State water storage gets $1.5 billion, as part of Biden's trillion-dollar plan

California and the Valley stand to gain plenty from President Biden's trillion-dollar infrastructure package.

We talked one-on-one with Fresno Congressman Jim Costa to learn what's in it for the Valley.

California and the Valley stand to gain plenty from President Biden's trillion-dollar infrastructure package. We talked one-on-one with Fresno Congressman Jim Costa to learn what's in it for the Valley (KMPH)

Water storage, drinking water infrastructure, widening sections of highways 99 and 41, expanding broadband access, airport improvements and the list goes on.

Water storage gets $1.5 billion in the package. There's a potential to expand B.F. Sisk Dam or build Sites Reservoir in the Sacramento Valley or Del Puerto Canyon Reservoir near Patterson.

Let's be honest, we haven't built a new water structure in a long time. We passed a bill in 2014 but we still haven't spent much of that money.

"Well you're correct and there is language in this legislation that the President signed today that we hope will reduce the amount of bureaucratic red tape that we see today that takes these projects way too long to come on line," said Congressman Costa.

Costa says there are shovel-ready water projects in the Valley that must become a priority.

"I think we've gotten very close on the seismic retrofit for the B.F. Sisk Dam and it's among the higher priorities by the Bureau of Reclamation," he said.

Also on his shovel ready list is restoring capacity on a 33 mile stretch of the Friant-Kern Canal that has been sinking due to subsidence.

Highway projects also rank high on the Congressman's list.

"State Route 41 from the San Joaquin River up toward Highway 145 is a real, real problem and we know the growth and development is only increasing there," said Costa.

He also wants to expand Highway 99 from the San Joaquin River north to Avenue 12.

Congressman Costa says infrastructure can't just be a one-time investment. He says we must be bold and keep investing in the future of our nation.

Congressman Costa was on the south lawn of the White House to witness the bill signing by President Biden. He believes the investments will make a difference in every community in the Valley.