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May 2017
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Save the Date
Amgen Tour of California 
May 19
Big Bear Lake, CA

SBCTA General Assembly
June 15
Ontario, CA

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About Us
The San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) is the transportation planning agency for San Bernardino County.

SBCTA is responsible for cooperative regional planning and furthering an efficient multi-modal transportation system countywide.

SBCTA proudly serves the more than 2.1 million residents of San Bernardino County. 
Fiscal Year 2017/2018 Proposed Budget Presented to Board

The Board of Directors received a presentation on the proposed 2017/2018 budgets for San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) and San Bernardino Council of Governments (SBCOG) at the May Board Meeting. Following the legislation enacted on January 1 that identified the two entities, SBCOG is a blended component unit of SBCTA. Therefore, SBCOG's estimated revenues and appropriations are included in the SBCTA budget. SBCTA develops a program based budget which is adopted with funding source detail.

SBCTA's budget process includes a review of the Boards' direction as it relates to short term goals and how it integrates with the agency's long term goals and objectives. As part of this review, staff analyzes the resources available to help meet the short term goals as set forth in the Fiscal Year Budget.

The budget process is structured to incorporate that input from Board members. There are four phases of the budget process:
  • A general overview of the major programs
  • A review of the tasks associated with agency committees
  • A budget workshop centered around the proposed budget
  • A public hearing for adoption of the FY 17/18 budget (Scheduled for June 7, 2017)
Click here for information about the proposed budget and a link to the document. 

SBCTA Releases Call for Projects for Active Transportation and Transit Access Improvements
                                                                       
The Transportation Development Act (TDA) provides that 2% of the Local Transportation Funds (LTF) be made available to counties and cities for facilities for the exclusive use of pedestrians and bicyclists, known as the TDA Article 3 Program. In August 1999 the SBCTA Board approved a policy that 20% of the Article 3 program would be made available for projects that improve access to transit stops for pedestrians and persons with disabilities. The remaining 80% would be available for pedestrian and bicycle projects.

At the May Board Meeting, the SBCTA Board approved two call-for-projects.  The Pedestrian and Bicycle Projects call will have projects compete for approximately $2.8 million in available funds; and the Transit Stop Access Improvement Projects call will account for approximately $871,000.  It should be noted that maintenance of these proposed projects will be part of the funding available.  Among the criteria for eligibility includes a requirement for consistency with the SBCTA Non-Motorized Transportation Plan.

Project applications are scheduled to be due to SBCTA by July 7, 2017. The application review will occur during July with a recommendation on projects provided to the August General Policy Committee and the Board of Directors on September 6, 2017.

It is tentatively anticipated that the evaluation panel for each call-for-projects will be comprised of three members from SBCTA, one member from Caltrans, one from a neighboring County Transportation Commission or SCAG, and one from a bicycle or transit user group.  For more information about this funding opportunity, click here to review Item #8 on the SBCTA May Board Meeting Agenda.
 
State Passes $54 Billion Transportation Funding Package
                                                                       
After more than two years of negotiations, state leaders passed a comprehensive transportation funding package on April 6th, 2017.  Signed by Governor Jerry Brown on April 28 th , the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, SB 1 (Beall), will invest $52.4 billion over the next decade to fix roads, freeways and bridges in communities across California, as well as put more dollars toward transit and road safety.  Split equally between state and local investments, funding includes:

Fix Local Streets and Transportation Infrastructure (50 percent): 
  • $15 billion in "Fix-It-First" local road repairs, including fixing potholes
  • $7.5 billion to improve local public transportation 
  • $2 billion to support local "self-help" communities that are making their own investments in transportation improvements
  • $1 billion to improve infrastructure that promotes walking and bicycling - double the existing funding levels 
  • $825 million for the State Transportation Improvement Program local contribution
  • $250 million in local transportation planning grants
Fix State Highways and Transportation Infrastructure (50 percent):
  • $15 billion in "Fix-it-First" highway repairs, including smoother pavement 
  • $4 billion in bridge and culvert repairs
  • $3 billion to improve trade corridors 
  • $2.5 billion to reduce congestion on major commute corridors
  • $1.4 billion in other transportation investments, including $275 million for highway and intercity-transit improvements
For additional details on SB1, click here. 
 
SBCTA Sponsored Bill Passes First Policy Committee 

Executive Director Ray Wolfe traveled to the State Capitol last week to testify in support of SBCTA's sponsored bill, AB 1523 (Obernolte). At the urging of committee staff and with the support of Assemblyman Obernolte, AB 1523 was amended to narrow design-build authority to just SBCTA for use on the Mt. Vernon Viaduct project in San Bernardino.

As amended, AB 1523 was passed out of the Local Government Committee by an 8-0 vote and referred to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. If passed, AB 1523 will be instrumental in helping SBCTA remove and replace the Mt. Vernon Viaduct.  The over 80-year old bridge has been structurally deficient for 20 years and is a critical north-south arterial for the City of San Bernardino.  

SBCTA to Participate at Amgen Tour of California in Big Bear Lake 

SBCTA will be participating at the 2017 Amgen Tour of California in Big Bear Lake. Amgen Tour of California is one of the most prestigious professional cycling races and has become one of the most important races internationally where the most accomplished cyclists from around the world come to participate. SBCTA will be highlighting it's Non-Motorized Transportation Plan which supports the local communities of San Bernardino County as well as future plans for additional human-powered methods of travel.

For additional information on Amgen Tour of California, click here. 
Metrolink to Host Twitter Party for Bike to Work Week 

May is National Bike Month and it's an opportunity to celebrate the power of the bicycle and the many reasons to ride. Metrolink is encouraging passengers to ride their bicycles and leave their cars at home through a variety of events and contests. During Bike to Work Week, May 15-19, Metrolink will offer free rides to passengers who bring a bike onboard the train. On May 16, they will be hosting a Twitter Party from 5 - 6PM where they will be partnering with local bike shops to provide prizes for trivia winners and the grand prize an URB-E electric scooter. To participate, just use the hashtag #Pedal2Work17.

For additional information, click here.