Funds for Novato Narrows, Intelligent Transportation, and Community Kitchen

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey (D-Petaluma) today, secured $1 million to improve the local economy, develop a multi-modal solution to traffic congestion in the North Bay and ensure the well-being of the people of Sonoma and Marin Counties in the FY 2007 Transportation, Treasury, HUD Appropriations bill.  The spending bill passed the House of Representatives 406-22.

“At a time when social services and infrastructure projects are being slashed to fund the war in Iraq and tax cuts for the privileged, securing $1 million in the Transportation, Treasury, HUD spending bill is a major victory,” said Rep. Woolsey.   “This funding will go towards existing programs and expanding services to assist the elderly, improve our transportation infrastructure and promote the health and well-being of people who live in Marin and Sonoma Counties.”

“I’m thrilled that Congresswoman Woolsey continues to support a community planning effort for a reinvented Marin City future,” said Marin County Supervisor Charles McGlashan.

“The Council on Aging is pleased that Congresswoman Woolsey has recognized the great need we have in this community to both feed our seniors and prepare for potential disasters,” said Shirlee Zane, CEO Sonoma County Council on Aging.  “This kitchen will accomplish this two fold goal.  Government is at its best when it represents the constituents.  We are most grateful for her leadership.”

The project funding secured by Rep. Woolsey that benefit both Sonoma and Marin Counties are:

· $300,000 - Highway 101 Corridor Widening Project:  To plan and develop the widening project of the Highway 101 Corridor at the Marin-Sonoma narrows.  The funding will help provide High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes, improve ramps, provide frontage roads, and improve mainline traffic operations on the Novato narrows section of Highway 101 in Marin and Sonoma Counties.

· $300,000 - Fort Baker Park Access and Transportation Improvement:  To ensure transportation access to the site through an alternative-fuel visitor shuttle, road, parking, bike and pedestrian improvements.

· $200,000 - Santa Rosa Intelligent Transportation System:  To create an intelligent Transportation System that would integrate traffic control systems, remotely monitor traffic conditions of key intersections, continuously adapt traffic signal timing to meet changing needs and conditions, and allows for adjustments for homeland security and community safety.

· $100,000 - Marin City Community Center:  To serve as seed money to continue the collaborative process with Sausalito Marin City School District and begin construction of the Marin City Recreation Center.

· $100,000 - Sonoma County Council on Aging Community Kitchen:  To construct a 10,000 square foot kitchen to accommodate the growing needs of seniors in Sonoma County.  The kitchen will serve 3,000 hot meals a day for the Meals on Wheels program.  It will also double as a disaster preparedness kitchen to serve the county in the event of a terrorist attack or natural disaster.