Caltrans is offering several opportunities for industry and the public to weigh in on what will be included in the next California Freight Mobility Plan. The Plan is a statewide, long-range plan to improve business and community freight connections over the next 20 years.

“Our freight system faces much of the same issues as the state highway system: congestion and questions about how to make it more environmentally and economically sustainable,” said Caltrans Director Laurie Berman. “Freight movement is critical to our economy, generating about $2.2 trillion each year and the amount moving through California is expected to continue to grow.”

Federal and state mandates require each state to update its freight plan five years to identify trends and plan for them so Caltrans is proactively seeking early and meaningful public input to understand and incorporate public priorities into the CFMP 2019.

Workshops for the public and industry focus groups include:

PUBLIC WORKSHOPS
Introductory SoCal Public Workshop: Diamond Bar, May 18, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Introductory NorCal Public Workshop: West Sacramento, June 6, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

INDUSTRY FOCUS GROUPS
Bakersfield, April 27, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Riverside/San Bernardino, May 17, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Los Angeles, May 18, 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The U.S. Department of Transportation will rely on the plan and other state plans as it shapes a national freight plan. Projects identified in California’s plan will be eligible to apply for a higher percentage of federal funding.

Caltrans is developing the plan in partnership with the California State Transportation Agency, California Freight Advisory Committee, freight stakeholders, public agencies, Native American tribal governments and environmental, air quality and labor advocacy groups to provide the framework for safe, sustainable, reliable and efficient movement of freight and people.

This plan is especially important because California is a national and global trade leader. Of the country’s internationally traded consumer products, about 40 percent is transported through California’s seaports on the Pacific Rim.

The plan will be finalized by December 2019.

For more workshops or CFMP 2019 information, visit the CFMP 2019 webpage. Email CFMP@dot.ca.gov to receive future notifications and information on the CFMP 2019.