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May 24, 2000 - This is assessment of the Governor's Traffic Congestion Relief Plan presented to the Conference Committee on Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Development. The assessment identifies a number of issues that require legislative consideration, including: the need for ongoing funding, local flexibility in the use of funds, and coordination with air quality programs.
May 11, 2000 - What is being done to address California's transportation problems? What are the fund sources and how much money is currently available? How are these funds distributed and who decides how dollars are spent? This graphically intensive publication seeks to answer these and other related questions.
February 17, 2000 - The transportation departments within the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency have generally disregarded legislative direction to provide program and expenditure information. We recommend that the Legislature withhold action on the budget of the Secretary for Business, Transportation and Housing pending submittal of previously requested supplemental reports by the various departments.
February 17, 2000 - Intercity rail service has increased in recent years. Before the state invests heavily in intercity rail service expansion, we recommend that a comprehensive passenger rail study be conducted in order to determine the state's priorities for rail transportation.
February 17, 2000 - Caltrans' project delivery has improved, but is still hampered by vacancies, its use of project management, and fragmentation of state and federal funding. We recommend steps to expedite delivery of transportation projects.
February 17, 2000 - We conclude that the initiative results in no new funds for transportation, outside of rail and ferries. Rather, the initiative proposes to program $3.6 billion in additional transportation projects earlier than planned. These projects are unlikely to be delivered within the four-year STIP period.
January 7, 2000 - We conclude that the performance of High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes is mixed. We recommend various measures to ensure that the freeway capacity utilized by HOV lanes is managed efficiently. These include creation of more High Occupancy Toll lanes and, where appropriate, conversion of underutilized HOV lanes.
January 4, 2000 - We project a shortfall for the Public Transportation Account (PTA). As a result of this shortfall, no PTA funds will be available for new transit capital improvement projects through at least 2005-06. We discuss various alternatives for addressing this shortfall, including a constitutional amendment to permit expenditure of gas tax revenues for transit rolling stock.
August 18, 1999 - Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicles (GARVEE bonds) are a financing instrument that enables states to fund transportation projects based on anticipated receipt of future federal funds. (Cal Update)
February 16, 1999 - Smog Check Program - An Overview
August 26, 1998 - We review the 1998 Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA 21) which reauthorized the federal transportation program. The TEA 21 authorized $217 billion to be invested in highway and transit infrastructure in the United States over the next six years.