DATE: Tuesday,  July 28, 2026

MONTEREY COUNTY – The Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC) announced that the California Transportation Commission (CTC) awarded $60 million in grant funding for the State Route 156 Castroville Boulevard Interchange Project. The project was one of 13 projects showcased in more than 150 projects identified in Governor Newsom’s nearly $2.5 billion Build More, Faster  - For All agenda to strengthen transportation infrastructure and advance public transit systems across the state.

The State Route 156 / Castroville Boulevard Interchange is the first phase of the State Route 156 West Corridor Project. This segment will replace the existing signalized intersection at State Route 156 and Castroville Boulevard with a grade-separated interchange.

Key features of the interchange include:

·         Three modern roundabouts

·         One mile of Class I bike/multiuse path

·         Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant pedestrian refuge islands and crosswalks

·         Improved connectivity to the Castroville bike/pedestrian bridge

·         Enhanced access to North Monterey County High School and affordable housing developments

The benefits of this long-awaited project were emphasized by Todd Muck, TAMC’s Executive Director, Todd Muck, who acknowledged the importance of leveraging Measure X funds, to reach this final milestone to fund the project. “Thanks to the support of Monterey County voters approving Measure X, building  the State Route 156/Castroville Boulevard Interchange  will improve safety at one of the high-collision  locations in our community. This  gateway to the Monterey Peninsula for residents, visitors, and  local businesses, will  enhance freight reliability, access to US 101, connect affordable housing, schools and jobs, support tourism, and economic development, while reducing congestion and greenhouse gas emissions.”

The total cost of $75, 465,000 for the construction phase of State Route 156 / Castroville Boulevard Interchange project is fully funded with $15, 389,000 of local funds (Measure X/Regional Development Impact Fees) leveraging $60 million from the State.

The current schedule of the construction for the SR 156 Castroville Interchange Project is:

·         Utility Relocation: Fall 2026

·         Advertisement for Construction Bids: September 2026

·         Construction Contract Award: January 2027

·         Estimated Start of Major Construction: May 2027

·         Estimated Construction Duration: Approximately 2 years

 If  all goes as planned, Caltrans District 5 and the Transportation Agency will celebrate the opening of the  Castroville Boulevard Interchange in the spring of 2029.

For more information about the SR 156 / Castroville Boulevard Interchange Project, contact Javier Hernandez, Principal Transportation Engineer,  TAMC, at 831 775- 4413; or at javier@tamcmonterey.org.

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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.