Transportation Commission approves $2 billion for 56 new projects

The California Transportation Commission has approved $2 billion for 56 new projects throughout the state.

The projects would “reduce traffic, improve goods movement, increase transit service, expand California’s managed lanes network, and invest in bicycle and pedestrian improvements,” according a statement.

The projects would create more than 100,000 jobs over the next several years. Projects focused on goods movement will help the state’s freight sector—which is responsible for an estimated one-third of the state’s economy and jobs—by adding new lanes on routes where trucks get stuck in traffic.

• In Central California, the Stockton Diamond Grade Separation Project will eliminate freight and passenger train interferences, which will both improve the efficiency of the freight network and allow for expanded passenger rail service.
• 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.
• In Northern California, the Bay Area Rapid Transit Train Control Modernization Project will add more trains per hour along the Transbay Corridor that moves people to and from San Francisco and the East Bay.

Approximately 60 percent of the funding approved is for projects located in Southern California and 40 percent for projects located in Northern California.