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The California Transportation Commission (CTC) this week approved $1 billion for 93 new walking and biking projects for disadvantaged communities as part of the 2023 Active Transportation Program and allocated more than $878 million for projects to repair and improve transportation infrastructure throughout the state. The allocation includes more than $209 million in funding from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA) and more than $356 million in funding from Senate Bill (SB) 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.
The active transportation projects approved at the meeting will benefit disadvantaged communities throughout California, two-thirds of which will implement safe routes for children to walk or bike to school. The projects make up more than half of the 2023 Active Transportation Program, with additional $700 million to be awarded in the spring. Much of the funding comes from a one-time infusion of $1 billion for active transportation in the 2022-23 state budget as part of a nearly $15 billion transportation infrastructure package.
“California and our federal partners are continuing to make historic headway in addressing our transportation needs and advancing safety, equity, climate action, and economic prosperity,” said Caltrans Director Tony Tavares. “Importantly, this includes significant investment in infrastructure that allows everyone to access active means of transportation, like walking and biking.”
Active transportation projects approved at the meeting include:
- $5.8 million Orange Avenue Bike Lane and Bicycle Boulevard Project to improve the safety for the biking community in the city of Santa Ana.
- $60.1 million Orange County Loop Segment P and Q
The $878 million in projects the CTC approved include:
- $2.3 million towards replacing the damaged drainage system and guardrail near Newport Beach.
- $3.8 million toward the installation of horizontal drains in the slope, installation of sub-drain trench at the top of the slope, repair damaged slope and add rock slope protection and repair damaged pavement.
- $1.2 million ($1,208,000 in federal IIJA funding) toward upgrades to traffic signals and lighting to improve safety in Anaheim.
- $1.9 million ($1,941,000 in federal IIJA funding) toward traffic signal and guardrail upgrades. Adding safety lighting and upgrades to American Families with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards to improve safety in Brea.
- $2.1 million ($2 million in federal IIJA funding) to construct a new overhead sign structure with high-reflective sign panels and upgrades to guardrail.
SB 1 provides $5 billion in transportation funding annually that is shared equally between the 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 funds. For more information about transportation projects funded by SB 1, visit RebuildingCA.ca.gov.
