US spending package could fund SLO County infrastructure

More than $4 million in federal funding for San Luis Obispo County infrastructure projects is set to become law after passing both chambers of Congress this week.

The funding is part of a $1.66 trillion government funding bill passed by the Democratic-controlled U.S. House of Representatives on Friday. The U.S. Senate passed the bill on Tuesday.

The omnibus spending package now heads to President Joe Biden’s desk. Without his approval, federal government agencies would run out of money to operate.

In a news release, Central Coast Congressman Salud Carbajal said he has “been advocating for these federal funds since April.”

“With these funds, we will be able to make critical upgrades to our roads and highways, bridges and piers to keep commerce and people moving smoothly throughout our region,” Carbajal, a Democrat who represents California’s 24th congressional district, said in the release.

In San Luis Obispo County, that funding includes more than $2 million to replace the aging Prado Road Bridge over San Luis Obispo Creek with a new four-lane structure that will have separated sidewalks, bike lanes and new lighting.

If full funding for the project is secured, construction is estimated to begin in late 2025.

“Replacing this 70-year-old bridge with a structurally sound bridge … will make the intersection safer and prepare the intersection for the future Prado Road overpass,” San Luis Obispo Mayor Erica Stewart said in the release.

In addition, the omnibus spending package provides $1.5 million for upgrades to North T-Pier in Morro Bay.

Updating Morro Bay’s North T-Pier are essential, local officials say, because it is used by Morro Bay’s commercial fishing industry, U.S. Coast Guard operations, recreational tourism and residential communities.

“It will also serve as the primary hub for operations of any offshore wind infrastructure constructed off the Morro Bay coast,” the release said.

“The T-Pier project will ensure safety in and around Morro Bay harbor for our fishing industry, our citizens, and our visitors,” Morro Bay Mayor Carla Wixom told The Tribune on Tuesday, after the Senate passed the funding package. “The project will enhance the local and regional economic benefits provided by the T-Pier and harbor.”

The government spending bill also sets aside $500,000 for rehabilitating and retrofitting Arroyo Grande’s historic Swinging Bridge.

Experts say retrofitting and rehabilitating the beloved bridge in Arroyo Grande would make the connection between residential neighborhoods and the downtown commercial district known as The Village safer.

“This funding will enable the city to rehabilitate its Swinging Bridge, restoring an iconic bridge that provides a vital asset and benefit to the community of Arroyo Grande and the state of California,” said Arroyo Grande Mayor Caren Ray Russom said in the release.

In total, the release said, Carbajal secured $22,466,540 for 14 projects across all three California counties that he represents in Congress: San Luis Obispo County, Santa Barbara County and part of Ventura County.

This story was originally published December 23, 2022 3:14 PM.

Kathe Tanner has been writing about the people and places of SLO County’s North Coast since 1981, first as a columnist and then also as a reporter. Her career has included stints as a bakery owner, public relations director, radio host, trail guide and jewelry designer. She has been a resident of Cambria for more than four decades, and if it’s happening in town, Kathe knows about it.