September 24, 2024 - WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Monday, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) announced that the Contra Costa Transportation Authority and the 
California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will receive a combined $220.6 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding to improve mobility along the Interstate 680 (I-680) corridor and to construct a high-speed rail station in Madera. The investments were made through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Infrastructure Project Assistance (Mega) Program.
Over $166 million will go toward Contra Costa’s INNOVATE 680 Program to complete the northbound I-680 express lane gap from California State Route (SR) 24 to SR-242 and to convert the existing northbound high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane from SR-242 to north of Arthur Road into an express lane. The project will also construct a braided ramp system between the North Main Street and Treat Boulevard interchanges in Walnut Creek to address an existing bottleneck caused by weaving, implement Coordinated Adaptive Ramp Metering for a 19-mile segment of Northbound I-680, and include a Caltrans truck scale/weigh station.
The Madera High-Speed Rail Station Project will receive over $54 million to construct a high-speed rail station for the Merced-Bakersfield California High-Speed Rail Interim Service. The project will design and construct the Madera Station through improvements at the relocated Madera Amtrak Station, including new platforms, trackwork, an overhead contact system, a bus depot, expanded auto parking, an access roadway network, a multi-use path, and a station building.
“Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, California commuters will get where they need to go faster, and we will improve connectivity across the Bay Area and San Joaquin Valley,” said Senator Padilla. “Decongesting I-680 is essential to preventing delays and bolstering driver safety and efficiency along this busy corridor. The Madera high-speed rail station is a key component of the upcoming Merced-Bakersfield high-speed rail service and will create better transportation options, good-paying construction jobs, and cleaner air for Central Valley residents.”
“This is a monumental award for Contra Costa County and the greater Bay Area. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Senator Alex Padilla and our federal delegation for their invaluable support in securing this crucial federal grant. Interstate 680 (I-680) is critical to the region’s economy and prosperity. It provides for the movement of goods, services, and people throughout northern California and beyond. Thousands rely on this corridor and increased congestion has led to unacceptable delays. The Contra Costa Transportation Authority is excited to advance the I-680 corridor through focused modernizations that will maximize efficiency and promote shared transportation,” said Tim Haile, Executive Director, Contra Costa Transportation Authority.
“Partnering with state and local agencies, California is using its transportation dollars to provide travelers with more options that will help us reduce planet-warming pollution, improve air quality, and combat climate change,” said Caltrans Director Tony Tavares.
“This award is crucial for the San Joaquin Valley and California. We are extremely grateful to Senator Alex Padilla and our federal delegation for supporting this integral and transformational grant funding. The Madera station project would improve the connection to the Madera community and serve as a multi-modal connection hub, allowing transfers between the San Joaquins service and the future high-speed rail line. In addition, this project will help aid the region and the state in its goals to reduce transportation-related pollution and allow for the continued development of passenger rail in California,” said Stacey Mortensen, Executive Director of the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA).
The highly competitive Mega Grant program funds major projects that are too large or complex for traditional funding programs and are likely to generate national or regional economic, mobility, or safety benefits. More information on the program is available here.
Senator Padilla has secured billions for California infrastructure improvements from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, including for high-speed rail. Last year, Padilla supported the Department of Transportation’s announcement of $3.1 billion for the California High-Speed Rail Authority, as well as over $200 million for the agency from the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Grant Program. He and the late Senator Dianne Feinstein previously announced $25 million for the California High-Speed Rail Authority’s Merced Extension Design Project through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) discretionary grant program. Additionally, Padilla announced $28.94 million last year for the Contra Costa Transportation Authority to implement five safety projects in areas with the largest concentration of pedestrian crashes. He also championed more than $283 million from the Mega Program for the Port of Long Beach to complete the final phase of the Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility by expanding the North and South Rail Yards.
Source: Senator Alex Padilla
