Transportation
Information regarding my stance on Transportation issues.
Recovery Act funds have been used to repair roads and bridges, invest in public transportation, undertake harbor maintenance, and improve passenger facilities at Memphis International Airport.
“For our region, high speed rail will improve access between the largest cities in Tennessee and Arkansas. Investing in high-speed rail will further reduce our dependence on foreign oil, lower gas costs as well as congestion and accidents on our already overcrowded streets,” Congressman Cohen said.
“Each day the Memphis Area Transit Authority transports tens of thousands of people around the city and Shelby County safely and efficiently. These funds will allow the Authority to purchase 35 state-of-the-art busses and technology to improve rider safety and the efficiency of the system,” Congressman Cohen said. “Access to affordable and reliable transportation is crucial to promoting economic development. I was proud to support the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and am grateful that these funds are moving quickly to our district.”
The grant provides funding for phase one reconstruction of Runway 9/27, the oldest runway at Memphis International. The asphalt runway has undergone numerous surface repairs and this project will totally reconstruct the runway with concrete. Additionally, this grant provides for partial reimbursement for costs associated with the construction of Taxiway V.
I am very pleased with my subcommittee appointments on the Transportation Committee. We will play a vital role in shaping the upcoming American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan that President-elect Obama is supporting. We will work hard with the new administration to reach the goal of creating and saving between 3 and 4 million jobs in the next two years by, among other things, repairing the country’s crumbling infrastructure.
The legislation authorizes $13.06 billion over five years for passenger rail – more than $2.6 billion annually for Amtrak, intercity passenger rail, and high speed rail programs, which is almost double what the U.S. is currently spending.