Clean California Soars Past Major Milestone to Beautify Roadways and Rejuvenate Local Public Spaces

District: District 11 - San Diego and Imperial Counties
Contact: Aaron Hunter
Phone: (619) 688-6670

Since launching the Clean California effort in July 2021, Caltrans and its partners throughout the Golden State have removed 3.4 million cubic yards of litter and debris from highways and public spaces-the equivalent of filling more than 136,000 garbage trucks worth of litter. The trash collected includes 15,500 mattresses and 57,000 tires. The initiative has enlisted 72,000-plus community clean-up volunteers and created thousands of jobs.

Sacramento - More than 136,000 garbage trucks' worth of litter has been cleared from state highways and communities in the four years of Governor Gavin Newsom's Clean California effort.

Emerging as one of the most successful environmental initiatives brought forward by Governor Newsom, the $1.2 billion Clean California effort has provided a visible and lasting impact on communities throughout the state, while also supporting long-term goals aimed at climate resiliency, economic equity, and public safety. Program highlights include:

• Maintenance crews dedicated to cleaning state highways and public rights of way
• 650 free dump days hosted in urban and rural communities
• 639 pieces of transportation art installed on the highways
• 72,000 community clean-up volunteers (according to a survey from Keep America Beautiful)
• 314 beautification projects, including the development of new parks, public art, and improvements at several transit stations. Of these, 191 projects have been completed.
• 18,000 job opportunities created
• So far, 110 communities have pledged to become a designated Clean California Community by agreeing to complete specific criteria that demonstrate long-term commitments to zero litter, community beautification, and environmental enhancement. Thirty communities have already achieved full designation status.

San Diego - Locally, Clean California projects have transformed communities and improved the quality of life.

Two Clean California projects completed this year include infrastructure improvements and beautification efforts in Chula Vista and National City.

In Chula Vista, Caltrans awarded the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) a $1 million grant to beautify its E Street Transit Center. The artwork not only added beauty to the Trolley Station but also tells the cultural history of Chula Vista.

A mural along the trolley tracks was created by Mr. B Baby and is titled "Tracks of time." It features Mexican rag doll characters set against picturesque landscapes, telling a story of Chula Vista's history and heritage.

Glass mosaics in the transit center called "Treasures of the Bay" were created by the Rainforest Art Project. The mosaics show the incredible sea life that inhabits the beautiful bays, lagoons, and marshes in our region.

National City used a $5 million grant from Caltrans to tell the story of its history and heritage. The Filipino Plaza at the corner of E. Plaza Boulevard and Euclid Avenue highlights the city's Filipino culture.

The city also made significant infrastructure improvements along the east side of Interstate 805 from Plaza Boulevard to Division Street. The improvements include new bike and pedestrian paths, landscaping, and lighting.

"Clean California has helped communities beautify space, improve infrastructure, increase access to transit, and more," said Ann Fox, Caltrans District 11 Director. "Communities across California take pride in where they live and want to make it a better place. The Clean California initiative helps make that possible."

"Under Governor Newsom's leadership, Clean California is revitalizing communities across the state," said Toks Omishakin, California Transportation Secretary. "From Siskiyou County in the north to Imperial County in the south, and Kern County in the Central Valley - Clean California is restoring pride and creating spaces where communities thrive."

To learn more about how California is creating a brighter future by building more, faster - for all, visit build.ca.gov.