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| House Approves Westside Transit Funds |
June 26, 2001 |
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| Transportation funding bill also includes funds to replace air traffic control facilities at the Albuquerque airport, Route 66 Tourism money and funding for Double Eagle Runway improvement
WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. House of Representatives approved legislation this afternoon that includes Congresswoman Heather Wilson’s request for $4.7 million to help pay for construction of the new Westside Transit Facility and to purchase new buses. Several other projects important to the Albuquerque area were also included in the funding bill.
“This funding will help city planners deal with the rapid growth that has burdened Albuquerque’s road system,” said Wilson. “The $4.7 million for the Westside Transit Facility and the purchase of new buses will be a major help for our city’s transportation system.”
The Westside facility is designed for the fueling, maintenance and deployment of 125 compressed natural gas powered vehicles, 35 paratransit and associated staff vehicles. A site for the facility has been identified, land has been acquired, and the design is approximately 60% complete with previous federal earmarks.
The legislation also includes $593,000 to replace the air traffic control facilities at the Albuquerque International Sunport. This funding is part of a major effort by the Congress to help improve safety in our nation’s skies and address the growing problem of airport delays.
The bill includes Wilson’s request for $450,000 for the New Mexico Department of Tourism to prepare a New Mexico Route 66 Scenic Byway Livable Communities and Transportation Plan. The primary objective of the project is to continue the revitalization of Route 66. In 1999, Congresswoman Wilson authored legislation, which is now law, that authorized the Interior Secretary to establish cultural resource programs through the National Park Service to preserve the Route 66 corridor.
Wilson also requested $2.1 million to upgrade the taxi system and refurbishment of two runways at the Double Eagle II Airport. Although the bill passed today did not include a specific funding amount for this project it was included on the Federal Aviation Administration’s priority funding list. This project will lengthen and strengthen the existing runways to accommodate corporate jet aircraft. This project will enable the city to expand much needed economic development in this area.
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