California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) officials are espousing the benefits of the California Transportation Commission (CTC) allocating more than $1.6 billion for statewide transportation projects.
“Our maintenance and construction crews remain hard at work improving California’s transportation infrastructure,” Caltrans Director Toks Omishakin said. “The $1.6 billion allocated will allow the department to continue with critical repairs and upgrades to roads and highways, and will support thousands of jobs that are essential for our economy.”
Officials noted $1.3 billion of the funding allotment has been earmarked for State Highway Operation and Protection Program (SHOPP) projects, which is described as the agency’s fix-it-first program aimed at preserving the condition of the State Highway System.
The CTC also allocated more than $118 million for rail and mass transit projects, including freight, intercity rail, and bus services. The funding expands access to public transportation while aiding greenhouse gas emissions reduction and traffic congestion.
Included in the rail and mass transit project funding, per authorities, is $77 million for the Trade Corridor Enhancement Program an initiative dedicated to projects enhancing the movement of goods along corridors with high freight volume by making improvements to state highways, local roads, freight rail systems, port facilities, and truck corridors.
This investment includes $77 million for the Trade Corridor Enhancement Program, which is dedicated to projects that enhance the movement of goods along corridors with high freight volume by making improvements to state highways, local roads, freight rail systems, port facilities, and truck corridors.
Funding sources are garnered from federal and state gas taxes, including $1.2 billion from Senate Bill (SB) 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.