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-Editorial
Calexico was selected as a recipient of a $1 million grant from the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) REAP 2.0 County Transportation Commission (CTC) Partnership Program. The funding will go towards the development of the highly anticipated Calexico Intermodal Transportation Center.
The project will construct a new intermodal transportation center in downtown Calexico to consolidate public and private transportation providers in one facility to improve the mobility and safety of passengers, increase transit ridership, accommodate zero-emission transit vehicles, reduce vehicle emissions, and enhance the Downtown Business District.
This project was the sole applicant from Imperial Valley and just 1 of 33 total projects to be allocated funding. This funding will supplement the recent $12.8 million the city received for the project from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Rebuilding American Infrastructure and Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program.
With the generous support of SCAG’s REAP 2.0 CTC Partnership Program, Calexico will be able to advance the development of this transformative project. The $1 million grant will be utilized to fund critical components of the Calexico Intermodal Transportation Center, including infrastructure improvements, the implementation of state-of-the-art technology systems, and the enhancement of accessibility and safety features. In addition, this item supports SCAG’s Strategic Goals of producing innovative solutions that improve the quality of life for Southern Californians, advance the region’s policy interests and planning priorities, and provide innovative information and value-added services to enhance member agencies’ planning and operations.
“The City of Calexico is ecstatic at this historic investment in Transportation Equity in California’s Desert Border Region. The City of Calexico is the nexus point for the transborder farmworker population that feeds our Nation, many of them starting their journey in Downtown Calexico in the wee hours of the morning,” stated Calexico Mayor, Raul Ureña. “We look forward to this investment making a systemic difference in the lives of all the people that commute through the Calexico West International Port Of Entry for play, work, and tourism. In collaboration with ICTC, the City of Calexico hopes to be the regional connector City that our Border region can count on.”
“As a representative of our seven Valley cities, I understand the vital role our southern binational gateway plays in our entire County’s workforce, educational sector, and local economy,” added SCAG Regional Councilmember, Gil Rebollar, “I am proud to have voted in support of this allocation and look forward to working on building a more connected Imperial Valley on behalf of workers, students, and families.”
“I’m proud to have worked with the City of Calexico to secure $12.8 million in funding to build the Calexico Intermodal Transportation Center. Thanks to the Biden Infrastructure Law that I advocated for, and President Biden’s Investing in America Agenda, the people of Imperial Valley will have a secure, efficient, organized, and accessible transportation center,” Rep. Dr. Raul Ruiz (D-Coachella) said.