DOT 57-07
Contact: Brian Turmail
Tel.: (202) 366-4570
Thursday, June 7, 2007

NINE CITIES NAMED SEMI-FINALISTS FOR FEDERAL FUNDING TO HELP FIGHT TRAFFIC JAMS, U.S. TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY PETERS ANNOUNCES

Nine of America’s most congested cities are semi-finalists for a federal program that will provide a total of $1.1 billion to fight traffic jams, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters announced today.

Speaking at a news conference in New York City, Peters announced her Department will consider proposals for its Urban Partnership program from Atlanta, Dallas, Denver, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Miami, New York City, San Diego, San Francisco, and Seattle, with plans to announce winners by mid-August.

“We’re asking cities to try something different, innovative and daring when it comes to fighting traffic,” said Secretary Peters.

Together, the nine cities chosen as semi-finalists in the competition represent one-third of all highway congestion recorded among the nation’s 85 largest cities, and handle about 20 percent of all vehicle travel in the U.S.

The applications are similar in that they all propose to levy tolls that vary based on traffic volumes and all of them would beef up transit options for residents, Peters said.

In addition to funding, the Department will support winning proposals with technical advice and an expedited review process, she added.

“This program supports leaders with the wisdom and courage to develop plans that will cut traffic now, not years from now,” the Secretary said.