SACRAMENTO – Senator Ted Gaines (R-El Dorado) today submitted the following letter along with Assemblyman Brian Dahle (R-Bieber) to the Lassen County Transportation Commission in support of the US 395 Coalition and Implementation Plan.
Dear Mr. Boyer:
We write to express our strong support for the US 395 Coalition and Implementation Plan, and proposed application for discretionary regional planning funds from the Rural Planning Assistance program administered by Caltrans.
US 395 is an important corridor for our constituents. It serves as the main north-south highway connecting the cities of Reno, Susanville, Alturas, and numerous small rural communities to employment, commerce, and services. US 395 is also vital for the day-to-day operations of the Sierra Army Depot, State and Federal Correctional Facilities, Amazon fulfillment centers, and many more. The highway provides an essential alternative to US 101 and I-5, by linking Oregon and Nevada with California.
Regional agencies and Caltrans have a desire to improve US 395 through Sierra, Lassen, and Modoc counties, because the vast majority of the corridor is a two-lane highway with increasing truck traffic, which creates mobility challenges. There are limited opportunities to safely pass vehicles and limited pedestrian crossing locations. Caltrans is currently finalizing the ultimate concept plan for the corridor that will address safety and mobility needs.
This proposed grant project will pave the way for the future improvements to US 395. The project will establish a broad group of stakeholders from local, regional, and state agencies, state and federal legislators, tribal communities, Department of Defense, as well as from the private sector. The coalition, with the support of the Lassen County Transportation Commission, will develop a plan to implement the corridor improvements. This will build upon work completed by the State and position the project for future financial investment and project development.
We are excited by the prospect of providing our constituents with much needed infrastructure upgrades.
Sincerely,
TED GAINES
State Senator, First District
BRIAN DAHLE
Assembly Republican Leader
Assemblyman, First District
Senator Ted Gaines represents the 1st Senate District, which includes all or parts of Alpine, El Dorado, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, Shasta, Sierra and Siskiyou counties.
