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| Wilson Keeps Pace with Rail Project |
September 02, 2005 |
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| Airport Shuttle Will Connect to Rail for Now
Albuquerque, NM – Roadrunners are a common site along the Rio Grande Valley, but through the work of local officials and Congresswoman Heather Wilson at the federal level, a different kind of New Mexico “Runner” will soon be a common site, too. After boarding and touring a RailRunner engine today, Congresswoman Heather Wilson learned more about the status of the proposed Belen-to-Santa Fe commuter rail.
“We thank Representative Wilson for her continuing support of the New Mexico RailRunner that has allowed us to keep the commuter project moving forward on schedule,” said Lawrence Rael, Executive Director of the Middle Rio Grand Council of Governments. “This $1 million in federal funds gives MRCOG the ability to quickly complete the Environmental Assessment that will bring the New Mexico RailRunner into Santa Fe.”
Wilson secured $1 million for the MRCOG to plan route alternatives for the Albuquerque to Santa Fe corridor. Wilson also says she looks forward to an airport spur that will connect air travelers to the rail line. As Phase I of the project is implemented, the airport will likely be connected to the rail line by shuttle. Wilson says the overall project is a big one that will require federal dollars.
“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 $1 million is an important starting point as we plan this project and begin implementation.”
The $1 million in funding comes from a request Wilson made in the federal highway bill, which passed Congress in July and was signed by President Bush in August.
“We’re creating jobs and building better roads,” says Wilson. “Our transportation infrastructure is the underpinning of job growth in our state, and the highway bill, with projects like the Rail Runner, will have a tangible result on our roads and will directly create thousands of jobs at the same time.”
The Transportation Equity Act (H.R. 3) authorizes the proposed Belen-to-Santa Fe commuter rail as a federal project. On July 29, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the $286 billion, six-year bill 412-8 and the U.S. Senate also passed it 91-4.
The new law includes $25 million in federal funds requested by Wilson for Albuquerque area projects, and reauthorizes about $1.7 billion in federal transportation funds in New Mexico over the next six years. Wilson also worked for other specific upgrades for Albuquerque area projects that will benefit 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.
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