Visit To Capital Seen Boosting Local Projects

Visit To Capital Seen Boosting Local Projects
By Robin Miller
Article Launched: 04/03/2008

With a host of requests on their agenda, and a whirlwind visit to the nation's capital, local civic leaders and transportation officials say the effort to bring much-needed transportation funding to the county is going well.

Vacaville Mayor Len Augustine said Wednesday that so far the reception he and the other local representatives have received in Washington D.C. has been fairly positive.

"It's been a hectic pace, but we've talked with Senator Boxer, Senator Feinstein's staff, Congressman Miller, Lungren, Tauscher's staff, Masui and Air Force officials," Augustine said.

"I think there is strong support for our requests, but it is also going to be a tough year for ear-marked projects."

Augustine, along with the mayors of Fairfield, Rio Vista and Vallejo and representatives of the Solano Transportation Authority and Solano Economic Development Corp. are in Washington for two days to lobby on specific issues.

They are seeking funding for the following projects:

• Improvements to the North Gate and surrounding roads near Travis Air Force Base as well as an upgrade to the railroad crossing at Canon and Vanden roads. ($5 million);

• Expansion of alternative fuel use by SolanoExpress by adding one hybrid commuter bus and replacing two diesel-burning buses with two hybrid buses. ($2 million);

• Construction of phase three of the Vallejo Ferry Maintenance Facility that will be the primary transit terminal in the North Bay, supporting bus and ferry transit for 15,000 daily riders by 2010. ($2 million);

• Construction of the Fairfield/Vacaville Intermodal Station, a transit-oriented station at Jepson Parkway and Peabody Road that would provide basic automobile, bus, vanpool, bicycle and pedestrian access for the Capitol Corridor Rail Service. ($2.5 million); and

• Construction of phase one of a bus transfer facility along the Interstate 80 corridor that would include 10 bus bays and 200 automobile parking spaces. ($1.85 million).

Augustine said strong support has been expressed by legislators the group has talked with for the Travis project and the alternative fuel bus proposal.

He added that representatives also have been learning about alternative funding options they can pursue.

"The message we are getting is that these trips are really worth it," Augustine said.

"If we are going to get more of our tax dollars back, we need to continue these efforts."