“Our roads, highways, and airports are an essential part of our economy and necessary for the creation of good-paying jobs for the region,” said Obey, the Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, “so I’m glad the House approved these much needed funds to help improve County Highway C without putting too much of a strain on local taxpayers.”

County Highway C serves as a main access route for state and federal attractions, including the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, and the Chequamegon National Forest.  As a result, the amount of traffic is far more than that of a typical county trunk highway serving local residents and business.  The funds Obey requested are intended to help the county deal with that extra traffic by allowing them to resurface and widen the roadway, widen the shoulder, and add turn and by-pass lanes along heavily used portions of the highway to increase accessibility and safety.

However, the bill must still be approved by the Senate and signed by the President before it becomes law, Obey warned. “But having these funds included in the House passed bill means that a major hurdle has been cleared,” he concluded.

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