California invests in transportation improvements

CALIFORNIA – The California Transportation Commission (CTC) recently allocated more than US$565 million for current projects to address transportation needs throughout the state.

This continued investment will repair highways and bridges and improve California’s growing network of mass transit, bicycle, and pedestrian routes.

“Caltrans is committed to improving California’s transportation infrastructure and creating safer, more reliable travel options,” Caltrans director Toks Omishakin said in a statement.

“This investment allows the department to continue our critical repairs and upgrades to roads, bridges, mass transit, and bicycle and pedestrian routes,” he added.

Funding for these projects comes from federal and state gas taxes, including more than US$108 million from Senate Bill 1 (SB 1), the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017. SB 1 funds are used for ongoing maintenance and rehabilitation of the State Highway System.

The US$2 billion awarded for future projects will provide funding through 2023 from three programs created by SB 1 to improve the movement of goods, increase mobility options and access to public transit, and support equity and environmental sustainability.

To date, SB 1 funds have enabled Caltrans to fix more than 6,400 lane miles of pavement, 635 bridges, and 540,000 ft of culverts.

Source: Roads & Bridges