"One of my highest priorities is safety," said Lungren. "In addition to flow issues, there are access issues and, as we continue to see growth in the county, we will see more and more need to regularly travel through that corridor and, from the standpoint of safety, there need to be improvements."

At a projected cost in excess of $25 million for either of the favored double-bridge interchange alternatives left on the table for consideration, city officials say there is still a long way to go, but a line item request for funding at this time is a welcome addition to a growing fund.

"If this is approved, we will be able to add that to the $5 million project, earmarked specifically for Galt, we were able to secure through the State Transportation Authority (STA) earlier this year," said Galt Mayor Darryl Clare, who has personally been in contact with Lungen regarding federal funding for Galt’s troubled interchange system. "I spoke with Mr. Lungren specifically of this appropriations request in February, along with the other issues facing Galt. I left with a good feeling this is the one most likely to get his immediate support."

Lungren issued a formal request for the $3 million to fund the Central Galt and State Route 99 Interchange and access improvements as an earmark request, #1257, in the House version of the T-3, transportation equity act, reauthorization bill.

From there it will go through the Senate, who can ask for amendments or come up with their own appropriations documents, and then back to final committees for negotiations, amendments and/or cuts from there the bill will go to the President for signing, and while the bill did not reach the President’s desk last year, Lungren is confident the bill will make headway this time around.

"There is an overall agreement as to the size of the bill," said Lungren. "I believe there is a general, overall agreement of that number this year and it is my belief that we are now within that number."

Lungren explained as the funds for the money being requested comes from taxes paid on each gallon of gasoline in each state, he doesn’t feel the people of the state of California have been getting their fair share of that return.

"We in California believe we’re not asking for any more than our proper share of the monies collected," said Lungren. "We will try to make the appeal that way and it is my hope and belief that the bill will not be rejected in the Senate or be subject to veto bait should it reach the President."

Another factor in favor of Galt is Lungren’s personal knowledge of the area and its ails.

"Nobody had to tell me there was a problem with that corridor," said Lungren. "As attorney general I drove through the area frequently. You don’t need an expert to tell you the area needs some modification. So, when this came up, it jumped out at me."

At a $3 million total, if Lungren’s request were honored, Galt would receive $600,000 per year for a period of five years.

"That would help fund the project as it moves along," said Clare. "We hope this will not be the total federal contribution to the project and plan to continue to pursue additional federal and other funding sources."

According to Clare, both SACOG and Cal Trans have access to additional federal dollars should the Galt project make it to the top of the state’s transportation and highway project lists.

"There has been some talk of both widening 99 to six lanes and of making it a federal highway," said Clare. "If either of those things were to happen, we would see more federal dollars involved."

Lungren agreed saying he has joined with other congressmen from California to get Highway 99 designated as an interstate and under federal jurisdiction.

"It is obvious when you drive through the district that 99 is as significant as we usually think of as an interstate highway," said Lungren.

As for the state, while Clare said he is confident that both the head of Cal Trans and SACOG know where Galt is headed with its interchange plans and needs, unfortunately its contributions to any and all state highway projects have been frozen.

"Even as the funding mechanism at the state level is frozen, we need to continue to prepare for these projects and continue to seek the funding elsewhere," said Clare. "Having funding makes it easier to get funding. When they take this freeze off, we need to be in line and ready to go. We aren’t there yet, but we’re making all the right steps."