Title
Department of Transportation recommending the Board authorize the Chair to sign a letter of support for Assembly Bill 2120 to direct federal bridge formula funding to local projects.
FUNDING: N/A
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
On March 18, 2022, the Director of El Dorado County's Department of Transportation sent a letter supporting of Assembly Bill (AB) 2120, which would ensure a fair and needs-based allocation of bridge formula funding from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).
Consistent with the Housing, Land Use, and Transportation Committee’s priorities for 2022, AB 2120 would allocate a significant portion (55%) of new one-time federal funding (spread over five years) from the IIJA to local government bridge repair and replacement projects. The bill would also require the state to continue its current commitment of ongoing flexible highway funding from the federal highway trust fund to local bridge projects. AB 2120 ensures continued investment in local bridges and flexible highway funds.
Transportation recommends that the El Dorado County Board show its support of AB 2120 with an additional letter of support.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could elect not to send the letter.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact resulting from the letter of support. However, should the AB 2120 pass, significant funding would be made available for the County's fifteen pending bridge projects.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) The Clerk will obtain the Chair's signature on the letter of support.
2) The Clerk will forward the signed letter to Transportation, Building C, Attention Kelly Carnahan.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Infrastructure
CONTACT
Rafael Martinez, Director
Department of Transportation