McNerney, Tri-Valley Mayors Discuss Regional Priorities

Press Release

Congressman Jerry McNerney (CA-11) met in Washington, D.C. today with Mayors from four Tri-Valley cities to discuss regional priorities for the area. Mayor Karen Stepper of Danville, Mayor Tim Sbranti of Dublin, Mayor Marshall Kamena of Livermore, and Mayor H. Abram Wilson of San Ramon were in attendance at the meeting.

Topics under discussion at today's meeting included proposed transportation infrastructure improvements throughout the Tri-Valley region; the i-GATE iHub initiative, a public-private partnership designed to support the growth of small businesses and clean-energy technologies; emergency preparedness throughout the region; and legislation of importance to local community access television stations.

"I'm glad to have the opportunity to meet with our local Mayors and discuss how we can work together to improve the Tri-Valley region," said Rep. McNerney. "Today's conversation was very productive. We covered a number of topics, including the need for transportation improvements and investments in emergency preparedness."

"We also spoke about how to bring together local resources such as the National Laboratories, local government, educational institutions, and other organizations to help small businesses grow and create clean-energy and green jobs," continued Rep. McNerney. "I look forward to continuing to work with the Tri-Valley Mayors on these important issues."

"At today's meeting we discussed our work to complete the middle section of the three section auxiliary lane project that runs through the San Ramon Valley," said Karen Stepper, Mayor of Danville. "I-680 carries over half of the San Ramon Valley to work each day. These lanes eliminate the merge and weave patterns that otherwise slow down our commuters and interfere with emergency response."

"I-580 is a major transportation route for our area's residents as well as the movement of goods and freight throughout the region," said Tim Sbranti, Mayor of Dublin. "Currently, it is also one of most congested corridors in the region. At today's meeting, we discussed the need for further investments to I-580 as well as State Route 84 in order to reduce congestion, improve air quality and grow our region's economy."

"The i-GATE iHub initiative combines the resources of the Livermore and Sandia National Laboratories with regional business parks, high growth businesses and universities to build a collaborative environment that can create green technologies, innovative products, and jobs here in the Tri-Valley," said Marshall Kamena, Mayor of Livermore. "With his expertise in renewable energy, we're glad to have the opportunity to discuss the i-GATE iHub initiative with Congressman McNerney."

"We need to make sure our first responders can communicate with each other in event of a major disaster, like an earthquake," said Abram Wilson, Mayor of San Ramon. "Since 2007, we have worked to establish an unprecedented collaboration between twenty-nine cities, Alameda and Contra Costa Counties and four special districts to implement the East Bay Regional Communications System, serving a population of over 2.5 million people. Congressman McNerney has been a strong supporter of this initiative in the past and I look forward to working with him to continue our efforts in the future."

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