The California Transportation Commission allocated $848 million this past week to advance mass transit systems, expand pedestrian and bicycle options, and improve freight movement, according to a March 25 announcement. The funding is part of Governor Gavin Newsom’s Build More, Faster – For All infrastructure agenda.
The investments aim to enhance local transportation options and support California’s economy. The Commission also approved plans for future investments in the state’s transportation infrastructure. This includes the 2026 State Highway Operation and Protection Program (SHOPP), which will invest $17.9 billion over four years in new safety features, improved access for bicyclists and pedestrians, as well as repairs to pavement and bridges.
Of the newly allocated funds, $47 million comes from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, while $405 million is provided by California’s Senate Bill 1 (SB 1), known as the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.
A significant portion—$273 million—will be used to bring advanced technology to rail systems under construction in both the Bay Area and Southern California. The largest effort within this category is a $100 million allocation supporting construction of a five-mile tunnel as part of BART’s extension between downtown San Jose and Santa Clara. According to project leaders, “the allocation will construct a tunnel launch structure and tunnel supports,” which are considered key components for ongoing tunneling operations on the BART Silicon Valley Phase II project. The initiative leverages more than $1.2 billion in state funding along with additional local and federal contributions.
The Commission also approved the 2026 State Transportation Improvement Program with a total investment of $2.7 billion in priority projects across every county in California. These projects include new sidewalks, bike paths, zero-emission buses, transit line extensions, express lanes, bridge replacements—with over sixty percent directed toward biking, walking, rail service or public transit improvements.
Other allocations include $33 million for expanding rail freight operations at the Port of Long Beach; another $35 million dedicated to completing design work on rail power stations in Los Angeles; an additional $33 million set aside for building an electric vehicle charging facility on a large parcel in Sacramento; plus nearly three million dollars aimed at stabilizing eroding sections along Del Mar Bluffs in San Diego County.
