Audit of Caltrans

Caltrans wholeheartedly endorses your editorial “California’s Meandering Highways” (April 15, 1992), although several of its key points need clarification.

The legislative resolution authorizing an audit of Caltrans, currently being considered in Sacramento, has another key supporter: Gov. Pete Wilson. As director of transportation, I had recommended earlier to Secretary Carl Covtiz and the governor that an outside entity study Caltrans. Therefore, I am in full support of Sens. Marian Bergeson and Quentin Kopp’s resolution.

Caltrans does need to improve its delivery performance, lower its cost of doing business, and most important, be responsive to California’s changing transportation needs. Our mandate is to provide leadership, and in partnership with local and regional government, provide modern, safe and environmentally responsible transportation systems for people, goods and services. To that end, I have initiated a top-to-bottom examination of the department.

Additionally, two specific statements in your editorial require clarification:

* “The state legislative analyst said Caltrans delivered only slightly more than two-thirds of the work it was supposed to deliver last fiscal year.” Yes, some 30% of the state transportation improvement projects were delayed--but we advanced other projects from future years, so nearly all the programmed dollars were committed without any program cost increase. Of the delayed projects, many were delivered within the next six months; several others were small landscaping projects correctly deferred because of the drought, and one $53 million project ready for construction was delayed by a court injunction. Good enough? No. My objective is to deliver 100% of the dollars and at least 90% of the projects scheduled for no more than the programmed cost--on time, within budget and of high quality.

* The editorial also suggested that “the department has not changed.” That perception is obsolete. Indeed, change and innovation are high priorities for me and the department. We are proud of our contract with Amtrak for the highly successful rail services in Southern California and the San Joaquin Valley. There is standing room only on many of the Capitol Service trains from Sacramento to San Jose. We have recently signed an order for a new American-made “California Car” for service within the state.

We have rededicated ourselves to developing a plan for a statewide high-speed rail net, while continuing to guide the growth of California’s transportation backbone, the state highway system. All of this will be brought to fruition by a mixture of prudent investment in our infrastructure, aggressive management and technology.

JAMES W. VAN LOBEN SELS

Director, Caltrans

Sacramento