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CONGRESSMAN JIM COSTA ANNOUNCES TRANSPORATION PROJECTS FOR THE DISTRICT

June 25, 2007

Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Jim Costaannounced that California's20th Congressional District will receive funding from H.R. 3, "The TransportationEquity Act."

Fresno County will receive $7.6 millionfor Freeway 180 improvements from Hughes/WestAvenue to Brawley. In addition, Fresno County Council of Governments (COG) will receive $5.3million for rehabilitation, repair and/or reconstruction of deficient two-laneroads that connect to Interstate 5, State Route 180, State Route 41 and StateRoute 99 countywide.

"Thisfunding is the first step in a comprehensive local, state and federal effort tocomplete transportation projects in FresnoCounty. However, transportation needs in the Valleygreatly exceed what federal money alone can provide. Without continued state and local funding, theseprojects might not be able to be completed," Costa stated.

Inaddition to the projects mentioned above, "The Transportation Equity Act"includes language to change Highway 99 to interstate status.

"Byobtaining interstate status, Highway 99 will have access to increased federalfunding, which will help widen and repair Highway 99. This is great news for the Central Valley asHighway 99 is the most heavily traveled highway west of the MississippiRiver. This status changewill lead to increased funding whichwill improve opportunities to address congestion on this important transportation artery in theCentral Valley," Costa concluded.

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