WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall (D-WV) helped pass a major transportation bill, with funding for many local projects, out of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee with bipartisan support from Congressional colleagues on the committee. "We have a fairly long road to travel on this bill, but this is a great step forward," said Rahall. "With the addition of these valuable local projects, the bill is now ready to come to the House floor for a full vote."

The bill, The Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy For Users (HR 3), which extends federal transportation programs and funding for the next six-years, calls for $283.9 billion in infrastructure investment. The United States Department of Transportation estimates that 47,500 new jobs are created for every $1 billion spent on infrastructure. This legislation will create and sustain thousands of new jobs throughout West Virginia. The bill passed out of committee today and will be scheduled for a vote on the House floor in the near future.

"Today I was able to secure funding in the bill earmarked for some important local projects, which will help create jobs throughout southern West Virginia after final passage of the bill" said Rahall. "These projects will improve the safety of our roads, provide for new routes to make travel through our state easier, and create many new jobs for our area."

Over and above the multibillion formula funding West Virginia could receive in the bill, which has yet to be calculated, Rahall secured $65 million in federal funding for southern West Virginia projects today. This funding, with the required 20% state share, would generate $30 million for the Beckley Intermodal Gateway, $29 million for the I-73/74 Corridor through West Virginia (King Coal Highway), $6.2 million for Route 10 in Logan, $9 million for the Coalfields Expressway, $5.6 million for the New River Parkway and $1.4 million for the Shawnee Parkway.

Last year, similar bills were introduced in both the House and the Senate. Both the House and the Senate passed bills funding the transportation system, but the Republican leadership in the House and the Senate were unable to agree on a final bill to send to the President.

"Last year I was able to secure $2.2 billion for roads in West Virginia in the House version of the bill. That would have been more than 100,000 much needed new jobs for our area," said Rahall. "As we travel the long road towards passing this long overdue bill I will continue to work to secure as much money as possible for our state's roads and highways."