California Allocates Millions for Transportation Infrastructure in Humboldt and Mendocino Counties

Caltrans worker slowing traffic on Hwy 299. [Photo from Caltrans District 2]

The California Transportation Commission (CTC) allocated more than $2.2 billion to repair and improve transportation infrastructure throughout the state at its August meeting. The allocation includes more than $1.6 billion in funding from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA) and nearly $336 million in funding from Senate Bill (SB) 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.

“Thanks to a historic influx of federal funding and our ongoing investments powered by SB 1, California continues to make major progress in rebuilding, revitalizing and reimagining our infrastructure to support a cleaner, safer and more equitable transportation system,” said Caltrans Director Tony Tavares.

Projects approved this week include:

• Approximately $9.6M toward pavement and roadway improvements along U.S. 101 from Fortuna to Alton in Humboldt County. The $9.6 million allocation includes more than $8.7 million in federal IIJA funding.

• Approximately $22.4M toward improvements on Route 36 at Hely Creek Bridge, Little Larabee Creek Bridge and Butte Creek Bridge near Bridgeville in Humboldt County. The $22.4 million allocation includes more than $19.9 million in federal IIJA funding.

• Approximately $7.8M toward the construction of a retaining wall and roadway improvements on Route 96 near Weitchpec in Humboldt County. The $7.8 million allocation includes more than $7 million in federal IIJA funding.

• Approximately $7.5M toward roadway and sidewalk improvements in Humboldt County along U.S. 101 in Eureka from McCullen Avenue to Commercial Street and the installation of fiber optic communications from traffic signals to the Caltrans District 1 Office. The $7.5 million allocation includes more than $6.7 million in federal IIJA funding.

• Approximately $8.7M toward roadway improvements in Humboldt County along U.S. 101 in Eureka from north of V Street to 6^th Street. The $8.7 million allocation includes more than $7.8 million in federal IIJA funding.

• Approximately $5.4M toward storm damage roadway repairs and the construction of retaining walls at four locations on Route 169 between Pecwan and Weitchpec in Humboldt County. The $5.4 million allocation includes more than $4.8 million in federal IIJA funding.
• Approximately $6.7M toward the construction of a bridge for fish-passage improvements along Route 254 from south of Maple Hills Road near Phillipsville in Humboldt County. The $6.7 million allocation includes more than $5.9 million in federal IIJA funding.

• Approximately $32M toward roadway improvements and the construction of retaining walls along Route 299 near Willow Creek from East Fork Bridge to east of Cedar Creek Road in Humboldt County. The $32 million allocation includes more than $28 million in federal IIJA funding.

• Approximately $616K in support allocations toward roadway, drainage and guardrail upgrades near Albion north of Route 128 to South of Navarro Ridge Road in Mendocino County.

• Approximately $1.9M in support allocations toward roadway improvements along U.S. 101 from the Hopland Overhead to Mountain House Road near Hopland in Mendocino County.

• Approximately $2.2M in support allocations toward roadway, guardrail and other improvements along U.S. 101 near Hopland from Felix Creek Bridge to First Street in Mendocino County.

• Approximately $1.8M in support allocations toward roadway improvements on U.S. 101 from Willits to south of Black Bart Road in Mendocino County.

The CTC also adopted the 2022 California Transportation Asset Management Plan at the meeting. The plan lays out the needs and investment strategies for Caltrans and its partner agencies to maintain the state’s highway infrastructure – including pavement, bridges and other assets – over the next decade. California’s plan was the first in the nation to be certified by the Federal Highway Administration. The CTC’s adoption finalizes the plan.

SB 1 provides $5 billion in transportation funding annually that is shared equally between the state and local agencies. Road projects progress through construction phases more quickly based on the availability of SB 1 funds, including projects that are partially funded by SB 1. For more information about transportation projects funded by SB 1, visit RebuildingCA.ca.gov.