The Honorable Mia Bonta
California State Assembly
1021 0 Street, Suite 5620
Sacramento, CA 95814
Dear Assemblymember Bonta:
On behalf of the Tulare County Board of Supervisors, I write to respectfully oppose AB 2535, which would prohibit the California Transportation Commission (CTC) from funding projects in the Trade Corridor Enhancement Program (TCEP) that increase highway capacity in disadvantaged communities without full mitigation of environmental impacts. AB 2535 negatively impedes efforts to finish State Route 99 (SR 99) and the ability to improve safety, reduce air pollution, combat climate change, increase reliability for the movement of freight and agricultural goods, and increase active transportation and transit mobility options.
Caltrans published the SR 99 Business Plan in 2005, outlining a strategy to transform SR 99 into a safe and efficient trade corridor. A key priority was to complete widening projects for SR 99 to be a six-lane corridor. Eight segments in the San Joaquin Valley totaling 35 miles through Merced, Madera, and Tulare counties remain unfinished and still require expansion from 4 lanes to 6 lanes. California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is currently drafting a revised SR 99 Business Plan through the development of a Comprehensive Multimodal Corridor Plan (SR 99 CMCP), this draft is centered around reducing managed lanes, which is a strategy that will stifle safety, the local economy, and movement of goods and people in and through the San Joaquin Valley. The SR 99 CMCP cannot move forward unless the gaps in SR 99 are completed first - which would require adding highway capacity in areas with significant disadvantaged communities.
Tulare County has and will continue prioritizing investments in active transportation infrastructure, mobility options, rail, intercity rail, transit, and active transportation infrastructure. As well as endeavors to support affordable housing development, strive to stand up for disadvantaged communities and make investments to create opportunities for all our residents. These objectives and outcomes can be met while implementing strategic highway capacity projects.
For these reasons, we respectfully oppose AB 2535. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact my office.
Sincerely,
Larry Micari, Chair
Tulare County Board of Supervisors
Cc: Tulare County State Delegation, Shaw Yoder Antwih Schmelzer & Lange