Funding for 56 Infrastructure Projects Approved in California

Newly funded infrastructure projects to give a big boost to commercial and passenger transportation in California.

Source : California Trade Commission | Twitter

December 7, 2020

Author : Patty Rodriguez

The California Transportation Commission announced on Wednesday they would inject $2 billion into 56 new infrastructure projects. These projects are expected to create more than 100,000 jobs.

The commission has an eye on reducing traffic, speeding up the movement of good, improving transit service, and expanding the state’s managed lane networks through these projects. There are also some boons for pedestrians and  cyclists.

The Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 paved the way for these new projects, if you’ll pardon the pun, by raising new funds from increased fuel taxes.

The 56 new projects fall under three categories, or programs: the Solutions for Congested Corrido Program, the Trade Corridor Enhancement Program, and the Local Partnership Competitive Program.

“These projects are going to benefit California in multiple important ways,” said Commission Chair Hilary Norton. “From an economic perspective, they will move people and goods more efficiently while creating over 100,000 jobs during one of the most difficult periods in our state’s history.”

“This will be a game changer for transportation in California, especially as the state moves toward making travel on all of these modes cleaner,” she added after touting a reduction in greenhouse gases due to improved transit and more options for walking and biking.

As a whole third of California’s economy and jobs comes from the state’s freight sector, the projects aimed at improving the movement of goods will be a sure fire way to boost the state’s massive economy. New lanes are aimed at routes where it’s frequent for truck drivers to get caught in traffic, while another project will put an end to freight and passenger train interference in Central California. This will make freight trains more efficient and allow for expanded passenger service on commuter rails, according to the commission’s press release.

“In Southern California, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s NextGen Bus Speed and Reliability Improvements will add 80 miles of bus priority lanes to keep buses moving despite traffic,” the statement said.

The new allotments will also lead to more trains between San Francisco and the East Bay.

Let’s get moving, California!

Category : Department of Transportation Green Economy Green Construction Investment in Infrastructure Labor State Government

Related Article