State Transportation Commission to hold Town Hall meeting in Gonzales

LOCAL OFFICIALS WILL EXPRESS NEEDS TO STATE TRANSPORTATION COMMISSIONERS AT GONZALES TOWN HALL MEETING”

MONTEREY COUNTY – The Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC) announced that commissioners from the California Transportation Commission will be here on September 19-20 to meet with local officials and residents to discuss current and future transportation needs that address safety improvements and the economic vibrancy of the region.

Debbie Hale, the Executive Director of TAMC, said, “This is a great opportunity for us and for them. It’s not often that we get a visit from the Commissioners; and with this visit, they get to hear directly from the community about what our needs are in Monterey County, which are often different from those in more urban communities.”

The Commission is the primary decision-maker for California funding of transportation projects. According to Ms. Hale, “The Commission allocated $19 million to the Imjin Parkway project through SB 1 funds and they will be able to fund US 101 improvements south of Salinas if the new gas taxes remain in place.”

On Wednesday, September 19, TAMC, the City of Gonzales, and a coalition of Central Coast transportation professionals will host a town hall meeting with the Commissioners from 1:00 – 3:30 p.m. at the Gonzales City Hall, 117 Fourth Street, Gonzales. During that meeting, commissioners will be given an overview of transportation needs that include the movement of agricultural goods, transit services, and the importance of US 101, a north-south freight corridor which serves not only businesses in California but national and international markets as well.

Presenters at the town hall meeting include the Monterey County Agricultural Commissioner and representatives from TAMC, the City of Gonzales, the Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments, Monterey County Farm Bureau, Monterey County Vintners and Growers, Monterey-Salinas Transit, and Caltrans District 5.

After the meeting, the commissioners will review the Gonzales’ Alta Street Project, which was Monterey County’s first major project funded by revenues from Measure X and the gas tax (SB 1), followed by a tour of the Taylor Farms facility in Gonzales.

On Thursday, September 20, Commissioners will take a guided bus tour along some of most congested roadways to learn about Monterey County projects designed to address safety and congestion. These projects include: US 101 south of Salinas, Highways 1, 68 and 218, Imjin Parkway, and the Rail Extension to Salinas.