DeSaulnier Advances Local Projects Totaling More than $35 Million

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10) announced that he advanced 15 projects in Contra Costa and Alameda Counties for consideration by the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations that total over $35 million as part of the Fiscal Year 2025 appropriations process.

The projects selected would help to support public safety, transportation accessibility, education, and sustainability efforts in California’s 10^th Congressional District. Each year Congress provides Member-directed federal funding to a select number of Community Projects through the appropriations process. Under this process, each House member is allowed to submit 15 project requests on behalf of their Congressional District to the Appropriations Committee that meet the criteria set forth by the Committee.

“I am proud to advance over $35 million in funding for CA-10 that would make our communities safer and more accessible, support students, and reduce our environmental impact,” said Congressman DeSaulnier. “I appreciate the advocacy and partnership of our cities and local organizations in submitting these projects, and I will do all I can to see them through this process and the funding delivered to our district.”

“I am deeply grateful to Congressman DeSaulnier for selecting the City of Oakley East Cypress Road Phase 3 Project for consideration of funding by the Appropriations Committee. This project is vital for the continued growth and development of our community, and Congressman DeSaulnier’s support is truly appreciated. While we understand that selection does not guarantee funding, we are encouraged by this opportunity and remain committed to working towards the betterment of Oakley,” Anissa Williams, Mayor of the City of Oakley.

“Investing in hydrogen fuel cell generators ensures County Connection can charge our fleet of electric buses and provide the necessary power to pump fuel to our future Hydrogen Fuel Cell bus fleet during natural disasters. This will allow us to provide vital public transit service to the communities we serve. We are grateful that Congressman DeSaulnier shares our vision for a future of resilient and reliable transit service,” Bill Churchill, General Manager of County Connection.

“We are grateful to Congressmember DeSaulnier for his strong support of our Community Project Finding request,” said Cathy Sandeen, president of Cal State East Bay. “This vital funding will allow us to reimagine an underutilized space into a vibrant center designed to serve as a link between community members, community organizations, and students for real-world learning, connection, and service.”

“The Marine Mammal Center is thrilled that Congressman DeSaulnier has selected our Ocean Ambassadors program as one of his submissions for funding consideration. Since 2017, Ocean Ambassadors has served as a vital educational resource for middle school teachers and students in Contra Costa County. This evidence-based curriculum inspires student interest in marine biology and science careers and provides valuable insights into ocean health, sustainability principles, and the importance of healthy coastal ecosystems for us all,” said Cecily Majerus, Marine Mammal Center, Chief Executive Office. “This support of $272,918 will ensure that nearly 2,000 Contra Costa youth have access to this program, which includes field trips to ocean and marine wildlife locations, professional development for teachers, and high-quality, interactive science enrichment opportunities. Thank you!”

“Diablo Water District is thrilled that Congressman DeSaulnier continues to support resiliency and pre-disaster mitigation projects. The proposed funding from Congressional Community Project Funding is crucial to help move the District’s Seismic Resiliency Reservoir and Transmission Line Improvement Project forward. This $6.5 million dollar project increases the resiliency of drinking water and firefighting water during future seismic events and is important to helping protect the communities we serve,” said Dan Muelrath, General Manager of Diablo Water District.

“Representative DeSaulnier and I are on the same page about combatting organized retail theft and labor trafficking. Our ability to protect Contra Costa residents hinges on dismantling these criminal networks and holding perpetrators accountable. Achieving this means making smart investments in public safety so we in law enforcement can continue to effectively work in seeking justice for the victims of crime,” said Diana Becton, District Attorney, Contra Costa County.

“Keeping our community safe is our top priority,” said Edi Birsan, Mayor of Concord. “Investing in modern, reliable infrastructure to upgrade our Emergency Operations Center is vital to ensuring its longevity, efficiency, and resilience. These improvements will also help bolster our regional preparedness, response, and recovery efforts during emergencies and disasters.”

“We appreciate the support from Congressman DeSaulnier in advancing our Community Project Funding request to provide resilient and modern emergency power infrastructure to support the East Bay Regional Communications System.  This project will have a direct impact on improving the public safety radio infrastructure for our firefighters, ambulance crews, and all first responders throughout Contra Costa County and northern Alameda County.  Congressman DeSaulnier is helping us to keep our communities and our first responders safe with this critical infrastructure investment,” Lewis Broschard, Fire Chief, Contra Costa County Fire.

“We’re grateful to Congressman DeSaulnier for considering this project. We are partnering with the Walnut Creek Soccer Club to install new lighting to extend the use of our fields and increase overall safety for Walnut Creek residents and our many visitors,” Loella Haskew, Mayor of the City of Walnut Creek.

“The City of Dublin is honored that Congressman DeSaulnier is championing our Community Project Funding Request for the Village Parkway Reconstruction and Complete Streets Project. The Project will address critical infrastructure needs by improving street surfacing and bicycle accessibility; enhancing safe transit and bus stops; and upgrading sidewalks for pedestrian use near Dublin High School. When finished, the improved Village Parkway will be a much safer thoroughfare for all Dublin residents,” Melissa Hernandez, Mayor of Dublin.

