Date: Friday, October 18, 2024
Contact: Michael Lingberg
Email: [email protected]

California Invests Nearly $4 Billion to Improve Train Corridors, Bridges, Roadways, and Walking and Bicycle Pathways

Bakersfield – The California Transportation Commission (CTC) today allocated approximately $3.8 billion for projects that will continue to refurbish the state’s transportation infrastructure, enhance safety and create more options for the traveling public. The projects will improve coastal rail lines, freight corridors, bridges, highway interchanges and system enhancements aimed to increase accessibility for multi-modal users.

Nearly $3.5 billion of today’s investment is funded through the landmark federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA). More than 75 percent of that allocation will be sent to approximately 600 local governments and regional transportation authorities to replace bridges, reduce travel times for commuters, address planet-warming pollution, improve highway and rail safety and efficiency and provide new transportation services. Another approximately $330 million in funding comes from Senate Bill (SB) 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.

“These projects will create safer and more equitable and climate-resilient transportation options for all Californians,” said Caltrans Director Tony Tavares. “Investments made possible since IIJA was enacted are establishing a legacy that will benefit all people who use and rely on our vast transportation system for employment and educational opportunities, access to goods and services, and connection to recreational attractions.

Among the projects approved today include improvements for locations along the coastal LOSSAN (Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo) rail corridor, four hydrogen fueling stations near the I-215/SR-60 interchange, a freeway-to-freeway connector linking southbound SR-99 to westbound SR-58 in Bakersfield, a Class 4 bikeway in Redding and a bicycle/pedestrian overcrossing in Berkeley.

Other projects include:

·     Highpoint Rockfall Repair Project: The CTC approved $2.001 million in funding for the construction phase of the Highpoint Rockfall Repair Project on U.S. 395 in northern Mono County, near the Nevada State Line. This emergency project is replacing torn rockfall netting on the mountainside along the highway, parallel to Topaz Lake. Construction on this project is ongoing and anticipated to conclude in early November.

·     Keene Pavement Project: The CTC approved $10.15 million in funding for the design and right of way phases of the Keene Pavement Project. This project will rehabilitate nearly 45 lane miles of State Route 58, upgrade bridge rail and median barriers, install new lighting, and construct a 3.5-mile truck climbing lane west of Hart Flat Road. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2026.

·     Valley Boulevard and Mill Street Gap Closure Project: The CTC approved $515,000 in funding for the design and right of way phases of the Valley Boulevard and Mill Street Gap Closure Project. This project by the Kern Council of Governments (Kern COG) will construct more than 4,500 feet of sidewalk and 21 new ADA curb ramps in Tehachapi on West Valley Boulevard between Oakwood Street and Curry Street and on Mill Street between Valley Boulevard and Tehachapi Boulevard. It will also reconstruct 10 curb ramps to bring them to current standards, improve crosswalks at four intersections, and build a Class II bicycle lane on the north side of Valley Boulevard and on Mill Street.

IIJA is also known as the “Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” a once-in-a-generation investment in our nation’s infrastructure to improve the sustainability and resiliency of our country’s energy, water, broadband and transportation systems. California has received more than $46 billion in federal infrastructure funding since IIJA’s passage in November 2021. That includes investments to upgrade the state’s roads, bridges, rail, public transit, airports, electric vehicle charging network, ports and waterways. The funding alone has already created more than 87,000 jobs.

In addition, SB 1 provides $5 billion in transportation funding annually split between the state and local agencies. Road projects progress through construction phases more quickly based on the availability of SB 1 funds, including projects that are partially funded by SB 1.

Find projects that are building California’s climate-friendly future at Build.ca.gov and Rebuildca.ca.gov

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