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STA board authorizes next steps for I‑5 managed lanes; voice vote passes with two abstentions
Summary
The board approved authorizing an MOU with CARTA, Measure A capital allocation amendments and grant applications to advance the I‑5 high‑occupancy toll lane project (US‑50 to Sacramento International Airport), funding toll authority and grant‑application work; the motion passed by voice vote with Vice‑Chair Hume and Director Maple recording abstentions.
The Sacramento Transportation Authority on June 18 authorized actions to advance the I‑5 managed lanes project, including an agreement with the Capital Area Regional Tolling Authority (CARTA), amendments to Measure A allocations, and submission of state and federal grant nominations to fund environmental, tolling and grant‑application work.
STA Executive Director Kevin Bewsey said the action is meant to use Measure A funds to leverage state and federal grants to build a regional bus and car‑pool network. "This item is about using our Measure 'A' funds to leverage those to essentially get additional funding at the federal and state level," Bewsey said.
Staff described the locally preferred alternative as a HOT (high‑occupancy toll) lane: an added lane that prioritizes shared trips (three or more occupants) while allowing single‑occupant vehicles to pay a toll. Bewsey and staff explained roles: Caltrans is the CEQA and design lead, CARTA would operate tolling, and STA would be a funding partner. Environmental clearance was estimated for spring 2027 with grant awards expected in summer 2027 if the project clears early steps.
On funding, staff requested roughly $880,000 to fund CARTA’s tolling authority and associated studies and an additional $400,000 for preparing I‑5 grant applications across the next three years. Bewsey said CARTA had offered to loan funds but the financing cost would be several hundred thousand dollars, which STA sought to avoid by advancing Measure A funds to perform the work now.
Directors raised equity and operational questions. Director Talamantes noted public confusion about tolling and emphasized outreach and an equity study. Caltrans District 3 representative Greg Long answered technical questions about right‑of‑way and lane configuration: "No, we're not going to add any more lanes. You'll have to convert the HOV lane," he said about constrained south‑of‑downtown sections.
STA staff explained toll revenue restrictions for CARTA operations and said any excess revenues must remain in the corridor and would typically be used for operations, corridor transit enhancements or corridor improvements. "There's some very specific restrictions on the use of toll revenues ... if there's any excess revenue, those revenues have to return to the corridor," staff said.
The board approved Item 10 by voice vote. Directors Bulahan, Dickinson, Guerra, Kennedy, Middleton, Rodriguez, Serna, Spease, Talamantes and Chair Raithel voted AYE; Vice‑Chair Hume and Director Maple recorded ABSTAIN.
