Washington, DC  -  Congressman Mike Rogers said today he secured $400,000 to help build an interchange in Auburn on Interstate 85 at Cox and Beehive Roads, an initiative which should help relieve heavy traffic congestion in the area and increase economic development in the city.

“I am thrilled Congress has included funding for this important transportation initiative in Auburn,” Rogers said. “The city has been growing by leaps and bounds and I am pleased we could get Congressional support to help provide real relief for Lee County citizens.”

Rogers said the House passed H.R. 3, the Conference Report to the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), by a vote of 412-8. The $286 billion bill covers federal-aid highway and mass transit projects as well as safety initiatives, as well as funding for the interchange.

“As always, I would also like to thank Senators Shelby and Sessions for their ongoing assistance with this and other transportation projects in the Senate,” Rogers added. “I also want to thank House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Il.) and Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Tx.) for helping make this funding a reality for the people of Alabama’s Third District.”

Rogers said the bill is in its final form and only needed passage by the Senate, which is expected, and then a signature by the president to make the legislation law. He said the final bill is $8.5 billion less than the amount proposed by the Senate, and subjected all projects in the bill to a 20% across-the-board cut. The measure would ensure states receive at least 92% of the money they contribute to the Highway Trust Fund by 2008.

Rogers noted building the interchange with I-85 has been one of the top priorities of local officials for several years and would help motorists and trucks access a local industrial park nearby.