Independent Auditor Affirms Fiscal Year 25 Financial Statements
The San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor Agency (SJHTCA) and the Foothill/Eastern Transportation Corridor Agency (F/ETCA) Boards of Directors received the audited financial statements for the year ending June 30, 2025. The independent auditing firm Crowe LLP issued an unmodified opinion – the highest level of assurance that the financial statements are fairly stated in all material respects in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
SJHTCA and F/ETCA have received unmodified audits every year since TCA’s inception in 1986. To read the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) audited financial statements, visit: Financial Reports | The Toll Roads.
Toll Enforcement Services with California Highway Patrol
The Agencies’ Boards approved a multi-year contract with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) for the continuation of increased comprehensive patrolling of the 73, 133, 241 and 261 Toll Roads through FY31.
In accordance with the California Vehicle Code, the CHP is the primary agency responsible for enforcing traffic laws on California highways, including The Toll Roads. Since May 2000, the Agencies have contracted with CHP to provide toll violation enforcement services, enhancing CHP’s routine patrol hours on The Toll Roads. The continued presence of the CHP has proven effective in deterring toll evaders who disregard temporary plate requirements or intentionally obscure license plates. In addition to toll enforcement, CHP’s presence supports broader traffic safety objectives by discouraging excessive speeding and distracted driving. During FY25, CHP issued approximately 3,500 citations and warnings under the Agencies’ toll enforcement contracts.
Looking ahead, the opening of the 241/91 Express Connector in FY29 will require additional enforcement resources to help ensure free flow conditions and enhance on-road safety. CHP’s continued presence is vital to deterring unsafe driving behaviors, like queue jumping at the 241 to 91 connectors.
Habitat Conservation Fund Expenditure Plan
The F/ETCA Board of Directors approved an Expenditure Plan to allocate approximately $8 million of Habitat Conservation Funds (HCF) for near-term restoration and land acquisition projects.
The approved Expenditure Plan aligns with the Agency’s conservation commitments under its $28 million agreement with the Save San Onofre Coalition (SSOC), established in 2016 and amended in 2022. Staff received 18 proposals through a competitive solicitation process, including 13 restoration projects and five property acquisitions. Following a rigorous evaluation by TCA, SSOC, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, two properties—Joplin and Irvine Mesa—were identified as top acquisition priorities due to their ecological value and strategic locations. In addition, three projects were selected for restoration, including the Salt Creek Corridor (Irvine Ranch Conservancy), Cactus Wren Connectivity (Crystal Cove Conservancy), and South Coast Ecoregion habitats (Audubon Starr Ranch Sanctuary) as a result of the restoration activities’ ecological benefits.
All acquisition agreements will be subject to future F/ETCA Board approval following completion of due diligence activities. This action supports the Agency’s goal to preserve critical habitats, prevent wildlife fragmentation, and deliver measurable conservation benefits across Orange County.
Firms Selected for On-Call Lands Management Services
For decades, TCA has set aside and preserved more than 2,100 acres of open space in perpetuity to balance the construction of The Toll Roads. These lands provide a secure ecosystem for the region’s natural habitat and wildlife. TCA remains committed to the management, maintenance and protection of these sensitive areas.
To assist TCA with mitigation land management requirements, the Boards of Directors selected RECON Environmental Inc., Nakae and Associates Inc., and Mariposa Landscapes Inc. as the contractors prequalified to provide future on-call lands management services.
These firms will provide biological surveys, vegetation management, erosion control, invasive species management, wildlife fence and road maintenance, and other tasks associated with mitigation lands management.
Procurement Support for Third-Party Collections to Strengthen Toll Revenue Recovery
The Boards of Directors approved a Task Order with GFT Infrastructure Inc. to support the procurement of a qualified third-party collections firm, marking a proactive step in enhancing toll revenue recovery. This initiative aligns with the Agencies’ Strategic Plan to resolve outstanding toll violation accounts while maintaining a customer-focused approach.
GFT Infrastructure will assist with designing a fair and effective procurement process, including evaluation criteria, performance metrics, and onboarding support. This effort complements the Agencies’ existing tools for toll compliance, such as payment flexibility, first-time violator forgiveness, penalty mitigation, and vehicle registration holds.
Engaging a third-party collections provider is a common practice among tolling agencies and has proven effective in recovering unresolved toll receivables after all other efforts have been exhausted. The initiative will help protect toll revenue integrity while maintaining transparency and fairness for all road users.
