[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6530281,"mediaKeyId","3677105-db916134f997ade4e0173f4d8e08b31a","parentId",3677105,"title","Votes at a glance: Kern COG approves consent agenda and adopts 2025–26 financial plans","audioSeconds",1334,"startMs",1996000,"endMs",3330000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3677105-db916134f997ade4e0173f4d8e08b31a&start=1996&end=3330","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3677105-db916134f997ade4e0173f4d8e08b31a/thumbnail_1996000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6530281/Kern-County/California/Votes-at-a-glance-Kern-COG-approves-consent-agenda-and-adopts-202526-financial-plans","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6530281-45425816d4b7b7bc69de544a0a9ea3a5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138095&Signature=nUC61fQpmcmBHZtVB3RZu9dCy3sVkfdgJQboUxFd~Mm5NRkbdRnU6MzYUlckPMJEWbjZTLlVkMlDIApdNcyWWII2f8VFRUfB1FplCXc7re0S~0~7q8miJfEJ6i1ci-pejc9ta6ljlIhRs0lbRD3hrDFxPaFDCrVu~bc53r4BM7tDJyX9Ix-8Imu3w5Te56PUU5bqKb5aJ3vt3xbGJOQqQOKhBDCqliU0oNVP76HzuIJpcBUNbue5Y0-8DwiDAWoAzMNwGnbz3S9N7DW2HQ-j8oGgIZrw7Q8LFYb5E867uYCsCnt-322v~a0XKDjJMK3zIEH53PiYtazaALuJiggGeA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-06-05T17:18:27.197Z","article","The Kern Council of Governments on May 14 approved its consent agenda and adopted final fiscal-year 2025–26 financial plans for both Kern COG and the Kern Motorist Aid Authority (KMAA) during roll call votes, with no public comments recorded during the related public hearings.

Consent agenda: Committee members moved and seconded approval of the consent agenda; a roll call vote recorded the motion as approved. Roll call at the time of that vote recorded all present members voting yes (12 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain). The chairman opened and closed the public hearing with no public comment before the consent action.

Kern COG 2025–26 financial plan: Staff presented a final Kern COG fiscal-year 2025–26 financial plan and asked the board to open a public hearing, receive comments and close the hearing. No public comments were received. The board voted to adopt the final Kern COG 2025–26 financial plan by roll call; the roll call recorded the motion as passed (9 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain).

KMAA 2025–26 financial plan: The Kern Motorist Aid Authority (KMAA) final fiscal-year 2025–26 financial plan was presented. Staff described proposed operating revenues and appropriations and asked the board to open the public hearing; no comments were offered. The board adopted the KMAA plan by roll call (9 yes, 0 no, 0 abstain).

Why it matters: The actions set the agency’s operating and capital priorities for fiscal year 2025–26 and allow staff to proceed with the planned programs and maintenance activity. The KMAA plan includes funding for debris removal and other motorist-aid activities described in staff materials.

Ending: Meeting minutes and the adopted financial plans will be posted with Kern COG documents; staff said carryover amounts from Caltrans will be captured in a first amendment later in the fiscal year.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Kern Council of Governments (Kern COG) May 15, 2025 Meetings","oneSentenceSummary","The Kern Council of Governments approved the consent agenda and adopted final fiscal-year 2025–26 financial plans for Kern COG and the Kern Motorist Aid Authority (KMAA) by roll call votes; no public comments were recorded during the related hearings.","taxTitle","Kern County, California","taxId",2913,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6530287,"Caltrans updates: FTIP hearing opened, grant opportunities and multiple project progress reports",724,2061000,2785000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3677105-db916134f997ade4e0173f4d8e08b31a&start=2061&end=2785","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3677105-db916134f997ade4e0173f4d8e08b31a/thumbnail_2061000.jpg","/articles/6530287/Kern-County/California/Caltrans-updates-FTIP-hearing-opened-grant-opportunities-and-multiple-project-progress-reports","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6530287-95a94bc29934e0a931c4cc2d5a637e6e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138095&Signature=OMKGjldCQ-GnaiEEPzSCF7A5VIW5jbNH~BDUsu1qA7XBzbhV9NE60R7Nziz-ftvV-fuX4GX1D3JneWPuAX4KMBpWE~BtnrWrrXXmrJqkaIMakvPCkFBrmSrgGDEdKHAM2sfjUYJ6B8iM5LTBhnV9eDJKws8Xf-bU3BylRNNzxJ7eeatL~NqLlSrJLt7ZRjoVrAmucKgPCxVpplBhrXL~dD-ADjknafLYzfjtmYGhD~AzLHeyx2zg2OCWkUe4XWVkE3TTdUwGAkKrjfVpzB6oVrNbwWJy5VtTP392s5wP2Rc5rttnOl-mSaIMcs4m71Z9e0pt1n8NqbERGIb4s1S9PQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Caltrans provided the Kern Council of Governments with a batch of program and project updates covering funding opportunities, staffing, and the status of several roadway and transit projects across Kern County.

