July 29, 2005

Transportation Bill Passes
Akin Says Measure Contains Essential Funding for St. Louis Area Transportation Projects

WASHINGTON , DC - Congressman Todd Akin (R-MO) applauded today’s passage of the Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users Act (TEA-LU) as a critical step in providing much needed improvements to Missouri’s highways.

Akin, who worked closely on the measure with Missouri Senator Kit Bond, said the bill increases the percentage of federal highway funds returned to the state.

“St. Louis is in need of substantial highway improvements, and this bill goes a long way toward making them,” Akin said. “It provides $20 million for the Page Avenue Extension, $2.8 million for Missouri Highway 141 between I-64 and Missouri Route 340, and $320,000 for preliminary engineering work for the I-170 interchange at Ladue Road.

“The increase in the percentage of funds returned to Missouri as a donor state is a tremendous accomplishment, and I applaud Senator Bond’s outstanding work to this end. I am proud to have voted for this bill and to have worked with both of our Senators in establishing a more equitable use of Federal highway funds,” Akin concluded.

Also included in the transportation bill was $75 million for a new Mississippi River bridge. “I was pleased to support the funding for this important infrastructure improvement which will benefit the bi-state region.”

---

Return to Press Release Archive listing