The purpose of the Solutions for Congested Corridors Program is to provide funding to achieve a balanced set of transportation, environmental, and community access improvements to reduce congestion throughout the state.

This statewide, competitive program makes $250 million available annually for projects that implement specific transportation performance improvements and are part of a comprehensive corridor plan by providing more transportation choices while preserving the character of local communities and creating opportunities for neighborhood enhancement.

Regional transportation planning agencies, county transportation commissions and Caltrans are eligible to apply for program funds through the nomination of projects. All projects nominated must be identified in a currently adopted regional transportation plan and an existing comprehensive corridor plan. The Commission is required to score and select submitted applications based on the following criteria:

1. Safety;
2. Congestion;
3. Accessibility;
4. Economic development, job creation and retention;
5. Air pollution and greenhouse gas emission reductions;
6. Efficient land use;
7. Level of matching funds; and
8. The ability to complete the project in a timely manner.

SB 1 requires preference to be given to comprehensive corridor plans that demonstrate collaboration between Caltrans and local or regional partners, reflecting a comprehensive planning approach. No more than half the available funding each year can be awarded to projects nominated exclusively by Caltrans.

Eligible project elements within the corridor plans may include improvements to state highways, local streets and roads, rail facilities, public transit facilities, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and restoration or preservation work that protects critical local habitat or open space. Program funds cannot be used to construct general purpose lanes on a state highway. Capacity increasing projects on the state highway system are restricted to high-occupancy vehicle lanes, managed lanes, and other non-general purpose lane improvements for safety and/or operational improvements for all modes of travel. Examples are auxiliary lanes, trucks climbing lanes, or dedicated bicycle lanes.

The Commission adopted guidelines for the 2020 Solutions for Congested Corridors Program on January 29, 2020. The guidelines were created in consultation with the California Air Resources Board, regional transportation planning agencies, and other transportation stakeholder groups. Prior to adoption of the guidelines, the Commission conducted numerous public workshops throughout the state to solicit input and feedback. This included two hearings as required by SB 1, one in northern California and one in southern California.

Due to COVID-19, the application due date for the 2020 Solutions for Congested Corridors Program has been amended to July 17, 2020. 

Program Benefits

The Solutions for Congested Corridors Program funds projects designed to reduce congestion in highly traveled and highly congested corridors through performance improvements that balance transportation improvements, community impacts, and that provide environmental benefits.

Comprehensive Multimodal Corridor Plan Guidelines

The Commission developed Comprehensive Multimodal Corridor Plan Guidelines (plan guidelines) to provide guidance to eligible program applicants regarding the statutory requirements for comprehensive corridor plans utilized by agencies to apply for funding through the Congested Corridors Program. Additional information is available at the link below:

Comprehensive Multimodal Corridor Plan Guidelines