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IN THIS EDITION:
- STA's Draft Overall Work Plan for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25 and FY 2025-26
- Congressman Garamendi presents $850,000 to STA for State Route 37/Fairgrounds Drive Interchange Improvement Program
- Bike Champion of the Year—Eduardo "Eddie" Sanchez
- Safe Routes to Schools (SR2S) Plan Update/Walk to School Events
- Vacaville City Coach Launches Electric Bus Fleet
- Regional Measure 3 (RM3) Safe Routes to Transit/Bay Trail Program Priorities
- STA Board Approves Westbound Truck Scales Tree Planting Plan
- Solano Countywide Wayfinding Sign Program Year 3 of a 3-Year Program Funding
- STA County Collaborative on Housing Newsletter
- Draft Solano Express Operating Budget for FY 2024-25
- Openings Available for STA Advisory Committees
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STA's Draft Overall Work Plan for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25 and FY 2025-26 | |
On May 8, 2024, the Solano Transportation Authority (STA) Board approved the release of the STA’s draft two-year Overall Work Plan (OWP) for FY 2024-25 and 2025-26 for a 30-day review and comment period. STA has updated the STA’s OWP, which covers all of the plans, projects, and programs that the STA Board has authorized in recent years. This draft OWP includes 13 Projects, 22 Plans, and 26 Programs. To review the draft Overall Work Plan for FY 2024-25 and 2025-26, please click here. | |
Congressman Garamendi Presents $850,000 to STA for State Route 37/Fairgrounds Drive Interchange Improvement Program | |
On May 20, 2024, Congressman Garamendi presented $850,000 of Community Project Funding to the Solano Transportation Authority (STA) with partnership of the City of Vallejo and County of Solano for the State Route 37/Fairgrounds Drive Interchange Improvement Project. | |
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The Project is set to create a Diverging Diamond Interchange which will have a positive impact on the local businesses and attractions of Six Flags Discovery Kingdom and Costco by improving the flow of traffic while also enhancing visitor experience by allowing commuters to spend less time on the road and more time at their target destinations.
To watch an informative video on how the Diverging Diamond Interchange operates, please click here.
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Bike Champion of the Year — Eduardo "Eddie" Sanchez | |
Solano County's 2024 Bike Champion of the year, Eduardo Sanchez | |
Eduardo Sanchez received a Proclamation by STA Board from Board member, Vacaville Mayor John Carli | |
In celebration of Bike to Wherever Days in May, one bike champion from Solano County is recognized as the “Bike Champion of the Year” for their commitment to biking for everyday transportation.
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Congratulations to Vacaville’s Eduardo “Eddie” Sanchez, 2024’s Solano County Bike Champion of the Year! | |
Safe Routes to Schools (SR2S) Plan Update/Walk to School Events |  | |
Safe Routes to School Plan Update
In June 2023, STA Staff initiated the 3rd iteration of the Safe Routes to School Plan Update. Safe Routes to School staff have been collaborating with the Solano County Community Task Forces to prioritize schools in their respective districts that will receive walk audits to assess walkability and discuss potential safety infrastructure projects for the future. The walk audits are scheduled to commence from May 13th to May 23rd. Once the audits are finished, a Recommendations Report, including a base map of each walk audit, will be shared with STA partners and assessed schools. The Plan is set to be completed by Fall 2024.
Bike to School Day
May is Bike Month, and the Safe Routes to School Program hosted various events across the County. The month started with a Community Bike Fair at Green Valley Middle School on May 1st, drawing over 200 attendees. On May 7th, DH White in Rio Vista also held a Community Bike Fair with over 50 participants.
Solano County students were encouraged to wear safety helmets and bike to school on National Bike to School Day, which fell on Wednesday, May 8, 2024. This annual event highlights the physical and environmental benefits of cycling to school over driving. Organized locally by the Solano Safe Routes to School program, it complements the family-friendly community events happening throughout Solano County during Solano Bike Month in May. This year, 40 schools in Solano County participated in, reaching over 4,000 students.
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Vacaville City Coach Launches Electric Bus Fleet | |
Photos by Vacaville City Coach | |
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Vacaville City Coach recently added 10 state-of-the-art fully electric buses to their fleet showcasing their commitment to sustainable transportation and co-aligning with California with California's electrification goals. Vacaville City Coach's adoption of electric buses will reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and provide a more environmentally friendly public transportation option.
Following Vacaville City Coach's example will lead to improved air quality and increased sustainability in public transportation systems throughout the county.
