The California Transportation Commission recently approved more than $2 billion to improve and maintain several transportation projects, including three in the High Desert.
The approved funding announced Friday will support the next generation of transportation projects, ranging from bridge maintenance and rail system upgrades to enhanced railroad safety features and increased access for bicyclists and pedestrians, the agency stated.
The funding benefits will additionally help power economic opportunity as well as mitigate the effects of climate change, state officials said.
The latest allocations include more than $483 million from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 and approximately $463 million from Senate Bill 1, the RoadRepair and Accountability Act of 2017, state officials said.
“Increasing mobility for Californians demands a multi-modal approach that prioritizes improved safety, system-wide resiliency and sustainability, equitable access, and continued support for the efficient movement of goods and services that help fuel the state’s economic engine," Caltrans Director Tony Tavares said.
The funding allocations are for three projects in the High Desert and in other parts of San Bernardino County, which include:
- A $14.5 million project on Interstate 15 in Hesperia and Victorville, from Oak Hill Road to 0.1 mile south of Bear Valley Road, which includes rehabilitating existing mainline and ramp pavement.
- A $622,000 project in Barstow along Main Street, Avenue H, Avenue A, Buena Vista Street, Seventh Avenue, Muriel Drive, Virginia Way, Helen Runyon Drive, Lillian Drive, Forane Street, and Mayor Katy Parkway. The project includes pedestrian, bicyclist, and safety Improvements to reduce stresses along high-volume corridors.
- A $1.5 million project on Highway 138 near Hesperia, from Pilot Rock Road to Old Mill Road, which includes repairing roadbeds and replacing culverts.
- A $391,000 project in Montclair at adjacent public schools. Installation and/or enhancement of sidewalks, bike lanes/routes, crosswalks, ADA curbs, signage, and traffic control signage impacting three adjacent schools in the city.
- A $3.8 million project in Ontario, which includes segments of B Street, Vine Avenue, Phillips Street, and Fern Avenue, construction of a bike boulevard, improvements include streetlights, traffic circles, curb extensions, and a lane configuration to slow vehicle traffic and prioritize bike movement.
State officials explained that the “Bipartisan Infrastructure Law” is a once-in-a-generation investment in the nation's infrastructure to improve the sustainability and resiliency of energy, water, broadband and transportation systems.
Since 2021, California has received over $42 billion from Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funds, including more than $29 billion for transportation-related projects.
In addition, SB 1 provides $5 billion in transportation funding each year that is shared between state and local agencies.
Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on X @DP_ReneDeLaCruz
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: State funding comes to High Desert transportation projects
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