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Montclair told $2 million is likely for transportation center; Central Avenue Bridge could face a multimillion‑dollar shortfall
Summary
City lobbyists said Representative Torres secured $2 million in the House Transportation–HUD bill for the Montclair Transportation Center but warned that state action could cut a separate $15 million state allocation for the Central Avenue Bridge to $2 million, creating an approximate $33 million shortfall against an estimated $35 million project cost.
Lobbyists working for Montclair told the city council that federal and state funding decisions this winter will determine whether two major local transportation projects proceed on schedule.
Mr. Jones, a federal funding adviser working with David Turch & Associates, said Montclair requested $3.6 million for the Montclair Transportation Center and that Representative Torres secured $2 million for the project in the House Transportation‑HUD appropriations bill. Jones stressed that whether funds are available to the city in early January depends on whether Congress completes the appropriations process by Dec. 20 or passes another continuing resolution that pushes finalization to March.
Jones also discussed the Central Avenue Bridge. He said the city previously had $15 million allocated from the state for bridge replacement but that the state agency (Caltrans) may reclassify the project as a resurfacing job and reduce state funding to $2 million. Jones said the project requires roughly $35 million in total, so if the state reduces its contribution to $2 million the estimated shortfall would be about $33 million; if the full $15 million remains available the remaining need would be about $20 million.
Council members pressed for follow-ups: staff was asked to continue refining project lists for earmarks and to pursue property acquisition on Monte Vista Avenue (between Bonito and San Bernardino streets) to widen a bottleneck, add turn pockets and reduce congestion. Jones recommended that projects be at a planning/design stage so the city can request construction funds if opportunitites arise in the Appropriations or transportation reauthorization processes.
Why it matters: The timing of federal appropriations and state project decisions will affect Montclair’s ability to pair federal and state funding for major transportation investments. City staff were urged to coordinate with the congressional delegation and to keep project materials ready for submission.
