else happened.
And every time Paul stood up, he checked on me.
He made sure I was OK as a human first
and as a colleague second.
And I want to thank you for that, Paula.
It really meant a lot to me.
It really speaks to the man you are inside.
The second thing, I want to thank my team and the partnership
we have amongst all of us with our commissioners,
with everyone, because the things that I've heard
is, in my absence, you all continued on.
They didn't notice a difference.
They saw the same team that I see every single day.
And I want to commend you all, and I want to thank you all.
not often that a boss can step away and truly step away and not have a phone call, not have
a panic text, not have a something. And I was able to do that. And I want to thank you all for that.
Here, here. Thank you. Okay, moving on to Tab 8. Update from our Undersecretary of CalSTA,
James Hacker. Welcome, James. Thank you, Chair Falcone. Thank you, everybody, for having me.
I think I have some slides. Great, I'm not going to have to wing it. Thank you.
So good afternoon, everybody. Thank you for having me. Very happy to join you here in San Diego.
We're already more than halfway through the year and we have lots of progress to report on. So if
we go to the next slide, we'll start with safety. First, some good news. The Governor's Highway
Safety Association, which is a national body focused on highway safety, recently released
their report on pedestrian traffic fatalities by state based on 2025 data which is presented here
on the slide which tells a very encouraging story here for the state of California. The report
projects a preliminary 22.4 percent decrease in California pedestrian fatalities between 2024 and
2025. That's a reduction of 239 year over year so from 1067 deaths in 2024, 828 deaths in 2025.
obviously, 828 deaths is 828 deaths too many, but it is an encouraging trend. And so we look forward
to continuing to drive on all the efforts that have driven this progress. And so important to
note that sort of the, you know, the summary numbers like this really capture the output of
a bunch of specific actions that the state has made. So first, just as a first update, the state
priority safety quarters effort continues. So we continue to implement on the first three safety
quarters that we designated late last year. Those corridors are State Route 91, Avalon
Boulevard in L.A. County, and Varner Road in Riverside County. We're attending our focus
on enforcement and education efforts as well as community engagement while we scope capital
and other sort of physical improvements on those corridors to help improve safety outcomes.
Analysis of initial telematics data on each corridor has shown some promising trends,
which we're going to continue to monitor and use to identify further interventions we can
to continue to make sure that we're pushing
that data in the right direction.
Importantly, we're gonna be using some of that same data
to identify our next set of state priority safety corridors.
So UC Berkeley Safe Trek has completed
their initial analysis or a refresh of that data
based on the same sets of data they use
to select those first three corridors.
They've identified a set of five corridors
in the north estate and five corridors in the south estate
that we are currently working through further analysis on
effort to identify our next set of state priority safety corridors, which we were hoping to
identify and begin implementation on later this year.
Moving on, the Secretary's Zero Traffic Fatalities Task Force continues to run along.
They held their fourth meeting of the reconvening task force on July 20th, 2026, where they
focused on exposure, with a focus on how complete streets infrastructure and mode shift can
reduce risk for all road users, with a particular focus on pedestrians and active transportation
users throughout the meeting, which included discussion, brainstorming, as well as an academic
presentation on the subject. Task force members sought to brainstorm ways, strategies, as well
as recommendations to increase transit use, implement complete streets, infrastructure,
and encourage mode shift, all with a focus on improving pedestrian and overall transportation
safety. The fifth and final task force meeting took place just three days ago on August 17th,
which was kind of a wrap-up of all the previous work. And we're now in the press to turn our
attention towards the production of the final recommendations in the final report which we're
aiming to get out again later this year. And then turning now to some of the the actual sort
of on the groundwork of actually building these projects just talking a little bit about complete
streets implementation specifically Caltrans. We've moved we're now we are posting complete
streets decision document justifications online in a publicly viewable place for the first time as
way to explain why we are making certain decisions in certain locations and we've held a hand for
full of complete Street workshops for Caltrans districts and have now scheduled the majority
of the workshops for the rest of the state across the rest of the year, particularly
noting that we are holding one here in San Diego on October 1st. If we could go on to
the next slide. Turning out to equity. First, just a little bit about the interagency equity
advisory committee. At the last EAC meeting in May, we had a successful complete streets
workshop looking at accessibility, walkability, and wheelability. This week, the EAC was happy
meet with the Caltrans District 11 Community Advisory Board or CAB. We've also created
a formalized committee advising Caltrans on transportation equity issues within the district.
I as well as the rest of as well as the secretary and the rest of the CALSA team
look forward to hearing how the CAB plays a role in district plans programs and project delivery
and offer our support for more formal groups like the CAB in all of our Caltrans districts.
And then just yesterday, the EAC heard about the latest draft of the California
Transportation Plan 2050 Pathways Update, which is out for public comment now.
Hearing about statewide efforts for district transit plans and provided initial insights
about accessibility and active transportation. A frequent concern is the need for the plan to
ensure that people of all abilities, including the most vulnerable, can safely and efficiently
access the transportation modes in their everyday lives. I also want to give a special shout out
to EAC member Randy Torres van Bleck, who I believe is here, and will speak a little bit later today
about his work on the EAC. In addition to working on the EAC, he's been working on reconnecting the
communities of National City in southeast San Diego through their Green Corridors Project.
So thank you, Randy. And lastly, turning to the Middle Mile Broadband Initiative. Again,
this is the state's 8,000-mile public access middle mile broadband project. Progress continues.
While this is a project that is owned by the California Department of Technology,
and is being delivered by a number of private partners.
Caltrans does play a key role,
both in delivering several hundred miles of infrastructure,
as well as playing a key role
in sort of permitting and planning of the overall network.
So lots of work has happened,
lots of progress has been made.
The most recent update that I have is that
out of the 8,137 total network miles,
as of July 13th,
so this number is a little bit higher by this point,
we've permitted 82% of the network, or 6,747 miles,
and we have constructed just a little bit north of 50% of the network, 4,108 miles.
And importantly, the first network customer, the Bishop Paiute tribe, is now connected and live,
making the transition from construction to service delivery a reality.
This has been a major effort. I just want to sort of highlight the fact that we've
permitted more than 6,700 miles and built more than 4,000. And this project was only conceived
of three or four years ago. So this has been a huge sprint and a ton of work has been done
not just by Caltrans, but by the California Department of Technology and all of our project
delivery partners. So thank you, everybody. We could go on to the next slide for climate action.
First, the Sustainable Communities Task Force Summer Workshop. Earlier this month,
CalSTA reconvened the Sustainable Community Task Force after a series of one-on-one interviews
and small group meetings to talk through issues related to the implementation of Sustainable
Community's plans with focus on a transportation policy that decreases VMT and greenhouse gas
emissions and increases livability. So this last meeting was held just a few weeks ago,
was meant to discuss draft findings from the task force to date.
It was the task force's final meeting and included more than 40 attendees.
Coming out of this meeting by mid-September, UCITS will synthesize the range of viewpoints that were
presented in the task force and the range of recommendations that were presented in a memo
to the agency and CASA will then turn to draft a report of recommendations and findings to be
informed by that memo. Our goal is to present a draft of that report at the October 21st joint
meeting of HCD CARB and the CTC, which I believe is planned for Riverside, as part of the report's
public comment period. And the final SCTF report aims to be published by December 2026.
Next big milestone for us was Governor Newsom's transit executive order on June 26th,
I think just after our last CTC meeting. Governor Newsom signed executive order EON 726,
which boosts modernizes and reorients California's transit and pass-through rail networks
and passenger and transit work across our various turbine agencies throughout the state.
Here at Calisto, we're extremely enthusiastic about this EO and we're aiming to help make
sure that it significantly benefits communities all across the state. It directs California's
transportation agencies and departments to accelerate transit projects, services, and
technologies, and to find ways to increase transit ridership statewide, including by doing
things like expanding the California Integrated Transit Project, or CAL ITP. It aims to connect
every community in the state to a cleaner, more reliable, and equitable transportation network.
And the is a state-level response to some of the policy changes and federal actions we've
we've seen recently to sort of slash public transit funding and support.
And so we're, we're very happy to be pushing back against those actions, uh,
Cal State and Caltrans are working together to develop an early implementation
plan regarding EO and seven 26 that we'll be driving this year.
The first deadlines from that EO, uh, start to hit come October. Um,
but helpful to note that we are not waiting until October.
So I want to thank the commission and commission staff, uh,
because as part of the guidelines update that I believe is up in this meeting,
either today or tomorrow, for the Sustainable Solutions
for Congested Quarters program and the Local Partnership
Program guidelines, including some language-related transit
prioritization and first and last malecon activity projects,
which allows us to hit the first deliverable
from that executive order.
So thank you to the Commission for all your work
on this subject.
And then lastly, just a bit of a look ahead to this winter,
the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration Climate
Prediction Center reports we're up to a 97% chance
that El Nino will be either a strong
or a very strong El Nino this year.
Starting this winter, lasting through spring of 2027.
Officials note that this climate pattern
will increase the risk of heat waves on land and on sea,
which are already being exacerbated
by human-caused global warming.
It's expected to bring above average rainfall
to at least certainly on the coast,
as well as larger storm surge
than we've historically seen.
Now the last time we had a strong El Nino was 2023, 2024,
it brought above average rainfall to the coast and below normal precipitation inland, which
importantly led to a number of impacts to our state transportation infrastructure. For example,
there were hundreds of landslides in LA County alone. So we are very aware of this issue, that
this issue is coming at us, and we're doing what we can to get ready for it. Caltrans districts
are updating their winter plans and maintenance checklists. They're adding resources to prevent
highway closures due to El Nino, whether that comes from landslide, flooding, or storm surge.
We're looking for ways to accelerate repairs and to plan ahead for those repairs and where needed
we are ready to move quickly via director's order or emergency actions. Caltrans headquarters is
providing in-person training on emergency management in major damage restoration for district staff
and districts will be working to adjust staffing and equipment planning as storms approach to
ensure that we are prepared for a rapid response and operational readiness should the situation
requirements. We go to the next slide under economic prosperity. Just a couple of notes here.
First, just a few days ago on August 16th, Secretary Omashakan spoke at the United Nigeria
Diaspora Foundation, partnering for prosperity and deepening the U.S.-Nigeria Strategic Alliance.
He spoke on unlocking bilateral trade and investment opportunities between the United
States and Nigeria, aiming to help strengthen partnership between the two nations.
on July 30th, so a little bit before that, we hit a milestone with some of our partners in LA and
at the Port of Los Angeles where we signed an MOU committing the state, the port, and our local
partners to work together on a pathway to develop a project to functionally raise the Vincent Thomas
Bridge which will enable access to the port by the largest and cleanest and most modern container
vessels which will help improve freight flow as well as hopefully the environmental impact of the
the port. It's very early days of this project. We're obviously in the process of repairing
the bridge that exists there, but this is part of us planning for the future and working
with our partners to ensure that we have a goods movement and transportation network
that can meet the needs of a growing state. This event was held at the port of Los Angeles,
and as you can see in this photo, signatories included Mayor Bass, Secretary Omashakan,
Port-Aveille executive director Gene Soroka, as well as Caltrans district director Gloria
looking ahead or moving on to P-FIP. We have two major P-FIP or port and freight infrastructure
program milestones that we hit. First on June 29th we celebrated progress at the port of Long Beach.
Highlighted progress on the ports 383 million grant that they got from the state P-FIP. 200 million of
which was dedicated to acquiring human operated zero emission cargo handling equipment as well
tugboat repowering and charging infrastructure, as well as more than 158 million to advance the
port's rail support facility, which shifts container traffic from trucks to on-dock rail
to help reduce congestion and air quality impacts in the region. Additionally, on July 2nd, we moved
on to the Port of Wainimi, up in Ventura, to celebrate some of their progress. The day included
a ribbon cutting as well as a groundbreaking ceremony to showcase some of the progress
made possible through the 80 million dollars that the PFIT program has invested in the port of
Wainami. One project that's breaking ground at the port is a rebuilding of the port's shoreside
power station which will allow ships in port to plug in and use electricity directly from the port
rather than running their own diesel engines and adding criteria air quality pollutants
to the air there. Additionally, we've invested more than two million dollars in the speed
Initiative which stands for Sustainability, Prosperity, Education, Equity Driven, which
is a workforce development program to develop sort of the workforce for the poor to the future,
part of which includes English as a second language education for members of the community.
And we had participation from a teenage member of the community who spoke to the
Valley of the Program has made in her life. So great to see the impact that we are driving
and continue to drive in the work there. Lastly, moving on to high speed rail. Last
month in July, we completed construction on the Corcoran Highway grade separation in Kings
County. This is a massive overpass designed to route vehicular traffic over two future
high speed rail tracks. The roadway or the railway under it is now fully connected and
ready for track installation. It is the 62nd structure completed within the first 119 miles
project that is 62 of the planned 92 structures that are currently underway, the vast majority
of which we are planning on completing this calendar year to allow us to begin laying
track once again within this calendar year, continuing to drive progress in this important
project.
And for the next slide, that concludes my report.
Thank you once again for having me, and I'm happy to take any questions.
Thank you, Undersecretary.
Any public comment, Justin?
No, there was no request to comment on the item.
Okay, thank you.
From the dais, any questions or comments for Mr. Hacker?
Okay, thank you James for being here.
Okay, next up is our Caltrans director, Dina El Tawansi.
Is she here?
Ah, she's joining us virtually.
Hi, Dina.
Good afternoon, Cheryl Tawkwan.
Can you guys hear me?
Yes, we can.
Perfect, I'm sorry, I could not be there.
I'm feeling a little bit under the weather
and I did not want to take any risks spreading anything out.
I think you know my report virtually today, thank you.
And before I start, I just want to say welcome back Tanisha,
you've definitely missed and we're very happy
to have you back.
But good afternoon, Chair Falcone and commissioners
and commissioner staff.
This is Dina Altonci, I'm providing the Caltrans report.
Next slide.
I'll start today by announcing some recent leadership
changes that are taking place.
I want to start by Duan Nguyen, who has stepped up as the acting District 4 director.
Duan upholds District 4's tradition of earning public trust through results, excellence,
teamwork, and innovation.
Duan assumed the role of the acting chief deputy director for the Bay Area last September.
He previously served as the district's deputy for project management and the district's
single focal point for delivery.
leads through effective community partnership and championing his staff's professional growth.
Duan holds a bachelor's degree, a bachelor's of science degree in civil engineering from UC Davis
and is a registered professional engineer and project management professional. Congratulations,
Duan. Aung Mung also is stepping up as an acting deputy director for maintenance,
operation safety and equipment at the Caltrans headquarters. He previously served as the Middle
Mile Broadband Network Joint Build Permit Liaison and as District 4 Deputy Director for
Traffic Operations. He began his career with Caltrans in 2005 as a transportation engineer
in District 3. He spent a lot of the past 21 years serving in the divisions of design,
construction project management, maintenance traffic operations, and road safety.
Eng is a bachelor's of science degree in electrical engineering from Florida Atlantic
University and is a licensed professional civil engineer. Congratulations, Eng.
Announcing also some retirement, Eng will be taking over the deputy director position with
the recent retirement of our current acting deputy director for maintenance operations,
safety and equipment. Godson Okoraki from district seven. Godson has served the people of California
for 36 years with great warm kindness and dedication. Thank you for your decades of
service and support, Godson. You will be dearly missed by all your Caltrans maintenance
colleagues in district seven and by all of us in headquarters. The legacy you're leaving behind
will continue to shape Caltrans in the years to come and we wish you well in your retirement.
Congratulations.
Commissioner Iger had beat me to this announcement,
but it is equally better sweet
that I'm gonna be losing Donna Berry to retirement.
Donna is Caltrans chief engineer
and the deputy director of project delivery.
For 31 years, she has served the people of California
as a committed, encouraging and inspiring leader
in Caltrans, both within the department
and out in the community.
Donna has been a guiding light and a partner
uplifting everyone around her.
