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Washington, D.C. - It’s been nearly two years in the making, but the massive transportation reauthorization bill, or the Federal Highway Bill as it is known, finally made it to the U.S. House floor today and passed in a vote of 412-8. The bill, which represents a compromise between the U.S. House and Senate, is the product of months of negotiating by a House-Senate Conference Committee.
Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, a senior member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and a Highway Bill Conferee, was able to secure more than $60 million for Dallas area highway and transit projects. The Transportation Equity Act, (H.R. 3) reauthorizes federal highway, public transportation, highway safety and motor carrier safety programs. The bill provides a total of $286.5 billion in guaranteed funding for the next six years.
“The clock has been working against our country’s infrastructure, our state and particularly my congressional district for many years now,” said Congresswoman Johnson. “I am so pleased that both chambers of Congress have come together in a compromise for the good of our Nation’s infrastructure. It sends a message that investing in our country’s transportation system is a top priority. This bill will help to create new, good paying jobs; will promote economic development and address congestion, air quality, safety and security problems.”
The largest amount of earmarked funds goes to the Trinity River bridge project. $20 million has been set aside for the I-30 Bridge and $12 million has been earmarked for the I-35 Bridge. The funds represent nearly half of all the money the City of Dallas had requested for the Trinity Bridges.
“The Trinity River project is a bold vision for the City of Dallas,” Johnson said. “Applying the funds for these two bridges is a huge step for the future of our great City.”
The Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) system will also see major improvements due to more than $10.7 million in federal funds set aside in the Highway Bill. The funding will go to add 1,100 shelters to DART’s most heavily used bus stops and to provide bus-boarding improvements, such as benches and sidewalk improvements.
“Dallas residents use DART’s buses in all kinds of Texas weather. Unfortunately, many of DART’s stops don’t provide adequate shelter, which discourages rider ship. Providing for new amenities will allow DART to retain current riders and attract new ones, all with the goal of increasing North Texas’ mobility and improving the region’s air quality.”
Included in the funding is more than $1 million for a freight study to be conducted by the Texas Transportation Institute, which will provide for a detailed evaluation of the technical and economic feasibility of freight transportation via a specially designed and configured freight pipeline; 4.4 million to widen Motor Street to improve access into the Southwestern Medical District; $800,000 to conduct a feasibility study for an off ramp from I-30 on to Hall Street to improve access to the Baylor University Medical Center. The bill also provides for several million dollars to improve bridges and overpasses in southern Dallas County for increased truck traffic associated with the new Union Pacific Intermodal facility.
Johnson was also able to secure a provision in the bill that requires the U.S. Department of Transportation to provide the public with information on how the State of Texas disperses federal gas tax dollars amongst localities. The provision will increase transparency and will allow those in the Dallas-Fort-Worth area to know if the Texas Department of Transportation is properly investing in the metroplex.
The Highway Bill passed in the Senate this morning and now heads to the President’s desk for signature.
Transportation Projects Earmarked for the 30th Congressional District, represented by Congresswoman Johnson
*The amounts in the Conference Report represent an overall 20% cut from the original House bill*
House Bill (H.R. 3) Conference Report(H.R. 3)
Reconstruct I-30 Trinity River Bridge – Dallas, TX. $25,000,000 $20,000,000
Reconstruct 1-35 Trinity River Bridge – Dallas, TX $15,000,000 $12,000,000
Widen Motor Street thoroughfare in Dallas, TX
to improve accessibility
to Southwestern Medical District– Dallas, TX. $5,500,000 $4,400,000
Grade separation bridges at Wintergreen Rd.
and Millers Ferry Rd. in Hutchins, TX
and Pleasant Run Rd.
and Millers Ferry Rd. in Wilmer, TX. $8,200,000 $6,560,000
Fulghum Road Bridge on I-45 in
Dallas County (TX) to provide safety
and access for expanded intermodal traffic
from Union Pacific Intermodal Facility. $3,100,000 $2,480,000
Danieldale Rd from I-35E
to Houston School Rd in Lancaster, TX. $2,000,000 $1,600,000
Santa Fe Trail DART LR overpass from Hill St.
to Commerce St. along abandoned Santa Fe Rail
right of way– Dallas, TX. $2,400,000 $800,000
Feasibility study for an off ramp on I-30 on
to Hall Street for direct access
to Baylor University Medical Center
– Dallas, TX.Dallas. $1,000,000 $800,000
Bus Passenger Facilities
for Dallas Area Rapid Transit: s
helters, benches,
and bus stop improvements– Dallas, TX. $12,800,800 $10,700,800
Texas Transportation Institute- Freight Study Not included in bill $1,120,000
Total: $75,000,000 $60,700,800
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