California Invests $2.7 Billion to Improve Highway Safety, Enhance Transit Options and Prepare for a Changing Climate

What you need to know: California is investing in transportation projects throughout the state to enhance safety across the state highway system, strengthen infrastructure resiliency to extreme weather and climate change, and improve access for transit users and people who walk and bike.

San Diego - The California Transportation Commission (CTC) has approved $2.7 billion in funding for more than 150 new projects designed to improve travel times, increase multimodal options and strengthen the state's transportation assets against severe weather and other climate-related threats. These investments align with Governor Gavin Newsom's build more, faster agenda, delivering critical infrastructure upgrades and creating thousands of jobs across the state.

Of the combined total, nearly $1.6 billion is funded by the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA) and another $542 million from California's Senate Bill 1 (SB 1), the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.

"These investments fuel the state's mission to deliver a transportation system that is evolving and continuing to serve all Californians, regardless of their travel mode," said California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin. "The action taken today supports Governor Newsom's vision to improve the state's infrastructure and further prepare and equip us against the current and future effects of climate change."

"This slate of projects builds on our goals to create and maintain a safer transportation network that addresses current needs and also prioritizes long-term objectives," said Caltrans Director Dina El-Tawansy.

"Today's investments support a transportation system that meets the diverse needs of communities throughout California," said California Transportation Commission Chair Clarissa Falcon. "By improving safety, strengthening resilience, and expanding transportation options, these projects will deliver lasting benefits for Californians."

This month's list of approved projects includes:

• Caldecott Tunnel in Orinda - $267 million to rehabilitate and upgrade the ventilation systems of three of the four bores that make up the tunnel.
• LA28 Infrastructure Improvements - $2.45 million to add infrastructure improvements, landscaping and safety upgrades to four transit stations in Los Angeles County in time for the 2028 Summer Olympics.
• State Route 37 Project - $63 million to add two new lanes to State Route 37 in Sonoma County between Sears Point and Mare Island.
• Safe Route to School - $1.8 million to install warning beacons, signs and other features for a new Safe Route to School project in the community of Oildale in east Bakersfield.

Local district projects include:

• $25,710,000 in support costs for the State Route 59 (SR-59) Pavement Anchor Project in Merced County. The funding will be used for planning and implementation of a pavement rehabilitation project scheduled to begin construction in 2027. The project will repair existing pavement on SR-59, along with upgrading guardrails, lighting, drainage, signage, and bridge decks from the Madera County Line to Reilly Road. The project will improve ride quality for motorists and prevent road closures due to flooding events near El Nido.
• $12,546,000 in support costs for the City of Merced's State Route 59 (SR-59) Widening Project in Merced County. The funding will be used for planning and implementation of a pavement widening and rehabilitation project scheduled to begin construction in 2027. The project will repair and widen the existing roadway to a four-lane highway from 16th Street to Black Rascal Canal Bridge, along with constructing new ADA standard sidewalks, bike lanes, and replacing two bridges. The project will improve pedestrian and traffic safety, relieve traffic congestion, and extend the life of the pavement along SR-59 in the City of Merced.
• $10,680,000 in support costs for the State Route 140/164 Mobility Improvement Project in Merced County. The funding will be used for planning and implementation of an intersection control improvement project scheduled to begin construction in 2027. The project will construct a single lane roundabout at the intersection of SR-140 & SR-165 to improve traffic safety and reduce congestion near the community of Hilmar.

California has invested approximately $21.5 billion in infrastructure projects since IIJA's passage, creating nearly 280,000 jobs. Those dollars are leveraged along with SB 1, which invests an estimated $5 billion annually, split between state and local investments. 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.