As part of a nearly $1.7 billion in funding for improvements to the state highway system, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday announced $86.5 million for improvements to infrastructure damaged during the Los Angeles firestorms in January.
In addition to projects in the San Diego area and Northern California, the funding package includes $30 million to replace a retaining wall and rebuild a slope drapery protection system near Big Rock Road in Malibu and reconstruct hillsides above Pacific Coast Highway near Mulholland Drive. Those areas were impacted by the Palisades Fire and subsequent rainstorms.
“Today’s monumental investment puts Californians’ tax dollars to work making critical safety and resiliency improvements to highways throughout the state that support the travel of millions of residents each day. We’re also directing millions to help repair vital infrastructure damaged by the Los Angeles fires.”
The funding also made these additional projects possible, according to Caltrans:
- $16.9 million to fix damaged slopes, drainage systems, signs, retaining walls and guardrails on PCH in Los Angeles, Santa Monica and Malibu. The project also calls for additional work to prevent debris flows and mudslides on PCH from Entrada Drive to Sweetwater Canyon Drive.
- $4.8 million to provide traffic control in LA, Santa Monica and Malibu, where residents had to evacuate from the Palisades Fire.
- $2.8 million for new traffic signals, roadside signs, drainage systems and erosion control following the Franklin and Palisades fires near South Topanga Canyon.
“Investments made today support Caltrans’ mission to build and maintain a transportation system that helps Californians now and decades into the future,” Caltrans Acting DirectorMike Keever said in a statement. “This funding translates into safer travel, more accessible mobility options and strengthening our roadways to protect all travelers during extreme weather events.”
The funding was from legislation that included $655 million via Senate Bill 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, and nearly $567 million from the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
“IIJA, also known as the federal bipartisan infrastructure bill, is a once-in-a-generation investment in our nation’s infrastructure to improve the sustainability and resiliency of our country’s energy, water, broadband and transportation systems,” according to the governor’s office. “California has received nearly $62 billion in federal infrastructure funding since its passage, including investments to upgrade the state’s roads, bridges, rail, public transit, airports, ports and waterways. The funding alone has already created more than 170,000 jobs in California.”
SB 1 directs approximately $5 billion annually to transportation projects. The legislation provides funding split between state and local agencies.
“Road projects progress through construction phases more quickly based on the availability of funds, including projects that are partially funded by SB 1,” according to Newsom’s office.
More information on infrastructure projects and spending is at Build.ca.gov.
