Washington, D.C. – Today, the House of Representatives passed the INVEST in America Act, a comprehensive surface transportation and clean water bill that includes funding Rep. Levin secured for four local infrastructure projects, totaling nearly $20 million in federal investments for communities in the 49th Congressional District. The bill also includes an amendment introduced by the San Diego Democratic delegation that will help the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) spend funding they secured in the USMCA trade agreement to address pollution in the Tijuana River Valley.
“Our infrastructure is in desperate need of repairs, and the INVEST in America makes long overdue investments to upgrade the transportation systems we all rely on,” said Rep. Levin. “I’m proud to report these investments will happen right here in our own communities with nearly $20 million to fund four projects in California’s 49th Congressional District, all of which address urgent transportation issues we face. These projects will bring necessary upgrades to sidewalks, rails, and roads, while also enhancing pedestrian safety and supporting our local economy. I hope the Senate will pass this bill without delay and look forward to seeing these improvements in our district.”
The bill includes funding for the following projects in Rep. Levin’s district:
LOSSAN Corridor Improvements – $12.5 million
This project advances an upgrade to the Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo Rail Corridor (LOSSAN Corridor) along the Del Mar Bluffs, where the rail line is within feet of the coastline on delicate cliffs that experience annual and episodic erosion, including several failures over the past two years alone. Specifically, the funding would complete an estimated 15 percent level of design to move the tracks completely off the sensitive coastal bluffs, and would also advance technical analysis to support design, complete technical studies in support of the future environmental document, and complete additional public outreach.
Leucadia Streetscape Phase 2 (A.K.A North Coast Highway 101 Beautification) – $4 million
This project involves improvements on North Coast Highway 101 between A Street and La Costa Avenue including: new curb, gutter and landscaping; pedestrian facilities on both sides of the street; dedicated buffered bicycle lanes; lane reconfiguration; and, four roundabouts to facilitate traffic calming and more efficiently move vehicular traffic.
El Camino Real to Via De LaValle Road Improvements – $2.5 million
This project involves replacing the existing two-lane bridge with a four-lane bridge and widening the existing two-lane roadway to a modified four-lane major road. This project will provide for improvements on eastbound Via de la Valle as far as northbound El Camino Real, and will replace the existing bridge and modify the segment of El Camino Real between Via de la Valle and San Dieguito Road.
City of Vista Sidewalk Improvement Project on Nevada Avenue and Lemon Avenue – $820,368
This project involves the installation of frontage improvements along the southside of Nevada Avenue, from N. Santa Fe Avenue to Lemon Avenue, and eastside of Lemon Avenue, from Nevada Avenue to Raintree Place. Specific activities include: frontage improvements such as road widening, installation of new curbs, gutters, driveways, and sidewalks; installation of ADA concrete corner ramps at every corner; relocation of water meters and fire hydrants; and restriping of the streets with typical road markings and highly visible pedestrian crosswalks.
The amendment to address Tijuana River Valley pollution allows the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC) to receive funding from the EPA that the delegation secured in the USMCA trade agreement, and it allows funding to be used to carry out projects for both stormwater treatment and wastewater mitigation. This change helps ensure the funding is spent on projects as efficiently as possible.
