BILL ANALYSIS
SENATE TRANSPORTATION & HOUSING COMMITTEE BILL NO: SB 532
SENATOR ALAN LOWENTHAL, CHAIRMAN AUTHOR: cogdill
VERSION: 4/16/09
Analysis by: Mark Stivers FISCAL: yes
Hearing date: April 28, 2009
SUBJECT:
Relinquishment of State Route (SR) 201 within the City of
Kingsburg
DESCRIPTION:
This bill allows for the relinquishment to the City of Kingsburg
of that portion of SR 201 that is located within the city.
ANALYSIS:
Current law identifies the California state highway system
through a description of segments of the state's regional and
interregional roads that are owned and operated by the
Department of Transportation (Caltrans). The law also provides
that, in order to expand or delete any portion of the state
highway system, the California Transportation Commission (CTC)
shall make findings that the change is in the best interests of
the state.
The law further provides for the relinquishment of a portion of
a 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.
This bill allows CTC to relinquish to the City of Kingsburg that
portion of SR 201 that is located within the city limits upon a
finding that the relinquishment is in the best interest of the
state. The relinquishment shall be subject to a cooperative
agreement between the city and Caltrans, including a requirement
SB 532 (COGDILL) Page 2
that the city maintain signs directing motorists to the
continuation of Highway 201. The relinquishment shall be
effective upon the recordation of CTC's resolution, at which
time the relinquished portion of SR 201 shall cease to be a
state highway and shall be ineligible for future adoption as a
state highway.
COMMENTS:
1.Purpose of the bill . SR 201, known as Sierra Street, is the
major east-west route through the City of Kingsburg and serves
as the city's de-facto "main street." It is also the site of
the city's annual Swedish Festival. The City of Kingsburg
would like to avoid the necessity of obtaining state permits
to make street improvements or to close the street for the
Swedish Festival and other downtown events. By assuming
ownership of the street, the city and its residents can gain
control over this important part of their community while also
saving money for the state, which will no longer bear the
responsibility of maintaining and improving the roadway.
2.Consistent with Caltrans study . A 1995 internal Caltrans
study identified state highway routes that should be owned,
operated, and maintained by local agencies. That study
concluded that a large portion of SR 201 could be relinquished
to the City of Kingsburg or the County of Fresno without
jeopardizing traffic flow or public safety. As a result, this
bill is consistent with the Caltrans study.
3.Numerous precedents . This bill is one of a long line of
highway relinquishments to local governments. In many cities,
state highways are major arterial streets that form the
backbone of the community. Understandably, the local
governments are concerned about the traffic and visual impacts
associated with the highway. Relinquishment allows the city
to increase its control over the thoroughfare while
maintaining the route as a major transportation corridor. The
state, in turn, is relieved of the costs of maintaining the
highway.
RELATED LEGISLATION
SB 146 (Cox) relinquishes a segment of SR 49 in the town of
Downieville to Sierra County. This bill was placed on the
Senate Appropriations Committee suspense file.
SB 532 (COGDILL) Page 3
POSITIONS: (Communicated to the Committee before noon on
Wednesday,
April 22, 2009)
SUPPORT: City of Kingsburg (sponsor)
OPPOSED: None received.