U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall (D-WV) celebrated a victory for West Virginia today when the House of Representatives passed the conference report of the Transportation Bill. "This new transportation bill brings a lot to southern West Virginia," said Rahall, a senior member of the Transportation Committee and conferee on the Bill. "Lace up the work boots, dust off the hard hats, thank heavens, it's time to let the dirt fly!"

"Through my ongoing efforts I was able to secure funding for crucial projects throughout southern West Virginia," Rahall continued. Rahall secured funding for the Beckley Intermodal Gateway, the I-73/74 Corridor, also known as the King Coal Highway or the TOLSIA Highway, Route Ten in Logan County, the Coalfields Expressway, the New River Parkway, the Shawnee Parkway, and the East Beckley Bypass.

Rahall secured a total of $126.8 million earmarked for southern West Virginia projects. Each of these projects will receive additional funding from the State, bringing the total funding Rahall secured to $165 million.

"This funding will help create good jobs for southern West Virginia," said Rahall. "I have been a strong supporter of all of these projects and I am pleased that we seem to have finally reached the end of the long road to success on this bill."

Rahall helped pass the final version of the much anticipated transportation bill through the U.S. House of Representatives today after months and months of work in committee and conference. The bill will fund transportation projects across the Nation for five years. The bill, the Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (TEA LU), H.R. 3, passed the House by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 412-8. Rahall helped secure an annual average of $404 million in the bill specifically for West Virginia's transportation needs over the next five years, and $126.8 million earmarked for local projects. After the additional State funding, Rahall secured a total of $165 million for southern West Virginia projects.

"West Virginia is a big winner with this transportation bill," said Rahall. "This bill will create good jobs, jobs that pay workers well, all across southern West Virginia. The Department of Transportation estimates that 47,500 new jobs are created for every $1 billion spent on transportation nationally. Clearly, this bill will put West Virginians to work and bring many job opportunities to our area."

The $404 million per year for West Virginia will allow the State to make significant progress in improving its transportation infrastructure, including several high-priority construction projects. Due in large part to the work of Congressman Rahall, the $404 million per year West Virginia will receive is an increase of over 30% from the last highway bill. "This funding is long overdue, and now we can finally get these projects under way and let the rubber meet the road," said Rahall.