SCCRTC Urges Legislature to Address Funding Shortfall Immediately
Because of a recently lowered forecast of state revenues, no State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) funding is available for new projects over the next five years. The California Transportation Commission (CTC) will instead slash $754 million previously approved for critical transportation improvements. CTC Chair Lucy Dunn stated, “What this means is that almost every county in California that relies on this source of funding for projects that improve traffic and air quality will have to cut or delay projects indefinitely. The effect of this reduction on the state’s transportation system will be nothing short of catastrophic.”
The decrease in gas tax revenues, compounded with the state’s decision to divert transportation revenues to repay General Obligation bond debt, and increases in fuel economy have left transportation agencies at all levels facing painful choices. RTC Executive Director George Dondero noted, “The scale of this funding crisis is unprecedented.”
Projects at risk of losing funds in Santa Cruz County include:
- Auxiliary lanes on Highway 1 and a new bicycle/pedestrian bridge between 41st Avenue and Soquel Ave exits to improve safety, traffic flow, and bicycle and pedestrian access through the one of the most heavily traveled sections of roadway in Santa Cruz County.
- Highway 1/9 Intersection Improvements – This intersection provides critical access to job centers, UCSC, tourist destinations, and homes.
- Rail Trail/Monterey Bay Sanctuary Scenic Trail Network (MBSST). City of Santa Cruz and Watsonville sections of this very popular trail.
- Highway 1/Harkins Slough Road improvements. Students traveling to Pajaro Valley High School are currently walking in the roadway because the existing overcrossing is insufficient. The City of Watsonville is working diligently with Caltrans to improve bicycle and pedestrian access over the highway.
- Local roadway rehabilitation and safety projects — including essential system preservation projects on Airport Boulevard in Watsonville, Casserly Road, and Freedom Boulevard through Aptos.
- Bike/pedestrian Bridge over Highway 1 connecting Seacliff Village and Aptos to improve safety for students traveling to Mar Vista Elementary School and Cabrillo College.
Due the drop in the price of gasoline, the California Board of Equalization decreased the State gasoline tax from 18 cents per gallon to 12 cents on July 1, 2015 and is expected to reduce the tax further to 10 cents in 2016. This, plus the state’s decision to divert transportation revenues to repay General Obligation bond debt, is causing the massive revenue shortfall of $754 million. RTC Commissioner and Santa Cruz County Supervisor John Leopold noted, “This situation points out the need for our own funding for transportation projects in Santa Cruz County. The State is an unreliable source of funds.”
In recognition that state revenues are highly unreliable and will not generate sufficient revenues for all of the transportation needs in Santa Cruz County, the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) is working diligently with the community to place a local measure on the November 2016 ballot to raise funds in order to address our transportation needs. Eighty-four percent of Californian’s live in counties where these types of local “self-help” tax measures are already in place.
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The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) is responsible for delivering a full range of safe, convenient, reliable, and efficient transportation choices for the community. With a focus on long-term sustainability, the RTC plans, funds, and implements transportation projects and services.
