Contact: Shana Stribling 202.224.0309
Tuesday, September 24, 2002

WASHINGTON, DC –– U.S. Senator Kit Bond today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has approved more than $27 million in federal dollars for Missouri transportation needs.

“These are dollars that come from the Transportation Appropriations bill,” said Bond. “I am pleased that I was able to secure these dollars, and I will continue to use my position as a senior Senator on the Appropriations Committee for Missouri’s benefit.”

Bi-State Development Agency, which provides bus and light rail transportation for the St. Louis region, will receive $27,720,366 in federal dollars from the DOT. Bond secured this funding in the fiscal year 2002 Transportation Appropriations bill. The funds will be used for the St. Clair County, Illinois MetroLink light rail extension project.

The $27 million in federal dollars are just part of the federal funds that Bond has secured for St. Louis-area buses, equipment and public transit infrastructure in the past five years. It underscores Bond’s continued commitment to the St. Louis area and local residents who depend upon public transportation.

“More modern and efficient mass transit helps fight traffic congestion while also helping the environment, by taking more cars off the road,” said Bond.

Kit Bond is a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. Also, he is Missouri’s senior Senator and is now in his third term after having served the state previously during two terms as Governor.