To read more news and promotions about Vacaville City Coach, please click here.
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Regional Measure 3 (RM3) Safe Routes to Transit/Bay Trail Program Priorities | |
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The Safe Routes to Transit/Bay Trail (SR2TBT) is a new program with $150 million in funding available from Regional Measure 3 revenues. Based on the Metropolitan Transportation Commission's (MTC) program eligibility framework, Solano Transportation Authority (STA) staff submitted the following projects for initial consideration of funding:
1. Carquinez Straight Loop Trail — Vallejo/Benicia Bluff Trail Project Segment
The Bay Trail/Ridge Trail Project connecting two cities Vallejo and Benicia to both the Carquinez Strait Bridge and the Benicia Martinez Bridge and further to the East Bay Parks District in Contra Costa through Martinez and Crockett
2. Solano Rail Hub
To improve access to rail station and Fairfield and Suisun City Priority Development Areas/Downtown Centers
3. Ulatis Creek Path/I-80 Undercrossing
The Class 1 Path connecting Vacaville Transportation Center and Allison Drive Priority Development Area to Downtown Vacaville
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STA Board Approves Westbound Truck Scales Tree Planting Plan | |
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The Westbound Truck Scales Tree Planting Plan is a commitment from the Solano Transportation Authority (STA) to plant over 500 native trees on site for mitigation that would preserve the local ecosystem and the landscape. Three tree species will be included in this plan:
- Coast Live Oak
- California Sycamore
- Valley Live Oak
Planting trees next to the Westbound Truck Scales and Interstate 80 will have significant environmental and social returns that will reduce noise pollution and improve the air quality in this corridor.
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Solano Countywide Wayfinding Sign Program Year 3 of a 3-Year Program Funding | |
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In February 2024, the Solano Countywide Wayfinding Sign Program Call for Projects was implemented with a funding capacity of $25,000 to be allocated to competitive projects.
The Solano Transportation Authority (STA) Board approved the following:
- The City of Rio Vista — $10,000 for their Rio Vista Wayfinding Signs Project
- Solano County Fair Ground Association — $5,000 for for their Solano County Fairgrounds Wayfinding Signage Project
- Bay Area Ridge Trail — $10,000 in funds for their Carquinez Straight Scenic Loop Trail (CSSLT) Wayfinding Signage Project
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STA County Collaborative on Housing Newsletter | |
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In 2021, in partnership with the County of Solano and the seven cities, the Solano Transportation Authority (STA) was designated as the Solano County Planning Collaborative on Housing, primarily for its role in administering the Solano housing Investment Partnership (SolHIP). The Bay Area Metropolitan Transportation Commission, Association of Bay Area Governments, and the State Housing and Community Development Department recognized the Solano County Planning Collaborative as a model for other counties because of the Partnership’s collaborative planning process, strong transportation and land use link and technical assistance provided to each agency.
The STA County Planning Collaborative on Housing Newsletter is intended to give readers more insight on housing resources, developer forums, and planning updates.
For more information on the STA County Planning Collaborative on Housing Newsletter, click here.
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Draft Solano Express Operating Budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25 | |
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The Solano Transportation Authority (STA) has been working in collaboration with the various funding partners (SolTrans, FAST, Vacaville, Suisun City, Dixon, and the County) that collectively help fund the operating budget for the five Solano Express routes to update the current operating budget to develop the budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25. The operating budget is intended to cover the estimated 45,000 annual service hours for the Solano Express Blue, Green, Yellow, Red, and 82 routes.
The FY 2024-25 Solano Express Operating Budget will be brought back to the STA Board on June 12, 2024, for final approval.
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Openings Available for STA Advisory Committees
The STA currently has open positions on our Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC), PAC, and Paratransit Coordinating Council (PCC).
The BAC and PAC advise the STA on the development of bicycle and pedestrian facilities as an active mode of transportation in Solano County. To accomplish this, committee members assist the STA to develop countywide transportation plans and projects and provide funding recommendations for active transportation projects.
The PCC works on countywide senior and disabled transit issues as required by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and makes recommendations on transit and paratransit funding, claims, and coordination.
We are currently looking for the following representatives:
Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC)
Pedestrian Advisory Committee (PAC)
- County of Solano
- Member-at-Large (Solano Community College)
Paratransit Coordinating Council (PCC)
- Public Agency – Education member
For more information on the BAC Open Positions, click here; click here for more information on the PAC Open Positions, and here for information on PCC Open Positions.
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