Donna's legacy will live on through the many projects
that she shaped and the strong technical foundations
and thoughtful policies, directions
that she has championed and accomplished.
Congratulations, Donna, and thank you
for all your leadership and dedication.
It has been really essential to Caltrans success
for the past three decades.
And we wish you very well in your next chapters.
Congratulations, you will definitely be missed.
Next slide.
Last month Caltrans held the ribbon cutting
for the Bay Area's first diverting diamond interchange
at State Route 37 and Fairgrounds Drive in Vallejo.
Diverging diamonds simplify drivers' movements,
reduce conflict points and improve access
for people driving, walking and biking.
Drivers, cyclists and pedestrians cross
to the opposite side of the road, reducing conflict points
and the number of lanes needing to be crossed.
This increases throughput
and reduces congestion near inner state AD.
It has a milestone for say route 37 corridor
and a model for regional partnership.
It is a partnership with the Solano Transportation Authority,
the city of Vallejo,
and the residents of the Vallejo's Country Club Crest
community neighborhood,
who were really involved from the very beginning
in shaping up this project.
This project is just the beginning of many improvements that are coming to State Route 37,
and we actually have two more projects that we're hoping to secure votes for
from the commission at this commission meeting. Next slide. Continuing with investments in economic
prosperity, I'm happy to share the recent progress we have made at the State Route 11
in Otaimesa Eastport of entry in San Diego.
This is an innovative border crossing partnership
with SANDAG, and definitely the project
will improve the facility, will deploy new technologies
that will provide secure, predictable and efficient crossing
for passengers and commercial vehicles
at the US Mexico border.
This will be the first US land port
to use dynamic tooling to manage demand,
dedicated crossroads will have integrated
intelligent transportation system
to alleviate supply chain bottlenecks
and deliver reliability and security.
Last year, Caltrans completed a key final portion
of State Route 11 connecting to the port,
a critical milestone in completing
the South San Diego County roadway network.
When the northbound passenger vehicle facilities are completed into 2028,
the Otay Mesa project will provide a modern port of entry
that will reduce border region greenhouse gas emissions
and further support bi-national trade by increasing throughput at the border.
This project remains a priority not only for California, but for the entire nation,
and Caltrans is proud to do its part in modernizing this important hub
for economic mobility and prosperity.
Slide please.
I think the undersecretary kind of touched on
over the middle by broadband progress,
but we're really proud to have issued just in 2026,
1061 miles, and we really look forward to building
on this momentum in the upcoming months.
Caltrans continues to build California,
connecting all Californians to a more prosperous future.
So we're very proud of our achievements here
and we'll continue pressing forward.
Next slide, please.
On our climate action front,
the Lost Chance Create permanent restoration project
is moving forward.
The project addresses a key vulnerability on US 101
at the naughty county.
Closures here forces an eight hour, 449 mile detour,
disrupting communities, emergency response, commerce,
schools, and tourism.
Landslides coastal erosion, steep terrain and strong storms
continue to threaten this segment,
driving frequent repairs and closures.
The selected project for the 6,000 foot tunnel,
the longest ever for Caltrans in the region
will bypass unstable slopes,
improve long-term reliability and reduce maintenance.
Mitigating environmental disruption,
Caltrans is pursuing long-term landscape
scaled restoration strategies.
The project reflects years of collaboration
with local governments, environmental agencies,
and multiple tribe nations,
ensuring broad consensus and support.
I especially want to thank the Yurok tribes,
the Kulikla tribes of the Yurok people,
Elk Valley Rancheria,
Tolodini tribes nation
for their partnership on this project.
PAD phase is completed and the project has entered
detailed design, advancing tunnel engineering portals,
roadway connections, drainage and operations planning.
Next steps, we will be continuing to permit,
geological investigation, cost requirement
and securing construction funding.
Construction remains on target for 2031,
course funding permitting. Next slide please. Furthering Caltrans work supporting economic
prosperity, I'm happy to share that Caltrans has stepped up to lead and work in close collaboration
with our West Coast DOT partners in Washington and in Oregon on Interstate 5 international gateway
corridor project. The I-5 is the West Coast's backbone for freight and passenger movement
connecting three states and two international borders. And more than 57 percent of the inner
state lies in California. Current operations along these inner states are fragmented,
with each state using different data systems for closures, incidents, and traveler information.
It's clear that the unified approach is needed for this vital corridor. This initiative proposes
a shared digital operating environment so California, Oregon, and Washington can exchange
real-time operational data while maintaining state DOT independence. This project will bring
alignment between three states in three phases. Phase one will set the basic digital foundation
and standardized data exchange processes. Phase two would bring coordinated multi-state operations
and common architecture. Phase 3 will initiate a fully connected corridor with advanced real-time
analytics shared among all three states. The goal of the project is to modernize I-5 operations,
improve safety and mobility, enhance faith movement, and prepare for future connected
and automated vehicle systems. Next slide. Undersecretary has also mentioned the transit
executive order, and I just want to emphasize that we are working very closely with CalSTA
on the implementation and the key deliverables there. Our Caltrans is updating our list of
transit priority projects to share with CalSTA, and the state transit plans are being updated
to adopt a service-led planning approach. Additionally, design guidance for transit
infrastructure on the state highway system is being developed. Lastly, we're working with our
agency partners to establish statewide transit transportation delivery supports team across the
state. Next slide, please. Bringing my updates so close, I want to quickly preview for the
significant project that you will be hearing about later during this meeting. The inner seat
5 Cascade Gateway project in Chester and Tohoma counties. A trade corridor enhancement program
project will bring freight and travel improvements to this vital corridor. And also the Coronado
Bridge improvement project including the suicide deterrence enhancement and rehabilitation that
will reduce the consequences of a major earthquake or incidents, accidental vessel impacts and protect
the travel, military readiness, and commerce to and from San Diego. These projects are directly
tied to Caltrans safety and prosperity goals, and they represent investments in key transportation
lifelines for their communities. My colleagues and I are looking forward to sharing more on
these projects with you today and tomorrow. Next slide. That concludes my update. I'm happy
to take any questions. Thank you, Dina, and wishing you restorative health. I just saw you
on Tuesday. Too much excitement for you, I think, right? Feel better. Thank you very much. Any
public comment, Justin? There was no request to comment. Okay, any comments from the dais?
Okay, Chief Deputy Paul Goliuszewski.
How can I guess my name?
Goliuszewski.
I find myself in knowing how to say your name.
My apologies.
That's okay.
I just wanted to circle back to the acknowledgments that Director L. Tawantzi made
for the Caltrans staff who are retiring.
Donna and Godson both had outstanding careers with Caltrans.
really appreciate their service to the state of California as well as their work with the
commission and just wanted to give them a round of applause. Thank you, Paul. Anyone else at the
dais? Yes, Commissioner Mann. Thank you. And I just also just want to share similarly what
Paul was sharing, what Commissioner Eager shared earlier in terms of the retirements. And Donna,
I'm going to miss you so much.
I really think that there are some people who
are missed sometimes because of their shared presence
and sometimes because of their brilliance.
I think you're going to miss, be missed for both reasons.
You are truly just extraordinary.
And I just really appreciate everything
that you've brought to the department, your leadership,
what you've done.
And I know that based on your background
and who you are as a person.
I believe you've probably trained so many people
and built so many leaders who will be able to carry on
this beautiful work for California.
But from getting infrastructure delivered on time
to new innovations that will hopefully see infrastructure
be delivered less expensively,
we will definitely miss you.
But thank you so much for all of your work.
Thank you for your comments, Commissioner Mann.
Anyone else on the dais?
A couple of comments for me.
Thank you for the shout out to Otay Mesa East,
Director Altawanzi.
Of course, you know that that's a project
that is near and dear to my heart.
Having worked very closely with the border region,
pretty much all of my professional life
and seeing this from bolts to nuts
and hopefully they'll be complete.
I understand from your staff yesterday
that we might expect a groundbreaking pretty soon here.
And then second, yes, I also wanted
to acknowledge all of your retirement
and ascensions of your staff, but particularly
my friend Donna Berry.
The first time I met you, Donna, was in San Diego
when we were just getting out of COVID.
And I think it was one of our first meetings
back in person.
And I met you in San Diego at the catamaran
and was introduced by a mutual friend.
And she said that you have to get to know her.
She is the spine of Caltrans engineering.
And you have been formidable and a friend.
And I just know that when you stand up and look at us,
we're in trouble.
But you have been gracious and looking forward
to the commencement of the retirement road show.
I understand it started recently in San Diego.
And you deserve all the accolades.
And we wish you well in your retirement, Donna.
All right.
Anybody else in the dais have any comments?
OK, thank you.
Next, we have FHWA California division administrator,
Doug Hickox, joining us virtually.
Hi, Doug.
Hi.
Good afternoon.
Thank you.
It's great to be here with you.
My apologies for appearing remotely,
but I've got a schedule conflict
that keeps me here in Sacramento, so I'm sorry about that.
Within the next few weeks,
the Federal Highway Administration anticipates
issuing several more notices of funding opportunities
for federal grants that California communities
be able to benefit from. Announcements will be available on grants.gov and as soon as I can
get the information that's needed I'll be happy to share that with our Caltrans partners.
Two RAISE grants valued at a combined 28 million dollars in federal funding for projects in
Fontana and in Oakland. The projects themselves were combined valued at roughly 66 million dollars.
We approved those grants yesterday and today respectively, so we're happy to continue to do
our best to keep federal investments flowing into California to keep these projects moving,
which I think is widely known, but I'll say it anyway, the federal fiscal year for
2026 ends at the end of September. We are busily wrapping up the end-of-year obligations and
reimbursements ahead of an internal deadline of September 24, when our financial transaction
system will temporarily close to allow for end of the year closeouts. That system will reopen
in mid-October. Congress is in the process of considering a continuing resolution and an
extension of contract authority to ensure that state departments of transportation like Caltrans
will continue to receive federal highway funding throughout FY2027 in lieu of or instead of the
reauthorization bill that has been discussed. Congress's current CR proposal will continue
funding through either December 4 or December 11. There's still some back and forth on that.
As Cal State Deputy Director Hacker noted, California pedestrian fatalities are falling.
Other safety stats throughout the state show similarly promising trends. The administration
recently released its new National Roadway Safety Strategy, it reaffirms our commitment to zero,
being the only acceptable number of deaths on our highways, roads, and streets. The USDOT will
pursue this goal through safer people, safer roads, and safer vehicles. The strategy also
prioritizes roadway safety in rural areas and on tribal lands. It seeks to enhance crash prevention
and post-crash care by supporting 911 call taking as well as pre-hospital blood transfusion
capabilities through initiatives such as the Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant Program.
The strategy also emphasizes the need for the integration of life-saving technologies
into vehicles and promotes the safe deployment of automated vehicles. This is especially timely
given the loss of Onias Avila de Rodriguez, a highway worker who was killed on August 10th
by a passing motorist on the fixed 50 project south of Sacramento. We mourn the loss of him
and we extend our deepest sympathies to his family and to all who knew him.
With regard to Federal Highway Administration staffing, we soon will have a new finance
director coming on board. We also have recently advertised, or soon will, and I'm sorry to say,
in the next few days we will advertise for a construction program manager as well.
These two positions are very critical and my staff deserves a big thank you for pitching in
to cover the duties of both of these positions for more than a year. So we're really, really
excited to have these new people join us. And before I forget, I want to congratulate Caltrans
and LA County and all of the local governments on the success of the recent FIFA World Cup.
the Federal Highway Administration was fortunate to have two members of our California team,
Arturo Iqaza and Jasmine Amanin, who both served on a multi-agency team to prepare for
and manage the traffic operations during the FIFA World Cup 2026 games in LA and in Santa Clara.
We're also especially thankful for Caltrans District 7's review of LA-area airspace leases
that were related to the security and safety of the 290 miles of highways, local roads,
and major arterials needed to support athletes, coaches, families, media, government officials,
and fans from around the world. This game's route and network is a high priority for us as well as
for our Caltrans partners. And to that end, to help various agencies stay on track with projects
that should be completed ahead of the LA 28 games. The USDOT recently approved a $800 million TIFIA
loan that will help LA Metro's I-405 express lanes project. It will close on or before September 2,
so we're very excited about that. And we also approved a $72 million grant two weeks ago
to help Caltrans District 7's Harbor Scenic Drive improvements project in Long Beach.
More good news is coming, but the greater Los Angeles area and all of its many projects are
shaping up nicely ahead of the Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games. So on behalf of the
Federal Highway Administration's California Division, I appreciate our partnerships
and the ability to work with Caltrans, CalSTA, and with this Commission. Thank you,
and before I forget, congratulations from the Federal Highway Administration to Commissioner
Grisby and Peter. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Division Administrator. Thank you for your
wonderful update. Any comments, Justin? No there was no request to comment from the public. Okay
thank you. Any comments from the dais? Well first of all thank you for the information on some of
the funding that's becoming available particularly the RAISE grants and also condolences on behalf
of all of us here in San Diego at this hearing for the loss of life of your member of your
transportation team when there's a loss of life in one agency that's felt by all of us.
And so we honor the work that all of our workers on our highways do on our behalf of California
and so our condolences.
Thank you again for your update Douglas.
Okay, next up is regional agencies moderator, Jose Luis.
Good afternoon, Chair Falcone, Vice Chair Cruz,
Executive Director Taylor and I'm gonna get it right.
Chief Deputy Director Gozowski.
My name is Jose Luis Tacitus
and I'm with the Santa's Lost Council of Governments.
I am serving as this year's Regional Transportation
Planning Agency's moderator.
The RTPAs met yesterday and I would like to extend
our sincere thanks to the SANDAG staff for hosting us.
We appreciate them hosting such a lovely conference space
and thanks to that space we were able to have
a really productive meeting.
And at yesterday's meeting we acknowledged
our previous moderator, Louis Xiao.
Louis made sure that every region had a voice
and now today I carry that responsibility.
On behalf, so excuse me, so regional transportation planning agencies, the mayor of San Diego
said we do the hard work up front, and that really resonates with me, especially the regional
transportation planning agencies, because we, at the end of the day, we want to see
projects delivered, and we certainly do the hard work up front.
We're engaged in planning and funding and programming, and then our local agencies usually
are the ones that are engaged in building.
I'm wearing actually this shovel lapel pin
because like Commissioner Eager,
I love going to ground breakings,
I love going to ribbon cuttings.
This is what makes the job worthwhile.
So the RTPA has asked that I speak in support
of the SB1 program guidelines.
There are several being adopted today
or up for adoption today.
So specifically that's the solutions
for congested corridors program,
the transportation congestion enhancement program,
trade corridors enhancement program, excuse me,
and the two local planning partnership programs,
the formula and competitive.
These are programs that were adopted by legislature
as part of SB1, and they were meant to fund
planned projects in California.
The CTC has been steadily refining these guidelines
since 2017, and this latest round of workshops
has also been productive.
if our TPA is spoke at these workshops
and your CTC staff listened.
Some things that we said
and we noticed the CTC staff paid attention to
is first we appreciate the improvements that were made
to address segmenting of projects
and alternate delivery methods.
This is pretty in-depth, weedy stuff,
but it really matters for us
because we're focused on project delivery.
Project delivery methods such as progressive design build.
We especially thank the CTC staff for this.
The second was we finally, in the guidelines,
we got clarification on how and when
a project cost savings is determined.
For perspective, if you were to hire a contractor
to build a roof at the very beginning of the work,
maybe we don't want to talk about cost savings then.
You want to wait till after the roof is done
before we start figuring out if there was a cost savings.
So we also want to acknowledge the hard staff work
that was done by the team.
Matthew Gazgot has some great staff
and I want to call them out specifically.
Kayla Gisi, Beverly Newman Burkhart, and Naveen Habib.
They worked tirelessly with our regions,
answering all our questions, meeting with us
to bring these guidelines to this stage.
