Monday, March 07, 2005 Contact: Sean Oblack (202) 225-4176 Committee Approves Schiff Transportation Requests for 29th District WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) announced today that the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has authorized $11.9 million to fund projects throughout Pasadena, South Pasadena, Alhambra, Monterey Park, San Gabriel and Temple City: $2 million to add a lane to Valley Boulevard during peak travel time.  This will improve traffic flow between the 710 Freeway and Marguerita Avenue. $600,000 to build a pedestrian bridge across Atlantic Avenue in Monterey Park.  The bridge will provide a safe passageway between housing and commercial properties on each side of the street. $1.8 million to construct soundwalls along sections of the 210 Freeway.  This project will help reduce noise for the residential neighborhoods that were built before the freeway.  $900,000 to rehabilitate sections of San Gabriel Boulevard and improve intersections.  This project will also install new bus shelters and improve safety at pedestrian crossings. $250,000 to improve capacity at the intersection of Walnut Grove and Broadway in San Gabriel.  $150,000 to improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety along Las Tunas Drive. $300,000 to study the feasibility of a partial grade separation at the Monterey Road and Pasadena Avenue rail crossing.  $1 million to purchase sections of Rosemead Boulevard from the state of California.  Once Temple City acquires right-of-way from the state, they will be able to begin making improvements. $3 million to study the feasibility of building a tunnel to close the gap in the 710 Freeway. $1 million to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion resulting from the missing link in the 710 Freeway.  These funds will provide technology to improve traffic signal coordination and information gathering at Pasadena’s Traffic Management Center.  $900,000 to test an alternative rail warning device that allow trains to pass through residential neighborhoods without the warning bells commonly associated with rail crossings.  This “Silent Night” feature will be in place from 10 pm- 6 am.  Congressman Schiff is the co-founder of the Democratic Study Group on National Security and a member of both the House Judiciary and International Relations committees.  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. -30-