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Agenda Item: 16.E
Date of Meeting: May 11, 2026
Department: Administration
To: City Council
From: Pam Foster
Subject: Request Caltrans to initiate a Project Initiation Document on Truck Route to the east of the City of Bishop
Prepared On: May 6, 2026
Attachments: Caltrans Truck Route Request Draft Letter
Attachment A - Annual Average Daily Truck Traffic Counts
STAFF REPORT
Background/History:
The City of Bishop does not own or control its Main Street corridor, which is designated as a state highway (US 395) and operated by Caltrans. As a result, the City has limited authority over traffic composition and routing through its downtown core.
Between 2017 and 2023, the volume of heavy-duty trucks (Classes 9–13) traveling through Main Street increased by approximately 23%. Based on the most recent Caltrans data (Attachment A), a heavy truck now travels through downtown on average every 1.5 minutes throughout the day.
This increase has had measurable impacts on the downtown environment. Heavy truck traffic contributes significantly to elevated noise levels and reduced pedestrian comfort. During public outreach conducted as part of the Downtown Specific Plan, residents consistently identified truck traffic as a primary barrier to walkability and overall downtown vitality.
In addition to quality-of-life concerns, heavy truck traffic presents broader public safety considerations. Statewide data indicates that hazardous materials (hazmat) transportation incidents have increased by more than 85% since 2010. While the City of Bishop has not experienced a hazmat incident directly attributable to heavy truck traffic within the downtown corridor, incidents involving hazardous materials transport have occurred along the US 395 corridor over the past decade, including events as close as Mono County. In addition, regional freight movement includes occasional transport of sensitive or regulated materials, including munitions destined for federal facilities such as Hawthorne Army Depot. While these shipments are conducted under strict regulatory oversight, their presence further underscores the importance of carefully evaluating the routing of heavy truck traffic through population centers. Collectively, these factors highlight the potential risks associated with continued increases in heavy truck volumes and support the need to proactively evaluate alternative 215
routing options.
The City is also constrained in its ability to accommodate or service this level of truck traffic.
Modern truck stops typically require approximately 20 acres of developable land, which is not available within City limits.
Truck traffic growth has been particularly concentrated along State Route 6. Current data indicates that approximately two-thirds of heavy trucks entering Bishop originate from SR-6, where truck volumes have increased by more than 40% over the same period (compared to approximately 13% growth along US 395).
The Caltrans project development process, as outlined in the Project Development Procedures Manual (PDPM), advances projects through four primary phases: Project Initiation Document (PID), Project Approval & Environmental Document (PA&ED), Plans, Specifications & Estimates (PS&E), Right of Way, and Construction. The PID phase establishes a project’s purpose and need, scope, cost, and schedule, and determines whether it is a viable candidate for future funding. Completion of a PID typically requires two to three years and results in a Project Study Report that defines the project’s core objectives and alternatives.
Analysis/Discussion:
Absent intervention, projected growth in regional freight movement is expected to materially alter the character and function of downtown Bishop over the coming decade. Caltrans forecasts indicate that regional truck traffic is expected to increase by more than 40% over the next decade, driven largely by freight movement between distribution centers in the Reno/Carson region and the San Bernardino area. If realized, this growth would result in heavy trucks passing through downtown Bishop at approximately one-minute intervals.
Historically, proposals to construct a full bypass around Bishop have been explored but have not advanced, largely due to valid concerns regarding proximity to residential areas and potential economic impacts on downtown businesses that benefit from pass-through traffic.
Given these constraints, a more targeted approach may be appropriate. One potential concept is the development of a designated truck route east of the City, generally following a realignment or extension of State Route 6 to reconnect with US 395 at a location several miles south of Bishop.
This concept may address several of the concerns raised in prior discussions:
Reduced proximity to residential areas: An eastern alignment would shift heavy truck traffic further from the City’s population center compared to the existing US 395 corridor.
Limited impact on pass-through visitation: The proposed routing would require a detour of approximately 15 miles for non-truck traffic, making it unlikely to divert typical visitor traffic away from downtown.
