SF Gate: More Than $172M Allocated To Fund Port, Waterways Projects In State
By Victoria Franco
U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla announced Thursday that more than $172 million will be used to fund projects throughout California for ports and waterways, including providing flood protection for the city of Stockton.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will use $35 million of the funding for the San Joaquin River Basin and Lower San Joaquin River project that will help reduce the flood risk to Stockton.
Funding for the projects comes from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the 2022 Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, according to the senator’s office.
“Infrastructure includes the coastal ports and inland waterways that are vital to our economy, and the wetlands and levees protecting communities from storm surges and catastrophic flooding,” Padilla said. “I’m proud to announce that millions of dollars are coming to California to improve the capacity of our ports, restore natural habitats around our rivers, and provide more green space and areas for recreation.”
The 10-year project in the Stockton area will consist of levee improvements of 23 miles, two closure structures, and designing the Calaveras River right bank, which is expected to benefit 162,000 residents in the area.
Closures will be at Fourteen Mile Slough and Smith Canal and improvements to the levee will include a new levee, erosion protection, cutoff walls as well as other tasks.
Flooding risk would be reduced to approximately 122,000 people, over 80,000 structures, and $28.7 billion in property.
The project will also offer the area an estimated 83 percent reduction in expected annual property damage from flooding while enhancing security at 486 critical infrastructure sites.
Completion of the project is anticipated by 2032.
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