Calif. approves $2B in funding for infrastructure, rail projects
Funding includes more than $1.3 billion in funding toward nearly 150 transportation projects for additional maintenance, improvements, and construction throughout California.


Caltrans announced that the California Transportation Commission (CTC) approved funding for more than 100 transportation projects funded entirely or at least partly by $690 million from Senate Bill 1 (SB 1), the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.
"These projects are a just a small portion of the key improvements we need to maintain California’s critical transportation infrastructure. Throughout the state, projects like these are being completed through SB 1 investments," said Laurie Berman, director, Caltrans.
The CTC also approved more than $1.3 billion in funding toward nearly 150 transportation projects for additional maintenance, improvements, and construction throughout California.
Most of the projects receiving funding allocations are part of the State Highway Operations and Protection Program (SHOPP), which is the state highway system’s "fix-it-first" program that funds safety improvements, emergency repairs, highway preservation, and some operational highway improvements. While funding for this program is a mixture of federal and state funds, a significant portion comes from the Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Account created by SB 1. Caltrans will focus on repairing and rehabilitating the state highway system by improving pavement, bridges, culverts and intelligent transportation systems, which are included in the performance requirements of SB 1.
Other projects include ones from the SB 1-created Solutions for Congested Corridor, Trade Corridor Enhancement, and Local Partnership Programs. These vital programs tackle congestion, support valuable trade corridors and bolster local agency efforts to invest in transportation. Furthermore, the Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program, which funds projects to modernize transit systems, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and improves safety, was allocated more than $122 million in SB 1 dollars for 11 rail and transit projects.
SB1, the landmark transportation infrastructure bill signed by Gov. Jerry Brown in April 2017, invests $54 billion over the next decade to fix roads, freeways, and bridges in communities across California and puts more dollars toward transit and safety. These funds will be split equally between state and local investments.
More Rail

New York MTA Advances Final Contract for Second Avenue Subway Expansion
Contract Four is the largest in the Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 project and includes construction of station infrastructure, tracks, and signals for the subway expansion, MTA officials said. Work on Contract Four will begin in 2027.
Read More →
San Diego MTS Breaks Monthly Trolley Ridership Record
Agency officials said July’s ridership indicates MTS’s continued recovery from the pandemic.
Read More →
Report Examines NJ TRANSIT Reliability, Funding Challenges
The Garden State Initiative analysis examines the roles of Amtrak infrastructure, fleet management, and agency operations while recommending a more performance-based approach to improving reliability.
Read More →
Stadler, CapMetro Sign Long-Term Rail Fleet Support Agreement
Beginning in 2027, Stadler will provide on-site technical expertise, spare parts support, training, and obsolescence management to help extend the reliability and longevity of CapMetro’s GTW fleet.
Read More →
Biz Briefs: Alstom Lands Canadian Contract, LYT to Supply California TSP, and More
In METRO's latest installment, we take a look at recent news from Complete Coach Works, Beep, FlixBus, and more partnerships making headlines across the transportation sector.
Read More →
CATS Gold Line Marks 5 Years of Service, 2.8M Passenger Trips
With a six-mile expansion planned, the Charlotte streetcar is positioned to connect more neighborhoods and major transit hubs across the region.
Read More →
Why Simulating Pedestrian Movement Has Become Essential for Modern Rail Stations
Pedestrian microsimulation is helping rail planners identify bottlenecks, test station designs, and prepare complex transit hubs for growing passenger volumes.
Read More →
Amtrak Begins Major Construction at New York’s Sunnyside Yard
The new maintenance facility will support Amtrak’s Airo trainsets while improving maintenance efficiency and turnaround times in New York.
Read More →
Chicago Leaders Unveil Plans for O’Hare Airport Express Train
The privately developed project would offer a 15-minute trip between downtown and O’Hare’s Terminal 2, with trains operating every 15 minutes on a dedicated track. The service would use battery-electric trains and three existing freight rail rights-of-way.
Read More →
OCTA Maps Out 30-Year Strategy to Protect Coastal Rail Corridor
The draft feasibility report identifies strategies to protect the coastal rail line for decades as the agency continues near-term stabilization and sand placement efforts.
Read More →