The California Transportation Commission (CTC) has allocated $1.18 billion for projects to fix and improve transportation infrastructure throughout the state. More than half of this critical investment, $630 million, comes from Senate Bill 1 (SB 1), the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017. SB 1 provides $5 billion annually to state and local agencies to address critical repairs to roads, highways and bridges, and to improve transit and safety in California.
“California has the most heavily traveled transportation system in the country,” said California Department of Transportation Director Toks Omishakin. “This investment will allow Caltrans to make critical repairs and upgrades to our state’s roads and bridges, increase options for transit, rail, walking and biking, and support thousands of jobs.”
The largest allocation was $200.4 million to construct a truck-climbing lane along Interstate 10 near Coachella in Riverside County. I-10 stretches coast-to-coast across the southern U.S. connecting California to Florida and serves as a vital conduit for freight.
Other Southern California Projects Include:
Imperial Co.
- $7.8 million awarded in support of truck crossing improvements at the Calexico East Port of Entry, a bustling border crossing point for commercial trucks. According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, this port of entry has processed 107,929 trucks so far in 2021.
Kern Co.
- $11 million for a roadway rehabilitation project on State Route 58 that will rehabilitate pavement, repair drainage systems, and upgrade transportation management systems.
Los Angeles Co.
- $20.4 million for upgrades to State Route 2 in Angeles National Forest that will reduce the number and severity of traffic collisions. The project will entail installing new guardrails, upgrading existing guardrails, and establishing stormwater treatment.
- $5 million for the procurement of 20 zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell buses and related infrastructure to improve public transit frequency in L.A. County.
Orange Co.
- $3.5 million to preserve the service life of 10 bridges along more than 10 miles of State Route 73 by rehabilitating bridge decks, bridge joints and approach slabs.
Riverside Co.
- $1.3 million to install zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) electric charging stations at state roadside rest areas along I-10 near Banning and Blythe.
San Bernardino Co.
- $16.4 million for a pavement rehabilitation project along a section of State Route 18 that connects the Victor Valley in San Bernardino County to the Antelope Valley in L.A. County.
- $4.7 million to make pedestrian safety improvements around three schools in the City of Ontario.
San Diego Co.
- $13.3 million for enhancements along San Diego’s Blue Line transit corridor. The funds will be used to purchase 11 zero-emission (battery electric) buses to service new routes.
San Luis Obispo Co.
- $12 million to replace the Old Creek Bridge on Highway 1 near Morro Bay. The project, to provide seismic upgrades and widen the shoulders of the roadway, will decrease vehicle accidents and facilitate safe passage for bicycle traffic.
Santa Barbara Co.
- $18 million to resurface pavement and upgrade curb ramps to meet Americans with Disabilities Standards (ADA) on State Route 135.
Source: Caltrans
