Funds for
“flyover” ramp at 152-156 wait president’s signature
Money to relieve congestion at the intersection of state highways 152 and 156 survived a $100 billion cut in federal transportation spending Wednesday in Washington and ended up Friday with $1 million secured by 11th District Rep. Richard Pombo, R-Tracy.
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority has planned for years to build a “flyover” ramp to smooth traffic at the Don Pacheco Y, as the intersection is known. To complete the project by 2008, VTA officials were counting on $7 million from the federal Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (TEA-LU), a six-year spending plan that will replace the recently expired Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21).
On Friday, HR 3550 passed the House, 357 to 65, bringing as much as $275 billion to nationwide projects. Congressional backers said President Bush is likely to veto any bill larger than $256 billion.
The bill now goes to the president’s desk.
“It’s a huge help for South County,” said Edwin Chan, transportation aide to VTA Chairman Don Gage. “VTA anticipated that amount. … Now it’s on the right track.”
The Senate approved a $318 billion, six-year transportation bill in late February, according to Traffic World magazine.
Pombo was pleased with the bill’s funding.
“This bill is a victory for folks in my district and for the people of California,” said Pombo.
The state of California will receive the most funding of any state, total highway dollars increasing to $1 billion over six years.
In all Pombo secured $30 million for district projects.
“Although this is a good start,” Pombo said, “I will continue to work towards a seamless transportation plan – that’s safe, environmentally sound, good for the economy, and helps folks spend more time off the roads and with their families.”
The T&I Committee had proposed a six-year highway spending package worth $375 billion, but President Bush threatened to veto any bill for more than $275 billion.
Committee members expressed disappointment, from Republican Chairman Don Young of Alaska to California Democrat Mike Honda, who represents Gilroy. Nevertheless, they unanimously passed a $275 billion bill. They also passed the $375 billion version as a symbolic gesture, according to Honda’s office.
“The $375 billion bill represents American’s transportation needs as determined by the U.S. Department of Transportation,” Honda said. “I regret that the president has chosen to dismiss the recommendations of his own Transportation Department, preferring instead to support limited funding for transportation in order to accommodate his sweeping tax cuts. I nevertheless am pleased that TEA-LU will provide guaranteed and predictable levels of funding for states and local communities.”
On Monday Pombo, who represents Morgan Hill but not San Martin or Gilroy, hosted Young in his 11th District, offering the Alaskan representative a look at local transportation challenges and solutions.
“A seamless transportation plan is what people in the District want and need,” Pombo said. “When gas prices are high and the workday is long, the last thing folks want to be doing in sitting in traffic – they deserve to be home with their families. More options will give people economical, environmentally smart, safe means of travel.”
