The California Transportation Commission voted to direct staff to transmit a letter to Caltrans outlining the commission's expectations for the Interregional Transportation Strategic Plan, including a shift from a highway-centric approach to a multimodal, system-of-systems assessment.

The commission approved the motion by Commissioner Madaffer, seconded by Commissioner Gilmetti, and the motion passed unanimously. The letter asks Caltrans to submit the ITSP on or before June 30, 2015, consistent with SB 486, and to ensure the plan evaluates multimodal corridors, integration with high‑speed rail and intercity transit, managed‑lane connectivity, and freight priorities on high‑volume corridors such as the I‑5.

Commission staff told the commission that SB 486 expanded the commission's role and directed Caltrans to submit the ITSP to the commission for approval by the statutory date. Staff recommended the commission transmit the draft letter in the board packet and proposed additional language emphasizing freight corridors, border ports of entry and the I‑5 corridor. Commissioner Assimi asked whether the language addressed integration with neighboring states and Mexico; staff confirmed the amended language specifically mentions border ports of entry.

The letter also asks the ITSP to consider forecasted population growth and development patterns and to align with other statewide plans so identified interregional priorities will support balanced and sustainable interregional transportation outcomes. Staff framed the requested approach as replacing the previous highway‑centric focus with an evaluation of the interregional multimodal transportation corridor network and operational improvements, gap closures and freight route priorities.

The commission gave staff direction to send the letter to Caltrans as amended and requested any additional commissioner comments be provided before transmittal. No further formal actions or funding decisions were associated with the item.

The commission's action places the ITSP expectations on record and signals the commission’s priorities for the upcoming plan and its review by Caltrans.