Existing law gives the Department of Transportation full possession and control of all state highways. Existing law describes the authorized routes in the state highway system, including State Highway Routes 1 and 187, and establishes a process for adoption of a highway on an authorized route by the California Transportation Commission. Existing law requires certain conditions to be fulfilled before the construction of any portion of State Highway Route 187. Existing law authorizes the commission to relinquish certain state highway segments to local agencies.

This bill would authorize the commission to relinquish a specified portion of State Highway Route 1 and State Highway Route 187 to the City of Los Angeles under certain conditions. The bill would delete the conditions relating to the construction of State Highway Route 187.

Existing law gives the Department of Transportation full possession and control of all state highways. Existing law describes the authorized routes in the state highway system, including State Highway Routes 1 and 187, and establishes a process for adoption of a highway on an authorized route by the California Transportation Commission. Existing law requires certain conditions to be fulfilled before the construction of any portion of State Highway Route 187. Existing law authorizes the commission to relinquish certain state highway segments to local agencies.

This bill would authorize the commission to relinquish a specified portion of State Highway Route 1 and State Highway Route 187 to the City of Los Angeles under certain conditions. The bill would delete the conditions relating to the construction of State Highway Route 187.

Existing law gives the Department of Transportation full possession and control of all state highways. Existing law describes the authorized routes in the state highway system, including State Highway Routes 1 and 187, and establishes a process for adoption of a highway on an authorized route by the California Transportation Commission. Existing law requires certain conditions to be fulfilled before the construction of any portion of State Highway Route 187. Existing law authorizes the commission to relinquish certain state highway segments to local agencies.

This bill would authorize the commission to relinquish a specified portion of State Highway Route 1 and State Highway Route 187 to the City of Los Angeles under certain conditions. The bill would delete the conditions relating to the construction of State Highway Route 187.

Existing law provides for the California Transportation Commission, except as otherwise provided by law, to adopt the location for a state highway on routes authorized by law. Existing law generally describes the various authorized routes in the state highway system, including Route 170 in the County of Los Angeles. Existing law also includes various state highway routes in the California freeway and expressway system. gives the Department of Transportation full possession and control of all state highways. Existing law describes the authorized routes in the state highway system and establishes a process for adoption of a highway on an authorized route by the California Transportation Commission. Existing law authorizes the commission to relinquish certain state highway segments to local agencies.

This bill would revise the description of Route 170 to delete the unconstructed portion of this route between Los Angeles International Airport and Route 90 from both the state highway system and the California freeway and expressway system. authorize the commission to relinquish a specified portion of State Highway Route 1 and State Highway Route 187 to the City of Los Angeles under certain conditions.

Existing law provides for the California Transportation Commission, except as otherwise provided by law, to adopt the location for a state highway on routes authorized by law. Existing law generally describes the various authorized routes in the state highway system, including Route 170 in the County of Los Angeles. Existing law also includes various state highway routes in the California freeway and expressway system.

This bill would revise the description of Route 170 to delete the unconstructed portion of this route between Los Angeles International Airport and Route 90 from both the state highway system and the California freeway and expressway system.

 THIRD READING  

Bill No: AB 810

Author: Ridley-Thomas (D)

Amended: 5/28/15 in Assembly

Vote: 21

SENATE TRANS. & HOUSING COMMITTEE: 11-0, 6/30/15

AYES: Beall, Cannella, Allen, Bates, Gaines, Galgiani, Leyva, McGuire, Mendoza, Roth, Wieckowski

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: 7-0, 8/27/15

AYES: Lara, Bates, Beall, Hill, Leyva, Mendoza, Nielsen

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 78-0, 6/2/15 - See last page for vote

SUBJECT: State Highway Routes 1 and 187

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST: This bill authorizes the California Transportation Commission (CTC) to relinquish to the City of Los Angeles a portion of State Route (SR) 1 as well as all of SR 187.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. 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). Technically, a state highway is any roadway that Caltrans is legislatively authorized to acquire, lay out, construct, improve, or maintain. Existing law specifies that it is the intent of the Legislature for the routes of the state highway system to connect the 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.

2. Provides a two-step process for the state to expand or delete a section of the state highway system that begins with the Legislature amending existing law and then CTC making findings that it is in the best interest of the state to include or delete a specified portion of roadway from the system. This is known as the state highway relinquishment process.

This bill:

1. Authorizes CTC to relinquish to the City of Los Angeles a portion of SR 1 between the southern city limit of Santa Monica and SR 105 as well as all of SR 187, upon terms and conditions approved by CTC.

