Between Two Shovels Ep 20: Steve Borroum - Former Caltrans Chief Engineer on VMT & Air Quality Truth

from Between Two Shovels with Derek Minnema · host Derek Minnema

From forming one of the nation's first MPOs in Las Vegas to serving as Caltrans' Chief Environmental Engineer, Steve Borroum has spent decades at the intersection of transportation, air quality, and land use policy. In this episode, he breaks down what the data actually says about Vehicle Miles Traveled, why induced demand isn't the full story, and what really drives traffic growth.Steve's career spans creating the first regional development fee program in the country, shaping national air quality conformity regulations, and helping lift a court-ordered development moratorium in El Dorado County. He was also instrumental in the early vision for the Capital Southeast Connector.Chapters:00:00 Intro and Background02:21 Starting the Las Vegas MPO05:05 The First Regional Development Fee Program07:03 Working for Caltrans as Chief Environmental Engineer07:54 Shaping National Air Quality Conformity Rules11:03 El Dorado County and the Development Stop Order14:05 The Origins of the Capital Southeast Connector17:05 The Real Story Behind VMT23:00 Induced Demand — What the Data Actually Shows31:39 Why VMT Per Capita Has Been Flat Since 199034:10 What Actually Changes VMT36:04 Clean the Tailpipe: The Path Forward38:12 Closing Thoughts on Job-Housing BalanceSubscribe to Between Two Shovels for conversations with the people building, moving, and funding infrastructure across California and beyond.Guest: Steve Borroum, Former Chief Environmental Engineer, CaltransBetween Two Shovels is produced by the Capital SouthEast Connector Joint Powers Authority and explores transportation policy, engineering, and project delivery through conversations with industry leaders.

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This episode is 41 minutes long.

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This episode was published on April 7, 2026.

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