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
Call for Projects
2024 State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) Call for Projects
The Contra Costa Transportation Authority (Authority) invites you to submit applications for the 2024 STIP. The 2024 STIP will cover the 5-year period from Fiscal Year (FY) 2024-25 through FY 2028-29. The specific amount available to program in the 2024 STIP will not be known until the California Transportation Commission adopts the Fund Estimates in August 2023. The 2024 STIP will add programming of funds, if available, in FY 2027-28 and FY 2028-29. The STIP funds can be used to fund one or more phases of a capital project (e.g. environmental clearance, design, right-of-way and/or construction). In past STIP cycles, funding was programmed to transportation projects that enhance safety, improve operations, and construct pedestrian and bicycle facilities. Applications are due on June 16, 2023 by 2:00 PM.
