California Construction News staff writer
More than $37.2 million in federal funding will go to 16 projects across California’s Central Valley through fiscal year 2026 appropriations bills.
The funding is part of $241,794,366 in total Congressionally Directed Spending Padilla delivered for California for FY 2026.
“I am proud to help secure millions in federal funding to support transformative projects that will deliver lasting improvements for Central Valley communities,” U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla said in a statement. “These investments will support local governments and non-profits working on the ground in our communities. They will strengthen access to safe, clean water and sanitation, including by making long-needed water transmission infrastructure upgrades for the Tule River Tribe.
“As Californians struggle with the rising cost of living under President Trump’s harmful economic agenda, these crucial investments will make a tangible difference for Central Valley residents.”
Projects slated to receive funding include:
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$14.60 million to replace aging water transmission infrastructure for the Tule River Tribe
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Kaweah River Siphon Resiliency Project – $3.50 million: The project will fund design, permitting and construction of a siphon on the Tulare Irrigation District’s main intake canal.
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Grangeville Boulevard Grade Separation Project – $2 million: The project will fund a grade separation at Grangeville Boulevard in Hanford to eliminate railroad crossing conflicts and improve traffic safety.
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Mendota Community Center Project – $2 million: Funding will support the city of Mendota in building a new community center.
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New Well Project – $2 million: The project will drill a new well to provide a reliable and safe drinking water source in Kings County.
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Modesto & Empire Terminal Railroad Positive Train Control Installation – $1.93 million: The project will install positive train control safety technology on the Modesto & Empire Terminal Railroad to prevent train-to-train collisions.
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South MLK Sewer Project – $1.50 million: The project will modernize and expand the wastewater system along Cottonwood Road/MLK Drive to support construction of more than 5,000 new housing units in southeast Bakersfield.
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South Trunk Sewer Project – $1.50 million: Funding will consolidate small sewer systems at multiple mobile home parks to address public health and water quality concerns.
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North Fork Water System Project – $1.10 million: The project will consolidate water systems into one larger community system, provide treatment to address arsenic contaminants and improve water storage for fire flow.
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Water Tower Replacement – $1.09 million: The project will replace an aging water tower with a 500,000-gallon steel ground-mounted tank, increasing available water for a large portion of the city of Dinuba.
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Water System Intertie – $1 million: Funding will support a bidirectional pipeline allowing the Chowchilla Water District and the Le Grand-Athlone Water District to share water in certain years.
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Mariposa County 6th Street Pedestrian Bridge Project – $737,000: The project will construct a pedestrian bridge on 6th Street to provide safe school and community access.
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Facility Construction (Gustine Unified School District) – $366,000: Funding will establish wellness centers at Gustine Middle and Gustine High School to house behavioral health programming for students and families.
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Goshen Sewer Study – $150,000: The project will fund a feasibility study for the Goshen Community Service District to analyze wastewater volume and composition, future disposal options and the feasibility of connecting to a future North County sewer treatment facility.
