The California Transportation Commission (CTC) has adopted 49 projects, valued at more than $127 million, to support needed upkeep on California’s aging roads and bridges, make upgrades to transit and rail systems and encourage use of alternative forms of transportation, including biking and walking.

“Caltrans is working to ensure every dollar counts when it comes to California’s transportation infrastructure,” said Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty. “Although we must not forget that our state highway system’s needs still exceed what resources are currently available, all these investments will benefit Californians now and for decades to come.”

The newly allocated funding includes $47.4 million from the State Highway Operation and Protection Program (SHOPP) for 14 “fix-it first” projects that will repair bumpy pavement, preserve roads that are in good condition from deteriorating and upgrade bridges to make them safer and stronger. Most of California’s highways are more than a half-century old; carry nearly half of the nation’s container freight — heavy loads that pound California’s highways more than any other state; and sustained 190 billion vehicle miles travelled in 2015.

Other allocations include:
• $32.6 million for eight capital improvement projects both on and off the state highway system as part of the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP).
• $25.6 million toward 21 Active Transportation Program projects.
• $20.8 million for Transit and Intercity Rail Program projects.

The remaining funding allocations came from assorted transportation accounts funded by state and federal dollars.

Among the projects that received funding allocations Thursday were the following:

• $1.9 million for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) to build improvements at Los Angeles Union Station to allow the Red Line and Purple Line subway lines to offer more frequent service.

• $2.2 million for the city of Baldwin Park to construct “complete streets” improvements along Maine Avenue from Los Angeles Street to Arrow Highway. The scope includes installation of Class II bike lanes in both directions, curb extensions and continental crosswalks at 13 intersections, sidewalk extensions along the entire corridor, pedestrian count-down signals at five intersections, pedestrian scaled lighting and ADA improvements.

• $2 million for the city of Pomona to build a Downtown Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements Project. The project will construct 14.5 miles of new bikeways and enhance pedestrian safety through crossing improvements at eight major intersections. Bicycle improvements include 3.8 miles of Class II buffered bike lanes and 2.9 miles of Class II bike lanes on several streets.

• $1.35 million for the city of Lancaster to make improvements on 5th Street East, from Avenue H-8 to Avenue J-4. The scope includes curb bulb-outs with ADA-compliant curb ramps to enhance the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists, and new traffic striping to buffer the bike lanes along the corridor.