The Transportation Bill and the Central Coast

Three Bipartisan Provisions

Dear Friend,

As you may know, last week the House and Senate passed a bipartisan transportation bill which will help create jobs and improve our highways, bridges, and transit infrastructure.

I worked with local Central Coast transportation planners and my Republican colleagues in the House on three bipartisan, common sense measures that were included in the final bill:

1. A requirement that a minimum amount of federal funds be set aside to maintain and repair local bridges. These important links in our local transportation systems must be maintained.
2. A guarantee that local transportation decisions are made by people in our community through local transportation agencies, like the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments (SLOCOG) and the Santa Barbara Association of Governments (SBCAG). Our local planners know our transportation needs better, and are in closer touch with our communities, than federal and state agencies.
3. A requirement that Caltrans must consider the condition and effectiveness of critical, local evacuation routes when prioritizing federal dollars for highway and bridge improvements. This is important for our area, which suffers from natural disasters like wildfires and is home to a nuclear power plant.

I am pleased this important bill will soon be signed into law. Transportation projects are a vital source of jobs and are especially important during these tough economic times.  I remain committed to building and maintaining a modern and efficient transportation system which supports families and businesses, and alternatives like walking and biking.

Thank you for the opportunity to share this update with you.  As always, please feel free to share this information with others who may be interested.

Please keep in touch with me by liking my Facebook page, following me on Twitter, or you can always send me an email.

Sincerely,

Lois Capps
MEMBER OF CONGRESS