Money and work, Caltrans style
The California Transportation Commission (CTC) recently allocated $825 million in new funding to 92 highway, transit, and rail projects that will strengthen California’s economy and upgrade the state’s vast transportation system. The allocations included nearly $9 million from Proposition 1B, a 2006 voter-approved transportation bond. To date, the state has allocated nearly $8 billion in Proposition 1B funds.
“From one end of the state to the other, transportation projects are providing jobs and improving mobility for people and businesses in California,” said Caltrans Acting Director Malcolm Dougherty.
Local highlights of the allocations include:
Inyo County – $50,000 from Proposition 1B to widen Sunland Drive from U.S. 395 to Hwy 168 to include bicycle lanes. Including bicycle lanes on Sunland Drive will provide a safer and less-congested alternative bicycle route along 3.8 miles of roadway.
Mono County – $250,000 for planning, programming and monitoring. This allocation is for: regional transportation planning; project planning; program development; and monitoring the implementation of State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) projects.
Mono County – $164,000 to replace two Class C F450, 21-foot, 15 passenger Eastern Sierra Transit Authority buses with wheelchair tie-downs.
Mono County – $108,000 to replace one Class E F550, 27-foot, 16 passenger Eastern Sierra Transit Authority bus with wheelchair tie-downs.
And in other Caltrans news, the traveling public in Inyo and Mono counties is advised that Caltrans is scheduled to start their summer series of highway maintenance projects on Inyo and Mono highways on Tuesday, June 28. Crews will be fog sealing the pavement to extend the life of the roadway.
The purpose of fog sealing is to rejuvenate the roadway by adding the naturally-occurring oils back into the roadway that have oxidized out of the pavement. This adds life to the pavement and allows it to perform better and be more flexible.
The schedule is as follows:
June 28 – Hwy 6 – Benton to the State Line
June 29 – Hwy 120 – Benton to Old Benton
July 12 – U.S. 395 – Sherwin – postmile 0 – 7
July 18-21 – U.S. 395 – Bishop to Big Pine
Aug. 2-3 – Hwy 168 – No Inyo Hospital to Red Hill Road
Please be advised that there may be 20 minutes delays. Flaggers will be directing traffic. Slow down and watch for highway workers. –Caltrans/LK
