$1.2 Billion Awarded to So. California Transportation Projects

California Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr., California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) Secretary Brian Annis and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti highlighted that during the week of May 14, California Transportation Commission’s (CTC) award of more than $1.2 billion in competitive Senate Bill 1 (SB 1) state funding for the six-county region represented by the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG).

“Today around California we’re using SB 1 revenue to invest in our state’s future,” said CalSTA Secretary Brian Annis. “Projects around the state will address some of the most congested corridors, fix potholes and pavement, and make our roads and bridges safer and smoother for years to come. It’s important we continue to invest in our infrastructure and provide new zero emission transit routes and vehicles to reduce commute times and give residents clean, convenient choices when traveling.”

“The path to a more sustainable, resilient tomorrow runs through our investments in infrastructure today,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. “SB1 is putting billions of dollars to work fixing our roads and creating more sustainable transportation options — giving Californians healthier air to breathe, less congestion, and good-paying jobs that will stimulate economic growth across our state.”

The approximately $1.2 billion in state funding for Southern California includes priority transportation projects as part of three competitive grant programs established under SB 1:

• Congested Corridors Program: Funds projects designed to reduce congestion in highly traveled and highly congested corridors through performance improvements that balance transportation improvements, community impacts, and that provide environmental benefits.
• Local Partnerships Program: Rewards counties, cities, districts and regional transportation agencies in which voters have approved fees or taxes solely dedicated to transportation improvements.
• Trade Corridors Enhancement Program: Invests in infrastructure improvements on federally designated Trade Corridors of National and Regional Significance, on the Primary Freight Network and along other corridors that have a high volume of freight movement.

“Metro is now leading a transportation revolution in Los Angeles County thanks to our locally funded Measure M program,” said Phillip A. Washington, Metro CEO and Mobility 21 Board Member. “Our projects also depend on significant funding participation from both the state and federal governments. These SB 1 funds will help us leverage our local funding commitments to fully and quickly implement our region’s critically needed transportation improvements.”

“Our region is the largest trade gateway in the nation, handling over $3 trillion worth of goods annually and employing 2.9 million people,” said Hasan Ikhrata, Executive Director of SCAG and Mobility 21 Board Member. “We will put SB 1 funds to work by removing truck bottlenecks and implementing highway-railroad grade separations, to improve traffic congested areas and maintain our region’s competitive advantage for this important industry.” He added, “We are excited to put SB 1 dollars to work in our local communities.”

 

Category: General Update, News