Rep. Chu Statement on the INVEST in America Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today the House passed the INVEST in America Act, a bipartisan bill to pave the way for $715 billion in investments in surface transportation and water infrastructure that will create millions of good-paying jobs while preparing our country for the next century. This bill will provide funding to rebuild and redesign America's surface transportation infrastructure, with historic investments in roads, bridges, transit, and rail, and funding for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, with a goal to completely replace all lead water pipes in America. The INVEST in America Act also includes funding for projects in the San Gabriel Valley that Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27) fought for. These include funding for new bicycle and pedestrian lanes, zero emissions buses, and traffic lights. The INVEST Act passed with a bipartisan vote of 221-201. Rep. Chu issued the following statement:

"We have fallen far behind our global peers in infrastructure resiliency and investment, and it's not only putting lives at risk, it's holding back our economy. The United States ranks 13th in infrastructure quality, which is unacceptable if we want to have a competitive 21st-century economy. Furthermore, the pandemic, cyberattacks, and climate change-related natural disasters we have experienced in the past year have proven that we cannot depend on decades-old infrastructure anymore. That is why I voted to pass the INVEST in America Act. This critical and necessary bill will invest $715 billion into rebuilding and revitalizing our country's roads, bridges, transit, and railroads. It will also make historic investments in our water and wastewater infrastructure, which California critically needs as we face yet another historic drought.

"These investments will benefit every community, including the cities of the San Gabriel Valley. I fought to secure $17 million for six long-overdue infrastructure projects in the San Gabriel Valley and surrounding cities. These projects include the purchase of zero-emissions buses, protected bike lanes, traffic and pavement improvements, and constructing a brand new trail in Peck Park. This once-in-a-generation bill will finally fund urgently-needed infrastructure and set up our country and communities for success in the 21st century."

The INVEST in America Act includes funding for six of Rep. Chu's Member Directed Projects requested from the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, totaling nearly $17 million in funding. Summaries of those six project requests are included below:

• $5 million for construction of 4.5 miles of bicycle and pedestrian facilities along the Big Dalton and Little Dalton Washes in Glendora. It will also construct two miles of first/last mile improvements along Glendora Ave from Route 66 to Foothill Blvd and Foothill Blvd from Citrus Ave to Vista Bonita Ave. The first/last mile projects elements feature the highest safety improvements with separated bicycle lanes, curb extensions, enhanced crosswalks, and a Dutch intersection.
• $1.6 million for a for a protected bicycle lane in Pasadena on Union Street from Arroyo Parkway to Hill Avenue which will provide an alternative mode of travel connecting Metro L Line (Gold Line) light rail transit stations to major institutions and employment centers. The project includes the modification of 14 traffic signals and the installation of 6 new traffic signals to provide a protected two-way bike lane that will encourage the use of non-auto travel on this diverse section of the City and is consistent with the Pasadena's climate action goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by providing true alternatives to automobile travel.
• $2.1 million for the purchase of two zero emission buses and associated refueling/charging stations to begin the transition of the Pasadena Transit fleet to zero emission transit vehicles and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Although the Pasadena Transit system operates primarily within the City of Pasadena, it is the City's primary first and last mile connector to the regional bus and rail network, with over 25% of passengers connecting from throughout Los Angeles County and Orange County.
• $6.2 million for the improvement of old traffic signal infrastructure, and pedestrian improvements (ADA compliant sidewalks and paths with current standards) in Temple City. Baldwin Ave and Santa Anita Ave are major regional corridor and provide connectivity between 10 and 210 Freeways. Lower Azusa Rd is an east-west collector, and provides connectivity between Rosemead Bl and Santa Anita Ave.
• $1,548,800 for the construction of approximately 0.5 miles of Class I bike path and adjacent multi-use trail extending the existing Rio Hondo Class I bike path from its northerly terminus through Peck Road Water Conservation Park (Peck Park) to Peck Road and install 0.1 miles of missing sidewalk along Peck Road in Arcadia. The project also includes construction of a bio-swale, ADA curb ramp, fencing, gates and landscaping including 60+ shade trees.
• $480,000 for the development of a Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Plan Altadena. The SRTS Plan will provide education, encouragement, and infrastructure improvement recommendations for improving walking and bicycling conditions around eight public schools in Altadena.