California Transportation Commission adopts 2024 Local Partnership Competitive Program; $201.7 million recommended for 11 projects

California Transportation Commission on Friday approved staff recommendations for the 2024 Local Partnership Competitive Program, programming $201,655,000 to 11 projects across the state.

The vote comes after staff described the two-year program as a $195,670,000 funding round under the program guidelines adopted in August 2024, and after commissioners heard public testimony from local officials touting projects such as a replacement of Sacramento’s I Street Bridge and extensions of BART to Silicon Valley.

Why it matters: The competitive Local Partnership Program (LPP) is designed to reward jurisdictions that raise dedicated local revenue for transportation and to leverage local funds with state and federal investment. Staff said the recommended projects leverage roughly $14 billion in additional federal, state and local funds and reflect community engagement and housing-land-use coordination reviewed with the Department of Housing and Community Development and the Interagency Equity Advisory Committee.

Most important facts: Commission staff said the commission received 41 nominations seeking roughly $576 million in LPP funds — more than double the available capacity. The recommended package programs $201,655,000 for 11 projects; staff noted the programming exceeds identified funding capacity by $5,985,000 and will be supported by future redistributions consistent with program guidelines. Staff emphasized multimodal outcomes including zero-emission bus purchases, bus rapid transit and complete-streets improvements that separate bicyclists and pedestrians from motor vehicle traffic.

Public comment and local advocacy: Dozens of local officials and agency representatives spoke in support of recommended projects during public comment. Among those who addressed the commission: a field representative for Majority Leader Cecilia Aguilar-Curry urging support for Sacramento’s I Street Bridge replacement; representatives for the VTA and San Jose supporting BART to Silicon Valley Phase 2; officials from Watsonville, San Diego, Mendocino, Stanislaus County and West Sacramento describing local multimodal, safety and bridge-replacement needs. Caltrans and local transit agencies also described commitments of federal bridge funds and other matching resources toward some proposals.

Commission response and action: Commissioners praised staff and applicants for the competitive process, noted applicants had iterated on prior feedback, and encouraged unsuccessful applicants to seek debriefs. A motion to adopt staff’s recommendation was made and seconded; commissioners voted in favor and the motion passed.

What’s next: Staff has invited unsuccessful applicants to schedule debriefs and will manage redistribution consistent with the program guidelines to address the small over-programming noted in the staff report. Agencies receiving awards will move into project delivery and follow the commission’s allocation and timely-use-of-funds rules.

Several project-specific details mentioned during public comment: Caltrans has pledged $250 million in Federal Highway Bridge Program funds toward a Sacramento-area bridge project; the Stanislaus County/Modesto Seventh Street Bridge nomination cited a $15 million LPP request matched with $80 million in federal highway bridge program funds and about $16 million in local match; some transit projects described hydrogen or zero-emission bus routes tied to recent grant awards.

The commission’s action adopted staff’s recommended list as published in staff materials and attachments.