Garamendi presents $4.4 million for local projects in Contra Costa County

8

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA – U.S. Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA-08) presented $4,410,279 in newly available federal funding for infrastructure improvements and affordable housing projects in Contra Costa County.

Specifically, Garamendi handed over a check for $1,000,000 to close a 5.2-mile gap along the regional San Francisco Bay Trail, a check for $900,000 to close a half-mile gap in a segregated bike – and pedestrian walkway between Rodeo and the Amtrak Station in downtown Martinez, an $850,000 check to realign the crooked, five-legged intersection atop the San Pablo Avenue Bridge, and a $1,660,279 check to provide 86 units of affordable , to rehabilitate permanent multi-family rental housing for extremely low- and low-income families and individuals.

This funding was made possible by Garamendi’s advocacy in Congress to designate these projects for community project funding in the Congressional budget process – allowing members of Congress to direct federal funding to projects in their congressional districts that have significant public benefits.

“I fought hard in Congress for this community project funding, which will improve local transportation infrastructure, affordable housing and more in Contra Costa County. These projects will make under-invested communities more livable with safer, less congested roads and better options to walk, bike, or take the train to work or school. This was all made possible through the advocacy and passion of dozens of local leaders. I am grateful to help make these much-needed investments in our community, and I will always work to deliver the progress and federal support that Contra Costa residents deserve.” said Garamendi.

Below is an overview of the four projects for which Garamendi presented checks today:

Contra Costa County

• $1 million for Contra Costa County’s San Pablo Avenue Complete Street/Bay Trail Gap Closure project between Rodeo and Crockett. This Congressional funding will close a 5.2-mile gap along the regional San Francisco Bay Trail by converting one of the four lanes on San Pablo Avenue into a “complete street” with a protected path for cyclists and pedestrians between Rodeo and Crockett. These communities share public resources such as schools, parks and libraries, but are currently connected only by car along San Pablo Avenue.

East Bay Regional Park District

• $900,000 for the East Bay Regional Park District’s Martinez-San Francisco Bay Trail Gap Closure Project. This congressional funding will help close a half-mile gap in a separated bike and pedestrian path between the existing George Miller Regional Trail and the Amtrak Station in downtown Martinez. Once completed, this project will create a continuous paved regional trail connecting the cities of Vallejo, Benicia, Crockett and Martinez within the San Francisco Bay Trail network.

City of San Pablo

• $850,000 for the City of San Pablo’s San Pablo Avenue Bridge Replacement/Complete Streets Project. This funding and project from Congress will realign the crooked, five-legged intersection atop the San Pablo Avenue Bridge, which was built in 1926 and needs to be replaced. This would complete the non-bridge aspects required for this bridge replacement project.

East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation

• $1,660,279 for the East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation’s Giant Road Apartment Rehabilitation Project in San Pablo. This congressional funding would allow this local nonprofit to rehabilitate 86 units of affordable, permanent multifamily rental housing for extremely low- and low-income families and individuals.

Mar 7 – Garamendi finalizes $13.5 million for local projects in government funding package