Organization of the
Regional Transportation Plan
The overall goal of the 2008 RTP is:
To develop, operate, and
maintain a well-coordinated, balanced, countywide multimodal transportation
system that is safe, efficient, and provides good access to all cities,
communities, and recreational facilities in Humboldt County, and into adjoining
regions. A balanced multimodal
transportation includes, but is not limited to highways and local roads, public
transit and paratransit, aviation facilities, marine transport, railroads,
bicycle facilities and pedestrian facilities.
This 2008 RTP has been updated in compliance with guidelines established by the California Transportation Commission. Intended as a resource, and as a guide, for integrated and comprehensive regional transportation planning, the plan is focused on achieving a coordinated and balanced multi-modal transportation system, in both the short and long terms, while maintaining the existing transportation system in a condition that promotes safety and facilitates recreational and tourist travel.
The RTP is organized by transportation mode, which include: (1) Highway and Roadway Transportation System; (2) Public Transit Service System; (3) Bicycle and Pedestrian System; (4) Aviation System; (5) Goods Movement System; and (6) Tribal Transportation. Each element includes some or all of the following sections: (1) System Description; (2) Needs Assessment; (3) Goals, Policies and Objectives; (4) Action Plan; (5) Financial Summary; (6) Performance Measures; and (7) Accomplishments since the 2006 RTP was adopted.
The system descriptions provide detailed information regarding the current conditions for each mode of transportation. The needs assessments identify needs, and outlines improvements that may be required to accommodate current needs and future transportation conditions. The goals, policies and objectives sections include regional policies and objectives that promote an efficient and equitable transportation infrastructure. The action plans include planned, programmed, and illustrative projects over the next 20 years. The financial summaries assess available financial resources, project funding and (where information is available) outline funding strategies for future transportation improvements. Performance measures are linked to policies and objectives; to set standards against which to evaluate project effectiveness.
During 2008 RTP Update preparation, recently completed plans, policy documents and studies addressing transportation and environmental issues in Humboldt County were reviewed and incorporated. They include 5-year Capital Improvement Programs for various cities and the airports managed by the Humboldt County Public Works Aviation Division; Transportation Development Act Unmet Transit Needs Report and Findings FY 2007-08; Humboldt Coordinated Transportation Alliance project report; bicycle and pedestrian needs studies; a parking needs study; 2004 HCAOG Regional Bicycle Transportation Plan; Phase I and Phase II Manila Community Transportation Plan; HUMPal Transportation Disadvantaged Populations Report and Defining Healthy Design in Humboldt County: A Policy Charrette; and the Hoopa Traffic Calming and Safety Enhancement in the Hoopa Valley Indian Reservation: A Conceptual Plan for Hoopa. In addition, updated data was collected from recent transit performance audits; financial audits; the Humboldt Transit Authority, Eureka Transit System and Arcata and Mad River Transit System Transportation Development Plans; California Department of Transportation Transit Emergency Planning Guidance; marine and rail studies, including general planning documents, Port of Humboldt Bay Harbor Revitalization Plan, North Coast Railroad Authority 2006 Strategic Plan and Progress Report, The Long Term Financial and Economic Feasibility of the Northwestern Pacific Railroad, and the NCRA Capital Assessment Report.; the six Airport Master Plans for Humboldt County Airports; and the Land Use Compatibility Plan for Humboldt County Airports.
In compliance with the CTC RTP guidelines, the following plans were reviewed and incorporated (where applicable) into the 2008 RTP, California Transportation Plan; California Rail Plan; Interregional Transportation Strategic Plan; Transportation Concept Reports; California Aviation System Plan; Statewide Wildlife Action Plan; Goods Movement Action Plan; Strategic Highway Safety Plan; and California Highway Safety Plan.
Since many of the major roads within Humboldt County are under the jurisdiction of state and federal agencies and municipalities, coordination with those agencies is an important part of the RTP Update. Jurisdictions and agencies with transportation systems located within the Humboldt County, or affected by the RTP, were invited to participate in the RTP update process.
Internal and public review was encouraged during RTP development. The HCAOG Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) provided oversight of the plan’s development. The RTP planning process was developed to provide various opportunities for public involvement, including consultations with local Native American tribes, associated transportation entities, citizen groups, and other stakeholders.
Highway and Roadway
Transportation System
Humboldt County’s roadway system has approximately 1,400 miles of county roads and city streets, 378 miles of state highways, including U.S. Highway 101, and roadways on federal lands. Critical needs for the highways and roadways are safety, capacity/functionality, and maintenance/rehabilitation, and environmental compliance. Repetitive highway closures from natural disasters due to the unique geography of Humboldt County pose economic, social and environmental threats. Landslides occur with regularity along US 101 and SR 299 along certain roadway segments. These slides entail significant costs for roadway repair and maintenance and economic costs in the form of closures. Another area of concern for safety is the US 101 Eureka/Arcata corridor, which has a history of a higher-than-average number of accidents; Caltrans, HCAOG and the Federal Highway Administration are currently cooperating on a project to improve safety and reduce delay at intersections, reduce traffic conflicts, and rehabilitate existing facilities along this corridor.
