The California Transportation Commission recently adopted the 2018 State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), which is expected to fund more than $3 billion in transportation projects over the next five years.
The transportation improvement program, which outlines financing plans for future highways, intercity rail and transit projects, is adopted for a five-year period and updated every two years. The 2018 program covers the period from 2018 to 2022.
Funding for the improvement program was made possible through the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, also known as Senate Bill 1, which raises $5.4 billion annually in new transportation revenues.
The 2018 STIP provides California counties with the chance to fully restore projects deleted in 2016, as well as the opportunity to fund additional transportation priorities.
“Just two years ago, a funding shortfall forced the Commission to delete and delay about $1.5 billion in projects from the 2016 STIP,” said CTC Commissioner Lucy Dunn. “That was a blow to communities counting on traffic relief. The gas tax revenue stabilized by SB 1 will help us restore many projects that were cut and fund new projects for much-needed transportation improvements across California.”
Some 75% of the program’s funding goes to projects nominated by regional transportation agencies. The 2018 STIP includes $482 million for Los Angeles County Metro. Metro CEO Phillip A. Washington said, “We applaud the CTC with moving forward on the adoption of the 2018 STIP and we are excited that through this adoption, Metro will have the opportunity to recognize immediate benefit of SB 1 in funding critical investments in Los Angeles County.”
The Metro Board of Directors says that it takes SB 1 funding very seriously. There is an effort underway to put a ballot measure before California voters to repeal SB 1 and Metro says that if it happens, cities in L.A. County would lose $4.35 billion over the next decade to support the delivery of Measure M projects. In January, the Metro Board voted to support Proposition 69 (ACA 5), which protects the revenues generated from SB 1, and to oppose any efforts to repeal SB 1.
Southern California Partnership for Jobs supports infrastructure investment. It enhances our overall quality of life and supports individuals’ employment and their families’ well-being. We advocated for the passage of SB 1, a new transportation funding source that is becoming ever more critical for California. We continue to work closely with other advocates to seek more funding at the state, regional and local levels.
Source: socalworks.org
