$29.5 Million in Recovery Act Funding for Transporation Projects During Last Seven Months

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.

“The ARRA is having an enormous impact on the quality of life for all our citizens, especially when it comes to transportation. Roads and bridges will be safer. Access to trains and the national railroad network will be made easier. The air-travelling public will benefit from modern air traffic control systems and passenger facilities. Those who rely on public transportation will soon ride on cleaner, fuel efficient and modern busses and enjoy better facilities. All very good things,” Congressman Cohen said.
“At the same time, jobs are being created and saved in a number of industries from construction to engineering. A safe and efficient infrastructure is the key to attracting economic development opportunities from around the nation and the world. From planes, trains, automobiles, and barges, the Ninth District is the transportation hub for the Mid-South. It is vital that we have the infrastructure necessary to keep people and commerce headed in the right direction,” Congressman Cohen said.

“I was proud to vote for the ARRA because it provides the two things we need to move our economy forward: targeted, timely and temporary funding to jump-start the economy and long-term investments aimed at creating a stable economy,” Congressman Cohen.

Over the last nine months, the $26,253,102 in transportation funding that has flowed into the Ninth District has come from primarily agencies under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Army Corps of Engineers and the General Services Administration (GSA).

• The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has provided $5,864,037 to begin “shovel ready” pavement improvements and other repairs on Ninth District roads.

• The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has awarded $17,772,565 to the Memphis Area Transit Authority to purchase 35 new busses, make passenger facility improvements, and invest in technology to improve the efficiency of the system.

• The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has invested $973,500 in Recovery Act funding to make improvements to passenger facilities at Memphis International Airport, including the parking facility and installing new elevators. Funds were also awarded to improve the energy efficiency of the air conditioning system at several buildings at the airport.

• AMTRAK has invested $41,000 for new signs and state-of-the-art wheel chair ramp for disabled passengers.

• The Government Services Administration (GSA) has awarded $3,324,416 for renovations and repairs to the Clifford Davis – Odell Horton Federal Building.

• The Army Corps of Engineers has invested $1,603,000 in performing harbor maintenance and dredging at Wolf River and McKellar Lake, along with a mapping project of the area.

Congressman Cohen is a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee – the panel that has oversight of transportation issues, including the U.S. Department of Transportation, in Congress.



________________________
Steven Broderick
Communications Director
Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9)
1005 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Direct: 202-226-7916
Main: 202-225-3265
steven.broderick@mail.house.gov