NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – In an effort to rebuild and maintain California’s infrastructure, the California Transportation Commission, or CTC, has allocated $328 million to 88 transportation projects that will alleviate traffic delays, repair aging roads and bridges and encourage bicycling and walking.

This includes 41 biking and pedestrian projects throughout the state that will receive $35.8 million in allocations from the Active Transportation Program.

“This list of multi-modal and fix-it-first projects help us keep our commitment to Californians to maintain and improve the transportation system for economic and quality of life benefits,” said Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty.

The Legislature recently passed SB 1 which increases funding for transportation infrastructure projects and road repairs. In the coming year the public can expect to see increased awards and allocations for projects similar to those allocated funding this week.

The newly allocated funding also includes $234 million from the State Highway Operation and Protection Program for 29 “fix-it first” projects that will maintain and preserve the state highway system and its supporting infrastructure.

These capital improvements consist of projects covering maintenance, pavement repair and rehabilitation, safety improvements and upgrades to bridges throughout the state.

The allocations also include:

· $45.4 million for two Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program projects.
· $6.4 million for eight capital improvement projects both on and off the state highway system as part of the State Transportation Improvement Program.
· $4.6 million for Traffic Congestion Relief Program projects that will relieve congestion, connect transportation systems and provide for better goods movement.
· The remaining $1.6 million in allocations came from various state and federal transportation accounts.

Among the projects receiving funding allocations is Last Change Grade, a four-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 101 south of Crescent City known for geological instability and continuous maintenance and high repair costs.

The project received $5 million which will allow Caltrans to obtain environmental clearances to begin conducting necessary geotechnical investigations of the proposed alternatives to the existing highway alignment.

Beginning at the southern section of the proposed alternatives, Caltrans will use the money to work in close coordination with environmental groups and other stakeholders to plan out, permit, and collect data at a number of geotechnical drilling locations. The data will be used to help select an alternative route and permanent solution. 

“While this amount is not enough to complete all of the studies required, it is positive movement towards developing a project that meets everyone’s needs,” said Caltrans District 1 Director Matt Brady.

More project details are located at www.lastchancegrade.com .