August 18, 2024 – SACRAMENTO, CA – The California Transportation Commission (CTC) on Friday allocated more than $1.8 billion for projects to improve critical transportation infrastructure throughout the state. These major investments include funding by nearly $458 million from Senate Bill (SB) 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, and more than $1 billion in funding from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).

“Thanks to the California Transportation Commission’s ongoing investment in new and improved infrastructure, Caltrans continues to build a better and safer transportation network that serves all Californians,” Caltrans Director Tony Tavares said. “These funds will help us enhance the state’s system of highways, rest areas, bikeways and pedestrian routes.”

Friday’s approved projects include $43 million to reconstruct and upgrade the water and wastewater systems at the eastbound and westbound Cactus City Safety Roadside Rest Areas along Interstate 10 near Indio; $29 million to improve on-ramps and off-ramps near Fairfield; and a $41 million project near Pismo Beach that will include new bike lanes and bikeway designations.

Projects approved on Friday in District 6 include:

• Tulare 99 Culvert Rehab. This project on State Route 99 will rehabilitate drainage systems in and near the City of Tulare at various locations from 1.3 miles north of the Avenue 152 Overcrossing to 0.8 miles south of Fresno County Line. Full funding allocation: $5.2 million.
• Wheeler Ridge CAPM. This project on Interstate 5 will rehabilitate pavement, replace signage, install Transportation Management System (TMS) elements and rehabilitate drainage systems in Kern County near Grapevine, from Grapevine Road to the Interstate 5/State Route 99 separation. Full funding allocation: $2.6 million. IIJA funding allocation: $2.37 million. SB1 funding allocation: $218,000.
• Grapevine Slope Stabilization. This project on Interstate 5 will install a rockfall drapery system near Lebec, from 3.0 miles north of Fort Tejon Overcrossing to 0.1 mile north of General Petroleum Undercrossing. Full funding allocation: $920,000.
• Downtown Neighborhood Safe Schools Crossing. This City of Fresno project will install High Intensity Activated Crosswalk (HAWK) beacons and pedestrian improvements in the City of Fresno at Abby Street/Clay Avenue, Abby Street/Harvey Avenue and Blackstone Avenue/Illinois Avenue intersections. Full funding allocation: $152,000. SB1 funding allocation: $152,000.

The federal IIJA, also known as the “Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” is a once-in-a-generation investment in the nation's infrastructure to improve the sustainability and resiliency of the country’s energy, water, broadband and transportation systems. Since November 2021, California has received more than $43 billion in federal infrastructure funding. That includes investments to upgrade the state’s roads, bridges, rail, public transit, airports, electric vehicle charging network, ports and waterways. The funding alone has already created more than 87,000 jobs.

In addition, 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.

Find projects that are building California’s climate-friendly future at Build.ca.gov and RebuildingCA.ca.gov. 

Source: Caltrans