March 30, 2023
The Honorable Kay Granger , Chairwoman
The Honorable Rosa L. DeLauro, Ranking
Member
Committee on Appropriations
U.S. House of Representatives
The Honorable Tom Cole, Chairman
The Honorable Mike Quigley, Ranking Member
Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and
Urban Development, and Related Agencies
Committee on Appropriation s
RE: San Pablo Avenue Bridge Replacement /Complete Streets Project
Dear Chairs Granger and Cole and Ranking Member s DeLauro and Quigley:
I respectfully request $3 million in Community Project Funding for the San Pablo Avenue Bridge Replacement/Complete Streets Project in fiscal year 2024. The entity to receive funding for this project is the City of San Pablo located at 1000 Gateway Avenue , San Pablo, California 94806 .
This Community Project Funding would be used to realign the skewed, five -legged intersection on top of the San Pablo Avenue Bridge built in 1926, which is classified as "Structurally Deficient ” and “Functionally Obsolete ” by safety inspectors and must be replaced . The current roadway cannot accommodate the existing average daily traffic and does not meet the minimum lane widths recommended by the American As sociation of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO ).
The project is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds because the Community Project Funding would allow the City of San Pablo to complete the non-bridge aspects needed for this bridge replacement project, for which the City has already been awarded $8.4 million . However , those in federal bridge replacement funds cannot be used to repair the creek below the San Pablo Avenue Bridge or to provide the necessary upgrades for saf er bicycle, pedestrian, and vehicular travel over the antiquated bridge.
Furthermore, this project is within a historically disadvantaged, federally designated Opportunity Zone.
The project has a Federal nexus because the funding provided is for purposes authorized by section 133 of title 23, United States Code .
Pursuant to Clause, 17 of Rule XXIII of the U.S. House of Representatives, I certify that I have no financial interest in this project and neither does my immediate family . Thank you for your leadership and consideration.
Sincerely,
JOHN GARAMENDI
Member of Congress