04/19/2024

State planners cut $754 million in transportation projects

SACRAMENTO – The California Transportation Commission has adopted more than $754 million in cuts to planned highway, transit and other projects because of falling tax revenues tied to gas prices.

The vote taken Wednesday also delays another $755 million in planned future projects.

A move made by the Legislature during the budget crisis means gas taxes are set annually by the State Board of Equalization based on fuel prices. The tax was set at 17 cents per gallon in 2010 and has now fallen to 12 cents. It will fall to less than 10 cents a gallon in July.

That’s led to billions of dollars less in revenues than planners had expected.

The affected projects range from HOV lanes in Ventura County to proposed BART station modernization in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.

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