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Feds release emergency road repair funding for Santa Cruz County

January 13, 2020

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. —

Congress is giving Santa Cruz County a financial shot in the arm.

The Federal Highway Administration is granting an extension for funding to repair millions of dollars in damage caused to county roads three years ago.

he lack of federal funding caused emergency road work to stop and local residents were frustrated over what they believed was a lack of action from the county in repairing dangerous roads.

Now, with the green light from the FHA, the work can begin again.

"Yeah, we kind of felt it was kind of a low priority with the county," said William Fine of Aptos

Fine is referring to Valencia Rd in Aptos, where he's lived for the past 17 years. It is one of 84 projects stalled due to the extension being denied.

"I was concerned about the traffic. It would build all the way up past our house in the morning; hard to get out," said Larraine Fine.

The Board of Supervisor heard from many of their constituents about the lack of progress being made to fix the roads.

Supervisor Zach Friend and the public works director met with the Federal Highway Administration in Washington D.C. to secure the money.

"The only delay has been whether we could get this federal extension that was really held up for no reason, but great news it got approved Friday and now it's time to get to work," said Second District Supervisor, Zach Friend

Winter storms in 2017, caused more than $140 Million in damage to 200 sites throughout Santa Cruz County. Repairs to 40 of those roads, were completed before the stall-but now, the work can continue.

"We got about 50 of those projects ready to go to construction in the near term. About a dozen are bid ready going to the board of supervisors in the next month or so and about another 30 are coming out in different groupings over the next 5-to-12 months so were really in a good spot to deliver all those projects in the next 12-18 months because construction will take some time too," said Santa Cruz County Public Works Director Matt Machado.

Which comes as relief to some Aptos residents.

"It's been that way for quite a few years and we were hoping something would be done and finally it will. It will be something" said, William Fine.

Work is expected to begin this Spring.

Originally it was estimated it would take about four or five years to complete all storm damage repairs--and it may take a little longer but the county is on track to complete those projects.

Congresswoman, Anna Eshoo and Congressman, Jimmy Panetta were also responsible for securing funding from the federal government.