Wilson Budget Plan Sets Aside $34.4 Million for Area Projects : Spending: The new governor proposes allocations for parkland, freeways and CSUN. State Sen. Robbins says money for commuter rail lines is also likely.

SACRAMENTO —  Gov. Pete Wilson proposed in his first state budget Thursday to spend at least $34.4 million on San Fernando Valley-area projects, including widening the Golden State Freeway, acquiring parkland and improving the electrical system at Cal State Northridge.

Although Wilson described his budget as an “austerity program” in light of the current budget crisis, in which the state faces a potential deficit of more than $7 billion, he still found room to set aside money for a variety of building projects.

The budget now goes to the Legislature, which must approve a spending plan by June 30.

State Sen. Alan Robbins (D-Tarzana), an influential Valley legislator, described the figures as “a good starting point.”

Robbins said he expects the Wilson administration to also agree to set aside as much as $210 million in voter-approved bond funds for acquiring railroad rights of way in the Valley and for other commuter rail line improvements.

Even though the transit funds are not spelled out on a project-by-project basis in Wilson’s spending blueprint, Robbins said he anticipates “a lot of rail bond money” will be funneled to the Valley.

The most expensive single Valley-area project in the budget is a $14-million proposal to relieve traffic congestion by widening the Golden State Freeway at the interchange with the Hollywood Freeway.

Wilson also proposed two sound-wall projects on the Ventura Freeway in the West Valley--$830,000 for walls between Balboa Boulevard and White Oak Avenue, and $500,000 for walls between Winnetka and DeSoto avenues.

Wilson proposed setting aside nearly $6.6 million to upgrade and renovate the Cal State Northridge electrical system, which “has experienced severe deterioration,” the budget message said.

Wilson also provided funds for open space and recreation.

The Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, which acquires land in the mountains ringing the San Fernando Valley to preserve it as open space, would receive $10 million in voter-approved funds.

Joseph Edmiston, the conservancy’s executive director, said the bulk of the money would be used to complete a wildlife corridor linking the Santa Monicas with the Simi Hills and the Santa Susana Mountains.

Edmiston said his agency is attempting to ensure that development does not block migratory paths for a variety of animals, including badgers, foxes and mountain lions.

“There are certain choke points near freeways” that need to be purchased to keep the paths open, he said.

Wilson also has tucked into his budget $1.2 million to restore the 1871 farmhouse at Wilder Ranch State Park in the Santa Susana Mountains.

Another open-space proposal would set aside nearly $2.2 million for facilities at the Hungry Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Park, which comprises 20,000 acres between Gorman and Pyramid Lake.

The park’s hillsides and rugged landscape have been set aside for recreational users of motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles and jeeps.

Jerry Johnson, chief of the off-highway vehicle division of the state Parks and Recreation Department, said the money would be used to develop safety exhibits, a first aid station and an administrative complex.

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