“This grant award is a major step forward for Caltrans and its partners"

WOODLAND, CA (MPG) – The Yolo County Transportation District (YCTD) in partnership with the California Department of Transportation’s (Caltrans) District 3 was awarded $85.9 Million in United States Department of Transportation Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant funding to improve and expand 17 miles of the Interstate 80 and U.S. Highway 50 corridors in Yolo and Sacramento Counties.

A truly collaborative and coordinated effort, the INFRA application was developed and submitted by YCTD and Caltrans staff, and included extensive support from Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA), U.S. Senator Diane Feinstein (D-CA), YCTD member jurisdictions, the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG), regional Air Quality Management Districts, Chambers of Commerce, and local private associations and advocacy groups.

The grant funding will be leveraged by the project team to reduce congestion on Interstate 80 and U.S. Highway 50 by creating new managed lanes along 17 miles of highway. New pedestrian and bicycle facility improvements, as well as intelligent transportation system elements such as ramp meters and changeable message signs, will also be installed.

“Yolo County Transportation District has a broad responsibility to act as a congestion management agency in addition to operating Yolobus. This project will improve reduce congestion on a critical segment of our region’s highways. It will improve on time performance for transit, including the new Causeway Connection service and other Yolobus routes. We appreciate the active partnerships with Caltrans District 3 and the Sacramento Area Council of Governments and the leadership of Congressman Garamendi in bringing this funding to our region,” said Don Saylor,

Yolo County Supervisor and 2021 Chair of Yolo County Transportation District. “The announcement of this grant award is huge news for Davis and Yolo County, and the I80/Causeway expansion project is essential to improving regional transportation options throughout the Northern California Megaregion. We undertook a collaborative team effort approach in advocating for this project, and I look forward to it bringing needed relief to our communities,” said Lucas Frerichs, Vice Mayor, City of Davis, YCTD Board Director, and 2020 Sacramento Area Council of Governments Board Chair.

“This grant award is a major step forward for Caltrans and its partners to develop an innovative project to increase traffic flow and safety while reducing vehicle emissions along the Interstate 80 corridor,” said Caltrans District 3 Director Amarjeet S. Benipal. “Our goal is to provide multiple options for every traveler ranging from transit bus commuters to bicyclists to carpoolers.”

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s announcement notice of the grant award can be viewed here The Yolo County Transportation District (YCTD) serves as the Congestion Management Agency for, and administers public transit services throughout, Yolo County. Services include local and intercity bus service 365 days a year in Yolo County and neighboring areas, complementary paratransit services, and microtransit services. YCTD serves Davis, West Sacramento, Winters, Woodland, Downtown Sacramento, Sacramento International Airport, Cache Creek Casino Resort, Esparto, Madison, Dunnigan, Yolo and Knights Landing. As an added convenience for riders, YCTD services provide connections with other local public transportation systems, including Sacramento Regional Transit District buses and light rail, as well as Unitrans in Davis and Vacaville Transit.