Sometimes a truly great idea comes along. This truly great idea came from State Senator Leland Yee. He wants to name the new Devil's Slide Tunnel being constructed after retiring Congressman Tom Lantos.
Tom Lantos clearly deserves the honor and a lot more. He is a genuine gentleman in an age when there are few. He is a great American. He has served his country extremely well and he's as nice a fellow to know as anyone you will ever meet. Tom Lantos is a national treasure.
Here's the announcement from Senator Lee's office:
The San Mateo County coastside tunnel currently being constructed on Highway 1 at Devil’s Slide will be named in honor of the man who secured much of the funding necessary for the $272 million project. Alongside a number of coastside leaders, today Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) announced legislation to name the bypass “Tom Lantos Tunnel at Devil’s Slide” in honor of the retiring Congressman.
“No one single person is more responsible for this important project coming to fruition than Congressman Tom Lantos,” said Yee, who was joined by the mayors of Pacifica and Half Moon Bay in announcing the legislation. “I can’t think of a better way to recognize his commitment to our nation and our community. He has been one of our finest champions for working families, human rights, national security, and the environment.”
As a staunch advocate for the tunnel project, Congressman Lantos (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) obtained $150 million in federal funds to construct a bypass of the hazardous coastal route. The other $120 million is being funded by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans).
Lantos has led numerous other Congressional efforts for the coastal highway as well. In 1983, he secured $58 million for emergency repairs and replacement of the highway around Devil’s Slide. In April 2007, Lantos successfully pushed for expedited federal small business loans for coastal business that faced significant loss due to the closure of Highway 1 at Devil’s Slide.
In 2004, then Assemblyman Yee was able to keep a critical state bill allowing for the tunnel construction from dying in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.
In November 2007, workers started digging into the mountain to build the 4,200 foot tunnel at Devil’s Slide. About 100 feet of the northbound tunnel has been completed with construction crews working 24 hours a day, seven days a week aiming for a completion in 2010.
“For over three decades, many San Mateo County residents and civic leaders have worked tirelessly to see this project become a reality and protect pristine coastal land from being paved over,” said Yee. “Congressman Lantos has been there fighting for us from day one. I am honored to be able to author legislation to officially naming this bypass the Tom Lantos Tunnel at Devil’s Slide.”
The legislation will be introduced in the State Senate next week.
Story References:
Congressman Tom Lantos's official government website
Wikipedia article about Tom Lantos
Tom Lantos' personal campaign website
GovTrack's voting record for Tom Lantos
State Senator Leland Yee's official government website
Wikipedia article about Leland Yee
CalTrans District 4 Devil's Slide Project website
Wikipedia article about Devil's Slide
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