Caltrans to Contractors: ''California is Back in Business''; Construction Funding Soars to $4.1 Billion from $900 Million Last Year.SACRAMENTO Sacramento, city, United States Sacramento (săkrəmĕn`tō), city (1990 pop. 369,365), state capital and seat of Sacramento co., central Calif. , Calif. -- Construction funding for State transportation projects has more than quadrupled this year, prompting the California Department of Transportation The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is a government agency in the U.S. state of California. Its mission is to improve mobility across the state. It manages the state highway system and is actively involved with public transportation systems in California. (Caltrans) to invite back private contractors who have sought construction work in other states due to the fiscal woes of California California (kăl'ĭfôr`nyə), most populous state in the United States, located in the Far West; bordered by Oregon (N), Nevada and, across the Colorado River, Arizona (E), Mexico (S), and the Pacific Ocean (W). . "California is back in business," said Caltrans Director Will Kempton. "We want contractors to come back to the state -- there's work to be done." Last year, California had just $900 million worth of construction work for contractors to bid on. In comparison, $4.1 billion will be allocated during the 2005-06 fiscal year. The surge in funding comes largely from Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's proposal to transfer $1.313 billion in Proposition 42 monies to the State Transportation Investment Fund. It also includes the expected Indian gaming revenues and regular revenues Caltrans receives from State and Federal gas taxes and truck weight fees. "We want to get the message out to contractors that while the last few years have been a challenge, California is turning the corner when it comes to building and maintaining our transportation infrastructure," said Diane DIANE Diversified Information and Assistance Network (Tennessee Valley Authority) DIANE Direct Information Access Network for Europe DIANE Digital Integrated Attack and Navigation Equipment Eidam, Executive Director of the California Transportation Commission (CTC CTC - Cornell Theory Center ). "The Governor's reinstatement Reinstatement The restoration of an insurance policy after it has lapsed for nonpayment of premiums. of Proposition 42 funds has paved pave tr.v. paved, pav·ing, paves 1. To cover with a pavement. 2. To cover uniformly, as if with pavement. 3. To be or compose the pavement of. the way for new contracting opportunities." On July 14, the CTC will vote to release the first $1 billion in construction funds -- "more money, in just the first month of this new fiscal year, than all of what was allocated last year," Kempton noted. The Governor's reinstatement of $1.313 billion in Proposition 42 funds was announced as part of his May Revision of the 2005-06 state budget. Next steps through mid-July call for the CTC to plan how to spend Proposition 42 funds. Additional savings from Caltrans efficiencies also will be redirected toward transportation projects -- providing $251.6 million for the CTC to apply to the 2006 Fund Estimate. |
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