Funding

CCTA is responsible for completing a wide variety of projects that were included in the original Measure C Expenditure Plan and the Measure J Expenditure Plan. Some major projects, primarily on state highways, are being developed directly by CCTA. Others are administered by cities, the county or transit districts with funds provided by CCTA.

A Strategic Plan is prepared approximately every two years and its purpose is to program funds to individual projects in specific years over a five to seven year period. For projects that have local proponents (city, county, transit districts or other special districts), CCTA enters into cooperative agreements, approves fund appropriation resolutions and reimburses project proponents upon satisfactory billing for conduct of particular phases of work.For projects on the State Highway System, CCTA works cooperatively with Caltrans by retaining consultants and managing single or multiple phases of the work.CCTA reviews progress on projects funded by Measure C and Measure J through a program management system and Quarterly Project Status Reports. To see the latest information about the latest Measure C and Measure J projects view the Quarterly Status update on the Projects page.

Measure C

Passed in 1988, this Contra Costa County transportation sales tax measure provided for a half-cent on the dollar sales tax for twenty years (through March 2009), to pay for an ambitious list of transportation projects and programs included in a voter-approved Expenditure Plan. The measure was estimated to generate $1 billion over 20 years for a BART extension, freeway improvements, better bus service, enhanced bicycle facilities and more transportation options for senior citizens and people with disabilities.

Measure C also included a provision unique among other sales tax measures throughout the state – a program to link planning for growth and development with transportation. CCTA was formed to manage this billion-dollar public investment, oversee the design and construction of new projects, and carry out what would be the county’s first Growth Management Program (GMP).

Over the past 20 years, the Authority has:

  • Extended BART to North Concord/Martinez and Pittsburg/Bay Point
  • Widened segments of State Route 4 East
  • Reconfigured western State Route 4 West for safety reasons and to increase capacity
  • Connected the Richmond Parkway with I-80 and the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge
  • Provided nearly $200 million to agencies for maintenance and improvements to local streets
  • Created a $32 million expansion of transit service for seniors and people with disabilities
  • Provided over $33 million in bus transit enhancements
    In addition, the GMP has fostered a spirit of cooperation among the cities and county in terms of working through issues related to new development and transportation.

Measure J

In November 2004, Contra Costa voters approved Measure J with a 71% vote. The measure provided for the continuation of our county’s half-cent transportation sales tax for 25 more years beyond the original expiration date of 2009. As with Measure C, the tax revenues will be used to fund a voter-approved Expenditure Plan of transportation programs and projects. The renewal of the tax means that many major improvements in our transportation system will become a reality, and key projects can be undertaken sooner than originally planned.

Measure J will provide approximately $2.5 billion for countywide and local transportation projects and programs through the year 2034. CCTA worked for over two years, along with local governments, organizations, and residents to develop the Expenditure Plan, which specifies how the funds will be spent. The Plan received the support of every Contra Costa city and town as well as the County Board of Supervisors.

Some Expenditure Plan highlights include:

  • I-680 carpool lane gap closure/transit corridor improvements
  • $360 million for local streets and roads maintenance and improvement
  • eBART – East Contra Costa rail extension
  • A new fourth bore for the Caldecott Tunnel
  • State Route 4 East widening
  • $123 million for transit for seniors and people with disabilities
  • Revising the Growth Management Program (GMP) to encourage more housing in some communities
  • Requirement that all Contra Costa County cities, towns and the Board of Supervisors approve an Urban Limit Line
Measure J Expenditure Plan

What is the Transportation Fund for Clean Air?

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (Air District)’s Transportation Fund for Clean Air (TFCA) supports projects that reduce vehicle emissions. TFCA funds are generated by a $4 annual surcharge on car and truck registrations. Sixty percent of these funds are earmarked as TFCA Regional Funds and are awarded to eligible programs implemented directly by the Air District. 

Contra Costa Transportation Authority Administers TFCA Funds for the County

The remaining forty percent is passed to the designated agencies of the nine Bay Area counties through the County Program Manager Fund. CCTA administers the funds for Contra Costa County. The total of TFCA funds distributed annually by CCTA is approximately $1.5 million.
 
Through Fiscal Year 23/24 the funds have been divided by a jobs and population formula to the subregional offices of the countywide 511 Contra Costa Transportation Demand Management (TDM) program on behalf of the four Regional Transportation Planning Committees that support the program.
 
TFCA funds are supplemented by Measure J funds to cover TDM program costs not allowable or covered under TFCA.

TFCA Fund Policy & CCTA Board Actions

The Board Authority is considering adoption of a TFCA 40% Fund Policy at its May 15, 2024 meeting. The policy will open TFCA funds to additional public entities for vehicle emission reduction projects that meet Air District eligibility guidelines. If the policy is approved, CCTA will release a Call for Projects for the allocation of FY 24/25 TFCA funds to both countywide and subregional projects. To ensure geographic equity, each of the four Contra Costa County subregions will receive proportional TFCA benefit based on the jobs and population formula.
CCTA welcomes public input! If you’re interested in sharing your concerns, suggestions, or need clarification on CCTA-related projects, we invite you to join future CCTA Board meetings where residents can participate through the public comment process.