|
 |
Thursday, February 19, 2004
Contact: Brian Turmail, Tel.:
(202) 366-4570
DOT 17-04
U.S. Transportation Secretary Mineta Tours Midtown Road Projects, Calls on
Congress to Pass Responsible SAFETEA Highway Funding Bill To Help Fund New
Interchange & Bridge
ATLANTA—U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta called on Congress today
to show fiscal responsibility and pass a six-year surface transportation bill
that provides record spending without raising taxes, increasing the deficit or
taking money from other programs.
Secretary Mineta made his remarks after touring two midtown road projects and
the nearby Atlantic Station mixed-use development, which is expected to benefit
from the road work. The projects include the construction of the southern half
of the 17th Street-I-75/85 interchange and the replacement of the congested 14th
Street Bridge. During the tour, Georgia Department of Transportation
Commissioner Harold Linnenkohl showed how the projects will boost the local
economy and improve quality of life by easing congestion and connecting the area
to freeways.
The Bush Administration’s $256 billion surface transportation reauthorization
proposal, called the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation
Equity Act of 2003 (SAFETEA), would be the largest highway, transit and safety
investment in U.S. history. The U.S. Senate last week passed a transportation
bill that would divert tax dollars from other programs and risk increasing the
deficit.
“Investing in transportation systems is crucial for connecting shoppers, diners
and workers to projects like Atlantic Station,” said Secretary Mineta. “The
President’s plan provides record investments in the nation’s transportation
systems without raising taxes, increasing the deficit or taking money from other
programs.”
SAFETEA would provide Georgia with more than $1 billion every year for the next
six years for infrastructure maintenance and improvements for highway and
transit facilities, including the new interchange and bridge. “We need bold
action from the Congress to resist the temptation to spend more than we can
afford,” said Secretary Mineta.
About $53 million of the funding for the 14th Street Bridge and interchange,
estimated to cost a total of $67 million, would come from the federal government
under SAFETEA.
###