SALAZAR SAYS NEW LAW WILL MEND ROADS AND STRENGTHEN ECONOMY

Bill Includes $12 Million for U.S. 550 and U.S. 160 in Southwest Colorado

Washington, DC – Today, a bipartisan bill (H.R. 1195) to help promote 40,000 good-paying American jobs in transportation and construction was sent to President Bush for his consideration – the president is expected to sign the law. Specifically, the new law will make changes to remedy problems that kept critical local transportation projects on hold. Since January, America has suffered job losses for four consecutive months.

“Investing in highway and transit infrastructure is one way to jumpstart our economy and create American jobs, and this legislation is a critical step in that effort,” said Congressman Salazar. “Since 2007, the New Direction Congress has fought to put the country on a path to create more good-paying jobs here at home and repair and modernize the infrastructure that will make our economy strong for years to come.”

Congressman Salazar – the only Coloradan on the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee – has worked for over a year with his committee colleagues and the Colorado Department of Transportation in Denver to secure the additional funding for U.S. 550 and U.S. 160.

The $12 million will be divided between U.S. 550 and U.S. 160. U.S. 550 will receive $7 million for work from the New Mexico state line to Durango, including two mainline bridges, drainage improvements, deer fencing, and widening portions of 550 to four lanes. U.S. 160 will receive $5 million for work from State Highway 3 to east of the Florida River, including a second westbound lane into Durango, and partial construction of the relocated interchange of U.S. 160 and U.S. 550 east of Durango at Farmington Hill.

"Rural Colorado faces unique challenges when it comes to highway and road funding. Our area is competing with bigger cities to improve their roads and infrastructures,” Rep. Salazar said. “We need to put real resources into improving the roads and infrastructure in rural Colorado. The expansion and improvement of Highways 160 and 550 are a priority for the community and safety in the entire region. This $12 million will go a long way to making travel to and from Durango safer and more accessible and will help bring jobs to the Four Corners Region."

This new law comes at a time when American families are struggling with the rising prices of gas, groceries, college tuition, and health care. In January, Congress worked quickly to jumpstart the American economy, approving $107 billion in Recovery Rebates that have already have been delivered to 57 million households across America and will go to 75 million more in the coming weeks. Congress has also enacted legislation that guarantees the largest college aid expansion in almost 60 years, provides low-income families with uninterrupted access to student loans during this credit crunch and that will ease the strain of rising food prices for millions of Americans.

Congressman Salazar stated, “More work to rebuild the American economy must still be done. Congress will continue to send solutions to the administration to grow and strengthen our economy, create jobs, and help American families deal with the downturn.”

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	For immediate release: June 4, 2008
	Contact: (202) 225-4761 Eric Wortman, Communications Director
	SALAZAR SAYS NEW LAW WILL MEND ROADS AND STRENGTHEN ECONOMY
	Bill Includes $12 Million for U.S. 550 and U.S. 160 in Southwest Colorado Washington, DC – Today, a bipartisan bill (H.R. 1195) to help promote 40,000 good-paying American jobs in transportation and construction was sent to President Bush for his consideration – the president is expected to sign the law. Specifically, the new law will make changes to remedy problems that kept critical local transportation projects on hold. Since January, America has suffered job losses for four consecutive months. “Investing in highway and transit infrastructure is one way to jumpstart our economy and create American jobs, and this legislation is a critical step in that effort,” said Congressman Salazar. “Since 2007, the New Direction Congress has fought to put the country on a path to create more good-paying jobs here at home and repair and modernize the infrastructure that will make our economy strong for years to come.” Congressman Salazar – the only Coloradan on the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee – has worked for over a year with his committee colleagues and the Colorado Department of Transportation in Denver to secure the additional funding for U.S. 550 and U.S. 160. The $12 million will be divided between U.S. 550 and U.S. 160. U.S. 550 will receive $7 million for work from the New Mexico state line to Durango, including two mainline bridges, drainage improvements, deer fencing, and widening portions of 550 to four lanes. U.S. 160 will receive $5 million for work from State Highway 3 to east of the Florida River, including a second westbound lane into Durango, and partial construction of the relocated interchange of U.S. 160 and U.S. 550 east of Durango at Farmington Hill. "Rural Colorado faces unique challenges when it comes to highway and road funding. Our area is competing with bigger cities to improve their roads and infrastructures,” Rep. Salazar said. “We need to put real resources into improving the roads and infrastructure in rural Colorado. The expansion and improvement of Highways 160 and 550 are a priority for the community and safety in the entire region. This $12 million will go a long way to making travel to and from Durango safer and more accessible and will help bring jobs to the Four Corners Region." This new law comes at a time when American families are struggling with the rising prices of gas, groceries, college tuition, and health care. In January, Congress worked quickly to jumpstart the American economy, approving $107 billion in Recovery Rebates that have already have been delivered to 57 million households across America and will go to 75 million more in the coming weeks. Congress has also enacted legislation that guarantees the largest college aid expansion in almost 60 years, provides low-income families with uninterrupted access to student loans during this credit crunch and that will ease the strain of rising food prices for millions of Americans. Congressman Salazar stated, “More work to rebuild the American economy must still be done. Congress will continue to send solutions to the administration to grow and strengthen our economy, create jobs, and help American families deal with the downturn.”
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