In August of 2005, Congress passed legislation which authorized funding for our nation’s highways, transit, and highway safety programs through the end of 2009.
 
Since its enactment, this legislation provided funding for transportation projects that have increased economic productivity, created new jobs, and improved America’s quality of life.  Unfortunately, drafting errors and some legislative language have yielded unintended consequences.  To correct these mistakes, Congress is revisiting the legislation through The Highway Corrections Bill this week.

While this legislation will not increase spending, I would like to point out some of the projects in Nevada that will benefit from this legislation. 

• $45 million for planning the Maglev project, which would carry passengers from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, easing congestion on I-15 and making transportation between southern California and southern Nevada faster and safer.
• $4-6 million for the Lake Tahoe Metropolitan Planning Organization.  These funds will help carry out planning, environmental reviews, and preliminary engineering for critical projects for the restoration of Lake Tahoe Basin.
• $2 million for Ely railroad construction projects and acquisitions.
• And $2 million for the Southern Regional Transportation Commission to purchase buses.

In addition to funding important transportation projects nationwide, the passage of this bill will help create tens of thousands of jobs across the country and reduce transportation costs of consumer goods, both of which will help improve our economy. I look forward to the Highway Corrections Bill passing Congress with broad bi-partisan support and as we move forward I will continue to ensure Nevada’s needs always come first.