State and Federal Legislative Updates
The Boards of Directors for the San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor Agency (SJHTCA) and the Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency (F/ETCA) received the 2025 End of Year Legislative Update. The update highlighted key state and federal legislative activities and provided an overview of major actions this year relevant to TCA. Staff also highlighted TCA’s 2025 advocacy accomplishments and the ongoing work on several key issues, including:
- National Interoperability: Continuing work on AB 334 (Petrie-Norris), TCA sponsored legislation that would allow California toll operators to participate in national interoperability
- 241/91 Express Connector Project: Successfully garnering broad support for the approval of the TCA’s supplemental tolling authority application to the California Transportation Commission
- Promoting Safety: Supporting AB 390 (Wilson) that aims to improve highway safety for drivers which was signed into law by the Governor
- Federal Surface Transportation Re-authorization: Advocating for sound policies that align with TCA’s priorities, including permit and environmental streamlining, reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions, and safeguarding local toll agencies and facilities
Community Engagement Support Services Contract Amendment
The SJHTCA and F/ETCA Boards of Directors approved a contract amendment with LSA Associates, Inc. for community engagement support services. This action supports TCA’s Strategic Plan goal of broadening environmental education and knowledge of the Agencies’ contributions through community engagement programs.
The amendment continues funding for the award-winning Fossils in Your Backyard program, which connects Orange County students and residents to the region’s prehistoric past through classroom presentations and interactive displays. Since its reestablishment in FY24, the program has delivered 37 in-class presentations and interactive displays at 20 community events, earning praise from educators and increasing public engagement. For more information about the Fossils in Your Backyard program or to request a classroom presentation, visit: In the Community | The Toll Roads
Community Engagement Activities Reach Over 160,000-Plus Residents
Staff presented TCA’s community outreach efforts for 2025. The Community Engagement team has been active in member cities as part of the Boards’ adopted Strategic Plan.
This year, the Community Engagement staff hosted booths at 51 regional events, attended 141 city and chambers of commerce meetings, attended member city state of the city events, and provided monthly updates about The Toll Roads at various community meetings with an estimated public attendance of over 160,000 people.
Communications and public engagement are a focus for the Agencies and are one of the key pillars of the Strategic Plan. At events, staff engages with the community to address questions, provide information on upcoming projects and programs, and gather feedback to improve overall communications.
Chief Executive Officer Updates
CEO Ryan Chamberlain provided an update on the recent California Transportation Commission's (CTC) unanimous approval of TCA’s request for supplemental tolling authority for the 241/91 Express Connector project. Supplemental toll authority allows the F/ETCA Board of Directors the opportunity to reinvest potential net toll revenue from the connector into transportation projects and programs that generally benefit the SR 241 and 91 transportation corridors. The approval of the tolling authority by CTC is one more positive step forward as TCA and its regional transportation partners continue to make significant progress on moving this critical project towards the construction phase in 2026.
CEO Ryan Chamberlain shared a newly released video on the history of TCA and The Toll Roads, highlighting key milestones and notable achievements dating back to 1986 when the Agencies were formed. From the unique funding approach and early partnerships to the long-term impact The Toll Roads network has made on regional mobility, the video gives viewers a sense of what life would be like if The Toll Roads did not exist today and how this important infrastructure, developed by visionary leaders, plays an integral part of Orange County’s mobility. View the TCA History of The Toll Roads video here.
