California transportation agency forms freight advisory committee

California's Business, Transportation and Housing Agency recently named members of the new California Freight Advisory Committee, which will help determine the state's freight transportation plan.

The agency — which will become the new Transportation Agency on July 1 — formed the committee in response to the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act that encourages each state to establish a freight advisory committee and develop a comprehensive state freight plan. The committee will advise the California Department of Transportation, which is in the process of updating the state freight plan.

The committee will include representatives from 59 constituents, including the Alameda County Transportation Commission; BNSF Railway Co.; California Short Line Railroad Association; California Transportation Commission; California Association of Port Authorities; Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority; ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach and Oakland; Union Pacific Railroad; and United Parcel Service.

A large part of California's economy and millions of jobs depend on freight-related systems and industries, agency officials said in a press release.