The California Transportation Commission recently awarded 13 walking and biking projects $101.2 million in Active Transportation Program grants.
The program is California’s only dedicated funding source for walking and biking projects. The goal is to increase the proportion of trips accomplished by walking and biking. Annually $100 million is directed from the Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account to the program.
“The Active Transportation Program is a key tool in making our communities safer and making it easier for residents to get to jobs and schools,” Commission Vice Chairman Darnell Grisby said. “We are pleased to award funding to these projects that expand safe mobility options and reduce out-of-pocket expenses for the working class, while supporting California’s fight against climate change.”
Awardees are located in, or provide a direct benefit to, disadvantaged communities. More than half are designated “Safe Routes to Schools.” The projects will improve sidewalks, multi-use paths, safer street crossings; build comfortable bikeways, and add streetscaping elements; and are part of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s agenda to deliver infrastructure upgrades statewide.
Since Newsom took office $2.7 billion has been awarded to walking and biking projects.
Next year, the state’s 10 largest Metropolitan Planning Organizations will award an additional $67 million.