SACRAMENTO — Governor Gavin Newsom announced a pilot program Tuesday, March 12, to reconnect three communities historically divided by transportation infrastructure in California.
THE Reconnecting Communities: Highways to Boulevards grant program will increase access and traveling options in underserved and underinvested neighborhoods in Arcata, South San Francisco, and southeast San Diego/ National City.
“Transportation at its best is a uniter – connecting people and communities with convenient and safe access to jobs, family, and services,” California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin said. “Transportation at its worst is a barrier –- dividing communities, increasing harm and cutting off access to opportunity. We must strive always to unite and never divide, and today represents an important step in righting the wrongs of the past by putting people and communities first.”
The pilot program, initially proposed in the Climate Action Plan for Transportation Infrastructure, seeks to convert underused highways that divide underserved communities into multimodal corridors and vibrant public spaces. Caltrans will assist the selected communities in working from concept to project delivery on a community-driven vision to reconnect their neighborhoods. This includes helping pilot communities obtain additional grant support for project completion, including the application for the federal Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods…
