$47 Million Federal (INFRA) Grant Awarded to I-5 Project Improvements
Source: News release from Rep. Steve Knight
Rep. Steve Knight (R-CA) announced after a conversation with U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao that the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) will receive a $47 million Infrastructure For Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant to relieve the traffic congestion in Santa Clarita on the I-5.
“Santa Clarita and the entire region will benefit enormously from this grant which will address the endless traffic backups on Interstate 5. Anyone who lives or travels through the Santa Clarita Valley deals with this congestion on a daily basis. It impacts every vehicle traveling through or around Santa Clarita and throughout Southern California. This funding is a huge step in providing relief to everyone living and doing business in this region,” said Knight. “Working with the Department of Transportation and a team of local leaders to secure this grant has been a top priority of mine for many months. I am so pleased to have spoken with Secretary Chao and to learn that she and the Department of Transportation fully understand and support the need for this project and the relief it will provide for our region as a whole.”
According to the information provided by DOT, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority will receive funds to construct the Interstate 5 Golden State Chokepoint Relief Program project to improve Interstate 5 in North Los Angeles County. These funds will be used to extend high-occupancy vehicle lanes 13.4 miles from the State Route 14/I-5 interchange in the City of Santa Clarita to Parker Road in Castaic. The project will also allow for 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.
Securing this federal grant funding has been a partnership between local leaders including Supervisor Kathryn Barger, local city of Santa Clarita officials and others.
Barger had this to say about the about the funds headed to the district: “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.”
Santa Clarita Mayor Laurene Weste echoed the sentiment:
“The city of Santa Clarita has been privileged to be a member of the tremendous
community and regional partnership supporting this important grant application,” Weste said. “The entire City Council and I want to thank Congressman Steve Knight for his leadership and extraordinary efforts in successfully advocating for this outstanding project, which will significantly benefit the residents and businesses in our community.”