District: District 11 — San Diego and Imperial Counties
Contact: Stephen Welborn
Phone: (619) 688-6670
SAN DIEGO —To wrap up National Infrastructure Week, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), North County Transit District (NCTD), San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, and Port of San Diego held a press conference to highlight the continued partnership and mega projects that keep the San Diego region competitive for major infrastructure investments like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the California Senate Bill 1 (SB1) Road Repair and Accountability Act.
California has received $15.1 billion for roads, bridges, rail, public transit, ports, and airports, thanks to the IIJA. This week the California Transportation Commission approved an additional $26.9 million more funding for regional improvements.
“To date, the San Diego region has received $421 million in IIJA funding,” said Director Gustavo Dallarda. “We will continue to work with our partners to ensure San Diego is competitive for federal and state dollars to turn our transportation priorities from design to shovels in the dirt.”
“Through significant federal and state investments, the San Diego region is advancing projects that will benefit everyone who lives, works, and visits the region,” said SANDAG Transportation Committee Chair and La Mesa Councilmember Jack Shu. “SANDAG’s commitment and the support from leaders like Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Senate Pro Tempore Toni Atkins, and congressional delegates have helped bring key infrastructure dollars to move major projects that are of national importance like the realignment of the LOSSAN corridor in Del Mar and the Otay Mesa East Port of Entry.”
“At San Diego International Airport, we are grateful for our Congressional delegation’s support so that the airport can meet the region’s air travel needs for decades to come, as well as continue our commitment to environmental sustainability,” said Gil Cabrera, Airport Authority Board Chair.
“I was pleased to join my colleagues in celebrating the many infrastructure successes in our region,” said North County Transit District Board Chair Jewel Edson. “NCTD and SANDAG are appreciative of the $100 million investment made by the State of California in the San Dieguito Bridge Replacement, Double Track and Special Events Platform project, a critical project to improve the resiliency of the nation’s second busiest rail corridor.”
“The Port of San Diego is proud to work with our close agency partners as we highlight National Infrastructure Week,” said Chairman Rafael Castellanos, Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners. “Over the years, we have worked diligently to create safe and accessible facilities and amenities on and around San Diego Bay. We have been fortunate to partner with Caltrans and other local agencies to achieve many firsts, and we look forward to continuing our collaborative work in improving infrastructure.”
“National Infrastructure Week is an opportunity to make transportation work for people,” said Clarissa Falcon, California Transportation Commissioner. “IIJA funding ensures our policies and investments improve Californian’s quality of life.”
Over the last year, San Diego has received state, federal, and international spotlight over the last year for infrastructure projects like airport and port expansions and improvements, the LOSSAN rail corridor, and U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Buttigieg awarding the Otay Mesa East Port of Entry.
As a result of the close collaboration between agencies, state and federal partners, and officials, the region is poised to bring more investment and continue moving San Diego forward. .
For real-time traffic information, including traffic speed, lane and road closures due to construction and maintenance activities, and more, go to http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/
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