House passes major bill with funding for critical local transportation improvements

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Rep. George Miller (D-Martinez) announced six transportation projects in Contra Costa and Solano counties for which he secured $20 million as part of a major transportation bill passed by the House of Representatives today by a vote of 417 to 9.

“This bill is about helping our economy and the environment by making it a little easier for people to get to work and get home, and better facilitate the movement of goods and services throughout the Bay Area,” said Miller.

“This bill was held up last year, unfortunately, and that delayed important work. Now it looks like Congress will get this bill done this year. I am pleased that the whole state was treated well in this bill, and I am pleased to have been able to secure funding for important projects in parts of Contra Costa and Solano counties,” Miller added.

The six projects are:

· $8 million to upgrade the I-80 and I-680 SR12 Interchange in Solano County. This funding was part of a total $21 million in funding secured by Rep. Ellen Tauscher and other Bay Area Representatives for I-80 and I-680 improvements.

· $1 million to build HOV lanes and an interchange on I-80 in Vallejo.

· $3 million for the Solano Open Space pedestrian and bicycle paths.

· $5 million to build a parking structure at the Richmond BART station.

· $1.5 million for improvements to the Intermodal Rail Station in Hercules.

· $1.5 million for improvements to the Martinez Intermodal station in Martinez.

The transportation bill passed by the House today, H.R. 3, provides a total of $284 billion for transportation projects nationwide between now and 2009. The bill must still pass the Senate before being sent to the President for his signature.

Democrats are disappointed that the bill did not provide more funding. If the bill had provided $318 billion, as Democrats sought, it would have created an additional 1.6 million jobs nationwide at a time when 13 million Americans who want a job still don't have one.

districtmatters transportation

Posted by Intern, CA07 at 09:36PM | | Comments ()

« Senior lawmakers query HHS over possible continued use of illegal video news releases | Main | Rep. Miller to tour Middle East and Iraq this week »