The California Transportation Commission (CTC) invested nearly $2 billion into improving the state’s transportation infrastructure while approving an additional $2.3 billion for future projects.

The nearly $2 billion allocation reflects more than $571 million in funding from the 2021 federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and more than $257 million in funding from Senate Bill (SB) 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017. The $2.3 billion is comprised of $1.75 billion representing the third funding cycle of programs established by SB 1 and $540 million in active transportation projects sponsored by local metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), charting the course for future allocations.

“SB 1 and IIJA funding are helping rebuild and transform California’s transportation future, and we are putting that investment to work to create a system that allows all of us to travel in an equitable, safe and sustainable way,” said Caltrans Director Tony Tavares.

Projects in Caltrans District 12 (Orange County) that the CTC approved in its nearly $2 billion worth of investments include:

  • $30.4 million, which includes $26.9 million in federal IIJA funding, for a project on State Route 133 (SR-133) in the city of Irvine to construct a new auxiliary lane to improve traffic flow and reduce delay.
  • $22.6 million, which includes $20 million in federal IIJA funding and $373,000 in SB1 funding, on SR-241 in the cities of Rancho Santa Margarita, Mission Viejo, Lake Forest, and Irvine to rehabilitate Trabuco Creek Bridge, upgrade Transportation Management System elements, upgrade safety devices, and improve highway worker safety.
  • $13.4 million for a project on SR-1 in the cities of Newport Beach, Huntington Beach and Seal Beach to upgrade traffic signals, upgrade concrete barrier, pedestrian & bicycle upgrades, and upgrade curb ramps to meet ADA standards.
  • $4.3 million for a project on Interstate 5 in and near the cities of Santa Ana and Orange to upgrade signs, refresh pavement delineation, lengthen lane reduction to improve merging, and install traffic count station to improve safety.
  • $2.5 million for a project on SR-241 near Lake Forest to restore fire damaged assets, including guardrail, drainage systems, traffic control devices, signs and electrical systems; also make drainage improvements to increase resiliency against natural disasters.
  • $1.2 million for a project on SR-57 in Anaheim to extend the existing lane drop.
  • $602,000 for a project on SR-91 in Buena Park to remove and replace a damaged section of culvert, backfill the culvert area with slurry, install a new junction box to connect to the existing drainage system, and repave the disturbed area.

The $1.75 billion for future investments cover three SB 1 competitive grant programs: $1.08 billion for the Trade Corridor Enhancement Program (TCEP); $532.8 million for the Solutions for Congested Corridors Program (SCCP); and $142.5 million for the Local Partnership Program (LPP). The programs included, for the first time, input from the new Interagency Equity Advisory Committee in the evaluation of projects. This funding round also marks the first cycle to incorporate all principles of the state’s Climate Action Plan for Transportation Infrastructure.

The TCEP funding will go to 26 projects that support infrastructure improvements on corridors that carry a high volume of freight traffic with the goal of increasing efficiency, improving safety, and constructing an equitable and sustainable freight system. More than a third (10 of 26) of the TCEP projects include zero-emission technology components to support the deployment of a zero-emission freight transportation system and invest in light, medium and heavy zero-emission vehicle infrastructure. The SCCP funding will go to 10 projects to achieve a balanced set of transportation, environmental, and community access improvements to reduce congestion throughout the state. All 10 SCCP projects are multimodal, and five include active transportation improvements. The LPP funding will go to 11 projects that support counties, cities, districts, and regional transportation agencies where voters have approved fees or taxes dedicated solely to transportation.

 

Local TCEP projects include:

  • $42.6 million for the SR-91 Operational and Multimodal Improvements project.

The CTC also adopted the 2023 MPO Active Transportation Program, totaling $540 million for future investments. The 134 projects approved for funding include a broad range of active transportation infrastructure improvements, including more than 120 miles of new bikeways, 60 miles of new sidewalks, and many other improvements to intersections, crosswalks, shade and signage. More than 90 percent of the funding, $494 million, will fund projects benefitting disadvantaged communities, and $290 million (54 percent) will fund Safe Routes to School projects.

 

Local MPO active transportation projects include:

  • $1.3 million for the Rio Vista Safe Routes to School (SRTS) project in Anaheim
  • $10 million for the Mendez lnt Advance Learning Santiago ES Sierra Int SRTS project in Santa Ana.
  • $5 million for the Memory Lane and Flower Street Bikeway project in Santa Ana.
  • $4.9 million for the MacArthur Intermediate and Taft Elementary SRTS project in Santa Ana.
  • $4.4 million for the Dale/Whitaker Complete Streets Project in Buena Park.
  • $8.3 million for the Jackson Elementary and Diamond Elementary SRTS project in Santa Ana.
  • $10 million for the Madison ES Roosevelt-Walker Academy Century HS SRTS project in Santa Ana.
  • $7.1 million for the Bridging the Gap: Nutwood Avenue Bicycle and Pedestrian Mobility Enhancements in Fullerton.
  • $1.1 million for the Anaheim Pedestrian Crosswalk Safety Improvements Project in Anaheim.
  • $850,000 for the Next STEP (Safe Travels Education Program) for Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA).
  • $8.2 million for the Santa Ana High School and Heninger Elementary School SRTS project in Santa Ana.

 

The IIJA, also known as the “Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” is a once-in-a-generation investment in our nation’s infrastructure to improve the sustainability and resiliency of our energy, water, broadband and transportation systems. Since November 2021, California has received more than $20 billion in federal infrastructure funding. That includes more than $15.1 billion in federal transportation funding to upgrade the state’s roads, bridges, rail, public transit, airports, electric vehicle charging network, ports, and waterways. These transportation investments alone have already created nearly 48,000 jobs.

The influx of federal funding is on top of California’s multiyear infrastructure investments in transit and intercity rail projects, safe walking and biking options, and upgrades to the state’s economy-powering supply chain, in addition to SB 1, which provides $5 billion in transportation funding annually that is shared equally between state and local agencies. Road projects progress through construction phases more quickly based on the availability of SB 1 funds, including projects that are partially funded by SB 1.

To review the latest news and information on state and federal infrastructure investments, visit RebuildingCA.ca.gov, which contains data on the increased funding. Website visitors can learn more about the different state and federal infrastructure programs, track the amount of funding California is receiving, and find projects on an updated interactive map.