AASHTO Journal, 30 May 2014
Last week, the California Transportation Commission allocated $1.3 billion in transportation funding across the state, a large chunk of which will go toward California’s “fix-it-first” approach to focus on preserving existing transportation infrastructure.
The commission allocated $541 million of that $1.3 billion to focus on maintenance and rehabilitation of 50,000 lane miles of highways, continuing work that the California Department of Transportation has already completed in this area.
“While there is always pressure to expand the state highway system, expansion must remain a second priority to investing in the management, preservation, and efficient operation of our existing infrastructure,” said California State Transportation Agency Secretary Brian Kelly in a statement.
Earlier this year, Caltrans announced that pavement condition on highways across the state was at its best and healthiest level in more than 10 years (see related AASHTO Journal story here).
Caltrans officials say the allocation of $1.3 billion in funds will provide the department the opportunity to continue being good stewards of taxpayer dollars.
“This administration has made sure every dollar counts when it comes to building California’s transportation infrastructure,” Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty said in a statement. “We are repairing aging freeways, making highways and bridges safer, and promoting bicycling and walking—and those projects support and create jobs.”