Bill now moves to the U.S. Senate for additional debate and consideration

Washington, DC - 12^th District Congressman John Barrow (D-GA) announced today that the U.S. House of Representatives has approved his requests for over $11 million in federal funding to help finance important transportation projects in and around the Athens area.  The funding is set aside in House Resolution 3, The Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (TEA-LU), which includes a total of $33 million for 12^th District road projects. 

"I am pleased to announce that the Athens area is on track to receive over $11 million in federal transportation funding," Barrow said.  "These federal funds will help spur new job growth throughout the Athens region, as well as develop transportation alternatives that can reduce traffic congestion.  This money will also help increase the number of parks and recreational spaces"

Many of the projects that passed the House today are projects Barrow had previously supported while serving on the Athens-Clarke County Commission - in particular, needed improvements to the Athens Transit System. 

"These aren't just my priorities - they reflect a consensus we developed in consultation with state and local transportation agencies," Barrow added.  "That's the way we ought to work together to promote the interests of the district."   

TEA-LU is part of the Transportation Reauthorization Act, which is renewed every six years to provide discretionary resources for the purpose of funding local road projects, Interstates, highways, and state highway departments.  The bill now heads to the U.S. Senate for further consideration. 

Earmarked transportation projects for the Athens area include:

·        $3,000,000 to construct a grade separated interchange of SR 10 at Peter Street and Olympic Drive;

·        $3,000,000 to construct a frontage road in Warren County that will run parallel to I-20.  The road will help create jobs by providing development opportunities for an industrial park;

·        $2,320,000 to build an extension of the North Oconee River Greenway Trail, connecting the University of Georgia and Dudley Park;    

·        $1,420,000 to help purchase new clean-diesel buses for the Athens Transit System; and

·        $1,400,000 for the Athens-Clarke County Rail-Trail Project - helping develop sections of abandoned rail corridors into a local bicycle/pedestrian transportation network. 

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Contact: Harper Lawson, (202) 225-2823

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