Assemblywoman Luz Rivas Honors Elias Rodriguez with a $7.5 Million Investment for the Pacoima Wash Bridge

SACRAMENTO – Today, Assemblywoman Luz Rivas(D-San Fernando Valley) hosted a budget press conference at the Pacoima Wash Natural Park after securing $7.5 million to the City of San Fernando to fund the Pacoima Wash Natural Park. This project addresses the safety concern voiced by community members’ after 14 year-old Elias Rodriguez passed away when he used the Pacoima Wash during a rainstorm as a means to get home.

“Local neighborhoods have voiced their concerns over the unsafe nature of the Pacoima Wash for years. The allocation of this money will put the community’s worries to rest as the City of San Fernando works to revitalize the Wash and prevent other unfortunate accidents like that of Elias Rodriguez,” said Assemblywoman Luz Rivas. “This is more than a connectivity project at the Pacoima Wash. This project will heal the San Fernando community. This is in honor of Elias Rodriguez and his family. He is gone too soon, but won’t be forgotten.”

“As a community, we still mourn the tragic death of Elias Rodriguez who, unfortunately, was caught in the Pacoima Wash while trying to get home from school,” stated City of San Fernando Mayor, Mary Mendoza. “This project will redefine the Pacoima Wash as an asset in the community offering safer options to walk and bike to schools, parks, homes and businesses. I want to thank Assemblywoman Luz Rivas for securing additional funding to enhance this very important project and create a better connected San Fernando.”

“Thank you to Mayor Mendoza, councilmembers, and the City of San Fernando for working with me to ensure our district gets the state investments it needs to make our neighborhoods safer,” expressed Assemblywoman Luz Rivas. “Thank you to our local organizations such as the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians Pacoima Beautiful, and Tree People, for their community support on this project. Lastly, I would like to thank the family of Elias Rodriguez for being at today’s conference in his honor. This project is dedicated to him.”

These funds come directly from the California State Budget and provide safe access through the Pacoima Wash for community members.

Assemblywoman Luz Rivas proudly represents the 39^th Assembly District, which includes the City of Los Angeles communities of Arleta, Lake View Terrace, Granada Hills, Mission Hills, North Hollywood, Pacoima, Sun Valley, Sunland-Tujunga, Sylmar, and the City of San Fernando.