State Highway System Management Plan Climate Adaptation and Resiliency

Challenge  

Previous iterations of the State Highway System Management Plan (SHSMP) included sea level rise without a performance objective or associated funding allocation.  

Solution

Staff developed an inventory of the overlap of the state highway system at 0.5 meters of projected sea level rise inundation, guidelines to assist Districts in nominating projects, and associated high-level unit cost estimates for transformational adaptation projects. Overall, the sea level rise deficiency inventory identifies an estimated investment need of $56 billion to address anticipated transportation system impacts to the year 2100 with a projected interim estimate of $14.7 billion investment for impacts expected to year 2033.  

Result

• Allows Districts to advance adaptation projects that include multi-benefit, nature-based solutions, improving the resiliency of the state highway system for all.

• Dedicated funding for addressing some of the most vulnerable locations of our transportation network, thereby reducing expensive emergency repairs.

• Assists Districts in adapting the state highway system in compliance with environmental regulations like the California Coastal Act.

• Provides clear direction on the adaptation activities that are allowed within the program.

• The inventory will be updated to reflect changes in best available science.

• Projects will reduce flooding at intermittent closures of the state highway system.

• Invests transportation funds into resilient solutions with improved returns on investment.

Project Contact:  

Arnica MacCarthy - Arnica.MacCarthy@dot.ca.gov