SACRAMENTO – Assemblywoman Nicole M. Parra (D-Hanford), today, won passage of AB 2143 after presenting the bill on the Assembly Floor – the measure passed by a vote of 44-22. AB 2143 would change the designation of Highway 43 to an inter-regional and inter-county route under state transportation codes.

“The Central Valley’s needs are traditionally overlooked and ignored, but passing a bill like this gives me hope that people are finally paying attention,” said Assemblywoman Parra. “This bill also serves as a great supplement to the $1 billion for Highway 99 in the bond package we recently passed. We are on track for a number of very comprehensive improvements to the Valley’s air quality and transportation problems.”

According to the California Air Resources Board, the San Joaquin Valley has the worst level of air quality in the state. With population quickly growing in the Central Valley this problem will only amplify as traffic congestion swells. Aside from the potential health risks that will arise, industries offering high-priority jobs whose employees value a clean environment may hesitate from relocating to the Central Valley.

Existing law requires that certain transportation funds be made available for transportation capital improvement projects to be programmed and expended in specified amounts for interregional and regional improvements, including state highway routes that are included in the interregional road system. AB 2143 would include State Highway Route 43, which runs through the counties of Kings, Kern, Fresno and Tulare, as an eligible interregional and inter-county route. This would allow for highway improvements that would relieve traffic congestion and improve air quality in the Central Valley.

AB 2143 is sponsored by the Kings County Association of Governments and supported by the Consulting Engineers & Land Surveyors of California (CELSOC). This bill will next move to the Senate Rules Committee.