Evaluation for Additional Wildlife Protection Fencing Approved

The Boards of Directors for the Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency (F/ETCA) and San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor Agency (SJHTCA) approved contract amendments with the University of California, Davis Wildlife Health Center, allowing UC Davis to provide wildlife protection fencing evaluation services for both Agencies. New studies will evaluate opportunities for future wildlife fencing along State Routes (SR) 73, 133, 261, and additional segments on SR 241.

In 2016, the F/ETCA completed the SR 241 Wildlife Protection Fencing Project, installing 12 miles of wildlife protection fencing on both sides of the SR 241 north leg between Chapman Avenue and SR 91. The award-winning fencing has worked exceptionally well in reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions and now serves as an international model that others seek to emulate.

Due to the success of the SR 241 Wildlife Protection Fencing Project, evaluations will be conducted to assist in developing recommendations to determine if wildlife fencing should be implemented on SR 73 and on additional sections of SR 241.

Habitat Conservation Fund Process

The F/ETCA Board of Directors approved the Habitat Conservation Fund (HCF) implementation process and funding allocation, as well as the selection criteria for land acquisition and habitat restoration. In coordination with Save San Onofre Coalition (SSOC), TCA established a process to obligate funds between two categories of conservation measures – habitat restoration and property acquisition. Eight million dollars is allocated for smaller, lower cost, near-term projects like habitat restoration and smaller property acquisitions by 2025. The remaining $20 million is allocated for larger property acquisitions with higher biological value to be allocated before 2030.

In November 2016, the F/ETCA approved a Settlement Agreement with SSOC and several other parties regarding the F/ETCA’s efforts on the 241 South and Tesoro Extension. Under the terms of the Settlement Agreement, F/ETCA agreed to commit to the expenditure of a $28 million Habitat Conservation Fund for the purpose of preserving and restoring the San Mateo Creek and its watershed priority areas through land acquisitions, habitat restoration projects or other environmentally beneficial projects.

An open solicitation for the availability of the Habitat Conservation Fund will be issued by the end of 2024 and is an open grant opportunity for organizations, governmental agencies, and other entities that have an interest in environmental conservation.

Fiscal Year 25 (FY25) Strategic Plan Update

The joint Boards of Directors approved updates to the TCA Strategic Plan to incorporate changes in alignment with the Agencies’ goals and objectives and associated activities in the seven focus areas of Fiscal Management, Environmental Stewardship, Customer Service, Tolling Technology, Public Engagement, Capital Projects and Regional Mobility Partnerships.

The Strategic Plan was originally adopted in 2022 as a seven-year rolling plan, which has been revised to a shorter five-year rolling plan period to align with changing technology and transportation policies that may affect the Agencies’ strategic focus. While many activities have been completed in the original plan, the focus in the near horizon will be centered around the following activities:

• Opportunities for continued early paydown of bond principal resulting in reduction of debt and future interest savings.
• Delivery of the SR 241/91 Express Connector, SR 241 Loma Segment and SR 73 Catalina View capital projects.
• Operational investments that maintain and improve efficiencies in roadway operations and customer service.
• Continuation of the Agencies’ legacy for environmental stewardship and exploration of broader approaches that included recreational uses and community involvement.
• Launching research efforts to apply and adjust to innovations in transportation that enhance safety, increase throughput, and align with statewide efforts.

San Bernardino County Transportation Authority Back-Office Implementation Update

On August 28, TCA and San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) delivered an innovative, first-of-its kind partnership to our region with the opening of SB Express Lanes on I-10.

As part of the 2018 Cooperative Agreement between the two agencies, TCA is the account and payment processing partner for SBCTA. The partnership leverages TCA’s back-office system for overall cost savings to SBCTA and saves both agencies’ operating costs due to improved economies of scale.

Since the opening of the I-10 Express Lanes, TCA has processed more than 191,000 transactions and handled over 700 phone calls into the call center.

As an innovator in tolling practices with tremendous value in partnering, TCA will continue to look for additional opportunities to partner for toll processing in the region and areas outside of Southern California.