California has announced a significant investment in road safety with nearly $300 million allocated to 288 projects across the state. The funding aims to reduce traffic deaths and serious injuries on city and county roads.
Governor Gavin Newsom stated, “We’re making roads safer up and down the state with significant investments. I’m proud of the lifesaving work Caltrans has done to protect drivers, pedestrians, and bikers as they go about their daily commutes.”
The funding is part of the federal Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP), which focuses on reducing fatal and serious injuries on public roads nationwide. The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is adopting the Safe System approach, emphasizing multiple layers of protection including safer road designs, to achieve zero fatalities and serious injuries by 2050.
“Under Governor Newsom’s leadership, California remains committed to helping ensure that every Californian has access to safe and reliable transportation, no matter who they are or where they live,” said California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin. “These investments highlight our people-first approach because we know it will pay the most important dividend of all – their safety.”
The projects receiving funding span various regions from Del Norte County in the north to San Diego County in the south. Some notable projects include installing Class IV bike lanes in Contra Costa County, new high-visibility signage in San Francisco, intersection lighting improvements in Santa Barbara County, retro-reflectivity striping throughout Trinity County, and protected bike lanes in Riverside County.
Since 2007, California has invested $1.5 billion into local safety projects such as rumble strips, flashing beacons, warning signs, roadway lighting, delineators, and sidewalks to enhance road safety.
For further details on transportation projects and funding information can be found at Build.ca.gov.
