Loomis council highlights potential $5 million earmark for Horseshoe Bar/I‑80 interchange

Loomis officials told the Town Council on Tuesday that a possible $5 million congressional appropriation could help fund design and later construction for improvements around the Horseshoe Bar/I‑80 interchange.

Council member Amanda Cortez credited local advocacy and described a rapid application window that led Rep. Kevin Kiley’s office to pursue an earmark recommendation on Loomis’s behalf. Town Manager Wes said Kiley’s recommendation must be referred to the House Appropriations Committee and, if advanced, would still require approval by both chambers of Congress. Council and staff cautioned that earmarked amounts commonly change during the federal process and are not guaranteed.

Staff said the town is early in the Project Study Report and design planning steps; Richard Liley, a recently hired town engineer who joined from Caltrans, will assist with coordination and grant processes. Wes noted the town is pairing any potential congressional funds with an Interstate Mitigation Fund and other local revenues to assemble a deliverable design and construction package if federal support materializes.

Council members praised staff and local advocacy but also emphasized fiscal caution. One council member noted that even if the town received half the requested figure, it would substantially exceed typical infrastructure appropriations for a small community, while staff reiterated that the town must still navigate state and federal requirements, environmental reviews and additional funding phases before construction could start.

Next steps: staff will continue the PSR and coordinate with Caltrans and federal contacts while reporting progress to council; no binding commitment to construction was made during the meeting.