The High Cost of Underinvestment: Assessing the State of Infrastructure in Southern California

In this episode, host Jon Switalski spoke with Matt Newman, the Principal and Co-Founder of Blue Sky Consulting Group, about a new report titled “The High Cost of Underinvestment: Assessing the State of Infrastructure in Southern California,” Rebuild SoCal Partnership launched in January of this year. We discuss key findings from the report, including transportation challenges, regional bridge and water system concerns, and equity disparities.

Over the past decade, Southern California's infrastructure investment has plummeted by 37 percent, impacting critical needs. Infrastructure at our regional ports needs investment, too - an estimated $5.7 billion investment is needed over the next decade for efficient goods movement at the region's ports.

Infrastructure investment drives economic growth, enables the swift movement of goods throughout the region, enhances health and safety across communities, and improves the quality of life for residents.

To read the full report, please visit https://rebuildsocal.org/2024report/

In this episode, host Jon Switalski spoke with Adán Ortega, the Chair of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD). Ortega took office as chair on January 1st of this year. We discussed the effects of the rain and storms in Southern California earlier this year, the challenges with building new water infrastructure, the future of water delivery in Southern California, and more!

Please note this episode was recorded on June 28th, 2023.

Women in Construction - President and CEO of Cooper Engineering Inc. Denise Cooper joins host Jon Switalski for an inspiring conversation about being a successful woman and business owner in the construction industry. Cooper talks about how young women should want to join the construction industry and not feel scared to do so, her journey into the industry, and the key to having a successful small business. 

Please note: This episode was recorded on March 8th, 2023. If you have any questions or suggestions for future episodes, please email [email protected]

In this episode of The Rebuild SoCal Zone, host Jon Switalski spoke with the San Diego County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman, Nora Vargas. Chairwoman Vargas was sworn in on January 4, 2021, to represent San Diego County’s 1st Supervisorial District. A first-generation immigrant, Supervisor Vargas is the first Latina, binational, and woman of color to serve as County Supervisor in the nearly 200-year history of the County of San Diego. She served as Vice-Chair of the Board for her first two terms and, on January 10th, 2023,  was unanimously elected Chairwoman of the Board of Supervisors. We discuss transportation policies and projects in San Diego County, the importance of affordable housing in our communities for young and working families, having a regional impact on San Diegans, and more!

Please note this episode was recorded on February 27th, 2023

This time around on our women in construction series, host Jon Switalski spoke with Teresa Stevenson. Stevenson is currently a Public License Works Inspector for the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 12. Stevenson joined the Operating Engineers when she was 52 and now, at 58, talks to us about her experience as a woman in such a male-dominated field. She also talks to us about the current project at the San Diego International Airport she is working on and how proud she feels when these projects are completed. Tune in to the episode and listen for more! 

This episode was recorded on February 21st, 2023

In this episode of The Rebuild SoCal Zone, host Jon Switalski spoke with Charles Fair, who is a member of the Laborers Union Local 89 in San Diego. Fair has been a member of Local 89 since 2008. We discuss the growth of San Diego, projects Charles has been a part of, mental health in the construction industry, and more!

Please note: This episode was recorded on February 9th, 2023

"We can't conserve our way out of the problems we have in California. We have to invest in infrastructure."

In this episode of The Rebuild SoCal Zone, host Jon Switalski spoke with San Bernardino County Supervisor Curt Hagman. Supervisor Hagman proudly serves the residents of the 4th district. We discuss various transportation projects happening in San Bernardino County, such as the Ontario Airport improvements, the importance of the goods movement to San Bernardino County, water infrastructure, and more!

Please note: This episode was recorded on January 18th, 2023 

"We should learn to respect the amount of water we have."

In this episode of The Rebuild SoCal Zone, host Jon Switalski spoke with Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger. Supervisor Barger proudly serves the residents of the 5th district, which is Los Angeles County's largest. We discuss the impact of Measure W projects, the role local transportation agencies play in addressing affordable housing, the implementation of Measure M transportation projects that are critical to District 5, and more!

Please note: This episode was recorded on November 29th, 2022

In this episode, host Jon Switalski spoke with Dr. Ray Wolfe. He is currently the Executive Director of San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA). Dr. Wolfe joined SBCTA in April 2012 after spending more than 20 years with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). We discuss current infrastructure needs in San Bernardino County, road and highway needs related to the goods movement and what that means for cars, and upcoming projects such as the Redlands Passenger Rail.

Please note this episode was recorded on October 25th, 2022.

In this episode, host Jon Switalski spoke with Senator Bob Hertzberg. He is currently running for Los Angeles County Supervisor in District 3, which covers much of the San Fernando Valley and the Westside of LA. Hertzberg has been a part of state government for years and returned in 2014 when he was elected again to represent nearly 1 million people in the San Fernando Valley in the California State Senate. We discuss the roll-out of Measure W projects, Hertzberg's affordable housing plan, the implementation of Measure M projects that are critical to District 3, creating union jobs, and more!

Please note this episode was recorded on September 22nd, 2022.