California Investing Nearly $900 Million for Cutting-Edge Mass Transit Technology, Freight Movement & Transportation Options

Malibu - The California Transportation Commission (CTC) allocated $848 million this past week to advance mass transit systems, expand pedestrian and bicycle options and improve freight movement. Guided by Governor Gavin Newsom's Build More, Faster - For All infrastructure agenda, these improvements will bolster local transportation options and California's economy.

The Commission also took action to approve plans for new investments in California's transportation infrastructure in the coming years. The CTC approved the 2026 State Highway Operation and Protection Program (SHOPP), which invests $17.9 billion over the next four years in the state highway system for new safety features, more access for bicyclists and pedestrians and repairs of pavement and bridges.

The funding includes $47 million from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA) and $405 million via California's Senate Bill 1 (SB 1), the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.

"These investments modernize transit, strengthen freight and expand safe travel options," said California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin. "This reflects a continued hallmark of Governor Newsom's administration-strengthening and improving critical infrastructure throughout California's communities."

"The significant allocations made this past week support a sensible balance between immediate project needs with funding for long-term improvements that continue to shape the future of our transportation system," said Caltrans Director Dina El-Tawansy.

Featured among the approved spending is $273 million to bring cutting-edge technology to rail systems under construction in the Bay Area and Southern California. The largest of these efforts is a $100 million allocation, which supports construction of a 5-mile tunnel as part of BART's extension between downtown San Jose and the city of Santa Clara.

The allocation will construct a tunnel launch structure and tunnel supports, which is key for establishing the backbone for future tunneling operations on the project and maintains significant project progress. These efforts mark a transition from planning and preparation to sustained construction, bringing the transformational BART Silicon Valley Phase II project closer to reality for the region. The project is leveraging more than $1.2 billion in state funding, and it is being matched with billions more from local and federal funding sources.

"Transportation is ultimately about people - how we get to work, to school and to each other," said CTC Chair Clarissa Falcon. "The investments we're making improve safety, strengthen mobility, and connect communities across California. The Commission is proud to partner with Caltrans and regional agencies to deliver projects that make a real difference in people's daily lives."

The CTC also approved the 2026 State Transportation Improvement Program, which invests a total of $2.7 billion in priority projects in every county in California, as well as projects that better connect different regions of the state. These investments range from new sidewalks and bike paths to zero-emission buses and transit line extensions to new express lanes and bridge replacements. Over 60% of the new program funding supports biking, walking, rail, and transit.

Another $33 million will be spent to expand rail freight operations at the Port of Long Beach. Additionally, the Commission allocated $35 million to complete the design and construction of rail power stations in Los Angeles.

Other noteworthy investments include:

• $33 million to build a major, public-access electric vehicle charging facility on a 118-acre parcel in Sacramento.
• $3 million to help stabilize eroding parts of the Del Mar Bluffs in San Diego County.

Local district projects include:

• $1,900,000 to support Phase 1B of the San Joaquin Council of Government's State Route 99/120 (SR-99/120) Connector Project. The funding will be used to improve the northbound SR-99/SR-120 connector ramp with expanded lanes, and construction of new eastbound & westbound SR-120 structures over Moffat Boulevard and the Union Pacific Railroad tracks. Additionally, the project will replace the eastbound SR-120 to northbound SR-99 structure with a more efficient design that lessens traffic congestion within the City of Manteca.
• $225,000 to support the State Route 140/165 Mobility Improvement Project. The funding will be used for support costs to construct a single lane roundabout at the intersection of SR-140 and SR-165 just south of the community of Hilmar in Merced County. The project will reduce delays and improve traffic operations within the intersection during peak commute hours.
• $375,000 to support the State Route 88 Pavement Anchor Project. The funding will be used for support costs to repair twenty-two miles of pavement, lengthen merge lanes, upgrade ADA facilities, reconstruct rumble strips, replace signage, and construct Class 2 & 3 bike lanes. The project will repair deteriorating pavement and infrastructure on SR-88 from Comstock Road to Disch Road near the community of Lockeford in San Joaquin County.

Approximately 11 percent of the total funding comes from IIJA. California has received an annual investment of approximately $16.7 billion in infrastructure funding since IIJA's passage. That includes investments to upgrade the state's roads, bridges, rail, public transit, airports, electric vehicle charging network, ports and waterways.

The remaining investments are supported by SB 1, which has provided nearly $5.5 billion annually for transportation projects since 2017. SB 1 calls for splitting the money between 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.

For more information about transportation and other infrastructure projects funded with state and federal investments, visit Build.CA.gov.