Millions in Funding Coming to California Transportation Projects - Central Coast News KION/KCBA

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has redistributed $136 million in funding to California, Caltrans announced Tuesday.

The funding was originally allocated to other states, but was not spent, and because California successfully demonstrated that it can deliver transportation projects, the state will benefit.

"This funding will not only help pay for projects that relieve the traffic congestion that clogs our freeways - it will create jobs and help stimulate California's economy," said Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty.

Caltrans and regional agencies worked together and allocated $83 million of the funding to 17 Caltrans projects. Regional and local projects received $53 million, which was distributed to eight regions: Butte, Orange, Sacramento, San Diego, the Bay Area, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, and Imperial.

These regions were selected because they were ahead of schedule in project delivery and can put the money to use immediately.

Each year, the FHWA redistributes unspent federal funding. This year, $1.4 billion was handed out nationwide, and California's share was by far the largest.