And I want to acknowledge them
in anticipation of those items coming up.
And then finally, I don't think there won't be a special item on the agenda about this, but we got a presentation from Caltrans Local Assistance.
They have been working hard over the years to try to help us regions deliver our transportation projects and all of the funding and get it out the door to transportation projects. Since COVID,
we've been having a little bit of trouble with that. And Local Assistance, to their name, they've been assisting us with that. And what we found out is this year,
The highest in five years, we are going to, we are, we're projected to now I want to make sure I get the words right. We're projected to get 165 million of obligation authority through the federal August redistribution process.
There's $165 million that we don't have that we will get an addition. Now it's obligation authority. It's a little nerdy. It's goes with apportionment. But without this money, we don't obligate 165 million this year.
these are projects that are gonna start work
over the next 12 months.
And so that record is pretty impressive.
We need these funds to implement those plans.
I guess my slogan would be, we plan it, we fund it,
we build it, that's what we're here for,
that's project delivery.
So I wanna make sure I thank Caltrans Local Assistant staff,
our own regions who've been working hard
to get their delivery up,
and then all those local agencies and transit operators
that are getting these projects out on the street
or out on the bus route.
Thank you.
Thank you, Jose Luis for being here.
Any comments from the public?
No request to comment from the public.
Thank you.
Anyone from the dais?
Okay, great.
Thank you for your update, Jose Luis.
Okay, next tab is the Commission Equity Initiatives Sequoia.
Oh, okay, it says it's...
and I'm going to go ahead and.
on July 17th.
We received updates and had discussions
with staff on several topics.
One item was discussed was the SB1 guidelines
being considered for approval today.
As you have heard many times,
working with your staff is always a pleasure.
The update process has been transparent and thorough
with open lines of communication.
We appreciate their commitment to an inclusive process
and we support the SB1 guidelines.
Another item of great interest and concern
was presented by Caltrans staff on the update
to the inter-regional transportation strategic plan
or ITSP for short.
The rural county task force strongly supports
the state's effort to maintain a high functioning
inter-regional transportation system
and appreciates the opportunity to participate in the process.
However, we have serious concerns regarding three issues
and related to the 2027 ITSP update.
The first being Caltrans's proposal
to change the definition of inter-regional travel.
The second Caltrans's proposal
to embed the Caltrans system investment strategy
or CSIS methodology as a formal evaluation criterion
for the inter-regional transportation improvement program,
project nominations and three, the compressed schedule
for this technical or minor update of the ITSP
and the ability to adequately engage with stakeholders.
I sent a letter last month detailing these concerns
and our recommendations for the ITS update
to Director Caltrans, Director El-Twansi.
And in addition, Royal County Task Force members
will be attending the ITSP update workshops
that are scheduled for next week and in early September.
The Royal County Task Force appreciates Caltrans
taking our comments into consideration,
and we look forward to continued engagement
on the ITSP update process.
That concludes my report,
and I'm happy to answer any questions that you may have.
Thank you, Heather.
Any comments from the public?
No, there was no requested comment from the public.
Okay, I see a lowered mic by Commissioner Tiffany.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I just wanted to double down on the comments
that Heather made in regards to the ITSP changes
that are being looked at, representing a rural area,
along with my colleague next to me.
The funds that the ITSP helps support,
namely the ITIP projects,
these projects are absolutely critical for rural counties.
Rural counties, as we all know,
And certainly I've spoken about just simply
don't have the financial resources
that larger urban areas do.
So ITIP funding is absolutely critical.
The primary concern here has to do
with the change in the language.
And my understanding is the language
will talk about corridors, which the concern is
that it opens up the door for more projects in urban corridors
and adjacent projects.
And the change in the language doesn't really
seem to be even necessary.
They're trying to address interstate projects,
but certainly the current language
doesn't preclude that being interstate projects.
So it does raise the question is why the change?
Also, as mentioned by Heather, the CSIS being laid over, looking at these projects, it puts
the rural counties at a disadvantage.
And that is the current concern as well, as well as the, as she mentioned, the compressed
time frame for comments.
line the the intent and in and past of ITIP is that it is supports inter regional funding
roughly 60 percent the intent of the funding goes to outside large urban areas with these
changes it puts that funding at risk. Projects that I'm very familiar with like highway 156
in Samuel County that was just recently completed,
or hopefully Highway 25, which will hopefully soon
be addressed and started.
Those are the kind of projects in rural areas
that, frankly, probably would not have gone done
or will not get done if that kind of funding is not
available and more of it goes into urban areas
because of these changes.
So I think it's absolutely critical
that Caltrans takes these comments that Heather has made here today, as well as in her letter,
takes them very seriously. And I would like to see definitely a formal response from a
Caltrans and hopefully address their concerns and resolve those concerns. Thank you.
Thank you, Commissioner Tiffany, for your thoughtful comments. Any response from Caltrans
to Commissioner Tiffany's request.
Thank you, Chair.
So Stephen Keck, sitting in for Director El Tawanze,
absolutely continue to make these comments, right?
This is what we need to hear.
Like, what are the actual concerns?
I very much appreciate our rural counties
participating in our workshops.
And I heard that that will continue to happen
in the upcoming workshops.
That's what we need to hear, like the why,
not just that we don't like it, but the why.
And I can't speak for any changes that may be made in the ultimate plan, but I can say
that, if not earlier, then certainly these comments will be addressed formally in the
ITSB.
Thank you very much.
Commissioner Eger.
Yes.
Thank you, Heather, and certainly this is an important subject and important to everyone
going forward to make sure everything is fair across the board.
So some of the changes in language that seem minor but might have bigger effect later on,
did you have or did the rural county status force have suggestions on alternatives to
what Caltrans had put forward?
We're working on that.
We were waiting for originally one of the first workshops on the ITSP update was supposed
to be Tuesday.
That got rescheduled to early September.
and then the next one is, so it's August 31st and the 3rd.
So we're waiting.
We haven't actually seen any formal things.
The draft ITS plan is coming out in November,
but we were hoping to address some of our concerns
that we've seen in presentations and from staff ahead of that
before the draft hits the street,
because it'll be a fairly short comment period.
And I believe they're scheduled for a future presentation
before the CTC meeting, maybe in January
or at the early 2027 meeting.
So as with Commissioner Tiffany, we're very interested in how this moves forward. So if you do have those suggestions as you look at the wording now and and what you think would be more beneficial. Let us know that way we can continue to follow it. We would appreciate that. Great. Thank you. Thank you.
Thank you both for your comments and the questions and Heather, you say you're
hearing that we have some follow-up and we have got some interested
commissioners and certainly it's because that you know this is something
that that that you know we have intention and following and so thank you
for bringing the issues up to us and so you know with that thank you and we look
forward to to hearing your update following your workshops and and
feedback from the community. Thank you. Now tab 14. Commission equity initiatives. Yes.
So tab 13 was was withdrawn for the self-help counties coalition update. Sequoia, you're
next. Thank you, chair. Good afternoon commissioners. Tab 14 features are standing equity updates.
my updates committee member Randy Torres van black will be featured in our EAC member
spotlight. So first I want to take a moment to extend congratulations and gratitude to
the teams at Caltrans district 11 EAC members and staff spent the earlier part of this week
attending the meeting of their newly formed community advisory board and taking local
transit routes to tour the SR-15 bus only lane and the center line station in the City
Heights neighborhood. On Tuesday, we really, really appreciated the opportunity to reflect
and share on the past five years that we've spent developing the equity advisory committee
and to discuss best practices and to help ensure effectiveness of the District 11 community
advisory board. EAC staff and members really look forward to continued collaborations and
information sharing with the district 11 leads and members of the CAB. The informative tour on
Wednesday, yesterday morning, helped highlight possibilities for innovative and community-centered
transit strategies. Again, we extend gratitude to the district 11 and the city heights community
Development Corporation teams for spending the morning with us and sharing updates on
several other transformative projects in the area through a very, very well-designed booklet,
information booklet. So it's been a really great week for us on reflection and moving forward.
So next I'm proud to announce that the 2027-2029 member recruitment cycle opened on August 12th.
the application will remain open through Sunday, September 20th, and closes at 11.59 p.m.
So make sure to get it in before that if you're applying.
The application link is posted on the commission website, and it has been shared and will continue
to be shared through various social media and email outreach channels.
Next I will provide a status update on commission advisory opportunities for the equity advisory
Committee. Throughout the summer, EAC members have supported staff, supported
commissioned staff with the following. The Senate Bill 1 Cycle 5 equity
supplement and guidelines updates which will be presented today in tabs 18
through 25. Committee members provided recommendations on improvements related
to equity and community engagement in the SV-1 equity supplement and
evaluation criteria. The draft equity supplement now includes new guidance on inclusive engagement
practices including community relevant meeting locations and times, supportive accommodations
and accessible formats. New language focused on building community trust through transparency,
culturally competent communication and acknowledgment of past harms. New application questions describing
phases of community engagement and assessment of unintended project consequences including
displacement, additional displacement definitions and a new tribal engagement resources section.
And committee member efforts will help shape approximately $1.5 billion in multimodal funding
allocations and members themselves have gained valuable insights into program development
and how to stay involved in this in this big process. Next I will highlight EAC member
involvement with the 2027 active transportation program cycle 8 which will be shared today
in tabs 71 and 72. The call for projects was released following guideline adoption in March.
Six committee members signed up to support as reviewers of applications and you'll hear
more about this but the commission received 317 project nominations
requesting nearly three billion dollars with cycle 8 program capacity at six
hundred nineteen point three two million. Staff recommendations will be posted in
November and an upcoming advisory opportunity for the committee will be
the assembly bill 194 tolling guidelines update that's just getting started.
commission staff have brought on invited subject matter experts from the
committee for input on the upcoming update of the AB 194 tooling guidelines.
More workshops will be held in September and final guidelines are targeted for
adoption in the winter. And these guidelines clarify commission policy for
agencies considering applications to operate high occupancy toll lanes or
other toll facilities. Finally I'll highlight equity advisory committee
updates. The committee held our August business meeting yesterday here in San
Diego right in this room. We received presentations from Caltrans on the
district transit planning efforts and the California transportation plan draft.
The next committee meeting will be held on October 8th in Reading, so we have a
a big travel month in October.
Subcommittees met virtually throughout June
on items related to the work plan
and we'll meet again in November.
So that concludes my updates.
I will now pass it on to Member Randy Torres Van Vlek.
Thank you.
Thank you, Sequoia.
Good afternoon, commissioners.
My name is Randy Torres Van Vlek
and I'm the Interagency Equity Advisory Committee
Representative based here in San Diego,
which I respectfully acknowledges on ancestral
and unceded kumia land.
I wanna congratulate chair Clarissa Reyes Falcon
on your role.
It's exciting to have someone who lives
in the San Diego region and has done so much
for the region serving in the role of chair.
I currently live in City Heights.
I grew up in the Southwest part of Chula Vista.
My local trolley stop as a kid was Palomar Street
along the blue line where I understand
the CTC commissioner stopped yesterday on your tour.
For the past 16 years, I've been working in the space of community development,
engagement, planning, transportation, traffic safety, and affordable housing.
And for 13 of those years, I had the honor of working with community leaders and
city heights on the centerline stations, which we visited yesterday.
And I'll share more about yesterday's tour in a moment.
I recently became a vehicle American bicyclist certified cycling coach,
which means I train folks on how to become bike safety instructors.
I'm currently managing the Reconnecting Southeast San Diego National City Initiative for Mundo
Gardens, which is an initiative in partnership with Caltrans to reconnect communities that
have been divided by the I-805 and the halted 252 freeway. The 252 was stopped by Southeast
residents and the Black Federation in the 1970s to prevent their community from being divided in
half. The Interagency Equity Advisory Committee includes representatives from across the state
working on environmental justice, disability justice, and transportation justice, and the EAC
is a space that brings community and government together to operationalize transportation equity
through the three major California agencies. I appreciate the opportunity to serve on my
second term now, and I served on the 2020 Equity Roundtable. I was nominated for that to help
create the structure and the work plan for the EAC. I'd like to share a bit more with you on the EAC,
in particular our vision that we drafted that the CTC adopted. So our vision statement
for the Interagency Equity Advisory Committee, our vision is a California where
transportation systems serve all people equitably, reflect the rich diversity of our communities,
Empower economic opportunity and foster safety, mobility justice, disability access,
and sustainability for generations to come. We envision an affordable, reliable, connected,
efficient, accessible, innovative network that prioritizes and responds to the rapidly
changing needs of underserved populations, including our seniors, people with disabilities,
communities historically harmed by systemic inequities rooted rooted in
the understanding of our interconnected relationship with the land we are
committed to supporting the reduction of environmental harm integration of
renewable energy and the advancement of ecological and environmental justice
throughout a transportation system including the protection of wildlife
corridors and natural resources guided by community partnerships disability
justice cultural responsiveness and climate resilience we strive to transform our transportation
infrastructure into a just inclusive and forward thinking system that enhances the quality of life
and nurtures the well-being of all Californians and we appreciate the ctc for adopting this
statement could read the full statement on the eac webpage um now i'll share a little bit more
about what this vision looks like in practice um and i'll be drawing from yesterday's eac tour
and the media that we had here. Caltrans district 11 organized an excellent tour of the center
line stations where EAC members and staff rode the San Diego funded rapid 235 along the 94 and the
15. On the state route 15 we rode the transit only lanes to the region's first center line
bus rapid transit stations. We then met with city eight CDC staff and resident leaders on top of
of Taralta Park, which is the first freeway cover park
in California.
And this infrastructure infrastructure didn't just appear.
It's a complicated long history with ups and downs
that is rooted in community self-determination.
This advocacy led to negotiations between Caltrans,
the community and the city of San Diego in the 80s, 90s,
2000s and 2010s that ultimately led
to the center line stations Taralta Park
and the SR-15 commuter bikeway and more.
Next week, the community will be celebrating
the groundbreaking of the long awaited
Orange Avenue bikeway that goes directly
in front of Seralta Park perpendicular to the SR-15.
This bikeway, the Orange Avenue bikeway
is a CTC funded project.
It'll be the first regional bikeway
with traffic diverter infrastructure.
And the goal is to reduce traffic volume on Orange Avenue,
which connects to eight schools and two parks.
I look forward to as a resident of City Heights
to riding this new bikeway,
which will make it easier for my four-year-old daughter
and I to bike to school.
And by the time the project's complete,
she'll be five or six, which seems far away,
but I know we'll fly by.
On yesterday's tour, we heard from City 8 CDC
on the efforts to improve the quality of life
along the SR15 via infrastructure projects I mentioned,
along with affordable housing production.
And one of the issues we discussed as the EAC,
along with community and agencies present,
was a conversation and a policy brainstorm
about how we can activate and open the transit kiosks
and the restrooms on the transit plazas
that have been closed to the public
since they were built in the early 2000s.
So this was a fascinating, constructive,
generative policy discussion
about what it'll take to open these facilities,
the maintenance responsibilities tied to it,
economic development potential, et cetera.
Spending time walking the area yesterday in the heat
made us appreciate the basics like tree shade,
which we took refuge in, and the restrooms,
which we couldn't access because they were locked up.
These amenities, while basic and fundamental,
are strongly linked to creating pedestrian
and transit experiences that allow for dignity and comfort.
This moment was a reminder about what the EAC is about,
Serving as a conduit for community and government
to come together and to work together
to improve quality of life.
Thank you and have a great rest of your stay in San Diego.
Appreciate you.
Thank you so much, Randy.
Any public comment, Justin?
No, there was no request to comment
from the public on the item.
Anyone from the dais?
I just want to uplift, Randy.
I say this every time you make a presentation,
I have no right to be proud,
but I am proud because we have worked together
even prior to you being on the EAC and all the work that you're doing in so many ways
in the areas that are most needed in the San Diego region, your voice has always been so
strong and particularly in the reconnecting communities realm, not only in the infrastructure
but art, and really cobbling together different stakeholders and interest groups together for
doing something, you know, for the common good and doing a lot with a little, literally.
