California invests $3.7 billion to continue rebuilding transportation infrastructure

The California Transportation Commission last week allocated more than $3.7 billion for projects to rebuild the state’s transportation infrastructure to enhance safety and create more convenient options for travelers.

More than $2.3 billion is from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, the bulk of which is going to over 600 cities, counties, and regional agencies to improve bridges, travel times and air quality; reduce planet-warming pollution; increase highway and rail safety; and provide transportation services. Nearly $169 million in funding is from Senate Bill (SB) 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.

“These investments will help California maintain and build a safer, more reliable and more climate-resilient transportation system,” said Caltrans Director Tony Tavares. “Commuters, bicyclists, pedestrians, and freight movers in local communities will all benefit as we continue to improve and rebuild our infrastructure.”

Projects the CTC approved include several in the Bay Area:

Alameda County:

• $4,300,000 allocated in Alameda County through various cities, from Stevenson Boulevard to Helgenberger Road. This project will construct permanent Best Management Practices to address prohibition of discharge for trash in the San Francisco Bay Area and achieve permit compliance units for trash capture and Total Maximum Daily Loads
• $944,000 allocated in the county, in various cities on Routes I-80 and I-580 through various locations. This project will install pavement delineation and markings to alert motorists of wrong-way driving at exit ramps.
• $230,000 allocated in and near Fremont and Union City, from SR-238 to I-680. This project will focus on environmental mitigation and plant establishment work for bridge replacement project.

Contra Costa County:

• $23,500,000 allocated the city of San Pablo, Contra Costa County I-80/SPDR interchange. This project will construct McBryde connector road, reconstruct SPDR overcrossing and ramps, and various other improvements.
• $59,122,000 allocated in and near Hercules, Martinez, and Concord to rehabilitate pavement, upgrade guardrail, signs, and facilities to ADA standards.

San Francisco:

•  $980,000 allocated in the city of San Francisco to repair damaged bridge deck at the Cesar Chavez undercrossing bridge.

San Mateo County:

• $8,657,000 allocated in and near Woodside, South San Francisco, and Daly City to apply polyester concrete overlay to bridge decks and approach decks.
• $2,740,000 allocated near Palo Alto, north of Alpine Road to reconstruct slopes and unlined channels affected by winter storms.
• $2,600,000 allocated in Half Moon Bay north of Coronado Street to reconstruct slope and repair pedestrian access damaged by winter storms.
• $1,236,000 allocated In Woodside, south of Canada Road, to repair roadway, slipout, culvert system, and sink hole caused by winter storms.
• $3,212,000 allocated in Belmont, at Belmont Creek Bridge to remove debris and sediment from a box culvert plugged by winter storms.

Marin County:

• $2,580,000 allocated near Mill Valley, Stinson Beach, and Olema to upgrade bridge rails at various locations.
• $2,100,000 allocated near Point Reyes Station to replace Lagunitas Creek Bridge and Lagunitas Creek Overflow Bridge.

Sonoma County:

• $2,880,000 allocated near Timber Cove to install a gabion retaining wall and horizontal drains to stabilize the slope.
• $3,379,000 allocated near Schellville to restore structural integrity of the roadway, replace asphalt pavement, and rehabilitate drainage systems.
• $7,771,000 allocated near Guerneville from Brookside Lane to River Road to upgrade curb ramps and sidewalk and install APS pushbuttons to make facilities compliant with the ADA standards
• $1,000,000 allocated near the city of Sonoma to construct left-turn lane onto Verano Avenue and upgrade facilities to ADA standards.

Bay Area:

• $13,487,000 allocated in Alameda, Contra Costa, Santa Clara, San Mateo, and Solano counties, on various routes at locations. The project is to modify and enhance ramp metering systems to improve TMS performance and install guardrail at ramps.

The IIJA, also known as the “Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” is a once-in-a-generation investment in our nation's infrastructure to improve the sustainability and resiliency of our energy, water, broadband and transportation systems. California has received more than $22.6 billion since the IIJA’s passage in November 2021.

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 California transportation projects funded by the IIJA and SB 1, visit RebuildingCA.ca.gov.