Washington – The U.S. House of Representatives approved $16 million in federal funding for the Inland Empire today requested by Rep. Joe Baca (D-Rialto) in H.R. 3550, the Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy For Users.

The funding is part of a $284 billion bill that would provide federal funding for the nation's highway and transit programs for the next six years. The legislation must still pass the Senate to become law.

"I am pleased that this important piece of legislation has passed the house, and I am proud that the members of the Inland Empire delegation acted in a bipartisan manner to pass funding for our region,” said Rep. Baca. “The Inland Empire cannot wait any longer for this funding. We need to move forward on transportation projects that will improve the quality of life for the families in our cities.”

“Unfortunately, this legislation still falls short of what California needs. Our state is getting the lowest share of federal funding in recent history. Californians are still paying more in taxes than we are getting back. Our tax dollars should be supporting projects here in the Inland Empire, not highways in the Mid-Atlantic or railroads in New England.”

“Today’s bill is a good start, but I will continue to fight for more. As the bill moves to conference, I will continue to push for funding for transportation projects in the Inland Empire.”

Rep. Baca was able to include the following authorizations in the Transportation Reauthorization Bill:

1. $3 million for the I-10 Cypress Avenue over-pass in Fontana.
2. $3 million for I-10 interchange improvements at the Grove Avenue Corridor in Ontario.
3. $2 million for the I-10 interchange at Riverside Avenue in Rialto.
4. $2 million for the Mount Vernon Avenue grade separation and bridge expansion in Colton.
5. $2 million for the grade separation on State Street and Cajon Boulevard along BSNF tracks in San Bernardino.
6. $1.5 million for the Inland Empire Transportation Management Center in Fontana.
7. $1 million for the Omnitrans Transcenter in Ontario
8. $500,000 for Riverside Avenue Railroad Bridge improvements in Rialto.
9. $500,000 to construct grade separations at Washington Avenue and UPRR crossing east and Washington Avenue and La Cadena Drive in Colton.
10. $500,000 to implement Sante Fe Depot improvements in San Bernardino

  Total:  $16 million