Caltrans outlines BUILD, OTS and CARB funding opportunities and answers local traffic-signal questions

An unnamed Caltrans district representative briefed the Council of Governments on three grant opportunities and local operational matters. On federal grants, the representative said the USDOT BUILD program has "$1,500,000,000 available" and noted the application deadline is Feb. 24; Caltrans offered letters of support if local agencies request them by Dec. 18. The representative also summarized a California Office of Traffic Safety FY27 highway safety call for projects (deadline Jan. 31) and a California Air Resources Board community planning and capacity‑building grant program with "$7,300,000 available" (deadline Feb. 10).

Board members and residents followed with operational questions about a Murphy’s/Valley Springs intersection. A resident asked how emergency vehicles would exit the fire station when traffic is queued at the new signal. The Caltrans representative said they are coordinating with the fire department and can provide an emergency-activation function so emergency responders can clear traffic and proceed safely. On schedule, the representative said the site should be returned to two-direction traffic "before the end of this month" but could not give an exact date.

The chair and board members thanked Caltrans for the district's participation and for following up on site issues, including parking-space preservation in a downtown block discussed earlier in the meeting.

Ending: Caltrans staff listed grant deadlines and offered support letters; board and staff will follow up on project timing and emergency‑vehicle procedures with District staff.