WASHINGTON, DC – Earlier today Congress passed the Transportation Equity Act, a bill that includes over $12.9 million for several important local efforts to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion throughout Pasadena, South Pasadena, Alhambra, Monterey Park, San Gabriel and Temple City:
• $1.6 million to add a lane to Valley Boulevard during peak travel time. This will improve traffic flow between the 710 Freeway and Marguerita Avenue.
• $480,000 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.
• $1,337,600 to build a transit center at East Los Angeles College.
• $1,440,000 to construct soundwalls along sections of the 210 Freeway. This will help reduce noise for the residential neighborhoods that were built before the freeway.
• $720,000 to rehabilitate sections of San Gabriel Boulevard and improve intersections. This will also install new bus shelters and improve safety at pedestrian crossings.
• $200,000 to improve capacity at the intersection of Walnut Grove and Broadway in San Gabriel.
• $120,000 to improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety along Las Tunas Drive.
• $240,000 to study the feasibility of a partial grade separation at the Monterey Road and Pasadena Avenue rail crossing.
• $800,000 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.
• $2.4 million to study the feasibility of building a tunnel to close the gap in the 710 Freeway.
• $2,836,000 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.
• $752,400 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.
“I’m pleased so many of my requests for important transportation improvements will receive federal help,” said Schiff. “Improving traffic flow and reducing congestion and pollution in our community is a top priority.”
Congressman Schiff has introduced a "Kids First" agenda of initiatives to improve education, safety, and health care for our children. He 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.
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