BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Assemblyman Vince Fong announced Tuesday night that funding has been restored for widening projects for Highway 99 and Highway 46.
In a release from Fong's office, it said Fong, in collaboration with lcoal stakeholders including the Kern County Council of Governments and San Luis Obispo Council of Governments, had restored needed funding for the widening project on Highway 99.
It went on to say $10.3 million was secured for the Highway 46 in the Interregional Transportation Improvement Program (ITIP).
In November, Fong addressed the proposal to de-fund the projects in a statement saying, "CalTrans' proposal to de-fund the Highway 46 and 99 projects is unacceptable. Drivers' lives are at risk and we cannot afford to delay these safety projects any longer. I continue to strongly urge CalTrans to submit a proposal to the California Transportation Commission that includes the immediate re-installment of these projects by the December 15 deadline."
Tuesday night his office released a follow up statement promising he will continue to work to make sure the projects are completed.
“Working with local transportation partners, the California Transportation Commission (CTC) could not ignore the concerns of our community. Pulling critical funding from needed widening projects for Highway 99 and Highway 46 would have caused serious issues for our community and resulted in more lives lost,” said Fong. This funding is critical for our region, and we will continue to work with Caltrans and the California Transportation Commission to ensure that these projects continue to move forward and are completed.”
The CTC will consider the final 2020 ITIP plan in the first quarter of next year.
In the statement, it said the public is encouraged to comment on the 2020 ITIP plan by emailing the CTC.
