Reps. Zoe Lofgren, Anna G. Eshoo and Mike Honda Announce Over $6 Million in Transportation Funding for Railway Safety, Highway Projects

Washington, D.C. – Reps. Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose), Anna G. Eshoo (D-Palo Alto) and Mike Honda (D-Campbell) today announced $6.8 million in federal funding will go towards transportation projects in the Silicon Valley area for railway safety and highway construction. The grants, from the U.S. Department of Transportation, were awarded in the amounts of $5.2 million to the California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) and $1.6 million to Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA).

"With the growing demands on our congested roads, these investments will help us build a better, faster and cost effective 21st century transit system," said Rep. Zoe Lofgren. "Improving the San Jose to San Francisco corridor not only creates new jobs in the short-term, it also paves the way for future economic growth in our area for years to come."

"Commuters deserve safe, efficient and cost-effective modes of transportation. This funding will go a long way toward modernizing the Peninsula's transit systems and help grow our local economy," Rep. Anna G. Eshoo said.

"These critical improvements will reduce traffic delays and improve safety for Silicon Valley commuters," said Rep. Mike Honda (D-Campbell). "Investing in our region's transportation system is a highly effective way to boost the economy today and in the future as well as to enhance the quality of life of our communities. I'm proud to represent a region that continuously works towards achieving the transportation technologies of tomorrow."

CalTrans received two grants totaling more than $3.2 million for railway-highway crossing hazard elimination along the San Francisco to San Jose railway corridor. The funding will go towards preparing a grade crossing improvement plan identifying safety improvements at forty crossings along the current Caltrain corridor. From there, the grant funding will pay for installing additional safety equipment along the corridor at crossings.

In addition, CalTrans will also receive $2 million in funding for Virtual Design Construction (VDC) for constructing the U.S. 101 in Santa Clara project. By using the latest technology, it is expected this initiative will reduce the time and cost for the project and increase safety for both workers and the traveling public.

VTA will receive a $1.6 million grant funding the conversion of four miles of High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes on S.R. 237 for express lane (HOT lane) operations. The ongoing project, when completed, will provide congestion relief through more efficient use of existing roadways when carpool lanes are underutilized, while still encouraging carpool use.

Reps. Lofgren, Eshoo and Honda have been strong supporters of infrastructure improvement initiatives and instrumental in securing funding for the projects. The grant funding is provided through the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Railroad Administration and Federal Highway Administration.

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