SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY – Caltrans announced July 1, that it awarded $26.5 million in planning grants to 65 projects statewide to boost climate resilience, enhance bike and pedestrian safety and improve disaster readiness.
Included in the grant awards is a $700,000 grant to the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) to improve active transportation along state highways as required by SB 960.
360° for SB 960 will check bike, pedestrian and transit options on state highways
California Senate Bill 960 requires better bike, pedestrian, and transit options on state highways. It focuses on making travel safer and easier for vulnerable road users.
SBCTA’s project “360° for SB 960”, will work with the community to set goals and measures for improving streets in San Bernardino County along Caltrans’ highways.
The project will team up with the public, local groups, transit operators, and Caltrans to check bike, pedestrian and transit options on state highways, review best practices, plan improvements, and set clear goals and costs.
It will also offer an online StoryMap with GIS data and API links, serving as a model for other districts.
SBCTA said the project is essential not only due to SB 960 requirements but also to improve safety and access for vulnerable road users in San Bernardino County, where 13.2% live in poverty, exceeding state and national averages.
Projects will greatly improve mobility statewide
Caltrans said nearly $3 million of the funding is from Governor Gavin Newsom’s $15 billion clean transportation package in the 2022-23 to advance climate goals.
Another $12.4 million from SB 1, the 2017 Road Repair and Accountability Act, will fund planning and design to advance projects toward construction.
“These selected projects will greatly improve mobility statewide by supporting multimodal transportation and help our under-resourced communities become more climate resilient,” said Caltrans Director Dina El-Tawansy.
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