$24.4 Million in Huffman Infrastructure Projects Slated to Move Forward

Community Projects Requested by Huffman Included in Surface Transportation Package

June 08, 2021

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael), Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure  (T&I), announced that over $24.4 million has been allocated for transportation projects serving the people of California’s Second Congressional District as a part of T&I’s surface transportation reauthorization bill, the INVEST in America Act.

“I’m glad to see this funding awarded to our community for the vital transportation projects we need to keep California’s Second District moving,” said Rep. Huffman. “Infrastructure is the bedrock of America. It drives our economy, creates good jobs, and can be a pivotal part of the solution to climate change – and transformative investments are long overdue. This is just the beginning of our work to bring this country’s infrastructure into the 21st Century, and I look forward to working with my colleagues and the Biden-Harris administration to move these projects across the finish line.”

Below are the summaries of the projects in Congressman Huffman’s district selected by the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure to move forward in the INVEST Act:

Project Name/Location: Bay Trail Connectivity—Vista Point Bay Trail

Vista Point Bay Trail, Sausalito, CA, 94965

Project Sponsor: Metropolitan Transportation Commission

Amount: $1,300,000

 

Project Name/Location: Overlook and Viewpoint Improvements to end of Mouth of Smith River Road, Smith River, CA, Mouth of Smith Rover Road, Smith River, California 95567

Project Sponsor: Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation

Amount: $500,000

 

Project Name/Location: Resilient State Route 37 Corridor

Santa Rosa, CA 95401

Project Sponsor: Sonoma County Transportation Authority

Amount: $7,000,000

 

Project Name/Location: San Rafael Channel Crossing Swing Bridge

Harbor & Street Canal Street to 15 3rd Street, San Rafael CA 95448

Project Sponsor: City of San Rafael

Amount: $2,000,000

 

Project Name/Location: SMART Healdsburg Russian River Rail Bridge Rehabilitation

Front Street, Healdsburg, CA 95448

Project Sponsor: Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit District (SMART)

Amount: $13,606,840

In addition to these projects included in the INVEST Act, Congressman Huffman also made appropriations requests which have not yet been determined by the committee.

“The Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation is thrilled to have the Mouth of Smith River Overlook project included in the INVEST in America Act, and we are so appreciative of Congressman Huffman’s support. This project is very important to the Tolowa – the project location offers unparalleled views of the Mouth of the Smith River and Pacific Ocean, along with public access to the Pacific Ocean and Smith River. This project will allow us to make the overlook a draw for tourists, giving visitors a reason to stay and appreciate our beautiful region that the Tolowa have called home since time immemorial,” said Chairperson Jeri Lynn Thompson.

“Recommendations for this significant Capital Project gets us another step closer towards fulfillment of our commitment for the completion of passenger Rail service for Healdsburg & Cloverdale and pathways that connects our stations” said Melanie Bagby, SMART Board member and member of Cloverdale City council.

“We are pleased that $13.6 million for the SMART Russian River Rail Bridge project has been included in the House Surface Transportation Bill,” said David Rabbitt, Chair of the SMART Board of Directors. “Thanks to Representative Huffman, we have an excellent chance to maintain our momentum towards achieving our vision of delivering passenger rail service to Healdsburg and Cloverdale.”

Rabbitt, who also serves as Chair of the Resilient Highway 37 Policy Committee taskforce added: “These funds will help support the timely delivery of critical project elements along the Highway 37 corridor and will be used to match local funds to deliver corridor improvements including carpool lanes. We are grateful for the support of Congressman Huffman as we continue to make progress on this major corridor.”

“The Vista Point Bay Trail is a small investment that will yield huge returns for generations to come, not only by closing a critical gap in our beloved San Francisco Bay Trail but also by making one of the world’s most spectacular sites safer and more enjoyable for the thousands of bicyclists and pedestrians traveling between the Golden Gate Bridge and Sausalito,” said Alfredo Pedroza, Chair of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, which oversees the Bay Trail project.

“The San Rafael Channel Crossing Swing Bridge project is a critical equity project for our City, and we are thrilled to see it advance in legislation. The project would fill a much-needed transportation connection: providing the densely populated Canal neighborhood with a direct bike-pedestrian route to the schools, grocery stores and other essential services that are across the Channel waterway. Since many Canal residents rely on non-motorized transport, the construction of this bridge would not only enable Canal residents to access both services, employment and education more quickly, but also much more safely. We are very grateful for our Congressmember’s support in ensuring this important project moves forward,” said San Rafael Mayor Kate Colin.

For more information on the INVEST in America Act, click here.