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Board approves continued JPA participation as presenters outline White Rock and Latrobe segments
Summary
El Dorado County supervisors heard a detailed update from the Capital Southeast Connector Joint Powers Authority and voted to continue county participation and pay an agreed contribution. Presenters said the White Rock Road segment is NEPA/CEQA approved and shovel‑ready but still needs federal and state construction funds.
Derek Menema, executive director of the Capital Southeast Connector Joint Powers Authority, told the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors on Aug. 26 that the regional project aims to connect Interstate 5, State Route 99, State Route 16 and U.S. Highway 50 and that roughly 34 miles of corridor work is being planned and delivered in phases.
“The White Rock Road segment is NEPA and CEQA approved,” Derek said in his presentation, describing the Folsom–El Dorado Hills section as “shovel ready” for construction when funding is secured. He told supervisors the JPA had secured a $4,000,000 federal earmark for work in El Dorado County and said the JPA also pursues Measure A and other state and federal sources to advance projects.
Supervisor questions centered on the county’s return on a $55,000 annual contribution to the JPA and what El Dorado County specifically receives for its share. Derek and Rafael Martinez, El Dorado County’s director of transportation, said the JPA provides corridor‑wide programmatic environmental analysis, engineering, right‑of‑way acquisition and grant‑writing support. Martinez noted the county uses the JPA’s programmatic EIR and that the JPA invoices member agencies only for work that is attributable to their jurisdiction.
Members of the public in El Dorado Hills voiced concerns about traffic, noise and the lack of sound walls in the environmental scope. John Rassler, representing a 55‑plus community, warned of potential property impacts and questioned long lead times and costs.
After questions and public comment, the board moved to continue participation in the Capital Southeast Connector JPA and to authorize the contribution and contract actions needed to fund El Dorado County’s share of JPA operating costs. The motion passed with recorded approval by the board (motion passed in the meeting record). Staff were asked to provide more detailed cost‑benefit and budget documentation for county members to share with constituents.
What happens next: JPA staff said temporary construction easement acquisitions and a device‑refresh of final engineering are underway and that construction work on the White Rock segment could begin as funding arrives. The county asked staff to follow up with a memo detailing the JPA budget, the county’s line‑item contributions and exactly which deliverables are paid for by El Dorado County.
