New funding for Concord Smart Signals, Iron Horse Trail, other county projects
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Mar. 24, 2022) — The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022 will fund $1.2 million for the Concord Smart Signals Project as well as $350,000 for Iron Horse Trail enhancements.
Contra Costa County community projects will receive $8,061,000 from the act, which President Joe Biden signed into law March 15.
“This funding will go to 10 different projects in our community that would address behavioral and mental health, support veterans, improve transportation accessibility, increase internet access for students and help the county transition away from fossil fuels,” said Congressman Mark DeSaulnier of Concord.
“For the first time in a decade, we finally have the opportunity to bring home funding to Contra Costa for specific projects that will have a meaningful impact on people’s daily lives,” the Democrat added. “From supporting mental health resources to improving commutes, the quality of life of residents across the county will be much improved thanks to this critical funding.”
Better transit and trails
The Concord Smart Signals Project will help reduce congestion and emissions, prioritize transit and emergency vehicles and protect vulnerable road users.
“We are thrilled that this funding will help the Contra Costa Transportation Authority (CCTA) advance our Vision Zero goals to improve safety for all road users in the county, especially bicyclists and pedestrians,” CCTA executive director Timothy Haile said, adding that the project will “support future emerging technologies like the connected and automated vehicles being tested at GoMentum Station.”
The Iron Horse Trail Bridge, Nature Park and Pedestrian Safety Project will bring safety improvements and enhancements across multiple jurisdictions, from Concord to Pleasanton.
Other countywide benefits
Funding for countywide projects includes:
$1.061 million for the Mobile Crisis Response Team Expansion Project, adding two more teams that respond to urgent behavioral health crises as well as alcohol and other drugs counselors.
$1 million for the Contra Costa Crisis Services Hub Project to renovate a county-owned facility to consolidate and expand access to integrated mental health and substance use treatment services.
$900,000 for the Collaborative Care Implementation Project for the Contra Costa Regional Medical Center and Health Clinics to implement a standardized treatment model.
$900,000 for an Educational Internet Access Project to rebuild and enhance internet and firewall services required to provide internet connectivity to the county’s 18 school districts.
$750,000 for a Just Transition Economic Revitalization Plan Project to help create a communitywide framework for green economic development as the county transitions away from a petroleum-based economic sector.
$700,000 for the Veterans Memorial Buildings Improvements Project to make energy efficiency, environmental and safety upgrades at Veterans Memorial Buildings across California’s 11th Congressional District.
Contra Costa Supervisor Karen Mitchoff praised DeSaulnier for his efforts on behalf of the county. “These projects will help provide excellent health, including mental health services here in the county, and ensure that as our economy evolves, we continue to be the home of good jobs for all who live here,” Mitchoff said.