HOUSE PASSES $60 MILLION FOR ILLINOIS METROLINK

Washington- The U.S. House of Representatives today passed legislation which includes $60 million in construction funding for the St. Clair County extension of MetroLink light rail, U.S. Rep Jerry Costello (D-IL) announced.

The funding will continue construction of the link connecting the current terminus at Fifth and Missouri Avenues in East St. Louis with Southwestern Illinois College.

"With passage of today's legislation in the House, we continue the federal government's commitment to one of the nation's most impressive transit systems," said Costello, a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. "The St. Clair Extension will continue the success of the first phase and create a stronger transportation link between Illinois and Missouri."

To date, the Congress has approved $167 million for the St. Clair County Corridor. If this legislation is signed into law by the President, Congress would have approved $227 million- well over half of the projects expected funding- by fiscal year 2001.

"Our region has seen impressive economic development benefits from our investment in MetroLink, in addition to improved transportation access between Illinois and Missouri," Costello said.

Costello said he expects the U.S. Senate to follow the House in approving funding for the project in the next few weeks.