Morgan Hill is slated to receive about $2 million in federal funds for transit, the city announced this week.
The funds, secured by Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, will help the city plan for rail and highway expansion, which officials say are essential for the city of commuters.
More than 70% of workers in Morgan Hill commute outside of the city, according to city data. And, with limited public transportation in south Santa Clara county, many residents rely on their vehicles to get to work, said Edith Ramirez, assistant city manager for Community Development. At the same time, many residents south of Morgan Hill pass through the city on their way to jobs in San Jose and beyond, leading to high demand for streets in or around the city.
“Transportation solutions are one of our community’s biggest concerns for Morgan Hill,” said Ramirez. “Investing in safety and mobility is top of mind.”
To alleviate traffic congestion, the city hopes to expand the stretch of Highway 101 within the city, and will receive $500,000 to begin that process.
The city also will receive $1 million to aid in creating an overpass or underpass for busy train crossings and $500,000 for “quiet zones” meant to reduce noise from passing trains. Both projects are meant to prepare the city for the expansion of Caltrain routes in and through the city.
“I am proud to have secured $2 million for the City of Morgan Hill … for three critical transportation and road safety infrastructure projects,” said Lofgren in an email. “By helping address a problematic crossing, expand the 101 to ease congestion, and reduce noise to enhance public safety, these federal dollars will be put to good use for the betterment of our community.”
The money was earmarked by Lofgren in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024, which passed this March. The bill also included more than $50 million in funding for projects throughout the district, including more than $2.6 million for veteran and farmworker housing in Santa Clara county, as well as money for a pedestrian crossing in Gilroy and a police sobriety campaign in Morgan Hill.
In Morgan Hill’s case, the money falls short of the funds required for the transport projects — previous train overpasses have cost tens to hundreds of millions, for example, but the money will be used to plan out and begin analysis for these long-term ventures.
“While the City needs to take various steps to secure the funding, … the City of Morgan Hill is grateful for Congresswoman Lofgren’s advocating and securing the initial funding that will allow us to begin the long process of implementing these significant public works and infrastructure improvements,” said City Manager Christina Turner in a news release.
