Local lawmakers are demanding to know why Southern California was shut out of the inaugural round of federal transportation grants aimed at improving freight movement to and from ports, highways and rail.”Los Angeles is home to the busiest port complex in our nation and the region is responsible for moving 40 percent of the nation’s cargo trade,” wrote Congresswoman Janice Hahn. ”It is where the freight network begins and ends and should have been an obvious choice for a grant.”
A letter sent Friday to Anthony Foxx, secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation, led by Rep. Janice Hahn, D-San Pedro, and signed by 15 other local Democrats, contends the snub by the Obama appointee hurts both the California and national economies.
Only one project was funded in California — $50 million for extending a freeway in San Diego County to the Mexican border crossing at Otay Mesa for enhanced truck movement.
“I am not sure what they had in mind or why they did it,” said Rep. Grace Napolitano, D-El Monte. “They overlooked the fact that the projects have national significance.”
