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| Wilson: House Passes Highway Bill |
July 29, 2005 |
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| Highway Bill Authorizes Commuter Rail & Funds for Albuquerque Interchanges
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Heather Wilson today hailed House passage 412-8 of the Transportation Equity Act (H.R. 3) which authorizes $25 million in federal funds for Albuquerque area projects she requested.
“It’s been a long road for this bill, and we now have important funding in place for New Mexico,” Wilson said. “These projects will create jobs and improve transportation infrastructure that is vital to our state’s growth.”
The $286.5 billion six-year highway bill includes $25 million requested by Wilson for four key transportation efforts in central New Mexico, and reauthorizes federal highway spending through fiscal year 2009. It also authorizes the proposed Belen-to-Santa Fe commuter rail as a federal project.
Wilson worked for specific funding for upgrades for Albuquerque area projects that will benefit traffic flow and local and state economies: $15.6 million for Coors/I-40, $5.6 million for the Mesa del Sol interchange, $2.8 million for I-25/Tramway and $1 million for the Middle Rio Grande Coalition of Governments (MRCOG) for planning purposes along the proposed Belen-to-Santa Fe commuter rail, and the study of route alternatives for the Albuquerque to Santa Fe corridor.
Wilson also welcomed the authorization of funds in installments over the next four years totaling $6.9 million for Albuquerque Ride and Bus facilities.
Funding requested by Rep. Wilson for New Mexico projects:
Coors/I-40, $15.6 million – the state’s second most-traveled interchange
Mesa del Sol, $5.6 million
Tramway/I-25, $2.8 million
Albuquerque to Santa Fe corridor study, $1 million (Belen to Santa Fe commuter rail route)
Commuter Rail Authorized for Federal Support
In an important step for New Mexico’s commuter rail effort, the Highway Bill authorizes unspecified future funding for the project. Plans are underway for commuter rail service linking Belen to Santa Fe and including downtown Albuquerque and the Sunport.
“New Mexico will need to draw on federal resources for a project of this size,” Wilson said. “Federal funding can be a lengthy process and there are many competing priorities in Washington, so this is an important starting point.”
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