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CTC hears update on new transportation agency, independent Caltrans review and high‑speed rail contracting
Summary
The California Transportation Commission heard June 11 that state transportation functions will move to a new agency on July 1, that Caltrans will undergo an independent review by the State Smart Transportation Institute, and that the High‑Speed Rail Authority has cleared the executive director to finalize the first construction package contract for the initial segment.
Executive director Andre opened the meeting’s agency updates on June 11 and asked commissioners to approve calendar adjustments for late 2013 and a draft 2014 meeting schedule; the commission approved both and reserved flexibility for future tweaks.
Brian Annis, deputy secretary for transportation, briefed the commission on three items: the July 1 transition to a new state transportation agency, an independent review of Caltrans led by the State Smart Transportation Institute (SSTI), and high‑speed rail contracting progress.
Annis said the new agency would consolidate prior functions and that staff will move to Office Building 1 on Capitol Mall. The SSTI review will be led by Joel Rogers and a team that includes former state DOT secretaries; it will examine performance measures, communications, management practices and the department’s ability to meet state mobility, safety and sustainability objectives. “The team's going to be looking, to do a review and assessment that'll include the following, performance measures and reporting outcomes, external and internal communications, management response to superior or inferior performance in the department,” Annis said.
On high‑speed rail, Annis reported that five teams were qualified to bid on the first construction segment from Merced to the San Fernando Valley and that the High‑Speed Rail Authority last week authorized its executive director to finalize the first construction package contract.
Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty updated the commission on personnel assignments — including the appointment of Gigi Smith as chief information officer and temporary reassignments to support the Bay Bridge project — and reiterated Caltrans’ active coordination with FHWA and utilities on Buy America. Dougherty also noted the department’s three TIGER grant applications submitted on April 22 and applauded SSTI’s forthcoming peer review.
Ending: Commissioners received the updates without action; staff said more details on the SSTI review and agency transition would be provided as work proceeds.
