December 10, 2022 - SACRAMENTO — The California Transportation Commission (CTC) this week approved $1 billion for 93 new walking and biking projects for disadvantaged communities as part of the 2023 Active Transportation Program and allocated more than $878 million for projects to repair and improve transportation infrastructure throughout the state. The allocation includes more than $209 million in funding from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA) and more than $339 million in funding from Senate Bill (SB) 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.

The active transportation projects approved at the meeting will benefit disadvantaged communities throughout California, two-thirds of which will implement safe routes for children to walk or bike to school. The projects make up more than half of the 2023 Active Transportation Program, with an additional $700 million to be awarded in the spring. Much of the funding comes from a one-time infusion of $1 billion for active transportation in the 2022-23 state budget as part of a nearly $15 billion transportation infrastructure package.

“California and our federal partners are continuing to make historic headway in addressing our transportation needs and advancing safety, equity, climate action and economic prosperity,” said Caltrans Director Tony Tavares. “Importantly, this includes significant investments in infrastructure that allows everyone to access active means of transportation, like walking and biking.”

Active transportation projects approved at the meeting include:

• A project in Merced County received $44,000 to conduct bicycle and pedestrian safety education for parents, students, teachers, and residents of the community at large. The Plainsburg Road Complete Street Upgrade project will include conduct encouragement activities and work with partners to increase safety.
• A project in an unincorporated area of Stanislaus County near downtown Modesto received $2.4 million in IIJA funding. The Bret Harte Elementary Safe Crossing and Active Transportation Connectivity Project will provide 7,800 feet of Class III bicycle lanes and 9,000 feet of sidewalk along various streets at various locations within the neighborhood.
• A project on Washington Street in Sonora (Tuolumne County) received $1.24 million to construct bus stops, curb extensions, sidewalks to Americans With Disabilities Standards (ADA), complete streets elements, storm drains, signage and street lighting.

The $878 million in projects the CTC approved include:

• A project in and near Manteca, Ripon, and Salida from the Stanislaus County line to Yosemite Avenue at various locations received $3.1 million in IIJA funding to pave areas, construct maintenance vehicle pullouts and pave the slope beneath abutments to reduce maintenance needs and enhance highway worker safety.
• A project near Markleeville in Alpine County received $3.9 million to clear debris, repair roadway and drainage systems, and place rock slope protection along State Route 89 from Webster Street to Turtle Rock Park Road, where an intense storm in August 2022 caused flash flooding and debris flows in Millberry Creek.

SB 1 provides $5 billion in transportation funding annually that is shared equally between the 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. For more information about transportation projects funded by SB 1, visit RebuildingCA.ca.gov.