Caltrans proposes modest ITIP increase, flags carryover needs and five new projects

Caltrans presented the 2026 Interregional Transportation Improvement Program (ITIP) at the Transportation Commission’s northern STIP hearing.

James Anderson, division chief for financial programming at Caltrans, said the ITIP supports statewide policy including the California Transportation Plan 2050 and the 2021 Interregional Transportation Strategic Plan (ITSP). Anderson reported roughly $169,000,000 in new ITIP capacity and that Caltrans had requested an additional roughly $7.6 million, which would raise the ITIP capacity to about $176.7 million. Anderson said roughly $61.2 million of that total is available to fund new interregional projects; the remainder is intended for cost updates and carryover funding for ongoing ITIP projects.

Caltrans said it included five new projects in the 2026 ITIP package (two passenger rail, one mass transit, one active‑transportation and one highway project) and noted that the bulk of the proposed ITIP investment aligns with rail and active‑transportation infrastructure. Anderson told commissioners that almost all public testimony and written letters received at ITSP hearings expressed support for the selections, with a few requests for additional information on selected projects. Caltrans offered debriefs for proposers whose projects were not selected and said staff will continue to coordinate with regional agencies as it prepares recommendations for the March adoption meeting.

Caltrans and staff emphasized eligibility checks for some new projects, including confirmation that proposed projects are part of adopted regional transportation plans and have committed funding beyond SB‑1 where applicable. Staff said formal recommendations will be posted no later than Feb. 27, 2026.