Governor Newsom announces $1.1B in zero-emission transit, safer roadways, and resilient infrastructure

What you need to know: While Donald Trump is asleep at the wheel on upgrading our nation's infrastructure, California is demonstrating what bold leadership looks like. Last week, the California Transportation Commission approved $1.1 billion to expand zero-emission transit, repair storm-damaged highways, and improve safety on local roadways. These investments advance Governor Newsom's Build More, Faster - For All agenda to modernize California's transportation system while meeting the state's climate goals.

Sacramento - Today, Governor Gavin Newsom announced that the California Transportation Commission (CTC) approved $1.1 billion to fund new zero-emission buses, charging stations, and related infrastructure, as well as investments to restore aging bridges, improve highway safety, and increase mobility on local streets. Guided by the Governor's Build More, Faster - For All infrastructure agenda, these improvements will make California communities safer and more climate resilient.

"Donald Trump is asleep at the wheel on America's infrastructure. Meanwhile, California is moving forward. We are investing in zero-emission transit, safer roads, and resilient infrastructure. That's what Build More, Faster is all about: good-paying jobs and investments in our communities while delivering on our world-leading climate goals. Californians won't wait for Washington to get its act together. We're moving forward."

Governor Gavin Newsom

Building California's future

Among today's approved investments is $53 million to purchase 12 clean energy locomotives to replace older diesel engines across Southern California's Metrolink system. Approximately $57 million will be spent to repair a section of State Route 1 near Lucia damaged by slides in last winter's storms, and $9.5 million will help build a mobility center in Santa Maria that will serve as a hub for regional, clean-energy buses.

"Today's investments show what it looks like when California chooses to lead with both urgency and intention," said California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin. "By expanding zero-emission options and strengthening infrastructure in every corner of the state, we are delivering on Governor Newsom's vision to build a modern, sustainable transportation system for all."

"The significant investments made today and throughout the year support Caltrans' ongoing response to the effects of climate conditions on key assets, increased demand on the transportation system, and our continued efforts to enhance mobility for all users," said Caltrans Director Dina El-Tawansy.

"We are pleased to partner with Caltrans to enhance the economic competitiveness of our state and make commuting more affordable, while protecting our environment," said California Transportation Commission Chair Darnell Grisby.

Other notable state projects include:

• $15 million to replace the historic Seventh Street Bridge in Modesto.
• $13 million to restore parts of State Route 38 in San Bernardino County damaged by the El Dorado fire.
• $839,000 to construct bike lanes and improve sidewalks on South Avenue in Orange Cove, Fresno County.

Alameda County

• $1,394,000 allocation at AC Transit's Central Maintenance and Division 4 Facilities in Oakland, Division 2 Facility in Emeryville, and Division 6 Facility in Hayward for rehabilitation of maintenance bays for use on zero emission buses, to support zero-emission bus operations.
• $1,120,000 allocation on I-580 near Livermore, from 1.2 miles to 1.3 miles east of North Flynn Road, for repairing January and March 2025 atmospheric storm-related embankment over saturation which caused culverts to collapse. This project will replace culverts, install Rock Slope Protection (RSP) at the embankment, repair roadway pavement, and apply pavement delineation.
• $350,000 allocation Located in the City of Berkeley along Interstate 80 (I-80), at approximate postmiles ALA 4.662 and ALA 5.134, the I-80 and Aquatic Park Lagoon Subsurface Culvert Resiliency Project. includes renovation of the subsurface culverts that run underneath I-80, local roads, and the Bay Trail (the central "tide tubes," interconnecting tubes, and Potter Street culvert) to boost the transportation infrastructure's resiliency against climate change.
• $150,000 allocation in the city of Berkeley near Washington Elementary and Berkeley High Schools for Safe Routes to School Project, for installing leading pedestrian intervals, curb extensions, a traffic circle, new pavement markings, signage, and traffic-calming measures, which includes the construction of 1 new crosswalk, 25 enhancements of existing crosswalks, 6 timing improvements, and 1 crossing-surface improvement.

