3 minute read
IMPLEMENTING THE PLAN
RESILIENCE AND SUSTAINABILITY
Climate change is manifesting in rising sea levels, extreme heat, shifting snow and rainfall patterns, and more frequent and severe climate events that have led to wildfires and flooding in California. Recently, Napa County experienced unprecedented fire events, including the Atlas, Nuns, and Tubbs fires in 2017, and the Lightning Napa Unit Complex and Glass fires in 2020, with the former being the second largest fire in California State history. The wildfires have highlighted the importance of a safe, secure, and accessible transportation system during emergencies. This vital need was emphasized when large evacuation orders were mandated, including the entire City of Calistoga. The Lightning Napa Unit Complex fires also highlighted opportunities to enhance the highway and main arterials in Napa County with a more sophisticated Traffic Control Management system that works for both emergency personnel and residents. NVTA plans to break ground on a new Vine Transit Maintenance Facility in 2021, which includes a dispatch and command center equipped as an emergency response center. Emergency response and fleet access is an essential duty that NVTA provides to the public during emergencies and the Traffic Management Center will be an invaluable asset during natural catastrophes. This project is still in conception and has been included in the CTP.
Likewise, State Route (SR) 37 improvements have been a persistent focus for the four North Bay counties in recent years, and both the interim project and ultimate project will be included in their countywide plans, as well as MTC’s RTP. The interim project makes operational improvements along one segment of the 21-mile corridor, including the widening between SR 121 and Mare Island, and intersection improvements at SR 37 and SR 121 near the Sonoma Raceway. The ultimate project will make improvements along the entire corridor to accommodate the inevitable sea-level rise in the area. Improvements are also likely to include multimodal improvements, and the preservation of and access to the surrounding wetlands.
As climate change continues to progress, NVTA will be looking to new technologies that reduce harmful mobile emissions and infrastructure designs that help reduce the impacts of rising sea levels.
A PEDESTRIAN USING A CROSSWALK IN NAPA COUNTY .
IMPLEMENTING THE PLAN
The countywide transportation plan sets goals for the transportation system and identifies the projects needed to work towards the performance targets. With the exception of transit projects, local jurisdictions have a critical role in actually delivering most projects. NVTA will support local jurisdictions by helping secure competitive funding. NVTA also has a more direct role in working towards goals by promoting and improving transit service, providing TDM programs, and periodically monitoring system performance.
POLICY FRAMEWORK
This countywide transportation plan was developed using a broad policy and goal-setting framework that acknowledges big picture challenges facing our communities and the environment. The framework includes goals and objectives that act as tools to help policymakers and staff to prioritize projects and programs. The CTP goals include:
GOAL #1: SERVE THE TRANSPORTATION NEEDS OF THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY REGARDLESS OF AGE, INCOME, OR ABILITY
This goal reflects the concept of equity and ensures that the transportation system serves the needs of the broader community, including seniors, youth, and transit-dependent populations. This goal reflects the high priority placed on the safety of the transportation system with special emphasis on making the system safer for bicyclists and pedestrians. This goal reflects the importance of maximizing available funding to reduce congestion and offer more attractive choices for how we travel.
GOAL #2: IMPROVE SYSTEM SAFETY IN ORDER TO SUPPORT ALL MODES AND SERVE ALL USERS GOAL #3: USE TAXPAYER DOLLARS EFFICIENTLY
GOAL #4: PROMOTE NAPA COUNTY’S ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY
This goal reflects the key importance that transportation has to Napa’s economy – both in providing access to jobs and services and in supporting freight-intensive industries. This goal is concerned with the sustainability of the transportation network. Reduction of greenhouse gases associated with transportation is of critical importance in addressing climate change. This goal reflects the priority placed on maintaining the existing transportation system in a state of good repair.
