Press Release
Posted:
Lakeport, CA – Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) presented an $850,000 check to the County of Lake, Department of Public Works for road widening and resurfacing projects on South Main Street.
“Proud to have secured $850,000 for the County of Lake, Department of Public Works to improve safety on South Main Street,” said Thompson. “This funding will allow more people to access local businesses and it will also ensure that this highly traveled section of road in Lake County is safe for motorists and bicyclists alike.”
“The South Main Street/Soda Bay Road Widening and Resurfacing Project will make a section of road that is quickly becoming one of the most traveled in Lake County safer," said Lars Ewing, Director of Public Works for the County of Lake. "On project completion, it will provide for construction of a continuous center left-turn lane and bicycle lanes on both sides of the roadway. This $850,000 Congressional allocation, and the broader project it supports, will improve safety, and ease of access to businesses, for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicular traffic, alike.”
“The South Lakeport area serves as an important regional center for jobs, services, and commercial activity, and represents a significant opportunity for continued economic growth,” said Kevin Ingram, City Manager for the City of Lakeport. “The City of Lakeport and the County of Lake are committed to improving infrastructure along this critical corridor, and Congressman Thompson’s support has been instrumental in helping move this project forward. We appreciate his leadership and are excited to take this important step toward advancing the South Main Street/Soda Bay Road Widening and Resurfacing Project.”
“Lake County is very fortunate that Congressman Thompson continuously seeks to understand and fight for our priorities and most urgent federal funding needs,” said Brad Rasmussen, Chair of the Lake County Board of Supervisors. “The South Main Street/Soda Bay Road Widening and Resurfacing Project will help Lake County’s economy, while providing critical public safety benefits. We truly appreciate the United States Congress, with Congressman Thompson’s capable leadership, recognizing these crucial Lake County projects as a matter of Federal priority.”
The funding will go to the County of Lake, Department of Public Works to complete road widening and resurfacing work on South Main Street. The project will widen the roadway, add a center left-turn lane, and add bike lanes on both sides of the road. In addition to this work, the project will also rehabilitate aging pavement by fixing cracks and potholes on the roadway, improve roadway surface drainage, and move overhead utility poles underground. These improvements will increase safety for both motorists and bicyclists.
The funding for this project is part of the $14,351,487 secured this year by Thompson for community projects in our district.
Each year, Members of Congress may direct federal funding to a limited number of community projects through the appropriations process. Under this program, each House member may submit a limited number of requests on behalf of their district for competitive review by the House Appropriations Committee. Projects selected for funding must meet strict transparency and accountability requirements before being included in federal appropriations legislation.