California panel approves $154 million in transportation projects

The California Transportation Commission (CTC) last week adopted 27 projects valued at nearly $154 million to improve and maintain the state's multimodal transportation system, including $53 million for the Alameda Corridor-East Construction Authority to complete a grade separation project.

In total, the projects are needed to improve roads and bridges, alleviate traffic delays and encourage alternative forms of transportation, including transit, CTC officials said in a press release.

"All these investments will benefit Californians now and for decades to come," said California Department of Transportation Director Malcolm Dougherty.

In Los Angeles County, $53,366,000 will go to the Fullerton Road grade separation under Union Pacific Railroad tracks between Rowland Street and State Route 60 in the city of Industry. Plans call for constructing a six-lane roadway underpass on Fullterton Road with retaining walls and a new railroad bridge.

In addition, the CTC allocated $41 million to the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency for the purchase of eight zero emission light-rail vehicles. Also approved were nearly $1.7 million in funds to the Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo Rail (LOSSAN) Corridor Agency for a one-year demonstration program that will allow Pacific Surfliner intercity rail passengers to transfer to 12 connecting local transit-service providers at 27 stations along the LOSSAN corridor.