Several San Fernando Valley transit projects will receive federal funding following the U.S. House passage of the five-year $715 billion “New Vision for the Environment and Surface Transportation in America” measure, known as the INVEST in America Act.
The bill sets aside $19.1 million for California’s 29th Congressional District investing in the region’s aging infrastructure.
“The INVEST in America Act will give us an opportunity to build back better and use federal dollars on projects that will make a real difference in the San Fernando Valley,” said Congressman Tony Cárdenas, in a statement. “This funding will help us fix our roads, get more buses on our streets, create jobs, and keep our community safe and connected. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to send these historic investments to the President’s desk as quickly as possible.”
The legislature is aimed at directing federal money into modernizing roads, bridges, transit, rail, drinking water, and wastewater infrastructure in the region that for decades has grappled with the lack of investment.
A recent Report Card for California’s Infrastructure gave the state an overall grade of a “C-,” emphasizing the need for investment.
There are 1,536 bridges and over 14,220 miles of highway in poor condition statewide. In the last 10 years, commute times have increased by 14.6% in California, and on average, each driver pays $799 per year in costs due to driving on roads in need of repair, according to the report.
Across the state, residents who use public transportation spend an extra about 67% of their time work commuting and non-White households are 1.6 times more likely to commute via public transportation.
Legislators hope the bill will create millions of jobs, combat the climate crisis by cutting carbon pollution while connecting communities around the region.
The $19.1 million in transit investments include:
