The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is soliciting comments from the public — and from private industry — on what will be included in the next 20-year plan to improve business and community freight connections across the state.
California Freight Mobility Plan (CFMP 2019) and other state plans will be considered by the U.S. Transportation Department as it shapes a national freight plan.
Projects identified in California’s plan will be eligible to apply for a higher percentage of federal funding, Caltrain officials said in a press release. Each state is required by federal and state law to update its freight plan every five years to spot and plan for trends.
"Our freight system faces much of the same issues as the state highway system: congestion and questions about how to make it more environmentally and economically sustainable," said Caltrans Director Laurie Berman. "Freight movement is critical to our economy, generating about $2.2 trillion each year and the amount moving through California is expected to continue to grow."
Workshops for public and industry focus groups will be held this month and next to offer opportunities for input, Caltrans said. The plan will be finalized by December 2019.
