FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 26, 2003
CONTACT: LINDA MACIAS/PAUL TODD (202) 225-6161
Baca requests funds
for critical Inland Empire transportation projects
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Representative Joe Baca (D-Rialto) testified
today before the House of Representatives Subcommittee on
Transportation Appropriations to request funds for critical Inland
Empire transportation projects.
"Since we are a short distance from Los Angeles and enjoy an abundance
of reasonably priced housing, we are expanding on an unprecedented
scale," Baca said. "The current population explosion and our role as a
national shipping and heavy freight hub have created unique and
critical transportation infrastructure needs in the Inland Empire that
affect not only my district but also Congressman Jerry Lewis, David
Drier, Ken Calvert, and Gary Miller."
Baca highlighted specific projects that would help improve the
movement of people and goods and services both throughout the region
and across the entire nation. Projects Baca mentioned included the
Interstate 10/Riverside Avenue interchange reconstruction in Rialto,
grade separation improvements at Milliken Avenue in Ontario,
interchange maintenance at Pepper Street in San Bernardino, and a new
Omnitrans transportation center that would service the entire
district.
"Interstate 10 interchange at Riverside Avenue is a congestion
nightmare for both residents and cross-country freight haulers," Baca
said. "I am seeking funding from the Committee because of the freight
considerations, the affect the interchange has on the flow of goods at
both the national and regional levels, and the consequences to local
businesses and jobs."
Baca said that the flow of people and goods in and out of Ontario
International Airport and along the Alameda East Corridor was hindered
by infrastructure problems at Milliken Avenue. He requested funds to
make improvements to the Milliken Avenue crossing.
"A recent study in my district projected that in the next 20 years,
delays at the Milliken Avenue crossing will increase ten fold due to
increased freight traffic from the Alameda Corridor," Baca said. "This
project is supported by many local officials in my district and it is
identified by the San Bernardino Association of Governments as being a
high priority project because of it's importance in improving regional
road, rail, and air transportation services."
Baca also cited a growing population of Cal State - San Bernardino
students and a growing need to ensure that the area's transportation
infrastructure could handle a crisis should evacuations become
necessary due to natural or man made disasters in requesting funding
for the Interchange at Pepper Avenue.
"Enrollment at Cal State San Bernardino has quadrupled in the past 10
years to over 20,000 students and is projected to continue growing at
the same rate!" Baca said. "While we are very proud of this fact, we
don't currently have the infrastructure to support such heavy
traffic."
"By offering the new partial interchange we are not only accommodating
traffic that travels to and from the University, but we are also
providing an evacuation route for the campus should an emergency
evacuation become necessary."
Baca also requested funds for improvements to the region's public
transportation system.
"By requesting funding for a new Omnitrans transportation center that
allows passengers to transfer easily and quickly, we would be
improving access not just for the everyday rider, but for seniors and
persons with disabilities who rely on the trains to keep them healthy,
active, and working in the community."
While Baca only highlighted a few of his transportation appropriations
requests during the hearing to exemplify the critical needs of the
area, he said that he would submit additional requests that would
benefit cities across the district and the Inland Empire.
"I will be following up with specific transportation funding requests
for these and other projects that will serve the people I represent,"
Baca said.
