City Council approves reprogramming $907K for Mountain Ranch Road improvements

The Calaveras County Council of Governments (CCOG) meeting held on April 2, 2025, focused on critical funding reprogramming efforts aimed at improving local transportation infrastructure. The primary discussion revolved around the reprogramming of Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funding, totaling approximately $907,000, which is intended for environmental and design improvements at the Mountain Ranch Road intersection extending to Buckskin Road.

Staff recommended that the council approve the reprogramming of these funds, as the city indicated it was not ready for construction with the previously allocated funding. Instead of loaning or exchanging the funds, COG staff proposed to keep the funding local and nominate a project that aligns with existing plans, such as the San Andreas SR 49 Gateway Corridor Study and the Evacuation Access Needs and Assessment Plan.

During the meeting, board members expressed concerns about the repeated delays in project readiness and the need for proactive planning to ensure future funding opportunities are not missed. The discussion highlighted the importance of having multiple projects lined up to avoid losing out on regional funds, especially as the next funding cycle approaches.

In addition to the CMAQ funding, the council also approved a minute order for reprogramming the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) funds. This involved moving $1,042,000 from construction to right-of-way funding for the Wagon Trail Project, which is part of a larger effort to secure additional grant funding for future phases of the project.

The meeting concluded with a call for ongoing strategic planning to ensure that local jurisdictions are prepared for upcoming funding opportunities and to maintain accountability in project management. The council emphasized the need for collaboration and communication among jurisdictions to effectively utilize available resources and avoid potential pitfalls in future funding cycles.