2. Provides that the relinquishment will become effective immediately following the county recordation of the relinquishment resolution.

3. Specifies that following the effective date of relinquishment, the relinquished segment will no longer be a state highway and may not be considered for future adoption as a state highway.

4. Requires the City of Los Angeles to maintain signage directing motorists to the continuation of SR 1.

Comments

Purpose. According to the author, SR 187 is also known as Venice Boulevard and serves as an important thoroughfare, shopping and dining destination, and public gathering place for several communities in the City of Los Angeles. A portion of Venice Boulevard has been selected as part of the City’s Great Streets Initiative, which aims to activate public spaces, provide economic revitalization, increase public safety, and enhance local culture through roadway and streetscape improvements. Los Angeles is currently performing extensive public outreach in the Mar Vista neighborhood to develop a community-led plan for these improvements, which will include creative solutions to address safety and mobility issues that may not necessarily be in line with Caltrans’ design guidelines. This project will be used as a model for further improvements along additional sections of the Venice Boulevard corridor. The City wishes to gain ownership of Venice Boulevard to allow for a locally controlled, streamlined Great Streets Initiative project, while maintaining flexibility to experiment with innovative solutions that can be adapted to meet the community’s changing needs over time.

SR 1, also known as Lincoln Boulevard, is an important north-south thoroughfare through several communities on the west side of Los Angeles. The City of Los Angeles envisions focusing on a series of roadway improvements for this corridor. Foremost among those improvements is the need to address a critical multi-modal chokepoint as Lincoln crosses the Ballona Creek between Fiji Way and Jefferson Boulevard. Local residents also hope to see Lincoln Boulevard treated more as a local street than a highway, with special attention paid to safety issues for people traveling by foot or bike, in addition to those traveling by car or bus. While future plans for Lincoln Boulevard are in the early stages of development, the City seeks to begin a locally controlled engagement process with communities along the route regarding roadway maintenance and improvement projects concurrent with the relinquishment process.

Relinquishments. Each session, the Legislature passes and the Governor signs numerous bills authorizing CTC to relinquish segments of the state highway system to local jurisdictions. 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.

Of interest, the administration proposed budget trailer bill language this year intending to streamline the state’s relinquishment process. According to the Governor’s budget summary, a number of routes are still part of the state highway system that no longer serve an interregional purpose, and instead serve primarily regional or local purposes. The proposed trailer bill language broadens and streamlines the state process for relinquishing these portions of the statewide system that primarily serve regional or local purposes. This could be a win-win proposal, with both locals and the state benefiting. On one hand, shifting ownership of these segments, many of which run through a downtown area, will increase local flexibility to add stoplights and make better use of valuable real estate to support transit‑oriented development. Meanwhile, additional relinquishments reduce the state’s long‑term costs for ongoing maintenance and repair of the state system. There is merit in a proposal streamlining the relinquishment process; however, it seems that such a proposal should be considered through the policy bill process and not as an add-on to the state’s annual budget.

Luckily, Senator Allen has authored SB 254, which proposes a similar streamlining process and is progressing as a regular policy bill. SB 254 is pending in the Assembly Transportation Committee.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: No

According to the Senate Appropriations Committee, this bill is likely to incur unknown one-time costs ranging from minor to potentially over $10 million to Caltrans prior to the relinquishment of the designated segments of SR 1 and SR 187 to the City of Los Angeles (State Highway Account). These costs would be offset in future years due to avoided maintenance costs on the relinquished segment.

SUPPORT: (Verified 8/28/15)

None received

OPPOSITION: (Verified 8/28/15)

None received

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 78-0, 6/2/15

AYES: Achadjian, Alejo, Travis Allen, Baker, Bigelow, Bloom, Bonilla, Bonta, Brough, Brown, Burke, Calderon, Campos, Chang, Chau, Chiu, Chu, Cooley, Cooper, Dababneh, Dahle, Daly, Dodd, Eggman, Frazier, Beth Gaines, Gallagher, Cristina Garcia, Eduardo Garcia, Gatto, Gipson, Gomez, Gonzalez, Gordon, Gray, Hadley, Harper, Roger Hernández, Holden, Irwin, Jones, Jones-Sawyer, Kim, Lackey, Levine, Linder, Lopez, Low, Maienschein, Mathis, Mayes, McCarty, Medina, Melendez, Mullin, Nazarian, Obernolte, O'Donnell, Olsen, Patterson, Perea, Quirk, Rendon, Ridley-Thomas, Rodriguez, Salas, Santiago, Steinorth, Mark Stone, Thurmond, Ting, Wagner, Waldron, Weber, Wilk, Williams, Wood, Atkins

NO VOTE RECORDED: Chávez, Grove

Prepared by: Eric Thronson / T. & H. / (916) 651-4121

8/31/15 16:33:21

**** END ****

SENATE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Senator Ricardo Lara, Chair

2015 - 2016 Regular Session

AB 810 (Ridley-Thomas) - State Highway Routes 1 and 187

This bill meets the criteria for referral to the Suspense File.

