"Returning $4.1 million in transportation funds was a big victory for the families, workers and businesses of South Florida," said Rep. Wasserman Schultz.  "I will continue to work in Congress to secure worthy projects that will provide much needed support to South Florida's transportation infrastructure."

The following South Florida projects were included in the Transportation / Housing and Urban Development appropriations (TT-HUD):

1)                  Broward County: Automated People Mover at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport - This project, requested by Broward County, will continue to develop the financial and environmental feasibility of an Automated People Mover at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.  The People Mover will alleviate current congestion at FLL by linking the four passenger terminals, parking garages and rental car facilities.  Representative Wasserman Schultz secured $750,000 for this project.

2)                  Broward County: Nova Southeastern University, Center for Collaborative Bio-Medical Research - The need for Bio Medical Research facilities has been identified the Broward County economic development plan "Vision BROWARD" as one of the highest priorities for future economic development.  The facility will support the North Broward Hospital District Centers of Excellence as well as a $500 million investment by the State of Florida to develop urgently needed research capabilities in South Florida.  Representative Wasserman Schultz secured $250,000 for this project.

3)                  City of Fort Lauderdale: Downtown Development Authority: Downtown Rail Link - The project entails a downtown rail link to provide a transit linkage using low cost trolley technology between Florida Atlantic University, the Science and Performing Arts District, the Financial District, the Broward County Community College, apartments, condominiums, the retail/commercial land uses on S.E./S.W. Second Street and Las Olas, and Broward County Transit at inter-modal locations in downtown Fort Lauderdale.  The project will help connect downtown Fort Lauderdale to the regional Tri-Rail commuter system, as well as serve as the spine of the downtown mobility, when Phase II comes online in the future.  Representative Wasserman Schultz secured $1 million for this project

4)                  City of Hollywood: Young Circle Arts Park - This project, requested by the City of Hollywood, entails the reshaping of traffic entering and departing Young Circle due to the high level of traffic accidents and danger to pedestrians.  The project will significantly help traffic flow by mitigating congestion and providing greater safety to both drivers and pedestrians.  The project will also modernize Young Circle Park and create an area-wide cultural facility establishing a major new attraction for vehicle and pedestrian traffic in South Florida.  Representative Wasserman Schultz secured $200,000 for this project.

5)                  Miami-Dade County: Bus Fleet Expansion/Procurement - To date, the County has approximately 100 buses that are either 12 years or older and/or have more than 500,000 miles.  Within six months, this number will increase to 125 buses that will need replacement.  In order to maintain a consistent fleet replacement cycle, Miami-Dade County requests $15 million in discretionary federal Bus and Bus Related funds to purchase 65 buses. Funding for the purchase of replacement buses will enable the County to provide the riding public reliable, safe, wheelchair accessible buses.  Representative Wasserman Schultz secured the $1.9 million for this project.

# # #