California Transportation Commission Allocates $920 Million To Improve Transportation

Source: Caltrans

The California Transportation Commission (CTC) at its May meeting allocated more than $924 million for projects to improve critical transportation infrastructure throughout the state. Nearly half of this major investment – $458 million – comes from Senate Bill (SB) 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.

“Caltrans is building a brighter future through a transportation network that serves all Californians,” said Caltrans Director Toks Omishakin. “This significant investment will help us fortify and enhance our state’s vast network of highways, bridges, transit lines, bikeways and pedestrian routes.”

Projects approved include:

$100 million to replace the existing pavement, widen the outside shoulders, replace guardrail and upgrade drainage systems on US 101 near the South Padaro Lane Undercrossing near Summerland in Santa Barbara County.
$7.6 million to widen and improve the bridge railing of the Castroville Overhead on State Route 156 between the State Route 156/183 Separation and Castroville Boulevard in Monterey County.
$6.4 million to install a Contrasting Surface Treatment near the gore point, construct maintenance vehicle pullouts, relocate utilities, modify drainage inlets and install erosion control to reduce maintenance and improve highway worker safety on US 101 near Los Alamos, Orcutt, Santa Maria and Nipomo in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties.
$2.3 million to construct a wildlife Undercrossing on Highway 17 near Laurel Road near Scotts Valley in Santa Cruz County.
5.8 million to construct pedestrian ramps and sidewalks to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) at the Butterfly Lane Pedestrian Undercrossing in Santa Barbara County.

In addition to the investments listed above, Caltrans also reported to the CTC on recent emergency and safety projects, including $13 million to rebuild 150 feet of Highway 1 at Rat Creek in Monterey County following a January mudslide. Caltrans completed this emergency repair projectnearly two months ahead of its target date, reopening the highway to traffic on April 23.

SB 1 funding 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 funds, including projects that are partially funded by SB 1. For more information about other state transportation projects funded by SB 1, visit RebuildingCA.ca.gov.