Votes at a glance: CTC approves STIP assumptions, transmits plan comments, and authorizes multiple allocations

The California Transportation Commission on May 28 approved a package of motions and allocations that set the agency’s near‑term policy and funding work plan.

Most consequential, commissioners approved the assumptions staff will use to develop the 2016 State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) fund estimate and took several comment and policy actions: the commission approved a comment letter on the California Transportation Plan 2040 (CTP 2040), approved transmittal of a comment letter on the draft 2015 Interregional Transportation Strategic Plan (ITSP) with an amendment to include connections to major seaports, land ports and commercial airports plus an explicit reference to Interstate 5 in the San Diego‑to‑Los Angeles corridor, and approved a staff comment letter to the California Air Resources Board on its Sustainable Freight Strategy discussion draft. Commissioners also approved Active Transportation Program (ATP) guidelines for three metropolitan planning organizations and a range of project allocations, supplemental allocations and baseline agreements.

Key votes and outcomes

- STIP fund‑estimate assumptions: Commissioners approved recommended assumptions for the 2016 fund estimate and instructed staff to proceed to develop the draft fund estimate for presentation in June and a final fund estimate in August. Steven, the fund‑estimate lead, told the commission, "these assumptions do include the 6¢ reduction in the price based excise tax beginning on July 1." Commissioners recorded unanimous approval of the assumptions.

- California Transportation Plan 2040 comments: The commission approved a staff comment letter to Caltrans asking that the final CTP better identify funding sources for recommended actions, balance greenhouse‑gas reduction goals with economic impacts, and align CTP projections with regional sustainable community strategies. The motion carried unanimously.

- Interregional Transportation Strategic Plan (ITSP): The commission approved a comment letter with two requested clarifications — to include connections to major seaports and commercial airports in the priority corridors, and to clarify the methodology for selecting projects for the Interregional Transportation Improvement Program (ITIP). Commissioners also agreed to add SR 74 as an additional east‑west connector in the commission’s letter; the motion passed.

- Sustainable Freight Strategy (ARB): The commission approved a comment letter urging ARB to balance environmental and economic concerns, commission independent economic analysis where appropriate, and ensure new requirements are achievable and clearly communicated. Commissioners added a follow‑up commitment to supply a list of candidate policy and strategy options. The motion passed with the amendment to request staff follow‑up.

- Active Transportation Program (MPO component) guidelines: The commission found SACOG, SANDAG and TCAG MPO guidelines generally consistent with state ATP guidelines and approved them.

Notable project and financial actions

- Presidio Parkway P3 risk reserve: The commission allocated $12.6 million from the project’s risk reserve to cover change orders and claim settlements after staff and the developer reduced claimed amounts through negotiation and review; the action was approved.

- Several supplemental allocations and advance allocations were approved, including a $1.22 million supplement for the U.S. 101/College Avenue (Sonoma County) project, $1.8 million in aid to airport projects, and a $15 million advance allocation for the I‑80 San Pablo Dam Road interchange so construction could be completed before the school year. The commission also approved monthly SHOP allocations and other programmatic disbursements listed in staff materials.

What the commission said and what comes next

Commissioners and staff repeatedly emphasized the need for coordination as the state pursues large climate and freight objectives. Katie Benoit of Caltrans described the draft CTP as an "integrated, interregional, multimodal" plan and asked for continued engagement; ARB’s Doug Ito said the sustainable freight work will proceed toward a mid‑2016 plan with additional stakeholder outreach and economic analysis. Margo Yap, who presented a rural counties pavement needs assessment, underscored that rural counties control a disproportionate share of lane miles relative to population and face steeper per‑capita shortfalls.

Staff will transmit the approved letters to Caltrans, ARB and other agencies and proceed with the next technical steps on the fund estimate, ITSP refinement and the sustainable freight strategy.