Congressman Bera Calls for Investment in Sacramento County Infrastructure to Improve Safety, Create Jobs

Press Release

Congressman Ami Bera, M.D. called for investment in Sacramento County infrastructure Friday morning, after touring several local transportation projects with representatives from the Sacramento County Department of Transportation (SACDOT), the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG), Operating Engineers Local 3, and Laborers Local 185. The tour featured recently completed, active, and planned transportation projects near or along Highway 50 in the Rancho Cordova area.

"Our infrastructure in Sacramento County is in dire need of improvement," said Bera. "In our region, nearly 3.4 million trips are made over structurally deficient bridges every single day and the deteriorating state of the levees is also extremely serious. These improvements need to be made, but not only will they keep our families safe, they will also put Californians back to work and reinvigorate our economy."

Bera highlighted the Partnership to Build America Act of 2013 (HR 2084), as a smart way to make these kinds of needed infrastructure upgrades. A bipartisan bill Bera has co-sponsored, the Partnership to Build America Act, would help pay for our fast-deteriorating infrastructure like roads, bridges, and levees, without increasing the nation's debt or raising taxes. Instead, it gives companies that bring foreign earnings back to America a tax savings if they invest in a new, U.S. infrastructure fund. If passed, it would create significant American jobs in the short-term and help U.S. competitiveness in the long-term.

The sites Bera visited included:
* Hazel Avenue at State Route 50 Interchange
Estimated completion 2018 -- 50 percent unidentified funds

* Hazel Avenue Phase 1 -- American River Bridge
Completed 2010 -- 39 percent federal funds

* Hazel Avenue Phase 2 (Madison Avenue to US Highway 50)
Estimated completion 2015 -- 68 percent federal funds
SACOG programmed $10m in regionally-controlled federal funds towards this project.

* Hazel Avenue Phase 3 (Madison Avenue to US Highway 50)
Estimated completion 2017 -- 65 percent unidentified funds

* Fair Oaks Blvd Safety Improvements Project
Completed 2010 -- 90 percent federal funds

* Watt Ave @ US 50 Interchange
Estimated completion 2014 -- 12 percent federal funds
SACOG programmed a total of $18.4m in funds towards this project a combination of regionally controlled federal funds and State Bond funds.
The project was also an example of a strong partnership between SACOG, SacDOT, and the Sacramento Transportation Authority to prepare a final funding package.

* Watt Ave Light Rail Transit Grade Separation
Completed 2009 -- 61 percent federal funds

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