Reps. Torres, Aguilar Announce New Federal Loan Saving SB County Millions

Press Release

U.S. Representatives Norma J. Torres (CA-35) and Pete Aguilar (CA-31) today announced a federal loan from the Department of Transportation (DOT) of up to $225 million to the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) for the I-10 Corridor Express Lanes Project.

The loan, which is furnished by DOT as part of its Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) program, is part of the Department's efforts to deliver COVID-19 relief to borrowers. It will replace SBCTA's current TIFIA loan to provide a lower interest rate, saving SBCTA up to $25 million in interest costs over the life of the loan.

The lawmakers released the following statements:

"The federal loan I'm pleased to announce with Rep. Aguilar today will save our community millions of dollars as we build transportation infrastructure to keep Inland Empire residents on the move well into the future," Rep. Norma J. Torres said. "Not only will these funds reduce traffic and increase safety on our roadways, but they will also create good paying jobs in the process and facilitate commerce once the project is complete. Loan interest reduction is just one more way that the federal government is using every possible tool at its disposal to provide relief for hard-hit communities during this pandemic. I will continue to work from the House Appropriations Committee to direct every dollar possible in COVID relief back to the Inland Empire."

"This loan represents another investment by the Biden-Harris Administration into creating good jobs and upgrading infrastructure in the Inland Empire," Rep. Aguilar said. "Every part of our community has felt the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis, and I'm proud to be able to join Rep. Torres in announcing this funding to help provide relief to our transportation sector and save our region millions in overall costs. I look forward to building on this progress and working with my colleagues and the Administration to continue investing in upgrades to the Inland Empire's transportation infrastructure."

The loan proceeds will finance part of a 10-mile widening of the I-10 highway between the Los Angeles county line and I-15 in San Bernardino County. The Project will provide numerous benefits including reduction in peak time congestion and emissions, improved access to transit, safety improvements, job creation and accommodation of future growth in the area and at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. Construction began in April 2020 and substantial completion is expected in August 2023.

Both Torres and Aguilar sit on the powerful House Appropriations Committee, which is responsible for overseeing all federal discretionary spending.

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