Rep. Vargas Delivers $11.7 Million to Local Projects in Government Funding Package
Rep. Vargas Delivers $11.7 Million to Local Projects in Government Funding Package
WASHINGTON, D.C (March 9, 2022) — Today, Congressmember Vargas voted to secure $11.7 million for nine local community projects in the appropriations government funding package. These Community Project Funds will address the most pressing needs in California’s 51st Congressional District.
“I’m incredibly proud to champion nearly $12 million in Community Project Funding for my district,” said Rep. Vargas. “These funds will have a significant impact on my constituents and make a true difference in our community. These projects will address health inequities in my district, create more and better modes of transportation for community members, and make a positive impact on our local economy. It’s an honor to fight for my district in Congress, and I will continue advocating for the funding we need to make our community stronger.”
Congressmember Vargas has secured funding for the following projects that will directly benefit the 51st District:
- $3,332,781 for 24th Street First and Last Mile Connections to Trolley Station
- This project will greatly strengthen and improve the safety of the bicycle network, connecting the 22nd Street cycle track to both the Bayshore Bikeway and Sweetwater Bikeway. The funding will cover total costs needed for the 24th Street First and Last Mile Connections to Trolley Station project, which will provide protected cycle tracks along 22nd Street and Hoover Avenue.
- $3,246,000 for Salton Sea Research Project, Salton Sea Restoration, and New River, Imperial County
- The Salton Sea Research project will directly address the health impacts of the environmental crisis at the Salton Sea. $2,546,000 in funding will be used toward a study led by the University of California, Riverside in conjunction with the Bureau of Reclamation that would collect Salton Sea water, lake sediments, playa surface and subsurface soil, and dust generated at areas with exposed playa, and further from the sea.
- $200,000 will support the Army Corps’ Salton Sea Perimeter Lake Feasibility Study. Diminished inflows to the sea have resulted in the exposure of over 30,000 acres of Salton Sea playa, or lakebed, which is comprised of pesticides and hazardous substances. This study will evaluate creating a Salton Sea Perimeter Lake through a berm system to divert inflows to shallow and deep-water habitat cells, which is anticipated to reduce exposure of playa and provide habitat, air quality, and public health benefits in the region.
- $500,000 will be allocated towards the planning and design phases required to analyze pollutants in the New River, with the goal of establishing a much-needed wastewater infrastructure facility that captures pollutants entering from Mexico. The finalized project would allow the New River to meet environmental standards that the U.S. has historically put in place to protect our citizens’ health, as well as the environment in the region.
- $2,450,000 for Bayshore Bikeway, Barrio Logan Segment and Bayshore Bikeway Segment 5
- The Barrio Logan Segment project will close a major gap in the Bayshore Bikeway with a connection to downtown San Diego and the Bayfront promenade to the Convention Center. It will also provide direct access to Naval Base San Diego and many working waterfront employment centers, businesses, and activity centers. $2,150,000 will be allocated to construct the bikeway and intersection improvements from Cesar E. Chavez Parkway to Sampson Street.
- $300,000 in funds will go toward the final design phase to create nearly 1.5 miles of protected bicycle facilities along McKinley Avenue and Marina Way in National City. Segment 5 will complete the last leg of the Bayshore Bikeway within National City, and enhance cycling connections to transit and other key destinations such as National City’s Harbor District, Naval Base San Diego, Kimball Elementary School, and several parks. The funds will go toward the final design phase of this segment.
- $2,000,000 for Palomar Street Light Rail Grade
- This project would address major traffic delays and diminish corridor travel times along the Blue Line Light Rail transit system. The funding will be used to complete the Final Design phase to improve safety, reduce traffic and congestion, and increase mobility for community members.
- $400,000 for La Media Improvement Siempre Viva to Truck Route
- This project will assist with the design phase to reconstruct and increase the curb-to-curb width of La Media Road, between Siempre Viva Road and the designated truck route to the Otay Mesa Port of Entry. Completion of the design phase and the ultimate widening and reconstruction of La Media Road will allow for an enhanced environment for truck commerce to and from Mexico, essential to our border community, state, and country.
- $294,700 for 24th Street Trolley Pedestrian Bridge Feasibility Study
- The funds will be allocated toward a feasibility study that will evaluate the potential for constructing a pedestrian bridge over Interstate 5. When Interstate 5 was constructed, it bisected an already economically disadvantaged community. This feasibility study is an essential step towards allowing the proposed project to address this existing challenge for National City residents.
The government funding package will help working families lower the cost of living, create American jobs, support vulnerable populations, and help small businesses that are vital to our nation’s economic success. The Community Project Funding championed by Congressmember Vargas coupled with budget increase for critical government projects will strengthen our nation and address the needs of our underserved communities.
Congressmember Vargas urges his colleagues in the Senate to hold a timely vote to pass this legislation and looks forward to seeing President Biden sign it into law. A detailed summary of the bill can be found here.
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Vargas represents California’s 51st Congressional District which includes the southern portion of San Diego County, all of Imperial County and California’s entire U.S.-Mexico border. Vargas was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012 and is currently serving his fifth term in Congress. He serves on the House Financial Services Committee and House Foreign Affairs Committee.