California to put $3 billion toward statewide road improvements

The California Transportation Commission will be funding $3 billion worth of road and transportation improvements over the next five years. The statewide plan was adopted Wednesday.

A good chunk of that money comes from the gas tax increase.

Transportation agencies across California will be able to tap into the fund. The California Department of Transportation also got a list of projects.

“The funding for the project let’s say, for instance, in Monterey County — involves everything from stabilizing the highway, which may have been damaged by erosion. A lot of the work will be to upgrade curb ramps and some sidewalks to meet (Americans with Disabilities Act). Some of the projects will lengthen on ramps at points on Highway 101,” said Caltrans spokesperson Jim Shivers.

Changes are also coming to Santa Cruz County. The plan is to have car pool lanes on Highway 101, and to reconstruct Freedom Boulevard.