02/14/2008 GAAS:80:08 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Print Version |
Gov. Schwarzenegger Applauds Investment in California’s Transportation Infrastructure
Transportation Projects Keep Roadways and Economy Moving
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today commended the California Transportation Commission's allocation of $331 million in new funding for transportation projects across the state. The money awarded today comes from Proposition 1B, the $19.9 billion transportation bond championed by Governor Schwarzenegger and approved by voters in 2006.
"California voters will see their investments in our transportation infrastructure at work across the state. Not only will these projects help our economy by moving people and goods faster, but they will also help keep people at work with well-paying jobs," said Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Proposition 1B projects that received allocations today include:
- Placer County - $163 million was allocated to construct the Lincoln Bypass, an 11.7-mile expressway in the Sacramento suburb of Lincoln in Placer County. This project, which will allow traffic on Highway 65 to bypass downtown Lincoln, has been 20 years in the making. It will begin at Industrial Boulevard and link back to Highway 65 near the town of Sheridan.
- Solano County - $38 million was allocated to add 17 miles of new carpool lanes on Interstate 80 from the junction of Interstate 680/Interstate 80/State Route 12 to Air Base Parkway in Fairfield. This project will save an estimated 10,000 daily vehicle hours of delay.
- San Diego - $85 million was allocated to construct a segment of the Interstate 15 Managed Lanes Project in San Diego County. A movable barrier will enable traffic to be managed, meaning lane configurations can be changed for the morning and evening commutes, special events, etc.
- Bay Area/Inland Empire - $22 million was allocated to install hundreds of traffic monitoring stations in the Bay Area and the Inland Empire. These stations utilize traffic technology (traffic cameras, vehicle speed and volume detectors, and other devices) to help ease traffic congestion, improve response time to accidents and provide traffic information to the state, the media and the public.
- Central Valley - $23 million was allocated to construct an overcrossing on Highway 99 at Whitmore Avenue in Ceres.
More than $1 billion in Proposition 1B funding has been allocated during this fiscal year. An additional $1 billion could be allocated by the end of the year.
For more information about the projects awarded funding today, visit: http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/transprog/ctcbooks/2008/0208/CTCallocation.pdf
In further actions to stimulate California's economy, Governor Schwarzenegger this week awarded more than $6 million in grants to help more than 1,500 newly discharged veterans as they return to the civilian workforce. Last week, the Governor announced $69.5 million in permanent low-interest loans from the Proposition 1C housing bonds and expedited implementation of $211 million in Proposition 1E funds to four critical levee improvement projects. Last month, he called an emergency meeting of his cabinet and instructed them to recommend ways to work with the legislature and speed the release of $29 billion in unallocated funds from the 2006 infrastructure bonds for the construction of roads, schools and levee repairs.