Contra Costa County

• $10,800,000 allocation on I-80 in Pinole, at the Appian Way Overcrossing (west) Bridge No. 28-0146R. This project will repair columns, provide full seismic evaluation, and reconstruct bents and foundations, identified during inspection.
• $1,147,000 allocation on I-80 in and near Richmond, San Pablo, Pinole, and Hercules, from 0.1 mile west of Central Avenue to 0.2 mile east of Pomona Street, for enhancing pavement markers and delineation to reduce wrong-way driving at offramps.

Marin County

• $28,480,000 allocation on SR-1 near Point Reyes Station, at Lagunitas Creek Bridge No. 27-0023 and Lagunitas Creek Overflow Bridge No. 27-0024, to replace Lagunitas Creek Bridge No. 27-0023 and upgrade bridge rail at Lagunitas Creek Overflow Bridge No. 27-0024.
• $3,166,000 allocation on SR-131 in Tiburon, from 0.0 mile to 0.1 mile east of Trestle Glen Boulevard (east), for stabilizing the roadway through the construction of a retaining wall,

Napa County

• $2,710,000 allocation on SR-29 near Saint Helena and Yountville. This project will remove unsuitable material underneath the pavement, replace failed arch culvert with a cast-in-place box culvert, and reconstruct roadway pavement.
• $210,000 allocation on SR-121 near Napa, from 2.8 miles north of Vichy Avenue to 1.4 miles south of SR-128 at various locations, for plant establishment and environmental mitigation work tied to the permanent restoration project.

San Francisco County

• $11,889,000 allocation on I-80 in the City and County of San Francisco, San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge West Span from 0.1 mile east of Fremont Street offramp to the Yerba Buena Island Viaducts, for cleaning and painting bridge truss and deck structures. The cleaning and painting system will include total encapsulation, pressure washing, abrasive blasting, spot coating, and a complete paint system.
• $8,640,000 allocation on I-280 in the City and County of San Francisco, at China Basin Viaduct Bridge No. 34-0100, for repairing a cracked precast girder identified during maintenance work. The cause of damage remains under investigation. Permit loads have been restricted on the bridge until repairs can be made. This project will repair bridge girders and place 3 temporary shoring bents.
• $1,650,000 allocation in the City and County of San Francisco, The Bayview Multimodal Community Corridor is in southeastern San Francisco within the Bayview neighborhood, just east of 3rd Street, between Cargo Way and Carroll Avenue. To Construct 3,500 feet of Class IV bike lanes/routes, 12 bike boxes, 1 timing improvement, 125 feet of reconstructed/enhanced existing sidewalk, 20 new ADA ramps, 41 reconstructed ramps to standard, 4 enhanced existing crosswalks, 4 shortened crossings, 21 unsignalized new crosswalks, 69 unsignalized enhanced existing crosswalks, 21 raised crosswalks/intersections, and 11 speed humps/cushions. The Bayview Community Multimodal Corridor project will improve pedestrian and bicycle safety and access by providing a comfortable multimodal route and supportive programs.

San Mateo County

• $1,712,000 allocation on I-280 and SR-92 near Woodside, at 2.8 miles north of Edgewood Road (PM 9.42); on I- 280 at 0.5 mile south of SR- 92 (PM 10.25); also, on SR- 92 at 0.2 mile east of Canada Road (PM R7.41). for upgrading existing pump plants to improve drainage.
• $1,322,000 allocation on SR-1 in Daly City, at Southgate Avenue, due to inspection showed slope erosion resulting in pavement and guardrail failure above the slope, this project will install rock slope protection to stabilize a failed slope, construct a drainage inlet and down drain to mitigate drainage issues, replace guardrail, and reconstruct roadway shoulder.
• $1,200,000 allocation on SR-84 in Woodside, at 0.1 mile north of Friars Lane, On August 4, 2025, a report was received that a sinkhole had developed in the travel lane. This project will remove the undermined roadway section and loose material, replace damaged culvert, and reconstruct roadway pavement.

