Rep. Carbajal Announces Over $23 Million from Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for Central Coast Transit
Washington,
February 7, 2023
Today, Congressman Salud Carbajal (CA-24) announced $23,577,941 in funding authorized through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), which he helped craft in 2021, for transit improvements on the Central Coast. “As a kid growing up in Oxnard, I learned firsthand the importance of reliable public transportation for my family and so many others on the Central Coast,” said Rep. Carbajal. “Now, through my work on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, the landmark infrastructure law that I helped craft is delivering critical investments for transit improvements up and down our region. I look forward to working with our regional transit authorities and local leaders to ensure these funds improve transit availability and affordability, cut carbon pollution, and reduce traffic for all our area’s residents.” Funding provided through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) includes:
“Congressman Carbajal’s influence has been paramount in safeguarding public transit system funding in smaller regions like ours so that we have the same access to federal resources as more urbanized areas,” said Marjie Kirn, executive director of the Santa Barbara County Association of Governments (SBCAG). “We look forward to working with the Congressman and regional transit operators in 2024 to protect critical federal public transportation investment in our county.” “These funds authorized by the new Bipartisan Infrastructure law will allow our transit operators to maintain high-quality service,” said Pete Rogers, Executive Director for the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments. “Federal funding for regional and local transit service is an important part of our region’s transportation system. These services provide essential mobility options, reduce traffic congestion, and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.” The funding allocated to the Central Coast by the FTA is part of more than $2 billion in funding that California received for Fiscal Year 2023. Since its enactment, more than $370 million has been allocated to the Central Coast to support infrastructure, clean water, climate resilience and other related projects. These projects include $75 million for improvements to the US 101 freeway funded with new flexibility provided by BIL, over $6 million for airport improvements, and funds to plug abandoned oil wells in Channel Islands National Park. As a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Carbajal helped craft the infrastructure law – the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in 2021. He voted to send the measure to President Biden for final approval in November 2021.
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