California agencies seek public input on emissions reduction grant program

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) are soliciting public opinions on a transit-focused greenhouse gas emission program.

The agencies announced two public workshops will be held Jan. 20 and 21 on the new Transit and Intercity Rail Capital grant program for rail and bus improvements. The workshops are part of a state effort to invest proceeds statewide form the Cap-and-Trade Program to reduce greenhouse gases as required under California's climate action law, Caltrans officials said in a press release.

"By supporting programs that will create a more sustainable and integrated transportation system, we can help California meet the aggressive goals it set to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions," said Caltrans Director Malcom Dougherty.

As part of the grant program, CalSTA will administer $25 million in funding in 2014-15 through a competitive program to rail and bus transit operators to go toward capital improvements that integrate state and local rail and other transit systems.

Caltrans also has released its plan for addressing safety and mobility needs of all forms of transportation.

The "Complete Streets Implementation Action Plan 2.0" details Caltrans' current efforts to integrate a "complete streets" policy into the earliest stages of system planning through project delivery and maintenance costs, said Dougherty.

Streets are made "complete" by addressing the needs of all users of a transportation system — including bicyclists, pedestrians, transit riders and motorists — in a way appropriate to the local community, Caltrans officials said.