Local Assistance

The Division of Local Assistance administers State and Federal funding to local agencies in California. We assist agencies in maximizing their financial reimbursement for transportation projects. A vital part of maximizing reimbursement is maintaining compliance with State and Federal regulations.

District 1 Local Assistance staff:

Suzi Theiss, Chief and District Local Assistance Engineer (DLAE), (707) 445-6399
Bob Baca, Local Assistance Engineer, (707) 445-6397
Mark E. Mueller, Del Norte and Lake Counties, (707) 441-3977
Brett Gronemeyer, Mendocino County, (707) 441-5770
(Vacant), Humboldt County: For Blue Lake, Ferndale, Eureka, and Fortuna see Brett Gronemeyer - For all others see Mark E. Mueller
Brandon Larsen, Environmental Planner, (707) 445-6410
Lisa Spellenberg, North Region Right of Way, (707) 445-6427

Funding is available for the following project types:

Transportation Enhancements: Bicycle and pedestrian facilities/educational activities, acquisition of scenic easements, scenic beautification, rehabilitation of historic transportation facilities, preservation of abandoned railway corridor, removal of outdoor advertising, archaeological research, environmental mitigation for water pollution due to highway runoff, reduction of wildlife mortality, and transportation museums.

Highway Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Program (HBRR): Replacement of structurally deficient or functionally obsolete bridges on any public road, rehabilitation of bridges, replacement of low water crossings, bridge painting and rail replacement.

Hazard Elimination Safety Program (HES): There are 25 categories of eligible work type projects that include traffic signs and signals, roadway illumination, guardrail, curve correction, pavement markings and delineation, and traffic calming.

California Safe Routes to School Program (SR2S) and Federal Safe Routes to School Program (SRTS): Project must correct a safety hazard or problem on a route that students use to school. Bicycle and pedestrian safety and traffic calming projects.

Emergency Relief Program (ER): In a declared disaster, for repair of serious damage to Federal-aid highways resulting from catastrophic failure or natural disaster.

High Priority or Demonstration Projects: Transportation projects specifically established by Congress as part of a transportation act.

Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation (EEM): Projects that mitigate impacts of programmed transportation projects. Three specific categories of project types are eligible: highway landscape, resource land acquisition and restoration, and roadside recreational opportunities.

Bicycle Transportation Account: Projects that improve safety for bicycle commuters. Must have an adopted Bicycle Transportation Plan.

Agencies that have received transportation funding through the District 1 Office of Local Assistance:

Del Norte County
City of Crescent City
Humboldt County
City of Arcata
City of Blue Lake
City of Eureka
City of Ferndale
City of Fortuna
City of Rio Dell
City of Trinidad
Lake County
City of Clearlake
City of Lakeport
Mendocino County
City of Fort Bragg
City of Point Arena
City Ukiah
City of Willits
Redwood National and State Parks
California Dept of Parks and Recreation
Willow Creek Community Services District
California Coastal Conservancy

Useful Links:

Local Assistance Homepage - www.dot.ca.gov/hq/LocalPrograms/
FHWA Homepage - www.fhwa.dot.gov
California Legislative info - www.leginfo.ca.gov
Trans & Hwy related websites - www.fhwa.dot.gov/webtrans
DBE Certification info - www.dot.ca.gov/hq/bep/dbe_query
CTC liaison/programming - www.dot.ca.gov/hq/transprog/ctcliaison.htm
Standard environmental reference - www.dot.ca.gov/ser/vol1/vol1.htm
American PW Assoc - www.apwa.net
CSAC - www.csac.counties.org