Roadways that are congested or that are in poor condition present
safety concerns for drivers, bikers and pedestrians. While roadway congestion in Humboldt County is not a major
transportation issue, increased development pressures have added and are likely
to add vehicle volume to the County’s roadways that will exacerbate existing conditions
over the next 20 years. Many roadways are already operating at or above capacity
during peak hours and others are expected to have segments that reach or exceed
capacity as traffic volumes increase over the next 20 years, with corresponding
declines in levels of service.
Private industry representatives have indicated that making US 101 a four-lane facility south towards San Francisco and north to Crescent City would benefit the industry. Such improvements would provide cost savings to the industry by reducing congestion and travel times. In addition, the industry could use longer truck trailers to help cut transportation costs. These savings will have to be quantified to determine whether they are significant enough, when coupled with other factors such as safety and operational concerns, to warrant highway expansion.
Overall, the County’s roads are in “poor” condition. County staff estimated that the total backlog in roadway maintenance and rehabilitation is close to $150 million, and City staffs noted an additional backlog of $72-80 million in maintenance and rehabilitation of city streets. And the total cost of currently planned roadway projects is over $260 million (including STIP, SHOPP, other). Funding for these projects is often an order of magnitude or more lower than what is needed to fund planned projects. In fact, a summary of anticipated RTP revenues and costs indicates that estimated 20-year revenues are currently about four-fifths of the revenue needed to meet existing planned project needs.
In light of constrained funding for transportation and economic hardships for both state and federal governments, competition for limited resources will continue to be pressing for the County. This creates an environment in which HCAOG must act in its regional capacity to prioritize candidate projects that promote an efficient regional transportation system. Several million dollars of programmed STIP projects nominated by HCAOG are still awaiting funds from the California Transportation Commission. These projects can serve as the basis for prioritization.
Public Transit and Paratransit Services
Humboldt County’s public transportation system consists of fixed route transit, commuter services, paratransit services, social service transportation, and cross-county, or interregional, services.
Humboldt County is currently served by two commuter transit services (i.e., Redwood Transit System and the Willow Creek RTS Extension Service) and four fixed route public transit services (i.e., Eureka Transit Service, Arcata & Mad River Transit, Klamath/Trinity Non Emergency Transportation and Blue Lake Rancheria Transit). Paratransit services in Humboldt County are provided by City Ambulance, K-T Net, HTA, Blue Lake Rancheria Dial-A-Ride, the City of Fortuna, Humboldt Community Access and Resource Center, Bridgeville Community Center, and the Ferndale Senior Resource Agency.
With respect to the delivery of public transit programs, especially within a large, rural county, Humboldt’s system has been fairly successful. However, the need for public transit, and enhanced transit services, is increasing, countywide. The average age of Humboldt residents is rising, with more elderly people becoming unable to drive and/or voluntarily giving up their driving privileges. Furthermore, state clean air legislation mandates the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from mobile sources, such as cars and light duty trucks. One public transit bus, filled to capacity, takes 44 cars off the road.
Fixed route and paratransit needs are assessed on a yearly basis. Additional evening and Sunday fixed route and paratransit service, and services to outlying communities (Orick, Garberville, Hydesville-Bridgeville) are transit needs expressed by Humboldt County residents on an annual basis. The transit providers would like to see the development of park and ride facilities that accommodate intermodal travel, and the expansion of transit services in areas that are currently underserved and/or not served by public and paratransit services.
Public transit 20 year protected short and long term capital costs, without adjusting for inflation, are $22 million dollars; projected operating costs, are anticipated to be $103,241,686 taking into account a 4% annual inflation. Projected 20 year transit revenues are $77 million dollars. Based on the 20 year projection, costs are expected to outpace revenues by a total of $48 million.
Expanding and improving Humboldt’s public transit and paratransit system will require additional revenue streams, perceptual, as well as practical, measures; convenience, comfort, frequency, accessibility, and the reliability of transit services are all determining factors for encouraging, and increasing, transit use.
Bicycle and
Pedestrian Service System
Walking and cycling are year-round transportation choices for many Humboldt County residents. Many locals are dedicated walkers, and cyclists, who remain active in any weather. General interest in these activities, for fitness, efficiency, and energy savings, is increasing.
In Humboldt County, as in most areas, the local cycling population is made up of bicycle commuters, those who use multiple modes (such as combining bicycling and transit) and recreational, single-mode cyclists. While cycling is a choice for some, many of these users do not have access to other modes of transportation. Children, low-income members of the community, and college students frequently utilize bicycle transportation out of necessity.
For the purposes of the RTP, commuting is defined as non-recreational trips to specific destinations – everything from travel for work, school or shopping, to visiting friends or attending events. Recreational walking and cycling would include any type of either activity performed essentially for fun or fitness – from mountain biking and road cycling, to urban or trail hiking and pleasure walking.
Data from the 2000 Census shows that less than two percent of Humboldt County residents, aged 16 years or older, used a bicycle for work-related trips. However, census data did not include information on individuals who use bicycles as their primary mode of transportation aside from work-related commuting, or for transportation to and from school.
Data from the 2000 Census indicates that 6.5 percent of Humboldt County residents, aged 16 years or older walk to work. Although pedestrians typically include all population segments, the elderly, children, college students, low-income, and disabled individuals are most likely to walk. People with disabilities comprise a substantial part of the pedestrian population -- especially elderly citizens who have a variety of mobility and sensory limitations.
Facilities most utilized
by pedestrians are: sidewalks, crosswalks, and where those facilities are not
available, road or highway shoulders (albeit road shoulders are not considered
a pedestrian facility).
Aviation System
There are nine public use airports in Humboldt County. Humboldt County Department of Public Works Aviation Division is responsible for the management of the Arcata-Eureka Airport, Dinsmore Airport, Garberville Airport, Kneeland Airport, Murray Field Airport, and Rohnerville Airport. The City of Eureka is responsible for the management of the Eureka Municipal Airport. Shelter Cove Airport is managed by the Resort Improvement District 1 and Hoopa Airport is managed by the Hoopa Valley Tribal Council.
The Arcata-Eureka is the only commercial service airport in Humboldt County. The airport is served daily by Horizon Airlines, United Express, and Delta Airlines. Murray Field and the Arcata-Eureka Airports are also served on a daily basis by several dedicated cargo companies (Federal Express, United Parcel Service, AmeriFlight, and Union Flight). A CAL FIRE air attack base and training facility is located at the Rohnerville Airport.
All six of the airports owned and operated by Humboldt County Department of Public Works Aviation have undergone repairs and/or upgrades in the past two years. Airport Master Plans and five year plans have also been developed for all six Humboldt County Airports. Short and long term projects have been identified as a result of Humboldt County’s planning efforts. However, the Humboldt County short and long term planned projects, in addition to the illustrative projects identified by the City of Eureka, Resort Improvement District 1, and Hoopa Valley Tribal Council will be dependent on the availability of funds.
Goods Movement
The Goods Movement Element focuses on truck and marine transportation modes for moving goods in and out of Humboldt County. The Element follows California’s "Statewide Goods Movement Strategy" focusing on ways to improve existing system efficiency, through technology and other means, to maximize capacity and reliability and minimize long-term costs.
Goods movement provides three distinct functions in Humboldt County: 1) local pickup and delivery service; 2) domestic trade; and 3) international trade. Local service trucking represents the largest share of truck goods movement, supporting local business and consumer markets. Domestic long-haul trucking provides access to national markets and connections to major goods suppliers. Long-haul trucks also provide connectivity with marine, air and rail systems. Marine and aviation provide access to national and international markets. Currently there is no active rail service in and from Humboldt County.
Truck transport is and will continue to be the primary method of goods movement into, within and out of Humboldt County. With the highways and local roads currently bearing the burden of all goods movement through Humboldt County, improvement of the State highway system is the primary need. Currently, conditions on certain sections of U.S. 101 and S.R. 299, including Richardson Grove and Buckhorn Summit, limit the length of trucks that are able to enter and leave Humboldt County. Improvements to these roadway sections will improve the efficiency with which trucks are able to travel into, within and out of the County.
The Port of Humboldt Bay’s transportation competitiveness is limited by a number of economic and geographic conditions that do not constrain other potentially competing ports, including the area’s relative remoteness and rugged topography. Intermodal facility development is an important future need. Improving intermodal transitions (e.g., ship to truck) for goods movement requires both coordinated scheduling and appropriate facilities.
In terms of rail transport, the Northwestern Pacific Railroad line, which formerly served Humboldt Bay, has been closed since 1998. Reopening the line depends on the availability funds, a number of agency and environmental approvals, and a potentially costly stabilization of the line through highly unstable geological materials along the northern route (the Eel River Canyon).
Tribal Transportation
Humboldt County Native American Tribes were consulted as part of the 2008 RTP update process. The Tribes were contacted via the Humboldt County Tribal Transportation Commission (HCTTC) meetings, HCAOG TAC meetings and direct correspondence via email and phone. Five Humboldt County tribes are represented on the HCAOG TAC: Blue Lake Rancheria, Hoopa Tribe, Karuk Tribe of California, Trinidad Rancheria, and the Yurok Tribe.
