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San Benito County Transportation Digest



Newsom’s Gas Price Plan Clears Senate, but Some Democrats Dissent

10/11/2024

The state Senate signs off on Gov. Newsom’s bill to stop spikes in California gas prices. A final vote is scheduled on Monday.

CA Gas Prices Session Moves to Senate

10/08/2024

On Aug. 31, when Gov. Gavin Newsom called a special session on gas prices, California motorists were paying $4.61 per gallon on average, $1.27 more than the national average.
On October 7, when the state Senate finally convened, prices were $4.68 in California, or $1.51 above the national average.

Newsom’s Gas Price Bill Passes Assembly, but Senate Plan Still Uncertain

10/01/2024

The Assembly approves Gov. Newsom’s bill on oil refineries on a 44-17 vote. But the state Senate will have its say during the special session.

Economists Like Newsom’s Plan to Help Control Gas Prices. Refiners Don’t.

09/26/2024

The governor wants new gas reserves to dampen seasonal price spikes. Refiners say the move would raise prices and require new storage tanks.

California Drivers Can Get Mobile Licenses on Their iPhones — But They Need Physical Ones Too

09/19/2024

California is the seventh U.S. state to adopt mobile driver’s licenses for iPhones, part of a growing push by businesses and governments to make digital IDs commonplace.

1 in 6 CHP Jobs Are Vacant — Despite Historic Raises and Newsom’s Hiring Campaign

08/28/2024

California Highway Patrol officers received historically high raises in 2022 and 2023, but it continues to face a high vacancy rate of 16%.

California Seeks Biden Administration Approval for Controversial Diesel Truck Ban

08/14/2024

The EPA must grant a waiver before the diesel truck measure can be implemented. It’s one of California’s most controversial measures to clean up air pollution and greenhouse gases.

California Needs a Million EV Charging Stations — but That’s ‘Unlikely’ and ‘Unrealistic’

07/15/2024

Public chargers must be built at an unprecedented pace to meet the target in less than 7 years, and then doubled to 2 million in 2035. The high cost — $120,000 or more for one fast charger— is just one obstacle.

Why a Bay Area Transit Rescue Plan Is on Hold

05/31/2024

A Bay Area transit funding bill is delayed so supporters can seek consensus on how the money will be raised and distributed.

San Benito County Road Projects Update

05/01/2024

In their April 30 meeting, the San Benito County Board of Supervisors were updated on local road projects by Public Works, including the New Idria Road, which will be completed by the end of May.

County Governments Receive Transportation Grant

04/30/2024

The San Benito County Council of Governments have received an $8.2 million grant for transportation infrastructure from the California Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program and Zero Emission Transit Capital Program.

Road Repairs Coming to Pinnacles National Park

04/19/2024

A park-wide project to address road repair needs will take place in the spring and summer.

Electric Vehicle Drivers May Not Be Able to Ride Solo in Calif. Carpool Lanes Anymore

04/09/2024

A program that allows solo drivers of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles to use carpool lanes on freeways and bridges in California may be removed for good next year.

Part of Highway 1 Near Big Sur Crumbles as New Landslide Closes More of Historic Roadway

03/30/2024

Highway 1 is closed indefinitely from Palo Colorado Road to Rocky Creek Bridge, the California Department of Transportation said on social media after a new landslide eroded part of the roadway.

Garlic Shoppe and Rapazzini’s Doomed?

03/12/2024

Planned Highway 101/25 interchange sound wall will cut off access to popular destination.

Waymo Approved to Start Robotaxi Service in Los Angeles and San Mateo Counties.

03/01/2024

On March 1, the California Public Utilities Commission gave approval for driverless taxi company Waymo to expand service into Los Angeles and San Mateo counties.

Hollister Council Approves Traffic Study on San Benito Street

02/22/2024

The Hollister City Council agreed to a traffic calming study to determine if four-way stops are needed along San Benito Street from Hawkins Street to Nash Road.

County Gets Going on Public Transit Improvements

02/20/2024

Transportation Planner Douglas Kean says less than 1% of county residents use San Benito County’s public transit system and that transit operations need to be fundamentally restructured.

California EV Sales Are Falling. Is It Just Temporary, or a Threat to State Climate Goals?

02/14/2024

California electric vehicle sales dropped significantly in the last half of 2023, raising questions about the state’s ability to phase out gas-powered cars.

Cargo Traffic Jumped at L.A. and Long Beach Ports in January

02/14/2024

The San Pedro ports had a busy January as they rebounded from last year’s labor troubles and picked up cargo redirected because of Suez and Panama canal troubles.

Former Supervisor Bob Tiffany Appointed to California Transportation Commission

02/01/2024

Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) appointed Bob Tiffany, a fourth-generation San Benito County resident and business owner, to the California Transportation Commission.

Californians Bought Record Numbers of Electric Cars as Industry Eyes Slowdown

02/01/2024

Some automakers are reducing production of electric cars and Tesla sales have dropped. Can California sustain its record pace and meet the state mandate?

Controversial California Bill Would Physically Stop New Cars From Speeding

01/25/2024

The proposed bill would require new California cars to have a speed limiter.

Electric Rail to Las Vegas Keeps Rolling with New Federal Funding Approved

01/24/2024

A project to connect Los Angeles and Las Vegas via electric high speed rail could break ground in early 2024, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced.

Hwy 25 Curve Realignment Cost $14.2 Million

01/23/2024

The Highway 25 curve alignment, located 32 miles south of Hollister, is on schedule to be completed in late spring, and the combined cost of the original, failed project and its restoration has come to $14.2 million.

A Guide to License Plates

01/23/2024

The numbers and letters on your car can reveal more than you think.

State Trying to Use Generative AI to Reduce Traffic

01/08/2024

Caltrans has set a Jan. 25 deadline for tech companies to show how generative artificial intelligence might reduce traffic congestion in the state. This follows an executive order that Gov. Gavin Newsom signed in September related to this type of AI.

Snow Shortage Followed by Potential Whiteout in Sierras

01/05/2024

Heavy snow is projected in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Previously, warmer storms had been bringing precipitation mainly to higher elevations in the Sierras.

Driverless Cars Can’t Be Ticketed in SF for Speeding or Running Red Lights

01/03/2024

San Francisco police officers have been operating for more than a year with guidance from their chief that California’s vehicle code doesn’t provide authority for them to ticket driverless cars for infractions like speeding or running red lights. Officers are still encouraged to report relevant information about incidents.

Major Projects in 2024

01/02/2024

BenitoLink looks ahead to construction projects in the county that are expected to begin or be completed in 2024.

Kern County Is Poised to Become Warehousing’s Next Frontier

12/19/2023

Farmland is being rezoned for industrial use, and massive warehouses are being built on spec near communities like Buttonwillow and Shafter, so goods coming through the Southern California ports can be shipped quickly throughout the western United States.

Protesters Calling for Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Shut Down 110 Freeway

12/13/2023

A group of protesters sat down with interlocked arms on the 110 Freeway near downtown LA on Dec. 13, halting southbound traffic for more than an hour. Multiple people were arrested according to the CHP.

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