California allocates $1.7 billion for highway improvements, wildfire repairs
The California Transportation Commission allocated nearly $1.7 billion last week to improve safety, increase mobility and strengthen the state highway system, including $86.5 million to repair transportation infrastructure damaged by recent Southern California wildfires and storms.
The funding supports Gov. Gavin Newsom's "Build More, Faster – For All" infrastructure agenda and aims to make California communities safer and more climate resilient, officials said.
"Investments made today support Caltrans' mission to build and maintain a transportation system that helps Californians now and decades into the future," said Mike Keever, acting director for Caltrans. "This funding translates into safer travel, more accessible mobility options and strengthening our roadways to protect all travelers during extreme weather events."
Major projects receiving funding include $195.5 million to rehabilitate roadway and drainage systems, add a bike trail and pedestrian bridge, and upgrade safety along Interstate 805 in San Diego, Chula Vista and National City. Another $129 million will replace the existing Cordelia Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Facility along westbound Interstate 80 near Fairfield.
The commission allocated $30 million to replace a retaining wall and rebuild a slope drapery protection system near Big Rock Road in Malibu and reconstruct hillsides above State Route 1 near Mulholland Drive, all damaged by the Palisades Fire and rainstorms.
In Orange County, the commission approved $23 million for a State Route 91 project in Anaheim and Placentia to rehabilitate pavement and culverts and improve highway worker safety. The funding includes $20.3 million from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and $2.6 million from Senate Bill 1.
Another $7.1 million will fund safety improvements to the southbound State Route 57 connector to westbound State Route 91 in Anaheim, extending the existing connector lane drop, replacing safety systems, constructing a ground anchor wall, and upgrading drainage and lighting.
The commission also allocated $1.7 million for safety improvements at the intersection of Anaheim Boulevard and Anaheim Way in Anaheim, including signal and lighting upgrades and Americans with Disabilities Act compliance improvements.
Of the total allocation, nearly $651 million came from Senate Bill 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, and approximately $536 million from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021.
The federal infrastructure bill represents a once-in-a-generation investment in the nation's infrastructure. California has received nearly $62 billion in federal infrastructure funding since its passage, creating more than 170,000 jobs statewide.
Senate Bill 1 invests approximately $5 billion annually in transportation projects, with funding split between state and local agencies.
For more information, visit Build.ca.gov.
Edited by SMDP Staff