BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — California is investing nearly $2.5 billion in statewide transportation projects to enhance safety for pedestrians and cyclists, including work on Highway 58 and Weedpatch Highway in Kern County.
Caltrans said the California Transportation Commission recently approved funding for more than 150 new projects, which include rebuilding key routes damaged by extreme weather and expanding access for transit users.
In Kern County, a Highway 58 project near Bakersfield will rehabilitate pavement and a bridge deck, upgrade guardrail and Traffic Management System elements, and replace a Weigh-In-Motion system from Weedpatch Highway to 0.2 miles east of Bealeville Road. The SB 1 funding allocation for that project is $2.87 million, with full funding also listed as $2.87 million.
Of the total funding package, nearly $547 million will come from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA), and another $736 million will come from Senate Bill 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017. The remaining $1.1 billion is funded through the State Highway Account, the general fund and other state and federal programs.
Caltrans said California has received approximately $19 billion in infrastructure funding since the IIJA was passed.
For other projects or more information on the transportation project, visit dot.ca.gov.