Bridge to receive $4.25 million in Federal Funds

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Bay Area Democratic Congressional Representatives Nancy Pelosi (San Francisco), Mike Thompson (Napa Valley) and Lynn Woolsey (Petaluma) announced $4.25 million in new seismic retrofit funding for the Golden Gate Bridge. The funds were provided for in the Omnibus Appropriations bill of FY 03.

The Golden Gate Bridge continues to be vulnerable to earthquakes along the San Andreas and Hayward Faults. Engineers have indicated that the Loma Prieta earthquake, centered 60 miles from the bridge, presented the maximum stress that the bridge could tolerate. Phase I of the project is complete. The new federal funding will be used to complete Phase II, which focuses on the retrofitting of the bridge’s south viaduct and anchorages, the Fort Point Arch and the south pylons.

“The Golden Gate Bridge is a historic treasure and a vital traffic corridor for the North Bay,” said Rep. Woolsey. “The completion of this phase of the project will go a long way to ensure the structural integrity of the bridge in the event of earthquake and possible terrorist attack.”

“The Golden Gate Bridge is an essential corridor for transportation, commerce and recreation in the Bay Area,” said Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi. “This investment will contribute to the economic vitality of our region, and will ensure that in case of an earthquake many lives will be saved, and the bridge will survive.”

"In addition to being a stunning national treasure, the Golden Gate Bridge is also utilized by over 100,000 cars everyday," said Rep. Thompson. "This money brings us another step closer to completion of strengthening and preserving the bridge for generations to come."

This year’s funding will enhance the $35.85 million Reps. Pelosi, Thompson and Woolsey secured from the Department of Transportation over the past four years for the ongoing seismic retrofit project.

The Omnibus Appropriations bill of FY 03 is a compilation of the 11 appropriations bills that were not passed in the 107th Congress. The only appropriations bills that were brought to the House floor for a vote were Military and Defense Appropriations. The Omnibus bill has been approved by the Senate and will be sent to the President for signature.