Congress Members Submit Budget Requests to Support Bridges

June 9, 2022

SBCTA submitted a request to San Bernardino County Congressional delegation members to support the North First Avenue Bridges over the Mojave River and Overflow replacement project in the City of Barstow.

Congressman Jay Obernolte and Senator Alex Padilla submitted Community Project Funding requests on behalf of the project to be included in the Fiscal Year 2023 budget.

The North First Avenue Bridges over the Mojave River and Overflow replacement project will replace two bridges in the City of Barstow that have been degraded due to age and environmental erosion.  The Mojave River separates a large portion of the Barstow community and the bridges provide residents a connection to educational institutions, medical facilities, employers and other everyday amenities and resources.  The bridges are also adjacent to the bridge spanning the Burlington Northern Santa Fe train tracks, with SBCTA beginning construction of that replacement structure toward the end of this calendar year.

The bridge replacements will also increase public safety and provide for greater pedestrian and bicycle access.  The requests will be reviewed in the coming months as Congress works through their annual budget appropriations process.