SACRAMENTO — The north state will have smoother rides ahead as part of $3.7 billion in roadway improvements announced Friday afternoon by the California Department of Transportation.
The California Transportation Commission made allocations for projects that include Highway 162 by both Oroville and Willows; streets in downtown Paradise, and an Interstate 5 rest area by Maxwell.
“These investments will help California maintain and build a safer, more reliable and more climate-resilient transportation system,” Caltrans Director Tony Tavares said in the announcement. “Commuters, bicyclists, pedestrians and freight movers in local communities will all benefit as we continue to improve and rebuild our infrastructure.”
For Highway 162, the state awarded $2.3 million for pavement, drainage, guardrail and signage improvements from the Feather River Bridge to Foothill Boulevard in Oroville and $3.1 million for pavement, drainage, curb ramp, traffic signal and signage improvements from west of I-5 to Tehama Street in Willows.
Paradise received $3.8 million for an active transportation project to construct new sidewalks, curbs and gutters and Class II bicycles lanes along Fir and Birch streets as well as portions of Foster Road, Black Olive Drive and Elliott Road.
Along I-5, the CTC allotted $2.2 million to reconstruct the northbound Maxwell Safety Roadside Rest Area in Colusa County — as well as $18.3 million for pavement work on the freeway in Sacramento, between the American River Bridge and Arena Boulevard.
The local projects are part of $169 million in funding from Senate Bill 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017. The bulk of the rest comes from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. For more information, visit rebuildingca.ca.gov.