Contact: Robert Johnson
Phone: (949) 279-8931
SACRAMENTO – Caltrans today announced its award of $26.5 million in planning grants for 65 local projects to strengthen climate resiliency, reduce planet-warming pollution, improve bicycle and pedestrian safety and increase natural disaster preparedness throughout California. Including the grants announced today, the Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant program has awarded more than $292 million to 750 projects since 2015.
Nearly $3 million of these funds comes from one-time state and federal sources made possible by Governor Gavin Newsom’s historic $15 billion clean transportation package — part of the 2022-23 budget to further the state’s ambitious climate goals. Another $12.4 million comes from Senate Bill (SB) 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017. The awards will fund project planning and conceptual design efforts, helping move the projects closer to construction.
“These selected projects will greatly improve mobility statewide by supporting multimodal transportation and help our under-resourced communities become more climate resilient,” said Caltrans Director Dina El-Tawansy. “By supporting our local and tribal partners, California can maintain a sustainable, adaptable and resilient transportation system to help all Californians become better connected.”
Funding includes:
- $21.2 million in Sustainable Communities Competitive and Technical Grants to 51 local and regional, transit agencies and tribes for transportation and land use planning, as well as planning for electric vehicle charging infrastructure. This includes more than $10 million to fund 25 projects that improve safety and access for people who walk and bike. Ninety-four percent of these projects awarded will benefit under-resourced communities.
- $3.1 million in Climate Adaptation Planning Grants – all from Governor Newsom’s clean transportation infrastructure package – to eight local and regional agencies to identify transportation-related climate vulnerabilities through the development of climate adaptation plans, as well as project-level adaptation planning to address climate impacts to transportation infrastructure. Seventy-five percent of these projects awarded will benefit under-resourced communities.
- $2.2 million in federally funded Strategic Partnerships Grants to six projects that will plan for an equitable regional tolling program, comprehensive multimodal corridors, regional freight resilience planning, rural corridor studies to improve transportation infrastructure on or near tribal lands,transit mobility hubs and Bus Rapid Transit.
In Orange County:
- $600,000 for the Orange County Transportation Authority to develop a countywide active transportation plan, known as Move OC: A Vibrant Path to Active Transportation. The plan will provide infrastructure, policy and funding recommendations to increase active transportation and improve bicycle and pedestrian connectivity. Outreach will be conducted to ensure the plan reflects the diverse needs of residents of all ages, abilities and income levels — working to make active transportation a safe and convenient option for everyday travel throughout Orange County.
- $425,000 for the Anaheim Transportation Network to build on its multimodal transit plan by further developing the Advancing Neighborhood Networks for All (ANNA) Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and Community Connection Nodes project. This funding will support the creation of outreach and design plans for a new BRT route along the Katella Avenue corridor — one of Anaheim’s busiest thoroughfares. The project aims to provide an efficient and accessible transit option that connects key destinations including the Anaheim Convention Center, the Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC), residential neighborhoods and businesses.
- $295,000 for the City of Irvine to complete the Campus Drive Complete Streets and Safety Study. This study will analyze Campus Drive between University Drive and Turtle Rock Drive — a priority area for pedestrian and bicycle safety improvements due to its proximity to UC Irvine, University High School, retail centers and residential communities. The study will evaluate existing conditions, review relevant standards and develop design alternatives to enhance safety and accessibility. Potential features include buffered or protected bikeways, upgraded crossings, safety signage, striping and traffic signal modifications. The final report will identify a preferred alternative and outline a comprehensive vision for complete streets improvements along Campus Drive.
View the complete list of this year’s planning grant project awardees
Caltrans awards transportation planning grants each year through a competitive process to fund local and regional multimodal transportation and land use planning projects. These grants assist in achieving the Caltrans Mission and Grant Program Objectives. Applications are evaluated based on how projects advance state transportation and climate goals by identifying and addressing statewide, interregional or regional transportation deficiencies on the highway system.
SB 1 provides $5 billion in transportation funding annually that is shared equally between 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.
To view the latest news and information on state and federal infrastructure investments, visit build.ca.gov.