Ranking Member Of House Transportation Committee Joins Rep. Capito For Transportation Roundtable In Inwood

Press Release

Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., welcomed her congressional colleague Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., to West Virginia's eastern panhandle on Monday as the two met with local transportation and economic development officials for a wide-ranging discussion of transportation needs throughout the region.

Capito invited Mica, the ranking Republican on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, to Monday's roundtable in Inwood as Congress prepares to continue work on the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Act, legislation otherwise known as the highway bill.

"This morning's meeting was a prime opportunity for local, regional and federal officials to come together and discuss how we can best make important investments in our region's transportation infrastructure," said Capito, a senior member of the transportation committee.

"And I was pleased to welcome my friend and colleague, Congressman Mica, so he could see first-hand the potential impact the highway bill could have in communities like Inwood."

Prior to today's roundtable, the congressional pair visited the congested intersection of Route 11 and W.Va. Route 51, a high-priority transportation project for the congresswoman. Capito has officially requested $9.6 million in the highway bill to support improvements at the intersection.

"Targeted investments in our roads and highways will not only help relieve congestion, but will help to set the stage for economic growth," Capito said. "In a region like the eastern panhandle which has seen so much growth in recent years, the importance of these investments is even greater."

Capito also thanked Berkeley County Commissioner Bill Stubblefield, among other local leaders, for their leadership in identifying and supporting local transportation projects.

Further discussion regarding the highway bill is expected to continue on Capitol Hill in the coming weeks and months.

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