Sacramento Transportation Authority Board Meeting - September 14, 2026

(The transcript references a meeting date of September 10, 2026; the provided date for this summary is September 14, 2026.)

The Sacramento Transportation Authority (STA) board met to consider several transportation funding and planning items, including a feasibility study for the Green Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), an SB1 grant application for the Grant Line Road Safety Improvement Project, and the introduction of an annual awards program. Board members also received reports on regional prioritization and subcommittee activities. All votes were unanimous.

Consent Calendar

• The consent items were approved by unanimous vote with no public comments or requests to pull items.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Joshua Arce, Executive Director of the California Alliance for Jobs (a labor and business coalition representing 70,000 workers and 2,000 employers), introduced his organization and expressed general support for the STA's work. He later commented on two agenda items:
  • On the Green Line BRT/Light Rail study, he reported that a June 2026 poll of Sacramento city residents found nearly 70% favorable opinion of light rail to the airport, with only 18% unfavorable. He urged keeping light rail as an option while advancing BRT.
  • On the Grant Line Road project, he shared poll results showing 82% support among county residents outside the city, with only 8% opposed. He further stated that two-thirds of respondents would support a revenue measure to help fund the Southeast Connector.

Discussion Items

• Item 5: Green Line Bus Rapid Transit Feasibility Study – Kevin Schroeder (Senior Planner, SAC RT) presented a study funded by $200,000 from STA and $500,000 from a Caltrans grant. The Green Line (also called the DNA line) is an 11.2-mile planned light-rail corridor from downtown Sacramento to the airport, with 14 stations and 7.5 miles of dedicated right-of-way (irrevocable offers of dedication, IODs). Many IODs expire in 2029. The study will examine implementing Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) as an incremental step that does not preclude future light rail. Four initial BRT packages cost about $300 million; more expensive packages (5-7) could achieve 80-96% rollover to eventual light rail. The SAC RT board is expected to consider a locally preferred alternative in 2027.

  • Board discussion: Director Talamantes expressed strong support for light rail but welcomed BRT as an interim step to protect IODs and improve transit. Director Kennedy favored BRT as more cost-effective and flexible, noting light rail is a 150-year-old technology. Director C. Allen (also SAC RT chair) emphasized a balanced approach given funding constraints. Director Busey noted the connection to the SAC 5 managed lanes project, which would improve BRT travel time reliability.
  • Vote: Unanimous approval to authorize the executive director to execute the allocation and expenditure contract.

• Item 6: SB1 Cycle 5 Local Partnership Program – Grant Line Road Safety Improvement Project – Derek Minima (Capitol Southeast Connector JPA) presented a request for $25 million in state competitive grant funds for a complete reconstruction of Grant Line Road (a two-lane farm road on the eastern edge of the county, serving Rancho Cordova and unincorporated areas). The project includes a center median, shoulders, lighting, a Class I bike trail, and will address head-on collisions and run-off-road crashes. The project already has a $25 million federal grant (RAISE), which will serve as the required 1:1 match. Design is at 90%, right-of-way acquisition is active, and construction could begin in 2027 if awarded. Measure A has allocated $4.9 million plus additional mitigation funds for this project.

  • Board discussion: Director Pulapati shared a personal story of a severe accident on Grant Line Road and stressed safety. Directors Single, Rodriguez, and Hume all voiced strong support, noting the project’s regional importance and safety benefits. Director Busey added that the project aligns with Measure A guiding principles of leveraging outside funds.
  • Vote: Unanimous approval to nominate the project for the SB1 grant.

• Item 7: Introduction of Annual Awards Program – STA staff proposed a “Measure A Transportation Awards Program” with five categories: Measure A Leveraging Award, Partnership Award, Transportation Leadership Award (elected officials), Transportation Championship Award (staff), and Community Recognition Award. The Independent Taxpayer Oversight Committee (ITOC) would recommend winners; current STA board members are ineligible. The timeline calls for nominations in late September, ITOC review in October, and awards in November alongside the annual audit. Board members expressed general support, and staff took silence as concurrence.

• Item 8: Executive Director’s Report – Director Busey reported:

  • Four community listening sessions on transportation priorities were completed in June–August 2026; results will come to the board.
  • SACOG’s SB1 regional project prioritization effort ranked STA’s US 50 Multimodal Corridor Connections project as the #1 priority for the Solutions for Congested Corridors program, and the Placer Sacramento Gateway project as #2. For the Trade Corridor Enhancement Program, STA’s project was also #1.
  • Two federal grant applications were submitted: one for the Harvest Quarter Improvement Partnership (Twin Cities Road) and one for the Stockton Boulevard Safety and Transit Enhancement Project (Stockton BRT). Decisions expected November–December 2026.
  • STA will be a co‑applicant (with no financial contribution) on a Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant with SACOG to advance vehicle miles traveled (VMT) mitigation strategy and potentially fund transit and active transportation.

• Item 9: Comments and Reports from Authority Members –

  • CARTA report: Director Talamantes noted that the Yolo 80 managed lanes are expected to open in late 2026 with a free introductory period.
  • Transportation Funding Subcommittee: The chair invited new members to express interest; existing members include Yara, Gera, Dickinson, Cerna, Desmond, and possibly others.
  • STA Role in Region Subcommittee: Director Hume reported that they are taking a “wait and see” approach regarding VMT banks and regional transportation funding decisions; a September–October update meeting is planned.

Key Outcomes

• Green Line BRT Study: Unanimously approved; contract authorized. The study will proceed, preserving IODs and considering BRT without precluding light rail.
• SB1 Grant Nomination for Grant Line Road: Unanimously approved; project will compete statewide for $25 million.
• Annual Awards Program: Concept approved with implementation details (categories, ITOC review, November ceremony) to proceed.
• No action taken on closed session items; nothing to report.

(Meeting adjourned after closed session.)