Between Two Shovels Ep. 03: The Reality Behind Sacramento’s Infrastructure w/ Vitaliy Moskalenko

Between Two Shovels presents - Derek Minnema, Executive Director of Connector JPA, joining Vitaliy Moskalenko from Onsite Observer in this deep dive into Sacramento's infrastructure development and the ambitious 34-mile Connector expressway project.In this revealing conversation, they explore:-Vitaliy's unique journey from real estate agent to infrastructure journalist-How social media is changing public engagement with local development-The complex funding mechanisms that make or break major infrastructure-Environmental regulations and lawsuits that shape project timelines-Why California's climate policies have essentially halted highway expansion-The challenges of property acquisition and right-of-way negotiations-The future of Sacramento's development landscapeAs local development continues to transform Sacramento, this episode offers rare insights into how major infrastructure decisions get made, the political realities that shape them, and what the future holds for our region's growth.This is essential viewing for anyone interested in Sacramento's development, transportation planning, or the intersection of policy and infrastructure.TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Introduction04:20 Vitaliy's journey to local development journalism16:45 The visual appeal of infrastructure projects25:30 How project funding actually works31:05 Environmental permitting challenges35:38 Climate policy's impact on highway projects44:40 Career paths in civil engineering and infrastructure48:20 Sacramento's development future📍 Learn more about Connector JPA: https://connectorjpa.com/