The California Transportation Commission (CTC) has allocated $825 million in new funding to 92 highway, transit, and rail projects that will strengthen California's economy and upgrade the state's vast transportation system. The allocations included nearly $9 million from Proposition 1B, a 2006 voter-approved transportation bond. To date, the state has allocated nearly $8 billion in Proposition 1B funds.
"From one end of the state to the other, transportation projects are providing jobs and improving mobility for people and businesses in California," said Caltrans Acting Director Malcolm Dougherty.
Two notable design-build projects in Los Angeles County received $526 million in allocations: the Gerald Desmond Bridge ($470 million) and the Interstate 10/Interstate 605 Direct Connector ($56 million). Design-build streamlines a project by overlapping design and construction to speed up construction and potentially reduce costs. Design-build is currently being used in 32 other states.
Caltrans obtained design-build authority in February 2009 with the passage of Senate Bill 4 (second extraordinary session). The legislation established a demonstration program, which allows 10 design-build projects for Caltrans and five for local transportation agencies, subject to authorization by the CTC.
Other highlights of the allocations include:
Alpine County - $12,000 to install bicycle and pedestrian signage and striping at various locations on State Route 4, State Route 88 and State Route 89 to improve motorist's awareness of bicycle and pedestrian areas.
San Joaquin County - $8.4 million for a project that will construct 15.3 miles of new double track on the San Joaquin Corridor to enhance the efficiency of the corridor by allowing future increases in both speed and volume of intercity and freight service and strengthening future intercity rail connections to the California High-Speed Rail System.
San Joaquin County - $2 million for a project that will construct signal upgrades on the Altamont Commuter Express (ACE) Corridor to reduce traffic congestion, improve passenger and pedestrian safety, and increase operational safety along the corridor. Improvements will also benefit Amtrak intercity trains and future High-Speed Rail trains.
Stanislaus County - $390,000 to construct landscaped median to improve safety and enhance the environment in the City of Turlock.
For information about all projects that received allocations please visit: http://www.dot.ca.gov/docs/ctcprojectallocationsjune2011.pdf
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TNS 23SQ 110625-JF78-3454323 StaffFurigay
