Funds impact infrastructure across state

California’s voters rejected Proposition 6, sending a strong message that the state needs Senate Bill 1 (SB 1), the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017. Prior to the election, one of the most asked questions about the gas tax was, “where does the money go?” With SB 1 now hitting a one-year anniversary, there are many projects where these vital funds have been put to use and, thanks to the voters, the number of projects will continue to grow due to available funding.

Caltrans work

Just as the Beatles sang in “A Day in the Life” about how many potholes were counted in Blackburn, Lancashire, Caltrans has been keeping count in California. Crews have repaired more than 2,900 potholes to date as well as repairing or replacing:

  • More than 740 lane miles of pavement
  • More than 37,500 feet of guardrail
  • Nearly 950 highway lights and traffic signals
  • 800 roadway signs

Additionally, Caltrans has restriped more than 2,000 miles of highway to improve visibility and safety on the state’s highways. The number of transportation projects is expected to grow to 100 by December 31. Cities and counties have also done great work over the last year on their local roads.

Completed in SoCal

While SB 1 funds are utilized state wide, numerous projects have been completed in Southern California. Citizens who haven’t yet driven these roadways can see the before and after results in this gallery.

Specific projects include:

  • Interstate 40 & U.S. 95 – Needles, San Bernardino County: $10.1 million project resurfaced 72.5 lane miles of Interstate 40 and U.S. Highway 95 south of Needles.

 

  • Interstate 5 – Los Angeles County: $1.7 million resurfaced nearly seven miles of Interstate 5 between Interstate 605 and Washington Blvd. in the Los Angeles area.

  • Interstate 605 – El Monte/West Covina, Los Angeles County: $2.6 million project resurfaced 23.4 lane miles of Interstate 605 between El Monte and West Covina.

  • State Route 395 – Big Pine/ Coso, Inyo County: $2.4 million project placed a chip seal on nearly 22 miles of State Route 395 near Big Pine and Coso.

  • State Route 101 – Santa Barbara County: $1.4 million bridge project revamped two bridges on U.S. Highway 101 and $4.4 million project removed and replaced damaged concrete, repaved shoulders and ramps, and replaced striping on nearly two miles of State Route 101 in Buellton.

  • State Routes 57 & 60 – Orange/Los Angeles County:  $7.8 million project replaced broken slabs and resurfaced concrete pavement on more than 46 lane miles of State Route 57 through the cities of Orange, Anaheim, Placentia and Fullerton. $1.8 million project repaired and resurfaced various sections of State Route 57, north of the Los Angeles/Orange County Line and State Route 60 in Diamond Bar.

 

  • State Routes 1 & 39 – Westminster, Huntington Beach, Orange County: $2.7 million project resurfaced 23 lane miles of pavement on State Routes 1 and 39 near Westminster and Huntington Beach.

 

Work in progress

Counting every project and providing reports to make Californians aware of where their tax dollar is at work is an important part of accountability associated with SB 1. As projects continue over the next 10 years, find transportation projects in your area that the state and local communities are investing in with SB 1 revenue by clicking on this interactive map.