Christmas came early to Rexland Acres.

 

After months of hard work and dedication, advocates with Building Healthy Communities South Kern (BHC-SK) worked with the Kern County Roads Department to bring $5.6 million dollars in state funding to Rexland Acres to build sidewalks, improve streets and add more lights.

 

"These dollars will help improve health outcomes for families living in and near Rexland Acres, a historically disinvested community," Veronica Garibay, the co-director for the Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability, said.

 

These are necessary projects because they will help keep students safe and healthier as they will promote healthier lifestyles for families wanting to be active.

 

The money, approved by the California Transportation Commission yesterday, is part of the Statewide and Small Urban & Rural Components of the 2017 Active Transportation Program.

 

The project list includes, storm drain lines to fix Rexland Acres flooding problems, curbs and gutters, sidewalks, there all-way stops to reduce traffic speeds to 25 mph, new speed limit signs, street lights, and a solar-powered flashing stop sign in front of Fairview School. The application ranked #13 out of 456 applications received.

 

The project is scheduled to begin in 2019 and should be finished by end of 2020. The Rexland Acres Community Sidewalk Project will cost $6.3 million total, the County will access other sources to fill the gap.

 

More than $9 million was recommended for the Kern region. Other projects recommended for state funding include Delano and Boron. 

 

"This wouldn't have happened without the very special collaboration that took place between residents, youth, community organizations and local government," says Yolanda Alcantar with the Kern County Public Works Department.