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Rep. Mark DeSaulnier (D-Concord) has announced the advancement of numerous projects seeking to support public safety, education, transportation, accessibility and sustainability throughout his district, including the San Ramon Valley.
The 15 projects advanced for consideration by the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations as part of the appropriations process for the 2025 fiscal year total $35 million in spending on projects throughout the district, several of which would have countywide and local impacts.
“I am proud to advance over $35 million in funding for CA-10 that would make our communities safer and more accessible, support students, and reduce our environmental impact,” DeSaulnier said in an announcement in May. “I appreciate the advocacy and partnership of our cities and local organizations in submitting these projects, and I will do all I can to see them through this process and the funding delivered to our district.”
If approved in full, a portion of that funding – $3 million – would go toward safety and accessibility improvements on Village Parkway in Dublin, including lane narrowing and sidewalk widening plus protected intersections and bike lanes which was sought by a community project funding request for the Village Parkway Reconstruction and Complete Streets Project according to former Dublin mayor Melissa Hernandez in DeSaulnier’s announcement.
“The Project will address critical infrastructure needs by improving street surfacing and bicycle accessibility; enhancing safe transit and bus stops; and upgrading sidewalks for pedestrian use near Dublin High School,” Hernandez said. “When finished, the improved Village Parkway will be a much safer thoroughfare for all Dublin residents.”
The Dublin project is the only one in the current package specific to a Tri-Valley municipality, with other local projects proposed for Oakley, Walnut Creek, and Concord. A majority of the projects, however, would have a countywide impact including in public safety, public works, and public transportation.
DeSaulnier is seeking funding for two projects for the Contra Costa District Attorney’s office totaling $1.1 million, $600,000 of which would be for the creation of an Organized Retail Theft Prevention and Prosecution Unit in the office, and $500,000 of which would go toward efforts to identify and combat labor exploitation and trafficking as well as supporting trafficking survivors.
“Representative DeSaulnier and I are on the same page about combatting organized retail theft and labor trafficking,” District Attorney Diana Becton said in DeSaulnier’s announcement.
“Our ability to protect Contra Costa residents hinges on dismantling these criminal networks and holding perpetrators accountable,” she continued “Achieving this means making smart investments in public safety so we in law enforcement can continue to effectively work in seeking justice for the victims of crime.”
Another public safety oriented project in the package is a proposed $1,915,000 in funding for the Contra Costa Fire Protection District for equipment installation and replacement such as backup generators and other upgrades aimed at ensuring reliability for the district’s communications system during power outages.
“This project will have a direct impact on improving the public safety radio infrastructure for our firefighters, ambulance crews, and all first responders throughout Contra Costa County and northern Alameda County,” Fire Chief Lewis Broschard said in DeSaulnier’s announcement. “Congressman DeSaulnier is helping us to keep our communities and our first responders safe with this critical infrastructure investment.”
On the public works front, one of the pricier projects proposed is a $4 million upgrade to ultraviolet technology aimed at decreasing energy usage and maintaining public health for the Central Contra Costa Sanitary District.
“This important project will provide direct community benefits by improving the resiliency of Central San’s wastewater operation during extreme weather events and significantly reduce its energy footprint,” Central San General Manager Roer Bailey said in DeSaulnier’s announcement.
“Specifically, federal funding would support the transition to a state-of-the-art UV system that will make the water treatment plan more sustainable and energy efficient because it will lower disinfection demand, decrease energy use, and meaningfully reduce greenhouse gasses produced annually,” he continued.
Another $4 million project aimed at promoting environmental sustainability in the package includes funding the purchase and installation of hydrogen fuel cell generators for County Connection as the agency seeks to transition fully to zero-emission buses.
“Investing in hydrogen fuel cell generators ensures County Connection can charge our fleet of electric buses and provide the necessary power to pump fuel to our future Hydrogen Fuel Cell bus fleet during natural disasters,” said Bill Churchill, the agency’s general manager, in DeSaulnier’s announcement. “This will allow us to provide vital public transit service to the communities we serve. We are grateful that Congressman DeSaulnier shares our vision for a future of resilient and reliable transit service.”
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