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Caltrans presents draft 2026 ITIP to California Transportation Commission; limited new programming available
Summary
The California Transportation Commission on Thursday heard Caltrans’ presentation of the draft 2026 Interregional Transportation Improvement Program, which Caltrans said has about $176.6 million in total capacity but only roughly $61.2 million available for new programming.
The California Transportation Commission on Thursday heard Caltrans’ presentation of the draft 2026 Interregional Transportation Improvement Program, or ITIP, an informational-only session required by Government Code section 14526.
Caltrans transportation planner James Anderson told commissioners the draft ITIP shows roughly $176.6 million in total interregional capacity, of which about $61.2 million is available for new programming. Anderson said most of the available funding is allocated to carryover projects and cost updates for existing work, leaving limited room for new projects this cycle. "The proposed 2026 ITIP has a $176,600,000 in capacity," Anderson said, adding that "about $61,200,000 is available for new programming."
Why it matters: the ITIP is the interregional portion of the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) and directs funding for state highway, intercity rail and other projects that move people and goods between regions. Chair Grisby reiterated that the hearing was informational and that Caltrans will review comments before finalizing the ITIP.
Details and priorities: Caltrans said it prioritizes funding to address project cost increases, fund subsequent phases of ongoing projects, and support projects that have prior commitments from programs such as SB 1 and the Active Transportation Program. Anderson highlighted that the draft programs are aligned with statewide plans including the California Transportation Plan 2050, the Climate Action Plan for Transportation Infrastructure (CAPTI) and the Interregional Transportation Strategic Plan (ITSP). He also reported that two rail projects have been programmed using funds set aside from the 2024 ITIP rail reserve, producing a modest net increase in the amount of rail funding now programmed.
Key dates and next steps: Casey Margaret Littles, STIP program manager, reviewed the schedule for adopting the STIP/ITIP: regional RTIPs are due to the commission by Dec. 15; staff expects to publish recommendations for the 2026 STIP on Feb. 27, 2026, and the commission is scheduled to adopt the STIP at its March 26, 2026 meeting. Anderson said written public comment on the draft ITIP remains open through Nov. 24 and provided an email for submissions.
Public comment and transparency: the hearing included public-comment opportunities and technical explanations of project eligibility (project initiation documents or equivalents and project study reports). No formal vote or adoption occurred at the hearing; commissioners and staff will consider public input before Caltrans submits a final ITIP to the commission.
The public comment period closes Nov. 24; staff will compile comments and responses as part of the final ITIP process ahead of the commission’s staff recommendation and adoption schedule.
