Rep. Jim Costa, D-Fresno, used an announcement about a $26 million project replacing Highway 99 bridges over Cottonwood Creek in Madera County to deliver even bigger news Friday.

Joined by state Transportation Commission Chair Lee Ann Eager, Costa said that future funding from the $1.2 trillion federal infrastructure bill will widen Highway to six lanes from  Avenue 12 to the San Joaquin River.

The stretch of 99 from Avenue 17 to Avenue 12 in Madera County was previously widened to six lanes.

“Every time we have a groundbreaking, we have an opportunity to talk about where American taxpayer dollars are being spent. And this is that kind of an example of America’s taxpayer dollars coming home, investing in this case on an important transportation artery,” Costa said of the Cottonwood Creek bridge replacements.

“It’s important that people know that taxpayers’ hard-earned money that goes to Washington is coming back to generate economic returns and benefits for safer transportation, better water infrastructure, and all of the important things that Americans care about.”

Watch: Costa Reveals Valley Infrastructure Funding