And so thank you for all the work that you do and always being such a strong advocate for
those that need voices and are not always at the table.
So thank you.
And to the equity advisory committee,
I just realized, as you were saying,
that you're completing your fifth year.
That was about the same time, yeah,
that I've been on this commission.
And so I just realized that we both kind of share
the same CTC birthday.
And in fact, I always like to say the first meeting
that I ever attended that was with CTC related
was an equity advisory.
It wasn't a committee at the time, right?
It was an advisory group, right?
Roundtable.
Roundtable, there it was.
And I was strongly encouraged by the Pro Tem speaker
Atkins to attend that first meeting.
So it's great to see the maturity of this group.
I got to listen in incognito on Tuesday night after the 405.
I stopped by and really heard some really robust
conversations and interaction between the committee
and the newly formed District 11 Advisory Board.
And they asked really great questions
about governance and best practices and lessons learned
and really getting into the heart of it
so that they can hit the ground running for their group
and hoping to replicate what they're doing here
in District 11 in other places throughout the state.
So you all do a lot and you've described how, you know,
you continue, this group continues to impact our guiding,
our guidelines and our programs and our projects
and just our rich policy discussion.
So thank you for the work that you and the committee does.
And hopefully we'll have a great new cohort of folks.
It always draws quite a number of applicants.
And so hopefully we get a good diverse swath of folks
that will apply for this EAC.
So thank you.
All right, with that next tab, we
Yeah, the state and federal legislative matters, Sasha.
Good afternoon commissioners.
Tab 15 is an action item
for state and federal legislative matters.
The legislature-
Sorry, can you speak right in front of the mic?
There you go, thank you.
The legislature returned from recess on August 3rd
and fiscal committees had until August 14th
to pass bills to the floor.
Each house now has until August 31st
to conclude any remaining business for the session.
Staff is not recommending the commission take a position
on any pending legislation.
However, because the commission will not meet again
before the legislature adjourns,
staff recommends that the commission delegate the authority
to take positions on bills to the executive director
upon consultation with the chair and vice chair
until the next regular commission meeting
as the commission has done in recent years.
The book item also includes details on the 2026-2027 budget,
which was signed by the governor on June 29th.
The enacted budget does not make significant changes
to the commission's core transportation funding programs
or programming responsibilities.
Federally, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
is scheduled to expire on September 30th.
The Senate passed a short-term extension until December 11th
that we will continue to monitor
as it moves through the process.
This concludes my report and staff recommends your approval.
Thank you, Sasha.
Any public comment, Justin?
No, there was no request
from the public to comment on the item.
Okay, from the dais?
This is an action item.
Can I entertain a motion on the action?
Motion to approve.
Okay, motion made by Commissioner Gordino,
seconded by, okay, me.
Seconded by me, which is Commissioner Tiffany.
All in favor?
Aye.
Opposed?
Abstentions?
Okay.
That item passes.
Thank you, Sasha.
Item 16.
Back to you.
Commissioners, tab 16 is an informational item.
Keith Duncan from Caltrans Budgets will present the item
on budget and allocation capacity.
Thank you, Sasha.
Madam Chair, commissioners, good afternoon.
Happy Thursday.
has mentioned you know to catch ends budgets.
And I'll be doing presentation for tab 16,
the budget and allocation capacity update.
Next slide, please.
As we begin a brief update regarding commission activities
for last fiscal year for 2526 through June,
the commission allocated about $6.7 billion
onto 986 projects across all programs within your purview.
6.7 billion, that's pretty darn good.
On the flip side of that,
That did leave us about 4.6 billion.
That was not allocated.
Much of that does turn a roll over to this fiscal year
and I'll touch on that in a few moments.
Next slide, please.
In relation to departmental activities
for the G12 authority, as reminded,
G12 authority is the delegated authority
by the commission to the department
to make minor adjustments to project allocations
previously approved by the commission.
In total, the department made adjustments to 283 projects
that resulted in the net savings of just under $657 million
across both the SHOP,
State Highway Operation Protection Program,
and the STIP, the State Transportation Improvement Program.
The item just want to point out is for the SHOP,
we did make adjustments to 277 projects
that resulted in the net savings just under $620 million.
And that helped to alleviate those fiscal pressures
we experienced with the SHOP
as a result of the SHOP allocation plan.
And I believe at the June meeting,
Commissioner Tippin did ask for what was driving
of that bid savings. The data is still being compiled so we'll work with staff to get that
information to you and the rest of the commissioner soon. Next slide please. Here just showing a quick
comparison how this last fiscal year compared to the previous three. This 25-26 is represented by
the reddish orange line bolded there. You can see from a percent allocated this was the second
highest over the last four years this past fiscal year. Next slide please. And then from a total
Again, the reddish orange line you can see the third highest over the last four years.
Next slide, please.
A few budgetary and fiscal updates.
Acting FHWA administrator Doug Hecox already mentioned the federal funding formula funds
continue to flow uninterrupted, August redistribution is just a couple weeks away, so we're looking
feverishly to get those funds obligated.
And yes, discretionary and competitive grant funding is slowly making its way out, so we're
taking quick action there. Um, in relation to a standing item, the Federal
Motor Carrier Safety Administration, that is still a mouthful. That is that
penalty of roughly $160 million assessed being assessed to California. We
still do not have any updates from U. S. D. O. T. Or the F. M. C. S. A. Um, in
speaking with our friends, the Department Motor Vehicles Day to have
not heard any recent updates. So we're all waiting very impatiently to see if
that penalty is assessed next fiscal year. Next item relation to the shop
allocation plan we finished the year within capacity a successful outcome now
we get the painstaking reaction good news we get to start the year with a new
refresh of capacity so we can get the ground running in a deliberate manner so
we'll continue to work with CTC staff as we move forward to get those projects
allocated. Budget update Sasha already did a wonderful job the two items that
we do continue to monitor that we're not included included in the enacted budget
is related to the sustainable aviation fuel.
That's the incentive providing the fuel refineries
to develop sustainable aviation fuel
that could impact deselect sized tax revenue,
which would impact both the shop
as well as local agency funding.
And then also the Captain Invest program,
the funding in relation to the greenhouse gas
reduction funds.
The negotiations still continue with the legislature
and the administration outcome could impact programs
such as the Transit Inner City Rail Capital Program,
TIRCP as well as the LC top,
the low carbon transit operation program,
which that programs outside of the CTCs purview,
but that is funding for transit throughout the state.
And we'll continue to monitor those and report back,
work with commission staff report back to you in October
as the legislature works feverishly
over the next couple of weeks.
Next slide, please.
As we begin the 26, 27 year,
we want to let you know in total,
you have roughly $10.6 billion to be available
for you to allocate.
And that's across all programs.
This table in front of you there,
the first line you can see with it's identified is draft.
That is the base allocation capacity identified
as either from fund estimates that the commission
has adopted or from the enacted budget.
The next line you can see is rollover.
Those are the amounts that remain unallocated
from last year that are carried over
from each of those respective programs.
The third line are adjustments.
These are typically year-end reconciliation efforts.
For a program like the TIRCP,
we do a year-end reconciliation for the auction proceeds
from the greenhouse gas reduction program,
as well as for the SHOP year-end reconciliation
from a lot of grants that we received,
ER funding, which is emergency relief funding from FHWA,
as well as after our year-end adjustments
to any allocations that we may have tracked.
So again, in total, 10.6 billion.
Chair, I know last meeting you said challenge accepted.
So challenge on.
We do have roughly 2.7 billion on this agenda,
so it's a heck of a start to being in the fiscal year.
Next slide, please.
Already mentioned, we have August redistribution.
Typically comes out September 1st.
August redistribution announced September 1st,
but we'll figure that out.
It is no secret, I think California's looking
about $615 million, 615.
So we'll be working feverishly,
both on the state side and local side.
And then September, the end of the IIJA or BIL,
so we'll be monitoring closely
on what the next federal fiscal year will have.
Next slide, please.
I say it every time, and I'll continue to say it every time.
It takes a team to manage these billions.
I wanna thank CTC staff, Caltrans Financial Programming,
and my Caltrans Budgets team.
We appreciate everyone's help and engagement
throughout this entire effort.
And I'm available for any questions you may have.
Thank you. As always, Keith. Um, any comments? Yes. No, nobody virtually. Okay. Uh, we do
have a number of, uh, speaker requests. I'm going to request Andrew Banez to approach
Andrew. Are you in the room? Okay. Good afternoon, commissioners. My name is Andrew Banez. We're
the Reconnecting Communities Southeast San Diego National City Project with Mundo Gardens.
I lived in Southeast San Diego for 39 years. We all know the historical red lining, racism,
disinvestment, lack of infrastructure, and lack of maintenance for generations, which
ultimately led to the 2024 San Diego floods. During that disaster, I had the opportunity
to serve my community as a resource coordinator for the FEMA funded disaster case management
program. Over 2,000 residents reported being impacted by that disaster. These families
lost it all. The project 57 acres is next to the heart of the flood. We're engaging
with flood survivors during this planning process. We're listening to community members
and creating a vision for safer, greener, healthier and more resilient neighborhoods.
I'm also a partner at San Diego VoAD, volunteer organization active in disaster, and we are
preparing for El Nino projected end of the year. Climate change is getting worse, but
decades of disinvestment and redlining make communities like ours even more vulnerable.
That's why climate investment must prioritize the communities that have been neglected.
We need to continue the investment in reconnecting communities, southeast end of national city
project.
These efforts are all connected.
Together we can help repair past harms, build climate resilience and make sure our communities
are prepared for the next disaster.
Thank you.
Okay.
Thank you, Andrew.
Janice Luna.
Good to see you.
Janice.
Good to see you.
Thank you.
I appreciate Tova being here.
Greetings commissioners.
I am the Executive Director and Founder of Mundo Gardens,
a resident of National City who grew up in National City
and Southeast San Diego.
I see some familiar faces.
There was an all-star team at the announcement of our award,
along with other community-based organizations
for the Highways to Boulevard's
Reconnecting Communities Grant
that was meant to heal the harm and repair redress
and work with community to re-envision
how their community can benefit from programs like this.
That is exactly what we have been doing.
It was exciting to hear of an opportunity
when this grant opportunity came about
to hear that they're telling our story.
They were asking for our story without us having to figure
out how it could fit into this project.
We were sharing the stories of the Black Federation,
how they organized with community 50 years ago
to stop the 252 connector and to prevent further harm.
Unfortunately, there was displacement,
but that left an opportunity for us to tell our current story,
our current connection to that land, to the 252
that is happens to be in my backyard.
And so we've been working with community
to ask them what they wanna see in that space.
We have also been working really hard
going up and down the state and across the country
to share that that funding was lost.
It was promised, but we believe there is still hope.
We value the partnership with Caltrans, with Cal State,
all of those that have made that commitment.
It started with the $50 million commitment
to communities like ours, then to 25, and now it's gone.
Not all is lost.
We have received a $2 million grant
from the Department of Transportation
also to reconnect our communities.
And with that, we've created a visioning process,
community land trust conversation and workshops,
board governance, and really envisioning
how these 57 acres that were mentioned
can be reused for public benefit.
And we're asking all of you here on the commission
everyone that's sitting here to share this story and help uplift the opportunity to refund
this project that is so very much needed. Thank you. Next up is Ozzy Meneses.
Good afternoon, commissioners and everyone here today. My name is Ozzy Meneses,
representing Mundo Gardens. First, a bit about me for context. My career started in the public
sector here at the San Diego Metropolitan Transit Center transit system, eventually overseeing the
the planning, development, construction and operations of major rapid transit projects
including the South Bay Rapid, a 26 mile rapid transit project connecting this downtown to
the U.S.-Mexico border.
From there, I moved into consulting in the Bay Area, working on major transportation
and infrastructure projects for various MPOs, including the BTA BART extension to San Jose.
Coming back to San Diego, one thing has stayed consistent throughout all of it.
This work has always been about an ecosystem.
working together for economic and community development. From the ground up interconnected
by various transportation systems. That's exactly what brings me here today. Now working
from the nonprofit sector on the Reconnecting Southeast San Diego and National City effort,
I want to speak to environmental justice and how this project is also fundamentally about
workforce development. Reconnecting residents in our most distressed neighborhoods to families
sustaining career opportunities. At the heart of this project, Matmatayu, the native Kumeyaay
named Park, meaning where the people gather, we're not just talking about and adopt the highway
program, we're talking about activation, the creation of real green space for communities
that have lived alongside freeways disconnected for generations. This is about pushing for
positive health outcomes for people who have carried the burden of proximity to transportation
infrastructure for far too long. All of it ties back to the same core purpose of this project.
Building an interconnected environment where transportation,
economic development, and community development aren't separate conversations. They're one and the
same. We need the continued support of this commission and its agencies to reconnect our
communities in southeast San Diego and National City that have been divided by infrastructure
or far too long. Thank you for your time and consideration. Thank you, Ozzie. Okay,
back at the dais. Any comments or questions for Mr. Duncan? Commissioner Tiffany. Thank you,
Chair. Keith, I'm curious. It's the total amount of $10 billion plus that you showed there.
A significant portion is carryover from last year. Is that pretty common in terms of the amount
that's carried out over. I'm just interested in seeing how that impacts the total, and obviously
we didn't have that carry over, how this compares to prior years. Great question. So in general,
we've seen over the last five, six years, we allocate roughly 65 to 70 percent of the total
capacity from a percent. So this year we carried over about 40 percent. So that's a little higher
than what we've seen in the past usually it's 30 to 40. So we've seen about 35 the last couple
of years but it's about I mean within the 30 to 40 percent range is kind of what we'll go with
but it is a little higher than what we've seen. So does that mean that what we have money wise
to spend that's not carryover is significantly less than what we've had in prior years?
No, the the base amount that we see from the draft allocation capacity of about 5.9 billion,
that's about the same amount we've seen across all the programs. We've seen somewhere to the
fund estimates, we've seen ATP, we have that one-time augmentation, TIRC one-time augmentation,
but if we look at just the base funding, it's about that. It's relatively the same.
Okay, thank you. Thank you. Any other comments or questions from the dais? Thank you, Keith.
Why don't we take about 15 minute break, and then we will resume with Tab 17.
As we take that break, I'd love to give you a workout shirt.
And can we take our conversations outside if we, can anybody hear me? This thing is like really,
yeah. Hello? Hello? Everyone, we're gonna get started, please. Let's get settled. Thank you.
Ms. Penna Baker, are you ready? I am. All right. Tab 17, innovations in transportation, Caltrans
advanced air mobility and drone applications. Laura. All right. Good afternoon. Tab 17 is an
informational item for our August innovation and transportation series. We are pleased to
feature coordinated presentations on Caltrans advanced air mobility and drone applications.
Tarik Tabshuri, Caltrans Division Chief of Aeronautics, will provide an overview of the
state's efforts to prepare for advanced immobility. And Michael Hank, Caltrans District 11 Division
Chief of Land Surveys, will share how drones are being utilized to improve safety, efficiency,
and transportation operations. Staff asks that we hear both presentations before opening it up for
questions and discussion. So with that, I will turn it over to Tarik and Michael for their
presentation. I don't think your mic is on. Thank you so much. Good afternoon commissioners.
Thank you for the opportunity to present this afternoon on advanced air mobility, its impacts
and Caltrans role in helping integrate it into the multimodal transportation ecosystem.
Next slide, please. Advanced air mobility is a transformative mode of transportation.
AAM aircraft often feature autonomous flight,
electronic or hybrid propulsion,
and vertical takeoff and landing.
Importantly, these EV tolls or air taxis
fly at speeds of 150 miles per hour
and have a range of 50 miles on one charge.
They also operate in lower altitudes.
