Congressman Buck McKeon is going to bat for transportation in Santa Clarita and Southern California by testifying for federal funding to support infrastructure improvements to Interstate 5.

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Before the U.S House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure’s Subcommittee on Highway and Transit, McKeon advocated to try and get the five year surface transportation bill reauthorized.

The bill aims to add regional priorities to the Highway Trust Fund which generally distributes funds based on a formula.

“Regionally, the I-5 is one of the most significant transportation corridors and goods movement arteries in California and the country,” stated McKeon.

Santa Clarita Mayor Frank Ferry also expressed his support for the bill and Congressman McKeon.

“Over the next 20 years, traffic is expected to double on Interstate 5 and expansion of this critical arterial is vital to our commerce here in California and in the United States.  Interstate 5 is the heartbeat and lifeblood to commerce in the U.S. and without expansion of this vital interstate, we will greatly

The Golden State Coalition is a non-profit organization that aims to improve roadway mobility, safety and goods movement into and through northern Los Angeles County. They have been a strong proponent of the bill and additional funding for what is known as the I-5 Santa Clarita-Los Angeles Gateway improvement Project.

“The I-5 Santa Clarita-Los Angeles Gateway Improvement project is a project of national significance because it directly benefits the state of California and the nation by contributing to economic recovery, cleaner air and public safety while relieving traffic congestion,” said Executive Director of the Golden State Coalition Victor Lindenheim. “It is a key link to efficient goods movement on the west coast and a model for future public/private partnerships.”

According to McKeon the Gateway Improvement project will help to relieve congestion on portions of the I-5 which experience 48,000 hours of delay annually, and cost motorists $204 million annually.

The project will:

• Extend existing high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes for several miles along Interstate 5. The HOV lanes would extend from the State Route 14 (SR-14) Interchange to Parker Road.

• Incorporate dedicated truck climbing lanes along steeper portions of the freeway from the SR-14 Interchange to Pico Canyon Road/Lyons.

For more information on the Golden State Coalition click here .