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SACRAMENTO - Passage of the state budget brings a boost to transportation projects throughout the state. The 2005/06 budget adoption ensures $1.3 billion in funding for Proposition 42, passed by voters in 2002, from state sales tax on gasoline would be used on public transportation and road and highway improvements. The proposed $1.3 billion in transportation funds would be allocated $678 million to the Transportation Congestion Relief Program (TCRP), $254 million to the State Highway Account (SHA), $254 million to cities and counties for deferred maintenance of local roads, and $127 million to the Public Transportation Account. In the Sacramento region, five projects are expected to be ready for construction in the next 12 months totaling approximately $180 million. The Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) is hopeful the new state budget will bring additional resources to our project delivery list:
Most immediately, the Sacramento Emergency Clean Air and Transportation (SECAT) program could receive as much as an additional $35 million, making it possible to retrofit approximately 900 heavy-duty diesel trucks. Mobile sources account for 70% of the region's air quality problem. Heavy-duty diesel trucks emit a significant amount of pollutants. SECAT retrofitting reduces the nitrogen oxide emissions from heavy-duty diesel trucks with measurable improvements to the region's air quality. The Watt Avenue Interchange on Highway 50 and the Sheldon Interchange on Highway 99 could receive $2 million and $3 million respectively, but would need to identify additional funding to be ready for construction. Traffic Congestion Relief Program (TCRP) funds could be restored to support Route 42 for Yolo Bus service to Davis, Woodland, the Sacramento International Airport, Sacramento, and West Sacramento. "As the Sacramento region continues to grow in population, jobs, and housing, these infrastructure investments are critical to ensuring we have a functional transportation system to support a healthy economy and a high quality of life for residents," said SACOG Chair and Placer County Supervisor Ted Gaines. In 2002, the California Transportation Commission (CTC) produced a five-year fund forecast for the state identifying SACOG's regional share of state transportation funding to support eligible projects for the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) list. In 2004, all STIP projects due for construction were extended by an average of two years due to lack of state funding. This year, Prop. 42 funding will provide for the list of projects scheduled for the 2005/2006 year. In addition to Prop. 42 funding, Governor Schwarzenegger is proposing transportation bonds backed by Indian gaming compact revenues to increase funds available to the STIP list by some 25%. Legal questions remain as to the viability of the bond sales. If gas prices stay at the current level and gaming bonds go forward, estimates indicate funding will be available for all projects on the STIP waiting list. STIP projects will be considered on a first come first served basis at monthly meetings of the CTC through September 2005. Remaining projects will be evaluated in the fall based on updated forecasts, except for street rehabilitation projects, which the CTC has designated as low priority. If the CTC realizes full forecast funding, all STIP projects scheduled for 2005/06 are expected to be funded. Otherwise, projects delivered later in 2006 or those identified as low priority by CTC will have to wait for funding in future years. For more information, please contact Communications Manager Rebecca Thornton Sloan at (916) 321-9000. -End- |
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