CONGRESSMAN JIM COSTA ANNOUNCES TRANSPORATION PROJECTS FOR THE DISTRICT
Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Jim Costaannounced that California's20th Congressional District will receive over $15 million in fundingfrom H.R. 3, The Transportation Equity Act Conference Report.
Fresno County will receive $7.6 millionfor Freeway 180 improvements from Hughes/WestAvenue to Brawley and $5.3 million for rehabilitation,repair and/or reconstruction of deficient two-lane roads that connect to Interstate5, State Route 180, State Route 41, and State Route 99 countywide.
3.$2.4 million to widen Route 198 between State Route 99 to State Route 43 inKings County, CA.
"Thisfunding is the first step in a comprehensive local, state and federal effort tocomplete transportation projects in the Fresno County. 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 Actincludes language to change Highway 99 to interstate status.
"Byobtaining interstate status, Highway 99 will have access to increased possiblefederal funding, 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 decrease congestion on this important transportation artery in the Central Valley," Costa concluded.