WASHINGTON, D.C. - Representative Joe Baca (D-Rialto) testified today before the House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure to request the authorization of funds for critical Inland Empire transportation projects. The requests were for funds that will be authorized by the Transportation Equity Act of the 21st Century (TEA 21) Reauthorization Bill, which will ultimately authorize funding for highway projects all across the nation for the next 6 years. Many of the projects that Baca discussed with the Committee were also on his list of requests for appropriations funding, which he presented at an Appropriations Committee hearing last week.

"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. We must work together in a bipartisan way to get these projects done."

During the testimony, 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 improvements to the I-10 interchange at Mt. Vernon Avenue in Colton, 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.

"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.
 

 

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