Solis Statement on Recommendations by the California Transportation Commission

Solis Statement on Recommendations by the California Transportation Commission

Congresswoman Hilda L. Solis (CA-32) issued the following statement about the recent recommendations by the California Transportation Commission to exclude the San Gabriel Valley from Prop 1B freeway funding improvements.

"I am outraged that once again the California Transportation Commission has failed to prioritize the safety and health of residents, commuters, and taxpayers in the San Gabriel Valley. The revised recommendations which were released yesterday are doubly insulting. Despite the great need and overwhelming support of the San Gabriel Valley for the 10-605 interchange improvement project, the CTC continues to reject funding for this project. In addition to ignoring the need for the 10-605, the recommendations now strip funding from a project to extend carpool lanes on the El Monte Busway. The bottom line is that the San Gabriel Valley is getting the short end of the stick, paying for projects it will never see and never benefit from.

"The San Gabriel Valley deserves better. That is why over the course of the last two months I have worked with the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments and the Cities of Baldwin Park and West Covina to secure funding for this project. I have worked with Los Angeles County, the City of Los Angeles, the LA Congressional Delegation and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to get LA County equitable funding. But while I support funding the 405, I strongly believe it cannot be done at the expense of the San Gabriel Valley.

"This week and months to come will be a test of the MTA's commitment to all parts of LA County. I am calling on the MTA to fight as hard for the 10-605 as it fought for the 405 at the CTC and include the 10-605 in its long-range plan. The MTA must keep its commitment and deliver for the San Gabriel Valley."

http://solis.house.gov/list/press/ca32_solis/wida2/StatementonCTCRecs.shtml