BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Appropriations Committee Fiscal Summary
Senator Christine Kehoe, Chair
993 (Huff)
Hearing Date: 05/27/2010 Amended: As Introduced
Consultant: Mark McKenzie Policy Vote: T&H 8-0
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BILL SUMMARY: SB 993 would authorize the California
Transportation Commission (CTC) to relinquish a specified
portion of State Highway Route (SR) 66 to the City of Claremont.
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Fiscal Impact (in thousands)
Major Provisions 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 Fund
Caltrans improvements unknown one-time costs (minor to
$2,000)Special*
prior to relinquishment (see staff
comments)
Caltrans maintenance Unknown long-term savings following
Special*
and repair relinquishment
CTC administration minor costs to administer
agreementsSpecial*
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* State Highway Account
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STAFF COMMENTS: SUSPENSE FILE.
The Legislature has provided statutory authorization to CTC to
relinquish a number of state highway segments to local
jurisdictions under specified conditions. Relinquishment
provides the recipient agency with greater control over local
transportation projects and relieves Caltrans of any further
responsibility to improve, maintain, or repair infrastructure
related to the relinquished segment of state highway.
Generally, relinquishments are subject to terms and conditions
of agreements between Caltrans and a local jurisdiction seeking
control of a local highway segment. CTC must determine that the
agreement for relinquishment, which involves a one-time payment
of State Highway Account funds to the local entity, is in the
best interests of the state. Caltrans annually sets aside $12
million of State Highway Operations and Protection Plan (SHOPP)
funding for rehabilitation necessary for highway
relinquishments.
SB 993 would authorize CTC, upon a determination that the terms
and conditions are in the state's best interest, to relinquish
to the City of Claremont the portion of SR 66 that is located
within the city limits or sphere of influence. The relinquished
segment would cease to be a part of the state highway system,
and would be ineligible for future adoption as a state highway.
The City of Claremont proposes to make improvements to SR 66,
locally known as Foothill Boulevard, as part of its
redevelopment plans that would allow for landscaping, street
furniture, and other design elements along the road that may
currently be inconsistent with state highway design standards.
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SB 993 (Huff)
Staff notes that Caltrans usually provides State Highway Account
funding to a local entity that is assuming control over state
highway segments in order to bring the roadway up to a "state of
good repair." The actual amounts vary for each relinquished
highway segment and are determined by a negotiation of terms and
conditions between Caltrans and the local jurisdiction.
Caltrans does not currently have a specific cost estimate for
the relinquishment of this particular state highway segment, but
based on other relinquishments, one-time costs range from
minimal up to $1 million per centerline mile of roadway
depending on numerous factors such as roadway condition,
projected maintenance costs, and any planned capital projects.
This segment of Foothill Boulevard appears to be approximately 2
miles long, so initial costs could be minimal, but might be up
to $2 million. The relinquishment of this segment, however,
would relieve Caltrans of any future maintenance and repair
costs, resulting in unknown long-term annual savings.
Staff notes that while long-term savings will eventually exceed
up-front costs, actual costs and savings to Caltrans for this
relinquishment would be more certain if legislation to authorize
relinquishment followed, rather than preceded, an agreement
between Caltrans and the City of Claremont.