Contact: Ernie Blazar 202.224.7627 Shana Stribling 202.224.0309
Friday, June 6, 2003

WASHINGTON, DC –– U.S. Senator Kit Bond today announced that the Department of Transportation's (DOT) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will send Missouri almost $2 million in federal dollars for the I-44 and US-65 Interchange.

"The I-44 and US-65 Interchange is vital to the region's economy and I'm proud I was able to secure these funds for the project,” said Bond, Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee that reauthorizes all FHWA projects and a senior member of the Senate Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee. "These dollars will not only strengthen the economy, especially for southwest Missouri's truckers and the tourism industry, but will also make travel safer for everyone."

"Improving road conditions is vital to job creation and economic growth in Southwest Missouri," said Talent. "Not only will this federal funding strengthen our local transportation infrastructure, these dollars will help make the I-44 & US-65 Interchange safer for everyone. I will continue to work with Sen. Bond to deliver a robust highway bill for Missouri and to bring additional transportation infrastructure dollars to the state as we work to pass a pro-jobs, pro-growth agenda for Missouri in the Senate."

As a senior member of the Senate Transportation Appropriations Committee Bond secured the $1,987,000 for the I-44 and US-65 Interchange in the fiscal year 2003 Transportation Appropriations bill. The I-44 and US-65 Interchange project will improve the critical crossroads for traffic entering and leaving the region on two major corridors. The interchange is also a major access point for almost 5 million tourists commuting to the Branson Lake area. Currently the intersection is the most dangerous intersection in the area.

Kit Bond is Missouri’s senior Senator and is now in his third term after having served the state previously during two terms as Governor.