Caltrans opens draft of state highway project list for public comment

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On Friday, Caltrans released its draft 2024 State Highway Operation and Protection Program (SHOPP) plan for public comment.

The draft is the state’s initial plan for maintaining and preserving California’s transportation infrastructure and outlines how the state will fund the approximately $16 billion in projects. The plan will be open for public comment through Jan. 19, 2024 and features a new interactive dashboard that details the location and specific for each of the nearly 600 projects in the state, including nearly 100 carryover projects where Caltrans added climate adaptation, additional safety protections and bike and pedestrian elements.

“Caltrans is focused on maintaining and improving the state’s transportation network so that it is safer, more reliable and more climate resilient,” Caltrans Director Tony Tavares said. “We are also committed to transparency to ensure the public has the opportunity to be engaged before we move forward with projects.”

The plan includes 195 new projects, totaling $6.2 billion, where planning work was completed after the state adopted its Climate Action Plan for Transportation Infrastructure in 2021. Those projects include climate, safety and multimodal features.

The SHOPP covers fiscal years 2024 through 2028 and funds roadway and bridge rehabilitation or replacements, along with safety improvements, bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, operational improvements and climate adaptation projects.

Proposed funding includes $8 billion to improve more than 6,000 lane-miles of pavement, $3.2 billion for repairs and upgrades of 80 bridges and tunnels and $666 million to repair more than 58 miles of culverts and diversions.