Congresswoman included provisions on public transportation, Interstate 11, Sonoran Corridor and distracted driving
WASHINGTON, D.C. – November 6, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Today’s long-awaited House passage of a major highway bill – H.R. 22 – included several provisions from U.S. Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick, D-Ariz., who is Arizona’s only member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
Because of Kirkpatrick’s work, the highway bill:
Changes the formula used by the federal Small Transit Incentive Cities program (STIC) from 1.5 to 2 percent. This will give a notable boost to public transportation systems in smaller but growing Arizona communities like Flagstaff.
Establishes an official designation of the Interstate 11 as a federal High Priority Corridor, which makes it eligible for federal resources.
Establishes an official designation of the Sonoran Corridor (along State Route 410 connecting the I-19 and I-10 south of the Tucson International Airport) as a federal High Priority Corridor, which makes it eligible for federal resources.
Allows states that have enacted distracted driving laws and teen cellphone bans to qualify for incentive grant funding.
“Transportation and infrastructure are key to Arizona’s economy, so it’s good news whenever we can make these systems stronger,” Kirkpatrick said. “My staff and I worked hard to get these provisions into the highway bill, and I’m pleased to report that we got the job done.”
Kirkpatrick’s provisions in the highway bill come on the heels of last week’s announcement that she secured a $15 million TIGER grant to help Maricopa build an overpass at one of Arizona’s most dangerous rail crossings.
The highway bill, a version of which passed the Senate over the summer, now heads to a House-Senate Conference Committee to finalize the legislation and send to the president’s desk.