Santa Clara County

• $1,380,000 allocation on I-880 in the city of San Jose, at the Airport Boulevard southbound I-880 on-ramp tunnel, Replace Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and Uninterpretable Power Supply (UPS). This project will utilize the Emergency Force Account contract method.
• $940,000 allocation on SR-9 near Saratoga, 1 mile north of Redwood Gulch Road, for removing debris and stabilizing a heavy rain storm-damaged slope. The first supplement was necessary because persistent rain during construction had increased erosion and sedimentation on the traveled way, causing additional falling trees, and obstructing a resident's driveway. Additional funding was needed for debris cleanup and extended work duration. The second supplemental was necessary to provide additional funding to stabilize the slope using a comprehensive drainage system in the affected sliding area and to also transport excavated materials to a disposal facility. This third supplemental is necessary to complete stabilization of the slope and critical work that remains.

Solano County

• $7,695,000 allocation on I-80 In and near the city of Fairfield, from 0.2 mile west of Green Valley Road to 0.5 miles west of Manuel Campos Parkway/ North Texas Street, at various locations. To construct permanent Best Management Practices (BMPs) at nine locations to achieve statewide National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit compliance units for trash capture.
• $1,225,000 allocation on SR-37 In and near Vallejo, from Walnut Avenue/Mare Island to 0.5 mile east of Sacramento Street. To install Variable Message Sign (VMS) System consisting of a Changeable Message Sign (CMS), a queue detection system, and lighting along westbound SR- 37.
• $168,000 allocation in the City of Vallejo, on Benicia Road, from the intersection of 9th Street to the intersection of Starr Avenue. This project modernizes a relinquished highway by incorporating a road diet and improving conditions for bicyclists, pedestrians, and transit riders.

Sonoma County

• $12,640,000 allocation on SR-1 near Carmet, from 0.1 mile to 0.7 mile north of Calle Del Sol. for required biological mitigation associated with EA 0A020.
• $200,000 allocation along SMART track from Larkspur to Windsor, Purchase of a hi-rail truck to conduct maintenance and inspection activities along the track between Larkspur and Windsor to allow for rapid in-house response to elevated and trackside maintenance needs.
• $100,000 allocation at SMART's Rail Operations Center in Sonoma County, for purchasing a battery-powered railcar mover that will move cars within SMART's Rail Operations Center maintenance facility.

Multiple Counties

• $4,960,000 allocation on SR-82 and SR-9 in Santa Clara and Santa Cruz Counties, on various routes at various locations. To replace Transportation Management System (TMS) elements.

For more information about transportation and other infrastructure projects funded with state and federal investments, visit build.ca.gov.

Putting dollars to work

Of the total allocation this month, $463 million has come via Senate Bill (SB) 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, and $190 million from the 2021 federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).

SB 1 has invested approximately $5 billion annually toward transportation projects since 2017. It provides funding split between the state and local agencies. Road projects progress through construction phases more quickly, depending on the availability of funds, including those partially funded by SB 1. California is expected to receive nearly $42 billion in federal infrastructure funding over a span of five years. These investments will upgrade the state's roads, bridges, rail, public transit, airports, ports, and the electric vehicle charging network.

The gold standard for American EV infrastructure

California is tearing down barriers to ZEV deployment, speeding up EV charging station installations, and deploying infrastructure in hard-to-reach and low income areas.

While qualifying for federal ZEV incentives contributed to the sales spike this quarter, becoming an EV driver in California is increasingly getting easier. There are now over 200,000 publicly accessible EV charging stations statewide. EV chargers can be found at grocery stores, park-and-ride lots, and even gas stations, whereas shared EV chargers can be found at apartment complexes, workplaces, doctors' offices, sports facilities, and other parking areas with some level of restricted access. This statewide network of public and shared private EV chargers is in addition to the estimated 800,000 EV chargers installed in single family homes.

California's climate leadership

Pollution is down, and the economy is up. Greenhouse gas emissions in California are down 21% since 2000 - even as the state's GDP increased 81% in that same time period, all while becoming the world's fourth largest economy.

California also continues to set clean energy records. In 2023, the state was powered by two-thirds clean energy, making it the largest economy in the world to achieve this level. California has also run on 100% clean electricity for part of the day almost every day this year.

Since the beginning of the Newsom Administration, battery storage has surged to nearly 17,000 megawatts - a 2,100%+ increase, and over 30,000 megawatts of new resources have been added to the electric grid. California now has 33% of the storage capacity estimated to be needed by 2045 to reach 100% clean electricity.

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