$190 Million in Proposition 1B Funding Approved for Transportation Projects.

Governor Reaffirms the Need to Protect Proposition 42 Funding

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) announced today that $190 million in transportation funding from Proposition 1B, the 2006 voter-approved transportation bond, has been allocated for 16 projects by the California Transportation Commission (CTC). These allocations are contingent upon passage of the 2008-09 state budget. Depending on the budget's handling of transportation funds, some of the allocation actions could be withdrawn.

The CTC also approved a $250 million program of highway-railroad grade separation projects funded by Proposition 1B's Highway-Railroad Crossing Safety Account (HRCSA). Funding allocations for the HRCSA will be made at future CTC meetings.

"As voters intended, Proposition 1B is paying for vital transportation projects that relieve traffic congestion, reduce wait times at rail crossings, and more importantly, provide a shot in the arm to California's economy. This is yet another reason the legislature needs to pass a budget sooner rather than later, so this Proposition 1B funding can get out the door and into the California economy," said Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. "Also, the suspension of Proposition 42 would not only delay projects funded from that source over the next three years, but could slow down bond-funded projects as well. We need these infrastructure improvements now and must work together to protect Proposition 42 funding for transportation despite our budget crisis. Doing so is important to our state's economy as well as California's transportation future."

Since July 1, 2007, approximately $4 billion in Proposition 1B funding has been allocated by the CTC and other state agencies.

Some notable Proposition 1B projects that received funding allocations today include:

Bakersfield - $133.2 million was allocated to construct segments 1 and 2 of the Westside Parkway Project. These phases of the project will build a new six-lane freeway, a new eight-lane freeway, and seven new bridges.

The Westside Parkway Project will reduce congestion, improve the connections between Bakersfield's east and west sides, and may provide a future connection from State Route 58 to Interstate 5.

Los Angeles - $32 million was allocated for a project that will construct three miles of a third main track between Commerce and Fullerton. This will increase the schedule reliability for trains serving this corridor and accommodate future passenger and freight demand.

Santa Cruz - $969,000 was allocated to install 55 field elements on Highway 1 that will monitor traffic and provide traffic volume and speed information to help alleviate congestion.

San Diego - $718,000 was allocated to improve the timing of 14 traffic signals on local streets in Bonita. This traffic light synchronization project will reduce congestion and improve air quality by better managing the flow of traffic.

In addition to the Proposition 1B funding allocations and its approval of the HRCSA program, the CTC allocated $120 million for 32 other transportation projects. Should the 2008-09 state budget lack sufficient revenue to fund transportation, these allocations will be rescinded.

For a list of projects that received allocations and the HRCSA program of approved projects, visit: http://www.dot.ca.gov/docs/ctcallocationsHRCSAprojectslist.pdf