(Washington, DC)- Today Congresswoman Gwen Moore and Senator Herb Kohl announced that the Senate-House appropriations conference report that funds the Department of Transportation includes $6.4 million for transportation projects in the Milwaukee area. Included in the fiscal year 2006 appropriations bill was $4 million for the Marquette Interchange, $2 million for the Milwaukee Intermodal Terminal Project, and $400,000 for the Midwest Regional Rail Initiative.

"Well-maintained, efficient, up-to-date transportation systems are attractive to investment and potential employers when they are considering where they should move or expand their business," said Congresswoman Moore.  "The renovation and upgrades made possible by this funding will help to keep the Milwaukee area competitive in an increasingly global economy, and these projects will also provide new jobs for local workers."

"Improving our transportation infrastructure is vital for promoting economic growth, lessening congestion and maintaining public safety," said Kohl. "I am proud of the work that Congresswoman Moore and I have done to secure these important federal funds."

$4 million for the Marquette Interchange - A total of $4 million dollars of federal funding was secured to fund the repair and expansion of the Marquette Interchange.  These funds are crucial to the Interchange as it plays a vital role in not only Milwaukee's infrastructure, but that of the entire region as well.  Most area freeways intersect at the Interchange, which links over 300,000 vehicles each day, or roughly one-third of Wisconsin's freeway traffic, to the rest of the country.  Currently, the daily number of vehicles that use the Marquette Interchange amounts to twice the traffic it was designed to carry when it was opened in 1968.  Repairs will enable the Interchange to better serve the nearly 4,300 private businesses, 121,600 private jobs, and 7 million visitors that rely on the highway each year.

$2 million for the Milwaukee Intermodal Terminal Project - The bill also designated $2 million for the Milwaukee Intermodal Terminal Project, which will create a gateway to Milwaukee where regional rail, Greyhound Bus, and other transit operators can more effectively serve those traveling to Mitchell Airport, downtown, and the surrounding suburbs across southeastern Wisconsin.  Funding will be used for a major renovation of the Milwaukee Amtrak Station and the existing train shed as well as the Greyhound terminal. The work will allow for usage by a greater number of commuters through renovation of the terminals, creation of additional parking options, and platform upgrades for both Amtrak and Greyhound operations.

$400,000 for the Midwest Regional Rail Initiative - The Midwest Regional Rail Initiative is a collaborative effort among several states to bring high-speed rail to the Midwest.  The funding will be used to study the feasibility of high-speed rail in the Milwaukee to Chicago corridor.  Ultimately, the Initiative aims to develop a passenger rail system that will offer shorter travel times for commuters between Milwaukee and Chicago, resulting in increased ridership and reduced congestion on roadways in the area.

The Senate-House Treasury, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development appropriations conference report now goes to the President to be signed into law.

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For an interview with Congresswoman Gwen Moore, please contact Ashley Glacel at 202-225-4572.

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