California Transportation Commission Awards Over $100 Million for Grants to Construct Walking and Biking Routes in Disadvantaged Communities

California Transportation Commission

RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Last week the California Transportation Commission awarded $101.22 million to projects across California that increase walking and biking as part of the 2025 Active Transportation Program. Better access to transit networks is part of this program.

The 13 projects contribute to healthier communities, connect neighborhoods, and improve
the quality of life for Californians by building comfortable bikeways, improved sidewalks, multi-use
paths, safer street crossings, and streetscaping elements. All of the awarded projects are located in or provide a direct benefit to disadvantaged communities, and over half of the projects are parts of designated “Safe Routes to Schools.”

“These transformative investments in our historic underserved communities are a triple win: job
creation, emissions reduction, and healthier modes of transportation,” said Commission Chair Carl
Guardino. “We will continue to champion the benefits of the Active Transportation Program and make the case for additional funding in the future.”

“The Active Transportation Program is a key tool in making our communities safer and making it easier for residents to get to jobs and schools,” said Commission Vice Chair Darnell Grisby. “We are pleased to award funding to these projects that expand safe mobility options and reduce out-of-pocket expenses for the working class, while supporting California’s fight against climate change.”

The Commission received 277 project applications with a total funding request of $2.5 billion, nearly 15 times the amount of available funding. The Commission has $400 million less funding for this program cycle due to a reduction enacted in the 2024-25 state budget.

An additional $67.48 million will be awarded to projects by the state’s ten largest Metropolitan Planning Organizations in their own regional competitions next year.

The Active Transportation Program was created in 2013 as the state’s only dedicated funding source for walking and biking projects. Funding for the program comes from Senate Bill 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, as well as other state and federal funds, including the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. A complete list of projects can be found on the Commission’s Active Transportation Program website: https://catc.ca.gov/programs/active-transportation-program.