Is Transportation Big for California’s Construction Future?

You may have heard that California has a lot in the pipeline for construction over the next decade. It’s definitely a great reason to get invested in the industry as soon as possible. Transportation may be a very big part of that growth, especially as various governments and companies try to find ways to better connect the state. Here are a few things you should know about the state of transportation construction for California, and how to know whether it will work for your contracting business.

Statewide Funding Prioritizes Preservation
Last year, the California transportation commission set aside more than $1.5 billion in funds for a variety of transportation projects across the state. Although some of this will be applied to new construction, the major focus of the funds lies in repairs for existing highway systems. Administrators are trying to ensure that most of the outdated roads get a refresh, in addition to any plans to expand the system. They estimate that these projects will create thousands of jobs in construction. That’s a lot of money for work, all across the state, which should last for at least the next several years.

Lots of Expansions in the Future
The traffic in California is famous nationwide, so it’s not surprising that the state is looking for opportunities to cut down on congestion. For example, there are many projects along I-5, including:

• New truck lanes
• Multiple HOV lanes
• Improvements to onramps and offramps
• Bridge expansions
• Pavement upgrades

Dramatically expanding highways to accommodate more vehicles takes time and a lot of construction crews. You won’t have to go far to find some part of the state that will be investing hundreds of millions of dollars into upgrades and extensions over the next decade.

Private Companies Focus on High Speed Rail
Anyone who has ever driven from Los Angeles to Las Vegas around a holiday knows that the traffic can be absolutely unreal. Over the past several years, many companies have suggested the idea of a high speed rail system connecting the two cities. While the pandemic put some of the newer plans on hold, there’s a high likelihood that they may be back on track. Financing for such a large project, estimated at around $8 billion, has long been a question that slowed progress toward a solution. Companies want to be certain that there will be enough demand to create such a service. But it’s looking like private companies may be able to get what they need, with a plan to start construction as soon as the middle of 2021.

Is Transportation Construction Right for Your Contracting Business?
Ultimately, you’ll have to look at the projects in your area and determine whether or not they will be a good fit for your contracting business. There’s a high likelihood that you’ll find some long-term developments, especially if you live near one of the larger metropolitan areas. But even if you don’t, the amount of funding available and the necessity of transportation updates could mean that there is an excellent opportunity for people looking to get established. Funds provided by the state or controlled by local regions usually require a more complicated bidding and vetting process. But if you’re willing to put in the time, you may be rewarded with lots of available projects stretching to at least 2027.

Transportation is an important part of construction, with hundreds of upcoming projects across the state of California. Of course, if you want your contracting business to be a part of it, you’ll need to be a licensed contractor. If you’re interested in starting a career in construction, contact CSLS today!