Funding and Projects: Senate Bill 1

SB1-Logo

On April 28, 2017, Governor Jerry Brown signed into law, Senate Bill 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 (Beall and Frazier). This landmark funding program increased gasoline taxes and vehicle registration fees to over $5 billion annually to fix the state highway system as well as local roads, freeways and bridges and puts more dollars toward mass transit and bike and pedestrian projects.  It provides comprehensive and sensible transportation reforms, modest increases to existing revenue sources, and meaningful infrastructure investments. SB 1 was passed under the provisions of Prop 13, which requires a two-thirds vote in both the Assembly and the Senate.

The revenues will be phased-in over several years as follows:

  • The fuel tax increase began on November 1, 2017,
  • The value-based transportation improvement fee began on January 1, 2018,
  • The price-based excise tax will be reset on July 1, 2019, and
  • The new zero emissions vehicle fee will begin on July 1, 2020.

SB 1 funds are protected under Prop 69, Assembly Constitutional Amendment No. 5, which safeguards these new dollars for transportation use only (passed with 81.3% of the vote on June 5, 2018). This funding package is a huge step forward for every Californian who relies on our transportation system. 

Why Senate Bill 1 is important to the San Joaquin region

SB 1 provides approximately $5.4 billion annually for transportation improvements across California through the collection of gas and diesel fuel taxes and vehicle registration  fees. For the San Joaquin region, it means $359 million over the next ten years for “Fix It First” efforts to address local deferred maintenance. In addition, the new revenues from SB 1 are funding these vital projects: 

  • Central Valley Gateway Projects (I-205/International Parkway Interchange Improvements and I-580/International Parkway Interchange Improvements in San Joaquin County) – These two projects, totaling $24.7 million, will widen ramps, construct turn pockets, install bike and pedestrian improvements, and modify traffic signals. (full list, by county 2018 Trade Corridor Enhancement Program Final Adopted Program of Projects)
  • Valley Rail (San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority and San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission - Creates new round trips between Fresno, Merced, and Sacramento on the Amtrak San Joaquin line; initiates phased service expansion on ACE train; creates new ACE services out of Ceres with connections to San Jose and Sacramento; new stations; improved connectivity (Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program 2018 Awards)
  • ACE Saturday Service - The funds will support a brand new Saturday service on the main line for ACE between Stockton and San Jose (SB 1 Funds Enable ACE Saturday Service)
  • Six SB 1 Projects to Start by July 2018  - Each of these projects is designed to either; replace and repair existing roadways, rehabilitate bridges, and/or improve safety for motorists, commuters, and tourists, as well as the commercial trucking industry. (Caltrans District 10 )

Rebuilding California Project Map

This interactive map from the California Department of Transportation shows projects in local communities and statewide funded by revenues from SB 1: