$52.4bn program to fix transportation infrastructure in California

On March 29^th, Californian legislative leaders have unveiled the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, a plan to improve roads, freeways and bridges.

The state of California and local investments would allow the transportation fixation project. $5bn is to be annually granted to it and is to be funded by a gas tax.

Governor Edmund Brown declared: “California has a massive backlog of broken infrastructure that has been neglected far too long. Fixing the roads will not get cheaper by waiting – or ignoring the problem. This is a smart plan that will improve the quality of life in California.”

Many improvements are expected and organized as follows:
$15bn would be invested in highway repairs putting emphasis on potholes. $7.5bn is to be reserved for local public transportation. Improvements on trade corridors, on walking and bicycling infrastructures plus bridge and culvert repairs are also included in the project with an approximate $8bn cost.

Senator Kevin de Leon added: “These critical investments will keep our state moving and economy growing. I look forward to getting this deal through the Legislature and onto the Governor’s desk next week.”

The Road Repair and Accountability act could be voted by April 6. The project represents a total investment of $52.4bn over the next decade and leads to a spending increase for drivers of less than $10 a month. A new announcement as California has not increased the gas tax in 23 years.