California Transportation Commissioner Michele Martinez shared more about the CTC's approval in December of $2 billion in SB-1 funding for 56 new projects that will create more than 100,000 jobs statewide. She also shared insights about the vision for California's transportation system and how recent legislative changes may influence Orange County.
In addition, WTS-OC spotlighted five Interim SBE / DBE Corporate Partners during the program.
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Circlepoint
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Civil Works Engineers
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Costin Public Outreach Group
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Guida Surveying
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VCS Environmental
To learn more about these firms and the rest of WTS-OC's Corporate Partners, visit our Corporate Partners page.
March 2021 Luncheon
Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA): Women in Leadership
This year's Foothill/Eastern TCA and San Joaquin Hills TCA Boards are again being chaired by two women:
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Honorable Peggy Huang, Mayor of Yorba Linda
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Honorable Patricia Kelley, Mayor or Mission Viejo
The two Chairwomen shared insights about serving in leadership roles at both the regional and local levels, the challenges faced while doing so during a pandemic, and their visions for the future of transportation in Orange County. The panel was moderated by acclaimed leadership expert, author and speaker Teri Fisher, CEO and Managing Partner of Insight Strategies.
April 2021 Luncheon
San Bernardino County Transportation Authority
Dr. Raymond Wolfe, Executive Director of SBCTA, along with Time Watkins and Otis Greer of SBCTA's legislative and public affairs, shared how the Authority has advanced several key initiatives during the pandemic, including continued implementation of its $4.4 billion 10-Year Delivery Plan through the county's Measure I 2010-40 program.
They also discussed construction of the I-10 Express Lanes Design-Build project between the Los Angeles County Line and I-15, as well as the Authority's innovative measures to revolutionize passenger rail in Southern California. The I-10 project is the largest undertaken in SBCTA's history.
May 2021 Luncheon
Orange County Transportation Authority CEO Darrell E. Johnson and Deputy CEO/COO Jennifer L. Bergener provided updates on the Measure M Next 10 Delivery Plan, as well as the agency's sustainability initiatives and efforts underway related to diversity, equity and inclusion.
June 2021 Luncheon
Los Angeles World Airports Chief Sustainability and Revenue Management Officer Samantha Bricker is responsible for overseeing sustainability programs and all revenue management for LAX and Van Nuys general aviation airports, which includes parking, concessions, real estate, ground transportation and mobility.
LAX is in the midst of a $14.3-billion capital improvement program that includes upgrades and renovations to all passenger terminals and building new facilities, including an Automated People Mover train, Consolidated Rent-a-Car facility, and intermodal transportation facilities. With an economic output of more than $126.6 billion, Samantha shared how this powerhouse organization generates economic benefits and jobs for the City and County of Los Angeles without funding from the City's General Fund.
August 2021 Luncheon
City Public Works Leaders
An informative panel discussion with public works leaders from the cities of Anaheim, Irvine and Yorba Linda provided insight on how these local agencies continue to navigate the challenges of COVID-19 - in spite of workforce logistics, impacts to major economic drivers such as Disneyland and other smaller businesses, as well as significantly-reduced revenue streams.
With federal aid anticipated from the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act, Orange County cities are projected to receive approximately $715 million this year to offset lost revenues. Given such, the panel shared how they plan to continue advancing their respective capital improvement programs and the important role our industry will play in partnering for success.
The panel was comprised of:
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Jaimee Bourgeois, PE - City of Irvine, Deputy Director of Transportation / City Traffic Engineer
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Jamie Lai, PE - City of Yorba Linda, Public Works Director / City Engineer
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Rudy Emami, PE - City of Anaheim, Public Works Director
September 2021 Luncheon
Metro Highway Program Update
A panel of Metro's Highway Program leaders shared how potential policy changes may impact Metro's project delivery efforts. They also provided updates about Metro's Highway Program Modernization, Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) Mitigation Study, and upcoming project opportunities.
The panel was comprised of:
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Ernesto Chaves - Director of Highway Programs
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Ed Alegre - Senior Director of Highway ITS Group
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Isidro Panuco - Senior Manager of Transportation Planning
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Julio Perucho - Principal Transportation Planner
November 2021 Luncheon
Port of Long Beach: Port of the Future; the Port of Choice
Attendees received an informative update from Sean Gamette, P.E., Managing Director of Engineering Services for the Port of Long Beach.
As the second busiest port in the United States, the Port of Long Beach is responsible for generating $46.6 billion a year in local, state and federal tax revenues, and provides more than 50,000 jobs to Long Beach residents.
Sean and his team are responsible for the Port's Capital Program, which at approximately $1.8 billion in forecasted expenditures over the next 10 years, will focus on addressing increased cargo-handling efficiency with new technology and sustainable infrastructure. The Port's Fiscal Year 2022 Budget totals $622.8 million and will continue progress toward achieving the key milestones of their multi-billion-dollar capital program. This includes executing more than $1 billion in improvements to their on-dock rail network.