Tehachapi council commits local match for CMAQ application to widen Tehachapi Boulevard shoulder

The Tehachapi City Council voted 4-0 to adopt a resolution authorizing an application for federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) program funding for shoulder improvements on the south side of Tehachapi Boulevard.

City staff described the project as a 5- to 8-foot widening of the south shoulder from about Bailey Road to Pilot designed to reduce particulate matter (dust) and improve pedestrian/shoulder conditions. Staff estimated the project cost at just under $500,000; the CMAQ application requires an 11.47% local match, which the city would commit to if the grant is awarded.

A council member asked whether the work would convert dirt shoulder to paved shoulder, and staff replied the design intent is to provide a 5-foot addition to the shoulder to mitigate dust while balancing benefit-to-cost metrics in the CMAQ application.

Council members moved and approved the resolution, recorded as a 4-0 vote. Staff will proceed with the grant application and, if successful, obligate the local match and advance project design and construction.