The California Transportation Commission (CTC) has allocated $244 million in new funding to 71 projects that will improve highways, bridges and passenger rail and help develop more active transportation options.

Yet earlier this year CTC adopted a five-year state transportation funding plan that cut more than $754 million in planned highway, transit, rail and other projects because of falling tax revenues. The commission also voted to delay another $755 million in planned projects.

The newly allocated funding includes $87.4 million from the State Highway Operation and Protection Program for 18 projects that will preserve and protect the state highway system. These capital improvements include transportation safety projects, pavement repair and preservation work and upgrades to bridges throughout the state.

“Investing in our infrastructure benefits Californians for generations to come and these projects will improve mobility and expand choices for all users of the transportation system, whether they choose to travel by car, take transit or ride a bicycle,” said Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty.

The newly allocated funding includes $87.4 million from the State Highway Operation and Protection Program for 18 projects that will preserve and protect the state highway system. These capital improvements include transportation safety projects, pavement repair and preservation work and upgrades to bridges throughout the state.

Also included among allocations:

  • Nearly $30 million for Transit and Intercity Rail Program projects that seek to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, expand rail service to increase ridership, integrate various rail and bus systems and improve rail safety.
  • $18 million for Traffic Congestion Relief Program projects that will relieve congestion, connect transportation systems and provide for better goods movement.
  • $15.8 million from Proposition 1B, a transportation bond approved by voters in 2006. To date, more than $19.2 billion in Proposition 1B funds have been put to work statewide for transportation purposes.
  • The remaining $74 million in allocations came from various state and federal transportation accounts.
    The CTC is responsible for the programming and allocating of funds for the construction of highway, passenger rail, active transportation, aeronautics, and transit improvements throughout California.

Funding allocations were made to recipients in these Southern California counties: Kern, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura. The complete list of projects is available here.

Source: CalTrans Press Release