EUREKA — The California Transportation Commission (CTC) has allocated nearly $1 billion for various projects aimed at solving mobility challenges and fortifying the state's transportation infrastructure against climate change. "These investments will harden the transportation system against the devastating results of extreme weather events," remarked Caltrans Director Tony Tavares. He emphasized the importance of improving not only the physical roadway systems but also enhancing safety and providing more options for pedestrians and cyclists.
Out of the total investment, nearly $623 million is sourced from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA). An additional $264 million is allocated from Senate Bill 1 (SB 1), known as the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017. With these funds, California aims to tackle current mobility challenges head-on.
Among the approved projects is $15 million earmarked for the installation of electric charging infrastructure to support electric buses within the San Mateo County’s SamTrans system. Also, $9.5 million will aid the creation of new bike lanes and pedestrian safety measures along SR-82, enhancing safety features like crosswalks and signal enhancements over an 8-mile stretch in Santa Clara County. The capital also sees $6 million directed toward the construction of a new light rail station servicing Sacramento City College.
The allocations principally benefit California’s District 1, with approximately $34.8 million set for improvements along U.S. 101 from south of the Klamath River Bridge to south of Humboldt Road. This funding includes over $30.8 million from IIJA and around $4 million from SB 1. Meanwhile, the projects underline the state’s commitment to support eco-friendly developments, with $114,000 allocated for constructing service bays necessary for maintaining new fuel cell electric buses intended to serve Humboldt County.
District 11 projects, predominantly focused on San Diego and Imperial Counties, include substantial investments for rehabilitation, safety, and sustainability. For example, $126.2 million will be spent on SR-78, covering pavement rehabilitation and upgrades to meet ADA standards. A notable component of this project aims to prolong the lifespan of pavements and bolster ride quality for commuters.
Alongside this, $1.8 million is directed to the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) for the necessary rehabilitation of four bridges on I-805, aimed at preserving their structural integrity and enhancing safety measures. The La Jolla Band of Luiseño Indians ATP will also benefit from $4.4 million to install traffic signage and sidewalks for non-motorized users.
Infrastructure enhancements are also being seen along the Orange Line, where $13.1 million would facilitate improvements across 7.9 miles of track between Massachusetts Ave and El Cajon Transit Center. This will upgrade track signaling systems, improve passenger service, and prioritize the safety enhancements at rail crossings.
The California investment via IIJA contributes to what has been described as a once-in-a-generation opportunity for infrastructure development, focusing on sustainability and the resilience of the state’s energy, water, broadband, and transport systems. Since the act’s passage, California has received nearly $62 billion aimed at rejuvenation and enhancement of its vast network of roads, bridges, rail systems, airports, ports, and the electric vehicle charging infrastructure. These efforts have been pivotal, creating over 170,000 jobs statewide.
With SB 1 impacting the state since its inception, roughly $5 billion has been injected annually for transportation projects, funding is divided between state and local agencies. The expedited manner of road projects advancing through their construction phases can be traced directly to this funding availability. Projects partially funded by SB 1 have shown remarkable progress, emphasizing the importance of consistent and adequate funding for the state’s continuous improvement.
California’s unwavering focus on building climate-resilient infrastructure demonstrates the state's proactive approach to counter extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change. By investing substantially in both conventional and sustainable transport options, California is setting benchmarks for economic equity, access to mobility, and infrastructural resilience.
For additional information, visit: Build.ca.gov.