News From…

Congressman Dennis Cardoza
18th Congressional District of California

Cardoza Secures $24 Million For Valley Transportation Projects

Authorization Bill Passes House; Prospects For Senate Agreement Have Improved
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 10, 2005		 CONTACT:  Bret Ladine
(202) 225-6131

WASHINGTON – Congressman Dennis Cardoza, D-Merced, secured $24 million in funding for Central Valley projects in the transportation authorization bill that passed the House today.  Unlike last year’s version of the bill, which was stalled by disputes over funding levels, this year’s legislation passed with much greater prospects for success.

 

“This bill is among the most important we will pass this year because these projects are vital to building transportation infrastructure in the Valley,” said Cardoza, who is confident that an agreement on the bill will be worked out between the House and Senate. “This money will help create jobs and be put to good use in heavily traveled locations that desperately need upgrades.”

 

H.R. 3, the Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy For Users, includes $18 million for an interchange that would connect Highway 132 with Highway 99 in Stanislaus County and $5 million to widen and reconstruct Arch-Sperry Road to improve the connection between Interstate 5 and Highway 99 in San Joaquin County. 

 

The legislation also provides $500,000 for the Campus Parkway in Merced County and $500,000 for a study to build a Highway 99 interchange between Highway 165 and Bradbury Road, near the Merced-Stanislaus County border.

 

The commitment to Highway 132, in particular, provides a major boost to efforts aimed at improving the dangerous roadway, which has become a vital transportation artery.  “Improving east-west transportation routes in the Valley is a high priority and I’m grateful that we’re able to make such a substantial investment in Highway 132,” Cardoza said.

 

The $284 billion in funding contained in H.R. 3 is authorized for six years.  The Senate is expected to begin considering its version of the bill later this month.

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