 |
|
||||
|
||||
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)
Local agencies in the Sacramento region have met 100 percent of deadlines for economic stimulus transportation projects. As a result, residents of the region will see projects from the Metropolitan Transportation Plan for 2035 built sooner. Construction of infrastructure improvements started in summer 2009 with near-term economic benefits and longer-term transportation benefits to our region's quality of life. Transportation infrastructure funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) first passed through Caltrans, with a portion passed on by formula to SACOG. SACOG authorized approximately $72 million in road funds and $37 million in transit funds. Projects receiving funding range from track relocation at the downtown Sacramento Railyards, making local streets safe and accessible for pedestrians, bicyclists, drivers and transit, replacing and adding buses, and maintaining existing buses and light rail. Within 48-hours of President Obama signing the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act, the SACOG Board was able to authorize the first round of projects totaling nearly $32 million for the counties of Yolo, Sutter, Yuba and Sacramento for road rehabilitation. Each city and county determined the specific projects to use this funding. Road rehabilitation projects will do more than just smooth the ride. Projects may use funding for: transit improvements, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements, bicycle and pedestrian improvements, as well as for complete streets (designing, operating, and maintaining a road network to enable safe access for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit riders of all ages and abilities). The Placer County Transportation Planning Agency and the El Dorado County Transportation Planning Commission were responsible for authorizing road funds and a portion of transit funds for their counties. On November 30, 2009, the city of Sacramento met the final requirements to receive $20 million in ARRA funding for realigning railroad tracks in the downtown railyards area. The project is the first phase of the larger Intermodal Station, which will be a hub for train, light rail, and buses, making travel easier across the region—and beyond. The track relocation will also help move more long-distance freight by rail, easing congestion on the freeways that converge in Sacramento. Project Info
|
Economic Stimulus Update Summaries