SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - Governor Gavin Newsom announced Oct. 25 an award of more than $1.3 billion to 27 new public transportation projects intended to fund transformative rail and transit improvements throughout the state. These projects will give Californians real alternatives to driving and help to keep California on track to meet the state’s ambitious climate goals.

“California is expanding our transportation network and making it greener and more equitable. From new zero-emissions buses in the Central Valley to vital rail projects in Orange County, we’re building a better transit system to benefit all Californians,” Governor Newsom said.

The Oct. 25 funding announcement is part of a multiyear, multibillion dollar investment to modernize and expand the state’s public transit network and prioritizes safety, equity, climate action and economic prosperity in the transportation decisions California makes. The $1.3 billion in competitive awards approved today follows more than $2.2 billion distributed to agencies statewide earlier this summer on a formula basis pursuant to SB 125. The projects awarded today will leverage more than $8.6 billion in matching local, federal and other state funding.

“Under Governor Newsom’s leadership, California is furthering its commitment to fund transit projects that boost the state’s zero-emissions goals,” said California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin. “This critical investment is yet another major step towards growing a more sustainable and equitable transit system for those who work, live and play in California.”

Projects receiving funding come from all corners of the state—notably, several awards are being awarded to first-time applicants and awardees. Examples of projects include:

$12.6 million awarded to Imperial County Transportation Commission (ICTC) to design and construct a new intermodal transportation center to serve the Calexico East Port of Entry and purchase four electric zero-emission vans to expand public transit to the new facility connecting vulnerable communities within the City of Calexico and Imperial County. Imperial County Transportation Commission is a first-time awardee, and this represents an important investment in this area of the state.

More than $117 million awarded to Golden Empire Transit (GET) to purchase 18 zero-emission buses to increase BRT line frequency to 15 minutes and establish a new commuter bus service. It will also add California Integrated Travel Project (Cal-ITP) validators for credit card payments on all buses. Golden Empire Transit will also install new hydrogen fueling infrastructure and modernize the Downtown Transit Plaza to include new bus bays and modern passenger amenities. The Transit Plaza will include the construction of 81 affordable housing units and will have retail and medical space on the ground floors. Golden Empire Transit is a first-time awardee, and this represents a significant investment in Bakersfield and adjacent unincorporated areas in Kern County.

$125 million awarded to Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) for the Coastal Rail Infrastructure Resiliency Project to implement improvements, including sand replenishment, at four locations along a 7-mile coastal section within the Orange County Transportation Authority-owned Orange Subdivision of the 351-mile Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor that are at high risk of failure. Over the past 3 years, there has been a cumulative total of over 12 months of closures in this section of the corridor due to extensive railroad track movement and slope instability. The Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program-funded improvements will safeguard the reliability and resiliency of the railroad at least for the next 30 years. Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program funding is matched with $80 million of Trade Corridor Enhancement Program funding awarded by the California Transportation Commission last week, and it is expected to attract additional federal funding for this nationally important rail corridor.

The Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program has provided more than $11.5 billion in funding to 153 projects since 2015, funded primarily from Senate Bill 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, Cap-and-Trade program proceeds and the General Fund.

A complete list of the recipients can be found at https://calsta.ca.gov/-/media/calsta-media/documents/tircp-cycle_7_project-award-list_2024-10-23_final_a11y.pdf.