Golden State Today

SACRAMENTO — Governor Gavin Newsom has unveiled a new pilot program aimed at reuniting communities in California that have long been separated by highways. The initiative, titled the Reconnecting Communities: Highways to Boulevards grant program, will focus on increasing access and travel options in underserved neighborhoods in Arcata, South San Francisco, and southeast San Diego/National City.

In a statement, Governor Newsom emphasized the significance of this endeavor, stating, "California is once again leading the way to repair the shameful history of redlining and other exclusionary policies of the past. We are advancing equity in historically underserved and underinvested areas through a community-driven vision to reconnect neighborhoods and support more vibrant spaces for Californians."

California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin echoed the importance of transportation as a unifying force, remarking, "Transportation at its best is a uniter – connecting people and communities with convenient and safe access to jobs, family, and services." Omishakin emphasized the need to prioritize unity over division, stating, "We must strive to always 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, originally proposed in the Climate Action Plan for Transportation Infrastructure, aims to transform underused highways that have historically divided underserved communities into vibrant public spaces and multimodal corridors. Caltrans, the state's transportation agency, will collaborate with the selected communities to realize a community-driven vision that reconnects neighborhoods and addresses past transportation inequities.

Caltrans Director Tony Tavares highlighted the unique nature of these collaborations, stating, "These collaborations will be unlike any in Caltrans history and empower a new generation of community-driven transportation decisions." The agency will work closely with community-based partners and cities to develop projects that aim to heal past harms and promote health and equity outcomes by removing barriers associated with transportation infrastructure.

The initiative marks a significant step toward fostering unity and equity in communities historically divided by transportation infrastructure, with a focus on connecting transit, housing, jobs, parks, and open spaces through community-driven planning and design.