STA Honors Transportation Partners and Leaders with Inaugural 2026 Measure A Awards

 

In a move to recognize the people and partnerships helping to advance Sacramento County’s transportation system, the Sacramento Transportation Authority (STA) has honored five local leaders and projects with its first-ever STA 2026 Measure A Awards.

The honorees each demonstrate substantial and measurable transportation results, exemplifying how Measure A taxpayer approved funding support transportation investment in Sacramento County. The awards were presented by Kevin Bewsey, STA’s Executive Director, and Robert G. Holderness, Chair of Measure A’s Independent Taxpayer Oversight Committee, at its Governing Board meeting in November.

Measure A’s Independent Taxpayer Oversight Committee reviewed numerous nominations before making their final selections. Each winner was chosen for their commitment to producing projects leveraging Measure A dollars, making an individual contribution, or providing a clear connection to Measure A’s benefit to Sacramento County’s residents. The awards were given in five categories:

 

Regional Funding Multiplier Award - Caltrans, SAC 5 Corridor Enhancement Project

Serving the Cities of Elk Grove, Sacramento, and the County of Sacramento, the SAC 5 Corridor Enhancement Project, fondly referred to as FixSac5, delivers transformative improvements along Interstate 5 in Sacramento County. The project rehabilitated 67 lane miles of deteriorated pavement and constructed 23 lane miles of new High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes, addressing recurring congestion and poor ride quality. It replaced the Casilada Way Pedestrian Overcrossing, built sound walls, installed fiber optic lines, ramp meters, and extended entrance and exit ramps, enhancing transportation connectivity and safety for local communities. STA advanced $33.2 million in Measure A funds for the project. “Measure A funding played a pivotal role in enabling the Sac 5 Corridor Enhancement Project to advance and ultimately succeed,” explains Greg Wong, Caltrans District 3 Deputy, Program Project and Asset Management. “By accelerating Measure A allocations by four years, the Sacramento Transportation Authority provided the essential local match needed to secure $15 million in Senate Bill 1 competitive funds, allowing multiple corridor improvements to be combined into one comprehensive project.” These funding sources were combined with $280 million in State Highway Operation and Protection Program funding and $8.5 million from the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG). Construction began in May 2019 and was completed in 2023 resulting in improved access for carpools, vanpools, and express bus services, supporting sustainable transportation.

 

Local Funding Multiplier Award – City of Sacramento, Franklin Boulevard Complete Street Project

Originating from the Franklin community’s desire for safe and accessible streets, the Franklin Boulevard Complete Street Project converted a busy arterial road functioning as a freeway bypass route to a street serving the area’s commercial district and surrounding neighborhoods. By slowing traffic and improving walkability and cycling, a heathier commercial district was created through a partnership between the City of Sacramento and the Franklin Boulevard Business Association. The project, undertaken in 2017 and completed in 2026, was first made possible with a $750,000 investment through Measure A's Smart Growth program which allowed the project to secure a  grant from the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG) Community Design Program which then was leveraged for additional funds from the State of California’s Active Transportation Program for a total of  $20.6 million in state and regional funding, contributing to a total project investment of $29.5 million. “The grassroots partnership collaborated to enhance Franklin Boulevard with traffic calming lane reductions, pedestrian and bicycle facility improvements, designated on-street parking, greater street canopy shade, and landscaping,” says Megan Johnson, City of Sacramento Public Works Interim Director.

 

Transportation Champion Award – Leslie Blomquist, City of Citrus Heights

Citrus Heights City Engineer, Leslie Blomquist, has received STA’s 2026 Measure A Transportation Champion Award for her leadership in the Auburn Boulevard Complete Streets Phase 2 Final Design and Construction project. Completed in August 2026, Ms. Blomquist served as the project manager, as well as City Engineer, spearheading grant strategies leveraging STA’s Measure A Smart Growth Program and Pedestrian/Safety funding to secure $20 million in construction grants and $34.5 million in total capital grants. These highly competitive grants and funding opportunities resulted in a taxpayer savings of $2.9 million dollars. “Leslie provided steady hands-on leadership. The project delivered the City’s largest infrastructure milestone,” shares Mary Poole, Operations Manager, City of Citrus Heights. Leslie was also instrumental in delivering a landmark 2.9-mile Arcade Cripple Creek infill trail project, more than 45 local safety projects, modernization of traffic operations, and funding for complete streets, trail extensions, and citywide targeted safety improvements. In addition, Leslie helped deliver Citrus Heights’ largest single-year pavement restoration program, resurfacing more streets in one year than the City had resurfaced over the previous decade combined.

 

Community Recognition Award – Deb Banks, Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates

Deb Banks, Former Executive Director for Sacramento Area Bicycle Advocates (SABA,) has been honored with STA’s 2026 Measure A Community Recognition Award for making exceptional contributions to advancing transportation in Sacramento County. An advocate for local, countywide, regional, and state funding and project delivery benefitting the region, Ms. Banks has brought the active transportation and community perspective to funding decisions. She led SacMoves, a coalition of similarly minded organization focused on transportation funding and policy and served on the CalBike Policy Committee. “She represented environmental interests on STA’s Future Transportation Funding Subcommittee and advocated for multimodal investments,” notes STA Executive Director Kevin Bewsey. “She is active in providing support for grant applications and transportation projects the enhance active transportation.” Ms. Banks role has led to stronger community engagement, broader project coalitions, resulting in competitive state and federal funding efforts.

 

Wayne Lewis, Caltrans Project Manager, Lifetime Achievement Award

Receiving the STA 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award, Caltrans Project Manager Wayne Lewis is recognized for his leadership in unifying the complex funding landscape to deliver the Sac 5 Corridor Enhancement Project. “His ability to negotiate effectively with external partners, including the Sacramento Transportation Authority, local agencies, and political leadership, was central to securing competitive funds,” says Greg Wong, Caltrans District 3 Deputy, Program Project and Asset Management. Through strong communication and collaboration with the STA’s leaders and Board of Directors, Mr. Lewis successfully advocated to advance Measure A funding by four years, serving as an essential local match for Senate Bill 1 Solutions for Congested Corridors Program, ultimate resulting in receiving millions of dollars in statewide funding. Mr. Lewis brought together multiple project terms and successfully aligned the funding scope for the project into four separate efforts: Sac 5 Rehabilitation, Sac 5 Safety, Sac 5 Operations, and Sac 5 High Occupancy Vehicle lanes. He fostered collaboration across divisions, resolving competing priorities and articulating a unified strategy to benefit all people using this Interstate 5 corridor in Sacramento County. His work has contributed to greater mobility, economic vitality, and quality of life for Sacramento Country residents. Beyond his leadership on SAC 5, Lewis has served as a longtime member of STA's Professional Advisory Group, helping strengthen collaboration among Caltrans, STA, and regional transportation agencies.

 

"These awards recognize the people and partnerships that turn transportation funding into meaningful improvements for Sacramento County residents," said STA Executive Director Kevin Bewsey. "Whether securing competitive grants, delivering major projects, or advocating for complete streets, each recipient demonstrates what can be accomplished through collaboration."

The inaugural Measure A Transportation Awards also highlight the broader value of Sacramento County's voter-approved transportation sales tax. By providing local funding and supporting partnerships, Measure A helps attract additional investment and deliver transportation improvements that benefit communities throughout the county.