SAN DIEGO, CA — The California Transportation Commission (CTC) today approved $3 billion in allocations to enhance safety and mobility across the state highway system and expand multimodal travel, including bike lanes and pedestrian pathways. Guided by Governor Gavin Newsom’s Build More, Faster – For All infrastructure agenda, these improvements will make California communities safer, cleaner and increase access to active transportation options.
Of the $3 billion allocated this month, $663 million derives from Senate Bill (SB) 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 and approximately $2 billion from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA). The funds will serve as a catalyst to increase the capacity of the state’s transportation system, rehabilitate aging roadways and improve travel times, while balancing community impacts and promoting environmental benefits.
“Today’s investments reflect California’s long-term commitment to safer roads, smarter traffic management and expanded transportation choices that get people where they need to go,” said Caltrans Director Dina El-Tawansy.
“The funds allocated today reflect the Commission’s commitment to investing taxpayer dollars strategically,” said CTC Chair Darnell Grisby. “These investments will improve the safety and reliability of the state’s transportation network and support a thriving economy by improving the movement of freight and reducing out-of-pocket expenses for all Californians.”
Among the larger projects approved by the Commission:
- $102 million — Improve segments of Interstate 5 (the Grapevine) in Kern County. Work includes pavement repair, upgraded drainage and lighting, installation of CCTV cameras, vehicle detection systems and changeable message signs to improve traffic monitoring and incident response.
- $21 million — Preservation of a bridge in Monterey County using an innovative electrochemical technique to remove corrosives from concrete, extending the structure’s service life.
- $12 million — Construction of a bicycle and pedestrian overcrossing of U.S. Highway 101 in Santa Rosa to serve students at Santa Rosa Junior College and Santa Rosa High School and nearby commercial destinations.
- $3 million — New sidewalks, landscaping and bike lanes along H Street in the city of Bakersfield, improving walking and bicycling access and neighborhood connectivity.
In Orange County, the CTC approved allocations for:
- $132 million, including $121 million in IIJA funding and $3 million in SB 1 funding, for a project on Interstate 5 (I-5) in Irvine, between I-405 and Yale Avenue, to rehabilitate pavement and drainage systems, and improve highway worker safety.
- $37.3 million, including $25.2 million in IIJA funding and $12.1 million in SB 1 funding, for a project on I-5 in Irvine, between Yale Avenue and State Route 55 (SR-55), to rehabilitate pavement and drainage systems, and improve highway worker safety.
- $3.3 million for a project on SR-241 and SR-133 in Anaheim and Irvine to restore fire-damaged assets, including guardrail, drainage systems, traffic control devices and signs.
- $973,000 in supplemental funding, including $876,000 in IIJA funding and $97,000 in SB 1 funding, for a safety improvement project to the southbound SR-57 connector to westbound SR-91 in the city of Anaheim that will extend the existing connector lane drop, replace existing nonstandard safety systems, construct a ground anchor wall, and upgrade drainage system and safety lighting.
IIJA is 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. The total funding for California is nearly $54 billion. This includes investments to upgrade the state’s roads, bridges, rail, public transit, airports, ports, waterways and the electric vehicle charging network.
SB 1 has invested approximately $5 billion annually toward transportation projects since its adoption. It provides funding split between the state and local agencies. Road projects progress through construction phases more quickly based on the availability of funds, including projects that are partially funded by SB 1.
Visit build.ca.gov to learn more about transformative infrastructure projects happening in communities throughout the state.