California Investing Nearly $1 Billion in Bicycle and Pedestrian Infrastructure Over Next Four Years

District: District 11 — San Diego and Imperial Counties
Contact: Stephen Welborn
Phone: (619) 688-6670

SACRAMENTO — Caltrans will spend approximately $930 million over the next four years to improve bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure throughout the state, according to a plan approved by the California Transportation Commission (CTC) this week. This includes 265 miles of new and improved bike lanes on state highways and the addition of more than 1,300 safety elements by mid-2028.

The CTC also approved a series of transportation projects totaling approximately $1 billion in continuing a historic push to improve the vital transportation infrastructure through rural and urban projects throughout the state.

The latest allocations include nearly $375 million from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA) and $276 million via Senate Bill 1 (SB 1), the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.

The bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure spending plan is part of the 2024 State Highway Operation and Protection Program (SHOPP). Funding over the next four years will improve access and safety for bicyclists and pedestrians using the state highway system. Of the 265 new and improved bike lanes, 203 miles are a combination of Class 1, 2, and 4 variety, and 62 miles are designated Class 3.  Safety elements featured in the plan include more visible and separated bike lanes, ADA-accessible curb ramps, better signage, and upgraded signalization.

“The future of transportation relies on offering increased options for everybody, including better paths for walking and infrastructure for biking,” Caltrans Director Tony Tavares said. “These investments will help us build a California that fits every traveler, including those on foot, on bicycles, and on other personal mobility devices.”

The following projects are among those that will focus on improvements in bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure:

• A $36 million project in Imperial County on State Routes 115, 111 and 86 to fix existing sidewalks and add new sidewalks, Class II bike lanes, and Class IV separated bikeways. Improvements include ADA curb ramp upgrades, lighting systems, traffic signal system upgrades, and overhead sign structure rehabilitation.
• A $19.6 million project on the Pacific Coast Highway (SR-1) in Santa Cruz County to repair 8.3 miles of pavement, guardrail, crosswalks, sign panels, and Class II bike lanes. This project includes new bike guide striping and      enhanced signage. The finished product will all be brought up to the standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). 
• $5,421,000 for the Bayshore Bikeway to SANDAG to install 1,850 linear feet of Class I bike path, 2,580 linear feet of Class III bike route, 3,000 linear feet of Class IV cycle track, 5 bike racks, 4 bike signals, 1 pedestrian head, construct 60 linear feet of sidewalk, 4 ADA ramps, reconstruct 945 linear feet of sidewalk, and 12 ramps to ADA standard.
• $339,000 for the Mission Hills to Old Town Bikeway to SANDAG to install 1,310 feet of Class II bike lane, 13,750 feet of Class III bike route, 14 enhance existing crosswalks at signalized intersections, 39 crossing-surface improvements, 1 new roundabout at signalized intersection, 2 new roundabouts at un-signalized intersections, 8 new rectangular rapid flashing beacons, 28 pedestrian signal heads, and 3 lighting at intersections. Construct 12 new ADA ramps, reconstruct 30 ramps to ADA standards, and reconstruct 1,610 feet of sidewalk in San Diego.
• $1,402,000 on I-15 in and near the cities of San Diego and Escondido for 20 new Americans with Disabilities (ADA) curb ramps, Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APSs), upgrading pedestrian crossings to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards, install High Tension Cable Barrier (HTCB), upgrade Closed-Circuit TV (CCTV) cameras and traffic signals, and restore wrong way driving preventative measures at exit ramps.
• $3,818,000 for the Pacific Coast Highway Coastal Rail Trail Airport Connection to SANDAG to install 2,100 linear feet of Class I bike path, 56,000 linear feet of Class IV cycle track, 50 bike boxes at signalized intersections, 2 traffic signals, 23 intersection lighting, 2,500 linear feet of lighting, 50 bike racks, construct 8 ADA ramps, and reconstruct 100 ramps to ADA standard.

The latest CTC-approved projects also include: 

• $407,000 on SR-76 near Rincon to widen the shoulder, construct a retaining wall with a safety barrier, remove boulders, and relocate and reconstruct a drainage system to improve safety.
• $2,306,000 on I-8 near Boulevard to replace maintenance station building, construct wash rack, upgrade electrical service, and install solar panels and a Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) charging station.
• $2,803,000 on SR-76 in Oceanside to rehabilitate pavement and drainage systems, enhance highway worker safety, upgrade traffic signals and roadside signs, and upgrade facilities to American with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards.
• $2,000,000 on SR-79 near Julian to rehabilitate pavement, replace signs, construct Transportation Management System (TMS) elements, and upgrade guardrail.
• $91,590,000 In the city of San Diego, on I-805 from Route 15 to Route 52 to add and upgrade Transportation Management System (TMS) elements, rehabilitate pavement, rehabilitate drainage, replace signs, and enhance highway worker safety.
• $37,124,000 on SR-78 in and near Poway to rehabilitate asphalt pavement, drainage system restoration, curb ramp upgrades, guardrail upgrades, and enhance crosswalk visibility.
• $18,750,000 on I-805 in San Diego to repair damage from winter storms by excavating the roadway, performing injection grouting, installing ground anchors, applying shotcrete to the retaining wall, replacing a culvert, and repairing pavement and concrete damage.
• $6,500,000 and $5,500,000 on I-15 in San Diego to SANDAG to construct a bridge structure at Vesta Street, install Signal Prioritization Technologies, widen the SB SR-15 Main Street offramp, rehabilitate deteriorating pavement, and implement Naval gate improvements.
• $6,500,000 on I-5 in San Diego County to SANDAG to introduce connected all-day and off-peak dedicated truck lanes and Intelligent Transportation Systems technologies along Harbor Drive and connecting arterials to I-5 and SR-15 in San Diego and National City.
• $33,793,000 to SANDAG for the San Onofre to Pulgas Double Track, constructing 1.1 miles of additional second main track capacity adjacent to the main track, including new bridges.
• $563,000 and $3,000,000 to SANDAG for the SDConnect: San Diego Rail Improvement Program in the City of Del Mar to stabilize eroding areas of the Del Mar Bluffs including installation of piles, lagging and retaining walls, drainage improvements and piped outlets to the beach, and other stabilization and erosion control measures on the upper bluffs.

IIJA, known as the “Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” is a once-in-a-generation investment in our nation's infrastructure to improve the sustainability and resiliency of our energy, water, broadband and transportation systems. Since 2021, California has received nearly $38 billion in IIJA funds, including more than $27.6 billion for transportation-related projects.

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

For more information about California transportation projects funded by IIJA and SB 1, visit RebuildingCA.ca.gov.