The San Diego Association of Governments' Borders Committee Friday will receive an overview of trade corridor projects to be funded with $104 million from California's recently implemented gas tax.
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Local agencies will receive $82 million to improve the Calexico East, Otay Mesa, Otay Mesa East and San Ysidro ports of entry, along with adjacent highways; $10.5 million to lay a second track along the coastal rail line between I-805 and Miramar Road; and $5.6 million to improve the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal's power system, among other things. Grants were awarded earlier this month.
SB 1 is expected to provide $300 million annually for trade corridor infrastructure projects, according to SANDAG.
The law went into effect in November. It raised gas and diesel taxes by 12 cents and 20 cents per gallon, respectively. Vehicle registration fees also increased $25 to $175, depending on the value of the vehicle.
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Democrats who backed the increase said they believed it was the best way to handle a $137 billion backlog of road repairs. The increase is expected to raise more than $5 billion for transportation costs annually.
There has been significant pushback against the gas tax increase, however. Republicans are advocating for a repeal of the law, and an initiative is likely headed to the November ballot.
