Residents and clean-air advocates urge STIP investment in active transportation and equity protections

Public comment at the CTC South STIP hearing highlighted local safety, equity, and air-quality concerns and urged more active-transportation investment.

Emma Dela Torre (resident) described local needs in Matheny Tract, including poor roads, drainage, sidewalks and lighting, and asked the commission to support projects that address those day-to-day safety issues.

Emma Dela Rosa, land use and transportation policy manager with Leadership Council for Justice and Accountability, submitted a written comment and urged the commission to condition programming for the Tulare six-lane interchange project so Caltrans District 6 collaborates with Matheny Tract residents. She argued the proposed interchange would increase greenhouse gas emissions and concentrate environmental harms in disadvantaged neighborhoods unless mitigations—such as extended sidewalks, bike lanes and a community transportation management plan—are required.

Sofia Rafikova of the Coalition for Clean Air urged counties to favor active-transportation projects over highway widening and managed lanes, arguing that lane additions induce demand and worsen air pollution. She cited score and funding gaps in other active-transportation programs and urged STIP allocations to align with climate and health goals.

Commission staff recorded these comments in the hearing record; no programming decisions were made during the informational hearing. The public record and written comment letters will be part of staff’s recommendations published on Feb. 27, 2026.