District 4 - Division of Transportation Planning and Local Assistance
The Caltrans District 4 Division of Transportation Planning and Local Assistance was established to help develop a long-range vision for the multi-modal transportation system through partnerships with State, regional, and local agencies, to assist cities and counties secure Federal and State funding for local transportation projects and services, and to manage the District’s Project Initiation Document (PID) Program.
The Division consists of an interdisciplinary team of planners and engineers who play an integral role in providing planning and local assistance services to carry out the Department’s mission to provide a safe, sustainable, integrated and efficient transportation system to enhance California’s economy and livability.
Organization - The Division consists of four offices
Advance Planning
Advance Planning manages the District’s PID Program, which involves coordination with HQ, District SHOPP Program Advisors, and local agencies to develop and maintain current year PID work plans and 3-year PID Strategic Plans; establishes and monitors annual resource needs and expenditures; prepares the majority of the District’s SHOPP PIDs including coordination with District functional units for PID attachments; provides Independent Quality Assurance for most District reimbursed PIDs; and provides design support in the area of traffic forecasting.
Transit and Community Planning
Together with internal and external partners, the Office of Transit & Community Planning (OTCP) promotes and participates in transportation solutions that complement surrounding land use, enhance economic development, and improve multimodal access and integration. The office coordinates with local agencies to minimize transportation impacts from local development projects as required under CEQA; provides planning and technical expertise on state highway system bicycle, pedestrian, transit, and park & ride projects; administers grants for Bay Area transit agencies from state and federal funding sources; manages multi-modal transportation planning grants and studies; and supports Caltrans planning efforts through public outreach.
System and Regional Planning
System and Regional Planning is responsible for both System Planning and Regional Planning functions for the District. Office functions include development of Transportation Concept Reports, Corridor Studies and other System Planning documents, Congestion Management Agency coordination, relinquishment, District GIS support, MTC's Overall Work Program development and monitoring (in conjunction with federal Transportation Planning requirements), freight mobility planning, Native American coordination, Regional Transportation Plan development, environmental Justice grant administration, executive briefings, project prioritization, and other related planning functions.
Local Assistance
Local Assistance provides assistance to local and regional agencies in securing federal and state financing for transportation projects, developing projects, obtaining environmental and right-of-way clearances, reviewing plans, specifications and estimates, and monitoring construction of Federal-aid and State-aid local agency administrated engineering projects within the District. Oversees development of local agency projects to ensure adherence to all current State and Federal guidelines and regulations.