And this is airspace that has previously
not been considered in transportation. Next slide please. A. A. M. also encompasses different aircraft platforms, designs and use cases. Such use cases can include firefighting support, emergency medical services, small cargo delivery, and for larger fixed wing platforms, interregional passenger mobility, which benefits rural and
and geographically isolated communities.
Next slide, please.
California is headquarters
to multiple AAM, original equipment manufacturers
and its general aviation airports are hubs
for AAM manufacturing and testing.
AAM was recognized
in the California jobs first economic blueprint.
And to date, the state has invested over $60 million
in the industry, mostly in the forms of tax credits
and incentives, but also workforce
and infrastructure development grants
through the governor's office of business
and economic development.
Next slide, please.
Caltrans Aeronautics is the statewide lead on AAM matters.
And as such, we are involved
in multiple initiatives in this arena.
The division oversaw the development
of the Advanced Air Mobility Infrastructure Readiness
and Three-Year Implementation Work Plan,
known as the SB 800 AAM report.
This plan outlines actionable goals to develop standards
and regulatory updates,
develop community engagement playbooks for local agencies,
as well as assessments for energy and infrastructure needs,
among other goals.
Caltrans is also participating
in a Federal Aviation Administration,
eVTOL integration pilot program along with 13 other states.
This program is meant to fast track aircraft certifications
and airspace corridors for AAM operations
and early market development.
Additionally, Caltrans has allocated 1.5 million
across four years for university research
to support statewide pilot operations,
use case evaluations, and planning activities.
This is in collaboration with local agencies
and the AAM industry.
Finally, the Division of Aeronautics
has also established an AAM Interagency Working Group,
a monthly forum for state agencies to share knowledge,
discuss policy, and collaborate toward achieving
the state's goals outlined in the SB 800 report.
Commissioners, AAM offers California an opportunity
to lead the nation in clean aviation,
improve access for underserved communities,
and support economic growth.
Continued partnership across federal, state,
tribal, and local jurisdictions
will be required to achieve this vision.
Thank you for your time.
This concludes my presentation.
Look forward to answering questions
after our second presenter, Michael Hank.
Good afternoon, commissioners.
Welcome to sunny San Diego.
My name is Michael Hank.
I'm the division chief for land surveys
here in Caltrans district 11.
And I'm really proud to be able to share with you
a little bit about the district 11 UAS program
and some of the ways that Caltrans is using UAS
to help support the state highway system.
Next slide.
So the district UAS program
and really the statewide program
does support the core values that Caltrans holds
as well as some of our goals.
and first and foremost is safety.
Caltrans use of UAS plays a small role
in meeting our SB1 efficiency goals that you require.
And also the professional products and services
they produce support of thriving and connected California.
The district drone program or UAS program
is comprised of one fixed wing and five multi-rotor UAS.
We did have four DJI UAS that were taken out of service
due to the American Security Drone Act.
We have 22 FAA licensed 107 remote pilots in the district,
and we've flown more than 400 missions since 2019.
On the right side of the screen,
you see our org chart for the district drone program,
which in 2020, we created a business practice
that put the drone program
beneath the division chief of land surveys.
So together, myself and my chief pilot oversee
the day to day operation of all drone operations
in the district.
These include making sure compliance,
managing our airspace waivers,
UAS maintenance, training, planning,
budgeting, new aircraft purchases,
and also sharing the data that we collect
internally with the UAS.
So if a UAS is used to take photography
of a particular location,
we share that photography across the district
so many users can benefit.
Next slide.
Here you see an example of us using a UAS
to inspect a site without putting staff at risk.
And as you can tell, the elevated perspective
really enhances situational awareness on a work site.
Next slide.
Construction is another customer for our UAS program.
On the upper left, you see a bridge deck pour
and the complimentary thermal photograph of that same deck.
On the bottom left is the first night drone flight
Caltrans did here in District 11 and that was another deck poor in Imperial
County. And on the right you see a multimodal facility on I-5 nearing
completion of construction. These photos not only help document progress of
construction but they also assist with claims and other issues that might arise
in the future. Next slide. Nice to talk about my land surveys team so at the
top you get to see our winged drone that we use which can map large areas very
quickly. And so this is a photo of the old Time Mesa East site that you're well aware of.
That's about a half mile square, and we're able to map that property in 45 minutes using this
one aircraft with a staff of two. There is a lot of processing that happens in the office after the
fact, but the reality is it would take a group of surveyors many, many days to collect this data
with the other technologies we have available to us. And on the bottom, you see a similar ortho
photo of a bridge realignment project. In addition to the ortho photo on the
left, you see our other surveying technologies that we combine with the
drone technology to create really robust products for our customers. Those
include 3D point clouds, 3D surface models, and other other things that
assist the project move forward. Next slide. District 11 is also I believe the
only district in the state that has a culvert inspection drone or a confined
space drone really any confined space can benefit. In addition to photography
and video the drone also has a LiDAR unit on it so we can create 3d models
as you see in the upper left hand corner there is a 3d model of a pipe the
surface of the earth is up at towards the top of the photo. Next slide.
Environmental has also been benefiting from our efforts here is a project where
we used the ortho the high resolution ortho photo to be able to map out
environmental resources and classify them so that we could deliver a
classified model to the resource agencies for permitting purposes. Next
slide. Structure investigation is another great use for this technology. On the
right you see a video where we received some reports of some debris falling from
the bottom of our bridge and so we use the drone to go inspect that and as you
can clearly see the the cause of that debris falling is pretty obvious. It's
birds nesting in an area where they probably shouldn't be. The use of this
though prevented us from having to do either a lane closure with a snooper
vehicle or a lift device from below and so the drone with a pilot and
observer is able to do a lot without infecting our staff and or the traveling
public. On the left you can see a photo of the Coronado Bridge where our
maintenance team asked us to take some photography of these particular bridge
elements to prepare for their upcoming weeks work. These areas are inaccessible to them
and so again this was a way for them to do some reconnaissance to prepare. Next slide.
And it's my great pleasure to hand off just the last part of my presentation to Aaron
Chamberlain in headquarters construction. He's joining remotely and I would like to
provide him the opportunity to brief you a little bit on what he's doing with the dock-based
drone system statewide on the until he joins. I'll just continue the photo or
the video in the middle of the screen is our we were not aware of this change
was gonna be a minute before we can get him online. Sure. So in the middle of the
screen is our doc based drone at the Coronado Bridge that Aaron helped to put
in place. Um And in addition to maintenance traffic ops surveying,
there's many customers for the use of the drone.
Due to really complex airspace here,
the Aaron has a unique waiver from the FAA
that he has to be the one to control.
And with that, I'll hand it off to Aaron.
Yeah, sure. Thanks, Mike.
So good afternoon.
I'm coming to you from about 400 miles to the north
up in our remote command center.
So all of these dock based drones
that we're starting to install all over the state now
are all funded by a USDOT Smart Grant.
It was a stage two smart grant that was actually a dual state
grant with us and Alaska DOT.
Partnership with Alaska, we have installed now
15, soon to be 17 of these dock-based drone
systems in strategic infrastructure
all over the state.
And what's critically unique about this over anything else
is that these systems can be remotely
flown from anywhere with the different regulatory waivers
we have now improved. So we have deployed these on construction sites. We have a dock based drone
as you can see on the Coronado Bridge. We just deployed one on the Bay Bridge on the Oakland
Span and we have multiple docks on some several large landslides like Mud Creek up at Devils
Elbow in District 1 and multiple other construction sites all over the state that are really
functioning as an enhancement for our traditional staff doing the work on the ground. We're able to
centralize these operations and everything is actually being run here at this command center
trailer. So I've got several student assistants that are behind me right now and it looks like
they're flying a mission up on the Devil's Elbow landslide right now for some construction site
monitoring. Thank you Erin and that concludes our presentation. We'll be happy to take your questions.
Thank you for your presentation. Any public comments?
We'd not receive any requests from the public comment.
Okay, any comments or questions from the dais?
Oh, that's right. Thank you for the reminder.
Okay, I might need help here. Is it
Luford Weaver? My apologies if I have your name misstated.
I could call lots of things. It's okay.
I'm here as a member of the public and I listened to some of your videos from members of the public
so I thought I'd start with 30 seconds of credibility. I'm a retired attorney, sorry about
that. I represented public school districts for over 40 years, attended lots of board meetings,
so let me tell you up front I'm not here to criticize or ask you for anything. I'm here
as a member of the public to represent the people that don't know about you and the people that know
know about you that are stuck in traffic jams now, that are sitting in their $50,000 or
more cars, where they also pay for insurance and buy gasoline and thinking, is there something
better than this? Because I'm stuck in a traffic jam, it should take me five minutes, it's
going to take me 45 minutes. And there's people like us all over the state, not just tens
of thousands, probably hundreds of thousands. You have a lot going on. I noticed your agenda,
and I'm listening, you've got lots of things,
but I'm wondering if you're approaching with band-aids
instead of looking at the solution, the long-term solution.
Maybe I'm stuck in the 1960s in the idealism
and maybe I'm a bit crazy, but 50 years from now,
is the automobile really gonna be the primary source
of transportation?
We started off walking in cities
and then went to horses and carriages and cars
and something called streetcars,
if anybody knows what those are.
But what's gonna happen when people are paying
a fortune for gasoline, a fortune for new cars,
and sitting in traffic that has no solution,
I encourage you to develop a committee
looking 50 years in the future
and think about what alternatives exist
to get out of traffic jams.
Adding lanes is not gonna do it.
Adding bicycles is not gonna do it.
Adding lanes, they're just gonna fill up right away.
So please establish a long-term committee.
I won't be around because I'm 80 years old,
but I'll tell you right now, I told you so now.
Thank you.
Thank you, and it was Clifford, correct?
And how do you say your last name?
Weiler, thank you.
I'd rather call you by your appropriate name,
but thank you for your comments.
Any other comments from the public?
No, there were no other requests for this item.
Okay, from the dais.
Yes, Commissioner Tiffany.
Yeah, I just wanted to comment.
I think it's kind of exciting to see the technology
that you presented.
And it seems to me like a real opportunity to save costs
in many cases as well as address safety issues.
So we need that kind of innovation going forward
if we're going to get on top of the costs
and the shortfalls we're going to be looking at over the next
many years.
So thank you for your presentation.
OK.
Thank you.
Yes, Commissioner Mann.
I'll just echo that.
Thank you so much for this presentation.
It was really helpful.
My questions are related to how the public understands
this technology.
So I'm curious, especially for some
of those doc-based systems, is there
something on the doc that says this is like an official drone
that's allowed to operate here?
Are they different colors?
Are there any privacy or noise concerns?
If you could just speak a little bit more to that,
because I know there are so many of the individual public
members who now have more advanced drone
technology available to them, but a lot of restrictions
on their use.
And so curious about what the messaging looks like.
Thank you.
If it's OK, I'll go ahead and take that because the division
of aeronautics is responsible to oversee the UAS program
internally.
We have approximately 400 drones statewide and 400 pilots.
And we have the amazing technology
that you saw demonstrated by Aaron.
However, a lot of the aircraft are still
the typical quadcopter, whether it's autonomous or not,
but it's controlled by an employee
with a visual observer as well.
So when it comes to public perception,
I think we've developed internal policies in place
that try to mitigate for that.
So whereas members of the public can theoretically fly a drone
and potentially pass over somebody's house.
We've made it a strict policy to operate drones
within state right of way
to potentially mitigate for that.
Additionally, we try to have two,
at least the one pilot and one visual observer
at all times enhancing safety.
And we have a small playbook
for how to engage with the public.
So you might have a member of the public come up
and ask questions, what's going on, who are you with, et cetera.
And we help instruct our pilots on to how
to communicate in a way that helps inform them,
but also keeps them away, keeps them safe,
and gets us back to the operation.
I hope that's addressed most of your questions.
Anyone else?
If I could just add, this technology
is really bleeding edge technology.
And so as proud as I am that we started with Humble Beginnings
in 2019, and here we are seven years later,
The dock systems that Aaron has deployed are really state of the art.
And so we're trying to be thoughtful about how we roll this out, right, to be innovative
and yet respectful of the bounds that we shouldn't cross.
Thank you.
Commissioner Brown-Hines.
Thank you.
I had a question about the manufacturing.
You mentioned that we have, and I can remember the number of manufacturers in California.
And then you mentioned the integration pilot programming
in 13 states.
And I'm curious about where we rank
in terms of manufacturing.
I know Joby is one of those companies.
And I know they ended up, they're here,
but they ended up doing some manufacturing.
I don't know if it was another state.
I can't remember which state.
But I'm just curious about where we rank
and how many manufacturers.
Again, I just couldn't remember that number.
Great questions.
Incredibly, I hear about new original equipment manufacturers, OEMs, almost every week that
I'm not aware of.
The three major air taxi operators or OEMs are here in California, that's Joby, Archer
and Wisk, and there's been some consolidation since I think we're down to two.
Those are the biggest players, Beta is in the East Coast.
As far as the manufacturing itself, this is where the manufacturing has started.
When it comes to scaling that manufacturing, unfortunately other states have struck sweeter
deals with these companies and manufacturing at scale is occurring elsewhere.
At the same time, what my understanding is with these OEMs, there's a commitment to stay
in California.
here in the central coast, in the Bay Area.
And I think there's no replacement
and no substitute for the brain power
that we have here in Silicon Valley
and in California broadly.
So the OEMs are for now staying put
and all the R&D is happening in the States.
As far as the total number of OEMs out there,
I can count at least a dozen,
but I'm sure there's always more.
commissioner Iker.
Yes, thank you.
Yeah, really cool.
Cool stuff.
But as a workforce developer and economic developer,
always worried about jobs, right?
So if you have this innovative technology that's
doing things that people used to do on the ground,
we'll be losing those jobs.
But if you could talk about certainly in manufacturing
or in piloting, what kinds of jobs are taking over,
what might not be there around anymore.
And certainly, I understand that these drones also
couldn't go in places that men could not
go into those culverts and some of those kinds of things.
So if you could just address that,
what does that look like for our workforce?
Would you like to address?
I'd just like to start my response
with a little funny thing.
I came across a PowerPoint that surveys in District 11
gave in the year 2000, just last week.
and they had a graph of our implementation
of GPS technology back in the year 2000,
and how as a proportion of the district staffing
surveys was able to reduce our required staff,
such, and jokingly in the slide,
by the year 2030, we won't have a single land surveyor
in district 11.
Well, I'm here to tell you that we still have
a really robust team of land surveyors in district 11,
and we have the support of our district
to maintain a strong, robust staff,
because we bring value to the public.
And so I think when you have efficiencies,
we realize the benefits of those efficiencies
and we're able to do more than we could do before.
I think there's a mountain of work ahead of us.
And I think the efficiencies will just help us
to climb that mountain higher.
And can either one of you talk about the new jobs
coming with this kind of technology?
Absolutely. And, um, you know, the overall aviation sector is dealing with things like
pilot shortages. Um, definitely the discussion around autonomy, um, that is potentially an
avenue to, to help address that. Um, you know, at the same time, these types of jobs that
are being created is less about piloting in general and more about either research and
development, mechanical maintenance type jobs.
And these are skilled jobs,
they do require significant training.
And a great example of that was one of the,
or several of the GO-Biz grants
that were given to one of the OEMs in the central coast.
And where they operate are areas that are underserved
And they were able to recruit a wide pool of applicants that
potentially came from maybe less skilled jobs
and are now earning more money and have better futures ahead
of them.
So that grant clearly demonstrated
that there is a path towards equitable workforce inclusion.
And beyond that, it's a new technology.
There's always going to be disruption.
And we always look forward to it and move forward.
Thank you.
And great questions from my colleagues on the dais.
I guess the only questions I have to piggyback
on the other questions that have been asked.
One, upskilling opportunities for upskilling.
just to piggyback on Commissioner Eger's comments
on workforce development within your existing workforce.
That's one.
Two, the question, I also have a question
regarding coordination.
