###

Press release from Caltrans District 1:

EUREKA – Caltrans has awarded $26.5 million in planning grants for 65 local projects, including five projects in District 1, to strengthen climate resiliency, reduce planet-warming pollution, improve bicycle and pedestrian safety and increase natural disaster preparedness throughout California. Including the grants announced, the Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant program has awarded more than $292 million to 750 projects since 2015.

Nearly $3 million of these funds comes from one-time state and federal sources made possible by Governor Gavin Newsom’s historic $15 billion clean transportation package — part of the 2022-23 budget to further the state’s ambitious climate goals. Another $12.4 million comes from Senate Bill (SB) 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017. The awards will fund project planning and conceptual design efforts, helping move the projects closer to construction.

“The Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant program continues to bring transportation planning funding to our area each year, and these grants often represent a critical first step in the project development process,” said Tatiana Ahlstrand, Caltrans District 1 Regional Planning Coordination Branch Chief. “With more than $1.5 million in planning funds being awarded in District 1 this cycle, the five awarded grants will support multimodal transportation planning, climate adaptation, and tribal transportation needs. We extend our congratulations to our partners and look forward to continued collaboration.”

Projects impacting District 1 include:

• Approximately $191,000 in Sustainable Communities Competitive Grant funding to the Lake County/City Area Planning Council for the Lake County Tribal Transportation Needs and Engineered Feasibility Study. The project aims to identify and prioritize tribal transportation projects in the Lake County region, providing potential projects, estimated costs, and funding sources to support future improvements.
• Approximately $310,000 in Sustainable Communities Competitive Grant funding to the Humboldt County Association of Governments (HCAOG) for the Loleta Safe Routes to School and Connectivity to Tribal Lands. HCAOG will partner with local organizations and tribes to develop design plans and needs assessments for safe and sustainable transportation in Loleta, addressing pedestrian safety challenges near Loleta Elementary School and enhancing connectivity with the Wiyot Tribe and Bear River Rancheria.
• Approximately $279,000 in Sustainable Communities Competitive and Technical Grant funding to the Mendocino Council of Governments (MCOG) for the Mendocino County Regional Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) Mitigation Program. MCOG seeks to develop a program to help the county comply with SB 743, which requires CEQA lead agencies to evaluate VMT impacts associated with land use development or transportation projects and implement mitigation measures when required. The program is expected to involve the County of Mendocino, incorporated cities (Ukiah, Fort Bragg, Point Arena, Willits), Mendocino County Air Quality Management District, Caltrans, and Native American Tribes.
• Approximately $442,000 in Climate Adaptation Planning Grant funding to the Mendocino County Department of Transportation for the Climate Adaptation Storm Drainage Vulnerability Analysis. The county experiences frequent flooding due to inadequate culvert capacities and climate change. This analysis will prioritize county owned and maintained culverts for replacement to better protect the county’s rural roadways.
• Approximately $286,000 in Sustainable Communities Competitive Grant funding to the City of Ukiah for the East Perkins Street Multimodal Transportation Plan. The project aims to improve pedestrian, bicycle, and transit facilities on East Perkins Street and its connections with U.S. 101 by studying needs and recommending multimodal improvements. The plan seeks to create a safer, more efficient corridor that promotes active transportation, economic development, and accessible mobility options, while considering community input, and data collection.

View the complete list of this year’s planning grant project awardees Caltrans awards transportation planning grants each year through a competitive process to fund local and regional multimodal transportation and land use planning projects. These grants assist in achieving the Caltrans Mission and Grant Program Objectives. Applications are evaluated based on how projects advance state transportation and climate goals by identifying and addressing statewide, interregional or regional transportation deficiencies on the highway system.

SB 1 provides $5 billion in transportation funding annually that is shared equally between 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.

To view the latest news and information on state and federal infrastructure investments, visit build.ca.gov.