Roads

The highway system functions as California’s transportation backbone for commuters and commerce, providing connections to rail, transit, and a number of airports and harbors. The highway system also serves as a gateway to interstate and international transportation. The California Department of Finance estimates that its use will increase from 164 billion annual vehicle miles traveled in 2000 to 207 billion annual vehicle miles traveled in 2010. Ensuring that our highways can handle the traffic of an ever-growing state efficiently and safely is fundamental to maintaining the energy and growth of the state’s economy. Read more about California's roads »

Ports

California ports handle one-fifth of all U.S. goods trade, and in 2003, $406.5 billion worth of U.S. trade went through California’s sea, air, and land ports.  The Public Policy Institute of California reported in 2002 32 percent of U.S. trade went through California seaports, the vast majority of which is concentrated at the neighboring mega-ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, which ranked first and third, respectively, among U.S. seaports in 2003.  Los Angeles and San Francisco International Airports are the nations second and third largest airports for handling U.S. airborne trade. In total, California’s airports handled $116 billion in traded goods, or 22 percent of all U.S. air shipments.

Transit

Transit is a vital component of the State’s transportation system, with more than 1.1 billion total transit passenger trips annually. The Division of Rail manages and coordinates intercity rail passenger services that help to improve the state's air quality and reduce highway congestion and fuel consumption. More than 4.4 million people used California's state supported trains in 2005. The Division of Mass Transportation provides technical assistance to agencies responsible for public transportation services including buses; demand-responsive accessible services for the elderly and disabled; rural transit; commuter and urban rail services; and waterborne ferry operations.