State announces more than $1.3 billion for public transportation projects

Gov. Gavin Newsom last week announced an award of more than $1.3 billion to 27 new public transportation projects intended to fund transformative rail and transit improvements throughout the state. 

These projects - funded by the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program - will give Californians alternatives to driving and help to keep the state on track to meet the state’s ambitious climate goals.

“California is expanding our transportation network and making it greener and more equitable," Newsom said. "From new zero-emissions buses in the Central Valley to vital rail projects in Orange County, we’re building a better transit system to benefit all Californians.”

In the Bay Area, funded projects include:

• San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA). $130 million. Installs a modern communications-based train control (CBTC) system. The CBTC will utilize Wi-Fi and cellular connections for real-time vehicle tracking and continuous communication, improving reliability and travel times. Additionally, this upgrade aligns with San Francisco's transit-oriented development goals, facilitating the addition of 82,000 new housing units along Muni corridors and improving vehicle volumes by 20-25% while reducing delays and operational challenges, and increasing ridership.
• Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit District (SMART). $81million. Extends SMART rail service to Healdsburg, reconstructing two segments: a 5.5-mile stretch from Windsor to Healdsburg Depot and a 3.3-mile section to the Healdsburg city limits. Enhancements will include new rail tracks, upgraded stations, freight spurs, improved crossings, and federally mandated Positive Train Control (PTC). A paved bicycle and pedestrian pathway will follow Great Redwood Trail standards.
• Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART). $25 million. Transformation of the North Berkeley BART station with 739 residential units – half of which are dedicated to households earning up to 80% of the area median income. The project also enhances transportation options with electric vehicle charging stations, expanded bike parking, and improved pedestrian infrastructure, including wider sidewalks and protected bike lanes.
• Central Contra Costa Transit Authority (CCCTA). $15,950,000. Implements faster, better coordinated and more frequent County Connection service with 27 new zero emission vehicles powered by solar power. The project includes installing 90,000 square feet of solar panels on bus yard canopies and administrative facilities, alongside microgrid battery storage.
• Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority. $14 million. Constructs project components benefitting intercity and regional rail, bus service improvements, and active transportation connectivity. The Santa Clara Interlocking component will add a crossover just north of Santa Clara – University Station. The Agnew siding component will build 2,900 feet of new track, two No. 15 power turnouts, and signal improvements just south of Santa Clara – Great America Station. Together these will reduce delays for all trains and streamline special events service. 
• San Francisco Bay Ferry, San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA). $12.5 million. Constructs an electrified universal charging float (UCF) containing vessel charging equipment and a battery storage system, electrical infrastructure upgrades, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and facility rehabilitation of the Harbor Bay Ferry Terminal in Alameda. The project will allow for expansion of electric propulsion ferry service along the Harbor Bay to San Francisco ferry route by providing the necessary infrastructure to allow fully electric ferries to rapidly charge while docked at this location.
• City of Sunnyvale. $4,179,000. Launches a new microtransit service with 9 zero-emission electric vehicles to provide regional, low-cost, on-demand transportation across a 19.2 square mile citywide zone, bridging the first-mile last mile gap for residents and commuters in Sunnyvale.

The funding announcement is part of a multiyear, multibillion dollar investment to modernize and expand the state’s public transit network and prioritizes safety, equity, climate action and economic prosperity in the transportation decisions California makes. The $1.3 billion in competitive awards approved today follows more than $2.2 billion distributed to agencies statewide earlier this summer on a formula basis pursuant to SB 125. The projects awarded today will leverage more than $8.6 billion in matching local, federal and other state funding.

“Under Governor Newsom’s leadership, California is furthering its commitment to fund transit projects that boost the state’s zero-emissions goals,” said California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin. “This critical investment is yet another major step towards growing a more sustainable and equitable transit system for those who work, live and play in California.”