Rep. Doris Matsui Opens Folsom Lake Crossing Bridge
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Saturday, March 28, 2009
CONTACT: Alexis Marks or Mara Lee
(202) 225-7163
Rep. Doris Matsui Opens Folsom Lake Crossing Bridge
Project Provides Sacramento with Additional Flood Control; Decreases Congestion and Traffic
Today, Rep. Doris Matsui (CA-05) participated in the opening ceremony and ribbon-cutting of the Folsom Lake Crossing Bridge, which will provide additional flood control for Sacramento through the new Folsom Spillway, and will decrease congestion and traffic in Folsom for those traveling into Sacramento.
The project began as bi-partisan partnership between former Congressmen Bob Matsui, and John Doolittle. Construction began in 2007, and was officially opened earlier today. Congresswoman Matsui attend the ribbon cutting and her remarks, as prepared for delivery, are below:
"Good morning everyone. Mayor Miklos, thank you for that kind introduction and thank you to my colleagues for joining us here today. This new bridge is a critical project for this region. And its opening is cause for great celebration. I hope, as I'm sure you do, that we see many more of these kinds of infrastructure projects across the country very soonandhellip;
"This bridge, the Folsom Lake Crossing, would not have been built without the commitment of all the people you see here today - the Army Corps of Engineers, the Bureau of Reclamation, the State of California, the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency, the City of Folsom and your local Congressional representatives -- including Senators Boxer and Feinstein who could not be with us today.
"This bridge will be an important transportation route for the region, but also importantly, it is part of the story of flood protection on the American River. This bridge represents an important step in the project taking place right next to us - the new Folsom Spillway. The flood protection work at Folsom Dam and this new beautiful span are a package. One that will not only move thousands of people across the river each day, but will protect a half million people in the flood plain below.
"You see this bridge began as a partnership between my husband, Bob Matsui, and Congressman John Doolittle. That partnership set in place a plan to achieve a higher level of flood protection for Sacramento, and a way for Folsom area residents to once again commute across the river with ease.
"As many of you know, however, this bridge and the work on Folsom Dam almost didn't happen. It was only through the many years of work and close relationship of Bob Matsui and John Doolittle that it came to be. Two men, who for decades were often at odds but always respected one another, found common ground and forged the agreement that allows us to be here today. Without their dedication and tireless work none of this would have been possible. Their hard fought efforts for this region will live on for many generations to come.
"I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues in Congress and our community leaders to finish the work here and at Folsom Dam so we can come back here in a few years to celebrate again. Thank you for being here today."
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