04/04/2026
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Report: 19 February 2026 Meeting of SANDAG Transportation Committee
Steve Hutchison
> Mario Orso made an agency report
• The SANDAG regional air quality plan approved by state and federal governments
• $324M in refinanced bonds, resulting in cost savings [$61.5M] to SANDAG
• $8M in U.S. grants: San Ysidro Transit Center improvement, Sorrento to Miramar phase 2 project, Rose Canyon bridge replacement, Buena Vista Lagoon enhancement
• Budget composed of 45% state funds, 45% federal funds, and 10% local funds
• Rail work in Del Mar bluff area for double tracking and bridge improvement is not being accelerated. Federal grants have been delayed, but a construction contract is expected to be awarded in spring 2027. State funds [CTC] are short presently and have been put off until 2029, and because they must be matched with other project funds, in order to be timely, AB?3090 program will allow Transnet funds to be used until state funds are available in 2029
>Transportation Committee 2026 Work Plan
• Elevate policy issues at committee
• Provide more opportunities for strategic, future–oriented discussion in addition to project approvals
• Deliver project progress updates in writing, outside of meetings to reserve meeting time for higher level issues
• Working groups would become more like task forces
• TC Primary Responsibilities: Approve transit operator budgets; approve TDAQ and STA claim amendments and RTIP and STIP amendments; approve Regional Short Range Transit Plan and Coordinated Human Service and Public Transportation Plan; approve amendments to the Comprehensive Fare Ordinance; approve financial/contracting transactions, including selection of vendors, acceptance of funding, stipulations of any nature, and a resulting budget amendment up to $500,000 for transportation items, subject to increase by Board action; provide coordinated oversight with the Regional Planning Committee for recommendations on the preparation and implementation of components of the Regional Plan; provide oversight and approvals for Coordinated Transportation Services Agency [CTSA] matters and appoint Transportation Committee representative to the CTSA Board; Provide input on project selection criteria for, and recommend projects for funding under, the statewide and TransNet active transportation programs, federal Section 5310 and TransNet senior transportation programs, and other grant programs with transportation impacts
•TC 2026 potential topics: Regional Active Transportation Plan [ATP] call for projects; STGP cycle 14 and AFA cycle 3; Transit fare study; Express lanes projects; Transit project development [I asked if there was going to be future discussion of rural road connectivity considering the need for evacuation and access during emergencies; there seemed to be staff acknowledgement of the need for that discussion]; More clarity on processes such as grant procedures and committee responsibilties.
TransNet and Transit related revenue expectations revisions for FY 2026 and FY 2027 to FY 2031. TransNet revenue estimates raised from $422M in 2026 to $436M and increasing to $494M in FY2031. State sales tax element expected to be $205.7M and federal programs expected to be $172M. Recommended revisions approved
SANDAG Grant Program Overview: Smart Growth Incentive Program [108 projects, $115M] local jurisdiction projects; Active Transportation Grant Program [87 projects, $29M] local jurisdiction projects; Environmental Mitigation Program and Land Grant Program [$18M, 136 projects]; Senior Mini Grant Program [$27M, 97 projects] senior accessibility; a number of federally and state funded programs e.g. Access for All, Regional Active Transportation Program, Section 5310, Housing Acceleration Program, and Fleet Flexibility Grant Program.
• Presentation of multi-step process for calling for, evaluating and qualifying and awarding grants.
• Presentation of Grant Program work plan process and procedures improvements and FTA 5310 program redesign
Grant Programs Summary: 33 active projects; 0 completed projects; 8 watch list projects; 1 amended project.
Flexible Fleets Pilot Grant Program [government agencies, transit districts, and military eligible] – Call for Projects: Basically seed money for evaluation of which projects/services work and which don’t. Not long term funding. Revised call for projects protocol based on federal agency and TC inputs. Also had to take into account flurry of federal executive orders that may impact program. Available funding $4.5M. Max award $1M for new pilot, $0.5M for enhanced pilot with 11.47% matching funds. Possible services: car-share, neighborhood electric vehicles, rideshare etc. No longer require Disadvantaged Business Enterprise; Grant term extended 31 December 2029. Applications due June 2026, funding recommendations made September 2026 and service operations begin 2027-2029. TC asked to recommend release of call for projects to Board. TC approves request.
