The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will receive $849.4 million this fiscal year from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and an estimated $4.2 billion over five years to fund its five-year bridge repair program.
Caltrans and local transportation agencies will use the funding to improve nearly 1,500 bridges statewide rated in “poor” condition.
Caltrans inspects bridges at least every two years, and inspectors rate bridges “good,” “fair,” or “poor” based on cracks, concrete loss, the need to repaint, and other issues. The agency then prioritizes maintenance work based on bridges’ conditions.
A poor rating is not an indication that the bridge is unsound, simply that maintenance must be prioritized.
“With more than 26,000 bridges in California – including some of the busiest and most iconic in the nation – we thank the Biden-Harris Administration for this historic investment to make our bridges more resilient and create thousands of good-paying, middle-class jobs for Californians,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said.
The Federal Highway Administration’s bridge formula program will dedicate $26.5 billion to states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico over the five years of the law to fix bridges. Tribal transportation facilities will receive $825 million.
This investment is expected to help repair approximately 15,000 bridges nationwide.