Nagoya Vonsan, acting planning deputy for District M, told the Calaveras County Council of Governments on March 5 that several state and federal funding opportunities and safety projects could affect local planning and transport work.

“We understand that the COG is undertaking its regional transportation plan updates. We look forward to working with the COG on that,” Vonsan said during the meeting. She reported that the California Transportation Commission in January allocated approximately $1,000,000,000 for projects aimed at improving mobility, resilience and active-transportation connections.

Vonsan also described two grant opportunities: a U.S. Department of Energy vehicle technology program (she cited about $88,000,000 available and a June 18 deadline) and a California Energy Commission program for light- to medium-duty electric vehicle charging with a roughly $10,000,000 solicitation and a May 23 deadline. She characterized the latter as focused on rural communities.

Locally, Vonsan said Caltrans maintenance crews have visited the site of flashing speed signs on State Route 4 approaching Murphys after concerns the signs were too far from a school and sidewalk and that sign placement interfered with a new wayfinder monument. “Our maintenance team has been out there and we’re developing some plans to address that in terms of spacing and location,” she said, and promised follow-up as plans progress.

Vonsan offered CTC and grant-related support to the COG staff as the council proceeds with its RTP update and other programming.