Bill Includes $19 Million for Projects in Valley Area

More than $19 million in funds for street and road improvements in the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys were approved Wednesday by the House of Representatives as part of a six-year, nationwide transportation spending plan.

The $217-billion bill, which includes 152 projects throughout California, now goes to the U.S. Senate.

“Then I get worried,” said Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks).

California’s two senators--who are not necessarily committed to all the projects--must battle to keep the state’s requests in the Senate version of the bill.

Local projects include:

* Construction of bicycle paths in Agoura Hills as part of a regional system.

* Construction of the Chatsworth Depot bicycle/pedestrian access project.

* General street improvements in Canoga Park and Reseda.

* Construction of a bicycle path in Westlake Village.

* Construction of a bicycle path from White Oak Avenue to Vanowen Street.

* General improvements to the Ventura Freeway at the Lost Hills Road interchange.

* Construction of a bicycle path between the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area and Warner Center.

* Construction of the San Fernando Valley Regional Transportation Hub.

* Construction of a bicycle path in Calabasas.

* General improvements to Sepulveda Boulevard and the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area.

* Widening and improving the Golden State Freeway at the California 126 interchange in Valencia.

Sherman has also requested funds for the purchase and maintenance of three natural gas buses to be used as part of the Smart Shuttle program in the West Valley.