Transportation Corridor Agencies March Board Meeting Highlights

Boards Receive Communications Update

The Boards received an update from the Transportation Corridor Agencies’ (TCA) Communications department including recent earned media coverage, news releases, social media, industry recognition and a new video highlighting TCA’s cattle grazing program. Below are two of the items covered in the presentation:

• Conservation Grazing Program Off to a Great Start
  The Boards viewed a new video highlighting TCA’s cattle grazing pilot program. The program recently kicked off at the Agencies’ Live Oak Plaza Conservation Area in Trabuco Canyon. The program, approved by the Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency (F/ETCA) Board of Directors last year, helps mitigate wildfire risk and promote native vegetation.
• Oso Parkway Bridge Receives Industry Recognition
  During the presentation it was announced that the recently completed Oso Parkway Bridge project was named “2020 Outstanding Bridge Project” by the American Society of Civil Engineers (Orange County Branch). A virtual awards ceremony will be held on Thursday, March 18, 2021.

Collaboration Sought on Toll Road Legislation

The Boards had an in-depth discussion about various pieces of legislation with a focus on those sponsored by Senators Josh Newman (SB 623) and Pat Bates (SB 760/761). SB 623, supported by both Boards, is the outcome of a statewide coalition of transportation agencies and focuses on protecting consumer privacy and ensuring efficient toll operations. The Boards expressed several concerns regarding the need and transportation policy impact SB 760/761 would have on Orange County and across the state but expressed a willingness to allow Senator Bates to address the concerns. During the deliberations there were many comments and actions taken by the Boards that sought to continue the successful collaboration that has occurred at the local level. The Boards took action to appoint Director Heft and direct the CEO to share the Boards’ concerns and ideas with the Senator and for the Chairs to establish a working group to develop consensus solutions to address the concerns of South County member cities and resolve ongoing litigation.

Safety is #1: TCA and CHP Focus on Speed Awareness

CEO Samuel Johnson announced that, as requested by the Boards, TCA operations staff reached out and strengthened its partnership with the California Highway Patrol to provide increased targeted enforcement to promote good driving behaviors on The Toll Roads. He also highlighted how TCA will advance a communications plan to support the effort and remind drivers that personal safety and the safety of others should be everyone’s priority.