Silver Lake has seen its share of "improvements" in transportation. 

Assemblyman Gomez met with government, labor, business and community leaders re: the state of California's needs to get from point A to point B. Here are their priorities: -          Invest billions to fix and replace roads and highways damaged by time and a population much higher than initially envisioned.

-          Ensure all who benefit from our roads contribute to maintaining them.

-          Provide strong accountability so taxpayers know that all transportation revenue is spent responsibly.

Details: Legislators Host Roundtable Highlighting California’s Transportation Infrastructure Needs 

Walnut Creek, CA – Assemblymember Jimmy Gomez, Chair of the Assembly’s Extraordinary Session Transportation Finance Committee, along with other legislators and a diverse coalition of business, labor and community leaders, held a roundtable discussion in northern California today highlighting the need to improve California’s aging transportation infrastructure.

According to estimates, 58% of California’s roads need rehabilitation or pavement maintenance, while nearly 70% face congestion challenges. With more cars on the road than any other state in the nation, California is also ranked with the second highest share of roads in poor condition. 

“California must improve its roads, highways and infrastructure in every part of the state,” said Assemblymember Jimmy Gomez.  “Our roads, streets and freeways are either overwhelmed or crumbling apart. During this special session, the legislature will work to take much needed action to improve these vital arteries of commerce and everyday life.” 

Legislators are working with a coalition of local government and business leaders to develop a long-term, sustainable solution to fund road repairs, highway construction and create jobs—all without cuts to schools, public safety or healthcare.

Repairing California’s transportation infrastructure makes the movement of people and goods easier, serving as a healthy boost to the state and local economies. The time to take action and ensure that our roads and highways will receive transportation funding that is permanent and sustainable is now. The estimated cost of these repairs is more than $100 billion. However, if ignored for another decade, the cost skyrockets to more than $300 billion.

Coalition members and legislators in attendance at today’s roundtable discussion highlighted the following goals:

-          Invest billions to fix and replace roads and highways damaged by time and a population much higher than initially envisioned.

-          Ensure all who benefit from our roads contribute to maintaining them.

-          Provide strong accountability so taxpayers know that all transportation revenue is spent responsibly.

###

Assemblymember Jimmy Gomez represents the 51^st Assembly District, which includes unincorporated East Los Angeles and the Los Angeles neighborhoods of Glassell Park, Highland Park, Cypress Park, Lincoln Heights, El Sereno, Echo Park, Eagle Rock, Elysian Park, Mt. Washington, Atwater Village, Montecito Heights, Chinatown and Silver Lake.