http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/paffairs/news/pressrel/index.htm Recent Press Releases from the California Department of Transportation en-us http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/paffairs/news/pressrel/08pr27.htm Sacramento - This month, Caltrans will embark on a pilot program to test technology that guides buses by magnets, just as trolleys are guided by cables. During the final stage of the program, Caltrans will conduct the first-ever test of the magnetic system on public bus lines. "This technology would enable travel times on public transit to be more comparable to that of personal vehicles," said Caltrans Director Will Kempton. "By convincing more people to get out of their cars and onto buses, greater congestion reduction can be achieved."... November 13, 2008 http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/paffairs/news/pressrel/08pr26.htm Sacramento - Californians are leaving their cars, SUVs, vans, and trucks at home and riding trains instead in unprecedented numbers. Today, Caltrans and Amtrak reported a record-setting 5.5 million passengers rode California's state-supported intercity passenger trains in federal fiscal year 2008. "Intercity rail travel provides Californians a welcome alternative to a dependence on gas prices, relieves congested freeways, and improves our air quality in comparison to auto and air travel," said Caltrans Director Will Kempton... November 10, 2008 http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/paffairs/news/pressrel/08pr25.htm Sacramento - Caltrans announced today that it has received a $5 million federal grant that will go to the Kings Park Project in California's Central Valley to help fund a rail project in Kings County. The project will connect a 4.5-mile existing section of tracks with another existing section of tracks... November 6, 2008 http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/paffairs/news/pressrel/08pr24.htm Sacramento - The Bay Area and San Diego were big winners today as the California Transportation Commission allocated $191 million in new transportation funding from Proposition 1B, the 2006 voter-approved transportation bond. "The new projects will reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality and, most importantly, provide good paying construction jobs that will help boost our state’s economy," said Caltrans Director Will Kempton. ... October 30, 2008 http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/paffairs/news/pressrel/08pr23.htm Sacramento - The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) today awarded $46 million to cities and counties throughout the state for 121 projects funded through the federal Safe Routes to School program, which is designed to give students in grades K-8 easier and healthier ways to safely travel to and from schools. "Safety is Caltrans’ number one priority, and this program will make sure our children’s travel to and from school is safe and healthy," said Caltrans Director Will Kempton.... October 9, 2008 http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/paffairs/news/pressrel/08pr22.htm Sacramento – Caltrans today held a Diversity and Disability Awareness event to celebrate diversity within Caltrans and increase awareness of issues faced by and opportunities available for the disabled. Similar events are being held in all 12 Caltrans districts across the state throughout the month... October 7, 2008 http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/paffairs/news/pressrel/08pr21a.htm Proposition 1B Project Begins Construction. Bishop – Today, the California Department of Transportation held a groundbreaking ceremony for the $60.6 million Inyo County U.S. 395 Manzanar/Independence Four-lane Project. The project received $47 million from Proposition 1B, the 2006 voter-approved transportation bond... October 1, 2008 http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/paffairs/news/pressrel/08pr21.htm California’s MacArthur Maze is in the running for a national "People’s Choice Award". If you liked how the MacArthur Maze freeway collapse was handled in 2007, then the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) wants to hear from you. The MacArthur Maze is one of 10 transportation projects across the country nominated by AASHTO for a "People’s Choice Award." On-line voting is taking place now at: http://www.americastransportationaward.org/Voting.aspx ... September 16, 2008 http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/paffairs/news/pressrel/08pr20.htm Sacramento - Emphasizing the need to improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) held a Clean Air Transit Fair today at the State Capitol. Exhibitors provided information about transit, displayed the latest electric, hybrid and clean technology buses, and highlighted the health benefits of bicycling and walking as a form of transit... September 16, 2008 http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/paffairs/news/pressrel/08pr19a.htm Plumas Lake – A ribbon cutting ceremony was held today for the $21.8 million Plumas Lake Interchange in Yuba County. The project received $12.2 million from Proposition 1B, the 2006 voter-approved transportation bond. "This project will relieve traffic congestion, is important to interregional commerce, and has boosted the area economy," said Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. "When California voters approved Proposition 1B, they wanted action – and this is an example of that action."