State Transportation Infrastructure Bond
SUMMARY: A PLACER PERSPECTIVE

Transportation Programs ($17.25 billion)

Corridor Mobility Improvement: $4.5 billion
This fund is for traffic congestion on the state highway system, or major access routes to the state highway system on the local road system that relieves congestion. $1 billion of the $4.5 billion under this category is dedicated to State Route 99 improvements.

Funding has been allocated based on guidelines developed and adopted by the California Transportation Commission (CTC), with projects nominated jointly by Caltrans and the regional transportation planning agency. The current language has required the CTC to select projects with 60% of the funds going to Southern California counties, and the remaining 40% for Northern California.

With it’s statewide and national prominence as well as strong Caltrans support, the I-80 bottleneck has competed well for this funding and the CTC has approved $46.3 million for this project.

The CTC has also approved $73.7 million in Corridor Mobility Improvement funds for construction of the Lincoln Bypass.

See full list of apporved CMIA projects here.

Public Transit and Intercity Rail Account: $4 billion
Of this amount, $400 million will be directed for intercity rail, of which $125 million will be for intercity rail cars and locomotives. The remaining $3.6 billion will be allocated to jurisdictions by the regional transportation planning agencies via the existing State Transit Assistance formulas.

As one of the busiest of the four intercity rail services in California, Capitol Corridor track improvements are likely to compete well for the intercity rail funds.

The allocation of the remaining transit funds by formula means that Placer jurisdictions will be guaranteed an equitable share.

California Ports and Trade Infrastructure: $2 billion
These funds will be allocated by the California Transportation Commission for improvements along Federally designated trade corridors. The Secretary of Business, Transportation, and Housing and Secretary for Environmental Protection must develop and submit a trade infrastructure and goods movement plan on which the allocations will be based.

Again, as the only all weather crossing of the Sierra Nevada for 1000 miles as well as it’s connection from the Central Valley and Port of Oakland to the rest of the United States, I-80 improvements in Placer County have potential to compete for this funding. The overwhelming needs at the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, as well as the adjacent Alameda Corridor, could make this a very challenging.

State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP): $2 billion
These funds will help re-infuse the STIP with some of the funding that had been borrowed away over the past five years. With a formula distribution to all regional transportation planning agencies around the state, it ensures equitable distribution.

Placer projects, particularly the Lincoln Bypass, have been delayed several times due to shortages of funding in the STIP. This infusion, along with approved Corridor Mobility Improvement funding, means that the project will be able to move forward more quickly, and allow Placer to repay our advanced funding sooner.

Local Streets and Roads: $2 billion
These discretionary funds will be split equally between cities and counties, with funds allocated according to long-established formulas developed by the California Association of Counties and the League of California Cities. Eligible projects would include road maintenance and rehabilitation, but also allow money to be used for transit, congestion, and safety projects.

More funding for road rehabilitation and maintenance is a need shared by all the Placer jurisdictions. This would ensure that Placer jurisdictions get an equitable share of the funds, along with some flexibility in their use.

State-Local Partnership Account: $1 billion
These funds are to be appropriated by the Legislature, providing a dollar-for-dollar match for projects in counties with transportation sales tax programs.

Placer County does not currently have a transportation sales tax, and thus not amongst the 18 counties that stand to benefit from these funds at this time.

State Highway Operation Preservation Program (SHOPP): $750 million
These funds will be allocated by the CTC for maintenance and safety projects on the state highway system. $250 million of these funds must be used for Intelligent Transportation Systems and Traffic Light Synchronization on the state highway system.

Caltrans has invested significant amounts of SHOPP funding on rehabilitation of I-80, including the current project in the Auburn area, to the direct benefit of Placer residents. Just like local jurisdictions, Caltrans needs this funding to assure the continued functionality and safety of the state highway system.

Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety: $250 million
These funds are to be allocated to Caltrans to administer a competitive program for high-priority grade separation projects pursuant to current statute. A dollar-for-dollar match is required. $100 million of these funds will be allocated by the CTC outside of the current process, but are directed to focus on crossing in ozone non-attainment areas and crossings that delay access to emergency services.

Placer has numerous at-grade crossings with the Union Pacific Railroad that would benefit from grade separation. However, Placer is unlikely to benefit from this program due to the difficulty in obtaining matching funds.

Local Bridge Seismic Retrofit Account: $125 million
Funds shall be allocated to provide the 11.5% match for the Federal Highway Bridge Replacement and Repair program for the seismic work on local bridges, ramps, and overpasses as determined by Caltrans.

Sources for matching funds for the HBRR program has long been a challenge for both rural and urban counties, and many HBRR funds have gone unspent for lack of match. This relatively small account can make big improvements in safety and connectivity in case of a disaster.

Air Quality Programs ($1.2 billion)

Port Related Projects for Air Quality Emission Reductions: $1 billion
These funds will be appropriated by the Legislature and administered by the State Air Resources Board for emission reductions related to ports.

Placer County has no commercial ports, and would not be eligible for these funds.

School Bus Retrofit and Replacement: $200 million
These funds will be appropriated by the Legislature, with criteria yet to be determined.

However, our location in a severe non-attainment area should be persuasive.

Security and Disaster Preparedness ($1.525 billion)

Transit Safety and Disaster Preparedness: $1 billion
No details yet available.

Without criteria or details, it is difficult to assess Placer’s competitiveness in this category.

Port, Harbor, and Ferry Security: $100 million
These funds will be appropriated by the Office of Emergency Services as grants for port, harbor, and ferry terminal security.

The Tahoe ferry service may be eligible for these funds, but without criteria or detail, its competitiveness is difficult to assess.

 

More Information:

2007/08 State Budget and How it Affects Transportation

Placer projects approved for Prop 1B funding

State Transportation Infrastructure Bonds (Proposition 1B)