FRESNO (KMJ) — The plan to resurface a Fresno section of Highway 99 is just one part of a number of projects Caltrans says are being accelerated with funds due to be generated by SB 1.
“SB 1 will allow Caltrans to catch up on years of unfunded maintenance needs that have plagued our roadways, including State Route 99,” explained Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty.
The $5.2 million endeavor will see the road between Downtown Fresno to a mile north of Herndon Avenue repaired and resurfaced. Work is scheduled to start June 2018.
“For far too long we’ve under-invested in our transportation network,” said Fresno City Councilmember Esmeralda Soria. “So SB 1 is addressing the underfunded and deteriorating state-wide road system.”
The District 1 representative was one of a number of officials gathered next to Fresno’s Highway 99 and Shaw Avenue Tuesday morning, to unveil the projects made possible with Senate Bill 1 funds.
“Thanks to the passage of SB 1, California will see around $54 billion in funding over the next decade. That will be roughly split between state and local agencies,” revealed Caltrans Acting Chief Deputy Director Laurie Berman.
“Here locally, over the next year, Caltrans will accelerate more than $420 million worth of crucial roadway and infrastructure work throughout the counties of Fresno, Kern, Madera, Kings, and Tulare.”
The California-wide plan includes more than 17,000 lane miles of pavement, 500 bridges, 55,000 culverts, and 7,700 traffic operating systems (including ramp meters, traffic cameras, and electronic highway signs). The state agency has set up a website to for the public to track their progress: rebuildingca.ca.gov.
“This $5.2 million pavement project is much needed, and will repair 12 miles of State Route 99 in the City of Fresno,” adds Berman. “This is just one of many accelerated fix-it-first projects underway across the state to improve roadways this year, before Senate Bill 1 even takes effect.”
The legislation was passed in April, with Governor Jerry Brown announcing at the time “we’re rebuilding California” (click here to read more). It was signed later that month. SB 1’s passing will see every driver in the state paying 12 cents more for a gallon of gas, as well as paying more for vehicle registration fees, in order to generate the money for the repair work.
Hear the report from KMJ’s Dominic McAndrew as it aired:
