Caltrans announces $600 million in funding for rail, transportation projects

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) late last week announced the California Transportation Commission (CTC) has allocated more than $600 million in state funding for more than 200 transportation projects.

The funds include $80 million from the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 to help fund highway improvements, including bridges and intelligent transportation systems. In addition, the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program obtained more funds for projects aimed at modernizing passenger-rail systems, reducing greenhouse-gas emissions and improving transit safety.

The funded rail projects include Metrolink's intercity rail capital program, which will receive $29.8 million for design work on Orange, San Bernardino and Ventura line improvements. Among the planned capital projects: Marengo siding upgrades, Simi Valley double track and Burbank Junctions speed improvements. Design work also will be performed for line and signal improvements in several locations.

In addition, the Monterey County Rail Extension project will receive $11.2 million for signalized access to the Salinas train station via an extension of Lincoln Avenue. The Transportation Agency for Monterey County is advancing the $81 million first phase of the extension, which calls for upgrading the Salinas station and establishing passenger-rail service from Gilroy and the bay area to Monterey County. The project also includes a train layover facility in Salinas and track improvements between Salinas and Gilroy.