(Washington, DC)  --  U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette (R-14, Concord) today voted in favor of H.R. 3, a six-year, $284 billion highway and transit bill that provides more than $120 million for local projects.

 The Transportation Enhancement Act: A Legacy for Users (TEA-LU) will authorize highway and transit programs for the next six years. It was approved today in the House of Representatives by a vote of 417 to 9.

 The Senate has yet to pass its version of the bill.  LaTourette said an extension of the previous six-year bill ends at the end of May, and it is hoped that H.R. 3 will be signed into law by Memorial Day.  The Administration supports the funding level in this bill, which is 42 percent higher than the last six-year highway bill, known as TEA 21.

 LaTourette said the House-passed bill retains more than $120 million he secured for local projects in the 14th Congressional District and in NE Ohio.   LaTourette also said he was able to obtain funding for two additional projects since the measure was approved by the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on March 2. 

 In addition to projects previously announced, the bill now includes $700,000 for land acquisition for construction of pedestrian and bicycle trails at Mentor Marsh and $300,000 to design and construct road enhancements at Andrews Road and Lakeshore Boulevard in Mentor-on-the-Lake.  LaTourette said he expects these and his other projects will be included in the final bill that is signed into law.

 LaTourette said Ohio will see a 28.8 percent increase in funds from the previous highway bill, which is almost 4 percent higher than the average state increase of 25 percent.  He said Ohio will see funding increase from $5.78 billion under the expiring TEA-21 bill to $7.4 billion under the bill passed by the House today.

 “Ohio will gain more than $1.6 billion under the new bill, and will also enjoy a higher increase in funds than most states,” LaTourette said.  “This is a good bill for Ohio, and I look forward to the president signing it into law."