So you talked about FAA clearance, but as you saw,
and you showed the example of the Coronado Bridge,
and as you know, the San Diego Naval Base is right there.
And so just like much of technology
without any boundaries or borders,
how do you coordinate with other agencies such as the military?
Great question.
And the complexity of the airspace there
makes it such that actually North Island owns that airspace.
And so for the video that you saw Aaron put in a request
to the Navy three days in advance,
they approve or decline that flight request.
Of course, for emergencies,
they might mobilize us a little quicker than that,
but the standard protocol to fly the Coronado Bridge
is a call to the Navy requesting
specific flight times in advance.
As far as workforce development,
I think that's something we're currently talking about
is as the use of drones statewide increases.
Aaron was a solo operator for as long as I've known him,
and he has these student assistants now are his next tier.
And so I think there is an opportunity
to grow the team within construction.
And elsewhere, I am seeing maintenance
starting to use drones more.
We just got three graffiti drones
for the LA games that recently occurred
to try to clean graffiti in some of those tough
to reach areas where some of our artists
are very skilled at climbing.
And so we don't wanna put our staff in harm's way.
And so the drone is a way to be able to get
in some of these areas safely and efficiently.
Well, thank you for your presentation
and just like all emerging technologies,
it's good to see some tangible usage
that helps actually safety,
not only for the traveling public,
but for our workforce and the rest of your crews
that manage our system.
So thank you for the presentation.
What else?
Okay.
All right, thank you.
next item we have tab 18 the south hearing for the proposed 2026 solutions for congested corridors
program guidelines naveen thank you chair falcon good afternoon commissioners i am naveen haviv
associate deputy director for the solutions for congested corridors program as a reminder
anytime i say we are us during these remarks i am referring to commission staff presented to
senate bill one the commission must conduct at least one public hearing in northern california
and one public hearing in Southern California to provide an opportunity for public comment on the
proposed program guidelines. This is the Southern California hearing for the proposed 2026
solutions for congested corridors program guidelines. The Northern California hearing
was held on August 3rd as a virtual statewide hearing that was open to everyone. As a reminder,
the solutions for congested corridors program was created by Senate Bill 1 in 2017 to fund projects
that reduce congestion in the state's most heavily traveled corridors. $250 million are appropriated
annually from the state highway account. Across the first four cycles the commission has programmed
33 projects and more than 2.5 billion dollars in program funds. The 2026 program is the fifth
cycle and will provide two years of funding in fiscal years 2027-28 and 2028-29 for a total of
of $549,555,000.
Guidelines development kicked off
with the first workshop in November, 2025.
We held four additional workshops through May, 2026,
two of which were standalone sessions
on workforce development and job quality
and on advancing equity and community engagement
across the Senate Bill 1 programs.
We held two further standalone workshops on July 15th,
one on delivery methods
and one on efficient land use and housing.
We also hosted 30 virtual office hour sessions
from February through May
to provide technical assistance on project nominations.
All materials and recordings
are posted on the commission's website.
Since the June commission meeting,
we have updated three items.
I will cover the changes broadly
because each change was previously presented in detail
at a public workshop
and again at the August 3rd Northern California hearing.
First, delivery methods and project segmenting.
The updates clarified the process
for projects using alternative delivery methods,
including design build, progressive design build,
and construction manager general contractor.
And they establish a consistent project segmentation standard.
The updates confirmed that these projects
follow the existing programming and allocation process,
and that a final engineer's estimate is provided
before the construction phase allocation.
The delivery methods language applies
to all Senate Bill 1 programs.
The segmentation standard applies only
to the three competitive programs,
which include the solutions for congested corridors program,
the trade corridor enhancement program,
and the local partnership competitive program.
Second is efficient land use and housing.
Working with the California Department of Housing
and Community Development,
we updated the land use efficiency
and pro-housing supplement,
and clarified and reorganized the criterion
so that the two may align.
The criterion continues to ask applicants
to describe how projects support
and advance transportation efficient land use
and pro-housing policies.
This change applies to this program
and to the local partnership competitive program.
Third is accessibility.
On June 26th, the governor issued executive order N726
to expedite and improve the delivery
of public transit statewide.
Order number five directs
the California State Transportation Agency
in coordination with Caltrans and this commission
to update state funding program guidelines
to incentivize transit priority infrastructure
and first and last mile connectivity.
Among the Senate Bill 1 programs,
this affects the Solutions for Congested Corridors Program
and the Local Partnership Program.
In the Solutions for Congested Corridors Program,
the change added a question
in the Accessibility Evaluation Criterion
in Part 4, Section 17.2.2,
asking whether the project will close an existing gap
in transit and active transportation,
or promote first and last mile connectivity
to transit infrastructure.
The corresponding changes
to the local partnership competitive program guidelines
will be covered under tab 24.
Staff presented these changes at the July 15th workshop.
All materials and recordings for the workshops
that covered these changes
are posted on the commission's website.
All other changes to the proposed guidelines
were presented at the June commission meeting
and were reflected in the draft posted at that time.
That includes the community engagement criterion
and the Senate bill one programs
transportation equity supplement.
The economic development and job creation
and retention criterion variance in all programs.
The climate action plan for transportation infrastructure
strategy 2.4 target under section 18
and the accessible submittal requirements in appendix A.
No additional changes were made to those sections.
This concludes the presentation of the proposed 2026,
solutions for congested corridors program guidelines
at the Southern California hearing.
Chair Falken, I turn it back to you.
Thank you, Naveen.
So this is a public hearing
and wanted to know if there are any public comments
on this presentation.
There was no request to comment from the public.
Okay, any comments or questions from the dais?
okay. All right. Well, then
this concludes the public
hearing for the South hearing
for the proposed 2026
solutions for congested
corridors program guidelines.
And then on to item 19. Thank
you, Chair. Commissioners tab
19 is an action item to adopt
the proposed 2026 solutions for
congested corridors program
for the development, adoption, and management
of this program.
They address statutory requirements,
incorporate stakeholder input,
and include commission procedures
for programming and project delivery.
Staff developed these draft guidelines
through an open public process and in consultation
with the Interagency Equity Advisory Committee,
the California Department of Transportation,
the California Air Resources Board,
the California Department of Housing
and Community Development,
California Workforce Development Board, Regional Transportation Planning agencies, local agencies,
advocates and other stakeholders. All key proposed changes were addressed in Tab 18.
Pursuant to Senate Bill 1, the Commission submitted the proposed guidelines to the
Joint Legislative Budget Committee and to the Transportation Policy Committees in the
state legislature on July 20th, and also held two public hearings, one for Northern California on
adopt. One on August 3rd and
one for Southern California
just now today. Approval of
this item initiates the call
for projects. Project
nominations for the solutions
for congested corridors program
are due to the commission by
November 19th, 2026 and staff
anticipates presenting the
program of projects for
adoption at the June 2027
commission meeting. Staff
recommends your approval of tab
Thank you, Naveen. I have a comment. There was no request to comment from the public. Okay. Thank you, Justin. Looks like we have questions and comments with from Commissioner Eager and then Commissioner Gordino. I just wanted to thank you for all the work that you and the team did on this, especially the section on economic development and jobs and really digging in to see what makes sense and what wouldn't make sense and putting in here. And I know that was very focused.
focused in and thoughtful way of doing that so thank you so much for all your
work and with that I will make a motion at appropriate time. I will make a
motion and I second that motion and the comments. Wonderful and I third the
motion and I also want to thank all the the regional stakeholders and and our
sister state agencies as well as advocates and other commenters that have contributed to
the development of all of our SB1 programs guidelines. And so we have a motion on the floor
and all in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Any abstentions? Okay, that passes. Thank you.
tab 20 adoption of the 2026 trade corridors enhancement program fund estimate sasha
commissioners tab 20 is an action item garrett franklin from caltrans budgets will present the
2026 trade corridor enhancement program fund estimate for your approval upon presentation
of the fund estimate staff recommends your approval thank you good afternoon commissioners
Garrett Franklin Caltrans Budgets. I'll be presenting the proposed 2026 trade corridor
enhancement program fund estimate. Next slide please. So as was first shared during the June
commission meeting, development of the program cycle includes incorporating revenue projections
from two main sources. The first one is 50% of the Senate bill one component of diesel excise tax.
and this funding is deposited directly into the Trade Corridor Enhancement account.
It's projected by the Department of Finance, and it includes annual adjustments for inflation.
The second component is the Federal National Highway Freight Program, with levels based
off the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the current act.
And then in addition to that, adjustments include project savings and changes made to
to prior program cycles.
Next slide, please.
So this updated table provides the two year amount
of net resources available for the program.
The net result is approximately $1.3 billion.
And this represents an approximate $60 million increase
from the draft that was shared in June
based on an update to project savings
as well as program adjustments.
Next slide, please.
The department has worked closely with commission staff
throughout the development of the fund estimate cycle.
I do want to take the time to personally thank
Beverly Newman Burkhardt, as well as Sasha Lincher,
Justin Behrens, and yes, Matthew Yasgott.
Since this is an action item,
the department is recommending adoption
of the 2026 fund estimate.
And similar to the June meeting,
this is gonna be followed by the cycle program guidelines.
Next slide, please.
And with that, I'd be happy to answer any questions.
Thank you, Garrett, and thank your team as well.
Yeah.
Any public comment?
No, there was no requested comment from the public.
All right.
Questions or comments from the dais?
A hearing none, do I hear a motion?
Am I left?
The motion by Vice Chair Cruz,
second by Commissioner Bradshaw.
All in favor.
Aye.
Opposed?
Abstentions?
Okay, that passes.
Thank you.
Thank you, Garrett.
Item 21, 2026,
Trade Corridor Enhancement Program Guidelines,
Adoption of Resolution,
Beverly Newman, Burke Hart.
Thanks, Chair Galkin.
I'm gonna move this a little bit closer.
Okay, commissioners,
Tab 21 is an action item to adopt the 2026
Trade Corridor Enhancement Program Guidelines,
which are included as attachment B in your book item.
The 2026 Trade Corridor Enhancement Program Guidelines
describe the policies, standards, criteria and procedures
for the development, adoption and management
of the 2026 Trade Corridor Enhancement Program.
The 2026 Trade Corridor Enhancement Program
represents the fifth cycle of the program
and will provide two years of funding
in fiscal years 27-28 and 28-29
for a total of $1,287,958,000.
This estimate was confirmed with the approval
of the Trade Corridor Enhancement Program Fund estimate
under tab 20.
Staff presented the draft 2026
Trade Corridor Enhancement Program guidelines
to the commission at its June meeting.
since this presentation, staff has made the following changes.
First, as described by Naveen under tab 19,
the delivery methods and project segmentation language
in part three, sections 12 and 13,
was updated to clarify how the commission programs
and allocates funds to projects
utilizing alternative delivery methods
and to establish a consistent project segmentation standard
across the Senate Bill 1 programs.
Additionally, in Part 4, Section 19,
in response to the comment letter
from the Statewide Advocate Coalition
included an attachment C.
SAF incorporated the recommendation to add a link
to the Caltrans Vehicle Miles Traveled Mitigation Playbook
into the new Climate Action Plan
for Transportation Infrastructure-related Policy,
providing applicants with additional examples
passenger vehicle miles traveled mitigation measures. The 2026 trade corridor enhancement
program guidelines were developed through an extensive collaborative engagement process
which included seven workshops from November 2025 through July 2026. These workshops were open to
all program partners, interested parties, and members of the public. Staff is grateful for the
input, feedback, and expertise of our many partners during the guidelines development process,
including the Interagency Equity Advisory Committee, Caltrans, the Governor's Office of
Business and Economic Development, regional agencies, local agencies, and advocacy organizations.
We look forward to continued partnership with these participating agencies and organizations
and future cycles. Staff's engagement efforts also included 33 virtual office hour sessions
during which the team provided one-on-one technical assistance to potential applicants.
Once the guidelines are adopted, the call for projects for the 2026 trade corridor
enhancement program will open. Applications are due on Friday, November 20th, and an application
receipt log will be posted to the Commission's website shortly after that date. Between December
and June, a multidisciplinary evaluation team will review and rate each project,
and staff recommendations will be released in June 2027. The Commission will consider the
2026 Trade Corridor Enhancement Program staff recommendations at its June 2027 meeting. That
concludes my presentation. Staff recommends the adoption of the 2026 Trade Corridor Enhancement
program guidelines as proposed in attachment b and i am happy to answer any questions thank
you beverly i do have a number of speaker slips but let's go virtual first yes so i do see one
attendee with her hand raised virtually like to call on sophia roficova good afternoon commissioner
sophia africova with the coalition for clean air before your approval today are the guidelines
that will significantly shape how california invests in transportation infrastructure and
the goods movement. And while the addition of the zero emission charging infrastructure
as an eligible project type helped significantly improve the environmental impact of this program,
TESUP still remains the most polluting program under the SB1 umbrella. However, with the help
of the CTC staff, improvements have been made and this cycle's guidelines to ensure this program
helps mitigate the impacts it has on our air quality environment and our communities.
In addition to the new KAPDI 2.0 language stating that projects that fully mitigate their
VMT will be prioritized for funding. These final guidelines also include a new ZEV appendix with
best practices information, a robust workforce development section and a stronger equity section
encouraging applicants to report on targeted community outreach and collaboration with
community partners. We urge the CTC to continue to improve these guidelines with each cycle so
their economic priorities and public health standards can coexist and so that communities
near-proposed TISA projects are protected for any impacts or unintended consequences.
And we hope you will consider some of our remaining recommendations in future cycles,
such as building an engagement portal where Californians can easily see which projects are
being proposed in their area and can easily reach out when any concerns or support for the projects,
and also having projects disclose how exactly they're moving our regions and meeting their
GHG targets as part of the RTP-FCS compliance requirement in their applications.
and thank you again to the CTC staff who spent many hours meeting with us to go
over and implement our recommendations. Thank you. Thank you. Any other virtual? Yes. Yes,
we did receive one additional virtual hand raise. I'd like to call on Jay Schlosser.
Very good. Thank you, commissioners. This is Jay Schlosser, executive director for the
Kern Council of Governments. I simply wanted to weigh in with a brief message of support
for the TSIP program. As many of you know, Kern County is experiencing a huge growth in truck
volume, which is a wonderful problem to have because it represents economic growth for our
communities, but it also represents a significant challenge for us and how we adapt to that issue.
So the TSIP program represents to us a very important investment in what's needed to
accommodate that economic growth. And so simply wanted to support the adoption of the guidelines
today and request that the CTC continue to focus on goods movement in terms of the focus
of where these dollars will go and on safety improvements associated with those again in
a very important program to us and we appreciate your support of this program. Thank you.
you. Thank you. Any other virtual? Not seeing any other hand from our virtual attendees.
All right, thanks Justin. Now from the room, Shelly Kwan. Good afternoon commissioners. My
name is Shelly Kwan and I'm with the LA Metro. I want to express Metro support for all four of the
SB1 program guidelines that are on the agenda today and express a huge thanks to Matthew and
all of the SB1 team for the open listening that they conducted through this cycle's guidelines
development process. On these trade corridor guidelines before you now, I want to especially
thank Beverly Newman-Burkhardt for her leadership on introducing changes to the guidelines that
respond to new policy directives, clarify existing criteria, and provide resources for applicants
considering zero mission freight infrastructure projects, all while making sure the program
remains true to the statutory intent. And while I'm up here, I also want to offer support for
the Local Partnership Formula A program, which is a couple items in the future. And on this,
especially thank Kayla Gisi and Leshara Ward for the clever and fair solution that they introduced
in the advanced programming mechanism which will allow agencies hosting events of statewide
economic impact like the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games to seek funding in advance.
So we think this will really help us implement mobility projects for the games and leave the
legacy of improvements after. And so we really thank staff for all the work and support the
guidelines. Thank you. Thank you, Shelly. Next up is Sarkis Kaczek.
