East Bay scores big in state funding

The California Transportation Commission allocated more than $1.4 billion for projects to repair and improve transportation infrastructure throughout the state.

Senate Bill (SB) 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, accounted for more than half of the investment – $884 million.

In the Bay Area, Alameda County and Contra Costa received millions from the August allocation: 

• Alameda County: $75.3 million was allocated for a project on Interstate 680 that will enhance safety and extend the service life of the pavement by rehabilitating northbound I-680 by slab replacement, grinding and placing hot mix asphalt to improve safety and extend the service life of the pavement.
• Alameda County: $8.5 million was allocated for a project on State Route 61 in the Posey and Webster Tubes connecting Oakland and Alameda. The project will enhance safety in the tubes by installing fuel cell power supply systems to maintain safety systems in the event of a fire emergency.
• Alameda and Contra Costa Counties: $4 million was allocated for projects on Interstate 580 in Alameda County, as well as Interstate 680 and State Route 160 in Contra Costa County, that will enhance safety and operations by installing concrete barriers. The project will also upgrade guardrails.
• Alameda County: $5.4 million was allocated for a project on Interstates 580, 680, 880 and 980 that will enhance pedestrian safety by installing accessible pedestrian signals systems and countdown timers and upgrading crosswalk markings. The project will reduce the number and severity of collisions.

“California continues to make significant investments in fixing our roads, highways, bridges and transit systems," said Toks Omishakin, Caltrans Director. "SB 1 is critical to making these repairs and upgrades, while also supporting thousands of jobs that are essential for our economy.”