CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA – U.S. Representative John Garamendi (D-CA-08) presented $4,410,279 in newly available federal funding for infrastructure improvements and affordable housing projects in Contra Costa County.
Specifically, Garamendi presented a $1,000,000 check to close a 3.2-mile gap along the regional San Francisco Bay Trail, a $900,000 check to complete a half-mile gap in a separated bicycle and pedestrian path between Rodeo and the Amtrak Station in downtown Martinez, a $850,000 check to realign the skewed, five-legged intersection on top of the San Pablo Avenue Bridge, and a $1,660,279 check to rehabilitate 86 units of affordable, multi-family permanent rental housing to extremely low and low-income families and individuals.
This funding was made possible by Garamendi’s advocacy in Congress to designate these projects for Community Project Funding in the Congressional budgeting process—which that allows members of Congress to direct federal funding to projects in their Congressional districts that have significant public benefits.
“I fought hard in Congress for this Community Project Funding, which will upgrade local transportation infrastructure, affordable housing, and more across Contra Costa County. These projects will make communities that have been underinvested more livable with safer, less congested roads and better options to walk, bike, or take the train to work or school. This was all made possible through the advocacy and passion dozens of local leaders. I am grateful to help make these much-needed investments in our community, and I will always work to deliver the progress and federal support Contra Costa residents deserve,” Garamendi said.
Below is an overview of the four projects for which Garamendi presented checks today:
Contra Costa County
- $1 million for Contra Costa County’s San Pablo Avenue Complete Street/Bay Trail Gap Closure Project between Rodeo and Crockett. This congressional funding will close a 3.2-mile gap along the regional San Francisco Bay Trail by converting one of the four lanes on San Pablo Avenue into a “complete street” with a protected path for bicyclists and pedestrians between Rodeo and Crockett. These communities share public resources such as schools, parks, and libraries but are currently only connected via automobile along San Pablo Avenue.
East Bay Regional Park District
- $900,000 for the East Bay Regional Park District’s Martinez-San Francisco Bay Trail Gap Closure Project. This congressional funding will help to complete a half-mile gap in a separated bicycle and pedestrian path between the existing George Miller Regional Trail and the Amtrak Station in downtown Martinez. When completed, this project will construct a continuously paved, regional trail route connecting the Cities of Vallejo, Benicia, Crockett, and Martinez within the San Francisco Bay Trail network.
City of San Pablo
- $850,000 for the City of San Pablo’s San Pablo Avenue Bridge Replacement/Complete Streets Project. This congressional funding and project will realign the skewed, five-legged intersection on top of the San Pablo Avenue Bridge, which was built in 1926 and must be replaced. This would complete the non-bridge aspects needed for this bridge replacement project.
East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation
- $1,660,279 for the nonprofit East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation’s Giant Road Apartment Rehabilitation Project in San Pablo. This congressional funding would allow this local nonprofit to rehabilitate 86 units of affordable, multi-family permanent rental housing for extremely low and low-income families and individuals.
March 7 – Garamendi Finalizes $13.5 Million For Local Projects in Government Funding Package
