Transportation
Information regarding my stance on Transportation issues.
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.
“I am very pleased to report that MATA has been awarded these monies for updating their advanced public transportation systems,” said Congressman Cohen. “I have made the improvement of our public transportation infrastructure in the 9th District a major priority during my tenure, and I applaud the DOT for awarding MATA the necessary funding to serve our community better.”
“I am very pleased that the Federal Transit Administration has awarded these funds to MATA,” said Congressman Cohen. “I have made the procurement of funds for our transportation infrastructure in the 9th District one of my top priorities in Congress, and I applaud the FTA for its prudent judgment in awarding this grant.”
“Memphis is one of the four largest inland ports in the country, attracting hundreds of millions in investment,” said Congressman Cohen. “With key players like FedEx and Northwest Airlines in District 9, transport and logistics have become the lifeblood of our city. I am happy that the public will have the opportunity to hear some of the DRA’s plans and ideas on the future of intermodal transport in the 9th District.”
“I am very pleased that the Tennessee Department of Transportation will receive nearly a quarter million dollars from the Federal Highway Administration,” said Congressman Cohen. “This grant will assist the development of the Tennessee Byways Program, which will improve our state’s historic scenic roads.”
The grant will fund the creation and execution of a comprehensive Outreach, Education, and Communications Plan to coincide with and complement the state's current project for re-establishing and rejuvenating the Tennessee Byways Program.