Budget Impasse Puts New Hold On Caltrans Projects

SACRAMENTO (KCBS) - Last month Caltrans froze three billion dollars in upcoming transportation projects from freeway expansions to bike lanes when there was no state budget agreement. Now another month has passed and almost a billion more is on hold, according to Caltrans spokesman Matt Rocco.

"The project itself may not be in danger, but that means less congestion relief for the drivers in the Bay Area," he said.

The list of projects on hold includes $20 million for the BART Oakland Airport Connector, money for bicycle and pedestrian projects in San Francisco, Santa Clara, and Marin Counties, and road improvements in San Mateo County. If the budget impasse continues much longer, things will get much worse, according to Rocco.

The total amount of state transportation projects now on hold is $3.9 billion.

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