The Future of Infrastructure Construction in the Central Valley
California's Central Valley is experiencing several events requiring significant infrastructure upgrades. These situations have created a need for reliable compact construction equipment like skid steer loaders, mini excavators and compact track loaders, which are available at Holt of California.
Water Management Projects and the Demand for Heavy Equipment
As of 2023, the southern Central Valley is experiencing severe drought conditions. The state's water authorities have allocated $15 million to provide relief through improving the region's water infrastructure. The Department of Water Resources is awarding grants to the city of Bakersfield, the Pixley Irrigation District and the Kings Basin Water Authority under its Integrated Water Management Program.
Because of these and other water and drought-related initiatives, many construction companies will likely need more high-quality machinery for local water projects.
Roads and Railways
The Central Valley is the heart of a state-of-the-art high-speed rail system that will ultimately allow riders to travel between San Francisco and Los Angeles in under three hours. The next step entails connecting the current 119-mile stretch spanning Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare and Kern counties to create a 171-mile Merced-Bakersfield line.
Multiple road construction projects are in progress or nearly underway in Kern, Kings, Madera, Fresno, Tulare and Mariposa counties on Interstate 5 and several highly traveled state highways.
Housing Crisis in the Central Valley
The widespread housing shortage is a prominent issue in the Central Valley and other parts of California and has reached the crisis stage in some areas. Homeowners and renters are spending a larger portion of their income on housing costs, which have become prohibitive for many residents.
As the state government continues to allocate funds to various cities and counties for residential building projects, it has created a need for construction machinery for housing. Many contractors will have to increase spending on this equipment to ensure they can meet the demand.
Increased Need for Fleet Management and Equipment Availability
In addition to ramping up their equipment inventory, the construction companies involved in these and other infrastructure endeavors will need to manage their fleet more effectively and efficiently. Implementing practices like condition monitoring and fluid analysis can help keep machines on the job longer and optimize their performance.
Maximizing equipment availability and having the right machines for specific projects will be crucial as the Central Valley's infrastructure needs continue to evolve. The companies that achieve these objectives will have the most success now and in the future.
Contact Holt of California Today
Whether you're looking for compact equipment or other machinery for your construction projects, Holt of California has everything you need. We also provide a range of services to keep your fleet on the job and maximize its life span. Contact us today to learn more.