Costa Hails Completion of Highway 99 Widening, Funding for Valley Transportation Projects

Press Release

Congressman Jim Costa (CA-16) released the following statement on the completion of the Highway 99 rehabilitation project, which expands the roadway from 4 lanes to 6 between Avenue 12 and Avenue 17 in Madera County:

"These improvements to Highway 99 will make this dangerous section much safer by clearing out the bottleneck that has congested traffic for too long," said Rep. Costa. "Investing in transportation projects like this improve the quality of life for all Valley residents."

A staunch advocate for repairing aging valley infrastructure, Rep. Costa supported the project with numerous letters and calls to officials urging the State of California to make repairing the deteriorated section of highway a priority. The widening of the heavily traveled section of Highway 99 will relieve congestion and improve traffic safety.

Funding valley transportation projects is a top priority for Rep. Costa. In June, four of his Member Designated Projects were selected for inclusion in the 2021 INVEST in America Act, a $547 billion surface transportation reauthorization bill that will create good-paying jobs to rebuild America's transportation infrastructure. They include:

$10 million for improvement to Highway 99 in Madera: The funding will go towards widening Highway 99 from Avenue 7 to Avenue 12 from four to six lanes, improving commute times and traveler safety. The project would also improve access to Madera Community College and the future Amtrak and High Speed Rail stations;
$3.75 million for the Elm Avenue Complete Streets Project in Fresno: The funding would go towards significantly improving transportation options for workers and students in this disadvantaged southwest Fresno community, providing easier access to businesses and schools in downtown Fresno. The project will repurpose the 4-lane road to a more pedestrian and bicycle friendly thoroughfare with the addition of a protected bikeway, sidewalk improvements, and installation of two pedestrian activated crossing signals;
$4 million for YARTS (Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System) in Merced: This money will help grow its fleet of diesel-free motor coaches that provide alternative transportation options for visitors to Yosemite National Park. These vehicles help ease congestion at the popular park and clean up our valley air;
$2 Million to help complete the Atwater-Merced Expressway (AME): This funding will go towards completing the four-lane AME Expressway that will provide a direct connection from Highway 99 to the Castle Commerce Center in Atwater and UC Merced. The connection will help clear heavy congestion along Highway 99 and build an overpass over the Burlington Santa Fe Railway stop, improving commute times for drivers.  

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