Going the Extra Mile: Investing in California’s Transportation System
California’s roads and rails are integral to moving people and commerce and critical to our economic strength and quality of life. Yet, as our cities have grown and the economy has expanded, our infrastructure has suffered from underinvestment and wear and tear. People and goods have been stuck in neutral as roads have become log-jammed.
This problem is particularly pressing in Southern California because we are a populous region and a commercial hub. The Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are the top two busiest seaports in the U.S. Over 40,000 truck trips originate from the ports each day – many of which travel through the San Gabriel Valley and Inland Empire. The movement of goods from the ports, combined with daily traffic, creates substantial gridlock. In fact, at 93 hours, the yearly rush hour delay for Los Angeles motorists is the worst in the country. This is a major road block to our economic competitiveness and a major hassle for Californians.
To take on traffic congestion, improve roadway safety and upgrade our transportation system, Congress passed the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), and the President signed the bill into law. This legislation represents a bipartisan commitment to our nation’s transportation needs.
Most important, TEA-LU is a decongestant for our roads in the Foothills. Two large-scale projects will benefit from significant investment: the Alameda Corridor East will receive $155 million in federal funding for ongoing grade separation and safety upgrade work, and the Gold Line extension will receive $19.79 million to continue planning, designing, and constructing the project. These two projects will reduce the number of trucks on the road and give commuters more transportation options.
Essential local projects will also receive funding, including $7.9 million for the Foothill Transit “Transit-Oriented Neighborhood Program” which will make it easier for folks to use public transportation; $4 million to improve the traffic flow on the busy I-15/Base Line Road Interchange in Rancho Cucamonga; $2.4 million to decrease congestion on Santa Anita Avenue in Arcadia with better technology; $2.2 million to help build the Monrovia Transit Village, a future Gold Line stop; and a total of $3.2 million for two grade separations in Montclair at Ramona and Monte Vista Avenues, which will help alleviate the truck congestion getting on and off the I-10.
The TEA-LU bill will help Californians get to where they are going in good time and move goods to the market with less delay. Now, as we look to California’s future with optimism, our roads and rails will be more capable of taking us there.
