Yolo County Transportation Digest

In a striking setback to reduce California’s air pollution but a win for trucking companies, state regulators have walked away from their ambitious plan to phase out diesel trucks less than a week before President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House.

While cities in California continue to pass ordinances to combat illegal sideshows, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed several laws that go into effect this year statewide to give municipalities more legal tools to address them. 

Read on to learn more about how a middle-schooler pushed for the flashing crosswalk beacons recently installed on West Main Street and Anderson Avenue in Winters.

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s decree that by 2035 all new cars sold in California must be powered by batteries or other zero-emission systems has received a double dose of legal and political support.

The US EPA granted California’s waiver, which the incoming Trump administration is likely to try to overturn in the courts. The state’s zero-emission vehicle mandates have been the driving force behind California’s progress in cleaning up dangerous air pollutants.

The Biden administration is awarding Inflation Reduction Act money to help clean the air before President-elect Trump takes over.

California has an aggressive mandate for zero-emission trucks, which are powered by electricity or hydrogen. But trucking companies face big obstacles — and people are still breathing dangerous diesel exhaust.

The SmaRT Ride on-demand transportation service offered by Sacramento Regional Transit will be discontinued at the end of December. Read on to learn what will be replacing it.

Most ships discharging ballast water into California waters are inspected, but state officials have tested the water of only 16 ships. Experts say invaders like mussels are inevitable under current rules and enforcement.

Get the details of the Sacramento City Council consideration of a Pedestrian Safety State of Emergency declaration and the increasing pedestrian and cyclist fatalities behind it.

Experts don’t know how much gas prices may rise from the revised California climate program, which tightens standards and gives incentives for low-carbon fuels. The board ordered an annual review of the cost impacts.

California motorists buy and consume a billion gallons of gasoline each month and are very sensitive about pump prices, which are markedly higher than those in other states. Naturally, they are a political football.

The state air board will vote on changes to its landmark clean fuel program that would cut more greenhouse gases but could raise the cost of gas and diesel.

Tens of thousands of California ride-hailing drivers, and possibly more, could eventually get back pay after a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision that clears the way for the state and some cities to proceed with their lawsuits against Uber and Lyft.

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

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.

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.

The Aggie reports on the upcoming G Street activation project scheduled to commence soon in Davis.

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

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.

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

The Sacramento Area Council of Governments is seeking public input through an online survey about what areas in the region are most in need of transportation investment.

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.

The City of Sacramento is preparing its Streets for People Active Transportation Plan and is seeking public input through online comments and in workshops.

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.

An online survey is being conducted by the Yolo Transportation District to gather public input about its 2024-2031 Short Range Transit Plan.

Work on Yolo County roads is underway in a number of locations.

Funding has been secured to continue the Sacramento Regional Transit RydeFreeRT program for local K-12 students.

Two environmental groups have filed a lawsuit claiming an inadequate environmental analysis was undertaken for the Yolo 80 Corridor Improvements Project by CalTrans.

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

The 14th annual Loopalooza event was held on May 5 as bicyclists celebrated by riding the 12-mile Davis bike loop.

The environmental impact report for the Yolo Interstate-80 Corridor Improvements Project has been released by CalTrans.