Washington, DC - Congressman Wm. Lacy Clay applauded the passage of the Transportation Enhancement Act as “The best transportation bill that the St. Louis area has ever seen.” Mr. Clay, who represents large portions of the City of St. Louis and St. Louis County, said that the highway package would help address some of the St. Louis region’s most pressing transportation needs and would also give taxpayers a much better return on their motor fuel dollars.

“I’m very proud that we were able to win funding to jumpstart several urgent projects in the First Congressional District,” said Clay. “Investing in our transportation infrastructure means safer roads, less traffic congestion and thousands of jobs. This bill will provide over $46 million to fix some of our most urgent road and bridge problems. It also opens the door to some exciting projects in the future. And I’m very pleased that the taxpayers whom I represent will finally receive their fair share of federal highway dollars.” The just-passed bill will return 98 cents for every dollar that Missouri residents pay for motor fuel taxes.

Highlights of the First Congressional District projects that are included in the new transportation bill include:

• Replacement of the Grand Avenue Viaduct $17.0 million
  
• Redesign & Replacement of the I-270 & Dorsett Road Interchange $1.6 million
  
• Redesign & Replacement of the I-170 & Scudder Road Interchange $1.6 million
  
• Tucker Boulevard Bridge Repairs $5.6 million
  
• MetroLink Vandeventer Bridge $5.0 million
  
• Metro Bus Fare Collection Program $15.0 million
  
• Chain of Rocks Trailnet Bicycle Path $640,000
  
• Confluence Greenway Riverfront Trail Development $560,000
  
• Initial Funding for new Mississippi River Bridge $25.0 million
  
• Authorization to Pursue Funding for a new MetroLink
  Light Rail North Extension *$275.0 million