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Regional agencies praise some SHOP inclusions, say rebalancing has delayed projects
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Summary
Regional planning agencies commended Caltrans for including several priority projects in the 2026 SHOP draft — including a $131 million SR‑132 complete‑streets project — but said schedule shifts tied to the program rebalance have pushed local projects back by months.
Regional transportation agencies used the south SHOP hearing to thank Caltrans for outreach and to press for clearer timelines after a program rebalance moved some projects later in the schedule.
Jose Luis Casadas, director of programming at the Stanislaus Council of Governments (STANCOG), praised District 10’s coordination and welcomed the inclusion of a long‑lead State Route 132 Modesto Pavement Anchor complete‑streets project. Casadas said the SR‑132 project, which he described as a $131,000,000 complete‑streets investment serving disadvantaged communities in Modesto and the town of Empire, responds to safety needs along a corridor he said has seen 11 vehicle‑related fatalities in the past five years.
Jillian Gazzotto, planning and programming director for the Riverside County Transportation Commission (representing Caltrans District 8), said her agency appreciates Caltrans’ responses to comment letters but that the SHOP rebalancing delayed an Interstate 215 project in her region by about eight to ten months. Gazzotto confirmed support for the 17 District 8 projects listed in the draft and noted one other project was moved into the 2028 SHOP.
Rich Murphy, director of programming at the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments, said SLOCOG supports the performance‑driven framework behind the SHOP but urged earlier coordination between districts and regional agencies to integrate active‑transportation and complete‑streets features without late‑stage changes.
Caltrans told the commission it circulated the draft December 8, closed public comment January 16 and incorporated comments into the submitted draft. Commissioners and staff emphasized continued coordination as the commission considers SHOP adoption in March.
The hearing was informational only; commissioners did not vote.