There you go. I'm here with both commissioners. Sarkis Kaczek with the Santa Barbara County
Association of Governments. I think I want to say this every time I can, we are thankful
for SB1 and the opportunities that SB1 provides for regions throughout the state. I'm here
to say today to support the adoption of the guidelines. The majority of my thanks is for
Beverly, partially thank Matthew for leadership. So, with that, we support adoption of the guidelines.
Thank you. Sarcos, I want to partially thank you for speaking to them.
All right. Next up, Kenneth Cowell. All right. Good afternoon, commissioners and chair. Kenneth
with the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.
I think you'll be here.
You heard from Southern, Central, and Northern.
So I'm also here in support of this item.
I wanted to continue to thank staff
for all their work on this.
And also this one just happened to see me in the middle,
but I wanted to acknowledge the SEC program earlier
with Naveen and the next ones
for LPP competitive and formulaic.
So I did want to appreciate staff
for all the outreach they've done.
work really closely with the regional agencies and sponsors to make some
changes to improve what you know can be approved on the program and we look
forward to continue to working with them on submitting applications and also
yesterday at the RTPA meeting I did raise my hand to say I had one concern
and that was that Matthew Yoss got to not have enough recognition so I also
wanted to recognize him on the dais as a good manager he did recognize his staff
first and so I appreciate that but I also wanted to appreciate him and his
work and his leadership thank you thank you Kenneth as I was listening to you I
couldn't help but think of there's an old 70s show Charlie's Angels I always
think of. I guess my generation, y'all.
Mr. Chair, where you going with that one? Matt Scott's the Angels. Well done. One more,
we've got one more speakers live. Erin Hoy. Thank you for indulging me, everyone. I needed
it today. Trust me. Good afternoon, Chair Falcone, commissioners
and Executive Director Taylor.
I am Aaron White
with the Nevada County Transportation Commission.
So in addition to having some representatives
from North State, Southern State,
the Bay Area Central Coast,
now we also have the rural communities from the F.L. Hills.
I do want to say,
I appreciate the opportunity to comment today
on the 2026 Trade Quarter Enhancements Program.
And in doing so,
I want to acknowledge Beverly Newman-Burkard and her staff
and the whole team for leading the updates of the guidelines
through an open collaborative and a transparent process.
The real work in accomplishing this was the Balancing Act
that the staff had to work through
and really actively listening to the various comments
that they received from the large MPOs
to the rural small RTPAs to the advocacy organizations
who participated and shared a lot of commentary.
And so listening and understanding those
helped them create and craft some clear language
into the guidelines that are before you today.
and doing that all while trying to really stay true
to the statutory intent
of the Trade Corridor Enhancement Program.
I believe that the proposed changes to the guidelines
will enhance the clarity for the overall program,
as well as expectations
and the projects that are proposed in the future.
And ultimately, these projects will benefit
the goods movement throughput on our system
and also minimize a lot of the conflicts we find
between heavy duty trucks and vehicles
and users of the system.
So that is what the people of California expect.
And this program will continue to deliver on that.
So I'd like to say on behalf of the Nevada County
Transportation Commission, we fully
support the adoption of the Trade Corridor Enhancement
Program, as well as the upcoming local participation programs.
So thank you for the time today.
Thanks, Aaron.
Any other public comment?
OK, back at the dais.
Any questions or comments from my colleagues?
OK, motion from Commissioner Eger.
Yes, do you have a question?
Just a brief comment.
Just hearing the comments and the range
of stakeholders who are sharing their things and appreciation
for the listening, I just wanted to lift that up.
And also, I'm just looking at how much engagement you did,
the workshops, the office hour sessions,
and doing it within a fairly compressed time period is,
I'm sure it was so much work,
but it definitely seems like a bore fruit.
So thank you so much for all of that work
and for truly and deeply listening
to the various stakeholders.
Thank you.
Great comments, thank you.
And we have a motion at the dais.
Do we have a second?
So I second.
Well, we have one more question here, Bob has a quick trigger
finger here. Second second by Commissioner Tiffany. All in
favor. I oppose.
Stentions OK. Madam Chair, who made that motion? I didn't hear
that. Eager and then Tiffany seconded. OK, so T-SIP guidelines
pass well done. Tab 22 hearing on the proposed 2026 local
partnership competitive program guidelines and proposed 2026
local partnership formulaic program guidelines. LaShara? Good afternoon, Commissioner. Tab 22,
closer. Can you hear me now? Okay. Tab 22 is an informational item for the commission to hold
a public hearing on the proposed 2026 local partnership competitive program guidelines
and the proposed 2026 local partnership formulaic program guidelines. The local partnership
collaborative program provides funding to counties, cities, districts, and regional
transportation agencies in which voters have approved fees, tolls, or taxes dedicated solely
to transportation improvements, or that have imposed fees dedicated solely to transportation
improvements. Funding for the local partnership program is divided into two programs, as I
already mentioned, the competitive program and the formulaic program. The competitive
and the formulaic program guidelines describe the policy, standards and procedures for the
development, adoption and management of the individual programs. The proposed guidelines
are a result of a consensus driven process, meaning that the guidelines reflect agreement
among our wide range of stakeholders. Both the competitive and formulaic program guidelines
were prepared and updated by commission staff in consultation with Caltrans, the interagency
the Equity Advisory Committee, the California Department of Housing and Community Development,
Regional Transportation Planning Agencies, local agencies and other public stakeholders.
The competitive and formulaic program guidelines were described in detail with the presentation
of the draft guidelines at the June Commission meeting. And since that meeting, Commission
staff hosted two additional stand-alone workshops on July 15, 2026, which Naveen covered in
the content of those workshops during her remarks.
Just to reiterate, the first workshop focused on added clarity to the alternate delivery
methods guidance for all of the Senate Bill 1 programs, and the second workshop focused
on efficient land use and housing guidance, specifically for the local partnership program
the solutions for congested corridors program. This update affects the transportation land
use and housing evaluation criterion in the local partnership competitive program and
updates the language to align with updates made to the land use efficiency and pro-housing
supplement in Appendix D and that's specific to the competitive program. The second July
workshop also covered proposed updates to both the local partnership competitive program
and the solutions for congested corridors program regarding California Executive Order
N-7-26. The proposed 2026 local partnership competitive program guidelines on the agenda
today include small additions to the eligibility section and the accessibility evaluation criterion
to emphasize the eligibility of transit priority infrastructure and the delivery of first last
mile connectivity projects. The hearing today is being held in compliance with streets and
highways code chapter two section 2033 which states the commission may amend the adopted
guidelines after conducting at least one public hearing. Following the close of this hearing the
adoption of the 2026 local partnership program formulaic fund distribution will be recommended
for approval under tab 23. The adoption of the proposed 2026 Local Partnership Competitive
Program Guidelines will be recommended for Commission approval under tab 24 and the proposed
2026 Local Partnership Formulated Program Guidelines will be recommended for approval
under tab 25. With that, I will turn it back to Chair Falcone to open the hearing for the
local partnership program guidelines. Thank you, LaShara. And so the public hearing is now
commencing. Any public comment virtually? Not seeing any requests at this time to comment
from our virtual attendees. Okay. And I do not have any speaker slips. Any comments or questions
from the dais? Okay. All right. Yeah. All right. Then with that, we'll turn to your right. Um,
tab 23 2026 local partnership formulaic program fund distribution adoption. Kayla thank you
chair commissioners. Oh oh we need to have to formally close the public hearing so so be it.
The for tab 22 the hearing for the proposed 2026 local partnership competitive program
guidelines and proposed 2026 local partnership formulaic program guidelines is now closed.
it's good to have former chairs to the right of me. Okay now tab 23. Go ahead Kayla. Thank you.
Commissioners tab 23 is an action item to adopt the 2026 local partnership formulate program
fund distribution. The primary objective of the local partnership formulate program is to provide
funding to counties, cities, districts and regional transportation agencies in which voters have
approved taxes, tolls, or fees dedicated solely to transportation improvements.
The 2026 local partnership program formulaic fund distribution, shown in attachment B of
the book item, outlines the proposed fund distribution for taxing authorities determined
by staff to be eligible for the 2026 formulaic program.
The formulaic program guidelines describe how the proposed formulaic funding distribution
is established.
proposed fund distribution includes two years of programming and all eligible
taxing authorities will receive a minimum annual amount of $200,000. On July 14th,
2026, commission staff sent the draft 2026 formulate program fund distribution
directly to all eligible taxing authorities to solicit feedback. Eligible jurisdictions had
an opportunity to review comment and request modifications. Since publishing the draft on
July 14th, staff made specific adjustments for two agencies based on feedback received and updated
sales tax revenues and populations for each agency based on the most recently available data
reported for each local tax by the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration.
All changes are reflected in the book item. Additionally, $5,843,000 of unused incentive
funding from the fiscal year 2526 has been redistributed to the 2026 local
partnership competitive program capacity pursuant to both local
partnership program guidelines. $8,765,000 is being added to the 2024
local partnership formulate program and redistributed among eligible taxing
authorities in fiscal year 2026 27 under tab 100 staff recommends your
approval of the 2026 local partnership formulate program fund distribution as
presented in attachment B. Thank you, Kayla. Any public comment? No, there
was no request of comment on the item. Okay. Um, any comment or questions from
the dais may I entertain a motion moved by Commissioner eager seconded by
Commissioner Tiffany all in favor you oppose abstentions okay that passes
thank you Kayla tab 24 2026 local partnership competitive program
guidelines back to you Lashara thank you tab 24 is an action item to adopt the
2026 local partnership competitive program guidelines as presented in
Attachment B. The 2026 local partnership competitive program represents the fifth cycle
of the competitive program and includes two years of programming with $151,298,000
available for programming. Staff presented the proposed changes with the draft guidelines
at the June Commission meeting and described the newest updates with the public hearing
introduction under tab 22. No other significant changes have been made. Adoption of the program
guidelines today will open a call for project nominations that will be due to the commission
no later than November 18, 2026. Staff recommends approval of tab 24 and adoption of the 2026
local partnership competitive program guidelines. Thank you, LaShaw. Public comment, Justin.
public comment on the item okay back at the dais comments questions motion okay motion
uh by commissioner tiffany seconded by vice chair cruz i thought i heard is that you
okay vice chair cruz um all in favor pose abstentions okay that passes back to kayla
2026 local partnership formulaic program guidelines commissioners tab 25 is an action
item to adopt the 2026 local partnership formulaic program guidelines the 2026 local partnership
formulaic program represents the sixth cycle of the program and will include two years of programming
in fiscal years 2027-28 and 2028-29 with $216 million in available funding.
The draft guidelines were presented at the June 2026 commission meeting.
Since then, staff held an additional workshop to cover proposed updates to the delivery
method section of all SB1 program guidelines.
The formulaic program guidelines were updated accordingly and changes can be found in red
in attachment B of the book item.
approval of this item, eligible taxing authorities may submit project nominations by November 13,
2026 for initial programming at the January 2027 CTC meeting. Staff recommends your approval of
the 2026 local partnership formulaic program guidelines as presented in attachment B.
Thank you, Kayla. Public comment? There was no request to comment on the item.
Okay, thank you. Back at the dais. Motion? Move for approval.
Motion made by Commissioner Gordino, seconded by, by Commissioner Eger. All in favor? Opposed? Abstentions? Okay, that
passes. And so that concludes our SB1 program guidelines items. Well done, team.
Thank you, Matthew. And we do recognize all of the work that you all have done.
Well done. Matthew and the Angels, yes. And the supporting cast. Okay, and open
call for projects now, yes, until November 18th. Is that correct? Depends on the
program. Okay, we'll check with your program managers. Alright, well good luck
to everyone applying for SB1 projects. All right, next tab 26 approval of the
2026 California transportation asset management plan. Tim. Thank you.
Commissioners tab 26 is an action item for the approval of the 2026 California
transportation asset management plan. Government code section 14 526.4
requires the Department in consultation with the Commission to prepare a robust
Transportation Asset Management Plan, or TAMP, to guide the selection of projects
for the State Highway Operations and Protection Program. The TAMP shall be
consistent with any applicable state and federal requirements and Commission
approved guidelines. At the March 2026 Commission meeting, the Department
presented its draft TAMP. Since that time, Commission staff met with and provided
comments to the department and they were incorporated as appropriate and
included an appendix e of the proposed 2026 stamp. Staff comments range from
questions regarding changes to asset conditions, specifically bridges and
complete streets, local agency funding needs for compliance with targets on
the national highway system and performance performance target reporting
beyond 20 27. Commission staff recommends the commission approve the
to guide the selection of projects for the state highway operations and
protection program. Thank you Tim. Good afternoon, Sheriff Ocone. Commissioners
Stephen, Diana Campbell, state asset management engineer. As Tim mentioned, I
presented the draft transportation asset management plan back in March. Almost a
year review with FHWA and CTC and we've received certification from FHWA in July.
So I wanted to thank our local partners, MTC, RTPA, and all the external partners.
Without them, there would be no TAMP.
Also, I'd like to thank FHWA, Doug Haycox, and Chris Long for their unwaving partnership.
Really appreciate that.
Also, thank you so much to Caltrans staff, Mike Johnson, Lauren Turner, Yue Zou, Mary
Alice Marensi and Fabiola Miranda for their involvement in the TAMP development.
Thank you also to Commissioned Staff, CTC, Tim Solman and John Pray for their partnership as well.
And last but not least, although Matthew has had no involvement with the TAMP whatsoever,
and while I'll pass on striking a pose, I don't want to break the streak, so thank you Matthew
Thank you for being on the dais.
With that, I respectfully ask requests that the approval of the 2026 Tam.
Thank you.
Happy to take questions.
All of this is an attempt to get Matthew Yaw's got to smile.
And you've done that well done Diana.
All right.
Thank you for your presentation.
Public comment.
There was no requested comment from the public.
Okay.
Back at the dais.
I hear you have a comment.
Do you have comments or questions or motion?
I'll make a motion.
It absolutely kills me that Matthew
gets all this recognition while being a Dodger fan.
It's just, I have a hard time with that.
But anyway, it's almost football season.
So I'll make a motion.
Motion made by Commissioner Tiffany, seconded by?
Second.
Seconded by Commissioner Bradshaw.
Do you have a comment, sir?
I want to offer my services to you as a shop steward, right, for these kind of just to make sure all the
comments are correct and appropriate to your liking brother. So just just let me know
and you know, I'm in your, I'm in your corner. I want it on the record. All right, second.
Was that a friendly amendment? Dodgers? What was the Dodgers thing?
He's a Dodgers. What was the Dodgers thing?
Yeah. Oh, I don't know. I don't, I don't understand. I don't understand sports. So I'm asking soccer guy. Anyway. All right. Sorry. All right. We've got diversion going on. Okay.
All right. Let me get this straight. So motion made by Commissioner Tiffany, seconded by Brother Commissioner Bradshaw. All in favor?
Any pose?
Abstentions?
All right, that passes.
You know we're hitting the end of the day
when we get a little bit lively.
That's a good flabbergale.
It was the chocolate chip cookies.
All right, so we have the information calendar, Justin.
Thank you, commissioners.
Tops 27 through 37 are information items
that have been reviewed and found
to have no issues raised by Commission Stop.
Therefore, individual items will not be presented
unless requested by a commissioner.
Please make note of the change,
please make note of the change list for tab 32.
If there are no questions,
that will conclude the presentation
of the information calendar.
Thank you, Justin.
Any public comment on the information?
No request to comment on any of the listed items.
Thank you.
Any comments or questions from the dais?
All right, thank you.
Next is the consent calendar
and note that tab 47 is being pulled from the consent because of a recusal and their purpose
of the recusal will be announced prior to tab 47 being announced. So that would be Justin back to
you. Commissioners, top 47 will be removed from the consent calendar and will be heard separately
after consent therefore tabs 38 through 46 and tabs 48 to 69 are action items on the consent
calendar please note the change list for tab 63 and 65 staff recommends approval of tabs 38
through 46 and tabs 48 through 69 thank you Justin any public comment no there was no request
comments on any of the listed items. Back at the dais. Questions, comments, motion.
