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KernCOG presents McFarland with $14 billion regional transportation plan; public comments due July 2
Summary
Kern Council of Governments presented a draft 20‑plus‑year regional transportation plan to McFarland City Council, saying the plan programs roughly $14,000,000,000 and reflects input from more than 10,000 residents; written comments and related environmental documents are due July 2, 2026.
Ben Raymond, a regional planner with the Kern Council of Governments (KernCOG), told McFarland City Council on May 13 that the draft long‑range regional transportation plan (RTP) programs about $14,000,000,000 in projects over 20+ years and reflects outreach to over 10,000 residents.
Raymond said the RTP combines a long‑term list of projects with a short‑term four‑year Transportation Improvement Program and a conformity analysis required by federal air‑quality rules. "The draft RTP document is now available for public review, and all comments are due 07/02/2026," Raymond said. He noted the RTP includes about $5,000,000,000 in road maintenance funding and major projects such as safety and widening work on Highway 99 north of Bakersfield and truck lanes on State Route 58.
Council members asked about specific local projects. Councilmember Perez asked whether the ATP‑funded pedestrian improvements include the roadway between the Perkins and Sherwood overpasses; staff and Raymond clarified that the ATP project focuses on pedestrian improvements to the Sherwood and Perkins overpasses while frontage roads remain a local responsibility and may need separate funding options. Vice Mayor Connell suggested investing in transit services used by McFarland students traveling to Bakersfield.
Raymond said the RTP packet includes an executive summary, a northern‑Kern project list and bilingual outreach materials, and he encouraged residents to submit written comments by the July 2 deadline. "If there's a project you see that's not on the list, it can be included in our next plan," he said.
The council took no final action on RTP funding at the meeting; the presentation was informational and the public‑review period remains open.