At the meeting a Caltrans staff member opened a public hearing on Amendment 5 to the 2025 Federal Transportation Improvement Program (FTIP); no public comments were offered and the hearing was closed. Caltrans also announced that staff had signed the final Overall Work Program (OWP) and self-certification for the 2025–26 cycle and thanked Kern COG staff for an on-time submittal.

Grant opportunities and discretionary programs highlighted included Sustainable Transportation Planning grants (FY 2024–25), state SB 1 discretionary programs (TSEP and LPP), USDOT’s Safe Streets for All grant program (applications accepted through June 26), and a USDOT Build America Bureau notice of funding opportunity for Regional Infrastructure Accelerators (up to $20 million; applications due June 16). Caltrans staff offered to provide letters of support upon request.

Project updates: District 6 staff summarized several projects, including the 99 Corridor Management and Capacity Plan draft delay due to modeling corrections, a current 178 stormwall project nearing backfill and scour-zone work, and a range of local intersection, roundabout and pedestrian-safety projects in Delano, Wasco and other cities. District 9 reported a May 6 ribbon-cutting for a new Tehachapi maintenance station and progress on a Kern County pedestrian safety project, median safety-device upgrades on SR‑58 between business 58 and Borax Road, and three slab-replacement locations on SR‑58 between Hart Flat Road and Boron overcrossing.

Caltrans also reiterated that maintenance work scheduled in the near term will use one-way traffic control rather than major closures and gave tentative target dates for several projects’ design and construction phases. Staff noted that the draft 99 Corridor Management and Capacity Plan will be delayed while modeling errors are corrected; a revised draft was described as possible within six weeks of the update.

Why it matters: The announcements affect local project funding timelines, application windows for discretionary grants and the schedule for safety and pavement work that could change traffic patterns across the county.

Ending: Caltrans staff asked jurisdictions seeking support letters for discretionary grant applications to contact the district office and said more detailed project schedules and documents would follow as modeling, design reviews and right-of-way clearances proceed.","Caltrans staff presented several regional project updates and funding notices, including an open public hearing on Amendment 5 to the 2025 Federal Transportation Improvement Program, notice of discretionary grant opportunities, and progress reports on local safety and rehabilitation projects.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6530292,"Caltrans details $222.7 million Keene pavement project, says staged work will limit closures",1407,200000,1607000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3677105-db916134f997ade4e0173f4d8e08b31a&start=200&end=1607","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3677105-db916134f997ade4e0173f4d8e08b31a/thumbnail_200000.jpg","/articles/6530292/Kern-County/California/Caltrans-details-2227-million-Keene-pavement-project-says-staged-work-will-limit-closures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6530292-a4f0dea3315f80290814b9f2d34e981c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138095&Signature=Vxl-3RQDPce96lpZL52Yxb5cHURZpShoakDr1hbirTV4gZ4NU4osHkxAxyWyNuSXceb-bDDMiWMaETpQMlVueYwUJwUyTOe1ZQA546yX1kb6bY7pl5XjITCd-6vGoXgZI2fm9L6S2oyplwZUUzdZW0oc-xlBV7JeZsR-XyXrwnowdtG7lz0HR~cO8TDcAbpMeyGf6bhSnzFYzz-AdHAgGNpSYVwnLw~q0UJmL1RYCR8elCdzPtwxGM96zBKH8Kae0gYOdfMWWK1PeUoveoHoVA013tTL6Sdbthdn-HH4oOQpRvMMwLojtJv85dokDHg-FmmS9Z2hQjc8AkZZgUhUPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Caltrans District 9 told the Kern Council of Governments Transportation Planning Policy Committee that it has $222,700,000 programmed to rehabilitate a key stretch of State Route 58, add a truck climbing lane and replace failing pavement with long-life concrete.

