Durbin Statement on Senate Passage of the Highway Bill

DURBIN STATEMENT ON SENATE PASSAGE OF THE HIGHWAY BILL

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today made the following statement regarding the Safe, Accountable, Flexible and Efficient Transportation Equity Act of 2005 (SAFETEA), which passed the Senate earlier today:

"Finally, after three years of stalemate between Congress and the White House, it appears we are moving forward on the transportation bill."

"This Highway bill will make the largest investment to date in our nation's aging transportation infrastructure -- $295 billion over six years."

"Illinois has the third largest Interstate system in the nation. Unfortunately, our roads and bridges are rated among the worst in the nation. With this legislation, Illinois can receive more than $6.1 billion through the highway formula in the Senate bill - a 33 percent increase over the last transportation bill (TEA-21). These important funds will allow the Illinois Department of Transportation to move forward on major reconstruction and rehabilitation projects throughout the state."

"Mass transit funding is vitally important to the Chicago metropolitan area and to many downstate communities. The Senate bill would include more than $2 billion for mass transit - an increase of $286 million over TEA-21."

"This legislation preserves some important environmental programs, including the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) program to help states meet their air quality requirements prescribed under the Clean Air Act. Illinois received more than $460 million in CMAQ funds under TEA-21 and will now be eligible for increased funding through the new Senate-passed bill."

"This bill is not perfect. Illinois' highway formula should be higher. Amtrak reauthorization and rail freight transportation funding are noticeably absent. And important road and transit projects around Illinois have not yet been included. I will work with Senator Obama and my Illinois colleagues in the House of Representatives to ensure that Illinois receives a fair share of transportation funds in the final conference report."

"I hope that Congress can work quickly through the differences between the House and Senate bills in the conference committee. One out of every five jobs in Illinois is related to transportation, including construction jobs. Unless Congress moves rapidly, we could lose another construction season and the important jobs that are created by public investment in transportation."

"Now the real work begins. I strongly encourage my colleagues in the House and President Bush to accept the higher funding level included in the Senate bill. We should not let further delay stand in the way of real improvements in infrastructure, economic development, and job creation."

http://durbin.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=237795&&