Emergency Funding For Santa Cruz County Roads Granted By Feds

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — Funding extensions for emergency road repair projects in Santa
Cruz County have been secured from the Federal Highway Administration,
Congresswoman Anna G. Eshoo (CA-18) and Congressman Jimmy Panetta announced.

The funding was originally approved for infrastructure repair from
storm damage in the county in 2016 and 2017, with a two-year spending window.

"Similar projects have often been granted multiple one-year
extensions due to the complex nature of reconstruction projects in
California," the congressional representatives said in a joint announcement,
noting that "Last year, the FHWA rejected multiple extension requests to
California projects."

Santa Cruz County sustained more than $140 million in damage at
over 200 locations from the storms, more than any other part of California,
officials said. Projects have been completed at about 40 of those locations, the county said.

Santa Cruz County said it requested funding extensions for 84 projects, eligible for $42 million from the feds.

Five of the projects now eligible for funding are under construction. Construction is expected to begin this spring for about a dozen projects and within six months for another 30 projects, the county said.

"I'm relieved and pleased that the Federal Highway Administration
recognized that funding extensions are essential to repairing roads damaged
by the storms. My thanks to Congressman Panetta for his partnership in
securing this critical funding," Eshoo said.