“On behalf of Central Contra Costa Sanitary District (Central San), I wanted to express our sincere gratitude to Congressman DeSaulnier for championing our Ultraviolet (UV) Disinfection Replacement Project and submitting it for consideration to the Appropriations Committee’s Fiscal Year 2025 Community Project Funding solicitation. This important project will provide direct community benefits by improving the resiliency of Central San’s wastewater operation during extreme weather events and significantly reduce its energy footprint. Specifically, federal funding would support the transition to a state-of-the-art UV system that will make the water treatment plan more sustainable and energy efficient because it will lower disinfection demand, decrease energy use, and meaningfully reduce greenhouse gasses produced annually,” said Roer Bailey, General Manager of Central Contra Costa Sanitary District.

“The Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) appreciates Congressman DeSaulnier’s support for upgrading and advancing our county’s signal technology. This funding will enable CCTA to upgrade the City of Antioch and the City of Oakley to a smart signal system that can synchronize signals with each other and optimize traffic flow to smooth congestion; prioritize transit and emergency vehicles, and aid in efforts to reach countywide Vision Zero goals,” Tim Haile, CCTA Executive Director.

“We appreciate Congressman DeSaulnier’s continued support of funding for projects that promote active transportation within our County. The Treat Boulevard Corridor Improvements and Marsh Drive Class I Bikeway projects close critical gaps in the bicycle and pedestrian network, create connections between our communities, and provide infrastructure that improves the comfort and safety of residents choosing to walk or bike instead of drive,” said Warren Lai, Public Works Director of Contra Costa County Public Works.

The 15 projects Congressman DeSaulnier advanced to the Appropriations Committee for consideration are:

Public Safety Projects:

• $3,000,000 for the City of Concord to make essential improvements to the Emergency Operations Center in Concord to ensure its longevity, efficiency, and resilience as it serves as a critical hub for bolstering regional preparedness, response, and recovery efforts during emergencies and disasters.
• $1,915,000 for the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (Con Fire) to replace and install equipment, including backup generators, shore power plugs, and automatic transfer switches, at radio towers across Contra Costa County that are used for communication between law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical services to improve system reliability during emergencies and disasters that result in the loss of power.
• $1,624,105 for the City of Walnut Creek to install lights at Tice Field and make safety upgrades to its facilities to ensure safe access during all operating hours for children, their families, and community organizations.
• $600,000 for the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office to create an Organized Retail Theft (ORT) Prevention and Prosecution Unit with the goal of addressing increased levels of retail theft crimes, helping local law enforcement better confront these types of crimes and improving public safety.
• $500,000 for the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office to enhance the identification and referral of survivors of labor trafficking and cases of labor trafficking occurring in the County, increase the capacity of the District Attorney’s Office to investigate cases of labor exploitation and trafficking, and improve the quality and scope of services provided to underserved and marginalized victims of human trafficking.

Transportation Accessibility Projects:

• $5,000,000 for the City of Oakley to construct essential roadway and emergency route improvements on East Cypress Road to meet increasing traffic demand and ensure safety, accessibility, and mobility for daily travel and in the event of an emergency.
• $3,000,000 for the City of Dublin to improve safety and accessibility of the Village Parkway by narrowing vehicle lanes, adding lighting, and constructing buffered bike lanes, wider sidewalks, and protected intersections.
• $2,000,000 for the Contra Costa County Public Works Department to create a separate bike path to fill a gap in the County-wide bicycle network along Marsh Drive in unincorporated Pacheco, which will improve safety for all road users and access to local commercial centers, recreational centers, and additional connections to the local mass transit system.
• $1,970,010 for the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) to upgrade and develop a network of smart traffic signals between Antioch and Oakley to improve commute times, reduce delays, and ease congestion.
• $1,500,000 for the Contra Costa County Public Works Department to construct bicycle and pedestrian facilities on Treat Boulevard in the Contra Costa Centre Transit Village in Walnut Creek to close a critical gap along the Iron Horse Regional Trail, which would improve safety for non-motorized road users and improve connectivity for first and last mile connections to public transit and local commercial establishments.

Education Projects:

• $750,000 for California State University, East Bay (Cal State East Bay) to create a multifunctional educational space with classrooms, meeting rooms, and co-working areas that would allow for training, workshops, and small-conference activities for students and community organizations.
• $272,918 for the Marine Mammal Center to help build scientific literacy and environmental stewardship of the coastal zone for 2,7000 students and their teachers and to develop a pipeline for the future STEM workforce.

Energy and Water Sustainability Projects:

• $4,875,000 to the Diablo Water District to provide structural and foundational reinforcements to water infrastructure to mitigate risks associated with major seismic events, safeguard water supply, and contribute to the region’s overall disaster preparedness strategy.
• $4,000,000 to the Central Conta Costa Sanitary District (Central San) to upgrade the water treatment facility’s ultraviolet (UV) technology to reduce the energy footprint of water treatment and protect public health and water quality in the region.
• $4,000,000 to the Central Contra Costa Transit Authority (County Connection) to purchase and install hydrogen fuel cell generators to allow for a more seamless transition to zero-emissions hydrogen buses, in turn reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality in the area.

Project selection and submissions is the first stage of the process for Community Project Funding. The projects are subject to a strict transparency and accountability process, which is detailed here by the Appropriations Committee. Examples of this vetting include certifying that Members have no financial interest in these projects, an audit of a sampling of these projects by the Government Accountability Office, and a requirement for demonstrated community support and engagement for each submission. More information on each project and the certifications of no financial interest can be found here.