Bill Passes to Improve Transportation Throughout San Gabriel Valley

Press Release

President Signs Bill into Law Benefiting the Gold Line Foothill Extension

The President signed legislation into law today, SAFETEA-LU Technical Corrections Act of 2008 (H.R. 1195), that will help address Southern California's continuing population growth and the resulting congestion on its roads and highways. The bill includes language that could enable the federal government to pay for up to 80 percent of the Gold Line Foothill Extension, possibly bringing $320 million in federal dollars if the MTA and cities can raise at least $80 million in matching local funds. There is no guarantee of an 80/20 match, but the language encourages the FTA to make the most favorable match possible, and to consider the heavy state and local investment already made in the line.

"This is good news for the San Gabriel Valley and Inland Empire," said Schiff. "The Gold Line Foothill Extension will help ease congestion on our roadways, provide a healthier environment for all to enjoy, and allow people to spend more time with their families and less time parked on the highway. This bill makes a smart investment in transit infrastructure and will help ease traffic, jumpstart our economy and create jobs."

The Gold Line Foothill Extension will extend the rail line from Pasadena to Montclair, and a final phase is under study to continue the line to Ontario Airport. The project has received the necessary approval to begin construction and is now eligible for federal funds. On June 26, 2008, MTA will hold its monthly board meeting, where it will decide whether to provide the necessary $80 million match to receive significant federal funding for the extension.

Congressman Schiff is the co-founder of the Democratic Study Group on National Security and a member of the House Appropriations Committee, the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the House Judiciary Committee. He represents California's 29th Congressional District, which includes the communities of Alhambra, Altadena, Burbank, East Pasadena, East San Gabriel, Glendale, Monterey Park, Pasadena, San Gabriel, South Pasadena and Temple City.

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