The Port of San Francisco announced April 8, 2004 that it would be the recipient of a $5 million federal transportation grant secured by House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi for construction of the Illinois Street Intermodal Bridge Transportation Improvement Project in the southern waterfront as part of the Transportation Equity Act. The bill was recently passed by the House of Representatives and will now be reconciled with the Senate bill.

The Illinois Street Intermodal Bridge Improvement Project will provide a 0.66-mile direct freight rail, vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle access route across Islais Creek between the Port’s largest cargo terminals, Pier 80 and Piers 94-96, replacing the current circuitous inefficient 3.3-mile freight route. These terminals also serve as berthing facilities for the U.S. Maritime Administration’s ready-reserve vessels, which are important to the nation’s security needs.

“We are extremely grateful to Democratic House Leader Nancy Pelosi for her unwavering commitment to the San Francisco Bay Area’s transportation needs,” said Taline Sanassarian, the Port’s Manager of Government Affairs.

“This critical funding will allow the Port to upgrade and streamline intermodal access to our shipping terminals. It will also benefit the Bayview/Hunters Point community by significantly reducing truck traffic from Third Street and create a new pedestrian and bicycle access route,” she added.

Other benefits to the City as a result of this project include reductions in air pollution by providing freight rail as an alternative to truck transport; creation of a direct access for industrial routes to Port and other neighboring facilities; eliminating negative air quality impacts caused by trucks driving on Third Street. The elimination of trucks from Third Street will relieve traffic congestion on Third Street, which will be reduced by two lanes to accommodate the new MUNI Light Rail Project. In addition to providing enhanced vehicle and rail circulation, the Illinois Street Bridge will provide an important connection for the City’s bicycle route system and the Bay Area’s Bay Trail Network.

Ms. Pelosi also secured funding for several other San Francisco Bay Area transportation projects including: $70 million for seismic retrofit of the Golden Gate Bridge; $14 million for construction of the Transbay Terminal; $12 million for improvements to Geary Boulevard; $6 million for replacing Doyle Drive; $5 million for a comprehensive system of trails and bikeways for the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and the Presidio; $4 million for San Francisco MUNI’s NextBus program; $2 million for City CarShare; and $2 million for the Ferry Terminal at Oyster Point in South San Francisco.

“These projects are vital to reducing growing traffic congestion by encouraging the use of mass transit, protecting our environment by reducing air pollution and fuel consumption, and easing the flow of commuters, workers and visitors throughout our city.  They will ensure that San Francisco and the entire Bay Area will keep moving toward the future in a manner that is convenient and sustainable,” said Pelosi.