Support for SANBAG TIFIA Application 2.24.16

February 24, 2016

 

The Honorable Anthony Foxx, Secretary

United States Department of Transportation

1200 New Jersey Ave, SE

Washington, DC 20509

 

RE: Support for SANBAG TIFIA Application

 

Dear Secretary Foxx, ,

 

Inland Action is pleased to inform you that we support San Bernardino Associated Governments (SANBAG) Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loan request to the U.S. Department of Transportation for the Interstate-10 (I-10) Express Lane Project. TIFIA is a critical part of this project, representing 33% of the overall financing package. This project is an important first phase of the overall corridor improvements planned for I-10 and Interstate 15.

 

Local agencies like SANBAG are seeking innovative ways to deliver transportation improvements within limited budgets, particularly as the county is expected to grow from 2.1 million today to 3.4 million by 2060. Express Lanes are an important tool for managing congestion on heavily traveled roads.  I-10 is a critical route for commuter, recreational and goods movement traffic across the greater Los Angeles region, and is amongst the most congested corridors in the state.  In addition, as our area struggles to recover from the Great Recession, the corridor projects will amount to over 18,000 critically needed jobs for our region.

 

The I-10 project will provide enhanced trip reliability not only for those using the Express Lanes, but for all other users. General Purpose lane drivers are expected to see a 50% improvement in travel time in the corridor in 2030, as compared to a no build alternative. In addition, when the overall corridor improvements are completed for the I-10 and I-15, trucks traveling these heavy goods movement corridors will save approximately 2 million hours of delay.

 

We strongly support SANBAG’s efforts to secure a TIFIA loan for the I-10 Express Lanes Project. Thank you very much for your consideration.

 

Sincerely,

Carole Beswick, CEO