Governor Gavin Newsom announced the California Transportation Commission (CTC) has approved a $1.1 billion fund for new zero-emission buses, charging stations, and related infrastructure.
The funds will also go toward restoring aging bridges, improving highway safety, and increasing mobility on local streets. The upgrades, under the Governor’s Build More, Faster – For All agenda, aim to make California’s communities safer and more climate resilient.
“Today’s investments show what it looks like when California chooses to lead with both urgency and intention,” said California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin, in a statement. “By expanding zero-emission options and strengthening infrastructure in every corner of the state, we are delivering on Governor Newsom’s vision to build a modern, sustainable transportation system for all.”
In just this month alone, Senate Bill (SB) 1 and the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 allocated $463 million, in addition to a further $190 million from the 2021 federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).
Since 2017, SB 1 has invested approximately $5 billion annually in transportation projects, which gets split between state and local agencies. Road projects, including those partially funded by SB 1, can move through construction phases more quickly depending on available funds.
Gavin Newsom added, “We are investing in zero-emission transit, safer roadways, and resilient infrastructure. That’s what Build More, Faster is all about: good-paying jobs and investments in our communities while delivering on our world-leading climate goals. Californians won’t wait for Washington to get its act together. We’re moving forward.”
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