Rep. Mike Thompson Secures $2.5 Million For Smith River Rancheria Roadway Safety Improvements
December 12, 2011
Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-1) today announced a $2.5 million grant provided through the Department of Transportation's TIGER III grant program to the Smith River Rancheria to make roadway safety improvements along the heavily traveled U.S. Highway 101. Thompson worked with U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood to secure these funds.
“This grant will improve our road safety and strengthen our economy by putting people back to work renovating out-of-date infrastructure,” said Thompson. “Anyone who has driven along Highway 101 through the Rancheria knows these improvements are long overdue, and I will keep fighting for these smart investments that rebuild our crumbling infrastructure, create jobs, and most important, keeps people safe.”
U.S. Highway 101 runs through the heart of the Rancheria. It is heavily traveled by thousands of California residents because of its proximity to the Tribe's medical clinic, Head Start building, cultural center, and various other heavily visited areas.
This grant for the Smith River Rancheria will reduce traffic fatalities and injuries by improving walking and bicycling safety facilities along 1.3 miles of U.S. Highway 101 within Smith River Rancheria's ancestral lands. The facility features will include unique stamped shoulder treatments, new signage, and lighting to help calm traffic and enhance the community's identity. It will also make multi-state improvements to a nationally-significant highway, and increase economic opportunity in the region through “destination place-making” and expanded travel choice mobility.
“We are so happy and excited about this announcement,” said Smith River Tribal Chairwoman Kara Brundin-Miller. “We view the tribe as a key part of this community and we believe this grant will help make this highway safer for everyone. We express our thanks to Congressman Thompson for his tireless efforts on behalf of this project.”
This project was developed through a year-long regional planning process lead by the Smith River Rancheria. The Tribe worked with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), and the Del Norte Local Transportation Commission to develop and plan this needed improvement. This collaboration was the first of its kind by a Native American tribe with a Regional Transportation Planning Agency, FHWA, and state DOT. The Rancheria has already received funding assistance from Caltrans' and with this TIGER III grant will be ready to start construction on this project in the coming months.
The Smith River Rancheria was originally established in 1908 in northwestern California. After losing much of its land during termination, the Rancheria has grown to over 500 acres today. Today, many of its 1200 members live in southern Oregon and northern California.
Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California's 1st Congressional District, which includes the Counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Sonoma, Napa, and Yolo. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and sits on the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.
“This grant will improve our road safety and strengthen our economy by putting people back to work renovating out-of-date infrastructure,” said Thompson. “Anyone who has driven along Highway 101 through the Rancheria knows these improvements are long overdue, and I will keep fighting for these smart investments that rebuild our crumbling infrastructure, create jobs, and most important, keeps people safe.”
U.S. Highway 101 runs through the heart of the Rancheria. It is heavily traveled by thousands of California residents because of its proximity to the Tribe's medical clinic, Head Start building, cultural center, and various other heavily visited areas.
This grant for the Smith River Rancheria will reduce traffic fatalities and injuries by improving walking and bicycling safety facilities along 1.3 miles of U.S. Highway 101 within Smith River Rancheria's ancestral lands. The facility features will include unique stamped shoulder treatments, new signage, and lighting to help calm traffic and enhance the community's identity. It will also make multi-state improvements to a nationally-significant highway, and increase economic opportunity in the region through “destination place-making” and expanded travel choice mobility.
“We are so happy and excited about this announcement,” said Smith River Tribal Chairwoman Kara Brundin-Miller. “We view the tribe as a key part of this community and we believe this grant will help make this highway safer for everyone. We express our thanks to Congressman Thompson for his tireless efforts on behalf of this project.”
This project was developed through a year-long regional planning process lead by the Smith River Rancheria. The Tribe worked with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), and the Del Norte Local Transportation Commission to develop and plan this needed improvement. This collaboration was the first of its kind by a Native American tribe with a Regional Transportation Planning Agency, FHWA, and state DOT. The Rancheria has already received funding assistance from Caltrans' and with this TIGER III grant will be ready to start construction on this project in the coming months.
The Smith River Rancheria was originally established in 1908 in northwestern California. After losing much of its land during termination, the Rancheria has grown to over 500 acres today. Today, many of its 1200 members live in southern Oregon and northern California.
Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California's 1st Congressional District, which includes the Counties of Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Sonoma, Napa, and Yolo. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and sits on the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.
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