For Immediate Release

April 5, 2004

Washington, DC - Congressman Gene Green (D-Houston) announced $9.5 million in funding for Clinton Drive reconstruction and $5 million for US 90 construction as High Priority Projects in H.R. 3550, the Transportation Equity Act, a Legacy for Users (TEA-LU).  These two projects are very important for the greater Houston area. 

 

“We are making concrete improvements to Houston’s mobility,” said Green. “Along the Ship Channel, Clinton Drive is in severe need of a major overhaul.”

 

The stretch of the Clinton Drive project (total cost $35 to $54 million) runs from the Turning Basin at the Port of Houston to Federal Rd., through an industrial area experiencing heavy levels of intermodal truck traffic carrying cargo.  This section of road is in chronically poor condition as a result, causing cargo bottlenecks and serious road safety concerns.  Both commerce and the community need this stretch of Clinton Drive rebuilt to make it safer and more resistant to truck damage. 

 

Letters of support were provided by the then-Mayor of Houston Lee Brown, Harris County Judge Robert Eckels, the Houston-Galveston Area Council (HGAC), the Port of Houston, and the Texas Department of Transportation demonstrating broad cooperation for improving the intermodal infrastructure surrounding the Port of Houston.

 

“The final stretch of US 90 has been awaiting construction for far too long,” added Green.  “The true mobility potential of US 90 cannot be reached until the freeway links up with I-10.”

 

The proposed project (total cost $35 million) will construct six main lanes of U.S. 90 from Hunting Bayou to Wallisville.  These improvements will fill the gap between Beltway 8 and Interstate 10, whereas currently U.S. 90 terminates at Beltway 8.  U.S. 90 is a major east and western thoroughfare freeway for the East Harris County region.  The US 90 project is supported by HGAC and the Texas Department of Transportation.

 

In addition, residential and commercial development currently exists along the entire project corridor where U.S. 90 would connect with I-10.  By completing this roadway improvement project the area will be further developed by increasing the mobility potential of the area.

 

The High Priority Projects in the bill allow Members of Congress to jumpstart important local projects of regional significance.  The funding secured in H.R. 3550 will be supplemented by further federal and local funding.

 

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