Congressional delegation secures funding for 49 projects in FY2023 federal
funding bill and unlocks funding for Tijuana River Valley cleanup
SAN DIEGO – A bipartisan coalition of leaders from across San Diego County on Friday, December 23 expressed its sin[1]cere appreciation for the efforts of San Diego’s congressional delegation, who secured more than $221 million across 49 local community projects as part of the Fiscal Year 2023 federal appropriations bill.
“I want to thank the San Diego Congressional delegation for continuing to successfully advocate for our city and our region,” San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria said. “This year, our Congressional representatives delivered nine community projects for the city totaling $21.2 million dollars. From renovating libraries to re[1]pairing streetlights to childcare support for City workers, I know these investments will have a direct impact in the lives of San Diegans and continue to trans[1]form our community for decades to come.”
Senators Dianne Feinstein and Alex Padilla and Congressmembers Scott Peters, Juan Vargas, Mike Levin, Sara Jacobs, and Darrell Issa continue to deliver for the region, as they did in 2021 when they delivered over $107 million across 28 community projects.
“We are fortunate to have a congressional delegation that is effective and understands the priorities of our region,” said Nathan Fletcher, chair of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. “As the needs of our working families grow, we thank our San Diego delegation for securing critical funding that will help us meet the mental health and substance abuse needs in our communities, better care for vulnerable at-risk youth in our foster care system, clean up pollution and improve water quality throughout the border region, and bolster our capacity to protect our region from deadly wildfires. San Diego County is safer, cleaner, and more prosperous because of these investments.”
The delegation also delivered a key regional victory by securing language that will unlock the $300 million in previously appropriated USMCA funds to help clean up the Tijuana River Valley. These funds will help deliver the proposed slate of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency projects proposed late last year.
“Congressman Issa and our local congressional delegation rightfully prioritized regional safety needs in this year’s bud[1]get process, securing funds for critical road improvements in Escondido,” said Escondido Mayor Dane White. “We are very appreciative of their leadership and look forward to continuing to collaborate in the future to bring more federal dollars to our region.”
“The City of Coronado is very appreciative of Congressman Scott Peters and the San Diego Congressional Delegation in se[1]curing $3 million in funding for the Parker Pump Station,” said City of Coronado Mayor Richard Bailey. “The Parker Pump Station is a critical piece of infrastructure that is in urgent need of repair. Community Project matching funds will help ensure long term climate resilience of our storm[1]water and sanitary sewer flows within Coronado.”
“The City of Del Mar is grateful for Representative Mike Levin’s support for the Del Mar Climate Resiliency and Assess Improvement Project,” said Del Mar Mayor Tracy Martinez. “With California facing the ever-growing threats of climate change, the City of Del Mar is committed to providing local solutions to meet the immediate needs of our residents and visitors. This project would provide greater public access to natural open spaces and recreation opportunities and increase safety for our residents by making the city more resilient to the effects of climate change.”
“Congressman Mike Levin’s effort in obtaining the funding to make improvements to the legacy infrastructure of a 100-year-old highway is very important for Encinitas and the region,” said Encinitas Mayor Tony Kranz. “His leadership is greatly appreciated!”
“On behalf of the City of Oceanside, we are extremely excited and thankful for the excellent representation we have from our congressional delegation,” said Oceanside Mayor Esther Sanchez. “Congressman Mike Levin has especially been a wonderful champion for our city and region. Specifically, Mike is advocating for a crucial sewer relocation project at $3.5m. Indirectly, we stand to benefit from several other projects including up-skilling workforce at our local community college, strengthening our mobile crisis response at the county level, a county fire fighting helicopter, and rail transit corridor ser[1]vice improvements, all totaling $14.03m. Thank you, congressional delegation.”
“The City of Solana Beach is so grateful to Representative Levin for his request for $7 million of funding for our Lomas Santa Fe Corridor Project and thank him and Senator Padilla for their support,” said Solana Beach Mayor Lesa Heebner. “This vital funding will help construct much-needed roadway improvements to the City’s primary east-west corridor, enhancing safety for pedestrians and bicyclists. A key feature is a multi-purpose path along the entire Lomas Santa Fe Corridor from the city’s eastern boundary to Highway 101 at the Coast. For residents and visitors utilizing all modes of transportation, it will safely connect a County Region[1]al Park to the San Elijo Lagoon Trail system, shopping centers, schools, recreation facilities and of course, to our coast and beaches.”
“Thanks to the leadership of Congressman Vargas and our congressional delegation, SAN[1]DAG is receiving $3.5 million to complete construction of the Bayshore Bikeway,” said SANDAG CEO Hasan Ikhrata. “This shared-use path will provide walkers and bikers direct access to waterfront employment centers, businesses, and Naval Base San Diego, and brings us one step closer to meeting our mobility and climate goals outlined in the Regional Plan.”
“We greatly appreciate the $3.3 million in federal funding for installation of charging stations for all-electric Airfield Ground Support Equipment,” said Kimberly Becker, President/ CEO of the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority. “These stations will help the Airport Authority, City of San Diego and the entire region meet clean-air goals while ensuring the New T1 is one of the most sustainable commercial airport terminals in the world.”
“Retrofitting our existing facilities to support electric buses and building the region’s first all-electric bus facility are two critical steps to becoming a zero-emissions fleet by 2040,” said Sharon Cooney, CEO of the Metropolitan Transit System. “This funding will go a long way toward advancing those projects as quickly as possible.”
“NCTD appreciates the continued support of Congressman Mike Levin and the entire San Diego Congressional Delegation,” said North County Transit District Executive Director Matthew O. Tucker. “The Community Project Funding secured for the SPRINTER Corridor Service Improvement Project represents a major step forward towards increasing the speed and frequency of SPRINTER trains operating between Oceanside and Escondido.”
“San Diego’s elected representatives continue to improve our region’s quality of life. This funding will allow the Port of San Diego to enhance public access to beautiful San Diego Bay, not only with park space adjacent to the famed USS Midway Museum, but an enlarged and improved beach in the South Bay that will allow visitors from surrounding communities to enjoy new amenities along the Chula Vista Bayfront,” said Port of San Diego Board Chair Dan Malcolm. “Projects like these provide environmental and recreational opportunities for future generations to enjoy.
The one-time community project funds will help fund various government, transit, planning and nonprofit entities finance infrastructure, library, park, health and human services, childcare, and research projects throughout San Diego County.
The region has received over $328 million in community project funding over the course of the past two fiscal years. (City of San Diego Release)