The project covers approximately 45 lane miles of new continuously reinforced concrete pavement, includes a roughly 3.5-mile uphill truck climbing lane just west of Hart Flat Road and two large animal wildlife crossings—one near Hart Flat and one west of Broom Road. Caltrans said the design life for the new pavement is 40 to 50 years.

The presentation, given by Brian Westling, deputy district director for engineering in Caltrans District 9, focused on staging and traffic handling because of steep grades, narrow medians and environmental constraints including Tehachapi Creek and several oak species. Westling said the project team is preparing for a 60% review this summer, expects 100% design in summer 2026 and is targeting a spring 2027 construction start. The current construction estimate is about 650 working days—roughly three years—although Westling cautioned schedules can change.

Why it matters: State Route 58 is a major interregional freight route. Caltrans said the new concrete overlay and climbing lane aim to extend pavement life and improve safety for heavy trucks on the grade, but staging and traffic handling will determine how much delay travelers experience during construction.

Caltrans described a staged approach that limits the maximum closure length to about 3–5 miles per segment. The agency said contractors would generally complete one segment before moving to the next to reduce the number of simultaneous closures. During work, Caltrans is planning to maintain one open travel lane in each direction adjacent to the active work zone in many locations to preserve shoulders for stalled vehicles and to provide larger, safer work zones for construction crews.

Westling summarized data collected during a temporary closure on Jan. 7: typical delays were around five minutes, peak delays never exceeded 30 minutes during that test, and observed queue lengths did not exceed 1.4 miles. He said reoccurring oversized permitted loads moving very slowly (about 5–8 mph) caused the biggest disruptions and sometimes required up to 45 minutes for the system to return to normal.

Right-of-way and environmental constraints: Westling said the project requires acquisitions from eight adjacent parcels—mostly fee takes—near the new climbing lane alignment and that appraisals are mostly complete. He listed lateral constraints including mountains, creeks, oak trees (Caltrans cited eight oak species), and a narrow median. He emphasized that eastbound and westbound lanes are stepped in elevation in places, which prevents some temporary median operations used elsewhere.

Construction methods and traffic mitigations: Caltrans said the project will mostly be an overlay that raises the roadway profile, with about 5% of locations requiring complete slab removal and reconstruction where slabs have lost structural integrity. Because concrete paving equipment requires clearance outside the poured lane, Caltrans is refining staging plans to give the contractor adequate space. Planned mitigations include a 24-hour freeway service patrol (on-call tow), California Highway Patrol presence for safety, restricting oversized permitted loads during peak hours, targeted outreach to major shippers and truck associations, and use of shoulders and existing dirt pullouts for emergency stops.

Materials and operations questions from committee members focused on batching and bulk plant locations. Committee members warned that loaded concrete trucks climbing the grade could add slow-moving vehicles to the work zone and asked about options including nighttime pours and locating batch plants closer to reduce return-trip traffic. Westling said contractors will propose plant locations and that Caltrans is exploring options—including recycling crushed concrete within the work zone and possible night work for some pours—but that specifics are still under development while contractors plan crews and staging.

Funding and schedule risks: Westling said $222.7 million of Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IJA) funds are currently programmed for the portion being presented—he described the funds as “in the bank”—but he also noted an allocation deadline Caltrans staff referenced as Sept. 26 (date given by speaker). Committee members urged urgency; Westling said Caltrans is accelerating design and coordination with the Central Region and Bishop offices.

Next steps: Caltrans plans to complete the 60% design review this summer, finish 100% design in summer 2026, continue right-of-way negotiations on the eight parcels and refine staging plans. Committee members urged continuing coordination on permit restrictions for oversized loads, contractor batching locations and potential night work.

Ending: Caltrans officials said they will return with updated staging details as the 60% design is completed and encouraged local partners to help with outreach to large freight operators and local employers to reduce peak-period congestion during construction.","Caltrans District 9 outlined plans to rehabilitate State Route 58 through the Keene grade with 45 lane miles of new continuously reinforced concrete pavement, a 3.5-mile truck climbing lane in the steep segment near Hart Flat Road, two wildlife crossings and staged construction designed to limit closures and queues.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Kern COG approves consent agenda and adopts 2025–26 financial plans

Caltrans updates: FTIP hearing opened, grant opportunities and multiple project progress reports

Caltrans details $222.7 million Keene pavement project, says staged work will limit closures