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Kern COG executive director: Roughly $60M in RSTP/CMAQ funds expected; $2.4M HSIP grant awarded for Cal City-Edwards connection
Summary
Kern COG staff said federal RSTP and CMAQ funds expected to total about $60 million and announced a $2.4 million Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) grant awarded for a project to connect Cal City Boulevard to the Northgate of Edwards Air Force Base. Staff encouraged early applications for a forthcoming call for projects due July 17.
In an executive director’s report to the Kern Council of Governments, staff said the region expects to receive roughly $60 million combined in RSTP (Regional Surface Transportation Program) and CMAQ (Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality) funds, and announced one awarded HSIP grant for a local roadway project.
Why it matters: RSTP and CMAQ are federal funding streams distributed to local agencies to support road, transit and emissions-reduction projects; the HSIP award provides targeted safety funds. The availability of these funds shapes project programming and grant applications across Kern County jurisdictions.
Details from the report: - RSTP and CMAQ: Staff said a combined total of about $60,000,000 is expected to be available across those two accounts. A call for projects was expected to be posted later in the month with applications due July 17; staff urged jurisdictions to begin preparing applications early. - HSIP grant: The executive director announced the region received a $2,400,000 HSIP grant for a project to connect Cal City Boulevard to the Northgate of Edwards Air Force Base. The director described the HSIP funds as federal funds administered by Caltrans. The award was presented as a confirmed grant; staff said additional funding requests will continue. - Transit and travel surveys: Caltrans and local partners plan to survey interest in an express motor-coach transit option on the Tehachapi–Bakersfield corridor to gauge rider interest during large construction impacts; this was presented as exploratory and tied to temporary service changes. - Interagency cooperation: The executive director said the Antelope Valley–East Kern Water District has been “very cooperative” and indicated the county may be allowed to place highway improvements on the district’s right-of-way; staff said follow-up meetings with that district are planned.
Board reaction and next steps: The director and mayor framed the recent Valley Voice trip to the state capital as productive and noted meetings with Assemblyman Stan Ellis and other legislators. Staff emphasized the call for projects timeline, the need for early applications and that the HSIP award does not preclude pursuing additional funding. Staff said they will continue to coordinate with local agencies and report back on any permitting or right-of-way details tied to individual projects.
No formal board actions or votes were taken on the funding items during this meeting; the update was presented for information.
