Tehama County commission authorizes grant submission, pledges local match for Lake California Drive reconstruction

The Tehama County Transportation Commission on Feb. 23 authorized staff to submit a federal BUILD discretionary grant application and to provide the required non‑federal match certifications for the Lake California Drive reconstruction project.

Jessica, a TCTC staff member, told commissioners the agency submitted a BUILD request of $21,926,362 and identified approximately $9.7 million in other funding sources — including HSIP, CMAQ and congressionally directed spending — plus a non‑federal share of about $7,910,000 to meet the project’s match requirements. Jessica said most of the project’s eligible costs will go to construction and that staff will provide a full cost breakdown and a more detailed presentation next month.

"Now that we have these cost estimates, we are able to build a funding summary plan and get the funds that we need to request," Jessica said, explaining that the federal program requires a formal certification that non‑federal match is committed and the agency has the financial capacity to deliver the project.

An unidentified staff member emphasized community support and the commission’s role in guaranteeing the local match. "If we're awarded, the Tehama County Transportation Commission will commit to put those local STIP funds toward the project," the staff member said.

Staff described safety and resilience elements included in the scope: a widened roadway, a separated bicycle path to improve ingress and egress for emergency vehicles, shoulder widening, curve realignment, and solar‑powered emergency lighting and beacons that can be remotely activated during smoke events or nighttime incidents.

Commissioners asked for additional detail on total project cost and timeline. Jessica said staff would return with a full presentation; she said the target completion date for the project is 2030.

On consolidated motions, the commission authorized: (a) the interim executive director to sign the funding commitment letter, (b) the deputy director to submit required documents, and (c) all necessary federal match verifications and assurances. All three motions carried by voice vote.

The commission also asked public works staff to present the grant application and the project scope at the next meeting so commissioners and the public could review the detailed breakdown and the safety analyses.

What happens next: staff will finalize and submit the BUILD application, pursue additional competitive programs (including the Active Transportation Program), and return with a detailed cost breakdown and implementation schedule for commission review.