Wolk honored for support of Solano transportation improvements

Solano Transportation Authority names Wolk “Elected Official of the Year”

SOLANO COUNTY– Assemblywoman Lois Wolk (D-Davis) was honored yesterday for her advocacy for Solano County transportation improvements.

At their 9th Annual Awards Ceremony, the Solano Transportation Authority (STA) named Wolk its Federal/State Elected Official of the Year for her legislation to improve funding for planning local transportation projects, and her support for added funding for projects on I-80 and SR 12.

“Just about all the transportation projects in Solano County require coordination at the state, county and local level, and Lois has been able to facilitate that,” said Suisun City Mayor and Solano County Supervisor-elect Jim Spering, who presented Wolk with the honor. “She is very knowledgeable on all our projects, pays attention to the details, and understands the whole spectrum of issues relating to what we do. She gets it, and she does what it takes to deliver a project.”

Wolk was selected by a vote of Solano County Mayors for several reasons, including her Assembly Bill 2538 to give local transportation authorities like STA the flexibility and resources to perform critical project development activities such as project planning, monitoring, and delivery.  The bill, which was signed by the Governor and will take effect January 1 of 2007, will enable local transportation authorities to dedicate up to 5% of their county share of state transportation improvement program (STIP) funds.

Also noted was Wolk’s coordination with STA and Caltrans to achieve timely completion of local projects. Earlier this year, Wolk  facilitated a special meeting of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Transportation in Solano County to alert Caltrans to local transportation projects—and procured an additional $40 million in State Highway Operation and Protection Program (SHOPP) funding for the repavement of I-80 from Red Top Road in Fairfield to Leisure Town Interchange in Vacaville. Wolk was also able to obtain a commitment from Caltrans that the project would be completed two years ahead of schedule—and that the early phases of safety improvements on SR 12 would be accelerated by 1 to 2 years.

Wolk said that she would continue to work with STA and Caltrans “to address the transportation issues that impact the lives of my constituents and all Californians.

“Voters just approved a transportation bond that will make money available for planned projects in my district that have been stalled for lack of funding, and will provide money for road work at both the city and county level. Now we must work to ensure that those funds are spent repairing and improving our state’s aging infrastructure.”