Repaving I-80 in Fairfield gets stimulus money

Repaving I-80 in Fairfield gets stimulus money
By Barry Eberling
DAILY REPUBLIC

FAIRFIELD - Solano County's first shot of federal stimulus money for freeways will go to a project that has a ring of familiarity -- repaving Interstate 80 in Fairfield.

The California Transportation Commission on Wednesday voted that 57 projects statewide will be first in line for a total of $625 million of stimulus dollars. All that remains is for the Federal Highway Administration to release the money so construction can begin.

'This is about jobs, jobs, jobs,' said Will Kempton, director of the state Department of Transportation, in a press release.

Solano County's lone item on the list is $29 million to repave I-80 from Highway 12 in Fairfield to 1 mile east of Air Base Parkway. The program already seemed to be going forward, even without Congress passing the $787 billion stimulus package last month.

Caltrans announced in 2007 that the I-80 repaving in Fairfield would be done in 2009. The California Transportation Commission in approved funding the project with other state money. Caltrans put the project out to bid Jan. 12.

Still, the state's recent budget problems cast uncertainty over transportation funding in general.

'Now we have funds guaranteed to start the project and finish it,' Caltrans spokesman Ben Edokpayi said Thursday. 'Our plan is to be out there this summer paving.'

The majority of California counties have a project on the commission's stimulus list. Among these projects are replacing the Russian River bridge near Ukiah, helping to reconstruct Doyle Drive in San Francisco near the Golden Gate Bridge and replacing two Highway 99 bridges in Merced County.

Meanwhile, the Solano Transportation Authority remains on the hunt for other federal dollars. The agency is working to get money to build a railroad crossing in Dixon, STA Director of Projects Janet Adams said.

Then there are larger potential projects such as renovating the interchange of interstates 80 and 680. But the federal stimulus bill seeks to pump money into the economy quickly and the new interchange has yet to be designed or earn environmental clearance.

Still, the STA ultimately hopes to get some stimulus money for the interchange.
'We just need to find a program that fits the timeline on the project,' Adams said.

Money has already been allotted from the stimulus package to help reconstruct McGary Road in Fairfield. Also, local cities expect to get money for road maintenance projects.

Reach Barry Eberling at 425-4646 Ext. 232 or beberling@dailyrepublic.net.