The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority has received a $47 million Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) Grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to address Interstate 5’s chronic congestion in the Santa Clarita Valley.
The new federal grant adds to Metro’s own locally generated funding to increase capacity and improve goods movement via freight trucks. Improvements will help alleviate the chokepoint on this congested freeway corridor.
Funds were awarded under the Interstate 5 Golden State Chokepoint Relief Program and will go toward extending High-Occupancy Vehicle lanes 13.4 miles from the State Route 14/Interstate 5 interchange in the City of Santa Clarita to Parker Road in Castaic. The funding will also create a 3.4-mile northbound truck lane between SR-14 and Calgrove Boulevard and a 4.7-mile truck lane between Pico Canyon and SR-14.
“For too long, congestion has robbed us of precious time that could be spent with our loved ones and efficiency that helps grow our economy,” said L.A. Mayor and Metro Board Chair Eric Garcetti. “This grant will ease traffic on one of our busiest freeways — freeing more Angelenos from the grip of congestion and allowing goods to travel faster throughout our region.”
“This is great day for our Santa Clarita Valley communities and major step forward in our effort to reduce congestion along the Interstate 5 corridor, which will improve traffic safety, air quality and economic vitality across the region,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, a Metro board member. “I appreciate the strong support of our local partners in the Santa Clarita Valley and the leadership of Rep. Steve Knight and Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy in securing this important federal grant. Los Angeles County is leading the nation in its ability to leverage local funding for infrastructure projects with regional and national significance.”
Metro is contributing over $250 million in local sales tax dollars for the project. Metro’s funding will also be matched with more than $200 million in SB 1 gas tax funds approved by California voters in 2017.
“Metro is pleased to be a recipient of valuable federal funds, which bring more freeway mobility to the residents and commuters who travel through the Santa Clarita Valley,” said Metro CEO Phillip A. Washington. “This project is an excellent example of what happens when local, state and federal governments step up together to fund critically needed transportation improvements.”
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the highly competitive federal INFRA grant program provides dedicated, discretionary funding for projects that address critical issues facing our nation’s highways and bridges. INFRA grants will support the Administration’s commitment to fixing our nation’s crumbling infrastructure by creating opportunities for all levels of government and the private sector to fund infrastructure, using innovative approaches to improve the necessary processes for building significant projects, and increasing accountability for the projects that are built.