Bill Summary:

AB 810 would authorize the California Transportation Commission (CTC) to relinquish specified segments of State Highway Route (SR) 1 and SR 187 to the City of Los Angeles.

Fiscal Impact:

Unknown one-time costs ranging from minor to potentially over $10 million to the Department of Transportation (Caltrans) prior to the relinquishment of the designated segments of SR 1 and SR 187 to the City of Los Angeles (State Highway Account). These costs would be offset in future years due to avoided maintenance costs on the relinquished segment.

Background:

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 has typically involved a one-time payment of State Highway Account funds to the local entity, is in the best interests of the state.

Historically, Caltrans has annually set aside $12 million of State Highway Operations and Protection Plan (SHOPP) funding for rehabilitation necessary for highway relinquishments. In recent years, however, Caltrans has not set aside funding to rehabilitate relinquished highways.

Proposed Law:

AB 810 would authorize CTC, upon a determination that the terms and conditions are in the best interests of the state, to relinquish the following segments of the state highway system to the City of Los Angeles if Caltrans and the City enter into a relinquishment agreement:

• The portion of SR 1 between the southern city limit of Santa Monica (approximate postmile 33.3) and SR 105 (approximate postmile 25.9).

• SR 187 between the route’s western terminus at Lincoln Boulevard (approximate postmile 3.5) and its eastern terminus at Cadillac Avenue near SR 10 (approximate postmile 8.9).

The relinquished segments 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 Los Angeles would be responsible ensuring the continuity of traffic flow, including any traffic signal progression, and for installing signs directing motorists to the continuation of SR 1.

The bill would also delete obsolete provisions related to the construction of SR 187.

Related Legislation:

Staff notes that the Governor proposed budget trailer bill language this year that is intended to broaden and streamline the state process for relinquishing state highway routes that are deemed to no longer serve an interregional purpose, and instead operate primarily as regional or local routes. The Senate Budget Subcommittee #2 rejected the trailer bill proposal at its hearing on April 16, 2015, without prejudice, so that it could instead be considered by the Legislature as a policy bill rather than a trailer bill.

SB 254 (Allen), currently pending in the Assembly Transportation Committee, is the legislative vehicle for the trailer bill language. That bill would establish procedures for the administrative relinquishment of state highway segments that do not serve an interregional purpose.

Staff Comments:

Relinquishment of this segment would allow the City of Los Angeles County to assume direct control of the roughly 7.4 miles of SR 1, known locally as Lincoln Boulevard, in the area between Santa Monica and SR 105, and the entirety of SR 187, known locally as Venice Boulevard. Transferring control of these roadways to Los Angeles allows for the construction of improvements and enhancements without the constraints of Caltrans’ state highway design standards, encroachment permit processes, and other state requirements.

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,” although there is no statutory obligation to do so. 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, but those costs are based upon a cost-benefit analysis covering a ten-year period, which is included in a Project Scope Summary Report prepared for legislative relinquishments.

Caltrans has not identified a specific cost estimate for the relinquishment of this segment, but based on other relinquishments, one-time costs may 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. The segments of SR 1 and SR 187 specified in the bill are a combined length of approximately 12.8 miles, so initial costs could be minimal but could exceed $10 million. The relinquishment of these segments would relieve Caltrans of any future maintenance and repair costs, resulting in unknown long-term annual savings.

Actual costs and savings would be more certain if legislation to authorize relinquishment followed, rather than preceded, the completion of the cost-benefit analysis and an agreement between Caltrans and the City of Los Angeles. However, Caltrans does not typically conduct the analysis and enter into negotiations until legislative authority for relinquishment has been provided.

