Caltrans invites public comment on strategic transportation plan

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is soliciting public comment on the draft of its 2015 Interregional Transportation Strategic Plan (ITSP), which provides guidelines for transportation investments in the state.

The document analyzes the transportation infrastructure in 11 strategic corridors and ranks the most pressing investments for each. The corridors are characterized by high volumes of freight movement and tourism, according to the document.

Rail-specific initiatives involve integrating the state's rail systems, including the proposed high-speed rail line, to more adequately serve interregional travelers, Caltrans officials said said in a statement.

"California is expected to grow to nearly 50 million people over the next decade and a half and we need to not only preserve California’s current transportation infrastructure but invest in new ways to move those growing numbers of people and goods," said Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty.