Sierra Chapter’s annual, joint event with CalMentor drew a sizable crowd to hear Eric Souza, Caltran’s North Region Acting Director. The CalMentor program encourages new businesses in California to partner with larger firms to pursue public-works projects. CalMentor holds events throughout the year to formalize mentor/protegee partnerships.
Eric touched on several exciting initiatives, including the Middle-Mile Broadband Network, Complete Streets initiative, and funding sources. Caltran’s major goal is to reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMTs) in all of their new projects. New project designs can lower VMTs by increasing mass transit, pedestrian, and bicycle traffic. Caltran’s Complete Streets initiative makes sure that new projects include full mobility for local communities and safe alternative forms of transportation. Attendees were excited to hear about the litany of new and existing project funding sources including SB1, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), and others.
Caltrans is working to improve project procurement and delivery through a new common project data pool and the use of augmented reality to see new designs in the field. Stay tuned with upcoming Caltrans opportunities by viewing their look-ahead report. Thank you, Eric, and CalMentor for a great event!
