Southwest Florida's opportunities to enhance its transportation system got a shot in the arm recently when two local members of Congress were named to the influential House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Freshman Rep. Vern Buchanan, R- Sarasota, and Rep. Connie Mack, R-Fort Myers, have both been awarded seats on the committee. The placement was a real coup for Buchanan while Mack is returning to a committee where he successfully garnered millions of dollars in funding last year to widen Interstate 75.

Committee Vice Chairman John Mica, on Wednesday, named Buchanan to the Highways, Transit, and Pipelines Subcommittee as well as the Aviation Subcommittee. In the 110th Congress, the Highways, Transit and Pipelines Subcommittee will begin work on the next surface transportation reauthorization bill, which authorizes federal funding for the nation's highway projects.

While there is no guarantee that having two congressmen seated on the committee, instead of one, will mean more money for our area, it certainly won't hurt to add Buchanan's voice to Mack's when it comes to making a case for more and better roads here.

Interstate 75 should continue to be the main target. Even with last year's victory, anyone who plays the political game in Washington knows funds are never secure until the work begins. While Mack will have to shepherd through those funds, he can also turn his attention to seeking more money to complete the widening of the interstate farther north -- in Charlotte County, for example.

There are other needs, however.

The iron should still be hot for our congressmen to seek funding to improve hurricane evacuation routes. Memories of Hurricanes Katrina, Wilma and Charley should help make a case to improve routes like River Road in Sarasota County, Burnt Store Road in Charlotte County and a number of other secondary routes that will be inundated with travelers if and when the next big storm heads our way.

Another critical need is for a second north-south highway parallel to I-75. There are no plans for this road now but its need is obvious, and there have been numerous discussions among Metropolitan Transportation Organization board members, county commissioners and others about how to locate and fund such a main artery through Southwest Florida.

We understand the scope of this project is immense -- funding alone could reach the billions. But, land will never get any cheaper and if development continues at its current pace, there will be no clear route remaining for such a road.

We are confident Buchanan and Mack will be able to make inroads in the quest for more and better roads in their home districts.