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 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 to local agencies state highway segments that have been deleted from the state highway system by legislative enactment or have been superseded by relocation, and in certain other cases.

This bill would authorize the commission to relinquish to the County of Kern and the City of Bakersfield the entirety of State Highway Route 184, under certain conditions.

Date of Hearing: April 4, 2018

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 1764

Author:(Salas) – As Introduced Ver:January 4, 2018

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

SUMMARY:

This bill allows the California Transportation Commission (CTC) to relinquish State Route (SR) 184 in its entirety to Kern County and the City of Bakersfield if the CTC determines it is the best interest of the state and upon an agreement between the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and Kern County and the City of Bakersfield.

FISCAL EFFECT:

1. Potentially significant one-time State Highway Account (SHA) costs depending on the outcome of negotiations between Caltrans and the county and city. For example, according to Caltrans recent highway relinquishments have ranged from no initial cost to the low tens of millions of dollars.
2. Moderate long-term maintenance and repair savings to Caltrans, if the CTC exercises its authority to relinquish the highway segment.

COMMENTS:

1. Background and purpose. 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. SR 184 is a 14.3 mile highway segment. According to the author, SR 184 is mainly a two-lane thoroughfare connecting agricultural lands north and south of Bakersfield.
2. Costs depend on agreement between Caltrans and local jurisdictions. According to Caltrans, in recent years the initial cost of relinquishments has ranged from no cost to over $14 million. These costs are driven by a number of factors, including the size of the roadway, the 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.

Analysis Prepared by: Jessica Peters / APPR. / (916) 319-2081

Date of Hearing: March 19, 2018

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Jim Frazier, Chair

ABPCA Bill Id:AB 1764 (

Author:Salas) – As Introduced Ver:January 4, 2018

SUBJECT: State highways: relinquishment: Route 184

SUMMARY: Allows the California Transportation Commission (CTC) to relinquish State Route (SR) 184 in its entirety to Kern County and the City of Bakersfield. Specifically, this bill authorizes CTC, upon a determination that it is the best interest of the state to do so and upon an agreement between the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and Kern County and the City of Bakersfield within their respective jurisdictions, to relinquish all of SR 184.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Defines a "state highway" as any roadway that is acquired, laid out, constructed, improved, or maintained as a state highway pursuant to constitutional or legislative authorization.
2. Statutorily identifies state highway system routes.
3. Specifies that it is the intent of the Legislature that the prescribed routes of the state highway system connect 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.

FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown

COMMENTS: Each session, numerous bills authorizing CTC to relinquish segments of the state highway 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, the Legislature authorizes CTC to relinquish the segment and CTC then approves the relinquishment and verifies its approval via resolution. The final step is for the Legislature to delete these segments from current law.

This bill is consistent with Caltrans' policies that encourage the relinquishment of state highways that do not serve regional or statewide transportation needs. Recipient agencies often seek relinquishment of state highways so that they can have greater control over the facility, which often serves as a local street.

SR 184 is a 14.3-mile long primary arterial that runs North and South between SR 223 and SR 178 in unincorporated Kern County and Eastern Bakersfield. According to the author, SR 184 is mainly a two-lane thoroughfare which connects agricultural lands north and south of Bakersfield.

According to the author, the intent of this bill is to formalize the agreement between Caltrans, Kern County, and Bakersfield. This will allow for better management and more timely improvement to the road, particularly relating to traffic safety.

Previous legislation: AB 1115 (Salas), Chapter 221, Statutes of 2016, designated a portion of SR 184 in Kern County as a school zone.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

Kern High School District

Opposition

None on file

Analysis Prepared by: Eric Thronson / TRANS. / (916) 319-2093