Rep. Salazar secures $18 million for TTCI facility in Pueblo

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Congressman John T. Salazar announced the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 2095, the Federal Railroad Safety Improvement Act of 2007.  This legislation includes $18 million in funding for the design, development and construction of a Facility for Underground Rail Station and Tunnel (FURST) at the Transportation Technology Center, Inc. (TTCI) in Pueblo, Colorado.

The $18 million investment into the railroad testing facility will be used to build a tunnel simulation track to help develop security and counter terrorism measures on subways and other underground mass transit systems.  The facility will focus on chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or explosive incidents, and other activities associated with potential terrorist events, as well as all other incidents involving passenger railcars. “The tunnel will add to the center’s capabilities and serve as an invaluable resource as we strive to ensure our nation’s railroads are as safe and secure as possible,” Rep. Salazar said.

In July, Rep. Salazar invited House Homeland Security Committee Chairman, Rep. Bennie Thompson, Under Secretary of Homeland Security, Jay Cohen, and Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection Subcommittee Chair, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee to the test site to observe the facility in action.   “For two years I have worked to secure funding for this facility and I’m pleased that this legislation was passed today,” added Rep. Salazar.  “This facility is unlike any in the world and having it in Pueblo’s back yard is reason to be proud.”

The Transportation Technology Center Inc. manages the Federal Railroad Administrations’ Transportation Technology Center (TTC), located 21 miles northeast of Pueblo, Colorado.  This 52-square mile site operates with a vast array of specialized testing facilities and railways. TTC enables isolated testing for all categories of freight and passenger rolling stock, vehicle and track components, and safety devices.  TTC is used by the Federal Railroad Administration to conduct significant research and development on rail safety.

“The testing conducted at TTCI will help prevent attacks on tunnels and minimize the loss of life if our transit systems are attacked,” said Rep. Salazar.

The legislation now moves to the U.S. Senate for consideration.