California panel OKs 156 transportation improvement projects

The California Transportation Commission (CTC) has adopted 156 projects designed to upgrade transit and rail systems, maintain the state's aging roads and bridges and encourage use of alternative forms of transportation, CTC officials announced late last week.

The allocated funding totals $583 million and includes $40.6 million for transit and intercity rail program projects, according to a CTC press release.

The allocations also include $15.5 million from Proposition 1B, a transportation bond approved by voters in 2006. To date, more than $19.1 billion in Proposition 1B funds have been put to work statewide for transportation purposes.

Despite the allocations, the CTC adopted a five-year state transportation funding plan that cuts $754 million and delays another $755 million in previously planned highway, rail, transit, bicycle and pedestrian project spending.

The cuts are due in large part to a steady loss in gas tax revenue over the past two years because of falling gas prices, CTC officials said.