Lawmakers Approve Transportation Project Savings Bill

Friday, May 24, 2019

SACRAMENTO – Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, announced today that his legislation to reduce the cost of road projects that use federal transportation funds, allowing more improvements with the same amount of money, cleared Senate with unanimous support.

“My bill would streamline an often duplicative and bureaucratic process, making every transportation dollar count,” Sen. Dodd said. “We can use that savings to expand both the number and quality of projects, providing Californians with the good roads they deserve.”

Senate Bill 137eliminates redundant and less robust federal reviews associated with federal highway funding, saving time and money. Previously, only agencies serving populations under 200,000 were afforded the abbreviated process. SB 137 would waive the review for agencies of all sizes.

The proposal, which passed the Senate yesterday, is supported by the California State Association of Counties as well as individual local government agencies. It heads next to the Assembly.

“Reducing costs and increasing flexibility is essential to streamlining transportation improvement projects,” said David Rabbitt, Chairman of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors and Metropolitan Transportation Commissioner. “I applaud the Senate for moving this bill forward which will eliminate formalities and accelerate timely transportation projects.”

###

 Senator Bill Dodd represents California’s 3rd Senate District, which includes all or portions of Napa, Solano, Sonoma, Yolo, Sacramento, and Contra Costa counties. You can learn more about Senator Dodd at www.sen.ca.gov/dodd.