The California Transportation Commission (CTC) in the US has allocated $306m for 44 new transportation projects to improve safety, economic growth and reduce traffic congestion in various districts across the state.

Fund allocations include $114m from Proposition 1B, a transportation bond approved by voters in 2006, and $192m from assorted transportation accounts financed by state and federal dollars. In total, $14.7bn in Proposition 1B funds have been distributed throughout the state.

California Department of Transportation director Malcolm Dougherty said that transportation projects will provide employment and improve roads, bridges, and transit for people and businesses across the state.

In San Luis Obispo, allocations include $4.3m to San Luis Obispo Council of Governments for the replacement of the Estrella River Bridge on Highway 46 and $195,000 to the Safe Routes to Schools Program.

Funds of $2.8m were provided to the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments / City of Santa Maria to link Santa Maria Airport and the community of Orcutt to the new Highway 101 Interchange.

In addition to road projects, an allocation was made for the Santa Cruz Regional Transportation Commission for rail improvements from Davenport to Watsonville.

"In total, $14.7bn in Proposition 1B funds have been distributed throughout the state."

In Marysville, CTC provided $18.9m to the City of Sacramento and Sacramento Area Council of Governments to construct a project on I-5 / Cosumnes River Boulevard Interchange, $9.9m to remove and replace the bridge, as well as $4.7m to replace drainage systems and install best management practices.

It also includes $650,000 to reconstruct embankments at four locations on Highway 49, install new and upgraded drainage facilities, stabilise an eroded culvert and install downdrain to avoid further slumping of the embankment due to water infiltration, with other works including pavement digouts and shoulder widening.

CTC also allocated $45,000 for Arnold Rim Trail Cedar Center Bikeway Connection in Stockton.

Projects in Irvine include the replacement of curb, gutter, sidewalk and curb ramps in the City of Huntington Beach on Goldenwest Avenue and Garfield Avenue, and construction of a maintenance vehicle pullout and access road in the City of Irvine.

In Fresno, CTC has allocated over $1.4m for the construction phase of the Avenue 12 Interchange project on State Route 99 in Madera County.