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 allocation aims to strengthen local transportation options and support California’s economy by investing in new technology, safety features, and repairs across the state. The Commission also approved the 2026 State Highway Operation and Protection Program (SHOPP), which will invest $17.9 billion over four years into safety upgrades, improved access for bicyclists and pedestrians, as well as pavement and bridge repairs.
Of the total funds allocated, $47 million comes from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 while $405 million is provided through California’s Senate Bill 1 (SB 1), known as the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017. Featured among the spending is a $273 million investment in advanced rail technology for ongoing projects in both the Bay Area and Southern California. This includes a significant $100 million allocation for constructing a five-mile tunnel that extends BART service between downtown San Jose and Santa Clara. The tunnel launch structure will serve as a foundation for future tunneling operations on this project.
In addition to rail expansion efforts, another $33 million will be used to enhance rail freight operations at the Port of Long Beach while $35 million has been designated for completing design work on rail power stations in Los Angeles. Other investments include building an electric vehicle charging facility on a large parcel in Sacramento with an additional stabilization project along Del Mar Bluffs in San Diego County.
The CTC also approved the 2026 State Transportation Improvement Program with plans to invest $2.7 billion into priority projects statewide—over sixty percent of which are directed toward biking, walking, rail improvements or public transit enhancements.
