Caltrans Going Multi-Modal! Report Highlights "Active Transportation" Achievements

Did you know that California is now one of the nation’s top 10 bicycle-friendly states and has one of the nation’s largest programs to encourage walking and biking? These are just two of the achievements highlighted in Caltrans’ annual Non-Motorized Transportation Facilities Report.

The report provides an overview on the state’s Active Transportation Program (ATP), the largest of its kind in the U.S. In its first call for projects in May 2014, Caltrans received 771 project applications requesting more than a billion dollars. The California Transportation Commission has adopted the first program of projects for the ATP, which includes 265 projects using $368 million in ATP funds. Of this amount, $311 million is dedicated to 220 projects that benefit disadvantaged communities.

The report also highlights program activities and completed projects, as well as other state and federal partnering programs to establish and improve bicycle and pedestrian facilities. Among the completed projects is Southern California’s first “bicycle boulevard,” which is located in Pasadena. The project improved bicycle safety and advanced the vision of commuting in Pasadena without a car.

Speaking of bikes, California jumped from 19th to 9th in the nation in the League of American Bicyclists annual report due, in large part, to notable progress in legislation, funding and policy that will make it easier to build bike lanes and mandate that drivers give cyclists three feet of space when they pass.

Also, as part of its effort to streamline construction of multi-modal local streets and roads, in April 2014, Caltrans became the third state to endorse National Association of City Transportation Officials guidelines that include innovations such as buffered bike lanes and improved pedestrian walkways.

Caltrans’ has historically been known as a highways agency, but as the report indicates, we’re shifting our focus to creating a transportation system that links communities and is safe for all travelers, including those who choose to travel by biking and walking ... like Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty, who is pictured above with Caltrans employees putting the "active" in transportation.

You can read the full report here.

Check out the League of American Bicyclists report cards here.

See the Caltrans press release about the report here.

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PCH Opens, Closes and Opens Again

Looking north on PCH south of Mugu Rock

Pacific Coast Highway (SR-1) was opened at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, March 2.  

SR-1 was closed after heavy storms caused mud and rock slides that blocked all lanes of the highway at 4:30 a.m. Sunday, March 1. 

The highway was cleared of mud and debris by 6 p.m. on Sunday, March 1, but due to heavy rains and a possible flash flood according to the National Weather Service, SR-1 remained closed.

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Pacific Coast Highway in Pt. Mugu (SR-1) Opened to Public (Feb. 27)

Caltrans announced on Friday, Feb. 27 that Pacific Coast Highway (SR-1) between Sycamore Day Use Area and Yerba Buena Road was opened to public access at 2:15 p.m..  An average of 10,000 vehicles uses this section of highway a day.  

Pacific Coast Highway (SR-1) between Yerba Buena Road and Las Posas Road was closed after rain storms and debris slides covered the highway in December.  Repair crews were able to clear the highway and re-open it for the public for a short time.

In January a heavy storm caused more rock and debris slides, and washed out slopes near Sycamore Cove Beach requiring that highway remain closed till the end of February instead of January.  Six-miles of the 9-mile closure between Las Posas Road and Sycamore Cove Day Use Area were opened to the public on February 3.

Motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists were restricted from entering the three-mile closure because the highway was undermined in three separate locations just south of the Sycamore Cove Day Use Area. 

To repair the remaining sections highway, our contractor:

- Removed 40,000 yards of dirt or 4000 truck loads. Much of the dirt was reused to rebuild damaged sections along the highway.  Point Mugu State Park used the dirt to repair trails and CSU Channel Islands will use the dirt for a future construction project.

- Cleared dozens of drains, thousands scuppers and weep holes, and rebuilt thousands of feet of shoulders and slopes.

- Used a 200-ton Link Belt crane to place 8,168 tons of rock to help rebuild the rock slope protection south of the Sycamore Cove Day Use Area along the highway.

Union Engineering of Ventura, California was awarded this $7 million emergency contract.  The state will be reimbursed for the costs of this project under the Federal Highway Administration’s Emergency Relief Fund. 

Please Be Work Zone Alert. 

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Learn About the California Transportation Plan 2040 -- Webinar Makes It Easy!

In March, Caltrans will be hosting seven statewide workshops that will give the public an opportunity to discuss the State’s future transportation system and to provide input on the State’s long-range transportation plan — the California Transportation Plan 2040 (CTP 2040). Read more about it here.

To kick-off the extensive interactive effort with the public, the CTP Project Team will host a webinar this Thursday, March 5, 2015, from 2-3 p.m., and you're invited to participate. The webinar will provide an overview of the CTP 2040 and an open comment period.

Click here to register. To learn more about CTP 2040, visit the website.

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Caltrans will host seven statewide workshops next month to solicit public comment and input on the development of the California Transportation Plan 2040, which provides a long-range policy framework to meet California’s future multimodal mobility needs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Workshops will be held in Los Angeles, San Diego, Riverside, Fresno, Oakland, Sacramento and Redding. The workshop in Los Angeles is scheduled for Thursday, March 19, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at SCAG, 818 West 7th Street, Los Angeles. More information is here. 

These fun and interactive workshops will include maps and exhibits, a short overview presentation, and a variety of activities designed to share information about transportation concerns and help shape the direction of the CTP 2040 document. 

The CTP envisions a fully integrated, multimodal, sustainable transportation system that supports economic vitality, protects natural resources, promotes the health and well-being of all Californians, and meets people’s needs equitably. By being involved and sharing your ideas, you can influence the content of the final plan and, ultimately, decisions on how California transportation dollars are invested. More info about CTP 2040 is here.

 
 

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Freeway Connector Tunnels To Close For Washing

Tunnel cleaning in SB SR-14 to SB I-5

Caltrans will close the following freeway connector tunnels from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. to remove soot, dirt, and grime graffiti:

Friday, Feb. 20 – Westbound I-105 to Southbound I-405    
Saturday, Feb. 21 – Eastbound I-105 to Northbound I-405   
Sunday, Feb. 22 – Eastbound I-105 to Southbound I-405
Monday, Feb. 23 – Northbound I-110 to Northbound I-405               
Tuesday, Feb. 24 – Southbound I-110 to Southbound I-405               

The tunnel washing will help enhance lighting and safety within the tunnels.
           
Have you tried quickmap.dot.ca.gov for freeway conditions throughout California?

A signed detour will be in place.  Minor delays are expected.  The California Highway Patrol will be on duty.  Please Be Work Zone Alert. 

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West County Connector Project Now Complete!

After four years in the making, Caltrans and the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) have completed the $297 million West County Connector Project, which will bring congestion relief where three major freeways (I-405, I-605 and SR-22) converge. The project will enhance safety by reducing the merging and weaving previously necessary to transition between carpool lanes and reduces travel times, getting motorists to their destinations sooner.

The six-mile project constructed the following improvements: 

  > Two new direct carpool connectors eliminating the need to exit and re-enter the carpool lanes when transitioning to adjacent freeways. 

  > A second carpool lane in each direction on I-405 between SR-22 and I-605.

  > Reconstruction of six bridges to add an additional carpool lane. 

  > Installation of new sound walls, retaining walls and landscaping.

This major connection between Orange and Los Angeles counties is the busiest section of freeway in the nation, with an average daily traffic volume as high as 370,000 vehicles and projections of 430,000 in 2035. 

The connector is also an important truck route and an integral part of Southern California’s freeway network. Motorists traverse this section of highway for access to John Wayne Airport, Long Beach Municipal Airport, Los Angeles International Airport and the Port of Long Beach.

The press release announcing the project’s completion is here.

More info about the project is here.

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