Garamendi Bill Unlocks Pentagon Funds for Base Access Road Improvements at Travis and Beale Air Force Bases

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA) introduced legislation (H.R.6607) that would designate vital roadways leading to the gates at Travis and Beale Air Force Bases as “Defense Access Roads,” with Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) as the bill’s original cosponsor.

This designation would make projects to reduce traffic congestion or otherwise improve these roads automatically eligible for funding under the U.S. Department of Defense and Federal Highway Administration’s joint Defense Access Road Program. Each year, Congress funds a handful of defense access road projects. As Chair of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness, Congressman Garamendi oversees all U.S. military installations and military construction, including the Defense Access Road Program.

“The communities surrounding Travis and Beale do so much to support the bases,” said Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA). “As these areas continue to grow, the military should pay its fair share for roadway improvements that allow for greater base access and reduce traffic congestion. As Chair of the Readiness Subcommittee, I will always work to secure forward-looking investments to expand Travis and Beale, while ensuring that the Air Force remains a good neighbor to its surrounding communities.”

Congressman Garamendi’s legislation (H.R.6607) would designate 9 additional roadways under the Defense Access Road program, including:

• At Travis Air Force Base:
  • Air Base Parkway (Main Visitor Center/Hospital Gate)
  • Canon Road, Gate/North Gate Road, Vanden Road (North Gate)
  • Petersen Road (South/Commercial Truck Gate)
• At Beale Air Force Base:
  • Chuck Yeager Road (Grass Valley Gate)
  • North Beale Road (Schneider Gate)
  • Spenceville Road/Camp Beale Highway (Vassar Lake Gate)
  • South Beale Road (Wheatland Gate)