The Solutions for Congested Corridors Program (SCCP) is a statewide, competitive program that provides funding to achieve a balanced set of transportation, environmental, and community access improvements to reduce congestion throughout the state. The program was created by the Road Repair Accountability Act of 2017 (SB 1).

The SCCP makes $250 million available annually to 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 the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) are eligible to apply for program funds. Eligible agencies must nominate projects to apply for SCCP funds. All nominated projects 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
8. Timely project completion

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 comprehensive 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 include auxiliary lanes, truck climbing lanes, or dedicated bicycle lanes.

The Commission adopted the 2020 SCCP Guidelines 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. The Commission conducted numerous public workshops throughout the state to solicit input and feedback before adopting these guidelines. This included two hearings, as required by SB 1, one in northern California and one in southern California.

Due to COVID-19, the 2020 Program’s application due date was amended to July 17, 2020. 

Program Benefits

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

Comprehensive Multimodal Corridor Plan Guidelines

The Commission developed Comprehensive Multimodal Corridor Plan Guidelines to guide applicants about the statutory requirements for comprehensive corridor plans utilized by agencies needed to apply for SCCP funding. Visit the Comprehensive Multimodal Corridor Plan Guidelines page for more information.