Targeted mitigation: By focusing specifically on heavy truck traffic rather than all vehicles, the approach may balance economic and quality-of-life considerations more effectively than a full bypass.
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At this stage, these concepts are preliminary and have not been formally evaluated. Initiation of a PID would allow Caltrans to systematically analyze alternatives, assess environmental and community impacts, and determine feasibility.
Impacts to Council Goals and Strategic Planning Priorities:
The calming of traffic on Main Street would support Strategic Plan priority 1.1 Create a vibrant, authentic, and pedestrian friendly city.
Budget Impacts:
None. Given the regional significance of the state highway system and the population thresholds of the City and County, the costs associated with preparation of a Project Initiation Document would be borne by Caltrans.
Legal Review:
None.
Recommended Action:
Provide direction to staff regarding whether to formally request that Caltrans initiate a Project Initiation Document to evaluate a potential truck route east of the City of Bishop, and, if so, approve the draft letter for transmittal.
Approved By: Pam Foster 5/6/2026
Approved By:
Approved By:
Approved By:
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CITY OF BISHOP
377 West Line Street – Bishop, CA 93514
P.O. Box 1236 – Bishop, CA 93515
City Hall (760) 873-5863 – Fax (760) 873-4873
May 12,2026
California Department of Transportation District 9
Attn: Ryan Dermody, District Director
500 S. Main St
Bishop, CA 93514
Subject: Request to Initiate a Project Initiation Document (PID) for Evaluation of a Potential Truck Route East of the City of Bishop
Dear Director Dermody,
On behalf of the City of Bishop, the City Council respectfully requests that California Department of Transportation initiate a Project Initiation Document (PID) to evaluate potential alternatives for rerouting heavy truck traffic around the City’s downtown corridor.
As you are aware, Main Street in Bishop is part of the state highway system (US 395) and serves as a critical regional freight corridor. Over the past several years, the City has observed a substantial increase in heavy-duty truck traffic through our downtown. Caltrans data indicates that truck volumes have increased significantly since 2017, with heavy trucks now traveling through downtown at frequent and regular intervals throughout the day.
This trend has created a number of challenges for our community. Heavy truck traffic contributes to elevated noise levels, reduced pedestrian comfort, and diminished walkability in our downtown core. During recent public outreach efforts associated with the City’s Downtown Specific Plan, residents consistently identified truck traffic as a primary concern affecting quality of life and the overall vitality of Main Street.
In addition to these impacts, the movement of hazardous materials and other sensitive cargo through the downtown corridor presents ongoing public safety considerations. Recent incidents, including a chemical spill that resulted in temporary roadway closures, underscore the importance of evaluating long-term solutions that reduce risk to residents and businesses.
At the same time, the City recognizes the critical importance of maintaining efficient regional goods movement and supporting the economic role of US 395.
For this reason, the City is not seeking to disrupt freight mobility, but rather to explore whether alternative routing strategies could better balance regional transportation needs with local community impacts.
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Specifically, the City requests that the PID evaluate the feasibility of a designated truck route to the east of Bishop, including potential realignment concepts associated with State Route 6 that could reconnect with US 395 south of the City.
This concept is intended to reduce heavy truck traffic through the downtown core while preserving access for local and visitor-serving traffic.
We recognize that previous bypass discussions have raised valid concerns, including proximity to residential areas and potential economic impacts. A PID would provide the appropriate framework to objectively analyze these and other considerations, including environmental constraints, engineering feasibility, cost, and community impacts.
We also note that Caltrans forecasts continued growth in regional freight traffic over the coming decade. Initiating this evaluation now will allow the State and local partners to proactively plan for these changes, rather than respond reactively as impacts intensify.
The City of Bishop stands ready to partner with the California Department of Transportation throughout this process and to support stakeholder engagement, data sharing, and coordination with regional agencies.
Thank you for your consideration of this request and for your continued partnership in supporting the safety, functionality, and vitality of our transportation system. We would welcome the opportunity to meet with District staff to discuss this request in greater detail.
Sincerely,
Stephen Muchovej
Mayor
City of Bishop
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