Thompson Presents $1 Million Check to City of Cotati for Safety Improvements to Highway 116 and West Cotati Intersection

Cotati - Today, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04)presented a check for $1 million tothe City of Cotati toinstall a new turn lane, traffic signal, and safe crossing points at the intersection of Highway 116 and West Cotati Avenue.

"This project will make a dangerous intersection safer for drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists," said Thompson. "Once complete, the new traffic light and safe crossing paths will connect bus lines and bike pathways, allowing working families living nearby to better access public transit and reducing accidents."

"The City of Cotati is very grateful to U.S. Representative Thompson for advocating on our behalf and securing funding so that we can deliver the Highway 116/West Cotati Intersection Safety Improvement Project. When complete, this critical infrastructure will improve the safety of all road users, remove a key obstacle to much needed new housing along this regional transportation corridor, and provide important local and regional connections for bicyclists and pedestrians," said Cotati Mayor, Laura Sparks.

"The funding will help us deliver critical infrastructure for our community and improve safety for the many regional users of Highway 116. For a small community like Cotati, the funding needed for this type of project is beyond our reach, so we very much appreciate the support of U.S. Representative Thompson and all of his staff," said Cotati City Manager, Damien O'Bid.

The Highway 116/West Cotati Intersection Safety Improvement Project will address safety issues by re-aligning the Highway 116/West Cotati Intersection by installing a new traffic signal and associated turn lanes to provide refuge for turning vehicles and bicyclists, as well as greatly improving connectivity and safety for bicycles and pedestrians through the addition of safe crossing points. This project is also located within a designated priority development area and will remove a key barrier to building new, much-needed housing adjacent to existing public transit for working families.

Rep. Thompson secured this funding through the Fiscal Year 2024 Federal appropriations process. This project is one of three projects Rep. Thompson secured in Sonoma County for a total of $3,014,279 and $16,375,174 total for projects in California's Fourth District. The project was requested by the City of Cotati.