SANDAG requests $5 million from Congress for SR 76

The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) has approved a list of projects to be submitted to the region’s Congressional delegation for federal funding considerations, and the SANDAG board requested $5 million for State Route 76.

The January 27 vote, which was supported by all 18 voting board members present at the time of the roll call, requests the funds for the fiscal year 2007 federal transportation appropriations cycle.

“It’s a very important project to Congressman [Darrell] Issa, so I think we can get his support,” said Ellen Roundtree, SANDAG’s Director of Government Relations.

The SANDAG board approval will be followed by the initiation of meetings between SANDAG staff and Congressional staff along with submittal of appropriation request forms and the development of the joint transportation legislative agenda in preparation for the American Public Transportation Association conference scheduled in Washington, DC, in March.

SANDAG also requested $3.8 million for the San Luis Rey Transit Center, which would be constructed in eastern Oceanside and would improve transit service for buses connecting with the transit center.