California to invest $5B in gas tax funds on roads, rail and bus services

California Gov. Gavin Newsom on June 27 announced nearly $5 billion in funding will be awarded to projects designed to improve state highways, expand rail, bus and clean transportation services, and increase pedestrian and bicycle travel options.

The funds were awarded by the California Transportation Commission and are part of Newsom’s build more, faster agenda delivering infrastructure upgrades and creating thousands of jobs across the state, state officials said in press release issued by Newsom's office.

Nearly $2.44 billion of the funding comes from Senate Bill 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, which applies gas tax funds to improving the safety conditions of California’s roadways. About $1.45 billion of this funding will go to zero- and low-emission transportation and new infrastructure to strengthen California’s freight network and better connect marine ports with rail yards and freight corridors, leading to less traffic and improved road conditions, state officials said.

The Trade Corridor Enhancement Program will provide $810 million to projects designed to improve freight movement and reduce toxic pollution by decreasing the time trucks, cars and trains sit idle and by rerouting tractor-trailers. It will also increase the number of zero-emission truck stations by 25%.

The awarded funds include $483 million to help communities invest in passenger-rail extensions, bicycle and pedestrian safety and rapid transit bus expansion; and $202 million for projects in the Local Partnership Competitive Program to further upgrade rail, transit, bicycle and pedestrian facilities.