U.S. Congressman Steve King, Representing the Fifth District of Iowa. Back to Home Page

For Immediate Release

Representative Steve King
5th Congressional District of Iowa
 November 3, 2006   
KING BRINGS NATION'S TOP HIGHWAY OFFICIAL TO SIOUX CITY FOR FOUR-LANE HIGHWAY 20 PROJECT

Sioux City -  U.S. Congressman Steve King (IA-05) today brought the nation's top highway official, Federal Highway Administrator J. Richard Capka, to Sioux City to meet with community leaders about the US 20 four-lane project and see firsthand the need for more lanes keep up with regional job growth and increased transportation needs.

King brought Administrator Capka to northwest Iowa to survey the US 20 four-lane project in person and to meet directly with local leaders. The group discussed the need to increase the section of US 20 from two lanes to four in northwest Iowa

Capka detailed the importance of investment in transportation infrastructure.
 
"The nation's continued economic growth depends on highway projects like this one," said Administrator Capka. "Because more than 52 million tons of goods are shipped across America's highways each day, highways are our nation's competitive edge in an increasingly global market."

King said it was important the federal government took notice of the project, as a four-lane Highway 20 is the key to realizing the full economic potential of northwest Iowa.

"A four-lane Highway 20 in northwest Iowa is the road to attracting more people, jobs, business and wealth for our local economies," said King. "With the cooperation with our dedicated community leaders all along Highway 20, and throughout the district, we were able to get Highway 20 on the federal government radar, and they have noticed us. Administrator Capka can now take his firsthand information back to Washington with the latest update on the project and how crucial it is for northwest Iowa."

Since he served in the State Senate, King has made a four-lane Highway 20 is his top transportation priority. In his first two terms in Congress, King has successfully worked to secure $10 million in federal appropriations and $47 million in authorizations for the project.

“The Fifth District is the nation's capital for renewable energy,” said King, “That means there are corn and soybeans coming in, and ethanol, biodiesel and co-products moving out over our highways. Highway 20 runs right through the heart of the renewable energy capital of America."