Highway 247 in High Desert will get cut of $1 billion from California to improve roads

Rene Ray De La Cruz, Victorville Daily Press
Updated ·3 min read
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The California Transportation Commission recently allocated $1.1 billion for projects that will repair and improve the state’s transportation infrastructure, including one High Desert roadway.

The funding includes more than $300 million for projects across California that will make the system more climate resilient while investing in bike and pedestrian pathways and increasing natural disaster preparedness, state officials said.

Projects the transportation commission approved include $3.37 million to improve State Route 247 near Barstow. The project would include rehabilitating pavement, replacing sign panels, adding bike lanes, and upgrading facilities to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

In San Bernardino County, State Route 247 stretches from Barstow to Lucerne Valley, then onto Yucca Valley.

The California Transportation Commission recently allocated $1.1 billion for projects that will repair and improve the state’s transportation infrastructure, including one roadway near Barstow.
The California Transportation Commission recently allocated $1.1 billion for projects that will repair and improve the state’s transportation infrastructure, including one roadway near Barstow.

California's 'historic transportation investments'

Fifteen projects, totaling $309 million, are funded through the Local Transportation Climate Adaptation Program, which is part of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s historic $15 billion clean transportation infrastructure package.

The transportation package, in the 2022-23 state budget, is designed to further the state’s ambitious climate goals, according to state officials.

“California is making historic transportation investments and building a climate-resilient system to connect every community in a safe and reliable way,” said Caltrans Director Tony Tavares. “The funding will maintain and repair our roads while investing in public transit, bike and pedestrian pathways, and climate-adaptation projects.”

The $1.1 billion allocation approved on Monday includes $323 million from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 and more than $115 million via Senate Bill 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017.

Additional projects include:

  • $1.279 million will be applied to various locations in San Bernardino County, including the upgrading of existing traffic census stations.

  • $6.6 million in San Bernardino County near Redlands from Occidental to Crafton Avenue. Rehabilitating pavement, upgrading TMS items, improving curb ramps and sign panels, and constructing pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure.

  • $11.20 million in Riverside County on Interstate 15 and State Route 91. Near Chiriaco Summit at three-star Ditch Bridge. Replace the existing rock slope and upgrade the bridge rail.

Funding

The Local Transportation Climate Adaptation Program provides $400.5 million over five years, with $148 million in state funding and $252.5 million from the federal Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation Formula Program established in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is a once-in-a-generation investment in the nation's infrastructure to improve the sustainability and resiliency of our energy, water, broadband, and transportation systems, state officials stated.

Since 2021, California has received more than $32 billion in Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funds, including more than $24 billion for transportation-related projects.

In addition, SB 1 provides $5 billion in transportation funding annually that is shared equally between the state and local agencies. Road projects progress through construction phases more quickly based on the availability of SB 1 funds, including projects that are partially funded by the bill.

For more information about California transportation projects funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and SB 1, visit RebuildingCA.ca.gov.

Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: California's Highway 247 to get a share of $1 billion to improve roads