December 11, 2023

REP. CORREA, MAYORS HAIL NEARLY $2 MILLION FOR CHILDREN TRANSPORTATION SAFETY, ACCESSIBILITY

Funding Comes From Bipartisan Infrastructure Law That Correa Voted to Pass, Was Signed Into Law Over Two Years Ago

WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Representative Lou Correa (CA-46), alongside Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken, Santa Ana Mayor Valerie Amezcua, and Stanton Mayor David Shawver, announced nearly $2 million in federal tax dollars to ensure children and their families have access to safe, walkable routes to and from school—in the Cities of Anaheim, Santa Ana, and Stanton. This funding comes from the Department of Transportation, and is a direct result of Democrats’ passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) two years ago, which Rep. Correa helped get signed into law. 

“Those who call Orange County home know that our community chronically lacks access to green space, which has meant our children spend less time outside,” Correa said. “Our kids, and all Orange County families, deserve better. This nearly $2 million in federal dollars coming to the Cities of Anaheim, Santa Ana, and Stanton will mean transformative investments in our children’s safety and their access to play and learn together without fear—and, together, will help keep all who call our County home safer on their streets.”

The City of Anaheim was awarded $980,000 to develop a city-wide Safe Routes to School Plan to make it safer and easier for students to walk and bike to school. “As important as learning is, school is so much more in the lives of our kids,” Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken said. “Part of it is about being out in the community and building confidence. For that to happen, families need the peace of mind of knowing that kids can safely walk or bike to school. This helps kids foster a sense of independence, eases parent stress and is good for our environment. On behalf of Anaheim, I thank Rep. Correa for this investment in our kids and community.”

The City of Santa Ana was awarded $651,200 to develop a Safe Routes to Parks and Wheelchair Assessment Plan to improve safe, secure park access for people of all ages and abilities in low-income communities. “I want to thank Rep. Lou Correa for his support of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which made possible this important funding that will help us improve pedestrian safety around our parks and wheelchair access at locations throughout the city,” Santa Ana Mayor Valerie Amezcua said. “It is essential that we make our streets, sidewalks and parks secure for our most vulnerable residents, including our families, our children, our seniors, and anyone who uses a wheelchair or has mobility challenges.”

The City of Stanton was awarded $160,000 to develop a comprehensive Vision Zero safety action plan, to improve traffic safety on city streets and prevent traffic deaths. “Thanks to Congressman Lou Correa, Christmas came early to our town,” Stanton Mayor David Shawver said. “This funding will help us to continue providing safe streets for all our residents and prevent future roadway accidents that can cause serious injuries. Lou, who is ‘homegrown’ himself, always remembers Stanton and provides support for our small community and families.

This grant funding was made available through funding made available after signing of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which Rep. Correa helped pass into law in 2021. You can learn more about Department of Transportation grants made available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law HERE.

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