If lawmakers approve Gov. Schwarzenegger's massive infrastructure proposal, the central San Joaquin Valley could reap rewards almost instantly, a state transportation official said Wednesday.

The governor's 10-year, $222 billion plan includes $1 billion in bond money targeted for Highway 99 improvements. Plans are already drawn up on where to spend a good chunk of the money, said Mike Leonardo, central region director for the California Department of Transportation.

"I think you could see the results almost immediately," he said.

Three Highway 99 projects are categorized as high-priority on a preliminary list of proposed projects outlined in the governor's plan.

Each of the following sections of the highway would be widened from four to six lanes:

A three-mile stretch from the Merced County line south into Madera County.

An 11-mile stretch from the Madera County line north into Merced County.

Three miles north of Atwater.

Environmental planning is already underway, Leonardo said, and should the bonds get approved, "it's not like we're going to be waiting 10 years for the first jobs to hit the pavement."

Leonard joined Schwarzenegger's chief deputy Cabinet secretary, Ann Boynton, as she briefed about 12 local business leaders on the plan at a roundtable discussion Wednesday at the Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce headquarters.

Officials reminded Boynton to keep the Fresno area in mind as the plan progresses.

"There's always concern in the Central Valley of what goes in doesn't come back," said Ray Dunn, president of irrigation pump manufacturer Floway Pumps in Fresno.

Early indications hold promise that Valley projects could be a major part of the governor's plan.

It includes $12 billion in new state bond issues for transportation, $1 billion of which is slotted for Highway 99.

The Bay Area would get $1.4 billion for transportation projects and Southern California would get $1.6 billion, according to a preliminary list of possible projects.

The $1 billion planned for Highway 99 is part of $68 billion in bond issues that, if approved by the Legislature, would be placed before voters in stages between now and 2014.

Negotiations have begun in Sacramento on possible legislation to enact portions of the governor's plan. Assembly Member Juan Arambula, D-Fresno, said it appears lawmakers will consider smaller bond amounts than the governor's proposal.

"There is concern about the amount of bonds the state budget can absorb," said Arambula, who was reached by phone after the end of a two-day meeting of Assembly Democrats in Monterey.

Still, Arambula believes that Highway 99 will get significant funding: "There seems to be recognition that 99 is a major transportation corridor and improving 99 will help not only Valley residents but the state as a whole."

The reporter can be reached at eschultz@fresnobee.com or (559) 441-6637.