The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) this week announced an award of $34.7 million in state and federal funding to local agencies and municipalities to plan sustainable transportation projects.
In a news release, Caltrans says the objective of the awarded projects is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve the state highway system, enhance access to safe walkways and bike paths, and increase natural disaster preparedness.
The funding includes $25 million from Senate Bill (SB) 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.
“These grants are funding the planning for sustainable and more resilient transportation projects that will prepare the state for rising sea levels, wildfires and other climate related impacts," Steven Keck, Caltrans Interim Director, said in a statement. "By collaborating with local communities, we are working together to achieve both our climate goals and an equitable transportation infrastructure for people who rely on transit and intercity bus service."
In total, Caltrans says the agency will allocate:
- $18.4 million in Sustainable Communities Competitive and Technical Grants to 57 local, regional, tribal, and transit agencies for climate change adaptation, transportation and land use planning, and natural disaster preparedness. This includes more than $4.5 million to fund planning for 14 projects that improve safety and access for people who walk and bike.
- $3.8 million in federally funded Strategic Partnership Grants to 10 projects that will plan for zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, sustainable goods movement, wildlife connectivity, intercity bus systems and other sustainability initiatives.
- $12.5 million—all from SB 1—in Sustainable Communities Formula Grants to metropolitan planning organizations to further regional transportation plans and sustainable community strategies. This grant will be awarded later this spring.
Caltrans awards transportation planning grants each year through a competitive process to encourage local and regional projects in the state. SB 1 provides $5 billion in transportation funding annually split between the state and local agencies.
A full list of awarded projects can be found on the Caltrans website.
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Source: Caltrans
