The six members of the Arkansas Congressional Delegation who fought for the projects contained in the Fiscal Year 2006 Transportation-Treasury-Judiciary-Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill are as follows: Senators Blanche Lincoln (D) and Mark Pryor (D), Representatives Marion Berry (D-1st), Vic Snyder (D-2nd), John Boozman (R-3rd), and Mike Ross (D-4th).

The annual spending bill funds the Department of Transportation, Department of the Treasury, the Judiciary branch, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The bill was approved earlier today by the House, and Senate approval is expected by the end of the day. Upon Senate approval, the bill is then expected to be signed into law by President Bush.

Below is a list of the Federal Highway Administration projects included in the bill:

$2 million for Highway 71: Texarkana - DeQueen

$3 million for improvements to Junction Bridge - Little Rock

$4 million to the state of Arkansas for bus and bus facilities for urban and rural transit agencies

$700,000 for improvements on U.S. 412 Mountain Home to Ash Flat

$350,000 to Highway 77 for rail grade separation in Marion

$350,000 to Highway 165 for the Stuttgart Railroad Overpass

$2 million to Highway 63: Interstate 55-Jonesboro

$750,000 to the Interstate 40/Highways 25/64 Interchange

$400,000 to the city of Texarkana, Arkansas, for bussing needs and bus facilities

The bill also contained the following three Federal Aviation Administration earmarks:

$577,000 to the Ozark Regional Airport in Baxter County for the final installation of an ILS system

$300,000 to the Boone County Regional Airport for ramp rehabilitation

$1 million to the Texarkana Regional Airport for the construction of an Aircraft Firefighting and rescue Station

The following earmarks were included in the Housing and Urban Development Economic Development Initiative:

$800,000 for the Central Arkansas Resource Conservation and Development Council in Helena, for the construction of the Phillips County Agricultural Storage Facility

$200,000 for the Boys and Girls Club of Ouachita County for the construction of recreational facilities

$200,000 for the City of Conway for downtown revitalization

$200,000 for Audubon Arkansas for the development of the Audubon Nature Center at Gillam Park in Little Rock

$150,000 to Grand Prairie Center for the Arts and Allied Health, Phillips County Community College in Stuttgart for facility construction

$150,000 to the City of Little Rock for facilities renovation and improvements to the community center at Granite Mountain

$150,000 to the El Dorado Public Schools for the expansion of a recreational field

$150,000 to North Arkansas College in Harrison for renovations to a conference and training facility

$250,000 to the Vada Sheid Community Development Center, ASU-Mountain Home for the community development center auditorium.

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