Logo courtesy of Caltrans

SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - Caltrans has awarded $23.6 million in transportation planning grants to 58 projects across California aimed at improving climate resiliency, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing pedestrian and bicycle safety and strengthening disaster preparedness.

The funding will support local planning and conceptual design efforts that help move transportation projects closer to construction. State officials said the grants focus on multimodal transportation options and improving mobility in under-resourced communities.

Nearly $14 million of the funding comes from Senate Bill 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017. Additional funding sources include the State Highway Account, the Federal Highway Administration State Planning and Research Program and the Federal Transit Administration's Section 5304 Grant Program.

California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin said the grants will help communities develop transportation solutions that improve quality of life and create safer connections to schools, workplaces and community resources.

"Every California community deserves an opportunity to shape a safer, healthier and more connected future," Omishakin said.

Caltrans Director Dina El-Tawansy said the investments will support climate-resilient infrastructure while expanding access to transportation options.

"These investments will strengthen California by making it safer and easier for people to move through their communities," El-Tawansy said. "By planning for climate-resilient infrastructure, improving access to walking and biking options and supporting under-resourced areas, these projects will help protect people, expand opportunity and build a transportation system that serves everyone."

Of the total funding, $20.4 million will support 49 Sustainable Communities Competitive and Technical Grant projects involving local governments, regional agencies, transit operators and tribal governments. More than $8.7 million of that amount will fund 20 projects focused on active transportation safety improvements. Caltrans said 86% of those projects will benefit under-resourced communities.

Another $3.2 million in Strategic Partnerships Grants will support nine projects focused on long-term transportation planning, railroad crossing safety, transit reliability, multimodal circulation improvements and bus rapid transit planning.

Among the projects receiving funding are a $256,300 grant for the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians in Tehama County to develop an Active Transportation Plan and a $593,000 grant for the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians in Riverside County to update a tribal land use plan with climate-resilient transportation standards.

Caltrans has awarded 808 transportation planning grants totaling $316 million since the program began during the 2015-16 fiscal year. The agency reported that more than 73% of those projects have been completed.

SB 1 generates approximately $5 billion annually for transportation improvements and is shared between state and local agencies.