-- END --

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION AND HOUSING

Senator Jim Beall, Chair

2015 - 2016 Regular

Bill No: AB 810 Hearing Date: 6/30/2015

SUBJECT: State Highway Routes 1 and 187

DIGEST: This bill authorizes the California Transportation Commission (CTC) to relinquish to the City of Los Angeles a portion of State Route (SR) 1 as well as all of SR 187.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. 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). Technically, a state highway is any roadway that Caltrans is legislatively authorized to acquire, lay out, construct, improve, or maintain. Existing law specifies that it is the intent of the Legislature for the routes of the state highway system to connect the 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.

2. Provides a two-step process for the state to expand or delete a section of the state highway system that begins with the Legislature amending existing law and then CTC making findings that it is in the best interest of the state to include or delete a specified portion of roadway from the system. This is known as the state highway relinquishment process.

This bill:

1. Authorizes CTC to relinquish to the City of Los Angeles a portion of SR 1 between the southern city limit of Santa Monica and SR 105 as well as all of SR 187, upon terms and conditions approved by CTC.

2. Provides that the relinquishment will become effective immediately following the county recordation of the relinquishment resolution.

3. Specifies that following the effective date of relinquishment, the relinquished segment will no longer be a state highway and may not be considered for future adoption as a state highway.

4. Requires the City of Los Angeles to maintain signage directing motorists to the continuation of SR 1.

COMMENTS:

Purpose. According to the author, SR 187 is also known as Venice Boulevard and serves as an important thoroughfare, shopping and dining destination, and public gathering place for several communities in the City of Los Angeles. A portion of Venice Boulevard has been selected as part of the city’s Great Streets Initiative, which aims to activate public spaces, provide economic revitalization, increase public safety, and enhance local culture through roadway and streetscape improvements. Los Angeles is currently performing extensive public outreach in the Mar Vista neighborhood to develop a community-led plan for these improvements, which will include creative solutions to address safety and mobility issues that may not necessarily be in line with Caltrans’ design guidelines. This project will be used as a model for further improvements along additional sections of the Venice corridor. The City wishes to gain ownership of Venice Boulevard to allow for a locally controlled, streamlined Great Streets Initiative project, while maintaining flexibility to experiment with innovative solutions that can be adapted to meet the community’s changing needs over time.

SR 1, also known as Lincoln Boulevard, is an important north-south thoroughfare through several communities on the west side of Los Angeles. The City of Los Angeles envisions focusing on a series of roadway improvements for this corridor. Foremost among those improvements is the need to address a critical multi-modal chokepoint as Lincoln crosses the Ballona Creek between Fiji Way and Jefferson Boulevard. Local residents also hope to see Lincoln Boulevard treated more as a local street than a highway, with special attention paid to safety issues for people traveling by foot or bike, in addition to those traveling by car or bus. While future plans for Lincoln Boulevard are in the early stages of development, the city seeks to begin a locally controlled engagement process with communities along the route regarding roadway maintenance and improvement projects concurrent with the relinquishment process.

Relinquishments. Each session, the Legislature passes and the governor signs numerous bills authorizing CTC to relinquish segments of the state highway system to local jurisdictions. 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.

Of interest, the administration proposed budget trailer bill language this year intending to streamline the state’s relinquishment process. According to the governor’s budget summary, a number of routes are still part of the state highway system that no longer serve an interregional purpose, and instead serve primarily regional or local purposes. The proposed trailer bill language broadens and streamlines the state process for relinquishing these portions of the statewide system that primarily serve regional or local purposes. This could be a win-win proposal, with both locals and the state benefiting. On one hand, shifting ownership of these segments, many of which run through a downtown area, will increase local flexibility to add stoplights and make better use of valuable real estate to support transit‑oriented development. Meanwhile, additional relinquishments reduce the state’s long‑term costs for ongoing maintenance and repair of the state system. There is merit in a proposal streamlining the relinquishment process; however, it seems that such a proposal should be considered through the policy bill process and not as an add-on to the state’s annual budget.

Luckily, Senator Allen has authored Senate Bill 254, which proposes a similar streamlining process and is progressing as a regular policy bill. SB 254 is pending in the Assembly Transportation Committee.

Related Legislation:

SB 254 (Allen) — streamlines the state’s highway relinquishment process to not include legislative approval of each relinquished segment. SB 254 is pending in the Assembly Transportation Committee.

SB 461 (Hernandez) — authorizes the CTC to relinquish to Los Angeles County a segment of SR 164 south of Temple City. SB 461 is pending in the Assembly Transportation Committee.

