Imperial Valley to improve roads and pavements with funds from senate bill

Funding from a senate bill will bring over 40 million dollars to the Imperial Valley to repair roads and pavement on state routes. Caltrans along with transportation agencies in the Imperial County laid the groundwork to improve the valley’s infrastructure.

One official from Caltrans said the funding is vital to maintaining the transportation network in the region. “Our road way surfaces are in need of rehabilitation. Our bridges are in need of work. So all of that collectively goes to the improved transportation and maintenance effort and safety projects we have going on here in the valley,” said Ann Fox, Deputy District Director of Caltrans District 11

Reducing the wear and tear on vehicles will help keep drivers safe. Lt. Daniel Hesser of California Highway Patrol said, “having those roads safe and accessible is important for pubic safety. And for people driving just getting to work, getting to school, their normal everyday lives.”

The local economy will also benefit from the road repairs. Ben Horton, a member of the Calexico Chamber of Commerce, said “this is so important to the region. To move our products, to move everything. Our ideas, especially our products through the valley, out of the valley, into the valley.”

Not only will infrastructure improvements bring new business into the county but new residents as well.
Maritza Hurtado, Mayor of Calexico believes, “everyone else will realize, okay there’s a lot of work being placed into that city. We want to move there, we want to be there. We want to work there, we want to open businesses there. So the attraction is to make sure that the quality services are there. And we’re doing that.”

Caltrans plans to begin construction in just a few weeks.