Contact: Ernie Blazar 202-224-7627 Shana Stribling 224-0309
Friday, September 6, 2002

WASHINGTON - Senator Kit Bond today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is sending more than $21 million in federal dollars for key transportation projects in Missouri.

“These dollars are an investment in Missouri’s future,” said Bond. “Safer, more efficient and effective transportation throughout the state will develop in to more jobs, economic growth and a higher quality of life for Missouri.”

Senator Bond secured these dollars for Missouri transportation projects in the fiscal year 2001 Transportation Appropriations bill. In the 2001 bill, Bond secured a total of $52 million for key highway, airport and bus projects across Missouri. The funds to be released in the next week include the following projects:

* $5,940,175 grant for the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority. The funds will purchase seven 40-foot replacement buses and a radio system.

* $4,446,484 grant for Southwest Missouri State University. The funds will be used to construct an intermodal transfer facility at the University.

* $3,960,116 grant for the Bi-State Development Agency in St. Louis. The funds will be sued for bus facility improvements, including the design and replacement of roofs for the Brentwood and DeBaliviere facilities.

* $2,466,994 grant for the Bi-State Development Agency in St. Louis. The funds will contribute to the daily operations and to improve the efficiency, reliability and safety of the service.

* $1,980,058 grant for the construction of a bus administrative and maintenance facility in Columbia.

* $1,312,551 grant for the construction of a multimodal transfer/park-and-ride facility for the Southeast Missouri State University.

* $1,240,000 grant secured by Bond and Representative Emerson for the buses and bus facilities of the Southeast Missouri Transportation System The funds will allow for a number of improvements, including increased safety inspections and preventative maintenance.

Bond served Missouri twice as Governor and now continues his service to Missourians in the United States Senate. Bond has been a champion of Missouri’s transportation needs since he was Governor. He is also a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.