Transportation
Creating Jobs and Keeping Montana Open for Business:
Montana’s jobs, economy, and our way of life all depend on having a strong transportation infrastructure. We need roads and rail to transport agricultural products and extracted minerals; highways to enable freight movements and to provide access for our extraordinary parks and recreation areas; and airports to support passenger travel and our national defense – all are part of our intricate transportation network.
Having served over the years as both Chairman and ranking member of both the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee and its Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure, I have had the unique opportunity to shape national transportation policy. Of equal importance, I have been able to provide our state with the necessary programs and funding to improve Montana's roads, bridges, highways, and transit.
I was one of the key authors of the last major surface transportation bill, the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users, commonly called the Highway bill. This bill is bringing a total of more than $2.3 billion to Montana for highway construction projects. It has also helped create and sustain more than 18,000 good-paying jobs in the state. In addition, the Highway bill represents a 44 percent increase for Montana over previous funding levels. These funds have helped make the Montana’s roads safer, and have boosted Montana’s economy.
In 2009, Congress is scheduled to do the next version of the highway bill. Rest assured, I intend put my position as Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure subcommittee to good use for Montana once again.
I'll also continue to stand up for improved and expanded transportation options for Montana, including ensuring that Amtrak's Empire Builder route remains open. Likewise, for years I’ve fought for funding for rural airports to ensure that Montanans have access to affordable, reliable air service.
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