AB 652 (Cooley) — authorizes the CTC to relinquish segments of SR 16 in the City of Rancho Cordova as well as in the unincorporated portion of Sacramento County. AB 652 is pending in the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Assembly Votes:

Floor: 78-0

Appr: 17-0

Trans: 16-0

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: No

POSITIONS: (Communicated to the committee before noon on Wednesday,

June 24, 2015.)

SUPPORT:

None received

OPPOSITION:

None received

-- END --

ASSEMBLY THIRD READING

ATR Bill Id:AB 810

Author:(Ridley-Thomas)

As Amended Ver:May 28, 2015

Majority vote

SUMMARY: Allows the California Transportation Commission (CTC) to relinquish two segments of the state highway system to the City of Los Angeles (Los Angeles). Specifically, this bill:

1. Authorizes the CTC to relinquish to Los Angeles, the portion of State Route (SR) 1 within the city between the southern city limit of Santa Monica (approximately post mile 33.3) and SR 105 (approximately post mile 25.9) and the portion SR 187 within the city limits between the route's western terminus at Lincoln Boulevard (approximately post mile 3.5) and its eastern terminus at Cadillac Avenue near SR 10 (approximately post mile 8.9).

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 Los Angeles 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.

FISCAL EFFECT: According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee:

1. Potentially significant one-time costs (State Highway Account) depending on the outcome of negotiations between the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the City and a determination by Caltrans that the relinquishment is in the best interest of the state.

2. Moderate long-term maintenance and repair savings to Caltrans, if the CTC exercises its authority to relinquish the highway segment.

COMMENTS: Each session, numerous bills authorizing CTC to relinquish segments of the state highway to a 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.

The section of SR 1 proposed for relinquishment in this bill, also known as Lincoln Boulevard, State Route 1, is an important north-south thoroughfare through several communities on the west side of Los Angeles. Los Angeles envisions focusing on a series of roadway improvements for this corridor including the need to address critical multi-modal chokepoints as Lincoln Boulevard crosses the Ballona Creek between Fiji Way and Jefferson Boulevard. Local residents also hope to see Lincoln Boulevard treated more as a local street than a highway, with special attention paid to bicyclist and pedestrian access. While future plans for Lincoln Boulevard are in the early stages of development, Los Angeles would like to begin engaging the community with regard to roadway maintenance and improvement projects concurrent with the relinquishment process.

The section of SR 187 that is proposed for relinquishment in this bill, also known as Venice Boulevard, and serves as an important thoroughfare, shopping, dining destination, and public gathering place for several communities in Los Angeles. According to the author, this segment of Venice Boulevard has been selected as part of Los Angeles’ Great Streets Initiative, which aims to activate public spaces, provide economic revitalization, increase public safety, and enhance local culture through roadway and streetscape improvements. Los Angeles is currently performing extensive public outreach in the Mar Vista neighborhood to develop a community-led plan for these improvements, which will include creative solutions to address safety and mobility issues that may not necessarily be in line with the Caltrans design guidelines. According to the author, this project will be used as a model for further improvements along additional sections of the Venice corridor. Los Angeles wishes to gain ownership of Venice Boulevard to allow for the locally-controlled, streamlined Great Streets Initiative project to proceed, while maintaining flexibility to experiment with innovative solutions that can be adapted to meet the community's changing needs over time.

Please see the policy committee analysis for a full discussion of this bill.

Analysis Prepared by: Victoria Alvarez / TRANS. / (916) 319-2093 FN: 0000819

Date of Hearing: May 6, 2015

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Jimmy Gomez, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 810

Author:(Ridley-Thomas) – As Amended Ver:April 20, 2015

Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: No

SUMMARY:

This bill authorizes the California Transportation Commission (CTC) to relinquish to the City of Los Angeles, the portion of State Route (SR) 1 within the city between the southern city limit of Santa Monica (approximately post mile 33.3) and SR 105 (approximately 25.9) and the portion of SR 187 within the city limits between the route's western terminus at Lincoln Boulevard (approximately post mile 3.5) and its eastern terminus at Cadillac Avenue near SR 10 (approximately post mile 8.9).

FISCAL EFFECT:

1. Potentially significant one-time costs (State Highway Account [SHA]) depending on the outcome of negotiations between Caltrans and the City and a determination by Caltrans that the relinquishment is in the best interest of the state. (See Comment #1)
   
   

2. Moderate long-term maintenance and repair savings to Caltrans, if the CTC exercises its authority to relinquish the highway segment.

COMMENTS:

1. Background. Legislation is required before any segment of state highway can be relinquished to another governmental entity. Relinquishment provides the recipient agency with more control over a local transportation project and relieves Caltrans of further responsibility to improve, maintain, or repair infrastructure related to the relinquished state highway segment.

