In addition to military protection, a major function of the federal government is to provide, maintain, and support infrastructure. The government is AWOL in this task. Bridges collapse from an over-abundance of bird droppings, roads from Alaska to the Florida Keys are potholed and traffic jams are endemic even on non-urban roads. We live in fear of collapsing levees, tainted water supplies, and crumbling schools. By eliminating the billions we waste, give away, or pay in interest on irresponsible debt, we can pay to repair our infrastructure and again become a nation or motorists, travelers, and 5th Wheelers, instead of the cramped, bitter lemmings we feel like we are in rush hour. To this end, Jeff Takada would work to fund:
- Widening of Highway 99 to 3 lanes with safe, modern ramps from Sacramento to the Stanislaus River.
- A project to eliminate jams on Highway 580/680 interchange going south into San Jose. The current situation is dangerous, costly, and environmentally dirty.
- The immediate extension of BART to Livermore with simultaneous and immediate studies beginning on extending it to Tracy and Manteca.
- Federal funding for the complete inspection and shoring up of all levees in the 11th District. This has the potential for a crisis and cannot be avoided any longer.
- The inspection and renovation of canals in the district and leading to the district. We cannot afford to lose water to sloth and inefficiency.
Jeff Takada additionally pledges to travel by train to and from district for all regularly scheduled recesses. This saves money, is more environmentally conscious and highlights his commitment to responsible public transportation.
