Government Market News StaffThe California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has awarded $41.6 million in planning grants to 90 projects designed to reduce pollution and improve preparedness for natural disasters. Almost $30 million will come from the state budget, and another $12.4 million will be federal funding.
The funding will be used in three categories:
- Sustainable communities competitive and technical grants.
- Approximately $20 million will be allocated to 56 local, regional, tribal and transit agencies for transportation and land-use planning. The funding can also be used for planning and design for more electric vehicle charging infrastructure. About $8 million of those funds were awarded to 21 projects that will improve safety and access for bicyclists and pedestrians.
- Climate adaptation planning grant:
- Over $18 million will be available to 26 local, regional, tribal and transit agencies to assess transportation-related climate vulnerabilities and create adaptation plans.
- Strategic partnership grants:
- Eight projects will be awarded $3.3 million for planning efforts to develop comprehensive highway corridors, rural and highway safety, tourism development, public transit and other sustainability programs.
Separately, Caltrans awarded $12.5 million to metropolitan planning organizations for regional transportation planning and sustainable community strategy development. This funding will bring the state’s total investment in sustainability projects to more than $54 million.
