Sponsorship opportunities selling fast for annual Mobility 21 summit
The ninth annual Mobility 21 Southern California Transportation Summit is a one-of-a-kind conference that brings together stakeholders, business leaders and local, state and federal officials during a one-day meeting to discuss the leading issues facing our transportation system today. Don’t miss out on this unique marketing opportunity for your business, while helping to bring more transportation funding to Southern California.
Hurry, sponsorships are selling quickly! Sponsorships available include:
- One presenting sponsor
- Only one opening session sponsorship left
- Only two breakout session sponsorships left
- Underwriter sponsorships
- Small business sponsorships
In-kind sponsorships are also welcome.
Click here to read more about the summit sponsorship opportunities. For additional information, contact Marnie O’Brien Primmer at 949.288.6884 or mprimmer@mobility21.com
CTC gives green light for Positive Train Control funding
Through the partnership and advocacy work of members of the Mobility 21 coalition, the California Transportation Commission (CTC) approved more than $46 million for Positive Train Control (PTC) on May 19. This is a triumph for Southern Californians who rely on trains everyday as a means of safe transportation.
“PTC is a major safety enhancement for passenger rail service throughout the region,” Metro CEO Art Leahy said in a statement. “This is truly a win-win for everyone.”
Through advanced satellite technology, PTC monitors the location of trains to prevent accidents.
“The CTC’s action to fund Positive Train Control makes it possible for Metrolink to operate the nation’s most reliable, effective and safe commuter rail service,” said Riverside County Transportation Commission member Ron Roberts. Roberts is a former Metrolink Chairman and current Board Member and serves on the Temecula City Council and states, “Safety must be Metrolink’s number one priority.”Read more.
Learn more about PTC: watch the video.
New Mobility 21 communications manager participates in WTS annual conference
During her first week as the Mobility 21 communications manager, Kristin Slocum joined more than 300 transportation industry leaders from around the country for the Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS) annual conference in Washington, D.C.
“Representing Mobility 21 at the WTS conference was a great way for me to kick-start my new position as communications manager,” said Slocum. “I’m excited to hit the ground running and help bring transportation funding home to Southern California.”
Slocum will elevate Mobility 21’s visibility and mission in the Southern California region through a comprehensive communications program, including participation in social media networks, an enhanced coalition website and an interactive e-newsletter.
During his keynote address to the WTS members, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood declared his continued commitment to advancing women in transportation by signing a memorandum of cooperation with WTS.
“There’s tremendous opportunity out there for women interested in transportation-related careers,” Secretary LaHood said in a statement. “We need to do more to prepare, train and educate young women about the possibilities that await them.”
Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (D-47) also addressed the group, highlighting the recent accomplishments of the U.S. Congress in promoting equality for women.
The week-long conference was packed with tours highlighting some important transportation projects underway in the D.C. region, as well as many breakout sessions focused on current issues facing transportation policy makers, including climate change, sustainability and goods movement.
Next May, the WTS annual conference heads to San Francisco.
More than one million strong support ending raids of transportation funds
Californians to Protect Local Taxpayers and Vital Services, a coalition of local government, transportation, business, public safety, labor and public transit leaders, recently submitted approximately 1.1 million signatures to county elections offices throughout the state to qualify the Local Taxpayer, Public Safety and Transportation Protection Act of 2010 for the November 2010 ballot. The measure closes loopholes to prevent the state from taking, diverting or borrowing local government, transportation and public transit funds.
Although California voters have overwhelmingly passed measures in previous elections to restrict state raids of local government funds, politicians have exploited loopholes in the law to borrow and raid billions in local government, transit and redevelopment funds this year alone, and billions in past years.
To qualify a constitutional amendment for the statewide ballot, 694,354 valid signatures are required. Counties will now begin the process of validating the signatures. The deadline for the Secretary of State to certify measures for the November ballot is June 24.
For more information or to get involved in the campaign, visitwww.savelocalservices.com.
Mobility 21 welcomes new Caltrans Director Cindy McKim
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger recently appointed Cindy McKim to serve as director of the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). McKim has more than 25 years of experience with Caltrans, serving most recently as chief deputy director.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to continue serving Caltrans and California,” McKim said in a statement. “The needs of our state are continuously changing, and I look forward to working with the Governor to make sure transportation and infrastructure improvements stay on track because they are vital to job creation and commerce.”
As director of Caltrans, Cindy McKim will manage the operation of California’s state transportation system. Read more.
Mobility 21 submits transportation policy recommendations to Senator Boxer
As Sen. Barbara Boxer drafts the new surface transportation authorization bill, “Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century” (MAP-21), the Mobility 21 coalition presented policy recommendations that will have significant impacts on the Southern California region. The coalition commended Boxer for the priorities she set forth for MAP-21, including her commitment to reducing greenhouse gases, improving goods movement and finding sustainable sources of transportation funding.
Members of the Mobility 21 coalition highlighted areas of support under Chairman James L. Oberstar’s proposed Surface Transportation Authorization Act (STAA) and encouraged these priorities to be included in the new authorization:
- Principle of significantly increased investment in surface transportation
- Recognition of goods movement as a national economic priority
- Recognition of urban areas as critical areas for investment
- Recognition of the need to expedite project delivery
- Elimination of High Density States and Growing States formulas
- Reforms to Federal Transit Administration New & Small Starts program
- Raising borrowing limits in and expansion of the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA)
Click here to read Mobility 21’s full list of recommendations for Boxer to consider as she drafts MAP-21.
Colton Crossing receives funding to construct long-awaited grade separation
The CTC approved the allocation of $202 million to fund the Colton Crossing grade separation project on May 19. The construction of an overpass bridge in the city of Colton at this historic crossing will allow trains traveling on the Union Pacific Railroad to pass over the Burlington Northern Santa Fe tracks. The CTC’s passage of the funding came after extensive negotiations with the railroads to ensure the public will benefit from the Colton Crossing grade separation once the project is complete. Construction is scheduled to begin in fall 2011. Read more.
Once complete, the grade separation will help improve safety, air quality and the efficient movement of goods to other parts of the country.
Diverse group gathers for goods movement conference
On behalf of Mobility 21, Riverside County Transportation Commission Goods Movement Manager Tanya Love recently attended a two-day roundtable conference on goods movement hosted by the California Foundation on the Environment and the Economy (CFEE). The conference highlighted issues surrounding goods movement including environmental impacts, community involvement, project delivery, financing and the potential for cargo division to competing ports. Participants included elected officials, community activists, environmentalists, academia, labor, government, business and industry leaders. Although CFEE is not a legislative or policy-making organization, it is clear that its strength is in breaking down institutional barriers that can impede creative problem solving.
30/10 plan receives federal support and PE Red Line to Westwood moves forward
With strong support from U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, Sen. Barbara Boxer recently announced the federal government’s support for Los Angeles’ 30/10 plan to accelerate twelve Measure R transportation projects.
In an important step toward moving the Red Line Westside Extension project into a multi-year funding agreement, Boxer also announced the U.S. Department of Transportation’s decision to approve conducting Preliminary Engineering on the entire 9.3-mile segment, rather than fund the project in individual segments.
TRANSPORTATION EVENTS IN THE COMMUNITY
Tuesday, June 15
WTS Los Angeles: Expo Light Rail Update
more info | register now
Wednesday, June 16
WTS Orange County: Investigation of Earthquake Damage to Ports and Harbors from the Chilean Earthquake
more info | register now
Sunday-Tuesday,
Nov. 14-16
Focus on the Future Conference, La Quinta
more info