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This year, Congress is tasked with passing legislation to reauthorize surface transportation programs that make investments in our highways and transit systems because the existing legislation is set to expire on September 30, 2009.
»Learn more about surface transportation reauthorization issues (PDF)
Under current law, the U.S. Department of Transportation, states, metropolitan planning organizations, and public transit agencies are responsible for the vast majority of surface transportation investment decisions. Although the current federal-state-local partnership has served highway and transit systems well, it is inevitable that not all communities' needs are met through this process.
To complement the work done by these agencies, and to ensure that communities are equitable beneficiaries of these important programs, a small percentage of the overall investments made in surface transportation are available for Congressionally-designated High Priority Projects.
»Learn more about the requirements for High Priority Projects (PDF).
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee asked me to present a list of High Priority Projects for Indiana's First Congressional District that would "result in tangible transportation and safety benefits." That list, which is available for your review below, is comprised of projects submitted to my office by Northwest Indiana's communities.
I work hard to review all of the funding requests that I receive and then advocate in support of the projects that represent the highest and best use of taxpayer dollars and that can be implemented quickly and are most likely to qualify for assistance. These are difficult times and our communities need to see as many of our hard-earned tax dollars as possible returned to Northwest Indiana to support worthwhile transportation projects that put people to work and improve the quality of life for all our citizens.
In an effort to be even more transparent, I am posting all of the High Priority Projects requests my office submitted to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for your review. There is no guarantee that these requests will be funded in full, or even funded at all, but I will do my best to ensure that Northwest Indiana gets the federal support it needs and deserves.
