LOS ANGELES COUNTY – The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a joint motion by Supervisors Kathryn Barger and Janice Hahn authorizing a five-signature letter in support of three local transportation projects being submitted for consideration of federal grant funding.

Included in the submissions for the federal Infrastructure to Rebuild America (INFRA) grant program will be the I-5 Golden State Chokepoint Relief Program which will construct dedicated truck lanes and High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes along Interstate-5, through the Santa Clarita Valley, and will increase capacity and replace critical bridges on The Old Road – the key arterial highway paralleling I-5 that serves as the main bypass during freeway shutdowns.

The other two projects included in the grant submission package include interchange improvements to the SR-57/60 confluence in the San Gabriel Valley and acceleration of ExpressLanes on the I-105 in the South Bay and Gateway Cities region.

The I-5 freeway is the backbone of trade for the western United States, stretching from Canada to Mexico and serving America’s largest port complex – the Ports of Los Angeles & Long Beach – which handle 40% of the nation’s containerized freight volume. As Santa Clarita Valley residents know, this corridor is constrained and accidents, inclement weather and natural disasters can bring things to a grinding halt on the I-5 and the Old Road. “These projects are critical for both freight movement and motorists,” said Supervisor Barger.

The five-signature letter will be sent to United States Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, with copies to members of the L.A. County congressional delegation.