LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Funds from the latest round of financing from Caltrans will be heading to Lake County for public transit.
Caltrans said Thursday that it has awarded approximately $350 million in grants to improve public transit across California.
An estimated 80 projects will upgrade transit service, purchase eco-friendly buses, modernize transit stations and create jobs throughout the state.
“These projects are a direct investment in our state's public transit system and will help energize California’s economy,” said Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty. “Not only will these projects help create jobs, they will also reduce traffic congestion,clean the air, and provide Californians with more viable alternatives to rising gas prices.”
The grants are funded through Proposition 1B, the 2006 voter-approved transportation bond, which is providing $3.6 billion over a 10-year period to improve public transit in California.
In Lake County, Lake Transit Authority will receive $1,366,525 for five replacement buses. The funds come as Lake Transit has continued to see increased demand for its services and record ridership.
Other notable projects around the North Coast that will receive funds include an award of $283,936 to Humboldt Transit Authority for 30 foot replacement vehicles.
Among Lake's neighboring counties, the Napa County Transportation Agency will receive $178,743 for replacement vehicles; the city of Santa Rosa will receive $889,008 for replacement buses; Sonoma County Transit will receive $2,056,707 to purchase a 40-foot bus; Glenn County Transportation Commission gets $561,142 for a Glenn Ride vehicle replacement; and the Sacramento Area Council of Governments in Yolo County has been awarded two grants, one for $2.6 million for a fixed route bus replacement and the second for $197,183 to replace two double deck buses.
To date, Proposition 1B has provided $1.7 billion in funding to more than 700 transit projects statewide, with 216 completed, according to Caltrans.