$1 Million in Road Repair Funds Presented to Tulare County by Senator Hurtado

Media Contact:
Jennifer Fawkes, Tulare County
O: 559.636.5010 | M: 559.749.4148 | jfawkes@tularecounty.ca.gov

 

Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Bakersfield) presented a ceremonial check to Tulare County leaders and local agencies celebrating the $1 million the Senator secured in the state budget to fund rural road repairs.

“It was a privilege to join community members, county supervisors and local leaders in celebrating this important budget win for critical infrastructure. Improvements to our community’s roadways are needed to ensure that the region’s commerce can travel freely, while our residents deserve an upgrade that improves public safety and their quality of life for generations to come,” said Senator Hurtado.

“We appreciate working with Senator Hurtado’s office to secure this funding,” said Larry Micari, Chair of Tulare County Board of Supervisors. “Road funding for all 2,965 miles of Tulare County maintained roads can be a challenge. These funds will be put to work expeditiously to help maintain our road infrastructure.”

Tulare County maintains nearly the same amount of road miles as Los Angeles County while operating at a budget one-tenth its size. Many of these roads are critical farm-to-market routes and serve rural communities.

“Until the formula for California road maintenance funding can be updated to better support rural communities, we will continue to partner with legislators like Senator Hurtado to advocate for additional road maintenance budget allocations,” said Pete Vander Poel III, Vice-Chair of the Tulare County Board of Supervisors.

The $1 million will supplement Tulare County's existing $30 million road maintenance budget. It will help extend their work in repaving roads, patching potholes, painting lines, repairing signs, and more.

“I appreciate Senator Hurtado being responsive to the County’s request for additional assistance for rural road repair funding,” said Jason Britt, Tulare County CAO.

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Located in the heart of the Central Valley, Tulare County is situated in a delightful and geographically diverse region. There are a variety of opportunities for all-season outdoor recreation such as camping, hiking, water and snow skiing, fishing, and boating. The County has a growing population of 479,112 and includes an area of 4,863 square miles. Mountain peaks of the Sierra Nevada range rise to more than 14,000 feet in its Eastern half, which is comprised primarily of public lands within the Sequoia National Park, National Forest, and the Mineral King, Golden Trout, and Domeland Wilderness areas. Meanwhile, the fertile valley floor in the Western half has allowed Tulare County to become the top producer of agricultural commodities in the United States. Learn more at www.GrowTulareCounty.org.

Senator Melissa Hurtado is Chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and currently represents the 16th Senate District in the California Legislature, which includes portions of Fresno, Tulare, Kings, and Kern Counties. Website of Senator Melissa Hurtado https://sd16.senate.ca.gov/