The Online Office of Congressman Jason Altmire - Altmire Secures $60 Million to Support Western Pennsylvania Economy

Altmire Secures $60 Million to Support Western Pennsylvania Economy

(Washington, DC) - Today, U.S. Congressman Jason Altmire (PA-4) announced that the final budget passed by the House includes nearly $60 million to support western Pennsylvania's economy. Funding for the Fourth Congressional District is included for:

Critical infrastructure improvements to the Ohio River's locks and dams ($45 million);
Upgrades to local highways and mass transit ($2.5 million);
Support for emergency first responders ($1 million); and
Investments in the region's community hospitals ($750,000).

This funding is in addition to the $8 million previously secured by Congressman Altmire to support research and development at local companies. The Consolidated Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2008 (H.R. 2764) was approved in the House by a vote of 272 to 142. With Senate passage last night, it now goes to the president's desk for signature.

"This funding is critical to local job growth in our communities and will help keep our region's economy moving forward," said Congressman Altmire. "From rebuilding our local locks and dams, to advancing the I-376 Corridor project, to providing our first responders with essential equipment, these are investments in our region's infrastructure, safety, and health."

More specifically, Congressman Altmire secured funding for the following projects in the Consolidated Appropriations Act:

ALLEGHENY COUNTY

Alle-Kiski Medical Center - $365,000 for construction and upgrades of emergency department at Natrona Heights hospital.
Ross Township Police Department - $399,500 to upgrade communications system between police station and patrol cars.
Plum Senior Community Center - $300,000 for planning and construction of a new senior center.
Edgewater Steel and Carrie Furnace Brownfields - $100,000 for site conversion to create local jobs, housing, and parks for local residents.
Emsworth Locks and Dams - $43,000,000 for critical infrastructure repairs to Emsworth Locks and Dams.
Allegheny County Commuter Rail - $1,000,000 for planning and development of commuter and rail lines to connect residents of the Alle-Kiski Valley and Monongahela Valley with downtown Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh International Airport.
Joint Readiness Center - $500,000 to support regional coordination of emergency response.
Holy Family Institute - $141,000 to provide support services for at-risk youth.

ALLEGHENY AND BEAVER COUNTIES

Upper Ohio River Navigation Study - $2,500,000 for a long-term study of the Emsworth, Dashields, and Montgomery Locks and Dams to determine the best plan for maintaining safe and reliable navigation of the Upper Ohio River.

BEAVER COUNTY

Beaver County Emergency Services - $681,500 for communications upgrades to improve county's ability to quickly and effectively respond to emergencies.
Community College of Beaver County - $97,000 to support educational programming at CCBC's Aviation Sciences Center.
Heritage Valley Health System - $87,000 for construction and upgrades of emergency department at Beaver hospital.

BEAVER AND BUTLER COUNTIES

Freedom Crider Road - $750,000 for highway construction to improve access between Beaver County and Cranberry Township.

LAWRENCE COUNTY

Jameson Health System - $296,000 for construction and upgrades of emergency department at New Castle hospital.
I-376 Corridor - $750,000 for safety upgrades at Route 60 and 422 Interchange in Union Township.
Millennium Park - $500,000 for development of brownfield into future commercial site in Neshannock Township.
Lawrence County Social Services - $121,000 to support early childhood education programs.