Washington, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Hilda Solis (CA-32) announced that the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations approved more than $740,000 for transportation and other important local projects in the 32nd Congressional District. The funding was passed by the Committee on June 6, 2006, as part of the Fiscal Year 2007 Transportation, Treasury, Housing and Under Development and Judiciary and District of Columbia Appropriations Bill. 

“This funding will help create economic growth and improve the quality of life in the San Gabriel Valley.  I am pleased that the Appropriations Committee agrees that these projects are important and I look forward to continuing to work with them, along with our cities and all my colleagues, to improve our communities,” said Congresswoman Solis.

The full U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate must still consider this legislation prior to it being enacted into law.

Funding secured by Congresswoman Solis includes:

$80,000 - South El Monte, Senior Transit Bus

The City of South El Monte requested funding for the acquisition of a new senior transit bus to transport 25 or more seniors for day-trips and senior events. The City’s existing bus is 25 years old and out of service. It has been temporarily replaced by two small vans which do not meet the needs of the more than 2,200 seniors in South El Monte.

$100,000 - Rosemead, I-10 Soundwall Improvements

The City of Rosemead requested funding to improve a soundwall which runs along the I-10 corridor on Ramona Boulevard from Walnut Grove to Rosemead Boulevard. Improvements would consist of planting vines, vegetation and installation of drip irrigation. This project will improve the soundwall and reduce graffiti and vandalism, which are some of the largest ongoing costs for Rosemead associated with the freeway.

$100,000 - West Covina, East San Gabriel Japanese Community Center

The East San Gabriel Valley Japanese Community Center requested funding to help renovate and update the community center. The Center provides for Japanese language education, cultural classes, social and recreational activities and conference space for the community. It is the only Japanese Community Center in the eastern part of Los Angeles County and provides services and activities on a regional basis. The total cost of the renovation is $1.2 million and the Center is committed to providing $900,000 of the total cost.

$160,000 - South El Monte, Stoplight at Santa Anita Ave. and Fern-Elliott

The City of South El Monte, CA requested funds to install a stoplight at the intersection of Santa Anita Avenue and Fern-Elliott. This intersection, located at the boundary of the cities of South El Monte and El Monte, has been the site of a number of traffic accidents and deaths. The proposed stoplight is the result of the collaboration between the two cities and is supported by the City of El Monte.

$150,000 - Baldwin Park, Transit Parking Structure

The City of Baldwin Park requested funds to construct a two story parking structure adjacent to the city’s existing Metrolink facility. The Baldwin Park Metrolink Station serves as an intermodal Regional Transit Center providing critical transportation services to the central San Gabriel Valley from other Southern California areas.

$150,000 - Monterey Park, ELAC Busway Improvements

The City of Monterey Park requested funds to complete renovations on the East Los Angeles College Busway. The money would be used to purchase security cameras and install driver bathroom facilities.

Regional Transportation Projects:  Solis also helped secure $2 million for Foothill Transit’s Transit Oriented Neighborhood Program and $1.5 million for the continued work of the Alameda Corridor-East San Gabriel Valley Gateway to America Corridor Project. Both Foothill Transit and the ACE Project provide much needed services for the San Gabriel Valley by maximizing public funding through encouraging transit use during daytime peak rush hours and engaging in construction work on safety improvements and grade separation projects in the San Gabriel Valley. Solis strongly supports the construction of the Metro Gold Line Eastside Light Rail Extension and is proud the Committee approved $100,000,000 for this project.