Blue Lake Rancheria. Blue Lake Rancheria began a fixed-route intercity bus service in the fall of 2002. The vehicle fleet consists of one 20-passenger bus that is lift equipped. Blue Lake Rancheria’s fixed-route transit runs Monday through Friday and serves the Rancheria, Blue Lake, Glendale, HSU and the Arcata Transit Center. Blue Lake Rancheria’s Dial-A-Ride service serves Blue Lake, McKinleyville and Fieldbrook. The vehicle fleet consists of one van that is lift-equipped.
Hoopa Tribe. The Hoopa Valley Reservation total backlog cost for roadway maintenance and rehabilitation needs is approximately $900,000. Planned program costs total $15 million, and illustrative projects total over $100 million. In 2003 Hoopa was awarded a grant under the Environmental Justice: Context Sensitive Planning for Communities Grant Program to involve the community in crafting design solutions to traffic safety problems, specifically the “critical injury cluster sites” along SR 96, while supporting existing community development efforts. A blueprint for implementing ideas related to pedestrian safety along Highway 96 through downtown Hoopa was developed in 2006.
Karuk Tribe. The Karuk Tribe works directly with the BIA and the Federal Highways Administration to accomplish road construction and maintenance activities. The tribe carries out its own road maintenance activities, and is planning the construction of new roads. The Karuk tribal roads need repair and rehabilitation. The Karuk Tribe of California would like to improve pedestrian and bicycle facilities on Red Cap Road, SR 96, and Ishi Pishi Road.
Trinidad Rancheria. The Trinidad Rancheria is beginning to plan and build infrastructure, to look at transportation connectivity, and to develop long-range planning for cultural preservation, housing, land, environment and economic development. Pedestrian and bicycle travel, safe routes to school, and alternative access to the Rancheria are transportation are important issues. Currently, the Rancheria is engaged in three major projects: the Trinidad Pier Reconstruction Project, the stabilization and rehabilitation of Scenic Drive, and the planning for a new US 101 Interchange directly to the Trinidad Rancheria.
Yurok Tribe. Most roadways on the Yurok reservation are incomplete, underdeveloped or falling seriously behind acceptable standards for public roads. The estimated cost for roadway rehabilitation projects is over $630 million. The reconstruction of 20.1 miles of SR 169 is estimated to cost over $200 million. And the realignment and pavement of Bald Hills Road is estimated to cost over $60 million. The roadway maintenance backlog could be in the hundreds of millions of dollars. In fact, most roadways have fallen into such deplorable condition that road maintenance can no longer address the problem, and most routes now require major roadway rehabilitation.
Community Input
Community workshops were held to solicit community input for the 2008 RTP update. The Community Workshops were held at the Wharfinger Building in Eureka, the Monday Club in Fortuna and Azalea Hall in McKinleyville. The purpose of the workshops was to construct a process that generates useful comments, adds value to the process, builds community engagement, obtain input on all of the transportation modes, and get workshop participants to dialogue with one another on transportation issues.
The information presented in the Community Input Element represents the views of the Humboldt County residents that submitted written comments and attended the community workshops—it does not necessarily represent the views of all Humboldt County residents. Even so, it provides valuable insights and is worthy of consideration with respect to transportation project programming and funding priorities.
Workshop Exercise Number One. For the first workshop exercise, participants were asked to rank the four transportation modes based on personal interest, need or sense of importance. The majority of all community workshop participants ranked the four transportation modes in the following order: bicycle and pedestrian facilities, public transit and paratransit services, highway and roads, and goods movement.
Workshop Exercise Number Two. For the second workshop exercise, participants were provided with four options for each of the four the modes of transportation. The majority of workshop participants selected the following options as their first choices for each mode:
· Goods Movement: Eliminate STAA pinch points on US 101 and Highway 299 to facilitate the movement of goods via STAA trucks.
· Transit: Increase the frequency of public transit service in areas already served by adding express transit service and direct routes.
· Bicycle and Pedestrian: Develop pedestrian and bicycle trail connections among communities (for example, pedestrian and trail connections among McKinleyville, Blue Lake, Arcata and Eureka).
· Highways and Roadways: Increase major road capacity to accommodate other modes of travel (for example bicycle lanes, sidewalks and transit stops).
Community Input Process Commentary. At the end of each community workshop,
participants were asked to provide their comments on the process used to
solicit input. There were many comments
received, and the following list provides a representative sampling:
· Did not like categories within highway/roads and goods movement—problems with individual options.
· Skewed toward public transit.
· Not enough information.
· Information presented was good.
· What is HCAOG?
· Like to see HCAOG hold these meetings in underserved communities (they need it the most).
· Broader dialogue desired.
· Certain interest groups are underrepresented.
· Great discussion – hearing others’ priorities; discussions helped people become more creative.
· How much money is at stake?
A more detailed discussion of workshop participants’ responses is provided in the Community Input Element.