Regional Appropriation Requests Highlight Support for Capital SouthEast Connector

Three area members of Congress have requested $30 million to fund portions of the Capital Southeast Connector, a long-envisioned expressway that will bypass Highway 50 between Elk Grove and the El Dorado Hills.

Congressional Representatives Ami Bera (CA-6), Kevin Kiley (CA-3) and Doris Matsui (CA-7) have each requested $10 million in federal funding for road projects in Elk Grove, Rancho Cordova and Folsom that are part of expressway’s 34-mile route.

The funding requests are for work in:

• Elk Grove: A three-mile extension of Kammerer Road between Interstate 5 and Bruceville Road, supporter by Congresswoman Matsui

• Folsom: A link from a recently completed White Rock Road expansion to the El Dorado Hills, supporter by Congressman Kiley.

• Rancho Cordova: A complete reconstruction of Grant Line Road into a modern expressway that eliminates dangerous curves and facilitates rural freight traffic, supporter by Congressman Bera.

“As the City of Elk Grove continues to grow we must improve mobility, access, and connections across the city,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “This project will set the foundation for another critical corridor to reduce traffic congestion and spur economic opportunity I will work hard to support this funding request as it continues through the appropriations process.”

Congressman Bera said he was proud to support project because “it addresses critical safety issues on the current two-lane roadway and bridges an active transportation gap by linking existing bike and pedestrian facilities at both ends."

“One of my top priorities for protecting the quality of life in our region is reducing traffic said Congressman Kiley. “That’s why I’m so pleased to support (the Folsom project) which will ease congestion and provide bikers with new transportation options. This will be a major improvement to help keep traffic manageable, and I couldn’t be more excited to support it in Congress.”

When completed, the Capital Southeast Connector will be a four-lane expressway that will alleviate traffic congestion and its associated air pollution on Highway 50. The project will realign existing dangerous curves, and it will provide much-needed access and evacuation routes that do not currently exist for many communities endangered by floods and fires.

The project also includes an all-weather bike and pedestrian trail connecting communities to each other and to retail and recreational facilities along the entire route. A completed portion of the trail was deemed the 2022 Project of the Year by the American Public Works Association.