REP. CALVERT REQUESTS INCLUDED IN SIX YEAR TRANSPORTATION AUTHORIZATION BILL
April 9, 2009
Press Release
Congressman Ken Calvert (R-CA-44) was pleased to announce that several of his requests were included in the Transportation Equity Act – a Legacy for Users (TEA-LU) passed by the House of Representatives today.
The $284 billion authorization bill (H.R. 3) was passed today by a vote of 417-9. It must now be considered by the Senate before it can go to a conference committee. Many of the most difficult issues, such as the relationship between "donor" and "donee" states and the final overall spending amount will be worked out during the House/Senate conference. The President has threatened to veto the bill if it exceeds $284 billion.
H.R. 3 reauthorizes the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21), which continues to govern the federal government transportation policy and funding levels. TEA-21 was scheduled to lapse on October 1, 2003, but Congress has extended the law several times. TEA-21 is currently scheduled to lapse on May 31, 2005. The lack of a long-term transportation bill has created problems for state governments as they plan their future transportation goals.
"Southern California has some of the worst traffic problems in the country," said Rep. Calvert. "These funds to improve transportation are important to the future growth and prosperity of my region, the state and the country."
The following projects were included in the bill and sponsored by Rep. Calvert:
$10 million for the Cajalco Road Interchange Project. The Cajalco Road Interchange Project is a key component in the effort to eliminate congestion along the I-15/60/91 corridor. Reducing congestion along this corridor is essential to improving air quality, eliminating congestion on surface roads, and supporting infrastructure needed for national goods movement from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. The project also will provide efficient and direct connectivity for the March Air Reserve Base.
$500,000 for the Automatic Traveler Information System (ATIS). The ATIS system will accurately monitor real time arrival information and relay the schedule to passengers. Users will be able to access the information at kiosks, bus stops, on RTA linked websites and over Interactive Voice Response (IVR) phone systems, which would significantly benefit Riverside's disabled community. Still others would utilize mobile device, such as cellular phones and PDAs to obtain instant information.
$500,000 for the restoration of historic Victoria Avenue in Riverside. Victoria Avenue was built to showcase the Riverside, CA citrus industry circa 1888. Officially opened by President T. Roosevelt in 1902, the avenue remained largely intact until the 1950's when residential encroachment damaged the trees and the look of the avenue. The City has halted all future encroachments, but the avenue can be restored in simple, but meaningful ways. This money would bury telephone lines that run through the avenue and create an irrigation system to water the three sides of the avenue (south, north, and median).
$1 million to help construct the three mile San Clemente Beach Trail. This is part of a state-wide project to improve pedestrian access to beaches and allow pedestrians and others to travel along the coast.
The following project was included in the bill and sponsored jointly by Rep. Calvert and Rep. Chris Cox:
$19.75 million to Study and construct highway and transit alternatives between Orange County and Riverside County, building off the work of the Major Investment Study currently underway.
"Improved transportation is one of my highest priorities and I am extremely pleased these crucial projects have been included in the transportation authorization bill," said Rep. Calvert. "The residents of the Inland Empire and Orange County must constantly fight traffic on their freeways, major streets and even their neighborhood roads. Alternatives to driving and improvements to our major highways are essential in order to preserve and improve the quality of life for the residents of the Inland Empire and Orange County."
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The $284 billion authorization bill (H.R. 3) was passed today by a vote of 417-9. It must now be considered by the Senate before it can go to a conference committee. Many of the most difficult issues, such as the relationship between "donor" and "donee" states and the final overall spending amount will be worked out during the House/Senate conference. The President has threatened to veto the bill if it exceeds $284 billion.
H.R. 3 reauthorizes the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21), which continues to govern the federal government transportation policy and funding levels. TEA-21 was scheduled to lapse on October 1, 2003, but Congress has extended the law several times. TEA-21 is currently scheduled to lapse on May 31, 2005. The lack of a long-term transportation bill has created problems for state governments as they plan their future transportation goals.
"Southern California has some of the worst traffic problems in the country," said Rep. Calvert. "These funds to improve transportation are important to the future growth and prosperity of my region, the state and the country."
The following projects were included in the bill and sponsored by Rep. Calvert:
$10 million for the Cajalco Road Interchange Project. The Cajalco Road Interchange Project is a key component in the effort to eliminate congestion along the I-15/60/91 corridor. Reducing congestion along this corridor is essential to improving air quality, eliminating congestion on surface roads, and supporting infrastructure needed for national goods movement from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. The project also will provide efficient and direct connectivity for the March Air Reserve Base.
$500,000 for the Automatic Traveler Information System (ATIS). The ATIS system will accurately monitor real time arrival information and relay the schedule to passengers. Users will be able to access the information at kiosks, bus stops, on RTA linked websites and over Interactive Voice Response (IVR) phone systems, which would significantly benefit Riverside's disabled community. Still others would utilize mobile device, such as cellular phones and PDAs to obtain instant information.
$500,000 for the restoration of historic Victoria Avenue in Riverside. Victoria Avenue was built to showcase the Riverside, CA citrus industry circa 1888. Officially opened by President T. Roosevelt in 1902, the avenue remained largely intact until the 1950's when residential encroachment damaged the trees and the look of the avenue. The City has halted all future encroachments, but the avenue can be restored in simple, but meaningful ways. This money would bury telephone lines that run through the avenue and create an irrigation system to water the three sides of the avenue (south, north, and median).
$1 million to help construct the three mile San Clemente Beach Trail. This is part of a state-wide project to improve pedestrian access to beaches and allow pedestrians and others to travel along the coast.
The following project was included in the bill and sponsored jointly by Rep. Calvert and Rep. Chris Cox:
$19.75 million to Study and construct highway and transit alternatives between Orange County and Riverside County, building off the work of the Major Investment Study currently underway.
"Improved transportation is one of my highest priorities and I am extremely pleased these crucial projects have been included in the transportation authorization bill," said Rep. Calvert. "The residents of the Inland Empire and Orange County must constantly fight traffic on their freeways, major streets and even their neighborhood roads. Alternatives to driving and improvements to our major highways are essential in order to preserve and improve the quality of life for the residents of the Inland Empire and Orange County."
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