... September 9, 2008 http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/paffairs/news/pressrel/08pr19.htm Sacramento - The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) announced today the release of more than $9.5 million in federal and state grants to 74 agencies, including local governments, planning groups, community-based organizations, and tribal governments. The grant funds are contingent on the approval of the fiscal year 2008-09 State budget. ... September 9, 2008 http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/paffairs/news/pressrel/08pr17c.htm ALAMEDA COUNTY - The first shovel went into the ground today to build carpool lanes that will relieve congestion along Interstate 580 (I-580) in the Tri-Valley area of Alameda County, which is among the busiest stretches of highway in the state... September 5, 2008 http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/paffairs/news/pressrel/08pr17b.htm STANISLAUS COUNTY - The Department of Transportation (Caltrans) today hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for the $26 million State Route 99 (SR-99)/Whitmore Avenue Interchange Project. The project is partially funded by Proposition 1B, the 2006 voter-approved transportation bond... September 5, 2008 http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/paffairs/news/pressrel/08pr17a.htm STANISLAUS COUNTY - The Department of Transportation (Caltrans) hosted the State Route 219/Kiernan Avenue Widening Project’s groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, August 29, 2008. Speakers included: Will Kempton, Director, Caltrans; Kome Ajise, Caltrans District 10 Director; Kirk Lindsey, Commissioner, California Transportation Commission; Vince Harris, Executive Director, Stanislaus Council of Governments; Mayor Jim Ridenour, City of Modesto;... August 29, 2008 http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/paffairs/news/pressrel/08pr17.htm Governor Reaffirms the Need to Protect Proposition 42 Funding. Sacramento –The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) announced today that $190 million in transportation funding from Proposition 1B, the 2006 voter-approved transportation bond, has been allocated for 16 projects by the California Transportation Commission (CTC). These allocations are contingent upon passage of the 2008-09 state budget. Depending on the budget's handling of transportation funds, some of the allocation actions could be withdrawn.... August 28, 2008 http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/paffairs/news/pressrel/08pr18.htm More Than $1 Billion in Improvements Highlighted on Heavily Traveled Freeway - SACRAMENTO – Today the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Director Will Kempton took a road trip on Interstate 80 to highlight projects in construction or planned in the next four years that will improve the heavily traveled roadway from the Bay Area to the Nevada state line. More than $1 billion is being invested in corridor mobility, safety improvements, traveler information, and pavement rehabilitation in the nearly 170 miles of Interstate 80... August 28, 2008 http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/paffairs/news/pressrel/08pr16.htm Sacramento – The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has won five prestigious awards from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO). Caltrans received accolades for its public awareness campaigns on two major transportation projects in the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Area, for hosting a prominent national highway safety campaign and for creating the safety campaign’s striking logo.... August 18, 2008 http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/paffairs/news/pressrel/08pr15.htm HOLLYWOOD – Today at the 26th Annual Border Governors Conference, a joint declaration was reached among the 10 U.S. and Mexican Border States that fosters a renewed commitment to reducing border wait times and improving the secure movement of people, goods and services across the United States-Mexico border. Ten border states are participating in the conference, including California , Arizona , New Mexico and Texas from the United States and the Mexican states of Baja California Chihuahua Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, Sonora and Tamaulipas... August 15, 2008 http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/paffairs/news/pressrel/08pr14.htm Sacramento – Caltrans has named 14 transportation projects for its “Excellence in Transportation” awards. The awards are given annually by Caltrans to recognize excellence in design, construction, traffic operations, maintenance, planning, and improvements throughout California. "The projects are among the best anywhere," said Caltrans Director Will Kempton. "We continue to lead the nation in innovation and technology."... August 5, 2008 http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/paffairs/news/pressrel/08pr13.htm Sacramento – The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) announced today that $36.6 million in transportation funding from Proposition 1B, the 2006 voter-approved transportation bond, has been allocated by the California Transportation Commission. "This Administration is investing billions to improve California’s transportation infrastructure across the state," said Caltrans Director Will Kempton... July 25, 2008 http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/paffairs/news/pressrel/08pr12a.htm Sacramento –As gas prices soar, so does the number of people riding trains, Caltrans reported today. June was a historic, record-breaking month for Amtrak California trains. More than half a million passengers traveled on the three state-supported services (Capitol Corridor, San Joaquins and Pacific Surfliner), the most passengers Amtrak California has ever carried in a single month... July 17, 2008