Wednesday morning, the Placer County Transportation Planning Agency (PCTPA) Board of Directors, acting as the Placer County Local Transportation Authority, unanimously adopted the Keep Placer Moving Transportation Investment Plan and made a formal request to the Placer County Board of Supervisors to place the measure on the November ballot.
This follows a unanimous support for the draft investment plan by the Placer County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, and approval of every City and Town Council throughout May and June.
“Our road conditions are bad, and are getting worse every day. It’s impacting our quality of life and our economy, and it’s very clear that the state and federal governments are not coming to our rescue. A local source of funding would allow us to plan today for our community’s tomorrow,” said PCTPA Board Chair and Roseville Vice Mayor Susan Rohan. “The unanimous support from all the cities, town, and county for the investment plan underscores the need for a local solution to our transportation problems.”
The Transportation Investment Plan outlines funding for road repairs and improvements to major highways and would help relieve traffic congestion, particularly in the I-80 and SR 65 corridors. In addition, the plan improves transportation options by providing funding for safe routes to school, an expanded pedestrian and bicycle trail network, increased Capitol Corridor rail and commuter bus services, and enhanced dial a ride service for seniors and disabled residents.
The funding for the Transportation Investment Plan would come from a 0.5% countywide sales tax which would expire in 30 years and, once placed on the ballot, will require a 2/3 majority vote of Placer County voters to be enacted. The measure also requires all revenues be spent in accordance with the Investment Plan. “Nobody likes taxes,” noted PCTPA Boardmember and Auburn City Councilmember Keith Nesbitt. “But we need to maintain our roads and make transportation improvements to keep up the unique quality of life here in Placer County. And with important safeguards like an Independent Citizen Oversight Committee, and annual published audits, the public will know that the money is spent as promised.”
Learn more about the plan to Keep Placer Moving at www.keepplacermoving.com, and stay up to date with PCTPA by liking us on Facebook.