SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Cathleen Galgiani (D – Stockton) and Assemblymember John Benoit (R – Bermuda Dunes) have requested that the California State Auditor conduct an operational audit of the Section 190 Grade Separation Funding Program.  Galgiani and Benoit  submitted the request to the Joint Legislative Audit Committee just before the Easter break.  The request has been forwarded to the State Auditor to be evaluated and scheduled for a hearing.

The audit was requested by the Assemblymembers to determine if the complex and time-consuming process for transportation agencies to obtain approval and funding for grade separation projects is effectively meeting the goals of the program as originally prescribed by legislation.

A grade separation project consists of building an overpass or underpass to separate vehicle traffic from railroad track crossings. Current law requires the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to establish and administer a priority list of grade separation projects that are eligible for funding.  It also requires that the California Transportation Commission (CTC) make allocations for grade separation projects according to the PUC-generated priority list.   The list currently has more than 100 Projects needed throughout the state.

Additionally, Section 190 of the Streets and Highways Code requires the California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) to include $15 million in its annual budget to be used for grade separation projects, which often goes unallocated.  Even if it was allocated, a typical grade separation project could cost approximately $ 30 million and can take years to complete.

“There is a great need throughout California for grade separations in areas such as the City of Merced.  The current state program obviously does little or nothing to address that need and requires some updating in terms of process and funding,” said Galgiani, “There is a problem when there are over 100 projects waiting for funding and the Department isn’t including enough money in their budget to fund even one of these programs.  Funding must be increased and the projects must be put in priority order, taking everything into account, including the accessibility of emergency vehicles.”

Specifically, the operational audit is requested to determine if the program is meeting the original goals of the legislation, is adequately funded, has overly-burdensom requirements or can be improved in statute.