BILL ANALYSIS
AB 1670
Page 1
Date of Hearing: March 22, 2010
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Bonnie Lowenthal, Chair
AB 1670 (Beall) - As Amended: March 11, 2010
SUBJECT : State highway: relinquishment
SUMMARY : This bill allows the California Transportation
Commission (CTC) to relinquish two specific segments of the
state highway system to the City of San Jose (City).
Specifically, this bill :
1)Authorizes CTC to relinquish to the City an 11-mile portion of
State Route (SR) 82 and a 2.25-mile portion of SR 130, upon
terms and conditions the CTC finds to be in the best interest
of the state, if the California Department of Transportation
(Caltrans) and the City enter into an agreement providing for
that relinquishment.
2)Provides that the relinquishments will become effective
immediately following the county recordation of the
relinquishment resolutions containing CTC's approval of the
specified terms and conditions.
3)Specifies that, following the effective date of
relinquishment, the relinquished segments will no longer be
state highways and may not be considered for future adoption
as state highways.
4)Requires the City to ensure continuity of traffic flow,
maintain traffic signal progression, and maintain signs along
the segments in their jurisdiction directing motorists to the
continuation of the respective state routes.
EXISTING LAW :
5)Statutorily identifies state highway system routes.
6)Defines "state highway" as any roadway that is acquired, laid
out, constructed, improved, or maintained as a state highway
pursuant to constitutional or legislative authorization.
7)Specifies that it is the intent of the Legislature that the
prescribed routes of the state highway system connect the
AB 1670
Page 2
communities and regions of the state and that they serve the
state's economy by connecting centers of commerce, industry,
agriculture, mineral wealth, and recreation.
8)Provides for the expansion or deletion of the state highway
system through a process whereby CTC makes a finding that it
is in the best interest of the state to include or delete a
specified portion of roadway to the system.
9)Provides for the relinquishment of a portion of state highway
to a city or county under an agreement between the local
jurisdiction and Caltrans when an act of the Legislature has
deleted the portion of highway from the state highway system.
FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown
COMMENTS: Each session, numerous bills authorizing CTC to
relinquish segments of the state highway segments to local
jurisdictions are passed by the Legislature and signed by the
Governor. Relinquishment transactions are generally preceded by
a negotiation of terms and conditions between the local
jurisdiction and Caltrans. Once an agreement has been
established, CTC typically approves the relinquishment and
verifies its approval via a resolution. The final step is for
the Legislature to delete these segments from current law.
State highway relinquishments provide recipient agencies with
greater control over a local transportation segment and relieve
Caltrans of any further responsibility to improve, maintain, or
repair it.
SR 82 and SR 130, commonly referred to as the Alameda and
Monterey Highway (SR 82) and Alum Rock Avenue (SR 130), serve
primarily as urban arterials within the City. The City is
seeking control of these highway segments so that it may
pursue economic development and community enhancements without
the constraints of Caltrans' design and operations
requirements.
According to the author's office, the City and Caltrans have
engaged in discussions regarding the proposed relinquishments
and Caltrans has indicated its initial support.
Technical amendments: The author will be taking author's
AB 1670
Page 3
amendments to correct grammar mistakes and to add a co-author.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
None received
Opposition
None received
Analysis Prepared by : Janet Dawson / TRANS. / (916) 319-2093