Caltrans recently announced that the California Transportation Commission has allocated more than $600 million in funding for hundreds of transportation infrastructure, rail and local projects. The funding includes $80 million from Senate Bill 1 (SB 1), the state’s gas tax increase that was preserved by voters last November.
“Caltrans will focus on repairing and rehabilitating the state highway system by improving pavement, bridges, culverts, and intelligent transportation systems, which are included in the performance requirements of SB 1, to improve transportation for all of our residents and visitors, no matter their mode of transportation,” said Caltrans Director Laurie Berman.
More than 200 transportation projects will improve and maintain California’s current transportation system. Most of the projects receiving funding allocations are part of the State Highway Operations and Protection Program, which is the state highway system’s “fix-it-first” program that funds safety improvements, emergency repairs, highway preservation and some operational highway improvements. While funding for this program is a mixture of federal and state funds, a significant portion comes from SB 1.
Other projects are designed to reduce congestion, improve freight transportation, and provide funds for local government improvement projects. These vital programs tackle congestion, support valuable trade corridors and bolster local agency efforts to invest in transportation.
Southern California allocations include:
San Diego County: $60.4 million allocated to projects near the city of San Diego. These projects will construct the new Siempre Viva Interchange at State Route 11 and begin site preparation for the California Highway Patrol Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Facility.
Southern California Rail and Transit: $29.8 million allocated for Intercity Rail Capital Program projects, including design work on the San Bernardino, Ventura, and Orange lines; and improvement projects in Burbank, Simi Valley and Orange County. This program funds projects that modernize transit systems, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve safety
Ventura County: $7.5 million awarded to repair damage on State Route 1 (Pacific Coast Highway) near Oxnard.
Orange County: $4.7 million for median barrier upgrades on Interstate 405 in Irvine and Costa Mesa, and $4.3 million to upgrade traffic signal equipment in the cities of Newport Beach, Huntington Beach and Seal Beach.
San Diego County: $2.6 million for construction and upgrade projects that will enable Interstate 5, Interstate 15, State Route 75 and State Route 163 to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Standards.
Los Angeles County: $1.4 million to install intersection improvements in the Long Beach area.
Imperial County: $200,000 to rehabilitate six bridges at various locations on Interstate 8 and State Route 78.
The Road Repair and Accountability Act (SB 1) invests $54 billion over the next decade to fix roads, freeways and bridges in communities across California and puts more dollars toward transit and safety. These funds will be split equally between state and local investments.
Source: Caltrans
