(Washington, DC) Today, Congressman John Yarmuth’s (KY-3) announced that Congress has approved five of his project requests for Louisville in the final conference report for the FY08 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations bill, totaling $5.28 million.

“As Louisville continues to grow, both in size and stature, transportation and community development issues have been pushed to the forefront of our agenda,” Congressman Yarmuth said.  “Hopefully, after traveling through our airport, the President will reconsider his threat to veto funding for it and other projects crucial to our community.”

Having been approved by both houses of Congress, the heads to the President’s desk.  Louisville’s included projects are detailed below: 

$980,000- The Ohio River Bridges Project
The funding will be used for the two new Ohio River bridges as well as reconstruction of “Spaghetti Junction” in downtown Louisville.  The U.S. Department of Transportation recently recognized the project as one of the most five largest and most significant transportation projects in the nation. 

$245,000 - TARC Clean Bus Program
This funding will help Louisville’s Transit Authority of River City (TARC) will replace 15 older, poor performing buses with new, clean-diesel buses. The new state-of-the-art buses will give TARC a top notch and environmentally friendly fleet of buses unrivaled by most major cities.

$196,000 - New Zion Community Resource Center’s West End School
New Zion Community Resource Center will renovate space for its West End School Program, a boarding school that helps at-risk middle school boys become responsible and productive citizens by providing the education and life skills needed to succeed in the workforce.  The renovation will include the construction of dormitory space, student lounge, faculty apartments and classrooms, and accommodate other student and faculty needs.

$1,225,000 - Louisville International Airport: Runway widening, lighting and signage upgrades
Upgrades will be made to improve capacity and safety Louisville International Airport (SDF) to accommodate Group VI aircraft.  SDF has seen two decades of tremendous growth and these funds will be used for runway expansion as well as the implementation of required upgrades of lighting and signage, that will help take the airport to the next level in its role as an international hub.

$98,000 - St. Cecilia Senior House Project
Catholic Charities will use this funding to renovate a historic designated former parochial school to create affordable housing units.  The complex, which is on the historic designation registry, will provide 30 units of affordable housing for low-income seniors.