Caltrans awards $41 million for sustainable transportation projects

California Construction News staff writer

Caltrans has announced $41.6 million in planning grants for 90 sustainable, climate-resilient transportation projects across California.

The projects are expected to reduce planet-warming pollution, improve resiliency of the state highway system, enhance access to safe walkways and bike paths, and increase natural disaster preparedness.

Nearly $30 million comes from one-time state and federal sources and $12.4 million comes from Senate Bill (SB) 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.

“California is at the forefront of planning transportation projects built to withstand the effects of climate change,” said Tony Tavares, Caltrans director. “By working closely with local partners, we can maintain a sustainable, adaptable and resilient transportation system that will serve the people of California far into the future.”

Projects include:

• $20.2 million in Sustainable Communities Competitive and Technical Grants to 56 local, regional, tribal and transit agencies for transportation and land use planning, as well as planning for electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
• $18.1 million in Climate Adaptation Planning Grants to identify transportation-related climate vulnerabilities through the development of climate adaptation plans, as well as project-level adaptation planning to address climate impacts to transportation infrastructure.
• $3.3 million in federally funded Strategic Partnership Grants to plan for comprehensive highway corridors, rural agriculture and highway safety, tourism demand, intercity bus systems, transit centers, and other sustainability initiatives.

California has invested more than $3.2 billion to improve public transit and passenger rail service this year alone, and recently awarded more than $750 million to create more affordable housing and clean transportation options.

For a list of planning grant project awardees, visit the Sustainable Planning Grants web page.