Move the consent calendar. Thank you. Commissioner Gordino. Motion made by
Commissioner Gordino. Seconded by, I'll second. By Commissioner Tiffany. All in favor? Aye. Any
opposed? Substantions? Okay. Consent calendar passes. Okay. For tab 47, I will be
actually recusing myself the reason is is that my spouse is employed by the
applicant. So with that I am turning over the gavel to Vice Chair Cruz. Thank you
Madam Chair and I do want the gavel by the way. Just in case. So tab 47
Director's deed, item one, excess lands,
Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego.
David Gianco, staff person.
Commissioner.
Proceed David, please.
Tap 47 is an action item to prove the execution
of a director's deed in accordance
with the streets and highways code.
Approval would authorize Caltrans to convey excess property
to Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego County
to support their plans for expanding parking facilities.
The disposal unit consists of two parcels totaling over 25,000 square feet because
radio Children's Hospital is the only interested adjoining owner. Caltrans is
selling the parcels directly to the hospital at their praise fair market
value of $834,000 with that staff for commands approval of tab 47. Thank you,
David. And I believe I see one person who would like to provide public comment.
Maybe more, but this person up, Colleen Clemenson.
Yes, thank you, Vice Chair, commissioners, mission staff.
I'm really pleased to be here today
to be able to represent Rady Children's Hospital San Diego.
And thank you for your support.
This little sliver of land is going to help support
a major capital investment in this region.
Construction is already underway.
It's a $2 billion project,
multiple construction jobs throughout the region.
It's very exciting and we're thrilled
that this decision could be made here today in San Diego.
And I have to thank Ann Fox, the district 11 director
at Caltrans who really helped make this
a very seamless process.
We had help from James Hacker as well.
And the team just went that extra mile
to make sure we had a really fair and robust look
at the price of the land, we reached agreement
and are just very pleased to be here today.
So thank you, it's a great celebration for us
and I appreciate your support today.
Thank you for your comments
and we're excited about the possibility there.
Thank you.
Any online comments by chance?
No, there's no request from any
of our online attendees to comment on the item.
Thank you.
Any questions or comments from commissioners on the dais?
Seeing none, is there a motion?
So moved for approval.
Motion by commissioner Raschaw, second?
I'll second.
Second by commissioner Tiffany.
All in favor?
Aye.
All opposed?
Let's keep it moving then.
Thank you brother Joe.
One moment everyone.
We're gonna jump to item 70.
Adoption of the fiscal year 2026-27 road maintenance
and rehabilitation account, local streets and roads
funding initial report of eligible cities and counties.
Celeste.
Good afternoon.
Tab 70 is an action item to adopt the fiscal year 26-27
local streets and roads funding initial report
of eligible cities and counties.
For jurisdictions to be included in the fiscal year 2026-27
initial eligibility report,
jurisdictions must adopt by resolution a list of projects
and submit them to the commission no later
than July 1st, 2026.
Commission staff received compliant and complete submittals
from 533 out of 540 by July 1st.
Those 533 jurisdictions deemed eligible
are identified in the fiscal year 2627,
initial report of eligible cities and counties
Attachment B adopting over 2,500 proposed projects.
Staff have confirmed that the seven remaining
jurisdictions identified in Attachment B
do attend to seek subsequent funding eligibility
on or by September 30th, 2026,
and are expected to receive 17 million
of the 1.8 billion estimated for the fiscal year.
Submittals received after September 30th, 2026
will not be included in the subsequent eligibility list
for fiscal year 26, 27 to be adopted by the commission
at the October, 2026 meeting.
The controller will recalculate and disperse those funds
forfeited by existing formula amongst those jerks,
jurisdictions that have been deemed eligible
for fiscal year 26, 27 funding.
The commission must adopt and submit the initial report
of eligible cities and counties to the controller
on or by August 31st, 2026.
Eligible cities and counties will begin receiving
monthly disbursements from the controller in September.
Staff would like to thank our program stakeholders,
jurisdictions and RTPAs for their assistance
and dedication to the ongoing success
of the Local Streets and Roads funding program.
Staff recommends the commission adopt the fiscal year 2627,
road maintenance and rehabilitation account,
local streets and roads, funding initial report
of eligible cities and counties as provided in attachment B
and direct staff to transmit the list
of eligible jurisdictions to the state controller.
Are there any questions?
Thank you, Celeste.
Any public comment?
No, there was no request of comment
from the virtual public attendees.
Okay, thank you.
Questions, comments from the dais or a motion?
motion made by Commissioner Tiffany, seconded by by Commissioner Eger. All in favor? Opposed?
Abstentions? Okay, that passes. Thank you, Celeste.
Tab 71, update on the applications received for
2027 Active Transportation Program. Anya, joining us virtually.
Good afternoon commissioners. Um, tab 71 is an information item and I believe I have a couple
slides there there. Thank you. So the call for projects for the 2027 active transportation
program which represents the eighth cycle of the program was released upon adoption of the
guidelines on March 19th of this year. In cycle 8, we have just a little over 619
million dollars to distribute. Statewide applications were due to the
Commission on June 22nd. The applications are currently being evaluated
by the Active Transportation Programs multidisciplinary evaluation team of 98
volunteers. The ATP funds are awarded to projects via three different components the statewide small
urban and rural and MPO components. We intend to release the staff recommendations for the statewide
and the small urban and rural components on November 2nd, 2026. Recommendations for the MPO
component are due to the Commission by April 23rd, 2027. Next slide please. The Commission received
317 applications for cycle 8 funds with projects valued at 4.4 billion dollars and funding requests
totaling 2.98 billion dollars. This is almost five times greater than the program's available
funding level, highlighting a persistent and growing gap between the available funding
and the demand for active transportation projects. On the slide, you can see that with each cycle,
the average request amount is increasing. For example, in cycle eight, the average request
amount has risen to $9.4 million. Out of the 317 applications we received, 90% of them
are for infrastructure projects. And of those, almost half have total project costs of $10
million or more. Based on the analysis of project applications, this reflects not only
higher project costs, but also a shift toward more comprehensive projects that
address broader community needs. In general, trends are showing that the
projects tend to be part of a network rather than isolated improvements. The
map on the right side of the slide shows where this 317 projects are located. The
The counties with the hashtags did not apply for cycle 8, and the numbers inside the flags
show the number of applications from each county.
The geographic spread of applications, which are from 48 counties, shows the continued
widespread interest in the ATP funding.
As people become more intentional about mode shift in their communities, active transportation
users are increasing, and the program's impact continues to grow. Next slide please.
This is a comparison of all the ATP cycles. The white line represents the total project costs,
the blue line the total ATP requests, and the red line at the bottom shows the total funding
available in each given cycle. As you can see, the ATP requests keep increasing, but
the amount of funding we have available for each cycle has stayed relatively the same.
There have been a couple increases. In cycle three, we received an augmentation from SB1,
and in cycle six, we received a one-time augmentation from the general fund. Then the cycle six
augmentation was cut which resulted in cycle 7 having the least amount of funds available
from any cycle. As I mentioned in cycle 8 the total funding requests the last on the blue line
were almost three billion dollars. In comparison the total funding requests in cycle 7
were two and a half billion dollars and in cycle six it was three point one billion dollars.
Despite increases in funding during certain cycles the overall trend shows that the ATP funding is
not keeping keeping pace with expanding demand. The ATP team is looking forward to presenting
the recommended projects to you at the December meeting. Excuse me. And that concludes my
presentation. Thank you.
Thank you, Anya. Before I ask for public comment, I just wanted to recognize that Senator Dave
Cortese has joined us. I know that you were with us earlier, Senator. Thank you for joining
us at this hearing. Good to see you. Any public hearing? I mean, public comment. Excuse me.
No, there was no request from the public to comment on the item.
Okay. Thank you, Justin. Yes, it is. Any questions or comments from the dais?
Yes, Bob.
Thank you, Chair.
Anya, a question for you.
With the reduction in available funds while we're
seeing increase of applications and larger dollar applications,
as you just explained, is it changing
how you prioritize and look at projects
and how you decide where to allocate?
I mean, you have an extremely difficult job.
When there's five times the amount of money requested
that we have, but I'm just curious
as these projects are getting, as you said,
more involved, more complete, larger,
while you have less money,
is that changing how we look at these projects in any way?
I'm just curious, thank you.
Yeah, that's a great question, Commissioner.
so. Up until now, we have not in the last few cycles, we've really solidified our application
questions. And we have gone over our scoring rubric that the evaluator teams use in our
engagement workshops to kind of help applicants answer the questions in a way that's going to
give them a great score, but we have not changed that at this point. The application questions
are actually based on the goals that are laid out in statute. So, you know, the goals,
there's several, but the ones that we focus on are, you know, the benefits to disadvantaged
communities, asking applicants to show the need for the project in their communities, including
public health concerns in their communities. And then the safety aspect is also one of
the goals in statute. So that's what we've always based our questions on, and our scoring criteria
have really been developed with our stakeholders in terms of like the specific questions and what
they focus on. And thank you. And when you look at each project and you said these are larger
projects, do you ever accept a portion of a project so you can divvy out to more communities?
I'm just curious whether that's something you do or you've even considered. Yeah, so as you're asking
your follow-up question it made me think to mention that we do actually have five different
types of applications. So there's an application for those applicants that want to apply for a plan
like an active transportation plan and that looks very different from any of the other applications.
We also fund non-infrastructure projects which are engagement and encouragement programs.
So the most obvious example might be like a safe routes to school program that's taught in a school.
So that's a different application and then our infrastructure projects are actually sorted into
three different types of applications where the small, medium and large infrastructure projects
are divided up by the total dollar amount, the total project cost for the project. And those
that use the large application are projects that are more than $10 million total project cost.
And with those, we actually allow applicants to apply just for their pre-construction phases,
which is helpful to a lot of them, especially for some of these larger projects, as you're saying,
because their pre-construction can take a pretty long time. And then we do also allow
applicants to apply for segments. There's a lot that have actually done that. You know,
segments of larger projects. As long as it's a usable segment, that's kind of our criteria for
breaking up a larger project. Okay, thank you for the explanation. Very helpful.
Great question. Thank you. Chief Deputy Galajewski wanted to do a follow-up.
Yeah I just wanted to add on to what Anya was saying. The reason why we haven't made a lot of
changes to the guidelines in the application in recent cycles is because there is so little money
available that we have applicants applying multiple times. So we're trying to keep the
application stable for them so as to not overhaul it so they have to go back and start from scratch
again so that's kind of been yeah the main reason okay thank you I do have a
commissioner eager yeah thank you on ya can you put up the slide that shows
where the applications came from that one yeah thank you I just wanted to say
how impressed I am with the diversity across the state of folks applying and
And that really is a testament to your team.
Because I know we had talked to people before that were from some of those smaller areas
that said, we don't really feel comfortable, we don't have enough people here to really
put some effort into it.
But then your team goes out there and says, yeah, but if you do this, here's how you can
apply.
And they feel more comfortable.
And this really shows that.
And I know all communities didn't apply next year.
But that really is a testament to you and your team for all the work that you did to
get people to feel comfortable to apply for these. So thank you. I appreciate it.
I want to second those comments, Anya, and I know that your team make, you guys all make
effort to reach out and actually visit, you know, locations throughout the state where
They are not well resourced and provide technical assistance.
So it is definitely shows given the distribution to Commissioner Eager's comments of folks
that are now applying.
We just need a bigger pot, right, to, you know, to board projects because we want to
see a good also diversity of allocation of those funds.
I do have a question about the composition of your reviewers.
You have how many reviewers that will be assisting
in choosing these projects.
Can you refresh my memory about that?
Yeah, sure.
There's 98 volunteers.
We have 40-19s, I believe the math works out on that.
their teams of two. Okay and what are the composition of of your reviewers? Yeah sure
thanks for asking that chair. So our reviewers are from across the state. A lot of them
are city or county staff from agencies that have applied. Others are from Caltrans
district offices. We also have some advocates who are evaluators. And I would say that's,
and then of course we have our own CTC staff who also volunteer. Very grateful
that they're taking the time to do that as well on top of their workload. So the teams are put
together with one person from the north and one from the south. And the applications that are
assigned are never ones that are within a jurisdiction where they work or live. So we're
very careful about how we assign the applications in that way. And then every evaluator is required
to attend a training where we go over the application and the expectations and we check
in with them and actually all consensus scores are due tomorrow. So big shout out to my staff
who's been following up with them and they're all on track it looks like so we're very grateful.
Okay, thank you. And when you say North and South, for the benefit of Commissioner Eager,
you mean everything else in the middle as well, right?
Of course, yes. We have actually quite a few applicants from the central part of our state,
or sorry, not applicants, evaluators. Applicants as well, as we saw in the map.
but we have actually quite a few evaluators and yeah and we have quite a few that come back every
every cycle so yeah absolutely all right thank you Anya so with that that was an information
item we'll now go to tab 72 which is the adoption of the 2027 active transportation program regional
guidelines for two metropolitan planning organizations. Back to you Anya.
Okay, thank you. So, tab 72 is an action item to adopt the regional 2027 active transportation
program regional guidelines for two metropolitan planning organizations, the San Diego Association
of governments, whom I'll refer to as S&AG, and the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency.
As you recall, you approved regional guidelines for the other metropolitan planning organizations
at the March and June Commission meetings.
These are the last two regional guidelines for the 2027 Active Transportation Program.
Senate Bill 99 and the 2027 Active Transportation Program guidelines allow the 10 largest metropolitan
planning organizations to develop guidelines outlining their regional project selection
process in the MPO component of the ATP.
Regional guidelines must be consistent with the state guidelines, but the MPOs do have
discretion in certain areas, such as issuing a supplemental call for projects and adjusting
project selection criteria and waiting. All regional guidelines must be approved by the
Commission. The book item provides details on how the MPOs tailored their guidelines to meet
regional priorities. The regional guidelines for SANDAG and the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency
are included as attachment B in the book item. Commissioned staff has reviewed the guidelines
and finds them consistent with the statewide guidelines. Staff recommends approval of tab 72.
Thank you Anya. Public comment, Justin. We did not receive any requests to comment on the item.
Okay, thank you. Any questions, comments, or a motion from the dais?
Okay, we have a motion by Vice Chair Cruz, but we have also a question.
Question. No, no.
No problem. Good.
Anya, how does the fact that there's these regional guidelines,
how does that affect the evaluation of those projects, or does it in any way?
that's a great question. So it does not affect the statewide evaluation in any way.
The way that we approach the funding in the ATP is the highest scoring applications out of this
evaluation process we're doing will be funded through the statewide component until we run out
of funding in the statewide component which is 50 percent of the total funds available.
Then what we do is we divide the remaining applicants or applications into two pots.
One is distributed to the MPOs. So the applications in each MPO's region,
the 10 largest, I should say, are sent to them for consideration in their MPO component.
And then we also look at the remaining applications that fall into the small urban and rural
geography. That is, they're not within the geographic area of one of the 10 largest MPOs.
and then we go keep on going down starting with the highest scoring application on down until we
run out of funding for the small urban and rural component. And then the MPOs, the ones that have
a supplemental call for projects, they do also consider all the applications that were submitted
to the statewide in one way or another. And a lot of the MPOs ask applicants to fill out a supplemental application so that they can score the regional priorities. Okay, thank you. And I will second Joe's motion. Okay, we have a motion from Vice Chair Cruz, seconded by Commissioner Tiffany.
all in favor any opposed extensions hey that that passes thank you Anya and if
that's okay Brandi we are going to conclude today's hearing and we will
continue on your item tomorrow for day two and with that thank you everyone
have a good evening and we'll see you tomorrow indeed enjoy San Diego