Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil (R-Jackson) is championing two vital infrastructure projects that promise to enhance the quality of life for underserved families in Modesto. In letters to the California Transportation Commission (CTC), Senator Alvarado-Gil voiced her strong support for the Seventh Street Bridge Replacement Project and the State Route 132 West Gates to Dakota Project, both of which aim to improve connectivity and safety in the region.
“Our community has dealt with years of underinvestment, especially when it comes to infrastructure,” said Senator Alvarado-Gil. “But with these projects, we can turn a corner. Improving transportation, shortening travel times, making it easier for people to get to jobs and services—these aren’t just road upgrades. They translate to improving the quality of life for our families and their future.”
The Seventh Street Bridge, built in 1916, suffers from structural deficiencies and is limited to a 4-ton weight restriction. The replacement will accommodate modern traffic, including emergency vehicles and buses, and add bike lanes and sidewalks for multi-modal travel. State Route 132 (SR 132) is a vital east-west corridor connecting SR 99 and I-5, supporting freight transportation from Central Valley farms to the Port of Oakland. Currently routed along Maze Boulevard, an outdated two-lane road, SR 132 faces heavy congestion and safety issues. This outdated design disproportionately affects low-income neighborhoods, exposing them to diesel emissions and frequent accidents.
Modesto Vice Mayor Eric Alvarez highlighted the urgency of these improvements:
“SR 132 handles over 8.2 million tons of freight annually, but relies on infrastructure designed in the 1930s. The corridor has seen 1,400 crashes in the past decade, resulting in 60 deaths and more than 2,000 injuries. Traffic reroutes trucks through local streets, worsening air quality in already disadvantaged communities. The Seventh Street Bridge also poses significant safety risks and lacks basic accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists. These projects are long overdue, and I thank Senator Alvarado-Gil for championing them at the state level.”
Click HERE read the Senator’s support letter for the seventh street bridge project.
Click HERE to read the Senator’s support letter for the State Route 132 West Gates to Dakota project.