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

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.

Projects approved today in Tuolumne, Calaveras, and San Joaquin; Counties include:

• $185,000 in funding to help support the Tuolumne County Transportation Council (TCTC) construct the Hetch Hetchy Railroad Trail Project in Groveland. The funding will be used to support construction of a Class I Trail along the Hetch Hetchy Railroad Alignment from Deer Flat Road to the District Sports Complex. The project will install new pathway lighting, three new bike racks, and enhance a three bicycle/pedestrian bridges to help connect residential, commercial, and recreational facilities. The project is in the community of Groveland in Tuolumne County.
• $556,000 in funding to help support the San Joaquin Council of Governments (SJCOG) efforts to improve pedestrian facilities in the neighborhood of Harrison Elementary School. The funding will be used to support the installation of a Class II bike lane, construction of new sidewalks and curb ramps, pedestrian crosswalk enhancements, a new rectangular rapid flashing beacon, new intersection lighting, and one new traffic signal. The pedestrian improvements will improve safety and connectivity for children along Alpine Avenue, Sanguinetti Lane, Wilson Way, and Mistletoe Avenue near Harrison Elementary School in the City of Stockton.
• $4,230,000 in funding to help support the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission / San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority acquire right of way to prepare for construction of the new Valley Rail Madera Station. The project will construct one new rail station that will improve system integration and connectivity between the State Rail Plan, High-Speed Rail Business Plan and the Connected Corridors Study. The new Valley Rail Madera Station is in a region zoned for population growth and will increase San Joaquins ridership with improved access to the north Fresno market and State Route 99 corridor through Merced, Stanislaus, and San Joaquin Counties.
• $9,359,000 in funding to help upgrade facilities along State Route 49 in Calaveras County to current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. The funding will be used to construct new sidewalks, curb ramps, and Class II bike lanes as complete street elements on Main Street between Pine Street and Brunner Hill Road in the community of Angels Camp.

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 RebuildingCA.ca.gov.