Millions in federal funding for infrastructure projects could head to the Coachella Valley

More federal funding for infrastructure projects across the Coachella Valley could soon be on the way.

U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) announced Tuesday that he secured over $75.5 million in federal funding for 27 projects across the Inland Empire in the first package of FY 2024 appropriations bills.

The package includes the Agriculture; Energy and Water; Military Construction-VA; Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development; Commerce, Justice, and Science; and Interior appropriations bills.

The following local projects are included in the list of recipients:

• Desert Hot Springs Groundwater Quality Protection Project - $2.7 million: This funding will support a project to alleviate wastewater discharge from individual wastewater disposal systems that overlie sensitive groundwater resources in the greater Desert Hot Springs area.

• City of Palm Springs Navigation Center Project - $2.01 million: This funding will support expansion of the Palm Springs Navigation Center to provide services and resources for individuals experiencing homelessness.

• City of Palm Springs Regional Flood Mitigation Project - $673,872: This project will improve several local roads and bridges that are threatened by flooding.

• City of Twentynine Palms Wastewater Treatment Facility - $1 million: This funding will connect mobile home parks with the public sewer system in the City of Twentynine Palms.

• City of Indio Indio Boulevard Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvement Project - $500,000: This project will improve Indio Boulevard to encourage active transportation and provide shade.

• Oasis Park Community Center & Shade Structure - $500,000: This funding to support the construction of a community center and completion of Oasis Park in Riverside County.

• SunLine Transit Agency Battery Capacity for Solar Microgrid - $500,000: This funding will support the purchase of a battery storage package that will enable the Agency to more efficiently produce hydrogen to fuel its hydrogen fuel cell electric bus fleet.

Rep. Ken Calvert highlighted his push to secure the funding in a press release today. The statement explained that H.R. 4366 includes $44.1 million for 41st District projects that Calvert requested and successfully advocated for inclusion in the bill.

Calvert also listed projects that will receive funding:

Funding was included for the following 41st Congressional District transportation projects:

• $5 million for the Coachella Valley Rail Project
• $4 million for the Ontario Avenue / Interstate 15 Multimodal Corridor Enhancement Project in Corona
• $2.2 million for the Garbani Road/I-215 Interchange Project in Menifee
• $673,872 for the Regional Flood Mitigation Project to improve Indian Canyon, Gene Autry Trail, and Ramon Road crossings of the Whitewater River stormwater channel in Palm Springs.
• $4 million for the Highway 111 Resurfacing Project in La Quinta
• $4 million for the County Line Road Project in Calimesa
• $2 million for Lake Elsinore Camino Del Norte Infrastructure Improvements in Lake Elsinore
• $2 million for the Interstate 10 & Cherry Valley Interchange Project in Calimesa

• $3 million for the Homeless Facility Expansion Project in Lake Elsinore. The requested funding would be used to build a new homeless facility in Lake Elsinore.
• $2,005,961 for the Navigation Center Project in Palm Springs. The requested funding would be used to complete the construction of the Palm Springs Navigation Center and provide services to the city’s homeless population.  

• $4.7 million for the Lee Lake Wells Project, which was requested by the Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District. The requested funding would be used to increase potable water supply.
• $3 million for the Recycled Water Booster Station and Reservoir Project, which was requested by the city of Norco. The requested funding would be used to create a new supply of recycled water.
• $2.3 million for Eastern Municipal Water District’s Water Booster Plant Improvements Project
• $5 million for the Whitewater Channel Lining Project to improve the structural integrity of the Whitewater River Stormwater Channel in Indian Wells.

• March ARB KC-46 Two Bay Maintenance/Fuel Hanger ($201 million): The funding will be used to construct an aircraft hangar at the installation to simultaneously accommodate the general maintenance, wash operations, and fuel system maintenance of two KC-46A aircraft.
• March ARB KC-46 Simulator Facility ($8.5 million): The funding will be used to construct a Weapons System Trainer facility to enable the training of aircrews and support personnel for the operation of KC-46A aircraft.
• March ARB KC-46 Fuselage Training Facility ($17 million): The funding will be used to construct a Fuselage Training Simulator Facility to support the simulator and associated pallet staging to enable the training of aircrews and support personnel for the operation of KC-46A aircraft.
• Twentynine Palms Communications Towers ($42.1 million): The funding will be used to construct four new and repair seven existing range communication towers to provide enhanced range communications.

The House today passed a series of funding bills, which include funding for local projects, ahead of a March 8 deadline to avoid a partial government shut down. The Senate is expected to pass the bills as well, before they land on President Biden's desk for his signature.

Watch News Channel 3 at 5:00 p.m. tonight for the full story.