(Washington, DC, April 2, 2004)—With today’s passage of the new highway transportation bill, H.R. 3550, known as the Transportation Equity Act or TEA, the U.S. Virgin Islands is set to realize $134 million over the next six years to improve its roads and highways, said Delegate to Congress Donna M. Christensen on Friday afternoon.

 “We are extremely pleased at the significant increases in highway funding that this bill represents,” said Christensen.  “The Virgin Islands is set to receive approximately $16 million per year for the first year, $18 million in the second year and $20 million per year for the four years after that.”   The measure also includes $7 million for Phase II of the Christiansted By-Pass and $7 million for the reconstruction and improvement of Scott Free Road on St. Thomas.

 The Delegate thanked House Transportation Committee Chairman Don Young and Ranking Member James Oberstar for their work that has resulted in a 600 percent increase in federal funding for mass transit programs in the territory.  She explained that prior to this the territory had received only $13.9 million yearly in highway funding.

 Christensen said that in addition, a technical amendment that changes the territory’s designation to “urbanized area” for the purpose of mass transit funding will result in an increase in funding to operate a modern transit system from $150,000 a year to $1 million a year for the next 6 years.  “This is good news as it represents a significant shot in the arm for our VITRAN bus system,” Christensen said.

 “I would also like to thank the Governor and his office for their diligence in this joint effort that has netted substantial gains for the territory,” Christensen said.