On Jan. 17, members of the City Council were presented with a $2 million check by Congressional Representatives John Garamendi and Mike Thompson that will go towards constructing pedestrian and bicycle crossings over the roadway, as well as improving accessibility for all communities to the I-505 interchange. Garamendi was able to secure this funding at the federal level by having it included in a funding package for Fiscal Year 2023.
Winters City Manager Kathleen Salguero Trepa called this addition, “a major funding milestone for this $14 million project,” crediting “the hard work, dedication and support of” our elected representatives at the Federal to Local levels.” Trepa gave credit to former Supervisor Don Saylor — “whom she said who was a tireless advocate” — and to County and City staff
and consultants.
In a press release, Garamendi said he was “pleased to work with Congressman Thompson to secure this critically important funding for the City of Winters. These funds will ensure the State Route 128/I-505 interchange in Winters is safe and accessible for all travelers and communities. It will also cut down on pollution and make the air we breathe safer and cleaner for all. Congressman Thompson and I are looking forward to seeing all the good that will come from this new federal support.”
According to the funding request made by Garamendi in April of last year, the specific changes of the project include, “modify(ing) the SR 128/I-505 interchange ramps to provide safer crossings to pedestrians and bicyclists,” as well as working to “widen the overcrossing to construct 10-feet standard outside shoulders on both sides of the structure and an 8-feet-wide Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant sidewalk on the south side,” and to “replace the existing bridge barrier rail to meet current standards…and construct a bike/pedestrian connection from the overcrossing to the El Rio Villa community.”
Garamendi stated this funding will “provide safer crossings to pedestrians and bicyclists, address social inequities and accessibility for disadvantaged communities, create a safer roadway for all modes of transportation and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
