I travel hundreds of miles throughout our part of Northern California every week, and I know traffic problems are some of the biggest issues we face locally. More time spent sitting in traffic is less time spent with family and friends, and reducing congestion is important for our area. Whether you commute within the Bay Area, make the trip on I-580 over the Altamont, or travel on I-5 and SR 99 in San Joaquin County, you're probably just as frustrated as I am by gridlock and congestion.
I've been an effective advocate for improvements to our highways and major roads. I've secured funding for many of the major transportation routes throughout our area. I brought back more than $5.5 million for highway and transit projects in Stockton, $950,000 to ease traffic at the I-205/Lammers Road interchange in Tracy, and $1.5 million to decrease congestion along I-580 in the Tri-Valley. I also have helped secure funds for transportation fixes in Santa Clara County and to improve Vasco Road in the Brentwood area.
Expanding the capacity of our highways is essential, but so is investing in smart bus and train services and other methods of transportation. I've helped lead the charge to open new bus rapid transit routes in the Tri-Valley and San Joaquin County, and I'm working to bring high speed rail online throughout our state. I also advocated for funding that will create a local Port-to-Port "marine highway" that will be used to transport cargo via barge. These projects are reducing congestion on our roadways, and I'll keep working to expand BART and ACE service and make smart investments in local transportation priorities.