California Asks For Public Input On Shipping

The State of California held its first California Freight Mobility Plan open house Tuesday night in Old Sacramento. 

The event was at the California State Railroad Museum. Caltrans presented its goals related to congestion, safety, the environment, and technological innovation.  Visitors were asked to submit their ideas for improving the plan.

Bill Magavern with the Coalition For Clean Air says using clean technology will help the plan meet many of its other goals.

"The movement of goods is particularly responsible for a lot of diesel exhaust," Magavern says. "We know that diesel exhaust is actually a toxic air contaminant."

Bob Schott from Cameron Park was hoping for more specifics.

"The recommendations or the priorities on how projects would be selected," Schott said. "I see there's some effort here to do that, although it seems very very broad."

Some cities and the state legislature have introduced laws regarding oil or coal transport, but Bruce deTerra with Caltrans says this plan looks at the best ways to move all goods by truck, train, or ship. 

"For something specific like the issue with the oil trains, we wouldn't specifically address it." deTerra says. "But, if something comes out of the process going on now, we'd incorporate those findings within our freight plan when those are done."

Caltrans will hold seven more open houses from Redding to San Diego before July 31st.  The final plan for transportation planning and investments is supposed to be finished by December 31st.