San Benito County Transportation Digest

The Intergovernmental Committee approved a letter asking Caltrans to prohibit left turns onto Highway 156 from Flint and Bixby roads and Lucy Brown Lane between 3-7 p.m.

China modeled some of its climate programs on policies first adopted by California. Now, California depends on the world’s most populous country for essential materials in its electric vehicle ambitions.

Caltrans is almost finished with a new turbo roundabout project just outside Hollister. Caltrans is releasing a “how-to” video on how to navigate this new feature—the first in the state.

Caltrans is looking at a wildlife crossing overpass on Highway 101 near San Juan Bautista. The area was identified in the top 12 locations in the state to maintain a healthy wildlife population.

Hydrogen fueling stations will get 15 percent of funds in a state program — even though Californians own only about 12,000 hydrogen cars. The funds come from fees paid by drivers.

Powered by state and federal investments, Caltrans has awarded $41.6 million in planning grants for 90 sustainable, climate-resilient transportation projects. The Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments, which includes San Benito, Monterey, and Santa Cruz counties, received $750,000.

Travelers on State Route 25 in Paicines will be subject to one-way reversing traffic control with a flagging operation in place.

The San Benito County Civil Grand Jury shared its findings on Hollister’s traffic calming measures, noting that the city should be “commended for attempting to be proactive” but did not have a formal policy or procedure in place when it implemented the measures.

With only 12,000 hydrogen cars on the road, and just two models for sale, California lawmakers are debating how much state money should support them.

The Hollister City Council is scheduled to review next steps on Ladd Lane and Southside Road. The project originally called for installing traffic calming measures to deter speeding. Since the city began work, members of the community have spoken against the measures.

A battle is brewing over the future of self-driving trucks in California, and local tech companies are keeping a close watch on Sacramento as it weighs major changes to the industry.

The Caltrans Hwy 25 curve alignment restoration project was originally designed to straighten out a double curve around a hill that the agency considered dangerous to motorists. The poorly designed project has become a money pit.

Though the Council of San Benito County Governments voiced concerns, they voted 4-1 to approve additional funds for the Hwy 156 Improvement Project, which partially cover a $13.8 million increase in costs incurred due to the 2022-23 rainy season.

In December, the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County spent $17 million to buy Rocks Ranch, a 2,600-acre property near San Juan Bautista that has been eyed by developers. The group is working to build a crossing so that wildlife can traverse Highway 101 without being killed.

California's public transit agencies are seeking $5 billion over five years to keep buses and trains running, but time is running out in the budget process at the state Capitol. To address criticism, they submitted a new accountability plan.

As Hollister continues to grow, the need to facilitate better traffic circulation increases as well, and Hollister’s draft 2040 General Plan, a local government’s blueprint for growth, describes what may be required.

As the industry invests $40 billion in new US electric car plants, the rapid transformation raises labor and supply chain issues. Automaker Ford says, “we’re all in.”

Restoration on curve alignment along State Route 25 began April 27. Travelers will encounter a daytime lane closure in each direction of State Route 25 over the next several months from north of the San Benito Lateral to State Route 146 near Pinnacles National Park.

A bipartisan congressional group from Nevada and California is asking the Biden administration to fast-track federal funds for a private company to build a high-speed rail line between Las Vegas and the Los Angeles area.

Politicians must contend with a multibillion-dollar budget deficit, but they also face demands from leaders of vital health care and transit services for more money to solve their fiscal woes.

Up to 60% of 2030 models and two-thirds of 2032 models sold nationwide would be zero-emissions—less aggressive than California’s mandate.

Transit agencies in California are struggling to avoid a “fiscal cliff”—and to persuade riders to return after the COVID pandemic. Advocates and legislators are seeking more state aid, but there are no simple solutions.

The previous Hollister City Council approved over $1 million for traffic calming on two of 50 roads studied. Mayor Mia Casey, who was not on the council that approved the projects, was determined to stop spending money spending money and angering residents.

Caltrans is engaging with the public on the sculptural concept to be installed at Hwy 25 and Meridian Street. Titled “Woven,” the geometric sculpture interlaces painted aluminum panels.

State Farm insures more drivers than any other company operating in California. Those 3.7 million drivers will see an average annual boost of $71 per policy, an increase of 6.9%, said Consumer Watchdog, a Santa Monica-based advocacy group.

Communities with high concentrations of electric cars are affluent, college-educated and at least 75% white and Asian—revealing a barrier to electrifying the state’s entire fleet.

A court ruling that upheld much of a 2020 gig-worker initiative also struck down a part that labor advocates say could lead to legislation for driver unionization.

While work continues on the Fresno County side of 198, crews have located portions of in Monterey County that will need to be repaired. The target date for reopening is early May 2023.

The latest report from the California High-Speed Rail Authority projects costs for the initial segment at $35 billion, which exceeds secured funding by $10 billion. Other segments are likely to see higher projected costs.

Public transit is a lifeline for low-income Californians, and the key to realizing reduced carbon emissions. But the state’s major public transit agencies are facing myriad issues and are looking to state lawmakers for a solution.

On Jan. 31, the San Juan Bautista City Council approved a bond for its wastewater project, filled vacancies on the Planning Commission and reviewed its transportation and connectivity plan.

The Hollister City Council is considering changes to its rules on parking recreational vehicles, which prohibit parking on city streets and driveways.