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Transportation:

Congresswoman Napolitano will continue her efforts to secure federal funds for local transportation needs as Congress works to reauthorize the six-year transportation bill known as TEA-LU (Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users).  Below are the key priorities for which the Congresswoman is requesting funds:

• 4-lane overpass for the Mission Blvd. grade separation project in Pomona: This project would provide an alternative route between Interstate 10 and the 91 Freeway, easing congestion on Interstate 57 and Interstate 15 as well.

• General purpose lanes, HOV lanes & corridor arterial improvements on the I-5 from SR 91 to I-710: This project would help alleviate the 18 mile bottleneck from Orange County to East Los Angeles.

• Phase II of the Alameda Corridor East Project (ACE) -- constructing grade separation projects from East Los Angeles to Pomona. This project would address critical safety and mobility issues at 55 grade crossings along a 35-mile corridor through San Gabriel Valley from East Los Angeles to Pomona. This is especially important since projections indicate that trains will travel through ACE every eight minutes by the year 2025.

• Seven grade separations in Santa Fe Springs, Pico Rivera, and La Mirada along BNSF Railway: This project will greatly enhance safety and traffic flows, reducing air and noise pollution.

• Renovation and repair of Rosemead Blvd-Hwy. 19 between Gallatin Road and Telegraph Road. Project will include: new pavement, sidewalks, traffic loops, undergrounding of electrical lines, street lighting and railroad wings walls.

• EPA and CARB certified low emission replacement & expansion buses and the development of a parking facility for users of LAX airport

• Replacement of 16 eighteen-year-old diesel fueled buses with more environmentally friendly, less polluting hybrid gas fueled buses

In 2003, Congresswoman Napolitano achieved extensive success in securing transportation funding.  This included a $450,000 appropriation to Pico Rivera for major repairs along Rosemead Boulevard.  Also, $1.5 million was funded for the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments to assist with the Alameda Corridor East grade separation project.  Congresswoman Napolitano also supported efforts to secure funding for other area projects including $1.75 million toward bus replacement and facilities of the Municipal Transit Operators Coalition (MTOC), which represents transit authorities providing service in 27 LA County communities.  A total of 50 compressed natural gas (CNG) buses, representing $1.5 million in funding, will be purchased by Foothill Transit as a result of congressional efforts in 2003, as well as $2.9 million that was funded to produce preliminary engineering for the Gold Line light rail system.  Finally, $3.5 million in funding was granted to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) for expansion of the Metro Rapid Bus program and 2 new bus divisions.

For 2004, Congresswoman Napolitano helped secure $300,000 in funding for PIco Rivera, in an effort to repair Rosemead Boulevard throughout the north and south ends of the city limits.  Additionally, $700,000 was secured for the expansion of Interstate 5 between I-710 and SR-9.  Congresswoman Napolitano also supported efforts to secure funding for other area projects including: $2.5 million for the construction of park and ride facilities for commuters during workdays, $3.2 million to continue grade separation construction along Alameda Corridor East, $4 million to construct Phase II of the Metro Gold Line between Pasadena and Pomona, and $1 million to replace older busses of the Municipal Transit Operators Coalition with ADA accessible and cleaner burning diesel buses.

During 2005, Congresswoman Napolitano's work with transportation continued to achieve results, with the following major transportation projects being funded: $1.25 million for the City of Pomona to match funds for the SR-71 grade separation project, $200,000  to Foothill Transit for the construction of park and ride facilities, $2 million to the Alameda Corridor East project for continuing grade separations along the corridor, $500,000 to the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments for the Phase II project of the Metro Gold Line, and $1 million to the MTOC for further bus replacement and accessibility/environmental enhancements.

Related News:

Transportation House Votes to Reduce Transit Fares (6/27/2008)

Transportation Federal Railroad Safety Improvement Act Passes House, Three Napolitano Provisions Included in Bill (10/17/2007)

Transportation Napolitano to hold local Field Hearing on Railroad Safety Issues (8/8/2007)

Transportation Napolitano Begins Work on Three New Subcommittees (1/17/2007)

March 10, 2005 - Congresswoman Secures $16 million for Transportation Projects

May 09, 2003 - Napolitano Opposes GOP Tax Cut for the Wealthiest 

February 20, 2003 - Napolitano Secures Funds for the 38th District