California to invest $4bn in railway infrastructure development
29-10-2024
The California Transportation Commission (CTC) has allocated approximately $3.8 billion for projects that will continue to refurbish the state’s transportation infrastructure, enhance safety and create more options for the traveling public.
The projects will improve coastal rail lines, freight corridors, bridges, highway interchanges and system enhancements aimed to increase accessibility for multi-modal users, said a statement from California Department of Transportation (Caltrans).
Nearly $3.5 billion of today’s investment is funded through the landmark federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA).
More than 75% of that allocation will be sent to approximately 600 local governments and regional transportation authorities to replace bridges, reduce travel times for commuters, address planet-warming pollution, improve highway and rail safety and efficiency and provide new transportation services. Another approximately $330 million in funding comes from Senate Bill (SB) 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, it stated.
"These projects will create safer and more equitable and climate-resilient transportation options for all Californians," remarked Caltrans Director Tony Tavares.
"Investments made possible since IIJA was enacted are establishing a legacy that will benefit all people who use and rely on our vast transportation system for employment and educational opportunities, access to goods and services, and connection to recreational attractions," he added.
Among the projects approved today include improvements for locations along the coastal LOSSAN (Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo) rail corridor, four hydrogen fueling stations near the I-215/SR-60 interchange, a freeway-to-freeway connector linking southbound SR-99 to westbound SR-58 in Bakersfield, a Class 4 bikeway in Redding and a bicycle/pedestrian overcrossing in Berkeley.-TradeArabia News Service