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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/15/2005, CLR 1 - SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS/SAN LUIS OBISPO REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY MARCH 2,20 IIIIIIII�������� �IIIIIIIIII � c • baison 12E 0121 ity oFsan tuts osispo� ITEM March 9, 2005 DATE # 1 To: Council Colleagues From: Dave Romero,Mayor '? Subject: San Luis Obispo Council of Governments/San Luis Obispo Regional Transportation Authority March 2,2005 SLOCOG The COG, at its meeting of March 2°d, conducted a review of a Regional Transportation Plan (RTP), which attempts to project countywide needs for the 2005-20025 period. There are plans for improvements to 101 from Pismo Beach to San Luis Obispo, to Hwy 227 (Broad Street) from 101 to the southerly City limits and for Hwy 46 within the City of Paso Robles from 101 to the easterly city limits. Depending on the level of funding, these areas will reach Level of Service E or F within the next 25 years. The plan shows that currently the most congested portion of a state highway in the county is Hwy. 1 (Santa Rosa Street)between Hwy 101 and the northerly City boundary, which operates at a Level of Service E. Under all scenarios considered under this plan, it is anticipated that this section of the Highway will reach Level of Service F by 2025. As the City representative, I expressed my dismay that the plan provides no solution for the ever- increasing congestion on Santa Rosa Street within the City of San Luis Obispo. The Council will recall that several years ago, the City requested that COG study alternatives in order to consider some program which would relieve traffic in this corridor. This has not been done, and I indicated to the SLOCOG Board that I would be forced to vote against a Regional Transportation Plan that would provide no solution for the most congested segment of the State highway system within out County. Because of this lack of study, CalTrans has been unable to proceed with their proposed study of the intersection of Hwys.. l and 101, which is also scheduled to reach an unacceptable F level of service by 2025. SLORTA The COG is also reviewing a Long-Range Transit Plan, which will guide bus operations until the year 2025. The Board had previously adopted a proportional growth scenario which would anticipate funding and improvements to the transit system in proportion to population growth within the next twenty years. This translates into a 40% expansion for fixed route and 20% growth for para-transit. However, it makes no progress toward goals which anticipate a long- 7�ktl - CDD DIR FIN DIR 7 FIRE CHIEF PW DIR I POUCE CHF V°+1O"Rrp°rtS1A000SLORTA REC DIR UTIL DIR _ term change in the mode of transportation away from the single-occupant vehicle towards alternative means. General Comments Both of the regional plans are severely constrained by the lack of funds due to the State's financial crisis and the continued"borrowing" of transportation funds. The COG is also proposing a Community 2050 Workshop to share thoughts and discussion regarding countywide growth challenges until the year 2050. This forum will be held from 9 a.m. to noon at Grace Church in San Luis Obispo on March 11, 2005.