December 2, 2020

The Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC) announced that the California Transportation Commission approved $20 million in Trade Corridor Enhancement Program funds for the Measure X Highway 156/Castroville Boulevard Interchange in fiscal year 2021/22. 

The award is expected to fully fund the $29.5 million needed to construct the interchange project. Other funding sources includes $2.525 million of Measure X funds, $1.975 million of STIP funds and $5 million in Developer Fees.

The Trade Corridor Enhancement Program, created under Senate Bill (SB) 1 (Beall, Chapter 5, Statutes of 2017), funds infrastructure improvements on federally designated Trade Corridors of National and Regional Significance, on the Primary Freight Network, and along corridors that have a high volume of freight movement, as determined by the Commission. In Monterey County, Highway 156 supports the $4.4 billion annual agricultural industry by facilitating the movement of valuable goods by truck.

Debbie Hale, TAMC’s Executive Director, said, “The residents and businesses of Monterey County, and especially those in North County have waited a long time for safety improvements along this major thoroughfare. We are excited that the wait is over; and we look forward to working with Caltrans to construct the interchange in 2022.”

The Highway 156/Castroville Boulevard Interchange is segment one of the larger Highway 156 Corridor project which includes a new 4-lane expressway that would run parallel to the existing route which would then become a frontage road for North County residents, and a new US Highway 101/State Route 156 Interchange.

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The Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC) is responsible for investing in regional transportation projects for Monterey County residents, businesses and visitors.  The mission of TAMC is to develop and maintain a multimodal transportation system that enhances mobility, safety, access, environment quality and economic activities in Monterey County. For more information visit www.tamcmonterey.org or call 831.775.0903.