Newsom Signed Bills Blocking Local Road Changes
New legislation stops Encinitas and Los Angeles from removing specific bike and vehicle lanes.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Legislative Policy
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Governor Gavin Newsom has signed two budget trailer bills, SB 114 and SB 194, which restrict local authorities from altering specific transportation infrastructure. The measures effectively override city-led plans to remove protected bikeways and reduce vehicle lanes in Encinitas and Los Angeles.
Why it matters
The laws represent a significant state intervention into local urban planning, stripping cities of their authority to modify road designs that received state funding or serve specific access points. These measures were finalized without standard committee processes, raising questions about the balance of power between California and local municipalities.
SB 114 mandates that Encinitas retain the Santa Fe Drive bikeway for five years following its 2025 completion, while SB 194 targets road projects in cities with over 2 million residents. Both provisions were inserted into legislation in late August 2026.
The players
Gavin Newsom
Gavin Newsom is the Governor of California who signed the budget trailer bills into law.
Encinitas
Encinitas is a coastal city in San Diego County that sought to remove a protected bikeway citing traffic and safety conflicts.
Los Angeles
Los Angeles is the state's most populous city and is currently restricted by the new legislative mandates regarding cemetery-access roads.
The details
SB 114 prohibits the city of Encinitas from removing a state-funded protected bikeway on Santa Fe Drive, while SB 194 forces Los Angeles to conduct public hearings and formal votes before altering vehicle lanes on Forest Lawn Drive. These constraints were enacted after local officials and cemetery operators expressed concerns regarding traffic congestion and emergency access.
Timeline
The Santa Fe Drive West Segment Project was completed in 2025.
Language for the new restrictions was inserted into SB 194 on August 28, 2026.
Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 114 and SB 194 into law on September 18, 2026.
Political Context
Opposition to these bills centers on the erosion of local control, as municipal leaders argue that cities are best equipped to manage their own traffic congestion and safety needs. Dissenting voices contend that state-level mandates override the democratic process of city councils and neighborhood planning.
Residents in Encinitas and Los Angeles may see current road configurations frozen in place for the foreseeable future due to these state-mandated requirements. Local taxpayers and drivers should expect these infrastructure layouts to remain unchanged regardless of previous plans by their respective city councils.
The takeaway
These laws signal a shift toward greater state oversight of local transit projects that involve public funding. Property owners and residents should monitor state budget cycles, as legislative riders can significantly impact local infrastructure and municipal decision-making power.
Further reading
Learn more about ongoing regulatory developments at California Legislative Policy.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Streetsblog California.
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