Sacramento County Transportation Digest

Of the Californians who have taken the written exam to get a driver’s license over the past two decades, more than half have failed. The annual rate, however, has been inconsistent.

According to a recent report from Energy Innovation Policy and Technology, in many states, electric cars are cheaper to buy than traditional gas cars.

CalTrans employees, families and friends gathered on the steps of the State Capitol fto remember and honor the 189 public servants who have died since 1921 while building and maintaining California’s transportation system.

A proposal to set up digital highway signs along Alpine County highways has sparked opposition from the Friends of Hope Valley. Caltrans has extended the public comment period until May 2 on signs along Highway 88, Highway 89 and Highway 4.

Backers of California’s High Speed Rail project haven’t had much to celebrate, given soaring costs and scaled-back service, but a new poll shows a solid majority of voters still want to move forward and finish the job.

A multi-phased renovation project is under way to redesign the California State Railroad Museum lobby. On average, the museum welcomes nearly 300,000 visitors during a typical year.

Gov. Gavin Newsom released a proposal to help Californians dealing with high gas prices, while also lowering the cost of public transit. Under the $11 billion proposal, California car owners would get a debit card worth $400 for each car (a limit of two vehicles, but no income cap).

The California Mobility Center held its first public viewing for the Ramp-Up Factory on the first-year anniversary of commercial operations for the facility devoted to commercializing low-emission mobility tech. The CMS is a partnership between SMUD, Sacramento State, UC Davis and the city of Sacramento.

The Biden administration will allow California to set its own rules on greenhouse gas emissions from cars and light trucks, rebuffing a Trump-era decision.

Gov. Gavin Newsom says he’s working on a plan to help Californians cope with rising gasoline prices. The Democratic governor said during his State of the State speech that he will work with the Legislature to provide relief for drivers.

As part of a multi-year effort to generate more sales taxes for Sacramento County transportation projects, a coalition will try to place an initiative on the November general election ballot to raise sales taxes by one-half a percent and generate about $8.5 billion over the 40-year life of the tax.

Volunteers of the Placerville and Sacramento Valley Railroad finally got their wish when a steam locomotive named The Chiggen took its maiden voyage along a section of tracks in Folsom. The locomotive will begin excursion service this year.

The California High Speed Rail Authority announced Feb. 8 that efforts to create a high-speed rail line connecting north and south will cost another $5 billion more than anticipated.

The Capital City CHP says a law putting the brakes on “sideshows” was needed, but safety advocates don’t understand why it won’t go into effect until 2025.

Now that the federal government has passed the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act, the SCDA is expecting to receive millions of dollars over the next five years.

The big infrastructure bill passed by the House could mean another $5.8 billion over five years in new federal dollars to California. The bill will help fix highways and bridges, and it provides funding for programs to make communities more pedestrian and cyclist-friendly.

A new rail service connecting Sacramento with the Central Valley and San Jose is behind schedule and over budget, forcing officials to consider dropping some of the 16 new train stations that were part of the $1.3 billion-plus plan.

Caltrans recently announced a Clean California plan that offers volunteers up to $250 for taking the time to clean up litter on a section of highway.

The city of Sacramento is repealing its pandemic-era parking rules, which previously allowed for free parking after 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, and all day on weekends. Meters will be fully restored to the old rules by Jan. 3.

After a 19-month hiatus due to the pandemic, Amtrak once again has a connecting route from Sacramento to Bakersfield. Since March 2020 the route required a bus trip.

In order to promote the reduction of air pollution, Sacramento bus and lightrail routes are free of charge on Oct. 6 in honor of Clean Air Day.

A recent survey rating the rudest drivers in the nation have ranked Rancho Cordova and Citrus Heights in the number 1 and 2 spots. Locals disagree.

Grant Line Road is undergoing a transformation, which includes both current and future projects to widen this major thoroughfare from two to four lanes.

Though the Caldor Fire has reached 50 percent containment, Cal Fire officials say there is still too much risk to reopen Highway 50.

Gas prices have soared to new heights for the Sacramento region on Labor Day weekend with an average of $4.35 per gallon. That's the highest they've been since March of 2012.

City of Folsom Engineering Manager Mark Rackovan shared five solutions the city is currently exploring to mitigate parking issues in the Folsom Historic District.

Caltrans hosted a virtual open house on Aug. 25 to share plans and updates with the Yolo 80 Managed Lane Project.

Sidewalks that end abruptly near a South Sacramento middle school are expected to receive an extension, as the project becomes a top priority for the county's transportation officials.

An open house for a proposed passenger train between Sacramento and Stockton will be held Aug. 26 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The goal is to have the route fully operational by 2023.

Driving around Citrus Heights, you may have noticed the new yellow border on a few dozen local traffic signals. But why is it there and why does it appear to be so random?

Intended to relieve the stress of air travel, the BARC support dogs are back at Sacramento International Airport after an 18-month hiatus due to the pandemic. Dogs in the program, founded in 2015, wear bright blue "pet me" vests inviting all nervous travelers to do so.

As of July 1, Elk Grove’s transit system is now part of the Sacramento Regional Transit District. Service levels will be maintained, said SacRT spokesperson Jessica Gonzalez. “There’s going to be no plans to make changes to the existing bus services or fares at this time.”