Durbin Statement Regarding President Bush Signing Federal Transportation Bill in Aurora

DURBIN STATEMENT REGARDING PRESIDENT BUSH SIGNING FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION BILL IN AURORA

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today made the following statement regarding President Bush's visit to Aurora to sign the Safe, Accountable, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU):

"Thankfully, we have reached the end of this very long road. After years of delays, Congress has agreed to, and the President has signed, the federal transportation bill. This legislation is a critical step toward funding our nation's transportation needs and creating jobs in a troubled economy."

"Illinois will now receive more than $6 billion over the next five years from the bill's highway formula -- a 33 percent increase over our state's funding in the last transportation bill. This transportation bill also increases funding for Illinois mass transit by 128 percent."

"With these additional funds, the Illinois Department of Transportation will be able to move forward on major construction projects throughout the state, and thousands of new Illinois jobs will be created in the process."

"Senator Obama helped write this bill and was able to ensure that Illinois received its fair share of highway and transit funding. I was pleased to work with him, Speaker Hastert, and our House colleagues to deliver a transportation bill that will move our state forward -- addressing critical highway, bridge, and mass transit needs."

http://durbin.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=243636&&