Commission delays vote on amended Prop. 1A connectivity list as lawmakers weigh broader rail plan

The California Transportation Commission on Wednesday deferred action on a staff'recommended amendment to the Proposition 1A connectivity program, saying the commission should await the outcome of a separate legislative process on the state'level high'speed rail business plan.

The 11'project package before the commission would direct Prop. 1A connectivity dollars toward regional rail and transit projects such as Caltrain electrification, San Francisco'area subway and transit connectors, BART improvements at Millbrae, and a Los Angeles regional connector. Laurel Jansen, a commission staff member, described the list as the product of months of coordinated review with the High Speed Rail Authority, the Department of Finance, Caltrans and local transit agencies.

Why it matters: The connectivity program is funded by Proposition 1A bond proceeds and is intended to link high'speed rail to existing regional systems. Commissioners said approving the list now would send a signal to Sacramento and Washington that projects are ready, but several raised concerns about acting while the Legislature is still considering a new business plan.

Commission debate and public input

Commissioner Frommer and others pressed staff for legal and fiscal clarity; Commissioner Gilmetti moved to delay the vote until later in the day, a motion that commissioners agreed to while staff collected additional information. Agencies and operators that proposed projects urged adoption earlier. Marcia, speaking for the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, said the Central Subway project is well under construction, has awarded a major tunneling contract and would receive about $61 million in connectivity funding under the staff recommendation. Marcia Devon, BART deputy general manager, described planned operational and track improvements at Millbrae to handle an anticipated flow of high'speed rail riders.

Gus Couric of the California Transit Association and representatives from LA Metro, Sacramento Regional Transit and the Bay Area Metropolitan Transportation Commission stressed the local benefits of the recommended projects and said commission action would strengthen lobbying efforts in Sacramento and Washington.

Near'term steps

Commissioners asked staff to add contingent language and to gather answers to several specific finance and New Starts questions before reconvening later in the day. Laurel Jansen told the commission the program would remain subject to future appropriation by the Legislature and to amendment if the statewide business plan evolves.

The commission did not vote on the amendment at the time of the deliberations recorded here; the item was deferred for further information ahead of a later vote.