According to Caltrans, in recent years the initial cost of relinquishments has ranged from $0 to over $1 million per centerline mile. These costs are driven by a number of factors, including roadway condition, projected maintenance costs and any planned capital projects. The actual cost of a particular relinquishment is negotiated directly with the local agency, but must be based on a cost-benefit analysis using a 10-year analysis period. Prior to this analysis, the baseline cost is assumed to be $0. All proposed costs beyond the baseline are subject to review and approval by the Department's Relinquishment Advisory Committee to ensure statewide consistency in application of the established evaluation criteria.

2. Purpose. The section of SR 1 proposed for relinquishment, also known as Lincoln Boulevard, is an important north-south thoroughfare through several communities on the west side of Los Angeles. The City envisions focusing on a series of roadway improvements for this corridor, and while future plans for Lincoln Boulevard are in the early stages of development, Los Angeles would like to begin engaging the community with regard to roadway maintenance and improvement projects concurrent with the relinquishment process.

The section of SR 187 that is proposed for relinquishment, also known as Venice Boulevard, serves as an important thoroughfare, shopping, dining destination, and public gathering place for several communities in Los Angeles. According to the author, this segment of Venice Boulevard has been selected as part of Los Angeles’ Great Streets Initiative, which aims to activate public spaces, provide economic revitalization, increase public safety, and enhance local culture through roadway and streetscape improvements.

Analysis Prepared by: Chuck Nicol / APPR. / (916) 319-2081

Date of Hearing: April 27, 2015

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Jim Frazier, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 810

Author:(Ridley-Thomas) – As Amended Ver:April 20, 2015

SUBJECT: State Highway Relinquishment

SUMMARY: Allows the California Transportation Commission (CTC) to relinquish two segments of the state highway system to the City of Los Angeles (Los Angeles). Specifically, this bill:

1. Authorizes the CTC to relinquish to Los Angeles, the portion of State Route (SR) 1 within the city between the southern city limit of Santa Monica (approximately post mile 33.3) and SR 105 (approximately 25.9) and the portion SR 187 within the city limits between the route's western terminus at Lincoln Boulevard (approximately post mile 3.5) and its eastern terminus at Cadillac Avenue near SR 10 (approximately post mile 8.9).

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 Los Angeles 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:

1. Statutorily identifies state highway system routes.

2. 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.

3. Specifies that it is the intent of the Legislature that the prescribed routes of the state highway system connect the 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.

4. 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.

5. Provides for the relinquishment of a portion of state highway to a city or county under an agreement between the local jurisdiction and the Department of Transportation (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 to a 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.

The section of SR 1 proposed for relinquishment in this bill, also known as Lincoln Boulevard, State Route 1, is an important north-south thoroughfare through several communities on the west side of Los Angeles. Los Angeles envisions focusing on a series of roadway improvements for this corridor including the need to address critical multi-modal chokepoints as Lincoln Boulevard crosses the Ballona Creek between Fiji Way and Jefferson Boulevard. Local residents also hope to see Lincoln Boulevard treated more as a local street than a highway, with special attention paid to bicyclist and pedestrian access. While future plans for Lincoln Boulevard are in the early stages of development, Los Angeles would like to begin engaging the community with regard to roadway maintenance and improvement projects concurrent with the relinquishment process.

The section of SR 187 that is proposed for relinquishment in this bill, also known as Venice Boulevard, and serves as an important thoroughfare, shopping, dining destination, and public gathering place for several communities in Los Angeles. According to the author, this segment of Venice Boulevard has been selected as part of Los Angeles’ Great Streets Initiative, which aims to activate public spaces, provide economic revitalization, increase public safety, and enhance local culture through roadway and streetscape improvements. Los Angeles is currently performing extensive public outreach in the Mar Vista neighborhood to develop a community-led plan for these improvements, which will include creative solutions to address safety and mobility issues that may not necessarily be in line with the Caltrans design guidelines. According to the author, this project will be used as a model for further improvements along additional sections of the Venice corridor. Los Angeles wishes to gain ownership of Venice Boulevard to allow for the locally-controlled, streamlined Great Streets Initiative project to proceed, while maintaining flexibility to experiment with innovative solutions that can be adapted to meet the community’s changing needs over time.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

None on file

Opposition

None on file

Analysis Prepared by: Victoria Alvarez / TRANS. / (916) 319-2093