Traffic and congestion in Northern Virginia dramatically affects the quality of life for residents and workers in the area.  By improving National Capital Region transportation, including our Metrorail system, we can provide an alternative to rising energy costs and ease the anxiety for Virginia commuters with fewer cars on the road.

My colleagues in Virginia and Maryland and I have consistently called for dedicated, federal funding for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). With legislation such as the National Capital Transportation Amendments Act (S.1446) and a provision in the Advancing America’s Priorities Act (S.3297), I have fought for stable, appropriate funding for the Metro system.  As the employer of nearly half of all rush-hour Metro riders, the federal government has a special responsibility to its workers and the region to support Metro’s revitalization. I am pleased that Senator Mark Warner and I were able to secure $150 million in funding for extensive Metro improvements that was included in the FY 2010 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Bill.

The U.S. Senate with my support passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), to revive our struggling economy by investing in several long-standing needs throughout the country. As a result, the U.S. Department of Transportation dedicated $77.3 million to accelerate work on Northern Virginia’s Dulles Corridor Metrorail extension. This funding brings Northern Virginia one step closer to a crucial Metrorail extension that will relieve congestion, improve quality of life and foster sustained economic growth in the region.

Through the ARRA, Virginia has also received $116 million in funding for mass-transit projects. These funds have been distributed to both urban and rural areas through the Federal Transit Administration’s Transit Capital Grants program. Funds will be spent on a wide range of public transit investments including heavy rail, commuter rail, light rail, trolleybus, cable car, ferryboats, and high-occupancy-vehicle (HOV) lanes.

Ensuring the safety of Metrorail passengers is paramount. To advance safety improvements, I was pleased to secure $150 million in funding for extensive Metro improvements that was included in the FY 2010 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Bill.

The Metro system provides a unified and coordinated transportation system for the region, enhancing mobility of residents, visitors and federal workers. With unprecedented growth, Metro has proven its value and I will continue to promote investment in this critical resource.