Sens. Feinstein, Padilla announce $4.9B in funding for California highways

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U.S. Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Alex Padilla (D-CA) announced Thursday that California would receive $4.9 billion from the U.S. Department of Transportation to repair and modernize the state’s roads and bridges.

As part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the funding for 2022 is part of more than $29.5 billion the state will receive over the next five years.

“I’m pleased California will receive a significant federal investment to improve our highways and bridges across the state. This will help reduce congestion, improve air quality, and combat climate change,” Feinstein said. “Our highways help facilitate the transportation of goods and people that help make California the fifth-largest economy in the world. These funds will go a long way toward upgrading our infrastructure, so California remains competitive in the global economy.”

In fiscal year 2022, California will receive $4,862,447,187 to assist the state with the construction, maintenance, and operation of its 386,000 miles of highway. Included in the funding is $2.5 billion from the National Highway Performance Program; $1.2 billion in Surface Transportation Block Grant Program funds; $262 million from the Highway Safety Improvement Program; $16.6 million in Railway-Highway Crossings Program funds, and $66 million for Metropolitan Planning funds, among other things.

The funds are part of more than $52 billion allocated to the Federal Highway Administration as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is already bringing long-overdue resources to help California rebuild its transportation infrastructure,” said Senator Padilla. “California’s roads and bridges are in need of repair, and this funding is critical to make needed improvements and ensure our state remains an economic hub for the world. Upgrading California’s highways, roads, and bridges will create quality, good-paying jobs, while increasing infrastructure resiliency, improving air quality, and lowering carbon emissions.”